Chapter 1

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Love yourself first, because that's who you'll be spending the rest of your life with.

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*3rd POV [Haru: Age 5]*

Itachi's condition was getting worse, and he knew it.

He took a quick glance at Haru to make sure she was still occupied, and made a quick break for the bathroom as the pressure in his lungs built up, and tumbled out as a fit of coughs as he shoved the door open, trying to make as little sound as possible.

He stood there for a few moments, shakily recovering his breath as he glared at the spots of red that seemed to mock him from the floor.

His time was approaching, and more quickly than he expected. It was only a matter of time before Sasuke would find him, and along with him Haru.

It all came back to the night where he decided that he would raise Haru. He'd gotten help from a few widows that were more than willing to help out once they found out who her mother was, thanking them vigorously whenever he did so. And through the years, Haru had grown. Despite the circumstances, Itachi admitted that he somewhat enjoyed being a father, or rather the fact that there was someone that didn't hate or fear him.

He was still human, after all.

"Dad...?" A voice mumbled from behind him, shocking him out of his thoughts.

He whipped around, meeting the startled eyes of Haru. "I..." The words died in his throat, as her eyes widened at the sight of the red dots sprinkled on the floor.

It was getting closer.

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[Edited]