Chapter One: The Movement, The Change

Author's Notes: I know you all are wanting updates for other fictions, but please bare with me. I'm hoping I can update this semi-regularly working on my other fictions.

-This was inspired by (and most likely won't be anything close to like it) by a commercial I saw for MTV's show called 'If You Really Knew Me'. Yeah, just the commercial spurred on all this. If you know about the program, forgive me as I butcher it to hell. I was simply inspired - not following in their footsteps.

Warnings: OOCness, foul language and (eventual) shounen-ai. Real issues which concern death (mention), rape (mention), questioned beliefs and so on and so forth. A little angst, a little drama...you know. Those of you who aren't comfortable with these topics are advised to not read this.

-Also, I know it kinda seems like character bashing at first. In fact, I'm not. You have to give it a little time.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything concerning 'Be the Change', Naruto nor MTV. I'm just playing a little.

Chapter One: The Movement, The Change

- For Akiru-chan – Ice Cream partner in crime~!
(Insert lots of love for the Jen-Jen too!)
High school this day in age is completely different from what your parents remember it as. Their biggest worry could be the hippie movement and no red meat. Maybe their problem consisted of not being allowed to enter certain schools because of the color of their skin. Maybe they were more concerned about joining the military at the first sign of eligibility. They were trying to keep up with the guy who had the coolest leather jacket. If they weren't a rebel, they were just a square. Being a virgin wasn't as big of a deal.

The thing that connects then and now is the same thing that's been continuing since the start.

That would be differences.

Squares were different than bikers. African American's were different than Caucasians. The vegans were different from the burger lovers. Flower power was different from being straight laced.
The differences are becoming broader, wider, and far harder cross. More cliques, more hate, and more problems. There aren't really good reasons for the way some of us act during high school. Trying to fit in and then trying to survive. These four years can be hell to some people. Living with horrible secrets, leading double lives, living in denial, being teased and bullied and living with hate.

A movement arose. One to help and ensure that things like, but not limited too; differences, quick judgment and segregation amongst peers could disappear.

This radical movement came here, to Konoha Senior High in hopes to rip down the walls separating the clicks and open eyes of fellow classmates.

This is Konoha Senior High's experiences...

-00-00-

"Hugging?" The teen asked skeptically. "They expect everyone to hug?"

"Looks like it." The other teen replied.

"Kiba, you don't hug." The blond pointed out.

Kiba shrugged. "Well, seems like its something to work through. I'll always hug you, Naruto."

Naruto rolled his eyes at his best friend and chuckled. "100 students though...that seems so..."

"Small?" A small voice asked.

The blond nodded, "Yeah, that's the word Hinata. How in the hell do they choose?"

Kiba shrugged, digging back into his lunch. "Who knows. Maybe we'll luck out and not have to go through with it."

"You don't want to?" Naruto asked, eyeing Hinata's lunch that had a few sweets.

Kiba snorted. "Why in the hell would I want to do all that touchy-feely crap with people who don't like me and people I don't like?"

Naruto passed the flier to his friend and gave him a look. "Because it's supposed to make you more open-minded. Obviously you need it."

He rolled his eyes, passing the paper back. "I don't want it."

"Of course." Naruto sighed, practically surrendering and handing the paper back to Hinata.

"And you do?" Kiba asked.

Blue eyes flicked up, his fork readied at his mouth. "Yeah, why not?"

"Fuck."

Naruto rose an eyebrow, chewing his food and talking with his mouth full. "What?"

"Now I have to do it." Kiba muttered.

The blond laughed, covering his mouth with his hand then promptly wiped it on a napkin. Before he spoke, he swallowed. "Why's that?"

"Come on man. I can't let you do anything alone. What kind of friend would I be?"

"A normal one." Naruto laughed.

-00-00-

"Are they really serious?" The cheerleader asked, looking at the paper snidely. "Who would want to do that?"

"The losers who don't have any friends." The blonde replied.

