Training with Imagawa Yoshimoto {Training, Closed}

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Yuusuke entered the capital city of Hi No Kuni. Yuusuke walked around talking to locals asking for any knowledge of the man known as Imagawa Yoshimoto. He got a few references to bars and casinos in the area. Yuusuke began searching all the bars and casinos for him. Yuusuke ended up in the cheap side of town, illegal bars and casinos littered the streets.

Finally Yuusuke came to a bar known to be Imagawa Yoshimoto's favourite bar. Yuusuke walked in and spoke to the bar tender. The man seemed shocked that someone was asking after Yoshimoto, but guided Yuusuke into the back room, where Yoshimoto was sat gambling with other old men.

Yuusuke peered at Yoshimoto was the youngest and most arrogant seeming of all the men gambling. At Yuusuke's entrance he stood up and motioned for Yuusuke to follow.

"Why are you here kid?" He asked once they were clear of the bar. Yuusuke bowed to Yoshimoto, then dropped to one knee. "I recieved word that you are one of the strongest masters of a fighting style known as Gyakusatsu. I would consider it to be a great honor if you would take me under your wing and teach me your ways." Yuusuke explained staying on one knee.

Yoshimoto motioned for Yuusuke to stand. "It has been some time since I have had a student. I guess it would be nice to train someone again. Come by my Dojo tomorrow for your first lesson." Yoshimoto said, then waved for Yuusuke to leave. Yuusuke bowed and left, finding somewhere to stay for the night.

[/blockquote]

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Chuuhan no Shisei (Middle Level Posture)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: A stance with a sword held at the midsection.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Chuuhan no Shisei is the most basic of the six stances of Gyakusatsu and offers the optimal balance between offense and defense. The user brings his/her sword to the midsection held in a forty-five degree angle upwards with the dominate hand held at the apex. The stance is used to transition easily between offense and defense as well as counters. The feet match the positioning of the hands with the dominate side in the forefront.
Limit: Gyakusatsu

Yuusuke walked to Yoshimoto's dojo at around 10 am, knocking on the door, he waited for the door to slide open, with Yoshimoto standing there, already waiting for him. "Come in and let's get started." He said. Yuusuke bowed and entered, taking of his coat and weapons, then picked up a bokken.

Yoshimoto stood in the center of the dojo, and motioned for Yuusuke to join him. Gripping his bokken Yuusuke moved to the center of the dojo, standing opposite Yoshimoto. He stood in no stance just stood casually looking at Yoshimoto.

"The first thing I will be teaching you is the Middle level posture. For this you must old your blade at your mid section in a fourty-five degree angle, with your dominant hand at the apex of the blade. I shall demonstrate." Yoshimoto explained. Yuusuke nodded to show he understood then waited and watched Yoshimoto's movements.

Yoshimoto moved his bokken and hands, holding it exactly how he had described, his feet mimicked the shape of his hands perfectly. His dominant hand on the forefront of his bokken. "From this posistion you will be able to attack and defend quite easily. You try." Yoshimoto said, lowering his bokken and stepping out of the stance casually leaning back to watch Yuusuke's attempt.

Yuusuke already had a basic understanding of sword taijutsu's, so this should be relatively easy for him. He gripped the bokken holding at a fourty-five degree angle at his stomach. He held his right hand at the top of the hilt, just beneath the handguard. He held his left hand lower down on the hilt, and stepping his legs into the same shape. "Well that was simple enough." Yoshimoto said.

[/blockquote]

[roko]

+5~

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Hikui no Shisei (Lower Level Posture)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: A stance with a sword held below the waist.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Hikui no Shisei is the most defensive of the six stances of Gyakusatsu and offers the highest peak of defense, deflecting, and creating striking opprotunities. The user brings his/her sword to point at the opponent's lower body, typically around the knee or thigh area. The hands are held with the dominate hand near the apex and the feet match with the dominate foot in the forefront.
Limit: Gyakusatsu, Chuuhan no Shisei

{0/5}

[/i]

Yuusuke stepped out of the first stance and rolled his shoulders slowly, looking at his master. Yoshimoto grinned at him "You don't think we are done here do you? Ohhh no, quite the opposite. We have a lot to do today." Yoshimoto said stopping Yuusuke from relaxing too much. It was now apparent this was not going to be an easy task learning under this master.

Yuusuke bowed to him "What is next then master?". Yoshimoto turned away and walked away slightly before turning back and walking towards Yuusuke. "One of the most vital stances you will learn. This stance is all about defence." Yoshimoto explained. Bring his bokken up in front of him.

