A/N: Shit cray, I had gazillions of grammatical errors in the past chapters. I CANNOT EVEN. Anyways, I am here to explain myself. Sorry, sorry, really sorry about the late update. I had been...lost. It's hard to explain. I had some problems in the 'real world'. That was why I could not attend to this story. I had also lost track of what to do to this story after a while. I went looking for inspiration, so I watched lots of dramas. The latest one was Skip Beat, and it gave me a few ideas on what to do next. I AM REALLY SORRY ABOUT THE VERY, VERY LONG WAIT. Shit, time flies by so fast. It's been a frigging year! I hope you guys won't give up on me and this story. I've improved my grammar a lot, and even studied the dictionary a bit to broaden my vocabulary. I did all that to improve my shitty writing. Fanfiction is the best way to find out if I really have improved. Plus, I love fanfiction, and all the people here. We're all so...into our own world and are full of imagination. We can express our real selves here. OKAY, I'M BABBLING. MOVING ON TO THE STORY. GOSH.

Title: Distractions
Rated: T
Pairings: SasuSaku, NaruHina, ShikaIno, NejiTen, slight GaaSaku
Summary: When the girl you considered your best friend suddenly becomes all hot and sexy when you guys turn seventeen, would it be normal to pulverize every guy that dared to hit on her? Yep, definitely.

XxXxX

Here he was outside her residence, staring at the doorbell. He'd been here for quite a while. He'd planned to just say it. Say sorry, and make out with her and stuff. Whoops, did I just say make out? I meant make up! Yeah...make up. He'd plotted how he'd sort this out.

First, he thought he'd just leave her a huge panda, with an "I'm sorry" card. Why the panda you wonder? Sakura loves those. The idea seemed good, but he was Sasuke. And it was cheesy. And Sasukes don't do cheesy. So, he thought of just making her a letter. He would say sorry to her in person, give her the letter, hug her if it's allowed and leave with a smartass excuse if he would still live after ringing the doorbell.

He did. He rang the accursed doorbell.

The walls surrounding the Haruno residence were quite high—high enough that you'd only be able to see the second story of the house. They had a driveway with a huge gate, and beside that, was a smaller gate for...well, humans. He stood in front of that, holding an envelope—the envelope with that letter, that he wrote, that he would give her, that would mean life or death to their friendship. Okay, he was exaggerating, but we never know what happens.

She could see him from their front door. She'd just asked Takumi, her chronologically gifted manny(1), to fetch him. She couldn't admit that she wasn't brave enough to do that. She was mortified. How she'd reacted was way beyond going overboard. Crying?! Because of just a few harsh words that most people would probably get used to because this was Sasuke, and Sasuke was...um, mean. But that was the thing, she wasn't most people. She was Sakura, his best friend. And Sasuke doesn't treat her like that.

She sat on the couch, sipping at her tea, just calming her nerves as she could feel each of Sasuke's steps like sharp ice picking at her skin. It was all in her head, she knew. But she couldn't grasp the fact that he actually came to her to apologize. It was weird somehow. Sasuke was never usually the one at fault in their relationship...uh, I mean, friendship. That was why it was Sakura, who often said sorry first. Sasuke had apologized before, too, but those times weren't as grave as the situation they were in now.

Takumi had just gestured Sasuke in just as Sakura was out of her reverie. Feeling the ever so tense atmosphere, Takumi gave Sasuke a meaningful glance, a look saying 'you better fix this or you're toast', and silently left.

The Uchiha remained standing at the door, just staring at her. He couldn't feel anything, except how much he missed her already. It had only been two days since the incident, but it felt like months. He was just so used to having her around all the time, it felt like something was missing in his everyday routine.

"Hey," he said, smirking at her, at least to know what her mood was. She looked up at him and smiled, not as sincerely as usually, more forced, "Hey back."

The boy sighed, and walked towards her. He sat beside the stiff girl, observing how not having him around affected her daily routine as well. He smiled slightly at the thought.

"You miss me," he stated, with that sexy smirk of his of course. Sakura's face instantly crunched up in disgust, embarrassment and cuteness, Sasuke might add. She pouted at him.

"I do not."

"Do so."

"And what makes you think that, huh, mister?"

"You're drinking tea." He winked at her suggestively.

"So?" she was turning as pink as her hair. She had no way out of this. Being childhood friends, Sasuke knew all about Sakura—her moodiness, her likes and dislikes, mannerisms, habits, both good and bad. Everything. He also fortunately knew that...

