Michiko was walking around after training, and saw a group of girls near the Academy beating another girl with bright pink hair and jade green eyes. Michiko ran in, blocking a foot aimed at the poor girls face, and said, "Leave her alone." "Get out of my way, bitch!" In a moment, that girl was thrown by her ankle into a wall. "I'd call you that if I didn't want to insult canines." Another girl took out a kunai, and Michiko glared at her, saying, "I dare you to throw it…" The girl did throw it, but Michiko blocked it, and punched the girl in the stomach. The remaining girls stared at her in fear before running away, and she turned to the girl behind her, noticing the cuts and bruises all over her. She kneeled next to her, asking, "Are you okay?" The girl nodded slowly, but the tears didn't stop. "It's okay…I'll take you to the hospital…just in case…" She lifted the girl onto her back, and started walking to the hospital.
"I'm Michiko, by the way. What's your name?" "S-Sakura H-Haruno…" Michiko was careful of the cuts and bruises, asking, "Why were they doing that anyway?" "...Because my forehead's too big…" Michiko's eyes flashed green again, and she said, "I think your perfect, Sakura. We're all perfect in our own unique ways, if not physically, then mentally." She smiled at the young girl over her shoulder. "So try harder to see yourself through my eyes instead of theirs, and you'll see the real you." Saying those words felt…nostalgic…and she wondered where she'd heard them before when it hit her. 'Mom…' her eyes became downcast, but her pace seemed to quicken. 'I won't cry…I promised myself I wouldn't…'