Six Months and Counting
-DM Twins-
Luffy stepped outside onto his front porch, enjoying the warm air. After a moments hesitation he walked down the short driveway to the roadside mailbox. Normally, he wouldn't even bother to check the mailbox to see if he'd received any letters. He could just poke his head out the door and look to see if the little red flag was up. But today the mailman had left the flag half-up, half-down, which was very annoying. And ou!—the suspense was killing him!
It was the beginning of May. The month didn't really matter, but more the date, because Zoro always sent his letters around the beginning of the month. Luffy opened the mail box and found a cluster of letters. Replacing the bills to be dealt with later, he plucked Zoro's letter from the pile happily and skittered back to his favorite deck chair: the one with the squishy rose-pattern seat and wicker back. Luffy slid his finger beneath the flap and opened the envelope.
Dear Luffy,
I'm good, thanks for asking. Bored as hell, that's for sure. There's nothing to do, and it's fucking hot. But who am I to complain? If I'm lucky we won't do anything serious and I'll be done with this God-forsaken place. It's almost depressing, not coming back with any amazing war-stories. Almost, but not quite. I think I'll get over it. The thing I miss most (well, second most) is the chirping of those damn birds that used to wake me up at seven in the morning. There aren't any birds here, only desert. Lots of desert. And lizards, but that doesn't really count…Can't wait to see you again, only six months to go.
Love,
Zoro
Luffy read the letter over once more before running inside for a pen and a piece of paper. After grabbing some printer-paper from the printer and an ink pen from the desk drawer, he then ran back outside and leapt onto the deck chair, scrawling nearly illegibly in his haste to mail a response. He smiled to himself when the very same birds Zoro had mentioned started to chatter angrily amongst themselves. His eyes trailed over to the Grand Oak tree sitting in the middle of his front lawn.
--
Dear Luffy,
Still hot. Still bored. Last week one of the guys got a football. That was fun while it lasted… until it popped. We're still not sure how that happened. What's going on on your end? I feel 'out of the loop.' You know how I told you about the guys who stave off boredom by playing practical jokes? Well lately, it's been stealing and hiding shoes. Sand can get pretty hot when you're looking under rocks and shit for your shoes. Damn funny though, so long as you're not the one who's barefoot. I miss you… oh, and can you do me a favor? The next time those birds start squawking at five in the morning, throw a shoe at them. Can't let 'um forget who's boss. Five months and counting.
Love,
Zoro
Following routine, Luffy quickly wrote a reply. Five months to go, he thought to himself as he doodled a small drawing to try and make a point. It seemed like forever, but it was much less than when Zoro was first drafted. Just when he was sealing the letter and about ready to put it in the mailbox, the birds nesting in the tree in Luffy's front yard began to screech at each other, as they did every other day. He narrowed his eyes and removed one of his sandals, and with a well aimed throw it hit the branch the two birds were sitting on. The leaves shook, a few acorns even fell from the branches, and in a flurry of feathers and wings the two birds took off. Laughing, Luffy called an apology after them before slipping the letter into the mailbox and going to retrieve his shoe.
--
Dear Luffy,
Things have been fairly hectic here, mainly because there's a rumor floating around that the enemy is planning a sneak attack, but I doubt it. They would have to be complete morons to waste time and men attacking a measly base like ours. I think they're just having fun worrying. If you ask me, they're bored. Haha, I really can't wait to get out of here, it sucks. And I miss you. Only four more months!
Love
Zoro
P.S. Next time, try writing slower. It looks like you're writing with your feet. I need a freaking decoder to figure out what it is you want to say!
Luffy stared at the letter for a second, then frowned and re-read it, a worry line forming on his forehead. Zoro may not be nervous, but he sure was. He looked up to the grey sky and took a deep breath. It smelled like rain, and the air was cold and moist.
Nah, nothing to worry about, Zoro said so himself. He nodded as if to assure himself of this before reaching over and grabbing up the paper and ink pen he had carried out with him. A few lines of carefully-executed scribbles and a random doodle later and he was ready to mail it off. He quickly filled out the envelope before sealing it and dashing up to the mailbox.
No birds today, he noted to himself, before turning his face to the bleak grey sky just as two large, fat drops of water fell from the heavens and splashed onto this cheek and nose. They must have sensed the rain.
--
Luffy pulled the curtain slightly away from the window before being attacked by a large grin that engulfed his features. He ran to the door and flung it open, startling the mailman, who was standing some twenty feet away. Quickly, trying to not be rude, he stuffed the mail into the box and scuttled away to finish delivering his charge.
Luffy reached into the unclosed mail box and flipped eagerly through the various bills and other junk he received on a weekly basis. He noted the birds, squawking in the tree nearby. They'd started annoying him about as much as they had annoyed Zoro; unfortunately, he had left his shoes inside.
Luffy frowned and tucked the mail under his arm. Nothing from Zoro today, and it was already halfway through the month…maybe he ran out of ink? Ya, that's probably it. Luffy waved a greeting to his neighbor, who was watering her favorite rosebush, before flipping through the pile once more hopefully. He then returned inside rather huffily. Nothing.
--
It was fall already. Dead leaves littered the ground, leaving the tree utterly bare. It was already cold; winter was coming early this year. Luffy glanced at his leave-filled lawn, making a mental note to rake them later. That, or mow them up. Depended on his mood later on.
He slipped on some tennis shoes, no socks, because it was too cold for sandals, and started across the lawn eagerly. He was seriously anticipating a letter this month, Zoro hadn't sent him one last month and he was longing to hear from him again. Frankly, he couldn't wait! There was only, what? Three months left? And Zoro had even promised to be back before Christmas!
A cold wind wafted through his lawn, rustling the leaves on the ground and causing Luffy to cross his arms across his chest. Shoulda gotten a coat. He thought to himself as he opened the mailbox and pulled a rather small stack of letters. Bill, Bill, Ad, damn nothing from….hold up. What's that? Luffy's eyes fixed on the letter in his hands. It looked official, and had the same return address as all of Zoro's letters.
He swallowed the knot in his throat, which settled uncomfortably in his stomach as he slipped his forefinger beneath the flap and tore the envelope open.
To whom it may concern:
We regret to inform you that, as of August 26, Roronoa Zoro was…
Without finishing the letter, Luffy crushed it between his palms and let it fall to the earth. Quietly he walked into the house and closed the door as if he'd never come out to check the mail in the first place. The yard was silent, save for the wind.
--
Don't know why I wrote this, but someday, I'll probably re-write it and hand it in as an assignment for school. I guess I just wanted to do something productive. Lol. Oh and for those who care, this is my random made up war, it's not supposed to be any specific one. Please R&R!