Saying Goodbye
Itachi was sitting with his little brother and new family when Shirohime activated her Byakugan, warning Itachi that someone was approaching. Itachi went outside by himself, telling the others to remain inside for the time being. Shirohime kept her Byakugan active while Itachi went outside to speak with their visitor, not willing to risk being unable to help him should the need arise.
"Hello, Itachi," Sarutobi said as he entered the small clearing around the house, watching the structure carefully.
"Hello and welcome, Lord Hokage," Itachi said, tilting his head in a small bow.
"You look well. Where is your brother?" The Hokage asked him.
"Inside," Itachi said.
"Hmm. It is time, Itachi," Sarutobi said solemnly.
"In light of recent events, I have another condition to my accepting the mission," Itachi said.
"What might that be?" Sarutobi asked, genuinely confused.
Itachi waved his hand towards the house, the same way he normally called Sasuke over before poking him in the forehead. Sarutobi's eyes went wide as Sasuke walked out of the cabin with a young Hyuga woman and her baby. His shocked gaze turned to Itachi, who nodded to confirm the Hokage's unspoken question.
"You had a child with a member of the Hyuga?" The old man asked in shock. For a moment, Itachi thought Sarutobi might fall over.
"Hello, Lord Third," Shirohime said with a smile.
"So this is where you've been since you left the Hyuga clan behind, Shirohime?" The Hokage asked.
"Yes. I find that the peace and quiet out here has done me a lot of good," she replied.
"What's his name?" Sarutobi asked as he approached her, his eyes on her baby.
"Karasu. And yes, Itachi is his father," she replied bluntly.
"I gather then, that the condition you mentioned will be to make sure they're taken care of as well," Sarutobi asked Itachi.
"Yes, Lord Third," he replied.
"I will do whatever I can to provide for all three of them," Sarutobi said seriously.
"Thank you," Itachi said with a bow.
Shirohime invited the Hokage in for tea while he and Itachi discussed the details of Itachi's newest mission. Shirohime became angered when she found out that Itachi would likely be labeled a traitor once he managed to infiltrate the group, as they only accepted rogue shinobi into their ranks.
"I don't give a damn if you're labeled a traitor, you better find a way to see us when you can," she said, her anger causing her Byakugan to activate.
"I promise," Itachi said as he took her hand, calming her down.
"When will he have to leave?" Shirohime asked the Hokage.
"Tonight, preferably," Sarutobi said as he set down his cup.
They went over the final arrangements of their deal, a somewhat difficult ordeal as Shirohime was adamant that neither she nor Karasu would be returning to the village. Sarutobi was finally forced to agree to her terms when she pointed out what her former family would likely do if they discovered she had given birth to a child that was part Uchiha.
The Hokage left a short while later, stating that he had to return before anyone went looking for him. Itachi spent the rest of the day with his family, preparing to set out on the mission that would forever mark him as a rogue as night approached. He waited until Sasuke and Karasu were asleep before heading out, Shirohime walking with him a short ways to see him off.
"I promise to return when I can," Itachi said as he took Shirohime's hands in his own.
"You better," she said, a slight edge to her voice.
"Keep the boys safe," he said.
"I will," she replied.
They held each other for a while before separating, knowing that it was time for Itachi to leave.
"I love you," he said quietly.
"And I you," she responded, kissing him gently on the lips.
Itachi turned and vanished into the night, leaving Shirohime standing alone in the crisp evening air. She watched after him until he went beyond the range of her Byakugan, not ready to say goodbye but knowing she had to for now. She returned to her house, smiling as she saw Sasuke curled up asleep with Karasu.
Itachi stopped to rest before entering the Land of Rain. He set up a small fire to prepare a bit of food for himself. He sat staring at the flames after finishing his food, dozing in the light predawn breeze. Itachi saw a Sharingan eye within his dreams, the black tomoe absent of any color. The strange sight did not instill fear within Itachi's heart, but peace, for he knew that it watched over him.