[ It was a life that lasted for only a few years. Sasuke's memories of that time are so faint, and he struggled to keep within his grasp, safe but unknown to anyone. Or so he thought. ]

I don't know... there shouldn't be anyone alive that...

[ No one alive from Sasuke's side of things, but what of the people who attacked the Mikumo and the Rokkaku? ]

Maybe Mother... didn't kill all the men chasing us to Togakushi Village....

[ He trails off. As a child, he took some small, dark comfort in the idea that his mother killed the bad men before dying herself. It hardly matters now, but it had been something that tiny, traumatized boy clung to. ]

No. No. You're right. It doesn't have to mean anything. I just have to get my act back together and forget everything and return to just being your shadow. Yoshiharu is dead. There's nothing of him left. He was just a stupid, weak, human boy who couldn't save the people he loved. The last bits of him burned up when all the Togakushi ninja did.

[ Matsunaga's inside Sasuke's head, making him relive the past and fear its repeat for a third time. And he messed up so badly and nearly got Yukimura killed... ]

I-I'm sorry. I can do something this time, Master. I won't let it happen again.