Yoshimoto lowered his bokken pointing it towards Yuusuke's knee. His dominant hand was at the top of the hilt holding the blade steady and controlling it perfectly. He stood with his dominant foot in front of the other, creating a steady base for any defensive movements. Ren held the position and looked up at Yuusuke.

"Everything about this stance is defensive. It is used for all blocking purposes, and for setting up attacks, by breaking the opponent's defence. Notice how I hold the blade low to bring it up quickly for defence." Yoshimoto pointed out by nodding his head toward the bokken, before continuing. "The legs are placed in a relativly wide stance, for a sturdy base and steady stance." Yoshimoto also pointed out before motioning for Yuusuke to try.

Yuusuke readied him self rolling his shoulders slowly to loosen the muscles. He stepped his dominant leg forward, and lowered his stance slightly to give him a steady base. Then he moved his Bokken down pointing it towards Ren's knee. He put his dominant hand forward to the Apex of the blade, ready to defend. Yoshimoto nodded in approval.[/sub][/blockquote]

[otakulegend]

+5

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Kousou no Shisei (Upper Level Posture)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: A stance with a sword held above the head.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: JKousou no Shisei is the most aggressive of the six stances of Gyakusatsu and offers the highest peak of offense. The user brings his/her sword above the head held in a double axe-handle position with the dominate hand held near the apex. This stance is used to optimize the user's initial strength and bodyweight for heavier swordstrokes and counters. The feet match the positioning of the hands with the dominate side in the forefront.
Limit: Gyakusatsu, Hikui no Shisei

{0/5}

[/i]

Yuusuke looked up at Yoshimoto "That's not it is it?" Yuusuke asked, seeing the look on his masters face. His master laughed at him heartily before speaking. "Is it f*ck kid! We have much more to do, much more." He laughed as he looked Yuusuke up and down. Yuusuke was obviously in for a lot of training today, but he had been expecting it, and was relishing in the new fighting style.

Yoshimoto looked at him, then gripped his bokken holding it casually at his side. "The next technique I will be teaching you is a purely offensive one, designed to use all your force and weight to your advantage, so that you may destroy your opponent with the attacks you will later learn." Yoshimoto explained.

"I will now demonstrate." Yoshimoto said, preparing himself for the stance. He slowly lowered himself so that he was ready. He stepped one foot in front of the other, his dominant foot leading the stance. Then he lifted his arms holding his bokken above his head in a two-handed axe grip, holding his dominant had closer to the handguard.

Yoshimoto peered at Yuusuke. "Look how I am holding the blade at the perfect height for a downward strike. Holding my dominant arm forward for added power," Yoshimoto motioned toward his arms, above his head. "Look how my legs follow the exact same shape as my arms, allowing for the perfect attack base." Yoshimoto said, then motioned for Yuusuke to try.

Yuusuke nodded, and stepped his legs apart into a slight stride. Ready to hold his blade up in an offensive stance, his leg muscles were tensed and ready for movement, he would have to be quick with his strikes. Then he lifted his arms high above his head in a two-handed axe grip, his dominant hand forward for extra force.[/sub][/blockquote]

[roko]

+5~

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Hitoshirenu no Shisei (Rear Hidden Posture)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: A stance with a sword held behind the body.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Hitoshirenu no Shisei is the most deceptive of the six stances of Gyakusatsu and offers the highest peak of surprise attacks. The user brings his/her sword down to the waist pointing away to the rear of the body in order to hide the full length of the blade and only show the pommel to the opponent. The hands are held with the dominate hand at the hilt. The user's feet are opposite of the hands with the dominate foot in the rear of the stance.
Limit: Gyakusatsu, Kousou no Shisei

{0/5}

[/i]

Yuusuke stood back into a normal stance looking at his master. "You have two more stances to learn before you can start learning some real techs." Yoshimoto said, peering at Yuusuke. He rolled his shoulders loosening his muscles. Yuusuke smiled, he was so close to actually getting started in Gyakusatsu.

Yoshimoto rolled his neck and looked at Yuusuke. "This next stance is perfect for surprise attacks." Yoshimoto explained simply. He gripped his bokken and gazed around, looking around briefly, before looking at Yuusuke.

Yoshimoto stepped back into a deceptively weak stance, his dominant leg was not leading the stance for once. He seemed to be deceptively off balance. He held his bokken at an angle behind his body, holding one of his hands on the apex of the blade, hiding it behind him.

