It was a normal day at the training grounds.

Or what they thought was normal.

Naruto was doing something with his shadow clones-a combination attack it seemed like with some sort of wind jutsu. Kakashi had brought chakra paper a week ago so the genin could find out their elemental nature. Haku already knew- water and wind, and because of his bloodline he had an ice affinity too. Sasuke was fire(with lighting), Naruto was wind, And Sakura was water too. Naruto was beside himself with excitement and immediately demanded to learn an elemental jutsu.

Haku didn't need any help, and neither did Sasuke as he had his fireball jutsu. The two of them went to practice their aim. Haku was still marginally better than Sasuke, but Sasuke took it very well considering his reaction a week ago. He was more open now, noticeably less hostile and easier to work with. The only thing Haruhi spotted that could be considered off in a bad way was his extreme thoughtfulness now. He was mulling something over. Ever since she had that talk with him.

Naruto was practicing right now, and Sakura was resting up against a tree, an oddly pinched look on her face.

That was never good.

Boys being boys, didn't really notice and if they did, chalked it up to Sakura's frustration with her water jutsu's. Due to her small reserves, Kakashi had given her exercises to increase her reserve and already phenomenal control.

But Haruhi had a feeling that wasn't what was getting her down.

"Hey Sasuke, what are you doing?"

Sasuke had packed his gear up and appeared to be heading out. He stiffened at Naruto's question before relaxing, self-assurance flitting across his face.

"I joined a history group and We're going to the museum. I want to learn more." The 'about my clan' was left unsaid.

"Sounds great!" Haruhi grinned, and Sasuke smirked (smiled) back at her. While they had yet to bring the talk up, their relationship had dramatically improved. It piqued her interest. She didn't know konoha had museums.

Kakashi peeked over the rim of his book with an appraising eye, sizing up Sasuke and hummed his approval. Haruhi had chewed him out for tricking her like that but after many apologies and seeing how better Sasuke was after it, she had let it go. Plus he had given her another cookie. Sasuke's eye-bags were all but gone, his skin was still pale but held color now, and a healthy glow had returned to his once sallow skin.

"Sakura, maybe you would like it?" Sasuke asked, turning to look at her curled by the tree.

Sakura burst into tears.

Shoulder shaking sobs exploded from her lips and wails rose and fell like the wind or a Banshee. She smothered her face in her hands and pressed her knees to her stomach and continued caterwauling.

Sasuke was completely caught off guard, frozen in shock. A guilty look crossed his face and he opened and closed his mouth.

Then Kakashi started freaking out right next to her.

"What?" She said, bewildered and worried about all the sudden freaking out. He gripped his voluminous hair with both hands and his one eye popped in horror but more than anything what told her to worry was the fact he let Icha Icha drop in the dirt.

Sakura got up and ran away, clutching her stomach with both hands.

Oh.

FUCK.

Haruhi started freaking out and then Haku ran and so did Sasuke and Naruto was screaming for someone to tell him what was going on. She was about to start yelling for everyone to chill out when the breath was stolen from her when Kakashi scooped her up and started running in the direction Sakura went.

He was mumbling rapidly under his breath.

"Fixherfixherfixherfixher-"

Kakashi skidded to a stop in front of a row of houses. People startled at their sudden arrival, clutching their bags and children closer as they eyed the crazy Kakashi. He rapidly knocked on a door and when Sakura answered, tears still on her face and a hand on her stomach, Haruhi was unceremoniously shoved her way and then Kakashi ran, gone in a second, leaving her in Sakura's free hand with the street staring at them.

"Close the door!" She whispered, beyond embarrassed. That Kakashi! He did it again! Why does he shove all the hard stuff on her?! She was gonna wring his neck!

As she fumed Sakura sniffled miserably. Haruhi snapped out of it. That would come later.

"Sakura sweetheart, what do you know about...uh." She stuttered.

"We just learned ab-about how to hide the scent of b-blood and the symptoms! Not what to do! Haruhi-sensei! My parents are out of town." She wailed.

