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Sakura didn’t know if her day could get any worse than it already was. But it did when she woke up with her favorite pajama pants pierced by a horrible blood stain. Her pink shorts were now beyond saving. Maybe she could try putting them in the washing machine and keep this old garment for other future heavy periods. Her panties were ruined; she might as well throw them away. She had plenty anyway. The pink-haired girl stripped the dirty sheets while cursing. She had painful cramps that made her nauseous. But where was her boyfriend when she needed him? Realizing it was almost 1:00 PM and that she had slept much later than planned. That her boyfriend had already left for work, she regretted having insulted him even in her thoughts. Kakashi would soon finish his shift; he worked in a bookstore. And she was a doctor—luckily she had taken her 30 days of leave now, she would never have been able to go to work in this miserable state. Just walking down the hallway to put the dirty sheets in the laundry room felt insurmountable.
She put everything in the dirty laundry basket, undressed, but realized she hadn’t brought any clothes. Never mind, she would use Kakashi’s bathrobe. She would buy him another one if she stained it. But right now she needed a shower. She was bleeding and she was on her period. She hated feeling so sticky. She could only sigh under the hot water, which did her good for the pain in her lower belly and her tense muscles.
She didn’t hear Kakashi come home. That morning, he had tried to wake up the pink-haired girl who hadn’t managed to get up. He had noticed that his girlfriend was on her period, and it bothered him that he had to work instead of staying by her side. But at the sound of the shower, he put his thumb to his ear—she must have gotten up late this morning. He had time to prepare everything the saleswoman had recommended. He had bought this ridiculous pink bunny-shaped hot water bottle that he knew Sakura would find cute. He prepared it quickly, hearing the shower stop, but Sakura started drying her hair, which took fifteen or twenty minutes—perfect for getting organized.
He went upstairs with the hot water bottle. She had removed the sheets; the mattress hadn’t been touched, and fortunately it had cost him a small fortune. He placed the hot water bottle and the thermos of raspberry tea she loved. He started by putting on a mattress protector, followed by a fitted sheet, and finished with the thin blanket because it was too hot. He placed some stuffed animals that he usually refused because Sakura had too many. He took out a light pajama set: black shorts with pink seams and a pink bow in front, and a tank top without a bra because he knew her breasts often hurt during this difficult time. He hesitated between two tank tops but chose the one with the thin hem. She was probably hot.
He had forgotten the chocolate biscuits, so he quickly went back downstairs to get them. When he returned, Sakura was in their bedroom, surprised and tired.
“I didn’t hear you come home. What is all this?” Sakura asked, surprised.
“This morning, I tried to wake you up but couldn’t. I noticed you were on your period. So I’m going to help you get through it by taking care of you,” Kakashi said, kissing her forehead, happy to take care of her.
“I’m going to put on period underwear. Then my pajamas—we can get into bed?”
“Of course, my darling. That’s why I took care of remaking the bed. Make yourself comfortable.” He helped her put on her shorts and top, seeing her sway. “Take your time, lean your weight on me.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, they’re horrible this month,” she said. She felt good dressed in soft clothes.
She then slipped into bed, happy to have all her soft stuffed animals that smelled of laundry mixed with her scent and Kakashi’s. The older man took her hot water bottle and placed it on her lower belly.
Kakashi settled beside her in bed without hesitation. He adjusted the blanket so it covered just enough. Sakura rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes for a moment. The cramps continued to stab at her, but the warmth of the hot water bottle brought real relief. Kakashi put one arm around her shoulders and with his other hand gently stroked her still slightly damp hair.
“Do you want the tea now? It’s still hot. The saleswoman said raspberry helps with the pain.” He grabbed the thermos, poured a cup, and handed it to her carefully.
Sakura took a sip and let out a sigh of contentment. The sweet, fruity taste did her good. She set the cup back on the nightstand and snuggled closer to him. “Stay with me today. I hate being alone when it’s like this.”
“I’m here. I took the afternoon off. The bookstore can manage without me for once.” Kakashi grabbed one of the chocolate biscuits, broke it in half, and gave her a piece. Sakura ate it with pleasure despite the nausea that came in waves.
The hours passed in this little bubble. Kakashi changed the hot water bottle when it cooled. He went to get a second one from the kitchen that he had prepared in advance. Sakura turned onto her side to relieve her back. He massaged her lower back with firm, steady movements to release the tension. She groaned with satisfaction at each pressure that chased away a bit of the pain.
Around 3 PM, she asked to watch something light on TV. Kakashi put on one of her favorite movies, a romantic comedy they had already seen several times. Sakura laughed weakly at the jokes even though she felt exhausted. Kakashi kept one hand on her belly to maintain the warmth. He brought her a glass of water with a pill for the cramps, which she swallowed without protest.
