Never again, Sasuke told himself, would he allow himself to get attached. After witnessing his family be slaughtered, Sasuke vowed not only vengeance, but to maintain his distance from others— all for the sake of keeping salt out of his fresh wounds.

Alas, Sasuke was a child. He couldn’t help but depend on the first person to show him kindness after the traumatic event that he had endured.

“… I…”

Standing before you in the pouring rain, Sasuke fails to articulate words. He still smells of rust and metal, and his clothes remained painted crimson.