So education was shitty here to. Huh.

"Okay it'll be fine."

"I"m bleeding! And my stomach hurts really really bad! Worse than that time I got stabbed!"

"Honey, do you have rice?"

"How wou-yeah."

"Get an old big clean sock and fill it with rice. Then put it in the microwave."

Though confused, Sakura sniffled and walked with one hand on her stomach and the other holding Haruhi. The house was tasteful and seemed larger than it was with the airy curtains and spaced furniture. Pictures of a younger Sakura with her parents sat on the mantel. The walls were a light cheerful pink and she was delighted they matched Sakura's hair.

They walked up a carpeted staircase and turned left into a room with a king bed in it. She knelt and winced, digging in a drawer to pull out and old white sock. They tromped back downstairs and Sakura filled it with rice and put it in for 85 seconds.

It dinged.

"Um, what now Haruhi-sensei?"

Haruhi was unexpectedly filled with a burst of warmth for Sakura to trust her so much as to do this without knowing why. When Haruhi had first gotten her cycles, she had been the same age as Sakura. She was too embarrassed to go to her dad, her friends didn't have theirs yet, she had no siblings, and her Mother was away again. She wouldn't let Sakura go through this by herself.

"Press it to your lower stomach. It'll help with the cramps."

"Okay...Um, why does it help?"

Haruhi cracked her neck.

"You know how's there are cracks in sidewalks? That's because in the summer they expand. Heat makes things expand and relax. Period cramps are just your muscles clenching up so tightly you can feel it. By putting the hot pack against your muscles you are getting them to relax-therefore stopping the cramps."

Sakura absorbed every word like a sponge and Haruhi had the delirious thought this must be what it felt like to be a medical textbook.

"It does feel better." She said.

"Good. Do you have any pads or tampons?"

Sakura blushed.

"I used up my mom's. I think I have one more."

"And when are your parents coming back?"

"In a week."

Haruhi shook her head. That simply wouldn't do.

"Put on the last one and then dress comfortably. We're going shopping."

Sakura nodded and went off with her rice filled sock to the bathroom and changed. She walked out wearing long pants and a T-shirt.

"Warm up the sock one more time, get your money and let's go shopping for what you need. " Haruhi said confidently.

As Sakura nodded and moved to obey orders Haruhi turned around and bit her lip. The lord have mercy on her. A thought struck her out of the blue and her heartbeat accelerated.

When was the last time she got her period?

It ended a day before she arrived here. She was a month and a half overdue. She had a history of irregular periods and it could be chalked up to the stress of dimension hopping, but if it didn't show it's ugly face soon she would have to say something to Kakashi, as awkward as it would be.

"I'm ready."

"Let's go."

The people had moved on by the time Sakura locked the front door and they shuffled out. She was wearing comfortable, loose dark clothes like Haruhi had instructed and had taken a couple sips of water before they left.

"Let's go to the nearest pharmacy or multi-purpose store."

Sakura nodded, her face flushing with embarrassment. Haruhi made a mental list of what Sakura would need to gets-Pads, Tampons, possibly more rice, painkillers, facial cream if her face broke out, light foods if she got nauseous, chocolate, and herbal tea. Maybe look at the right clothes too. Something dark and baggy.

The bells dinged on the store which had the distinct smell of a pharmacy. A stand of snacks was to their left and a pyramid of cans a little beyond that. In the back of the store was the counters.

Sakura sniffled again and darted to in one of the isles.

"I'm sorry Haruhi-sensei. I can't stop crying."

"That's fine. Some girls just get more emotional."

"Oh."

"I'm sure you can check out textbooks about it." Haruhi said not unkindly. "Grab a shopping basket first."

Sakura grabbed a shopping basket.

"Let's look at the hygiene products first."

They browsed through the store and Haruhi was struck with the fact this was actually happening. She took a deep breath. It wasn't like it was worse than being shrunk into another dimension.

