OPEN!: Kisame's whirlwind diplomatic tour

[noboatbigenough]

Who: Hoshigaki Kisame, and whoever wants to meet him/work with him on his mission
When: Late March-mid April ..ish? I'm flexible!
Where: Kirigakure -> Sunagakure -> Konagakure -> ??? -> profit!
Notes: Kisame has been named Kiri's official ambassador to Suna and Konoha and possibly other places. The latter is because he and his clan have been pushing for it, and the former is because Yagura is a dick and likes sending Hoshigaki to the desert.


In Kiri, before leaving

Kisame almost hadn't expected it to happen, even with the pushing Great Grandmother had been doing, and the hints he'd dropped, and the more outright pointed statements that had been calmly delivered. When it did, he was as unprepared as he could be, having been eyeing an assassination that had looked fun. Having a mission scroll shoved into his hands like that had almost pushed Kisame into being visibly off-guard. The papers were first, declaring him an official ambassador, and Kisame had to smile.

He didn't know why Mizukage-sama had suddenly decided to do it (and give it to him of all people) but he was going to have a chance to get in those spars he'd promised--

Suna. Well! Now Kisame wasn't so surprised. It would be like Mizukage-sama to give him what he was asking for but not what he wanted, though it wouldn't hurt to get some more desert training in. Kisame wasn't going to let this disrupt him.

It didn't take long for Kisame to prepare. A debriefing or two, a notice of his absence, and a little packing was all. It would be interesting, he thought, as he headed towards the travel seal.

In Suna
The desert burned, as usual, and Kisame had work to do this time. There was an escort to meet, first, and then maybe he could wrangle a tour. He'd probably already seen most of it, but seeing a native's reaction to the place could be telling.

Then there were meetings and paperwork. Kisame actually had an idea of a program that might foster closer ties and make them both stronger. He wasn't a stranger to how hard the desert was on Kiri-nin, even non-Hoshigaki ones, and he'd noticed more than one Suna-nin having trouble in return. A brief exchange for training purposes, probably of genin, would help both sides adapt better to the opposite environment. He had a Suna-nin to thank for giving him the idea, if he saw her.

And, of course, he couldn't be in Suna without hoping for another spar. The one with Sephiroth had been invigorating, and so many of the locals seemed strong. Kisame wanted to test it.

In Konoha
Konoha was as interesting as last time, and this time Kisame was himself, Samehada and all. If they didn't respect his weapon, he'd be a poor ambassador, so he'd brought the sword. That, and he hadn't wanted to leave it behind and find out one of his cousins had gotten drained close to unconsciousness after getting too close.

The official business was much the same here, though Kisame had fewer ideas on ways to improve relations. Well! Official ones, anyway. He had more than one "gift" of treats for the Hokage, and sparring was always an act of at least a minimum of trust when it happened between shinobi of different villages, so that might work in his favor.

He wondered who his escort would be this time, and if he might get to spend more time looking around, this time without the burden of reporting every little detail back.

((ooc: The top post is a general glossing of what Kisame will be doing! Put up a starter, or for something more focused, ping me and I'll write up something in post.))

Comments

[withfocus]

Their wings flutter a few times, almost too fast for the eye to follow, when Naoki asks if they're ready. Fuzzy antennae flicking and twitching to feel out the air conditions. The moths aren't the most talkative summons he's ever met. He hops on the soft, fluffy body of the closest moth. The other moth made a slight noise of derision at Kisame's question and turned so he could climb on.

"Nothing with legs can beat us in the air," She said. Naoki wasn't sure that was true, but he wasn't going to even suggest it might not be. Butterflies might be more haughty and condescending, but angry Moths hold grudges.

[noboatbigenough]

“Then we’re lucky you’re willing to help,” Kisame answered the moth amiably, as he situated himself on her back. There was no hint of mocking in his tone, even if he wondered if it was actually true. Well, they’d find out soon, wouldn’t they?

“I’m ready.” Kisame said that to Naoki and the moth both, because in this case, he wasn’t the leader who’d decide when they moved.

[withfocus]

It was just a quick signal with his hand and the moths took off. Fast, but at their size, they were not quiet. The sound of their wings beating the air wasn't too loud, even this close, but they would sneak up on no one. At least the ride was smooth and the breeze was nice.

There was something fantastic about flying. Naoki checked his watch and did a rough estimate in his head before lifting his hand to flash a few signals. Current time, fly, end time, run, final time, and the gesture to indicate uncertainty.

[noboatbigenough]

Flying was always an interesting way to travel for Kisame. Well, more to the point, riding anything was, because he rarely traveled not under his own power, but he had to agree that this would be the way to beat that record, and looked forward to the look on Sephiroth's face when he found out.

He relaxed, going into an alert but meditative state, and flashed signals back at Naoki's question. Time, number, end, and then a signal seeking agreement.

That should put them on course to beat the record.

[withfocus]

Naoki grinned and relaxed a little to enjoy the ride. He didn't often need to fly on missions, and rarely trained with riding anymore. But it was nice. The ride was nice too, watching the terrain pass evenly beneath them and enjoying the breeze of their flight. It was a good break from the exhilarating run.

He rubbed and stroked the soft fur of the moth's back. He'd have to reward them later.

[noboatbigenough]

Kisame enjoys the silence. If this were any other country, he'd probably be regretting the flight, but right now, in Water Country's moist air, it's very pleasant. He flashes a signal when they're close to a good stopping spot. It might make them have to work a little to keep the pace, but Kisame is looking forward to the challenge, and there's more than enough space for the moths to land without interference.