Sorry guys, but this isn't a new chapter (as you can see in the title). I figured I have to release some notes about the latest chapter of Welcome Home due to the intense reaction that it garnered (particularly in fanfiction.net). I'm not complaining, in fact, I'm taking it as a compliment, that people are finally taking notice of my story and that they enjoy it (I really wish you do). But I feel like I have to clarify some things that may have been too vague.
But before that, I just want to apologize if some parts of my writing were not up to par with your standards. Again, although I've been writing fanfictions for quite some time, this is the first story that I really took seriously and so, you can consider Welcome Home as my first fanfiction.
That aside, I will list down the things that I want to shed light on according to how they appeared in the chapter.
1. Tenten's seduction mission.
In Tenten's seduction mission, she was not raped. Again, SHE WAS NOT RAPED. Although the narrative was in chapter 38, she shares it with Neji in chapter 39 and that is why I feel that I have to include it here in my A/N. Tenten's target was a pervert who liked to 'brand' the women he engages in sex with a kanji of the bull in their body parts. That's the fetish Tenten was pertaining to. Because the situation got a little out of hand, Tenten was branded too, but the medical ninjas in Konoha were able to heal it and remove the scar.
2. Akira's bell test with Kakashi.
I know it's cliche to use the bell test, but I wanted to draw the similarities and differences of Naruto and Akira. I think I've already established that Akira is insecure of Naruto (and a little jealous) because he had already surpassed her by leaps and because she thinks that the village leaders favor Naruto over her, even though they are both jinchuriki. I wanted to magnify this insecurity by putting Akira under the same test (bell test). Also, I know I wasn't able to show the range of Akira's skills during her spar. This is a mistake on my part and I apologize. I know I made Akira overpowered in the beginning of this story and I only realized later on how that was a huge mistake. I assure you that I will correct this mistake once I start editing the entire story. I humbly ask for your understanding.
3. "We meet again, Satsuna."
Towards the end of Kakashi and Akira's spar, Akira made the mistake of looking at his Sharingan, which then caused her to "see" the Kageboshi. I just want to make it clear that Kakashi does not have the power to command the beast like how Madara can control the Kyuubi. No. Kakashi does not have the same power. Rather, this is just a genjutsu of Akira's greatest fear that Kakashi had conjured.
I know you're wondering how Kakashi knew of Akira's weakness. Remember when they (Akira, Kakashi, Naruto and Neji) had a mission to escort the actress Fujiwara Keiko? It was in chapter 25 where Kakashi used his Sharingan to break the genjutsu that Shinji (Fujiwara's accomplice) placed on Akira. In that genjutsu, he saw Akira's fears, which was why he has knowledge of Akira's weakness.
4. Neji and Tenten.
Okay, I think this is one of the two issues that truly caused the intense reactions I've been getting over fanfiction.net (the other issue, I will address later because I want to save the best for last).
Neji's relationships with Akira and Tenten are complicated. He is teammates and sort-of-best friends with Tenten and he is aware that she's in love with him. While he doesn't really "dislike" her, he feels that he's not entirely incapable of returning Tenten's affection. Their friendship runs deep so he couldn't just push Tenten aside. That's why he's a little guilty that he doesn't spend time with Tenten as much as he used to because he feels that he's neglecting their friendship.
With Akira, on the other hand, Neji is still confused as to what he truly feels for the girl. That's the reason why he hasn't defined their relationship yet and why he didn't return her confession (Chapter 33, where Akira says "I love you."). He's earnest that he cares for Akira but his mission complicates matters. He feels guilty for deceiving her but at the same time, his loyalty to his village pulls him to the opposite direction. I'm pretty sure he's in love with Akira too, it's just that he hasn't fully recognized it yet due to his circumstances.
I understand that Neji really seems like a douchebag right now, and I apologize if the recent chapters had made you guys dislike him. However, I wrote him that way because I think it is necessary for his character development. We have to remember that Neji isn't the outspoken type, nor the kind who bares his heart. For the most part, he is non-confrontational and would rather introspect than speak out. Also, he's very loyal to his village and takes his missions seriously. Therefore, there needs to be some sort of conflict between him and Akira, and between him and Tenten, so that he can evolve as a character in Welcome Home.
I know some would argue that, "Hey, he openly told Akira he's interested in her and even showed it physically". Yes, I agree, but we must realize that he has ulterior motives. Initially, he was pursuing Akira not because he's in love with her but because he needs something (which will be fully revealed in future chapter) from her. However, as their paths crossed and his attraction for her continued to grow into something more, that's when he started to truly care for Akira. It has been mentioned in the early parts of the story how he was attracted to Akira and vice versa, and in the latter chapters, the narratives were clear enough to reveal how this attraction between them grew to more intense emotions. Soon enough, Akira fell in love with Neji, and Neji's feelings had changed from platonic to romantic. He says this to Yuudai and Akai in chapters 36 and 37.
In contrast, what he feels for Tenten is simply friendship, although he doesn't discount the fact that if things were different--meaning if Akira isn't present--he PROBABLY and MIGHT BE able to return Tenten's love for him.
So, which would it be for Neji: Akira or Tenten? Well, let's see in the future chapters, shall we? :) (PS: Though, if I were to ask you, which pairing would you prefer? NejiTen? NejiAkira? Or none? Whichever of the three, I'd love to know what you think in the comments. :D)
5. Did Akira and Neji have sex?
NO. I know that in the last few paragraphs, the Kageboshi said "You're like your mother, spreading her legs open--" and "He only lusts after your flesh.". I just want to be clear that it does not indicate that something sexual has already happened between Akira and Neji. No. It's just the Kageboshi's way of taunting Akira, telling her that she believes Neji too much and assumes that he loves her. Basically, it's just the demon wolf's trash talking. So you guys can relax, Neji and Akira hasn't gone that far into their "relationship" yet.
(PS again: But, would you like them to? I mean, I am quite partial to the idea, but I'm still not 100% decided. What do you guys think?)
Right. I guess that's all I have to say about the previous chapters. Thank you for reading my story. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to leave a review. I'd like to know how to make my story better.
Cheers!
~Akira.
BINABASA MO ANG
Welcome Home
Fanfiction(CURRENTLY BEING EDITED/RE-WRITTEN) They say life is unfair, but for Satsuna Akira life is more than unfair. Born a jinchuriki, orphaned at an early age and ostracized for things she has no control of, she had decided to finally leave her village fo...
