Letters to a Traveling Solider
Summary:
He was a soldier, off to war; she was a waitress, staying home. They had known each other, what, an hour? She couldn't be falling for him .. could she? Sure, they had written letters upon letters to each other, and she had kept every single one. But their relationship went nothing deeper than friendship, right?
Author's Note:
This story was inspired by the song, Travelin' Soldier, by the Dixie Chicks. I strongly suggest you listen to the song if you have the time. From now on, the chapters will begin with letters alternating from Sango or Miroku. They are their letters and responses, their letters with lengthen as their relationship becomes more intimate.
Disclaimer:
Sadly, I own nothing but the plot to this story. Technically I don't even own that, since it was inspired from a song owned by Dixie Chicks. Bummer.
Letters to a Traveling Soldier
Chapter Three: Mysterious Man In White
Dear Sango,
I know it's been awhile, sorry it took so long to write to you. I'm in a training camp in Hiroshima, boy do they work us, Sango. They really do. Its pointless, though, we learn to salute and to obey orders, orders and marching lines I assume I'll forget as soon as I step foot on the battlefield. I miss you, Sango. Remember the place you showed me? The cliff on the ledge? I can still smell the salt water..
But most of all, I can still smell your tears.
Sincerely,
Miroku Houshi
Previously on Letters To A Traveling Solider:
"Houshi! Time to go!" The sergeant yelled.
"Coming!" He yelled back. "Sango, I have to go." I nodded and gave him the address and turned around to walk him back to the bus. Then..
I stopped in my tracks and felt my cheeks burn in anger as a hand caressed my ass.
I twirled on my heels and slapped him across the face, "What the hell was that!" I screamed, enraged he'd do such a thing. All anger cleared away as soon as I saw his face lightened up with humor.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help it." Then with that, he walked into the bus, and drove away.
Reading the letter actually made my day brighten up a bit from its usual dullness. I read the letter alone, so I wouldn't be bothered with questions. Kagome was still in awe of the bus boy. I smiled sympathetically for the guy, due to his lack of response when asked his name, he had been permanently branded, the Bus Boy.
I wondered how this arrogant and cocky man would react knowing his new identity.
Well, if I were to guess by the lengthy descriptions of Kagome, he would be less than thrilled. Kagome explained the Bus Boy's personality as rough around the edges, but soft in the heart. An all around bad-boy with hidden insecurities and fear, fear of his destiny, whether or not he'd make it through this war. She was so confident she could break past his walls, if only she had time. Time was the question, though. That was the main fear of the soon-to-be soldiers, according to Miroku. He said they didn't necessarily fear death, that was inevitable, they were scared of time. Whether or not time would allow them one journey home, to fall in love, have children, actually live. It seemed so obvious to Sango back then, but now she wasn't so sure.
One thing was sure, Kagome really liked this guy.
As much as she denied it, Kagome had all but fallen for the Bus Boy the two hours she had known him. I had never heard Kagome talk about anyone, including Hojo, the way she talked about him. While, to the untrained eye, it would appear she despised the man, I knew better. She respected him. Behind the coat of annoyance in her voice was a thin layer of respect, and understanding.
I got to hand it to her, Kagome was a one and only.
Tucking the letter safely into my apron, I ventured out of the safety of the bathroom, flushing the toilet behind me and washing my hands for a cover up. About a step or two out of the facility, I was once again bombarded by the one and only, Kagome Higurashi.
"I mean, he could have at least told me his name!" She snapped.
"Who, the Bus Boy?" I inquired.
"Yes, the Bus Boy. I told him mine."
"You're his server, it's all but mandatory. Plus, you have a name tag, he would've figured it out if he wanted to." I began walking to the kitchen, Kagome followed.
"Still!" She pressed.
"Still what? There is no law stating every man with silver hair on a bus on his way to war must give his name to a random waitress." I replied, picking up plates for table three.
"I know that! It was rude, though! I was just being friendly!" Sneaking a peek at Karunosake, I saw him smirk at Kagome's stubbornness.
"You are always friendly, Kagome. It doesn't change anything." Kagome pouted,
"You are no fun, Sango." I smiled, my face all but saying: I know.
Making my way to table three with their meals, I saw a familiar face sitting down at table seven. Giving the elderly couple their food, I raced over to the boy reading the menu he probably had memorized, he was here so much, I placed my hands over his eyes from behind with a sing-song,
"Guess who." Kohaku smiled,
"Hey, Sango." My hands were plucked from his eyes as his gaze locked with mine. "What's up?"
"Oh, nothing special, just the usual." I raised an eyebrow, "Come for some free food again today?" Kohaku smirked and shrugged his broadening shoulders. My hands flew to my hips, "Honestly Kohaku! You could come just to see me every once in awhile." I smiled, mirroring Kohaku's,
"Hey, a guy's got to eat." I swatted him on the head, and made my way back to the kitchen, where Kagome was waiting.
"Come on break with me?" she pleaded, I shrugged, then stopped, realizing just how much Kohaku and I were alike.
"Sure." I motioned for her to lead the way. Kagome obliged, leading a winding path to the back of the café. Walking outside, I took a huge gulp of fresh air, the air inside was smoggy.
"Well, looks like someone's in a good mood today, what? You get some from Karunosake last night?" I glanced unnecessarily to my right to see Kagura, smoking a cigarette, and smirking in my direction.
"No, it's just a good day." I responded coolly. Kagura was notorious for her less than pure mind. She shrugged,
"Whatever, you don't kiss and tell, or rather, fuck and tell. I get it." I rolled my eyes, and with that Kagura smirked again and went on inside.
Kagome, now practically jumping now that we were alone, began talking incessantly about the Bus Boy.
"Gods, Kagome, you have it bad." Kagome immediately stopped speaking and glared daggers in my direction. "What? It's true. It's been two weeks and you haven't quit talking about him. What does Hojo think?"
Kagome's saddened face sent alarms off in my head, the red flashing light practically streaking across my vision.
"What happened?" Kagome's eyes averted mine, and her silence confirmed the worst. "You didn't?" She nodded, "You didn't!" She nodded again,
"We broke up last night."
"The cause?" I probed.
"I was too into the Bus Boy." My eyes widened as a laugh escaped me. Kagome's shocked face that quickly metamorphosed into an ice cold stare was enough to silence me immediately.
Until she herself began laughing.
"Kagome?"
"Oh, Sango, I am so over him it is not even funny! I just wish I dumped his first!"
At this bold statement, I too, began laughing hysterically. It was just too funny. Kagome, the one who almost committed suicide from this guys' negligence and incessant mental beatings, wished she had dumped him sooner? It was priceless.
Our laughter lasted longer than it should have, the reason being we just couldn't stop. Soon enough we weren't even laughing at the irony of the situation. We were laughing because the other was laughing. Not long after, Kagome steadied herself on a nearby railing with one hand as the other clutched her stomach as it began to ache with contentment. Mine began to hurt also, from the strained contractions. I doubled over, having nothing to support me, and wrapped both my arms around my abdomen in hopes of continuing to laugh and simply enjoy the day for the moment. It was then I realized I hadn't laughed since my father died.
And boy, did it feel good.
End.
Wow, that was fun to write! So we see now that Sango is beginning to come out of her depression..a good sign! But will it last?
Chapter Four: Decisions, Decisions
Karunosake wants to do something Sango's not ready for, could it be:
MARRIAGE?