So the letters came
From an army camp
In California, then Vietnam.
And he told her of his heart- it might be love-
And all of the things he was so scared of.
Hey, Tenten!
Just arrived at the first base camp. Being a general is so awesome. Everyone knows me, dude! Er, I don't really know how to write a letter, so, uh, cut me some slack here if I sound dumb, though I don't think that's possible for me. How're things going in Konoha? You keepin' out of trouble? I hope so.
From Kankuro.
A smile perched on Tenten's lips as she read that first letter for what felt like the hundredth time- which it probably was. She giggled at how ridiculous it was as she closed her eyes and remembered her reply.
Dear Kankuro,
First off, you start a letter off with "Dear," knucklehead. Second, I'm glad to hear that you're happy being a general. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun!... but really dangerous. And as for your questions, things in Konoha are going boring. Work is dull as usual, and my team still hasn't returned from their mission, the evil bastards. Of course I'm staying out of trouble! I'm not a troublemaker! I think I should be the one asking YOU that question. : Write back soon!
From, Tenten.
The weapons shinobi giggled again, opening her eyes to look at the mound of letters sitting in front of her, some unfolded, some wrinkled from being read so many times. It was remarkable how the content of the letters had changed since those awkward first two. In the beginning, they had kept the tone light, shallow, and sarcastic- Kankuro's default setting. As the season changed and weeks flew by, however, Kankuro had begin to open up. The letters grew longer, more detailed, more... full of life.
Tenten's view of Kankuro changed drastically over the course of months. Sure, when the letters first started, she was still stuck on her first impression of him- cocky, loud, handsome-and-knows-it, a heartbreaker with a little bit of heart in him. That pretty much covered it all, right?
And then he let her in his head.
Through simple words written on 8" by 11" sheets of paper, Kankuro had managed to open Tenten's eyes as he spilled out his soul. She found herself cheering when she read his descriptions of battles he had won- even through paper, his ecstasy was contagious. She found herself crying for soldiers she didn't know as she read heart-wrenching tales of Kankuro's defeats, how he watched his troops die in front of him. He told her of things he had never shared with anyone- his greatest fears. Tenten found herself shuddering as he described his phobia of insects and losing his troops to the enemy's death grip. His deepest dreams- the visions of seeing himself crowned a war hero and finally gaining recognition in his village brought a sad smile to her face. His desire to be really, truly loved by someone. For the first time, Tenten saw the depths of what she had imagined to be the shallow pool known as Kankuro.
And through a series of letters written during rare and cherished breaks in the midst of a war, Tenten found herself falling in love with Kankuro.
At first, she tried to convince herself that he was just a friend, a friend that she truly cared about. But as time passed, she could no longer pass off the relieved, almost overwhelming joy she felt when she received a letter, or the way her heart skipped a few beats as he told her he missed of her and thought of her, or the biting anxiousness and worry she felt whenever a letter was late, as just a friendly concern. She loved Kankuro.
He said, "When it's gettin' kinda rough over here,
I think of that day, sittin' down at the pier.
And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile.
Don't worry, but I won't be able to write for a while."
"Tenten!"
The sound of Hinata's voice startled Tenten, and she jumped off her bed, scattering the letters everywhere. She stood still for a moment, fighting her OCD, which screamed at her to pick up the letters and stack them neatly. After a few seconds, she shook her head and ran down the hallway, spotting Hinata sitting down at the kitchen table, a stack of papers resting in front of her.
"Is that the mail?" Tenten's voice rose with excitement as she eyed the stack. Hinata nodded, and Tenten fought the urge to squeal as she darted towards the table, shifting through the papers as if digging for gold.
"Take it easy, Tenten-nee-chan," Hinata giggled, lifting her eyes from an envelope. Tenten ignored her, continuing her desperate search. After a few seconds, she cried out triumphantly and held up a letter.
"He wrote back!" Tenten practically sang as she plopped down in a chair next to Hinata, tearing the envelope to bits as she fought to reach the letter inside. The younger kunoichi rolled her eyes, smiling, and turned her attention back to the letter in her own hands as Tenten read Kankuro's intently.
Hey, Tenten!
I'm sorry to hear about Kiba and Hinata. Hopefully, they'll make up soon and you'll have your apartment to yourself again. I know, she's like a little sister, but trust me- siblings can get ANNOYING, especially when one becomes Kazekage. Talk about bossy, right? I do agree with Hinata, though: peanut butter can make ANYTHING taste good. Hmm, I wonder if it makes my lips taste better. You should test that out when I get home. Wink wink.
Tenten giggled at Kankuro's attempts at flirting. He just wasn't as smooth as he thought he was.
Anyway, I know this letter is shorter than you expected, and I'm sorry about that. I get a short break this time because we're moving bases- heading closer to Suna again. Boy, I miss being home. Not as much as I miss you, though. And yeah, this is gonna sound real corny, but I always think of you when things get rough on the war front. It's cheesy, I know, but you know, it always manages to get me through another battle.
