Ruffnut's period this time around was painful.

Not only did she feel bloated and have a very heavy flow, but the cramps were lethal. She felt like someone was stabbing her abdomen with a fork. And Ruffnut would rather be the one doing the stabbing.

She especially hated how Astrid and Heather's periods were in sync. While she had to go through this alone, they had each other.

She remembers once spotting them giving one another comfort and solace while they ate yak pudding and yakked on about the guys.

And what was worst was that they never considered inviting Ruffnut along. During this time of the month, she was always hanging around her brother and their other males friends who were all clueless about menstruation.

Ruffnut had often felt half tempted to tell the guys about the gross reason for why Astrid and Heather's stayed absent from particular chores and routines. But then she would get her own period and the last thing she wanted was for it to become a dinner topic.

Ruffnut groaned in pain, rolling on top of a pillow to numb out the aching. It didn't help.

"Hey Ruffnut, I need your help," she could hear her brother calling from outside their hut.

Ruffnut groaned, feeling anger spark up inside her immediately. "Help yourself, I'm not leaving this bed!" she shouted. Her brother didn't answer for a moment and then she heard the entrance roll up.

Tuffnut walked in and eyed her with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"No, I'm not."

Tuffnut didn't leave just yet. "Is there anything I can do?"

Ruffnut shook her head and then turned away from him, curling into a fetus position.

She didn't know when her brother left because he quickly reappeared again.

But this time with company.

"Ruff," she head Astrid call out. "Your brother told us you are in pain. Why didn't you tell us?"

Ruffnut froze, slowing turning around to see her brother standing behind Astrid and Heather. All three looking at her in concern.

She couldn't hear what Astrid whispered but Tuffnut decided to leave just then.

Astrid and Heather stepped closer, sinking down on her bed next to her.

"Does it hurt badly?"

Ruffnut could only nod.

"Okay. Lets heat up some iron and wrap it in a cloth," Heather suggested and stood up to do just that.

Astrid continued to stare at Ruffnut with a guilty expression. "Why didn't you tell me?" she repeated.

Ruffnut shrugged, her mouth turned into a frown. "I didn't think you guys would care."

"Of course we care, Ruffnut."

"Then why do you always leave met out?" she shot back, tears prickling her eyes. Damn hormones.

"You are right. I'm sorry." Astrid nodded, her eyes lowering to the floor. "I guess we never really thought about it. Before Heather joined us on the Edge, I was used to dealing with this by myself. But it definitely helps having another person there with you. I hope you can let us make it up to you."

Ruffnut remained silent but eventually nodded with a smile.

"So is it true that your and Heather's periods are in sync?"

Astrid blushed. "Well we do spend a lot of time together so.." she trailed off with a shrug.

Ruffnut looked thoughtful. "I wish mine was in sync with yours too."

"Maybe it will be someday," Heather reentered the scene. "Here," she handed Ruffnut a makeshift heating pad.

More period stories, yes/no?