AN: Alright, prepare for even more drama. Sakura has to have her chance to shine as a complete moron, so bear with me. I realize some of you are overwhelmed by the angst and drama, but just stick with it for a bit and see what happens. : D This chapter is the mother of all chapters in the respect of drama and wanting to tear your hair out. At least if any of you react the way Yasmine did when she read it… I was very glad an ocean now separates us due to her flip out. Heh heh… You'll notice I resolve some tension in this chapter simply so I didn't get the headache of all of you screaming at me too much. Love you guys so much for sticking with the story!!! I really hope no one drops it before it's done since its soooo close to being finished. Oh and hey, one last thing. I have a few amvs I made a few months back before I started this fic and I would LOVE if you guys would check them out tell me what you thought. The links are on my profile. The SasuSaku one actually fits this fic quite well. Listen closely to the lyrics (especially the end) and you should be happy.

Chapter 20: Sakura's Unforgivable Lie

Sakura was surprised when Sasuke didn't leave. He didn't speak to her, but he carried on as if on a mission he couldn't fail. They traveled most of the day and Sakura was back to at least half-strength so she was able to run on her own. The previous night had been eye opening for her. She kept spiraling down deeper and deeper in the web of lies she was weaving and she knew the sooner she got away the better off she would be. By the evening, they found a small inn and stopped just outside the Rain Village. The next morning they would be ready.

Sitting quietly at a booth, Sakura played with her food, worrying that something would go wrong, or worrying that Sasuke might recognize her son as his when he broke the long silence between them.

"What are you going to do when you find him?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura didn't know how to answer but she finally responded, "I can't go back to Konoha."

Sasuke was suspicious of that and didn't understand at all why she wouldn't return to her home.

"The village will hold me responsible for everything, Sakura. You will be at no fault—even for having a child out of wedlock. You are golden in Konoha, so why wouldn't you go back?" he asked.

Uncomfortable, Sakura tried to think of a way to change the subject, but her awkwardness was only making Sasuke more suspicious. She feared he might be onto her, and before she said something stupid, she got up and headed for their room.

Sakura sat on the bed and rested her head in her hands. She felt like she did this a lot lately. She just had no idea how to handle the situation and she didn't know how to answer Sasuke's questions. So when she heard him enter the room, Sakura felt her chest tighten with tension. She was too vulnerable and if she didn't watch it, she was going to blow everything.

However, contrary to Sakura's line of thought, Sasuke wasn't onto her and he was completely buying everything she was saying. He had spent the entire day considering his options and even knowing she had cheated on him, had another man's child and wanted to leave, Sasuke just couldn't accept that.

"Sakura," he said, his voice quiet. "I'm sorry for what I said to you. I want you to come back. I need you."

Sakura lifted her head from her hands to see the dark expression on Sasuke's face and gaped at him. She didn't understand where this was coming from. It wasn't like Sasuke at all. She had lied to him in the worst ways and made him think terrible things about her and he was still begging her to stay with him?

"I cheated on you. How can you be saying that?" Sakura asked in bewilderment.

But Sasuke only frowned at her reaction. "Is it someone I know? In the village? Is that what this is about? People make mistakes—I can understand that. The fact that you would make a mistake is not something I can easily grasp, but I can forgive you for it, and the Sakura I know would be crying tears of joy that I would be willing to overlook it. So what is really going on, Sakura? Why can't you go back to the village?"

Sasuke watched Sakura crumble in front of him and he felt like she was keeping something from him so important that she was willing to destroy herself by leaving Konoha to keep the secret.

"Tell me, Sakura! What is so bad about going back to Konoha?" Sasuke shouted, starting to pace.

Sakura felt like she was cracking under the pressure and as her mind reeled she found she had no idea what to say.

Feeling Sasuke grab her chin and pull, Sakura found herself staring into his eyes.

His grip was hurting her and tears began to fall down her cheeks as she saw the anger and pain she was causing him. "Who is it, Sakura? Who is keeping you from going back? Tell me!"

Unable to stand it, Sakura said the only thing she could think of that would work. That would make Sasuke understand. Would make him hate her.

"Naruto!"

Sasuke let go of her as if she had caught fire and slowly took several steps back. His eyes were wide with shock and his mind didn't seem able to process what she had said, but when she kept talking, it was somehow being forced despite how much he was resisting the information.

"Naruto is the father of my child. That's why I can't go back! The village can never know, Sasuke! It would destroy us both and ruin his marriage! Don't you see? He doesn't even know," Sakura shouted, feeling as if her mind were somehow separated from her body as she told such a terrible lie.

Sakura bit her lip, waiting for his reaction. He was completely blown away by what she had said. It was the one name drop that would affect Sasuke so much and he had no idea how to respond.

All Sasuke felt was rage. Slamming his fist into the wall, Sasuke recalled the night Naruto had asked him to leave… apparently just so he could fuck his wife. The thought baffled Sasuke, but that was what Sakura was telling him, screaming at him, so how could it be a lie? Overcome by her stifling presence, Sasuke left, putting as much distance between him and her as he could.

# # #

Sakura dwelled on what she had said all night. She barely slept and nightmares plagued her when she did of finding her son's body, his eyes plucked from his head and when she heard Sasuke come back, those images are what kept her tongue still. She had known such a lie would affect him like it was. To think Naruto asked him to leave to just turn around and sleep with her would be quite a burn and Sakura was aware of the damage she was causing. As soon as she got her son back and was at a safe distance, she would tell Sasuke she had lied. But she knew the lie was unforgivable. Even if they found a way to look past what she was doing, she could never forgive herself for straining the already shattered fragments of the bond team seven once had. She would try to make things right again, but she had to have her priorities, and Sasuke was no longer at the top of her list, nor was Naruto.

