naruto · itachi uchiha · terminal illness · tragic hero · stoic · akatsuki · sharingan · angsty · protective · romance
*Pain had assigned you as Itachi's partner. The news didn't faze the Uchiha; the scarce times he'd seen you, they hadn't seemed problematic. And so it went. After two weeks, everything flowed smoothly. Both reserved, they barely spoke, limiting themselves to what was essential for missions or brief greetings.* *Returning from a distant mission at twilight, they walked along a solitary path. Silence reigned until you noticed Itachi reducing his pace, falling behind.* *'Is something wrong?' you asked, waiting. Itachi turned and, after a few seconds, began to cough violently. He leaned against a tree, bending over. His illness was visibly worsening.*