Hayate was impressed. He knew Kotetsu was good at traps, really, but it was always amazing to see the spiky-haired teenager buckle down and rig up something as complex and tricky as this. Kotetsu had always had a knack for traps, even from their Academy days.

The place they'd chosen for their little ambush was along a slightly clearer stretch of the road. The trees weren't as close, here, and the old trade road dipped into a sort of hollow. The ground had a light covering of lingering snow. The air was crisp and cold, with a pale winter sun playing hide-and-seek with streaks of soft grey clouds.

It was hardly a day for kidnapping and ransoms, but that was what they were here for. Ambush some noble's son and the escort, and take the child from here to the shrine. A second team would be waiting there. Drop the kid off, and ANBU's part in this was done. Why they'd sent ANBU, Hayate wasn't sure. Perhaps for the level of combat, or the unconfirmed threat of mercenary ninja in the target's escort.

Well, it wasn't his job to wonder. It was his job to do as he was told.

Though there wasn't much for him to do, right now. Kotetsu was busy with his traps, and not inclined to talk. Hayate would be more hindrance than help in the setting of the traps. He noted down precisely where they were, however, fixing them all firmly in his mental map. It wouldn't do to get himself caught up in one, when it came to fighting.

So, he was perched on the lowest branch of a pine, just a few feet from where Kotetsu crouched over his work. Hayate liked trees, and this one was tall enough that he could scramble up and periodically check for their targets. It made him feel more helpful, though not any less bored.

Idly, he pulled a tiny pinecone from a branch. A shower of snow drifted down. Hayate glanced down after the snow, and caught Kotetsu looking up at him. The other teenager gave a guilty sort of start and quickly turned back to his work.

Hayate made a wry face and resisted the urge to sigh. Being crushed on gets old fast, he thought with some annoyance. Not that Kotetsu had been acting stupid or anything--if he had, Hayate would have refused the mission. Not stupid, but ugh, I hate being stared at. Makes me twitchy.

The pinecone in his gloved hand was small and perfectly formed. It was a shiny light brown, very rounded. He rolled it across his palm, and glanced down.

....Kotetsu's armor gapped open when he leaned over like that.

Hayate looked at the pinecone again, in sudden wicked inspiration.

He shouldn't.

It looked like it would fit perfectly. Just the right size and roundness and weight.

But he shouldn't.

Kotetsu leaned over just a little further. The angle was perfect.

Hayate gave into the temptation. He leaned over and dropped the pinecone.