Welcome to Project: Popularity! ^^ Another new story that I just thought of all of a sudden. I'll try to make this one entertaining to you guys… the best as I can. This story revolves around Naruto Uzumaki who just moved in the remote Konoha Bay Village along with his mother. New school, new acquaintances, new trouble and a lot more complexities of life! ^^ Along with a long-shot chance of a very peculiar love!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. But the plot belongs to me… places and events are also made up!

Warnings: Yaoi! ^^ Mature themes and some swearing.

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Project: Popularity

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Summary: Project: Popularity is just a game the school thought of to provide the rich students the best of services coming from the other students. But why does it have to turn out to be a death match for all of us? NaruSasu plus others.

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Project: Popularity

A game in which most students can kill and die for…

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Spring is about to end… and Mom suddenly forced me to come with her to another town. And then she also forced me to attend the school where rich people also go. And she also forced me to attend school EVERYDAY! Naruto Uzumaki wouldn't at—! Naruto, a blonde-haired man with an average build, tan complexion and beautiful azure eyes, suddenly stops at his tracks when he sees a lady in a dress… somewhat stuck atop a tree. He eyes at her for a while and then she notices him… a smile curling her lips.

This seems to be like an opening of an anime series… where the hero meets a mysterious lady on the way to school. Then he will get into one hell of an adventure and then they fall in love with each other. Lead a happy life and have kids and— "Come here." She speaks that seems to break Naruto's daze. She smiles some more as Naruto walks nearer, "Anou, nee-san. What are—!" She jumps down from the branch and, luckily, Naruto catches her and maintains his balance.

The woman eyes at him directly with her enticing smile and Naruto can't help but to stare at her godlike face. She is wearing a red dress with a black bodice and the frills are lined with black laces and the skirt only reaches half her thighs. She also wears fine mesh netted stockings and black boots. Her right wrist is embraced with a red ribbon with a long lace and her hair is neatly decorated with a red butterfly. Her ebony hair compliments well with her porcelain complexion, gem-like onyx eyes, and her lips are highlighted with a faint pink lipstick. Too bad, she's a bit flat-chested.

She then wraps her arms around his neck and motions to get down. Naruto puts her down and she stares directly at his eyes, "Your eyes… they're beautiful." Naruto then blushes and shifts his view to the side as he acts embarrassed by the compliment, "Heheh, you're the first one to say that. Yeah, I'm Na—" Naruto turns back to her… only to find her nowhere. He frowns and then looks at the direction of the school… the woman running like hell slowly disappearing in sight.

DING! The first bell sounds through the nearby streets and it reminded Naruto of the time. "What the fuck!" Naruto yells and runs towards the same direction, "The bell is going off fifteen minutes earlier!" And… that woman sounds like a guy… or maybe she just has this low-pitched voice. She's too ultimately beautiful to be a crossdresser. Now that my first day kicks off… I will rock their worlds! I'm Naruto Uzumaki! And here I come!

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Project: Popularity

Rei Haruno –Sakura no Imooto

Chapter 1: The Popularity Game

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Huh? Seems like they're holding off a welcoming ceremony for the rich people. Bah! I thought classes are fifteen minutes earlier. Naruto huffs while leaning at his hand with his elbow at the railing and his back bent down comfortably. He is at the second floor of a building along with the other students as they anticipate the coming of the famous rich students. The other students, however, are giving weird gazes at Naruto much to his annoyance.

"What is he wearing?" They whisper around whenever they lay their eyes at Naruto. The blond pops a vein and then stares down at what he is wearing. What's wrong with a light blue cardigan, orange shirt, green cargo pants and rubber shoes? And to think about it… is there a dress code in here? He looks around and notices that everyone seems to be in an imperial set of clothing. Be it majesties of western or eastern royalties. It sucks to be a new student… however, I need to find that woman I saw earlier.

The crowd begins to cheer as lines of the dignitaries start marching to the grounds. Naruto then straightens as he sees the second line… which consists of the grandest set of clothes— he means— people. But the one that took Naruto's attention is the guy in the middle of the line. He has this weird hairdo that (he thinks) resembles a cockatoo's head… the real matter is the lace embracing his right wrist, though. There's no way it goes well with his dark blue coat, white pants, and dark shiny shoes that look like boots.

