Board :Tales of the People
Author :Archon Iyagi
Subject :"Unexpected Happiness" by Trice
Date :6/5
<b> Unexpected Happiness


 "Dear Kimmari,

  It's hard, not to think about you. I'm not sure whether I
should or shouldn't, I can't decide if it pains my heart to do
so or gives me strength to survive this war. Perhaps it's a
bit of both...

  I've killed more men then I care to in a life time. They
don't want to be there, I can see it in their eyes.. Maybe
they too have a wife at home.

  Though I haven't been harmed by metal to flesh, it's
killing me. The screams, the blood, the fear.. All I want is
to return home and make a family with you. I hope I return as
the same man you married.

  I don't know when I'll write back -- tomorrow venture into
the arctic, the nomads are acting up again... But know that you'll be in my heart, fueling my desire to get home.. I love you.

                                  Your husband,
                                  Your love,
                                  Shimosho.
                *`-Forever, always, and eternity.."

  Kimmari closed the letter and clutched it to her heart, as
if by doing so, she would be closer to her husband. She had
already read it a number of times, almost memorizing it. Gone for longer then Kimmari cared to dwell on, Shimosho knew not
of the bundle of joy growing inside Kimmari.

  She looked down guiltily at her bulge, biting her lip as
the same question that plagued her crossed her mind. Had she
been right to conceal this information from her husband? She
didn't want to add more stress to the already world on his
shoulders.

  Shaking her head and trying to dismiss the worry at hand,
her swollen feet beckoned to be relieved when she decided to
sit down near the open window. At least the day itself wasn't
indicative of the demons in her mind. The sun was shining
brightly, and two women near were gossiping as they picked
vegetables from their garden..

  "..not to mention, the rations," A brunette haired woman
said, her face dirtied from the soil. "I'm just thankful that
MY husband isn't with that infantry."

  "Not all women are as lucky as you, Kikura," Replied a more
elderly woman. Despite her age, she gathered crops at
surprising speed and vigor. "My nephew was in there, I can
only hope he gets out of it alive.."

  Her curiousity piqued, Kimmari decided to intervene. "You
have heard news of the BIA's progress?"

  The elder woman looked up.
 
  "Kimmari, is that you? Oh, yes, just came in. Damn blizzard
in the arctic, washed away.. what was it, Kikura? More then
half of the infantry? Frost bite does quick work... At any
rate, we'll be lucky if any of them returns home..."

  There was a bitterness in her voice, as if it wouldn't be
the first time she lost a family member to the army. Kimmari's
heart raced -- didn't Shimosho say something about going into
the arctic?

  She picked up the already memorized letter again and read
it aloud. Pregnant, now, with apprehension, she dropped the
letter in a daze, and walked over to her bed, collapsing on
it and letting the tears come down her face.

  Kimmari didn't recieve a letter the next week, or even the
week after that. As her belly began to get bigger, so did her
worry, and she seemed to be dropping everything she put her
hands on in nervousness.

  One night while tossing and turning in her sleep, a knock
at the door awoke her. She walked over to the door as expediantly as she could without risking a trip and fall.
The door creeked open, and Shimosho stood at the door, his
hooded eyes weary and tired.

  They both cried, moreso because he had just learned about
his unexpected expecting child. He entertained names inside
his head, if it was a boy, if it was a girl.. And as he kissed
her pregnant stomach, he silently whispered how greatful he
was for this unexpected happiness.


-Trice