"B-billboard brow!"

"Pig!?"

Uh oh. This was the last thing Sakura needed right now. She looked away from the prices to find Ino staring in surprise at Sakura. Not glaring, just caught off guard.

"What are you doing here?" Ino asked, flustered.

"Well, what are you doing here?" Sakura said defensively.

Both of them looked at each other, then at the wall of pads and tampons at the same time.

Sakura swallowed.

"You too?" Sakura said evenly.

Ino started crying and Haruhi took a deep, calming, breath. She was gonna get Kakashi. He would never hear the end of this. Ino was talking between huge, breathless airy sobs.

"My mom is gone, e-everyones busy, I don't know-"

"Sakura has the same problem so you can come with us." Haruhi said calmly.

Sakura nodded fairly. Ino looked like she was about to cry again but pulled herself together. Haruhi didn't know a lot about finance here so she let the girls work out the prices and told them which ones to get depending on their physical activities and ones to use overnight.

"Thank you, Haruhi-sensei." Ino said after a particularly helpful piece of advice.

They were giggling over one of the packages of pads(which featured a woman in a white sundress) when Haku turned the corner, shopping basket tucked in his arm).

"Oh, Hey, Haku!" Sakura giggles, in a better mood now. The marred side of Haku's face was hidden by a sheet of choppy hair.

Haku was staring wide eye at the three of them, Hand in a basket full of noodle cups, before smiling.

"Good afternoon, Haruhi sensei, Sakura-chan, and…"

"You can call me Ino."

"Good afternoon, Ino."

His eyes trailed from the wall of pads and tampons to the three of them. It was a strange look, like the feminine hygiene products were about to bite him, but he couldn't look away from them. His eyes would flicker to the three of them, then to the pads, and back to the floor in rapid succession.

In a mischievous mood, Haruhi smirked and spoke. She wondered if Haku would be freaked out by pads like some other guys were. He didn't seem like the type but it would be funny all the same.

"Haku, you want to join us?"

He jumped, head whipping to her.

"No Haruhi-sensei! He's a boy, this is a girls trip!"

Ino nodded, and Haruhi shrugged.

"Bye Haku."

Haku left rather quickly after that.

They stopped to get some snacks, face cream, and painkillers. Combining their money they were able to afford it. The girls were giggling and Ino stole Sakura's rice sock for a bit.

"We should name it." She declared, her mood having picked up. "I say Socky."

"Riceball." Sakura said.

"Ralph." Haruhi said.

They gave her weird looks.

"What?" Haruhi said defensively.

They giggled before looking at the labels on the chocolate. They had already gotten into the painkillers and their relief from the cramps was palpable. Sakura opened her front door then flopped down on her couch.

Ino ripped open the pads and locked herself in the bathroom.

"Sakura, maybe you could get Ino her own rice-sock." Haruhi said around a square of chocolate the size of her head. Sakura made a few awkward movements trying to get up but managed to stand. Haruhi showed her how to side-step up the stairs by mimicking the action on the living room carpet. Sakura came back down with a matching sock just as Ino walked out of the bathroom.

"What's that?" She asked.

"You can fill it up with rice for your own hot pack." Sakura said.

Ino seemed to think that was a good idea, dumping rice in, tying it, then throwing it in the microwave.

"So Sakura, I see you're training to be a medical ninja." Ino said.

"Yeah, I am."

"I asked my dad if I could, so I'm getting a spot at the hospital too. Maybe we'll see each other."

Tension sparked between them and Haruhi bit back a sigh. These two could be just as bad as Naruto and Sasuke.

"I won't let you win!" Sakura hissed.

"Same!" Ino hissed back.

"Emotions are running high today." Haruhi noted, but was ignored.

"Just because you're getting stronger doesn't mean Sasuke will like you!" Ino spat.

Whoa.

Sakura looked hurt for a second before she welled up in fury.

"Girls girls!" Haruhi shouted. "Let's think for a second! You're both amazing. There's no need for this."

