"As you command, Iroh-sensei." the reply came, again largely formal and emotionless. War took its toll in different ways, and having been born into a clan that considered themselves the stewards of war, the toll had been taken on Shira for longer than others in her generation. It was interesting to note that Iroh had favoured Ageha, and Shira did not even begin to think of questioning it - but there were other questions that she had. Was he favouring her to attempt to get a rise out of herself and Isao? Bujin had always used psychological pressure tactics and passive aggressive methods to teach Shira, and part of her wondered if it was going to be like the old days again, fighting not only her sensei but herself in order to advance. It was not a question that she could get an answer to, nor one that she would ask, and yet it burned within her like an almighty flame - threatening to set all who crossed its path ablaze, though passers-by would likely see only the metaphorical wisps of smoke.

"Your hubris will be the platform upon which you hang yourself, Isao-san. Errant words may fell empires; it would take less to fell you." Shira responded, losing perhaps a little of the stoicness that pervaded most aspects of her being. The comment was left in a sort of purgatory between being insulting and being wise - it was as much friendly guidance as a threat, and depending on Isao's point of view it could be taken as either. Given that the two were about to spar, she felt like the latter would be the most likely. Still, if he began to allow emotions to take control of him, he would only lose himself the fight. Most people forgot that they fought themselves as well as their opponents whenever they entered into battle - and if Shira could have Isao win the battle against himself for her, it would be easier and perhaps impress Iroh more.

Shira bowed, a traditional sign that she was ready to begin, and placed herself into an equally defensive posture. She gripped Unmei no Chikara more tightly and held it perpendicular to her sternum, relaxing her shoulders and spreading her feet. She was in a position that she could move around in fluidly, as well as counterattack should Isao choose to attack her first. It was always the first person to make the move that lost, Toshokan had written, and so Shira waited patiently for Isao to move. Her vigilance was constant, as was her assessment of the potential battlefield around them, and she collected what she knew of the flow of combat. Isao's weakest point would reveal itself to her over time, and she would fell him in a single strike. The spar was not meant to be flashy, or to impress Iroh in of itself - victory was meant to impress, and Shira was fairly confident that she could beat Isao.