Now don't freak (cue freaking- I know you all too well), but I won't be able to write for a while. Moving bases is going to take a while, and I doubt I'll get any free time between battles and movement. I promise that I'll write if I ever get the chance. That's the bad news. But the good news is that I'll be returning home in a few weeks! I can't wait to see you again. It's driving me crazy! Bet you feel the same, eh? I mean, come on, it's me.
But in all seriousness, I want you to know that I will be fine during the time I can't write. I'll do my best to win and stay alive- for my sake, of course, but mostly for you. As you asked, I'll return home safe and sound. But in the one-in-a-billion chance I don't, there's something I want you to know.
I think I love you, Tenten. I know that's probably gonna sound crazy, considering I haven't seen you in over six months, but there's no other way to explain this. Everything about you makes me feel like none other, even in the middle of a battle. I love you, Tenten, and I can't wait until I get back so I can see you smile again. I hope you feel the same way about me.
And now that I've probably creeped you out, I have to go- gotta finish getting things ready. Don't worry, your manly piece of stud will be home soon. Chyea.
Love, love, and more awesome love,
Kankuro.
Tenten stared at the letter for a few silent seconds, her eyes wide and her heart pounding so hard she thought it would burst out of her chest. Kankuro was coming home soon? He wouldn't write for a while? And most importantly... he loved her? The letter was so surreal she couldn't blink, afraid that as soon as she opened her eyes again, the words would be completely different.
"I love you too, Kankuro," she whispered to the piece of paper in front of you. "I love you, and I hope you come home soon."
"What, Tenten?"
She jumped, startled, and stared at the paper, her eyes wide and shocked. "What?" she said back, her voice shaking almost as much as her hands.
"Er, that was me." A hand waved in front of Tenten's eyes, reminding her that Hinata was still seated at the table. Tenten blushed 20 shades of red and peered at her near-sister sheepishly.
"Right. I knew that." Hinata giggled at Tenten's futile attempts to cover up her mistake and looked down at the letter, now resting on the table. "That was from Kankuro?"
Tenten nodded, a smile growing across her face. Her heart skipped a few beats at the sound of his name.
"He said that he was changing bases, closer to Suna... Hinata, this means he's coming home soon!" Tenten's words blurred together, her excitement causing her to speak faster than any human could understand. "He says he thinks of me, and he's safe, and he... and he... and he loves me!"
There was a pause. Tenten, her eyes glowing with excitement and her breathing heavy, stared happily at Hinata, waiting for the younger shinobi to smile and express her happiness for the both of them. But, on the contrary, Hinata's gaze was focused on the table, a slight frown resting on her lips.
"What's wrong, nee-chan?" The grin fell from Tenten's face as she watched Hinata's reaction.
Hinata lifted her eyes and smiled sadly at Tenten, watching her just as carefully. "I'm happy for you, Tenten, I really am. Ever since you broke up with Neji three years ago, I thought you had sworn off all men. But now Kankuro loves you... and you love him too."
"I fail to see the problem with that," Tenten retorted, a bit harsher than she had intended on sounding.
Hinata blushed slightly and returned to staring at the table. Her hands wrung together- the old nervous habit Hinata had broke out of years ago. "I am happy to see you with someone you care about, nee-chan. But you and Kankuro... he's so much older than you are. And you've only known him for a couple of months."
"Correction: I've known him for three years," Tenten interrupted, holding up three fingers. "The Chuunin exams, remember?"
"Er, well, yes, but... let me rephrase that. You've known his name and face for three years, but Tenten! You've only just learned who he really is, and you're already saying you love him-"
"Will you just cut to the point?" Tenten interjected, her short temper already getting the best of her.
"Well, um, I just think that your relationship isn't the best thing for you or him," Hinata finished, her eyes terrified as she finally met the gaze of the shinobi she considered closer than a sister.
Tenten sat there for a second in silence, keeping her face straight as she merely returned Hinata's gaze. Suddenly, she stood up, knocking her chair over and bumping into the table, causing the mail to go flying. Hinata flinched, still staring at Tenten.
"I know best what's good or bad for me," Tenten began, her voice even and cold. "Not you or my team or anybody. I love Kankuro, and he loves me. That fact alone is what keeps me functioning while he's away at war. I'm perfectly happy whenever I think of him, and I bet- no, I know he feels the same way, too! That is good enough for me! It should be good enough for everybody else!"
Fuming, Tenten stalked out of the kitchen, leaving it and Hinata in a state of mess. She wasn't paying attention to either of them, though. Slamming the front door shut behind her, she strode into the street absentmindedly, tears forming at the corner of her eyes as one thought circling around her mind.
I love Sabaku no Kankuro. I'm in love with him. And no one can ever change that.
I cried,
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy.
Too young for him, they told her.
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier.
Our love will never end,
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again.
Never more to be alone
When the letter says, a soldier's coming home.