"There are a lot of those, Ino." The girl said laughing. "Like that Hinata girl. Ugh, she's so...just ew."

The blonde laughed. "I know. And she stutters, Sakura. Stutters. What a moron."

"I know!"

"She's always hanging out with those losers." Ino said, glancing over the flier.

Sakura snorted. "I know."

"Can you imagine if we had to hug them?" Ino asked, grabbing her sandwich and taking a bite.

"I don't even want to." Sakura shuttered.

Ino laughed, passing back the flier. "I'm still curious as to how they're going to choose who is going."

"I'm not going." Sakura insisted. "I'll quit the squad before I go to that...thing."

"I doubt they'll choose either of us Sakura." Ino insisted. "I mean, we haven't done anything to have to go to something like that."

The girl nodded. "True. Let's go freshen up our make-up and not think about it anymore."

Ino smiled. "Sounds good."

-00-00-

He walked through the hallway on his way to class; lunch ending and a new period beginning. History class was next for him, and one of his least favorite subjects. He fiddled with his ear buds that were plugged into his ears, trying to enjoy the peace for just a little longer. He looked up just in time to be just short of running in to a large crowd that had gathered on the second floor outside of the cafeteria.

He slowly popped his ear buds out and glanced around the crowd, trying to find a cut through path towards the classrooms.

"What's wrong with how things are now?" A girl hollered.

"Probably students bitching all the time. You know how the emo kids are." One girl replied loudly, smiling when the crowd laughed. "Who wants to talk to freaks like that."

"Like what?" One teen asked, late in joining the crowd.

"Students, the weird ones. You know, like that Gaara kid."

The teen stiffened, fiddling with his ear buds. He ran a nervous hand through the choppy maroon locks and turned around to go around the long way. He bent down and grabbed a flier off the ground as he went, glancing over it and letting out a sigh.

His only hope was that he was not part of the select students who had to participate.

-00-00-

Sasuke sighed, standing up when the bell rung at the end of class. It was finally the end of something that seemed like the longest day in his high school career. It seemed like he was swamped with after school things that shouldn't have mattered. He still had to finish up his English essay for his AP class. He still had to attend a meeting before heading to the swim practice. He was still trying to figure out why they had swim teams in the fall.

"Mr. Uchiha?"

Sasuke looked up from organizing papers in his back pack, his long bangs patting his face at the motion. He straightened himself up when he teacher approached him.

"Sorry to bother you, but I was told to inform you that you are excused from classes tomorrow."

A dark eyebrow rose in confusion. "I have a test tomorrow. As well as an important paper due, are you sure?"

The teacher leisurely leaned up again his desk and crossed his arm. "There is going to be an event taking place tomorrow in the gymnasium. A select group of students will be attending, you being one of them. You can turn everything else in at another time. All the teachers have been informed and know of this."

"What event? And why was I selected?"

"You'll see tomorrow. I supposed luck of the draw really. Just go ahead and leave your bag home tomorrow."

The teacher pushed off the desk and headed for the door.

"Mr. Hatake?" Sasuke said in a dangerous tone.

"Kakashi. I prefer my students to just call me Kakashi. Seems like we're friends."

"What have you gotten me into this time?"

The teacher waved a hand dismissively as a mischievous small graced his handsome features.

"Nothing major."

At least Sasuke was wise enough to know Kakashi was a notorious liar and he was indeed, screwed.

-00-00-

The next day was upon them, and as students entered their homeroom, some where immediately sent back out to the gymnasium. Naruto had already split from Hinata and Kiba with the three of them having separate homerooms.

Naruto's teacher handed him a paper and sent him on his way. He knew immediately he was chosen for the thing that had been posted all over the fliers. He would be lying if he said he wasn't excited about getting picked.

The gymnasium was already packed when he got there. The bleachers were filled with students. The gym floor was lined with chairs and a few microphone stands were scattered about.

"NARUTO!"

He turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Kiba standing up waving his arm in the air to get his attention. Hinata, who was sitting next to him, gave a small little wave.
He made his way up the bleachers with a smile, tripping a little over a student who seemed to refuse to move and was being impolite.

Naruto laughed, clapping Kiba on the shoulder as he reached him. "What do you know, you were selected."

Kiba glared at his best friend as they both took a seat. "At least you have to suffer with me."

"How thoughtful of you to say."

Challenge Day was explained to them. Or really, explained as much as they decided to listen. Some, if not more, were wrapped up in the words the group leader was saying. Others who had attention problems, like Naruto and Kiba, were too busy bickering to notice.

"We're going to ask kids to come up to the microphone now. This is a chance to stand up for yourself. Say what you're feeling! Let these students know how you feel about what they say about you! An example would be: Just because I'm smart doesn't make me a nerd. It means I'm a strong student. Alright! Now, who wants to come down here?"

Naruto turned when he felt a small tug on his sleeve and he caught sight of Hinata hiding a blush. He tilted his head to try to get a better look at her face before it dawned on him.

"You want to go down there, don't you?"

She nodded and he nudged her. "Go ahead."

"I'll go with you Hinata." Kiba said with a sigh, knowing Naruto didn't get the hint.

The two stood with Naruto watching after them. They climbed down the bleachers with the rare students who decided to do this as well.

Naruto was shocked when he realize Hinata was first up considering she was known as the shiest girl in school. He gave a loud whooping call for encouragement before she started.

"J-just because...just b-because I st-st-stutter doesn't mean I'm dumb." Hinata said shakily into the microphone. "It just m-means I ha-ha-have to go through m-more pain than you."

Naruto jumped up in the bleachers, smacking his hand together as loud as he possibly could before whistling loudly. He didn't care what people thought of him. Hinata was one of his closest friends and she had been teased for the longest time for her stuttering. He knew if people ever paused to take the time to get to know her, they'd like her as much as he did.

He stayed standing as Hinata passed the microphone to Kiba, applauding simply because he was standing there. It was encouragement. Despite how outgoing Kiba could be, he had his own shy side.

"Just because I'm on the football team doesn't mean I'm a meat head with no brains." Kiba announced, the annoyance clear in his voice. "You need higher grades to be on sports teams, so stop saying I'm dumb."

Naruto applauded loudly again as his friend passed on the microphone to a student Naruto was barely familiar with. He was sure they went to the same middle school but he couldn't put a name to the face.

"Just because I wear black clothes and listen to different music than you doesn't make me a freak. It means I'm myself. I'm still someone with feelings. I'm still someone who has a family. I'm still a student. I'm still just like you."

It seemed as more people went on, the louder the applause throughout the room became. It seemed like there were more people who understood just a little. More people feeling the same feelings.
The next girl up Naruto remembered all the way back to elementary school.

"Just because I had a kid at seventeen doesn't mean I'm a slut." The girl almost growled into the microphone. "It doesn't make me a whore or a prostitute. I'm not dirty or rotten. I had sex with my boyfriend of three years without protection. It could have happened to any one of you. I'm stronger because I took responsibility for it."

The students sat themselves at the bottom of the bleachers after their small speeches. It was simply easier than having to climb back through the bleachers to get to their original spots.

The leader took the microphone again and smiled towards the small cluster in the first row, no doubt silently congratulating them.

"Next up we will be separating all of you into small groups." She announced.

The crowd broke out in disgruntled chatter before she raised her hand and waved down the noise.

"This is a thing we'd like to call 'If you really knew me...' in which you will divulge information about yourself. Something like a secret. It helps to let your peers know who you really are without the blockers of cliques and frontal judgment. This gives you a chance to bond with your peers and find out that you might not be as alone as you think you are. That maybe, these people aren't who you saw them as."

A chatter started in the auditorium amongst the students. Worry and excitement was evident in their voices.

The woman held up one hand high above her head before speaking into the microphone. "We'll be choosing your groups. Try to be in a group with people you aren't friends with. You'll be checked on by a supervising teacher periodically. If you have questions or problems, grab an supervisor and ask for help."

