"Seemed." That was the word he focused on, fighting a sudden gut-wrenching fear. Itachi... how many copies of the monster who called himself his brother? How many of them were there, looking for him, throwing that same contempt in his face?

You never were anything to me but spare parts, Sasuke...

He shook his head. No. No, she was saying that wasn't true. A child of eight... how could that one be the monster? And yet, when did monstrosity begin?

"Keep them away from me," he said, low and tight. "I don't want them near me."