sunshineverse | Some time in the wild

Who: Abel Nightroad and [Open]
Where: The border along Rain and Fire
When: All week, April 14-20
Notes: Just out patrolling the border. Feel free to say 'hi'.

It was one of the few days where water wasn't falling from the sky. Abel was rather grateful for that, even if it did mean that the border between the Lands of Rain and Fire were muggy. He honestly didn't mind the humidity too much, having grown use to the nearly constant rain in Amegakure. Right now, he was simply enjoying the chance to get out and explore the border while keeping an eye out for others who might be trying to cross into the Land of Rain. The borders weren't closed any more, but it was always nice to know who was coming for a visit or simply passing through. Most of the time, the God of Ame already knew what was going on, but occasionally, his shinobi were sent out to patrol the borders.

The week long assignment gave Abel a chance to get out and stretch his legs and skills. He took weapons and basic supplies with him, preferring to live off the land when he went on these patrols. It always was interesting what he might find on such trips, either among the flora and fauna or in a more talkative version of a person. He wondered what he might find this week.

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Abel chuckled. "Perhaps, but I have heard that only a few of your clan are the hot-headed ones due to their tenacity in playing with fire. I do not go around making enemies if I can help it," he mused before shrugging. "You'll have today and possibly tomorrow before the rain starts up again, depending on how long you wish to travel through the Land of Rain."

Just a bit more friendly relations between two shinobi of allied countries. Perhaps a bit more friendly due to the Uchiha clan being a bloodline, but Abel wasn't going to squabble about that for the moment. He would just make a promise to be just as friendly to another non-bloodline shinobi if he got the chance.

"That is certainly why some don't have eyebrows." Singed hair was practically an Uchiha trademark. Itachi was surprised Ame had such a friendly border guard, but maybe that was the point. He had no doubt this man could make a very good attempt at killing Itachi, but most ninja could do that. Fewer could make friendly conversation.

"I hope to be back in Konoha before then," Itachi admitted. Normally he wouldn't mention anything about where he was going or when, but it was fairly harmless information, and a subtle trade for being told about the rain. He'd like to seem just as open as the Ame-nin to avoid any chance of damaging the relations between the countries.

"Then I wish you much speed in your travels when you finally start again," Abel remarked with a brief grin. "Perhaps one day, I might get a chance to visit Konoha."

He hadn't had a chance to go near the other hidden village, but from what he had heard of it, it sounded like an interesting place to visit.

"I would say there isn't a nicer village, but I'm biased," Itachi admitted. "Also I prefer trees and forests to rain or swamps or deserts." It was a possibility, if the villages became friendlier. Konoha wasn't exactly the most secretive hidden village there was.

Abel chuckled. "I believe everyone is biased about their homes," he remarked with a slight shrug. "I happen to believe Ame is the best village, but again, I'm biased."

He hummed. "And I can definitely live without missions to either swamps and deserts." He shrugged. "However, I would go without question should my lord order it."

"Ninja are only pawns on the board." That was from some philosopher Itachi had read recently. He found civilian writings about ninja amusing and slightly depressing.

Itachi frowned a little. "I'm sorry if that sounded belittling." Not everyone appreciated cynical realism.

Abel shrugged. "No need to apologize," he said. "That is what we are. The difference is in how the chessmaster treats us. Are we disposable pieces with more waiting in the wings when we fall? Or are we valuable resources to be utilized?"

He tilted his head slightly. "Of course, the pawns must figure out if they're loyal to the chessmaster for how he treats them."

Itachi smiled a little Very clever words, and very well thought out. Nagato didn't have mindlessly loyal pawns. That might say something for his character and ability to lead. "A pawn can win a game, if you know how to use it," Itachi agreed. He decided the food was probably not poisoned after all.

"I suppose everyone's loyalty is bought for a different reason--money, good treatment, family, a cause they find noble or just." Itachi shrugged his shoulder a little. "For most ninja, we're locked into our allegiances according to where we're born or what family we're born into."

"For most, that is enough," Abel agreed, his words soft. "For the rest, they want something more than the cards they've been dealt at birth and go missing-nin. The rare few find another place to offer their allegiance, and they are the blessed ones."

He turned his attention to his food, realizing he probably said a bit too much that was personal. But this Uchiha was from Knonoha not Kiri who would never stand to have a new bloodine in the city that they couldn't control completely.

Generally, Itachi found missing-nin were frowned on. Ame obviously had a different view of things, but he had to wonder if the man's words were country sentiment, or something more personal. The again, Itachi wasn't sure it mattered much if it were personal. He wasn't likely to take a bounty on a ninja from Ame, and he wasn't really here to mine for information, so he could stand not to over think things.

"I'm sadly content with my lot," Itachi admitted with no trace of regret. He was what he had been born as, and likely would die as that as well. It didn't bother him. "Depending on who you talk to, some would call that a curse, and some would call it a blessing." Now he was dipping into the type of philosophical babble he'd do while pretending to be a travelling scribe raised by monks. Itachi bit the tip of his tongue to keep from babbling off. His family wouldn't appreciate it getting around an Uchiha rambled about philosophy to strangers.

Abel chuckled and finished up his meal. "I am glad you are content with the hand that fate has dealt you," he said with an incline of his head. "And I would not call that a curse. A curse is being stuck with what you have been given with no chance to change it."

Perhaps when he was sent to Konoha next, he might look up this Uchiha to continue this discussion no matter when or how it ends.

"Some would say there is always a chance for change, if you're willing to take it." That was something he'd gotten from a talk with Ashiko. He really needed to stop thinking about her. "I would agree, but the chances for change are not always obvious or desirable." Itachi chased the last bit of rice around and devoured it.

"Thank you very much for the meal." He meant it. It would last him longer than field rations.

Abel smiled at him and took the now empty bento box back, storing it in his pack with the other one.

"I hope it will carry you far in your journey," he remarked before sighing. "And I should get back to my patrol. It was very nice meeting you, Uchiha. Perhaps, some day we might journey together for a while and discuss more philosophy."

"Thank you for your hospitality, and if you are ever in Konoha, simply asked for Uchiha Itachi. Someone will be able to tell you where I am." Itachi gave the man a polite smile before standing and giving Abel a polite bow. "Until we meet again."

His name, of course, was fairly well known. He was the Uchiha heir, and the Uchiha were one of Konoha's most prominent clans. Itachi didn't know if being cousin to the Hokage had also helped his name spread, but it probably hadn't hurt.

With that, Itachi carefully shouldered his light pack and was carefully on his way, back to Konoha.

Finally, back home.

Some time in the wild

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