[Aburame Yori]

Dear Tsuchikage,

As I put ink to parchment I openly admit to lacking in the diplomatic field. However, hoping such lack of expertise puts further emphasis on my outsider view of the matter I decided to write this response; against my better judgement. Having read the exchange between our great Hokage and yourself, I have become quite emotionally tied up in the matter.

You yourself address the matter of not being able to appease our people when it comes to past altercations, although have not even attempted to do so before hand. Going on to further press the issue by requesting permission for one of your own, a Kamizuru no less, to come and interact with my people. Simply by suggesting such an idea I have come to the conclusion that you are ignorant to even your own people's past. The bitter rivalry stemming from both clans' ancient roots has left a mark so deep that future generations can feel it. It is for this reason I write to tell you I, Aburame Yori, along with the rest of my people seek no audience with the Kamizuru as a whole.

Furthermore, in your own words you say the Aburame are the 'founders of bug control' and that is where the Aburame and Kamizuru differ. Where the Kamizuru might 'control' their insects the Aburame do no such thing, instead working with our bugs. This close bond can be likened to other's comprehension of the basic shinobi team structure; albeit holding a closer relationship than such. Where the Aburame care and nurture their insects the Kamizuru are mere bee slavers and are destined to remain such. These are only a few of the evident reasons I am afraid I may not be able to offer the assistance you require.

However, I do still have reason to be writing such a reply, rather than simply doubling down on a response you have already received. In writing you I seek to fulfill the very same goal as you; to bring peace and happiness to my village. Although, I fear that such can only result with one simple conclusion. Even as I write you Kouen is caged like a dog, as long as your word is to be trusted. While you may see this as just I, and the people of Hi no Kuni, do not. While Kouen is treated like an animal he is far from such. The walking corpse you call a man has not just destroyed the beloved peace you seek, but countless families in his wake of carnage. Doing so with the Kamizuru themselves being the spearhead of several attacks, as so many Tsuchikage before him have done.

Still not able to seek any reasoning behind your want for my assistance I am willing to swallow my pride and offer such. While my people may hold a grudge with the Kamizuru, and your village alike, we as a whole value progress. Even though our two clans are very different and may oppose one another we hold one close bond neither side can deny. When it comes to loss none know it better than the Aburame, where others face the threat of losing one or two people from their squad every fight; the Aburame face an inevitable loss of hundreds. If the Kamizuru are not the bee slavers they appear than they know the same feeling and in such find a common enemy in Kouen. Where clans have lost hundreds the Aburame and Kamizuru have lost millions in the struggles between our nations, a toll our fellow shinobi can't even begin to comprehend.

While I would very much appreciate more elaboration on your reasoning behind such a request I am willing to meet your demands; that is as long as it can end in peace for both of our nations. However, as that means bringing peace to Hi no Kuni in return I see no way of doing such without Kouen being handed over. You have asked for an Aburame diplomat and I have given you nothing short of that. If you truly seek the peace you so boldly speak of then I only ask one thing of you. Allow Niko to give the mummy the tomb he deserves.

Sincerely,
Aburame Yori

By Sega of Nowhere and Everywhere

[Yutakako Takara]

To: Aburame Yori

Hi no Kuni

Aburame Complex

I'm not sure how you got wind of the messages between me and your kage, but I get great joy to know there are minds in Konohagakure more open to peace. To obtain peace between our nations would be a long battle and a battle I fear I can't win with your Hokage. As a leader of the people's will, I do however know it's strength, so I'll put my trust in you and the other people of Konohagakure.

I'll be sending my Kamizuru to meet with you in a village known as Taichiko, it's within the Field Country closer to Hi no Kuni's border than Tsuchi no Kuni's. There I want you to meet my shinobi at the location known as the Sunshine Inn. There you'll be treated to your allies hospitality with the funds from my own pocket. Together you'll discuss whatever it is my Kamizuru likes, but you're obviously not obligated to answer anything you can't or don't want to. This is a modest attempt at an olive branch towards peace.

Follow these instructions and Kouen's head is all yours. Fail to make the meeting and prove to me that Konohagakure is a pack of lying Hyena's looking only for more war and torment.

 Yutakako Takara, Tsuchikage of Iwagakure and Tsuchi no Kuni


Tsuchi no Kuni


Administrative Building of Iwagakure, Office of Tsuchikage 

By Sega of Nowhere and Everywhere

[Aburame Yori]

Dear Tsuchikage,

I am glad to see such hospitality from a stranger, the Tsuchikage herself no less. Although like my Lady, I am not so quick to forgive the people who have caused such strife within our country. There lies the problem in the matter itself, as such I would like to ensure things go as we have discussed. You promise Kouen, but neglect to enclose any details behind his delivery.

I would like to propose a solution that will benefit both of us. If I am to put aside my duties and 'assist' your shinobi I expect no less from you. We are barely acquainted, as such I hope you see the added benefits of such a meeting, after all your expenses shouldn't go to waste. Where I bring my expertise and clan's know-how to the meeting I would like to formally invite you to join us in Taichiko. I can see the concerns in such a meeting, but trust with your position you will find someway to navigate through Field Country. As for Kouen, I hope he doesn't give you too much trouble on the trip. If a competent Jounin and the Tsuchikage herself can't handle the escort duty then I see no benefit in the arranged alliance. Once at the Inn the guard duty can surly fall to the group as a whole, think of the cooperation as the sanction to our pact.

Furthermore, I feel as Tsuchikage your greater knowledge and supervision would also prove to greatly impact such a meeting. After all you have shown nothing else if not your concern for such a meeting and while I still do not fully understand why, I would assume you have your reasoning behind the meetings importance. Give me but a week from this message's arrival to prepare and I shall meet you both at the chosen location. Let us put an end to our differences and usher in a new age of peace!

Sincerely,
Aburame Yori