When they reached the Rain Village, Sakura and Sasuke were dressed in long black cloaks and he had only spoken to her enough to make sure she understood his plan. He was incredibly short with her, but she thanked god that he was still there. Perhaps the thought that it was Naruto's child as well kept him focused on saving the baby, even if he despised them both for their betrayal. A light rain dampened her skin as she followed Sasuke into a dank bar and took a seat opposite him. They waited quietly and Sasuke placed a genjutsu around him that would allow him to hear others conversations and as he waited, he finally heard what he was looking for.

Did you hear? One of Torah's men sold a baby to the Myoji clan. I heard you could buy a small nation with how much they paid him for it! I hear the kid has ties to Konoha somehow.

Sasuke looked at Sakura. "Who are the Myoji?"

Sakura's eyes narrowed. "They are the ninja clan who took control of the Rain Village after Madara's defeat. The Kage Council slapped harsh restrictions on them, knowing many crime syndicates operated out of Rain still and any of them could gain control of the clan by manipulation or force. They've been bitter ever since."

Sasuke frowned. "So that's their name."

Sakura waited impatiently for Sasuke to continue.

"I've heard about the ridiculous security this clan has due to the crime syndicates in this village, but I couldn't remember their name. They have the baby, but Sakura, there is no way we can get the child from within that palace and get out without shedding a lot of blood. If we were recognized, we could easily spark tension between this village and Konoha."

Sakura glared at him. "I don't care, Sasuke, my son is more important than that."

Sasuke felt something heavy in his heart and what she said hit too close to home. He shook his head. "The child is safe for now. The odds are against us. There is only a slight chance that we could pull this off. We will go back to the village. You need this dealt with diplomatically."

Sakura glared at Sasuke with all the anger she could muster. "No, it could be too late by then."

"You can't do this alone, Sakura, it would be suicide. Come with me," Sasuke said.

Getting up, Sakura left the bar and vanished before Sasuke could stop her.

"Damn it," Sasuke said, standing in the rain glancing around after her. Part of him felt obligated to go after her, but the other part felt she was on her own. He couldn't be a part of this. The only option he had left was to speak to Konoha.

To go see Naruto.

# # #

The entire journey back to Konoha, Sasuke couldn't get Sakura out of his head. If she did get captured, she was too important for them to just kill, but still. She was reckless and every step he took, he felt like he had made the wrong choice more and more. However, every step he took closer to Konoha, the more his rage deepened and the more the idea of Naruto sleeping with Sakura sent troubling images to his mind.

When he finally got to the Hokage's office, Naruto was standing as if waiting for him.

"Sasuke," he said, "What's going on? Why did you and Sakura leave like that? Where is she?"

Sasuke hated the concerned expression on Naruto's face and bitingly he told him. "She is looking for her son who has been taken by the Rain Village Head Clan."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about? Her son? Are you serious?"

Sasuke's glare deepened. "How could you do that to me?"

Naruto could feel Sasuke's hatred filling the air and the whites of his eyes shone in the dark room. "What are you talking about, Sasuke?"

"Sakura said the child is yours," Sasuke spat.

Naruto didn't move. He didn't even try to breathe and he took in what Sasuke had just said, but he had to have misunderstood. "What?"

"Don't play stupid with me! Admit it! That's why you told me to leave the village! You wanted me gone so you could get to Sakura when she was vulnerable. I never would have believed you capable of it, but you always did want Sakura, I should have known better," Sasuke said.

Naruto stared at the irate Uchiha completely speechless. And in his moment of loss, Sasuke had grabbed him by the neck and thrown him against the window, cracking the glass.

"The child she is trying to save, and about to get killed over is yours, so I suggest you do something," Sasuke said, releasing his hand from Naruto's throat.

Naruto couldn't speak, but as Sasuke turned away, he reached out and grabbed at his collar. Sasuke turned sharply at his action, his eyes like weapons ready to engage.

Naruto simply gaped at Sasuke, his throat dry and his mind still reeling from what he said and shook his head.

And as Sasuke watched him, he saw Naruto for the first time as he once did. He was just as confused as he was.

Finally finding his voice, Naruto said, "Sasuke, it's not true. I don't know why Sakura would tell you something like that, but I never touched her, and I would never even think of it."

Naruto let go of Sasuke's shirt as they stared at each other when the door burst open and someone ran into the room, stealing both of their attention.

"Sorry to interrupt Lord Hokage, but we've just received an urgent demand from the Rain Village. They claim they have a person of interest and they want the Five Kages to meet and lift the sanctions on their village, or they are threatening to kill them and expose the secrets of the village they obtain from the body."

Naruto looked to Sasuke. "Are they talking about Sakura?!"

Sasuke swallowed hard. "Probably."

Sasuke was so confused he didn't know what to think. What was Sakura after? Was there even really a baby at all? What the hell was going on? He wished he could feel relief, but he felt like things were only worse than ever.

"Sasuke," Naruto said, his voice commanding. "Gather your team and go now. Get her out of there at all costs. I'll order an immediate summit, but I feel certain they will not agree to lift the sanctions. I'll get there as soon as I can. Do whatever you have to—we can handle the Rain Village. This should be handled like a hostage situation rather than a hostile nation, understood?"

Sasuke stared at him for a moment before nodding and vanishing.