The large group stood up on the bleachers, all of them being directed a different way. Having been separated from Kiba, Naruto relaxed figuring they'd find each other after this new activity.

There was a line of red shirted group members pointing people in different directions. It was evident now why all the chairs were there.

A group member pointed him in the direction of the chairs, which wasn't really hard to find. They were all lined up together. He figured they'd come by to separate them.
After all hundred students were in a chair, the organization leaders came through and separated them, dividing them up and giving them numbers.

Naruto carried his chair to the group he was put with and was soon joined by Kiba.

The brunette laughed. "Of all people."

Naruto laughed in return, placing his chair next to Kiba's and taking a seat. "I guess we should tell them and get a different group."

"Just keep your mouth shut." A voice snapped.

Naruto looked across the small space separating him and the captain of the cheer leading squad. "Why? They said people that aren't your friends. Or could you not hear them through the shell of hairspray?"

The teen glared in return. "Whatever, moron. I want Ino here and nothing is changing that. You can keep your smelly friend next to you, so stop bitching."

Naruto sneered, glancing at Ino who awkwardly took her seat. "You know, if it's that time of the month, you should really wear a warning sign."

The blond felt a small smack grace his shoulder blade and he tilted his head to see Hinata taking a seat next to him.

Naruto and Kiba turned to start talking to Hinata in hopes they could ignore the two cheerleaders. They barely looked up as the other two students joined them silently. One sitting next to Sakura and one sitting next to Kiba. Everyone knew Sasuke and Gaara. The popular boy and the outcast.

The group heard someone announce for them to start and an awkward air suddenly fell over them. They weren't sure how to suddenly open up about something deep to perfect strangers and friends who had no clue. A teacher strolled by and said a few words of encouragement before moving on.

Naruto looked to his left and his right and frowned. "Why are you two looking at me?"

Hinata and giggled and Kiba clapped him on the shoulder. "You're the most outgoing, so why don't you go ahead and start."

Naruto paused, pursing his lips in thought. "So I pretty much have to tell secrets no one knows? Right?"

Kiba nodded. "Yeah, no big deal. We all get crap out and then head home."

"Right..." Naruto mumbled. "Just whatever secret?"

"Stop questioning it and do it already." Sakura snapped.

"Chill out, Sakura." Kiba barked back. "It isn't exactly easy."

"If..." Naruto faltered. "If you really knew me..."

He clenched his jaw and looked next to him at Kiba, his eyes pleading for help. The other teen nodded in reassurance.

"Fuck...I don't want to do this." The blond muttered. Someone who was usually open with anyone about anything had a few secrets that chased after him after all.

Kiba reached out and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. He himself, being Naruto's best friend, didn't know what seemed to be plaguing him like a horrible nightmare so suddenly.

"You're fine." Kiba promised. "Don't worry."

"If you really knew me you'd know that..." He let out another shaky breath and looked up and glanced around. "Can I just say two and get it out?"

Everyone nodded, no doubt allowing time to pause before their own turns. Sakura even had a worried look passing across her face.

"I never knew my real parents." He rushed out. In his haste to rush through his confessions, he missed the looks that fell on the faces of his fellow students. "Knowing that they gave me up for adoption, I feel like I was and will never be good enough."

Kiba winced, never knowing his happy-go-lucky friend ever felt like this once. He was always smiling, always laughing and always seemed happy. He loved his foster father with all his heart.
Naruto shrugged off Kiba's hand before shaking his head, running a nervous hand through his hair.

"If you really knew me..." He whispered, focusing on the floor. He sucked in a troubling breath and tried to blink away the forming tears. "You'd know that...you'd know...ugh."

He threw his head back in frustration, running his hands down his face. "You'd know that I've been hiding my sexuality...and that...I'm actually gay."

Even though the last part was whispered, everyone heard it. Eyes fell on Naruto as he had his face buried in his hands and unable to face the group. He was terrified of the rejection he just knew he would face. He felt a gentle hand place itself atop his hand and he knew without a doubt that it was Hinata.

