Author's Note: I was sincerely hoping to get all my chappies edited in time, but it just didn't happen. So far, the first fifteen chapters have been changed around so they were in a different tense, along with ANs removed and so forth. I couldn't wait to post this any longer... Things are ending... This chapter included, there are only three left... Sad day...

silentdove93: Yes, well Sayomi is a bit selfish in that regard. The next chapter does have Kakashi in it, though I don't believe you'll be too happy with it. Things are coming to a close, but as you said... it wouldn't be right to leave him out of the ending. XD I took a bit longer to update than usual here lately, so when you get the email that I have updated I hope you squeal! Heh... OMG that's awful! My wireless modem was apparently old because I just had to have a guy come out and replace it at 8 friggin o'clock this morning. -shoots self- My internet was off and on for hours at a time. -.- IT'S FIXED NOW! -dances- Now, don't go check your email cuz I promise the next update will take a few days. XD Enjoy, my dear! -huggles-
MissTheScreaming: Oh goodness, so many people wanted more Itachi! -adds that to the one-shot list- I'll never be able to write all these. T_T I'll try to do something about it and bring Itachi into the picture in a small one-shot or something. I know I'm promising quite a lot of those, but I'll do my best! -fist pump- Enjoy, sweetie!
Koyana: Sometimes I forget you know so many spoilers. XD Well, it kinda hints at it in the prologue... but oh well! Heh... I don't think Kisame ever comes into the picture again. I haven't written him into the sequel so I assume I won't be writing him in at all. Good; I didn't like the guy. Weird shark-guy... -sighs- XD I totally don't blame you; Orochimaru IS in the sequel, you know. You've read the manga, so you know where things are at. XD (By the way, I expect the manga to end REALLY soon. I know there's speculation it will end this year, but I'm estimating 2... 2 1/2 months at most... I'll be sad to see it go! T_T) SHHH~! YOU'LL SPOIL THINGS! Heh, just kidding. Yeah, Kakashi will be in the next one... you kinda know how that chap is going to go too, but there IS an epilogue after that, followed by a length AN for whenever I post the first chappie of the sequel. Honestly, I might do it the day I post the last chap of this story, but I haven't decided. Ahem! I've rambled long enough! Thanks for the delightful review- as always, from you ^^- and I hope you like the chapter, hon!
Aniwolfgirl: T_T I don't know why I make Sayo suffer so damn much... I'm a sadist, I guess... Thank you for the positive feedback, darling!
Anon88: Aww! Thank you! I hope you like this chappie... Everything is so close to ending. T_T Ahem, thank you for the sweet comment!
Guest: -goes to eat an eggo waffle- Huh? I can't tell youuuuuuu~! Things will be revealed in the epilogue the chapter after next! ^^ Enjoy, sweets!
Midnight: Ne, you're the second one to say that. T_T I didn't want to elaborate too much on Itachi; I suppose I got anxious to continue on, but at the same time I'm terribly afraid of throwing him out of character. He is sooo easy to do so. -.- -twiddles fingers- Oh, Youko is brought up A LOT... well, maybe not a lot... But he's definitely brought up a good few times in the sequel. Yakuza, the little gangster fox, comes into play though. -winks- I'M SPOILING THINGS! Anyways... don't hate on my superhero moment! It shall come! XD XD XD I'm THINKING- it's a HUGE maybe- of doing a one-shot or two of Sayo's time with Ita, but again I haven't decided yet. I have too many side-shots in mind and it'll take away from my writing of the sequel. Thank you for trusting me- that is a terrible idea, you know XD- and a huge thank you for your frequent, loveable support! I hope you enjoy the chappie, love!
Guest: HEEEEEEEEEEERE IIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTT ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! XD
Kakashi'sRubiMoon: Welcome back, dear! You've been missed! ^^ Yeah, the markings on Sayo's face were mentioned too many times; I should've downplayed them a lot. Of course, it's kinda obvious that only ONE other person has those. Fail on my part. XD Anyways, I'm terribly glad you're back! -huggles- Enjoy the chapter and thank you sooooooo much for your reviews, sugar!

XXXVI: Terumi Mei, My Sister

The mists were heavy on my fatigued body, but I refused to stop. I had a mission to take care of and I was sure Kisame would surely be on his way after me. If not to capture me, but instead to kill me for the things I had learned of the Akatsuki.

Though I had never been able to meet the other members in person, I had met them as astral projections. They were unhappy to know me- save some guy named 'Tobi' that I absolutely could not stand- and find out that I was traveling with Itachi and Kisame, but 'Leader's' word was law from what I had gathered during my brief visits.

Regardless, I had to help Mei in any way I could. Thanks to her, my village did not see me as a missing-nin. I owed her more than I could really give, but I would at least tell her what I know while I was there. Besides, she would listen to me, no matter what crazed and wild story I crafted. I would only give her the truth; she deserved nothing less than that.

