"That's how mine work." Sasuke wrapped his arms tighter around his legs, holding onto his wrists...still thin. His thumbs traced over the places where he had burned seals onto his skin. "I'm the only one who can avenge them, and I haven't done it...so they're restless. They want Konoha to pay for its crimes. And I'm the only one who can collect."

If Shin watched, he would be able to see Sasuke rocking, very, very slowly. His stare was fixed at an unknown spot in the distance, eyes glazed.

"They'll go to sleep once I kill the wretched sacks of bones who signed their death sentence," he continued, more to himself than to Shin. Almost under his breath. "They have to. They won't have any reason to keep haunting me."