"Yes there is!" They snapped at the same time.

Haruhi shook her head.

"Look at you two, how much fun you had despite what is going on! You were able to help each other and make yourselves feel better! That's priceless and no boy can replace that. Compete if you want to, but that's no reason you can't be friends too." Haruhi declared hotly.

Ino and Sakura reluctantly looked at each other out of the corner of their eyes.

"It's possible." Said Haruhi, thinking about Kakashi and Gai.

"Yeah, that's true." Sakura said.

"Sorry-billboard brow."

"Pig."

Haruhi sighed.

…

They argued for a bit more before coming up with something light to eat.

They warmed up two cans of chicken noodle soup for lunch that they had bought, the light broth good for their stomachs, since they were upset.

The put some soup for Haruhi in a bottle cap on the table.

Haruhi happily ate her soup. She felt better about eating whe the portion size was about what it should be for her. But she couldn't help but notice the girls picking on their food. She assumed it was because they were nauseous, because neither of them had eaten since breakfast-which was hours ago.

"Are your stomachs upset?" Haruhi asked them. She lost her appetite while on her period and got nauseous too, but she was speaking from experience when she said eating something normally made her feel better.

Sakura bit her lip and Ino flipped her hair.

"Well…" Sakura said.

Haruhi raised an eyebrow.

"I know that your stomachs might be upset, but you'll feel better with something in you. It will raise your blood sugar."

Ino and Sakura exchanged a look.

"It's just that this soup has a lot of calories." Ino said.

Haruhi blinked. Then blinked again only to see Sakura nodding to what Ino had just said.

"What."

The girls looked away nervously.

"This is a lot, Haruhi-sensei. I'll feel bad if I eat so much." Sakura said.

Oh.

The girls were worried about eating too much. Instead of scoffing or telling them to stop being dumb girls, Haruhi's heart softened instead.

She was the same when she was their age. Haruhi was always a bigger girl who enjoyed cooking, and that was reflected with her size. She was a favorite for bullies due to that. She used to feel like Play-Doh being squeezed through a child's fingers.

She would often 'diet' and set a goal to eat less than a 1,000 calories a day. That was extremely unhealthy, especially since she was a growing child. It led to dizziness and dropping grades.

Even now that she was an adult, she still had times where she would feel guilty and gross for eating more than she thought she should.

"What do you mean by eat too much, Sakura? Ino?"

"Well, you know…"

Haruhi did know, but she wanted to hear it from them.

"It won't be good for our figure." Ino finally said, sounding remarkable unsure for such a confident girl.

Haruhi chewed on her lip.

"Girls, you're Kunoichi, right?"

"Um, Yeah."

"Yes."

"And your both young and growing, right?"

"Yes."

"And young growing girls, especially girls who lead the physically taxing life of ninja should eat healthy, and should eat more than once a day, right?"

"..."

The girls blinked and averted their eyes.

Haruhi sighed.

"I know what it's like to be ashamed of yourself and how you look. I think it's something all women go through in their lives. But depriving yourself of necessary nutrients in a vital time in your growth won't help anyone."

"B-but, if I become fat, Sasuke-kun won't like me!"

That was Ino.

"Ino, Sasuke doesn't care what you look like. He's really not interested in looks. If he was, do you think he'd be friends with Naruto?"

Sakura wisely kept silent, having already had the 'Sasuke talk' with Haruhi.

"Well, what does he care about then!" Ino said, face flushed.

"Sasuke cares about strength. He cares about people who see Sasuke as Sasuke, not a prize. He needs friends. He doesn't need or frankly want a wife right this second."

Ino gaped in shock, looking hurt.

"This isn't an attack on you Ino, or you Sakura. But being healthy and eating a good diet is extremely important for growing ninja. While I'm not a Kunoichi, I think the other graduating team has a female sensei. You can ask her what to eat."

"But…" Sakura trailed off.

