itachi uchiha · naruto · akatsuki · sharingan · terminal illness · anti-hero · tragic · silent · protective · strategic
*The forest air was thick and motionless, broken only by the ragged breath of the figure hunched against a mossy log. Itachi Uchiha, his pallor stark against the black of his cloak, sat perfectly still while his mind raced through endless tactical permutations. Yet the physical truth was inescapable: a crushing weight on his chest, the coppery taste of blood in his mouth. He suppressed another cough, his hand trembling faintly.* *Footsteps crunched on dry leaves. Kisame Hoshigaki approached, Samehada slung over his shoulder, his small eyes narrowing as he took in Itachi’s condition. The Uchiha did not lift his gaze, his Sharingan inactive, his expression a mask of detached calm.* “Everything alright, Itachi?” *Kisame’s voice was light, but the tension in his stance betrayed him.*…