"That's weird." He whispers to no one in particular and then he notices that woman at the suspicious man's left. She has this long dark blue hair embraced by a familiar-looking red butterfly clip. She is also fixing the guy's bangs with her delicate hands. She is wearing a kimono-looking sleeveless coat with shades of white, blue and orange over a long-sleeved white tight-fitting shirt paired with a black step-in. She seems to be gently arguing with the guy… trying to take that lace at his wrist.

Naruto frowns some more at the guy… and then recalls that he still needs to go to the Registrar to get some things. He just ignores the worthless parade and goes to the Registrar. After some minutes, things are done and cleared and he's ready to go to his first class. He just goes to the men's room to take a leak… only to see the mysterious woman putting make-up in front of the mirror. She is drawing her lipstick at her lips and she turns to the blond standing at the doorway.

"What is a girl doing in the men's room?" He speaks as he closes the door behind him… an action that makes her smile again. He slowly walks to her and then she resumes in fixing her make-up, "We meet again, boy with the sky eyes." He twitches and then she faces him with her right wrist near to his face, her hand clutching the long red lace, "Please?" Naruto takes the lace and ties it firmly at her wrist, "So tell me… are you a guy?"

"Asking that will cost you 5,000 points." Her tone suddenly changes like how her innocent rounded eyes turn piercing and sharp. Naruto twitches at the sudden change… but the points she is talking about intrigues him more. He cocks his head to the side and asks, "5,000 points?" The woman twitches and then smiles again with her eyes going sweet again, "R-Right… you must be a new student based from the fact that you don't recognize me and you know nothing of Project: Popularity."

"Project what?" Naruto raises a brow and then she goes on ahead as she flicks her dark shiny mane at his face, "See you around, boy with sky eyes." Naruto frowns at the action and watches her open the door and then he says, "It's Naruto Uzumaki. How about you? What's your name?" The girl stops at her track and looks back at him… only to give him a signature smile, "Himitsu." She then runs off and then Naruto scratches his head, "I'm not sure if she's saying her name or it is a secret."

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Project: Popularity

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"His name is Naruto Uzumaki. He's just new here and they just arrived here at Konoha Bay yesterday. Please tell him about everything he needs to know about Konoha Mai and the school traditions. He's pretty clueless." The teacher introduces Naruto and he eyes at her like there really is something going on that he doesn't know. Is this because of that Project: Popularity that 'Himitsu' is talking about? Naruto then bows and mutters, "Please take care of me… and teach me things about the school."

"Sensei! Can he sit here?" A woman in a pink sleeveless dress under a rose cardigan waves her hand and then the teacher agrees with her. He goes to her and she says, "My name is Sakura Haruno. I was asked to help the new student in our class to cope up. I need to talk to you later… if you don't mind." Naruto nods and then gets his textbook as everyone else does, "Yeah, someone said that there is this Project: Popularity going on. Can you tell me about it?" She giggles and winks, "Absolutely."

Lunchtime has come and Naruto goes with Sakura as she explains, "Apparently, Konoha Mai Gakuen is a training ground for refining the attitude of future workers and leaders of the society. Project: Popularity is a pointing system where students are doing good deeds in exchange of points and every unlawful and improper acts result to subtraction of points. Students who cannot cultivate a total of 7 million points until the last day before their batch's graduation will not be qualified for it."

"What? 7 million?" Naruto almost drops his jaw in disbelief and then Sakura chuckles, "You don't have to worry. You just enrolled here on your second year and you have a less of two months… your required total points are way smaller than 7 million. Hmmm… 5 million points is the safest mark." Naruto sighs and whispers, "What a weird school. So how are people sure that they are earning points?" Sakura shows her a beeper-looking gadget with a wallet-like jacket, "This is the recorder. This gadget records and updates your points and lists a log of addition and subtraction of points."

