A/N: Not even kunoichi can escape the deadly monthlies, I've always wondered how they would treat that in the shinobi world and now I'm addressing it, also this may have later updates since it's a little side fic of mine. Anyway, enjoy! R&R! (Also check out my bio for recommendations on fics to read)

Chapter Three: Monthly

Haruno Sakura is only twelve years old, she doesn't have many curves and her chest isn't that well developed, she really couldn't appeal to anyone at that age. She knew that at certain age she would begin her monthlies but she expected that time to be years away, she didn't think she would have to worry about it at twelve. Well now she has to worry about it, her shorts are stained red as is her bedroll and her pack is outside next to the others and she's not going to go out there.

"Sakura-chi, it's time to start heading out!" Naruto calls from outside and she clutches her bedroll closer to her. She felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment and despaired at being a girl, the boys didn't have to worry about this sort of thing. Not only that but this was also their first mission outside the village, really nothing extraordinary just delivering a scroll to Karatsu Village about a two days away and waiting for the response before heading back to the village.

The night prior as she had been packing her backpack, she wasn't sure what to pack as Kakashi-sensei hadn't really said anything but she figured going with the standard Academy list would be fine. Dry soap, toilet paper, bandages, soldier pills, bedroll and extra kunai and shuriken. She had packed three extra sets of underwear and a change of clothes, her mother had suggested bringing some feminine hygienic products but Sakura had just ignored her because she wasn't going to start her monthlies for the first time on a mission.

Well, she had started sometime after her watch last night and she could only stare at the red patch on her shorts in despair. How would she be able to even bring this up with Kakashi-sensei and the others? Did Ino also have to worry about this? Her face was hot and she had started to cry sometime during the last few seconds but what was she supposed to do?!

"Sakura, hurry up." Sasuke-kun said, he was right outside her tent and she could see him reach for the zipper. She couldn't let anyone see her like this!

"Leave me alone!"

She started to feel a slight pain in her abdomen and felt horrified when she felt more wetness, now she really wanted to start crying.

"Sakura-chi, are you okay?" Naruto was next to Sasuke-kun, they were both going to see her and her bloody shorts and think she was gross!

"Stop it! Leave me alone!" Her voice waivered and she watched with wide eyes as Sasuke-kun turned around and went looking for Kakashi-sensei. The pain in her stomach started to become a little stronger but she ignored it, she couldn't ignore the leaking in between her legs.

"Sakura-chi, can I come in?" But even if he was asking, Kakashi-sensei had already pulled the zipper up to her tent and invited himself in. She probably wasn't the best thing to be looking at, her hair was a mess, she was crying and she was acutely aware of the smell of blood in the small confined space. Kakashi-sensei had the decency to zip down the tent again and afford her some privacy.

He sat crossed legged and stared at her.

"I-I got my montly…" Her face was on fire, she was barely able to spit the words out but she wanted someone to help her. "My clothes and bedroll are dirty."

Now she really cried, big fat tears escaped her eyes and she started to let out big sobs.

"Oh Sakura-chi," Kakashi-sensei sighed and ruffled her hair but made no attempt at pulling her from the bedroll. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about, don't cry."

"But I'm always doing things like this and hold everyone back! I'm just so stupid!" Stupid monthlies were making her sadder and she was spilling her guts out without meaning to.

"Sakura-chi, monthlies are a normal thing and all women go through them even kunoichi. I'm not a woman but I can help you out just stop crying okay?" Kakashi-sensei reaches into his vest and pulled a scroll, there's a poof and suddenly there are multiple items on his lap. "Now, there are two ways kunoichi handle their monthlies. The first method is the traditional way of handling it by using feminine hygiene products, while effective you will have to keep changing every two to three hours and find some way to dispose of them."

He hands her four small squares with green plastic wrapping, the same her mother tried to get her to pack.

"The second is this small pill right here, kunoichi really have no time to be bleeding every month for up to a week, so they developed this small pill that basically makes all the bleeding happen within the span of a day. It has no known side effects and when you start your next monthly, it will only last for the day, it should also take care of cramps and bloating."

The pill is small not bigger than a soldier pill but the bleeding has to happen all in one day, if she takes it now won't she be bleeding heavily for the whole day and they still had to deliver the scroll.

"Won't I bleed the whole day then?"

Kakashi-sensei laughs and drops the pill in her hand. "Well yes but you won't be bleeding buckets either. If anything you should be fine with four pads."

She quickly plops it in her mouth and swallows it dry. "What about my clothes and bedroll?"

"I'll bring your pack over, I hope you brought extra clothes?"

"Yes…"

"Okay, I'll bring that and some water to wash yourself. You can have my bedroll, I'll be fine, okay?" Kakashi-sensei ruffles her hair again and she doesn't push his hand away as she usually would. He didn't make her feel embarrassed or guilty for something that was natural and she really appreciated her sensei for that.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."

"Oh, Sakura-chi I told you being a kunoichi was hard but we're your team and we're here for you."