"There's no shame in wanting to look better. It's still possible to be pretty and be a Kunoichi. I know this might be some competition between the two of you, but how about instead of competing to see who can eat less, we see who can eat the healthiest and be the strongest kunoichi?"

Ino nodded slowly.

Haruhi sighed again.

"Look...girls, I understand the urge to restrict, and to slim down. I felt the same way when I was your age, and sometimes I still do. But this isn't healthy, and will probably even backfire on you. I would know. Ino, you said you wanted to be a medic too?"

Ino said yes.

"Well, a big part of being a medic is knowing what's best to eat for the human body. What is best for the human body. How about you and Sakura, since she's also studying to be a medic, go and buy a few books on nutrition. You can learn how to stay slim in a healthy way, and eat properly. Doesn't that sound good?"

"Yes."

Yeah."

The girls made plans to meet up again and study to be medics. Haruhi was gratified when they picked up their spoons again.

When Kakashi came to get her, she was almost disappointed she had to go.

Almost.

Pre-teens were very annoying.

"I cannot believe you shoved me off like that! Again! I'm beginning to believe you don't want me!"

"Maa maa! I do!"

"Maa yourself!"

Haruhi growled, crossing her arms. Kakashi withered into the bench under a tree. Her scowl slipped into an upset frown and her arms uncrossed to play with the ends of her shirt.

"I'll make it up to you."

She raised an eyebrow.

He laid his palm flat and she sighed and shook her head, deciding to humor him for a bit. Climbing on she flopped onto her back. After Ino and Sakura came to a truce most of the tension melted away and they bonded over their shared misery. They even chatted about bringing Hinata into this when she got hers. Haruhi wouldn't mind that.

Haruhi left with Kakashi. It was dusk and clouds dappled the horizon and she could tell they were minutes away from a spectacular light show.

"Hold on."

She slipped into the pocket and grabbed the flap as he jumped up the face of the mountains.

Gravel didn't crunch as Kakashi landed, although that was to be expected. Trees faded away as they approached the cliff-face and her eyes squinted at the light. Clouds coated the sky like meringue, and the rock of the mountain was cast in an orange glow. Everything was and it gave Kakashi's hair a rose-gold tint. It was very distracting.

Konoha's lights flickered on like fireflies but it did nothing to dampen the moment.

At some point Kakashi had sat down-careful not to disturb Haruhi on his shoulder.

She sat on his shoulder and he looked on, attention divided between her and the darkening sky. Her eyes glowed under her glasses and the smile she was wearing was very pretty- sweet with enjoyment of the view.

"Say Kakashi." Haruhi murmured, her slight smile quirking.

"Buh?" He said distractedly.

"Why do they call me sensei? What do I do?"

His stared blearily at her until he realized she had asked a question. His gaze sharpened as he mulled it over.

"...While you may not teach them how to fight, they still learn from you."

"Can you elaborate?"

"Naruto learned to talk to people, to keep his emotions in check. Haku learned he had a purpose in himself. Sasuke learned how to open up, to communicate and trust in his teammates, but most of all to cope. And Sakura improved the most of all. She learned how to value herself, to treat her teammates fairly, and to improve. Not to mention today. You may not be teaching them jutsu's, but what you are teaching them is just as important."

"W-wow." She stuttered.

Kakashi blushed and rubbed his head.

Sakura was acting funny again.

It had been five days since her spontaneous crying episode and everyone was still walking on eggshells around her. So her sideways glances and shuffling around had the hair on their arms standing on end.

Sakura took a deep breath, looking at Haruhi and everyone flinched.

"My-My parents heard how you helped me and they want to meet you! And Team Seven! They're arranging a dinner and they've invited you all!" Sakura blurted.

All activity halted.

Oh boy.

Haha, This was kind of a crack chapter but I hope you enjoyed regardless!

The poll is closed! And the official name Is Harushi!

Anyway school starts literally tomorrow so it'll be awhile before my next update. I'm also planning on going back and editing chapters cause we all know they need to be touched up.

Many thanks to reebajee.