The introductions were a quick, relatively quiet affair. No-one spoke above a soft conversational tone, giving the whole gathering a clandestine feel. At least that is how Hitasune felt. She could feel a slight increase in temperature under her hair as her ears reddened from sheer internal embarrasment at the childish notion. Thankfully her little escapade of personal idiocy went mostly unnoticed by her bretheren, however much it hurt to think of them so, present.<br/><br/>When a masked Brother she did not recognise entered and spoke to Yoshina, Hitsune strove with a her might to overhear the words he spoke, but the masked Assassin had obviously not gotten to where he was by not being able to hold a private conversation amongst prying ears. She heard nothing from him and, to add insult to injury, Yoshina's only response was to nod to him. Internally she went mad with curiosity. What were they talking about? Why was it so important? Her desire to learn all she could of the Brotherhood was overpowering, almost to the extent of breaking her iron self-discipline. She schooled herself to calmness. It was no use getting worked up over things she couldn't control.<br/><br/>Hitasune rapidly became confused during the following moments. Sparring? One part of her felt as if questioning the wisdom of such a pursuit at this time. But then her other half reasserted itself.<br/><br/>'Why not? Is there a reason to not do so?' Her thoughts were sound. But her impulsive self was never far behind. Actions speak louder than words, all the better to drown out annoying internal voices.<br/><br/>Tempted as she was to rush straight to the training rack, she held back, eyeing up her possible opponents. The new initiate stood alone, almost as if she felt excluded by the group. In a flash Hitasune decided to test the new sister, a notion that carried as much hubris as it implied, to see if the Mentors had seen what was truly there. She approached quickly, her steps following one after the other with precision, and bowed to the slip of a girl.<br/><br/>"Sister Shirome, you would honour me by acting as my sparring partner. I may even be able to instruct you in the finer arts of swordplay." Even her attempt to temper her disdain for her fellow Assassins was met with dismal failure. Her Samurai upbringing convinced her of her superiority and she was more than willing to prove it.