"G-go ahead and continue." She said lightly to Kiba.

She hoped that Naruto's courage to open up about things that were so personal and secret that the rest of the group would be courageous enough to follow his path. She even hoped it would kill some of the animosity that swirled between them.

"If you really knew me you'd know that..." Kiba faltered, wincing. "If you really knew me you'd know that I lost all faith in my religion after my sister died because..." He coughed, trying to cover up his voice as he choked up. "Because I feel like I'm to blame for her death."

It was at that point Naruto lifted his face to stare at his best friend in shock. He remembered the whole incident like it happened yesterday and not a year ago. He just never knew Kiba was suffering like that.

Kiba looked up from staring in a daze at the ground to Gaara and nodded at him. "Go ahead."

"If you knew me..." Gaara muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets. "If you really knew me, you'd know I suffer from OCD. That if I don't do the things my brain tells me to do, I feel like I'll die. That everyone around me will die. Everyone looks at me like I'm going to snap and do something crazy when I act on my impulses. They laugh at me when I act on my rituals. It makes me feel like I'm completely alone in my own torment."

"That's why?" Sakura asked lightly, sitting next to him. "That's why you do those things? Oh God."

It was obvious the guilt of picking on Gaara hit her roughly and suddenly.

"Go next." Gaara muttered.

"If you really knew me you'd know that I'm a rape survivor." Sakura spoke softly, quickly. "And I'm a survivor, not a victim because I refuse to let to let it ruin me. But because of this, I don't trust guys. I'm scared if I'm around them alone. I act on my anger from the incident by taking it out on those around me. I...I'm just...jealous that they didn't have to go through that."
Ino was looking at her with wide eyes, her best friend trying to ignore the stare in embarrassment.

"Sakura...I..."

"You go next." Sakura mumbled.

"If you really knew me..." Ino started, "You'd know that all my designer clothes and expensive looking shoes are knock offs. Ones that I only find at Salvation Army because that's the only thing I can afford. Sometimes, I'm so concerned with how I look that I spend my food money on my clothes. I want to look good so I still fit in. I want to fit it so I don't feel so lonely anymore. I look forward to school because that's the only time I'm guaranteed a meal on their food program."

There was was a moment where Sakura looked like she might yell at Ino, but instead succumbed to tears. She reached over and grabbed her hand and squeezed. She turned her teary face towards Hinata and nodded, giving her the go ahead to start.

"I-if you really knew me." Hinata started, closing her eyes. She felt a hand place itself on top of hers and she knew it could be no one other than Naruto. She felt another hand rest on her shoulder and knew it was Kiba.

"Just keep your eyes shut." Naruto whispered. "It always calms your stuttering when you calm your nerves."

She nodded, taking in a large breath. "You'd know that I t-tried to commit suicide. That...that everyday I hate that I failed...in the attempt."

She sucked in a great breath and opened her eyes, looking at Sasuke and nodding her own head to signal him to start. For a minute, Naruto didn't think he was going to say anything. Sasuke might have been the most popular guy at their high school, but he was also well know for being closed off and secretive.

"If you really knew me you'd know...that...I hate everything I have." Sasuke said quietly. "Because everything we own took my family away. That...once we got money, we lost love. Our mansion separated us, the expensive items distracted them, and greed consumed them. No one is ever there. I feel...alone."

The group feel silent, all of them having taken their turn. Some were hastily wiping away tears or fighting the urge to say something. A few were fighting the urge to never let go of their friends. Right before their eyes, in the silence that fell over them, an understanding was formed. A bond quickly tied in. A friendship blossomed without them wanting it or seeing it. They were each others salvation from their festering pain.

Author's Notes: -falls over- This chapter was hard, but Akiru deserves something for helping me get my writing groove back (it seemed like she had amazing timing every time I was online and trying to write!), and Jen-Jen deserves it because I said so.