"You drink tea when you're upset. And it's often because you've made a mistake, hurt a friend, and most often, miss Uchiha Sasuke dear—" his lips were immediately sealed by her soft, tiny hands.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" she said, over and over till Sasuke's usual smirk had turn into a chuckle. She was as red as his favourite tomatoes now. It was ridiculously funny. Not just Sakura's utter humiliation, but how everything had just fallen into place, and they were back to treating each other like how they usually did.

He was smirking. She was laughing. They were talking.

Both of them had been so nervous, thinking thoroughly about what the other might say or think, that they almost forgot how naturally they had often reacted to each other, having to know one another's attitudes best.

They had sunk into a comfortable and pleasant silence. This was Sasuke's chance, the perfect moment. He looked at her, really looked at her. Only now did he notice that she was still in her jammies. Her hair was tied into a messy bun. She had no glasses on, and she looked so content in this moment.

He sighed with regret, "Sakura, I'm sorry."

The huge grin plastered across her face could not be helped—stimuli to Uchiha Sasuke's infamous apologies. She smiled sweetly at him that irresistibly sweet smile. She ran a hand through his hair, then placed her palm on his cheeks, pinching them tenderly.

"I'm sorry, too."

She didn't even explain herself. He would get it. She just wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Sasuke hugged her back, placing his hands firmly around her waist. Unconsciously, he inhaled her scent. She smelled so sweetly, but not the sickeningly sweet type. A soft sweet.

Sakura giggled happily. "Gah, I really did miss you! THANK GOODNESS YOU HAD THE BALLS TO SAY SORRY!"

There she was again, just ruining the moment.

XxXxX

"I'm sorry, but you were planning what?," Tenten muttered, thinking just how ridiculous Ino's ideas were. Ino faced her, back still to Tenten.

"I said, it's about time we get those two together! Sakura's being totally a douche by ignoring Sasuke's...so called feelings. And said boy's being such a big faggot, for not exerting..more effort. WE MUST HELP THEM," the blonde preached, her face as determined as a patriot.

"And by we, you mean?," asked the cute, puppy lover, Kiba. The others started mumbling to themselves. They weren't really in favour of meddling with their two friends.

"So you gathered us here..all for this silly plot?," Neji questioned, annoyance clear in his tone. He was not interested in childish games such as these. His time would be of better used for training, studying, even reading a book or so, not this.

Ino glared. Her eyes landed on Naruto, and a light bulb dinged above her head. She picked him up, and positioned him in front of everyone else.

"Look, Naruto, I know you, Sasuke and Sakura have been friends for who knows how long. There's something going on between them, but they're both too cowardly to try and find out what exactly it is! You have got to admit that I'm right!" Naruto's face scrunched up in thought. He did agree in fact.

He's noticed that there are moments when they seem like they're the only ones who get each other, you know? No? Of course you don't. You were not in them as Naruto had been. But as much as he believed that Ino had a point, he was having second thoughts on whether he should and or would do something about their current situation.

But after having to ponder for quite some time now, he thought he did.

"Yeah, we should do something about those two. Give them a little push, you know? I mean, come on, you guys! We're only young once. BELIEVE IT!," he grinned smugly at them. At the last line, most people groaned, but not Kiba, though. He stood up, placed a supporting arm around Naruto's shoulder, and nodded in agreement.

"I'm backing you up, bro. How 'bout it, eh guys?"

The gang sighed in defeat. Either way, they had no other choice. If they were to join, great. If not, they'd be forced to.

XxXxX

"AND SO, OPERATION S.A.S.W.G.O.A.S.P.I.T.L. COMMENSES!"

"SASUKE AND SAKURA WILL GO OUT AT SOME POINT IN THIS LIFE!"

A/N: I think this sucked, because I was under a lot of pressure whilst writing this. Exams are currently going on, and I didn't study the whole afternoon just to finish this chapter. No, I am not bragging, nor am I making excuses just in case I'd get a shitty grade.

I have lots of ideas on what to do after this chapter. The only problem I had encountered was what to write to start all my ideas off. This chapter is an okay foundation, I guess. It's not that strong, but I tried my best...so I hope it'll do.

PRETTY, PRETTY PLEAAAASE REVIEW. I need guidance! Constructive criticism is welcome! Anything that will help me with my writing.

P.S. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO WAITED ON THIS STORY, AND TO THOSE WHO REALLY PM'ED ME AND ALL. I'M SO, SO, SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT. Love you, guys! Ciao ;)

P.P.S. I'll be able to update real quick, because it's August, and we've got a lot of 'no classes' around this time of the year. Please have faith in me lol.