A/N: Hey guys, it is yours truly Raven. This chapter is pretty short maybe a good 4 or 5 pages but we delve in more into the psyche of Sakura which I hope I can pull off better in future chapters because we are going to be in her head a lot more in this story. Enjoy!

Sakura hated lying to Naruto.

She hated lying in general, but unfortunately, it came with the job of being a shinobi. So at least in the arms of her most trusted comrades, she could be honest, holding no secrets and most of all being trustworthy. The squad trusted her with their secrets and them with hers, it just felt right.

So as she sat there listening to her friend convey his worries and suspicions she suddenly realized that shit, this might the very thing that ruins that bond. That promise of no lies or secrets towards each other, she was going to break it. She thought of telling him the truth, that the reason why they arrived so much man-power relied on the intel they received about the lone Uchiha. That he was spotted in this area, that he was close.

If Naruto knew this information he would leave without a second thought, taking down any obstacle in his way. Even if the clue was cold, the fact that he was discovered in this very area would be enough information for him to go off of no matter how small.

He was going to find Sasuke and take him home. Even if it meant breaking the bones in his body and dragging back. Because in his mind, it was the right thing to do. He was saving his friend.

"Nope," she smiled easily, shaking her head. "You know if I had realized something, I would have told you a long time ago genius." Although she did not see but rather felt Sai's dark eyes boring into the side of her face. Kakashi had discretely briefed the artist on the underlying info of this mission, so she knew he sat silently on purpose and let her do the talking, waiting to see what path she wanted to take.

The eyes studying her from two different directions for two different reasons made her feel anxious, but her gaze stood unwavering on the blonde man in front of her.

His facial expression didn't change at her insult, but his eyes did narrow slightly. "Really?" He didn't sound suspicious, just simply wanted to confirm her answer.

She nodded, despite the heavy feeling in her chest. "Really."

His daunting gaze lasted for a few more moments but to Sakura, it felt like an eternity. Her fingers twitched slightly against her sweats, thankfully he didn't catch it. Finally, he shifted his scrutiny to Sai, and once the attention shifted onto him Sakura felt a little weight leave her.

"Sai?"

The pale man's expression was impassive, but then again that was his resting look in any situation. She might have been over analyzing, but his face seemed more constricted than usual. However, without missing a beat, he too shook his head, uttering a "No."

Blue eyes flashed in slight disappointment as he looked down. "I see." Then it was silent.

Suddenly the serious expression melted away and unexpectedly he threw his head back and cackled, the atmosphere shifting so quickly that the two shinobi caught themselves from jumping. "Whew," he let out a relieved sigh. "That's great news! Here I thought I was going crazy," he laughed.

"I wouldn't dismiss that notion just yet," Sakura jabbed playfully.

"Ahh come on! You gotta admit, having all us in one lame ass mission is a little much."

"You heard what they said. Only the best shinobi the world has to offer," she pinched her nose in an effort to imitate Fuu's haughty tone.

"Man," Naruto cringed. "That imitation was a little too perfect."

"I too find the similarity quite disconcerting," Sai agreed.

"Oh please, anybody could pinch their nose and sound exactly like her," she waved off. "Now get out of my room before I go get the real thing."

He curled his lip in disgust. "Good threat. I don't think I can handle hearing her voice so late at night." At that, he promptly made his way to the door, but before walking out he looked back at them with an apologetic smile. "Sorry I singled you two out like that. You're my best friends, of course you wouldn't keep a secret from me!"

Sakura didn't trust her voice to speak, simply smiling back as he slipped through the door, closing it softly behind him.

Both the artist and the medic monitored their comrades' chakra signature as he made it to his room a few door down, remaining still as they felt the strong aura dissipate into small ripples, indicating his slumber.

Neither of them moved when the coast was clear, not knowing what to say next. Were they going to talk about it? Or continue to feign ignorance. Sakura cleared her throat, breaking the silence as she moved from the spot next to him to retrieve a hair tie from her travel bag.

"Look Sai it's late," she spoke softly, her back to him. "We should go to bed."

She got no response. Frowning, she tied her hair quickly in a small bun and turned around to address him directly. Only the to see the pale man hunched over with his head in his hands.

"Sai?" Again she received no response.

