Fatalistic but still hopeful. I like it!
-- Your skills are definitely improving too. Your pacing was perfect!

Thanks, it was hard with being sick. Had to have vernajast look it over for me cuz I knew something was off and couldn't figure out what... I had the last part in past tense. I hate writing when I'm sick but I'm glad it turned out so well.

And yeah I like having a little hope at the end of something angsty.

"I knew something was off and couldn't figure out what..."

Damn, you shouldn't have said that. You left me an opening. Okay, this is a mistake I keep seeing you make. I just kept off mentioning it because I hoped you would spot it.

You're putting two characters' actions in the same paragraph and breaking the dialogue in the wrong place.

Example:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why do that Sensei?" <-- Kakashi / Minato --> Kakashi's question startles him and Minato pauses, his fingers still in the sand of the incense burner.

This is STILL Minato -->"It's something my father used to do whenever he visited my mother." Taking a bit of dust in his hand he takes Kakashi's wrist and turns it, letting the sand fall into the boy's open palm before closing the pale fingers with his own. "Think of thing that you wish for most, hold it tight against your heart for a moment."

Kakashi's hand clenches but his expression remains impassive and only Minato is there to see the way he closes his uncovered eye and holds his breath. <--Kakashi / Minato --> "Then..." He prys Kakashi's fingers open. "...let it go."

Adjusted
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why do that Sensei?"

Kakashi's question startles him and Minato pauses with his fingers still in the sand of the incense burner. "It's something my father used to do whenever he visited my mother." Taking a bit of dust in his hand he takes Kakashi's wrist and turns it, letting the sand fall into the boy's open palm before closing the pale fingers with his own. "Think of what you wish for the most, hold it tight against your heart for a moment."

Kakashi's hand clenches but his expression remains impassive and only Minato is there to see the way he closes his uncovered eye and holds his breath.

"Then..." Minato pries Kakashi's fingers open. "...let it go."

actually thanks hun, I've got the worst freaking headache at the moment and it was seriously freaking late when I finished. I still can't hardly see straight. I'll fix it and thanks again.

Take some pain-killers and get some sleep, sweety!
-- I only mentioned it because you're so damned close to perfection, I just had to give you that last little push.

^///^ I appreciate it. Seriously sometimes I look at something and it's like one of those I spy games. hehe I'm too busy stalking the polls to sleep yes even though I know Obama already one... I just... I... I have to stalk it until they all report in.

I'm stalking the pools too! I'm in NC and Obama only made majority by 1%! 50 - 49!

It's interesting that it's considered a landslide based on electoral votes but popular vote wise it's close.

It's the electoral college that actually cast the votes that count.
-- I'm beginning to think a great many senators were less enthusiastic about the Bush Admin than they let on.

I know but it's one of those fascinating things.

Sudden change in subject...
-- Who are your recommendations for good fiction here?

I have no idea to be honest. I haven't wandered around too much yet. Thanks to being sick and just swamped with stuff.

I guess we'll just have to explore together!