Backdated January 1st

[teachingpeace]

[The note arrives via bird, a kind of osprey that had no issues flying through rain.]

Sakura-san,

I am aware that I have not contacted you in this manner previously and I hope sincerely you do not consider it too forward. I have come to realize, over the last months, that my requests might have been evaded consistently because I have not directly asked you myself.

Would you consent to coming to Ame in February as a visiting emissary?

Nagato

Comments

[notveryspecial]

[The presence of a bird with any letter surprised her, because she wasn't expecting any messages. The type of bird was more of a surprise, because of those who regularly kept in contact with her via notes wouldn't use such a bird.

...The actual note was far more dismaying than surprising. She didn't immediately respond to it, attending to her duties for the day instead, and then pacing and frowning at it for a while once she had no other excuses to ignore it.

She had been under the impression that his interest in her going on such a mission had evaporated over time. Hadn't other emissaries already been sent to Ame? If he was unsatisfied with their performances, her own service in that regard might well destroy the relationship that Ame and Konoha currently had. Diplomacy simply...wasn't...in her skillset.

Yet, she couldn't simply ignore his letter. No doubt the bird was trained well enough that she couldn't fool the self-styled god with the claim that she had never received it. Thus...while she delayed the response, she couldn't simply not respond to it at all.]

Lord Nagato,

With sincerest apologies, it is not within my power to consent to a mission without the Hokage's approval first. I would not want to give you false hope and misrepresent Konoha by consenting to a mission over which I have no control of the assignment.

I am certain that the Hokage chooses the emissaries by their skill and their suitability. If he feels that there other candidates better suited and more experienced to serve Ame as a visiting emissary, I am certain that he makes his choice with the utmost of concern for your benefit and approval.

[...Yes, that seemed about right. The only untruth in the letter was by omission, in that she could request the mission herself if she wanted to and be considered specifically for it...but the rest was true, at least. She wasn't actually in control of whether she would go to Ame or not.

If it meant Nagato's next letter would be to the Hokage instead...at least the Hokage had more diplomatic skills than she. That meant a far lesser chance of soured relations between the nations than if she were the one responsible.]

[teachingpeace]

[The reply was fairly quick in coming, and it seemed... he'd completely missed her point]

Sakura-san,

I was unaware that he had not brought it to your attention that you were the person I was requesting. It is a relief, and now that the matter is cleared I do hope to see you this upcoming month.

Best Regards,
Nagato

[notveryspecial]

[...Did he just not...read anything she said?

She wasn't certain what to say. But...it seemed like a good idea to head off anything that might result in him being upset with Konoha by her fault.]

Lord Nagato,

As I said, I don't have any control over whether I'll be chosen as an emissary. I cannot guarantee at all that I will be able to be present next month.

[teachingpeace]

Sakura-san,

Don't be concerned, I've already contacted the Hokage and informed him that you expressed a desire to visit, but did not feel you were permitted.

He seemed amenable.

Nagato

[notveryspecial]

[...She stared at the letter for a few moments. Had the Hokage really agreed to such a thing?

He couldn't really have thought she would be good for the position, so she could only assume that somehow she'd offended the Hokage again (or he remained so from before) and that was why he would assign her to such a thing.

She really couldn't attempt to turn it down if the Hokage had volunteered her.]

Lord Nagato,

Very well then, undoubtedly I will receive all of the further details of the assignment from the Hokage once he's made all of the arrangements.

[teachingpeace]

Sakura-san,

I'm thrilled to hear of your acceptance. I'll be sure to get the arrangements on this end settled so there are not further delays.

Nagato