[Huh, so he has a little brother? Hijikata idly wonders what that boy may be like - just as cheerful and gung-ho as his big brother, or completely different? -, otherwise simply hanging back and marveling at that powerful cleave. He'd hate to ever be on the receiving end of Tartaglia's claymore. Even with his enhanced sword and Aura he'd struggle to parry such a strike! What DO they feed them in Snezhnaya? Perhaps he should eat more olivier salad..?

He grins at his comrade, likewise ready to relax, when that tiny projectile hits. Both men are quickly alert again, scanning the cave... but not spotting any monsters.]

...

Maybe it just got dislodged somewhere somehow? Hinobuta, did you--

[Thonk! This time, the pebble hits him right in the cravat, and it clearly didn't come from Hinobuto, who's on the lookout together with them.]

Well, damn! Looks like someone thinks they can mess around with us!

[He starts marching in the approximate direction the ice pellet came from, sword drawn and senses sharp. What kind of creature is trying to hide away from them?]