Heal Thyself [Hikari N.]

[For those following along, this thread is a continuation of Hikari's letter in this thread.]

Engrossed in a budget review, Tanji almost ignored the tapping sound on his window. Someone, in their infinite wisdom, had sealed off a majority of the village's treasury, making it inaccessible and leaving the village in a bit of a financial crunch. Debts were going unpaid, further lines of credit had to be opened up, and the less than necessary staff were furloughed all while Tanji and his economic ministers pulled together the necessary funds.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The large man finally looked up and over at a bird trying to get in his closed window. Sighing, he pushed back from his desk, walked to the window, and pushed it open. The bird flew in and, after dropping a letter on the cluttered desk, returned to the windowsill where it sat, waiting. What a strange way to send mail, really there were better ways. And yet, Tanji took the time to read over what he had been sent before composing a response...

Hikari Namikaze,

I am pleased to hear you are on the road to recovery.

We have yet to have the pleasure of meeting, my name is Tanji Heiji. In the wake of Valen Akari's recent visit to Hoshigakure, I have taken up the mantle of Hogokage in order to keep the peace and provide a bastion of order in a time of chaos. I will not mince words, our village has seen better days with your lover's silvered tongue stealing away a large portion of our population and our wealth locked away. Yet, nonetheless, Hoshigakure persists and will, I believe, be better for it.

I will pass your apologies on to the clergy, though they will soon be a non-factor in the calculus of your return. We will discuss the specifics of your place in the village once you have recovered. For the time being, however, I am removing you from the village's military chain of command. Torture exacts more than a physical toll I'm afraid, and I do not want to overburden your mind with the duties of a Kunoichi upon your return to us. So, I hope you understand that this demotion is only temporary until we can run a full psychological evaluation and debrief.

In the meantime, I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you in my office before too long.

Fifth Hogokage,

Tanji Heiji

Satisfied with what he had written, Tanji sealed the letter with the seal of his office and attached the letter to the bird. It seemed the pigeon was well trained because it soon took flight, leaving the kage to continue his reading. He still had an hour before his meeting with the church leaders.

[Demoting Hikari Namikaze to 'Citizen' rank.]