Hayate paused with a hot morsel balanced on his fingertips, then hastily dropped it back in the box. He blew on his fingers gently, before looking up to answer Tsume. He caught her wrinkling her nose, and wondered briefly if he had offended her somehow.

"I'm a combat specialist," he answered, softly. "I use a katana."

Which was a fairly unusual weapon for a ninja to use. Most blades used by ninja were short and designed for a quick stab-or-slice-kill. Hayate's style of fighting was distinct and uncommon in that he was far more direct in his battles, closing fast and openly, instead of playing the usual hide-and-snipe games ninja used.

In a very small and biased part of his mind, he figured it took a little more skill to remain alive fighting the way he did.

Or else I've only lived this long because my death is gonna be spectacular... he thought wryly. He knew the life expectancy of ninja, and it was not high.

He retrieved his dropped morsel and smiled at Tsume, lightly crooked. "I'm more often backup than distraction."

He ate the now-cooled piece and broke off another to eat.