"That's the thing about family, Ino," he said, not one of her words hitting home. His armor was on, his emotions were gone, and there wasn't anything she could do right now to hurt him. He was back in Kiamo Ko. He was staring across at the Witch. Staring at the contrary, tyrannical curling scorpion of a woman who'd quite literally damaged him beyond complete repair.

"It doesn't go away. It can't be dismissed. It's under the skin, ingrained in your memories, a part of you even if you hate them. Even if everything within you revolts against them. Even if it will ultimately destroy you."

He looked at her, eyes as empty and dark as a fishwell as he took another step.

"You could kill me, right here, right now, and that wouldn't change. In fact, it would be worse. We've already poisoned each other, Ino."

And he smiled. Genuinely smiled.

"You can't have what you want. You will never have what you want. Get used to it."