I used the cover of darkness to slip into the village unseen, moving through the trees, the mists, and the rooftops without a single ANBU aware of my presence. I had been known as Za Youma for a reason and it would be far too suspicious to be caught here sneaking around at this hour.

I could see a faint light on in the tower of the Mizukage's building. Mei was still in her office, thankfully, and I made my way there silently. With ease, I slunk up the side of the building and to the lighted windows in a manner I had grown accustomed to.

Terumi Mei was seated at her desk, leaning over a few sheets of paper. She was holding her head, the hair swept from her eye, and seemed deep in thought. I let a small smile flicker on my face at how cordial she was. I would hate to have a job so serious, so monotonous as hers.

Lightly, I tapped on the window and prayed she did not scream and alert the ANBU. No, the Mizukage was a contender and would rather dispose of me herself if she decided I was a threat. I knew that much about my adoptive sister.

Mei's eyes darted to the window and the shock registered on her face as if she had been slapped. She threw herself from the chair, knocking it over, and tore the window open, almost ripping it from its hinges, and I honestly was afraid that she was going to attack.

"Sayomi!" My worries were quieted when her arms snatched me up into a loving hug, nearly crushing me with the sheer strength she exuded. "I thought you were dead by now! I haven't heard a report on your association with the Akatsuki in over a month."

"That is what I have come to talk to you about," I admitted softly, tugging from her arms and chewing on my lip.

"Sayomi... where's Youko?" Mei had noticed far before I thought she would. "Where is he, Sayo?"

I did not dare let the water collect in my eyes and gently rubbed my mouth over the mask Itachi had allowed me to continue to wear. I had been graced with that small luxury, in the least. He knew I would have honestly tried to end my own life if they kept this last security from me. Even Youko knew better than that in the after life.

"Youko was killed in action," I said painfully. "May I sit?"

"You act as if I classified you as a rogue. Of course you can sit, Sayo." Mei brushed the hair from my face. "You look like shit." I was so very grateful she did not ask for a story on his death so soon. I would have broken down, as I had been unable to do around the Akatsuki. Mei was familiar; I trusted her with my life and the moment my eyes met hers, the pain in my heart nearly exploded with Youko's loss.

"I've been running for days on end without stopping."

She gently berated me on my well being while we took our seats. She did not sit at her desk, but instead in a chair right across from me. Before I could begin my tale, she hollered for one of the guards outside of the door.

An ANBU wearing a fox mask entered and I found the irony sickening. Not only did it remind me of my late companion, but it was reminiscent of the very mask I wore on S-Ranked hunts. Had I been replaced so easily? The man stared, stunned at my presence and probably how disheveled I seemed, and he refused to move. At least he did not take a stance and try to attack me on sight, but he must have realized the Mizukage did not feel threatened by my presence.

"Sayomi-senpai," the man said in a drawl, bowing low at the waist. "Your presence has been missed sorely."

"Thank you, Fox," I whispered, the word foul on my tongue, and he turned his attention to Mei. My stomach churned at his mask, gnawing angrily at my lip beneath the fabric. I wanted to rip it from his face, even if it did not look identical to my own. I wanted to burn it, to rip into pieces, and bury it.

But, my village still cared.

It broke my heart to know I would be leaving them.

"Bring us some tea and some good food. Sayomi needs to recuperate. Now, Fox."

"Yes, Mizukage-sama!" The young ANBU took off and closed the door behind him to leave the two of us alone.

"Tell me everything, from the moment you got to Otogakure."

And I did. I regaled a tale that had Mei on the edge of her seat in some instances and shuddering with rage at other intervals. It was not until I told her about Youko that she looked as if she would cry for him, for me. I had shed enough tears for the two of us and she reined them in to keep my own mind sane. She could tell just being here put me near the edge of a cliff I would gladly tumble from.

"He's dead..." She rubbed her eyes sadly and fidgeted. "I'll give him a special place on our memorial wall, just for him. It would be an honor for his name to be put with all those that have died in the name of Kirigakure."

"Thank you," I smiled sadly. "Would you like to know about Uchiha Itachi?"

"Everything. How did you wind up with the Akatsuki, Sayo?" Mei leaned forward just as the ANBU came back into the room with a tray full of food and an entire tea set up. "Thank you, Fox."

"Anything else?" I knew his gaze had settled on me and I shook my head. "I will wait outside then."

"Make sure no one else knows of Sayomi being here."

"Of course, Mizukage-sama."

Once he had left, my mask was yanked down and I greedily consumed anything I could. I was famished from being without food for so many days, but Itachi had fed me well enough while I was staying with him. The trek here was as close to death as I had come since the fight with Orochimaru. Of course, at the time I had wanted to die for what I did to my partner. I had wanted to have the life drained from me in his name... No, such a death would dishonor him.

"Alright," I called after my stomach was full. "I had a dream while I was imprisoned in Otogakure, as if I was seeing through Yakuza's eyes. He had hunted down Uchiha Itachi and asked him for a favor."