Approaching him, she kneeled in front of her comrade to get a better look of his face. She frowned further when he didn't acknowledge her close proximity and tried to remove his arms. "Sai," she whispered, tugging at the arms that didn't budge an inch. "Do you...want to talk about it?"

"We lied to him," he stated bluntly.

"Yeah, we did," Sakura sighed. She didn't know what to say except that, the deed was done. There was nothing else to say.

"I don't...like lying to him."

"I know Sai, I know," she bit her lip before saying, "I realize doing this isn't exactly easy but it has to be done in order protect what we have built." She surprised herself but how solid and determined she sounded, but it didn't blind her to how she felt. She didn't want Naruto to hate her. She didn't want him to lose trust in her. But what she dreaded most is-

"I am well aware," he agreed, removing his hands and sitting up straighter. "But even so-"

"You don't like it," she finished for him, watching him nod solemnly.

Sakura wasn't surprised that he was so opposed to lying to Naruto. Since trying to be more in touch with his emotions, he affection shone through his loyalty. A loyalty that should only be appointed to the Hokage herself.

"Sakura there is something I must know," he murmured, looking into her eyes. "Don't you...want Sasuke back?"

She thought about lying for a split second but decided against it, it didn't make any sense too. Not now. "Well, I did," she grunted, standing back up. "But not anymore."

His eyes widened a fraction but his expression stayed cool. "I see. What has changed?"

"A lot." There was a pause in her response and she hoped that he didn't notice, but she was sure he did anyway.

He raised a brow. "Naruto is under the impression that the two of you share the same goal. When do you plan on telling him...your feelings?"

"Oh so now you're coaching me on feelings now?" she muttered, before flopping on the bed. "The pupil has surpassed the master."

"By avoiding the question I take it you don't intend to inform him anytime soon."

"You calling me a coward?" she asked with no malice in her tone.

"No, you are hesitant because you know more than anyone why Naruto is so consumed with bringing Sasuke back at all costs," he replied evenly. "But it would make the air a lot more… bearable if you were honest with him about your thoughts."

"Bearable?" Her eyes were wide in realization as his statement sank in. "You already knew the whole time."

His lips quirked up for a second. "The most apparent thing about you is your inability to lie, I believe the only one you can successfully deceive is Lee-san and Naruto." His expression drooped in concern. "Sakura, it's time."

She hated to admit it but he was right, Naruto deserved to know how she truly felt. It was a conversation she admittedly avoided for a long time, but if this could alleviate some of the weight she currently felt then she would tell him as much of the truth as she could.

"Fine," she groaned. "I'll tell him, but can we wait until we are back home?"

She didn't miss the relief that flashed in his eyes before he nodded. "Very well, consider this a time to properly formulate your thoughts."

"Hmph. Since when did you become so bossy?"

"Bossy?" He seemed surprised by the word. "True I am directly involving myself in the functions of our group but I believe bossy is a more appropriate for someone such as yourse-"

That earned him a pillow in the face for the second time that night, he stood still for a moment before calmly raising a hand and grabbing the pillow.

"Aww I'm sorry I couldn't hear what you said," she frowned dramatically. "Care to repeat it?"

"Nothing of importance," he stated before standing up abruptly. "Perhaps I should take my leave."

"Yeah you're right we should be getting to bed, it was a good talk," she smirked.

"Hn," he grunted, heading to the door. With the hand on the knob, he hesitated before looking back. "If the burden gets too heavy to bear you can always talk to us...Kakashi and myself I mean."

Her eyes widened a bt as she took in the earnest expression on her comrades usually black face. He turned away before she could respond.

She sat there, dumbfounded on her plush bedding thinking to herself; why just why were her team so amazing and what did she do to deserve to have such remarkable people in her life.

She repeated this thought over and over until her lids felt heavy and she slowly lost consciousness.

But a new thought entered her subconscious. An all too familiar fear plaguing her mind, and as much she wanted to will it away she couldn't.

Sakura was ready for Naruto to hate her, Sakura was ready for him to distrust her, but what she was not ready for was the one true thing that would break her.

Him leaving her.

And there you have it folks. I hoped you enjoyed the chapter even tho it's pretty short. it's nice hearing from whoever takes the time to review and pm me, I love responding to them. Anyways, I'll see you in the next chapter.

With love,

Raven out.