The Infirmary

“Oh no, I said that out loud didn’t I.” she shyly looked down at her plate. “Sorry about that I didn’t mean to offend you, but I am curious about why you wear a mask. You're not horribly ugly or anything like that are you?”

"Believe it or not... You are not the first person to ask me that... Heh heh... No I'm not horribly ugly... But I may be biased..." Sebaata's hands began to clean up after all the meal prep and dishes. Eventually all that sat was the food sebaata was eating and a group of bento boxes stacked 3 high and wrapped in decorative cloth. 

Sebaata graciously nodded and answered every compliment he got from his guests until they all left the room. "The Bloody Sand and The Builders are shrouded in mystery... The red mask was our original face covering... It had multiple functions... It protected our identity... Marked us to our lineage... And United our clan as one... As we transitioned to our Builder role in the Sand Village, we switched to this mask that I am currently wearing... There is no facial features in it because we live to serve our community so our facial structures are not important... "
Sebaata grabbed his red mask slowly and looked into its filled in white eye sockets. "The only time my face was bare for the world to see was when I was born before the nurse that delivered me placed the first mask on my face... I do take it off, mostly for when I shower... My face is not to be seen other than by my wife... Whenever I get married... "

He looked at her. "I'm sorry if I am boring you... I cannot imagine this history lesson is all too interesting... "

’Phew that's a relief, I can’t have my girl falling for someone ugly.’ Moriko said to Fumiko in her mind's eye.

’Would you cut that out!’ Fumiko yells back in her mind to her. This time making sure to pay mind to the connection.

“No, not boring at all but I just don’t get it. Hell with your clans rules. I get the symbolism but there is no way I would be following just because it's tradition. If I did that, I wouldn’t have even made it this far.” she says smiling back to Sebaata.

"Oh?... Is that so?... How... If you don't mind me asking... " She is an interesting character... She seems to talk to herself out loud... But I don't have much room to talk I guess...

“Well, I’m a Monotomo. We kinda have one rule about our sealing jutsu and that is to never use seals on ourselves.” she reaches up to her face where the intricate sealing marks lie.

“I broke that rule and used it to seal one of my best friends right here.” she then pulls up her sleeve to reveal another intricate seal on her right arm.

“I then doubled down by bringing this guy with me too.” she pauses for a moment, deciding to not overshare secrets of the seals with what is effectively a stranger.

“Without these two, I would never have been able to be a good shinobi. But thanks to them I am definitely the strongest on our team.” with confidence she smiles widely.

She truly is interesting... Sebaata took some time to process what she said and her implications on tradition. "I think tradition is important... But if it holds you back as a person or your goals then I can see why it would be good to go against tradition..." Sebaata paused for a moment. "I must ask... And please do not think I'm being mean when I say this... What brought you here to me?... I love that you are here... You are a breath of fresh air comparably to my room mate..." He gestures to the resting Shinobi that has cancer. "But... Your team still has members in the exams... Are you not curious to see how they do?... Again I'm just curious and I don't want... You to leave... "

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” she pauses for a moment, contemplating what to tell him. She can’t just tell him that Moriko convinced her to come up and see him.

“Akio’s fight is probably going to be boring. Damn nerd spends too much time planning and using “Strategy” to make it worth watching. That and I really liked watching your fight. It was exciting and I wanted to make sure you're alright after that.” She turned her head over to the other kid in the room.

“He’s been asleep the whole time I've been here. Is he alright?.”

"I'm not sure... When he was taken from the exam... We found out that he has cancer... I hope he is ok... It would do the world a disservice to have a young ninja full of potential cut down before his prime..." For better or for worst... "But I have no way of helping him... He will pull through... I have a feeling... " 

Sebaata looked at himself. Anger began welling deep inside him. I want to be the strongest ninja... Yet I'm here... Body broken... Sebaata's head quickly shot to Fumiko. "Can you do me a favor and flag down a nurse for me?... I can't stay in this bed... I can feel my sanity slipping... " KILL! KILL! KILL! 

’His wounds are too severe, Miss Fumiko. It would not be wise to allow him to leave the hospital,’ a gruff, yet sophisticated voice this time echoes through her mind.

’Rinji, odd of you to make an appearance. Is he really that bad or are you just being too cautious as usual.’ she looks confused for a moment and then raises an eyebrow. Not saying a word.

’My apologies, Miss. I don’t like that mask he has on the table and I feel you should avoid being caught up in any of his shenanigans. There is negative energy emanating from it.’

’Relax, Rinny you're so protective of our little Fumi. She is a big girl now and can make her own decisions. Including taste in men.’ Moriko chimes in again with her usual motherly voice.

Her face suddenly turns a bright red as she becomes embarrassed. She shoots up from the chair and leaves the room searching for a nurse. “I’ll do what I want you two. Butt out!” as soon as she is done speaking she wonders upon a nurse.

“Sebaata needs you ma'am,” she follows the nurse back to the room.