"Yeah, the Registrar gave one to me." He shows his recorder and then she warns, "Recorders and highly important. They are requirements for graduation as well. Once you lost your recorder, you have to get a new one but the accumulated points are lost as well." Naruto then pockets his recorder as well as what Sakura does before continuing, "There are also three general ranks in Project: Popularity: the Kamis, the Kizokus, and the Kojikis. The Kamis are the two courts that govern the flow of the project. This is led by the King, Siegfried Takano, and they are the first three lines of the parade earlier."

"I see… so which one is the King there?" Naruto asks and then she answers after recalling the perfect picture, "He's the one in the middle of the first line. The one wearing a gold cape and sporting a saber replica." He nods and then she goes on, "The Kizokus are the rest of the Konoha Bay Society. They are the ones that either have completed a total of 10 million points before graduation or born with a silver spoon in their mouths. They have much more privilege and benefits in the school and the power to give the Kojikis points as well."

"So the Kamis and the Kizokus are the ones giving points?" She nods at the question and then she explains some more, "But they should have bases in giving points and the points given should be equal to the deed. They cannot grant 1000 points just because the kojiki picked up what they dropped in the hallway." She smiles and they turn at the corner, "Lastly, Kojikis are the normal students who strive for points. And you are one of them." She giggles and then Naruto asks, "Are you a kizoku?" She nods and then speaks, "I was just asked to help you. I cannot refuse since a kami asked me to."

"I see. So I'm supposed to call you, Sakura-sama?" Naruto pouts as if getting forced to call one such. She then giggles and then she smiles, "Nope. I want you to be my friend. Consider that a privilege, Naruto-kun. However, the rest of the student body who have a lower rank than me have to call me Haruno-jou-san." Naruto then nods and grins a little, "Thanks, Sakura-chan." They then arrive at a place where a guy is waiting for them. He waves at Sakura and speaks out loud, "Oi, Sakura! Is that the new guy?" She nods and brings Naruto to the spot.

"Hiya! I'm Kiba Inuzuka and, with due respect to the project, I'm part of the second court of Kamis." Naruto twitches as soon as he introduces himself after they have sat down. Naruto nods and hesitantly introduces himself, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki…" What the fuck… I'm not used to being meek and shy. Stupid project! For the sake of graduation, I need to behave. Sakura hits his back and snickers, "Loosen up! Kiba's my friend, too. Act a little casual." Naruto then makes a sour face at Sakura, "I'm getting confused and messed up by this stupid Project: Popularity. I don't know what's what."

"It's normal for a new guy to be like that!" Kiba laughs out and then Naruto smiles and grins, "Heheh, sorry. But hey, where are we?" He asks and then Kiba looks around, "This is a private place that I got for being a Kami. Sakura and I do homework and eat lunch right here." Naruto looks around some more and takes note of the intricate design of the palace-looking room. He also looks at Kiba and notices his clothes: white long coat, cream shirt, dark pants and men's boots. Damn, there really is a dress code.

"So? What are we having for lunch?" Sakura chirps and then Kiba scratches his head, "I asked somebody to buy food and deliver it here. However—" Knocks come from the door and then Kiba talks louder, "Come in." A beautiful maiden then enters the room which seems to surprise both Sakura and Kiba. She has this long dark hair— Wait a minute! It's the girl beside the suspicious guy earlier at the parade! Kiba then flusters and hurries to greet her at the door, "Hinata-jou-san, wha—why are you—?" She smiles sweetly and says, "I just thought maybe I can join you just for today. I couldn't find Sasuke around and the others have their own meetings."

"S-Sure, why not, Hyuuga-jou-san?" Sakura smiles and prepares another pillow (they are seating at the floor, anyway). Naruto watches her come near and be served by Sakura… latterly, she notices Naruto looking, "Is there something on my face, Uzumaki-san?" Naruto twitches and then he asks, "How'd you know my name? And where's the red butterfly clip you were wearing at the parade?" She twitches and then she smiles, "It flew back to its owner." The hell…

"She's Hinata Hyuuga, Secretary of the Student Council and Affairs, in charge of the records of every student in the school." Kiba speaks as he serves the delicacies at the trolley Hinata is rolling a while ago, "She's also a part of the first court of Kamis and the Graces of the Prince." Sakura then says, "Hyuuga-jou-san, do you want me to lower the temperature of the room?" She shakes her head and then Naruto continues to stare at the three. I feel getting left out by these people. They're all high-ranked and all.

