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

[abluntwind]

"That's not quite something I'm willing to describe. It's more entertaining to let you figure it out yourself."


Well it didn't hurt to occasionally take a page out of her brother's book and suggest horrible food items to visitors. Though she figured he had enough sense to realize she wasn't serious in the slightest and he wouldn't order it. Or he would and find out he really didn't like it. She certainly didn't. But if he did try it she might actually feel inclined to show him more of her village.

"It was excellent for teaching the academy students how to swim."

[noboatbigenough]

It was a little strange to hear about Academy students learning to swim--few in Kiri came to academy without the skill already. It made sense, though, given the land.

"And I'm sure, better preparing them for missions out of Wind!"

Kisame spent a moment more thinking about it and then shrugged. "I'll try the curry. Nothing gained if nothing risked, and now I'm curious just how awful it really is. At worst, I'll have to order something else to eat after trying it, eh?"

[abluntwind]

"Always a double purpose." When resources were scarce you stretched their use as far as you could. And that was doubly true of water. Granted they didn't drink the water from the lake, but swim lessons, clothes washing, even just practicing chakra control were just a few of the things that it had been used for.

She grins up at him impishly. "If you insist I won't stop you."

[noboatbigenough]

"Of course you won't. It'll be entertaining to you, eh?"

Kisame doesn't mind being entertainment, but it's become a challenge now, and he's never been very good at turning down a challenge.

"Where can this dish be found?"

[abluntwind]

"You have no idea."

She can't help the chuckle as she turns and leads back out onto the streets. Since he's so intent on trying the dish she trusts he'll follow without prompting.

"Not far," she says over her shoulder.

[noboatbigenough]

"I look forward to your reactions to mine."

He is tempted to try to poker face it, just to frustrate her, but it would be more interesting for them both if he allows his true reactions to have the floor.

[abluntwind]

"So do I."

She's looking forward to it immensely as she lead him down the street a block or so before turning into a small restaurant.

"Pick a seat."

[noboatbigenough]

Kisame sits down and makes his order, laughing at the reaction of the person taking it. Well, it must be an acquired taste for sure. He'll probably hate it, but sometimes new things can be a pleasant surprise.

"Now to wait, eh?"

[abluntwind]

It's just a tad bit more interesting to watch the face of the locals as he orders. The way those in hearing distance shake their heads or chuckle about it. She'd almost feel bad about recommending it even in fun if Kisame hand been so quick to realize it was probably terrible.

She placed her own order fo tea and soup and watched the server disappear into the kitchen.

"Shouldnt' be too long. They have good service."

[noboatbigenough]

Kisame watched the reactions as well, smirking at the bolder ones that looked in their direction for more than a glance. When drinks came out a moment or two later, he raised his glass to Temari.

“I see that they do! A reason to return here and sample their other dishes.”

[abluntwind]

"The other dishes are much better." she raises her own cup in a small toast and takes a sip of her tea. Perfect as always when she comes to this particular restaurant. "I can suggest one of those two if you'd like."

[noboatbigenough]

Kisame does the same with his own cup, nodding in approval at the temperature and taste. It’s a good sign that backs up her statement. “I’ll be sure to sample what you suggest.”

His grin is crooked. He’s playing along with this little prank, but if she has the guts to try another, he’ll just have to play one of his own as revenge.