"And he agreed," Mei mumbled. "It was always strange how the rogue would appear whenever you needed him or were about to die. When he came to Kirigakure and invaded your home without us ever realizing, I knew he was watching you."

"Yes, I always felt eyes on me. Once, I thought it was Sasuke, but now I know Itachi had found a way to protect me. I know why now," I explained. "In some way, Itachi cared for me. He saw how I would protect Sasuke and kept me safe so I could continue to do so. Yakuza had asked him to help rescue me and Itachi had shown up after the battle against Orochimaru. I was unconscious on Youko's grave and he took me from the scene before the snake could come and finish the job."

"You make it seem as if Itachi cares for Sasuke. Why would he after slaying his clan?" Mei casually sipped on her tea and took in my expressions. "I just don't get it. They say Uchiha Itachi is a heartless murderer, but he cares for the boy he spared?"

"Itachi was ordered to kill his family, in order to save Sasuke. Someone, who I could not figure out, had told him that Sasuke would be in danger if he did not slay his kin. He did so, but only on the stipulation that his brother would live and that someone would protect him. For some reason, I want to say it was the Third Hokage." I finished off one last cup of tea before I set it down and pulled my mask back up. "He confirmed a few of my suspicions with a word or less, but I know now that he is not a monster."

Mei twirled her hair around a finger and glanced outside to the dark skies. "I see. So he kept up with you while you were with the Akatsuki?"

"I refused to join," I added hurriedly. I did not want her to believe I had become a part of that damned organization. "I met the one they call 'Leader' by means of an astral projection, along with all the other members of the Akatsuki. I have a few points of vital information I can give." I deposited a sheet of paper onto the table, one that detailed anything I knew of the criminal organization and its members.

It was then she realized what this meeting was coming to. Her visible eye grew and she slammed her hands down on the coffee table in front of us. I was not surprised to see a crack forming in the wood. "Sayomi, you're leaving again."

"I am."

"Why?" The question was so genuine and filled with anger, I could not lie to her.

So, I told her the honest truth. "Itachi helped me escape when I informed him of my love for another man. I cannot tell what he was thinking, but he made me promise him that I would never return. I had to leave and not go to a place the Akatsuki would find me. If they did, they would kill me. I knew too much, I know too much. I will have to leave here and I cannot go to Konoha or any other nation that knows my face or name."

"There's something else." Mei stood and I followed. "What aren't you telling me, Sayomi?"

Gently, I reached out and took her hand in my own. She seemed confused, though ready for whatever would prompt such out of character contact. When I tugged her hand and placed it against the unnoticeable curve of my stomach, she understood.

"You're..."

"I am."

"With…"

"Yes."

Mei fell back in the plush arm chair, shocked, and stared at me. "Sayomi, you know what this means? This is not good."

"Thus, another reason I cannot stay here. I don't even think he knows, which is for the best." I ran my fingers through my matted hair. "Mei, I need to know where I should go. Where do you think they will never find me? Youko died to keep me alive and I have to do so for him."

"It will not be easy, but I know a place." She hurried to her desk and began to write out a scroll. Once it was sealed, she handed it to me. "Sayomi, I know you have to do this, but you have more promises to make. We will see each other again. You are my sister, whether you have found out your biological parents or not. You will always be my family and I love you, you know."

"I know." I was the one to initiate a hug this time. "Mei, we will come to see one another again, but I cannot tell you when that will be. It could be years from now, if not longer, but I will continue to live for you, Kakashi, Sasuke, Itachi, Sakura, and Naruto. For Youko, especially. His sacrifice will not be in vain."

"You're going tonight."

"Yes."

Mei hugged me back for all she was worth, nestling her face into my hair. "Sayomi, I do love you. Please, please be careful. Please."

"I will, and I love you just as much, Terumi Mei." I kissed her cheek through the mask and moved to the window, clutching tight to a scroll. "Goodbye, my sister."

"See you later, Sayo."

I left Mei, never turning to look back and see the tears that collected in her eyes or the single one that slipped down her cheek. I would miss her terribly, as she was the only semblance I had left of my first and real family. I had to though; I was a kunoichi that kept to her promises. I would not endanger anyone else by being around when the Akatsuki started searching, or Orochimaru if he tried. I would not allow any one else to die in my name or by my hands. They were soiled enough; Youko's blood stained me to my very core.

Yet, I had one last stop to make, one that I should have let be...

Za Youma and Kobayashi Sayomi have one thing in common...

I am a selfish creature.

One chapter after this, then the epilogue... -sighs- Sad... sad day...

Next in 'Trust is a Sacred Vow':
Kakashi did not believe there was anything to celebrate, so why was Konoha hosting another festival? Naruto was gone... Sasuke had abandoned the village... Only Sakura remained, but even still he searched for her. A ghost, a fleeting image, and one he had nearly lost the memory of in his grief had to haunt him. But, was it really a simple phantom this time? No, it seemed more tangible, but yet he not allowed to come within reach of it.

She had come to him... She had come to say goodbye.