“You’re too good to me. I don’t deserve all this,” Sakura murmured while nibbling on another biscuit.
“You deserve everything. You spend your days taking care of others. Today it’s my turn to take care of you.” He kissed her temple and pulled the blanket back up over her legs.
Sakura felt tears welling up for no particular reason. The hormones were doing their job. Kakashi wiped her cheeks with his thumb without comment. He knew it passed quickly. He simply held her tighter. The movie continued, and Sakura eventually dozed off against his shoulder. Kakashi lowered the volume and stayed still so as not to disturb her.
When she woke up an hour later, the cramps were a little less intense. She asked to go to the bathroom. Kakashi accompanied her to the bathroom door and waited outside in case she needed help. She came back with fresh period underwear and the same pajamas. He helped her get back into bed and placed the hot water bottle again.
“Are you hungry? I can make soup or toast. Nothing heavy,” he offered.
Sakura nodded. “Soup would be good. With some bread maybe.”
Kakashi went downstairs to prepare the meal. He returned with a loaded tray: hot vegetable soup, buttered toast, a yogurt, and more tea. He settled beside her, and they ate together in bed. Sakura ate with appetite for the first time that day. The salt and warmth of the broth did her good.
After the meal, Kakashi cleared everything and came back with a hairbrush. He gently brushed her tangled pink strands, taking his time. Sakura closed her eyes and enjoyed the contact. They talked about everything and nothing—his work at the bookstore, the patients she would see after her leave, the next vacation they could take together when she felt better.
Evening came. Kakashi turned on a small bedside lamp so the light would stay soft. He put on another movie, this time a series they were following. Sakura pressed herself against him under the blanket. Her legs intertwined with his, seeking warmth. The cramps came back at times but less violently. The hot water bottle was doing its job.
At one point she complained that her breasts hurt. Kakashi went to get a cream she sometimes used and applied it with precise gestures. Sakura relaxed under his hands. He then put her tank top back in place and took her back into his arms.
“Tomorrow I’ll make you pancakes if you want. Or whatever you desire. We can stay in bed all day if needed.”
Sakura smiled for the first time since waking up. “You’re the best. I love you even when I’m in this horrible state.”
“I love you all the time. Especially when you need me,” Kakashi replied, kissing her lips this time.
They spent the rest of the evening like that. Kakashi changed the hot water bottle one last time before night. He brought a small bag with sanitary pads, wipes, and mint candies in case the nausea returned. Sakura felt surrounded and protected. The stuffed animals around her and Kakashi’s warm body against hers formed the perfect cocoon.
During the night she woke up once because of a stronger cramp. Kakashi woke up immediately. He went to get a glass of fresh water and massaged her belly in firm circles until the pain eased. She fell back asleep against him, soothed.
The next morning Kakashi got up early to prepare breakfast. He returned with a full tray: light pancakes, cut fruit, tea, and the hot water bottle already warm. Sakura opened her eyes at the smell. She sat up in bed with his help, and they had breakfast together. Her period continued, but with Kakashi by her side, everything seemed more bearable.
They spent the day alternating between rest, movies, conversations, and small attentions. Kakashi read her a few pages from a book he had brought from the bookstore. Sakura rested her head on his lap and listened to his calm voice. He continued changing the hot water bottle, bringing her water, and adjusting the pillows so she was comfortable.
Toward the end of the afternoon, the pain faded a little more. Sakura felt well enough to get up for a short walk around the house. Kakashi accompanied her, one arm around her waist. They walked around the living room and then went back to bed. She thanked him again for everything he had done.
“It’s normal. You do the same for me when I’m sick or tired. We’re a team,” he said simply.
The rest of her days off went by in the same rhythm. Kakashi stayed present at every moment. He managed the house, the meals, and the sheet changes when necessary. Sakura recovered little by little. The cramps lessened, her energy returned. But during those first hardest days, he was her rock.
One evening she looked at him for a long time while he was tidying the room. “I don’t know what I would do without you, Kakashi.”
He smiled and came back to join her in bed. “You’ll never have to find out. I’m here for the good times and the bad. Even the horrible periods.”
They kissed, and Sakura snuggled against him. The pink bunny hot water bottle still sat on the nightstand, ready to serve. The stuffed animals surrounded the bed like a close guard. In this world of forced softness and constant care, their bond grew even stronger.
Kakashi continued to anticipate every need. He bought more teas, snacks she liked, and a new thicker blanket for cooler nights. Sakura let herself be carried by this wave of attention. She, who spent her life helping others, finally accepted receiving without guilt.
The days passed like this. Between cuddles, muffled laughter, belly massages, and comfortable silences. Sakura eventually felt better. But she kept in memory this period when Kakashi had taken care of everything with total devotion. Their relationship came out of it stronger, more beautiful, and more lasting.
End.