"Say, Uzumaki-san, how'd you find our school?" Hinata asks and then the two settle down at their seats, the four beginning to eat lunch. Naruto twitches and struggles for an answer. This is hard. All I think about is— "It's okay to have a negative comment. I do hope it'll get better as the days go by." She sips some red wine and then Naruto says, "Anou… I just find this school weird. Maybe because of this Project: Popularity… I just thought doing deeds in exchange of points promotes greed among the students."

"Project: Popularity existed even before we came here and I don't think it will stop." She smiles and then looks at Naruto, "The main point of this project is to make the students live out their virtues and become popular because of good reputation. There are lots of rich men and women in Konoha Bay… that's why Konoha Mai is trying to practice students in doing these things for the readiness of the business world. Whether we like it or not, the reality of us, rich people, is filled with greed and money despite the presence of virtues in our hearts."

Oh, crap, Naruto. "S-Sorry." Naruto then apologizes and then Sakura says to lift off the pressure, "Naruto-kun, Sensei said you just got here yesterday. Why did you come all the way to Konoha anyway? And why Konoha Mai?" Naruto sighs and then hesitates to hold the red wine glass until Hinata demonstrates the proper way to hold and drink, "Thanks. Uhm, my mother just told me that we're leaving for Konoha two days ago and things happened so fast. She forced me to attend the 'school for the rich' as my old classmates call it. She also said that she's changing jobs when we get here. About the reasons… she never mentioned anything. She always likes it when I found out things late."

"That's terrible parenting." Kiba chuckles and then Naruto is about to react when the megaphones sound out loud, "Assets of the Future World, please lend me your ears! This is Ino Yamanaka, one of the Graces of the Prince, speaking. We, the Kamis, are hosting a surprise event! It is called 'Hunt for Prince Charming' and the main goal of the event is to find the Prince who is hiding somewhere in the school premises! Rewards that we are to give out are 5,000 points for Kojikis and 50,000 points for Kizokus! You have all the time till the school closes; however, do not hold this event liable for absences. Please take him back to the SCA Office. Thank you."

"A surprise event?" Naruto frowns and then Sakura gulps in the innately bad news. Hinata clasps her hands and worriedly speaks, "This is bad. They can't even find Sasuke without the help of the student body. Where could have he been?" Kiba then slices his steak, "Let's eat up first, Hinata-jou-san. We won't have enough energy to look around if we're not full." Hinata nods and they continue dining… at a faster pace.

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Project: Popularity

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Hinata and Kiba go to the SCA Office first to check up on the updates and Naruto and Sakura go to find the missing Prince. They have to stick together since Naruto doesn't know the face of the Prince. They watch a lot of students running around in desperation while the others are waiting for news from friends in the other end of the line. The two then comes across the gardens where few people just pass by. The place is just a wide plain filled with low bushes, grass and flowers… with trees supporting the boundaries of the garden. They walk around the place and then Sakura says, "He can't be here. The bushes are too low and thin to hide anyone."

"…" Naruto then picks up something from the grass and Sakura takes a look… at the red butterfly clip at his hand. Naruto walks towards the trees nearby and they find a piece of red cloth stuck at a twig. Sakura frowns at the view of Naruto climbing the tree, "How'd you find this place?" Naruto reaches the branch nearby the twig and says, "Just a hunch." There's just something weird with the garden. The gates are also swung like someone's running from someone else… and there is a trail left by heavy footsteps that lead to this tree… or maybe I'm just watching too much detective stories.

Naruto peers up the dark leaves of the tree but nothing seems to be hidden under the darkness. He looks down and— "Himitsu!" He sees the weird girl in a red dress lying unconscious at the rocky ground that seems to be meters down the tree. The area also seems to be the messy garage of the school since there are piles of broken chairs, doors and other school furniture. Sakura yells, "What do you see, Naruto-kun!" Naruto then carefully goes down to where Himitsu is, "Sakura-chan! Wait for me there!"

