Hayate added "impetuous" to his knowledge, as the man questioned the offering, but ate it anyway. He let his smile crook up another notch at the other's enthusiasm. Rescue, hmm? he thought, but said nothing, pleased with the older agent's favorable regard and unwilling to risk losing it.

His status as "rookie" in ANBU rankled, because of the disdain so many of the more senior agents had for him. It wasn't as if they hadn't ever been rookies before. This man, however, seemed to be more like Tsume-san, friendlier and less critical. Of course, first impressions could be misleading...but that smile felt genuine.