[Silence lapses for a moment as he considers those words, speculative, turning them over in his mind. When he speaks, it comes in a quieter tone between them—a susurrus of a confession.]

I didn't know for a long time. It happened in Stygia—do you remember those flowers? Some were afflicted with an illness triggered by emotion. They were trying to cure it.

[Only one person ever knew why Sasuke suffered, for whom.]

Mine was sunflowers. Bright yellow. [Eyes turn down to his own lap, right hand draped over the hilt of the wooden sword.] Did you meet Naruto? He was there, for a little while.