He carefully climbs down from the trees' roots to reach the unconscious Himitsu and then he suddenly trips at one un-sturdy rock… falling from four meters or so. The blond groans and then consoles his sore butt and hip while walking towards Himitsu, "Oi, Himitsu. Wake up." He kneels down beside her and tries to lift her up from getting shoved at the dirty rocks. She has this gash at the right leg that damaged her stockings and boots and deep scratches at her knees and arms. Naruto pulls out his handkerchief and performs first aid on her leg to cover her wound. He also runs his hand at her arms to see if she broke something… other than her right shoulder.

"Naruto-kun!" He looks up to see Sakura and a redhead man holding her so she won't fall off. "How's she!" Naruto waves at her, "She's fine! Is there a way we can get out of here without climbing up there?" Sakura gazes at the redhead and then he says, "The entrance and exit of the slum garage is five minutes to the left if you follow the wall. We'll open the door for you so wait for us!" Naruto nods and waves, "Sure!" They run off and then Naruto carries her bridal style in a way that her arm wouldn't hurt. Geez, what is she doing here?

A couple of minutes later, Himitsu awakens from her unconscious state and finds Naruto carrying her, "…Boy with sky eyes?" Naruto looks at her and smiles, "I told you, it's Naruto. What are you doing there, anyway?" She doesn't answer and just winces at the pain a fractured shoulder causes her. However, she looks up at him only to stare at his face… his eyes. Naruto reaches the shutter and then in seconds, it gets open by the redhead guy. They hurriedly walk to the nurse room with the other students watching them carry a wounded girl.

"Oh my God!" Naruto twitches as he sees a lot of people crowding outside the nurse room and they are all worried about Himitsu. They go in the room and the nurse readies a bed for her… a smaller group of people waiting for them inside. However, Hinata and two other ladies try to talk to them but the nurse tells them to calm down as Naruto puts her down. The nurse then asks her what hurts but Naruto answers for her, "A gash at the leg, multiple scratches, and a fractured shoulder… nothing really serious." The nurse smiles, "Wow." Naruto scratches his head with a blush, "My mother's a licensed doctor. She teaches me things."

"So what happened to you?" The nurse asks Himitsu and she speaks, "Aura hates the way I'm dressed. She chased me down like she's going to kill me. I went to the garden and I slipped down from a tree. The next thing I know…" She looks at Naruto with a smile, "Naruto is carrying me." Hinata lunges at the bed and almost yells at her, "You could've just called us, Sasuke! We can at least stop her!" Naruto twitches and then the nurse cleans Himitsu's face as she talks, her rounded eyes turning sharp and piercing, "It's not like I always wanted to ask for your help." She gets taken aback and then a blonde woman smiles and makes Hinata stand back gently, "Sasuke's right, Hinata. Let's be happy he's alright, okay?"

"He?" Naruto twitches and then Kiba snickers, "Heheh, oi Sasuke-ouji… seems like Naruto here got deceived pretty much." Naruto blushes and looks at where Kiba and Sakura are. Himitsu, who really is Sasuke, smiles as he sits up and pulls on the blond's sleeve and Naruto looks at him. He gestures Naruto to get near and then he says, "Thank you, Naruto." Sasuke then holds Naruto's farthest cheek… and kisses the other. I got kissed by a—

"As a promise…" Naruto starts blushing and then the blonde woman gladly declares, "I, Ino Yamanaka, give out a total of 7,000 points to…" Hinata claps once and smiles, "Naruto Uzumaki!" The other brunette woman cheers, "Yay!" Everyone in the room aside from the nurse, Naruto and Sasuke starts clapping. The nurse takes off the ribbon embracing Sasuke's head and his wig comes off with it. Naruto's eyes widen as Sasuke's real image unveils before him. Kiba then laughs out some more and then Naruto pulls on his hair and yells out loud when he goes in front of them…

"IT'S NOT LIKE I'M CELEBRATING THIS!"

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Project: Popularity

Chapter 1: The Popularity Game

End Points: 7,000 points

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Thank you for reading and please review! ^^

Himitsu = secret; Kami = god; Kizoku = aristocrat; Kojiki = beggar; Jou-san = Lady; Ouji-(sama) = Prince