The morning came far too soon and Himari woke up to Itachi already ready but sitting on the edge of the bed. "I thought about just leaving without waking you, but knew that'd be far too disrespectful," he whispered.
Himari nodded. "You'd be right. That'd be unacceptable."
She got somewhat put together and made sure he had goods packed that he needed for his journey. They stood outside in their familiar parting spot, holding each other.
"I can't explain how much I love you," Itachi whispered. "I never thought I'd experience this, and it's the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. But we'll see each other again someday… and I'll always make sure you're taken care of."
Himari was crying silently. "I love you with all of my heart. You'll always be with me, okay? I can't wait to see you again someday… but I'll make sure it's not too soon."
They kissed, many times, holding each other tightly… Before Himari finally let him go. They were both crying but looked each other in the eyes. "I know you said you have to do this, but if you ever change your mind… I'll always be here, with open arms," she told him.
He nodded. "I know. If, somehow, things go differently than I expect… I'll be back. I promise."
With even more teary kisses and hugs, Itachi eventually turned and left. Himari waited until she couldn't see him anymore and turned to return to her house. She spent many days following his departure in bed, doing nothing but feeling her grief and thinking through countless possibilities… Maybe she could go with him? Even if it was a suicide mission, at least they'd be together.
After possibly weeks of mourning, Himari returned to being a semi-functioning human, choosing to be more of a hermit than ever in the following weeks. She was practically blind to the happenings in and near the village, much less the current political situation arising that would lead to the soon-happening ninja war. Eventually she had a knock at her door - ninja of Konoha were requesting her assistance in providing food and supplies to the troops, along with the rest of the agricultural and artisanal sects of the population. She accepted, getting to work.
A few months after Itachi's departure, as things were getting more and more tense in the world, she had a realization - Himari hadn't menstruated since the month before Itachi left. After a visit to a doctor she had confirmation that she was pregnant. While Himari had a pang of grief again - that she'd be largely alone in this endeavor, and that Itachi likely would never meet their child - she decided to instead double down and work harder than ever. She'd support the ninjas in this war, survive, and be the mother to the offspring she and Itachi had created. She decided to write one last letter to Itachi, just in the off chance he stopped by again… giving him the good news. A few days after depositing it in their spot, she noticed it was gone.
The inevitable war happened and Himari continued providing mostly moral support to the troops through supplies, as well as assisting the medical corps. The difficulties of the war affected everyone and she knew many who died, but she luckily survived. The never-ending dream that everyone was put under involved her and Itachi with a happy family in the future… waking up she could have sworn she saw him in the distance, but decided it was just wishful thinking and her imagination.
Rebuilding took a long time, and eventually she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Himari decided to name her Yua, and over the years she happily realized that she inherited her father's hair and eyes, although most everything else she took after herself. Yua decided to attend the ninja academy and grew into an outstanding ninja. Himari knew Itachi would be so proud of her.
Decades later, Himari had grown into an elderly weaver and seamstress, living in the city as her body couldn't continue maintaining her small farm and orchard. Yua married a nice man from the Hatake clan and they lived in the home now, continuing to farm some produce when they weren't out on missions. Himari saw Itachi in her dreams from time to time - she'd like to imagine that it really was him. She never felt strongly enough for anyone else to bother with long-term relationships, so she simply never married, and instead kept close with many friends and enjoyed spoiling her children, grandchildren, and the little ones of her friends' families.
She was lucky enough to pass away peacefully in her sleep, the evening after a large family meal full of love, laughter, and entertainment. Himari didn't even realize it - she simply woke up in a white plane and saw Itachi, sitting on a bench under a willow tree, smiling. "Himari. Welcome," he said, getting up to greet her.
When she hugged him, she saw her skin was no longer wrinkled or thin - she appeared to be returned to her adult years, feeling far less stiff and a bit more bouncy. "Itachi, is it really you?" she asked. "This is another dream, isn't it?"
"No, Himari," he whispered, holding her face. "You've passed on."
She blinked a few times, surprised. "Now? That's… all that happened? I didn't even realize it… but my family… I didn't say goodbye," she whispered.
He looked down. "Yeah, that's the hard part sometimes… but did you leave on good terms?" he asked.
She smiled widely. "The best." Tears were welling in her eyes. "Itachi, life was so wonderful… I just wish I had lived it with you." She buried her face into his chest as she started sobbing.
He felt himself crying too, but held her tightly. "I saw all of it, Himari," he whispered to her. "I wish I was there, but I saw all of it."
Himari laughed. "I'm glad! You'll see how much like both of us Yua is like! She's an amazing person, and a great ninja!"
Itachi laughed with her. "I know. I can't be more proud of how well you've done. Would you like to come with me now? We can pass on, and talk."
"Did you wait for me… here… this entire time?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I was here a lot of the time, but not always. I mostly just wanted to make sure you weren't passing by too soon."
Himari took his hand. "Then I'm ready to go. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," he said, kissing her hand, and guiding her off into the distance.