"See how I look completely off-guard, my blade is behind my body, revealing only the hilt as if I have backed off and am no longer a threat to my opponent. This is were the beauty of this stance comes into play. From this position it is easy to catch an opponent off guard." Yoshimoto explained, then motioned for Yuusuke to repeat his motions.

Yuusuke nodded slowly, then pulled up his blade, then held it behind him, holding it near the apex of the blade. The blade pointed down toward the ground, the entire length of the blade was hidden behind his body, only the hilt showing. He stepped back so he had his dominant foot behind him, giving him a very in obvious stance from which he could surprise any opponent.[/sub][/blockquote]

[▐Shibu]

+5 -- Learned.

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Zengosayuu no Shisei (All Directions Posture)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: A stance with a sword held vertical.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Zengosayuu no Shisei is a Gyakusatsu stance that allows the user to rapidly respond offensively to enemies from all eight angles of attack. The user brings his/her sword upright until the hilt is in front of the shoulder matching the dominate hand that is held at the apex. This stance is also used to transition into the Kousou no Shisei when striking by sloping the blade slightly to the rear. The user's feet are positioned opposite of the hands with the dominate foot in the rear and the other foot in the forefront.
Limit: Gyakusatsu, Hitoshirenu no Shisei

{0/5}

[/i]

Yuusuke relaxed slightly rolling his shoulders to loosen his arm muscles, and shook his legs releasing some of the tension in his muscles. "Just two more stances. Then it will be on to real jutsus." Yoshimoto said, laughing to himself slightly.

Yuusuke looked at his master wondering what the next stance would entail. He watched his master loosen his own muscles. "The next stance you need to learn in called the all-directions stance," Yoshimoto told him "It's all about responding offensively to people all around you."

Yuusuke nodded, and Yoshimoto bowed. "I will show you." Yoshimoto gripped his bokken, and lifted it slowly to so that it was completely straight and in line with his dominant arm. His dominant hand held the blade at the apex to give him more control of the blade. He stepped back with his dominant foot, so that it was behind his body, controlling the base of the stance.

"See how the blade is up at my shoulder, this allows easy transition to the Upper Level Posture. Which allows you to move into an easy striking stance. The fact that my dominant leg his behind me means you only have to step forward to move into Upper Level, without any trouble." Yoshimoto explained.

"You try" Yoshimoto told him. Yuusuke nodded and stepped back with his dominant leg, he positioned his leg so that he hand a simple option to pivot on his front leg and step forward. He lifted the blade so it was in line with his dominant arm, his dominant hand was on the apex of the blade, holding it ready. Yoshimoto nodded happily.[/sub][/blockquote]

[roko]

+5

Learned~

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Satsugai no Shisei (Killing Posture)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: A stance with the sword still sheathed at the hip.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Satsugai no Kamae is the most advanced stance of the Gyakusatsu and offers the highest peak of speed when unsheathing the sword. The user holds the sheath with the left hand at the hip and the handle of the sword firmly with the right hand. The shoulders are relaxed and kept even without pivoting the torso. The feet are aligned forward and the lead knee bent with a sixty-forty weight distribution.
Limit: Gyakusatsu, Zengosayuu no Shisei

{0/5}

[/i]

Yuusuke sighed he was growing tired of learning stances, why were there so many stance. He looked at Yoshimoto, who was preparing himself for the final stance that Yuusuke had to learn. It was probably going to very important. Yuusuke pulled up his bokken spinning it round casually.

Yoshimoto looked at Yuusuke. "This final stance is all about speed." Yoshimoto explained. "It's called the Killing Posture". Yoshimoto peered down at Yuusuke, Yuusuke nodded at him, knowing that he would soon be learning real jutsus, and he would soon be able to do something real with all this training.

Yoshimoto sheathed his Bokken through a sash around his waist, with the hilt firmly gripped in his right hand, but he kept his shoulders relaxed. His torso was straight towards Yuusuke, not turned or pivoted at all. He stepped so his legs were angled forward, it was not obvious to Yuusuke, but he was slightly leaned towards his dominant leg, distributing his weight.

"This stance as I said is all based on speed. Look how my body is completely relaxed. My hand is gripping the hilt of the bokken very tightly, despite the relaxed appearance of my body. Look at how my legs are positioned I have sixty-percent of my body weight on one side of my body, this allows for quick and easy movements." Yoshimoto explained.

Yoshimoto nodded to tell Yuusuke to try for himself. Yuusuke relaxed his upper body, then brought his right arm across his body gripping his bokken tightly. His upper body was ready for the stance, now he just had to sort out his lower body. Yuusuke bent his dominant leg slightly, distributing his wait sixty/fourty, on each side.[/sub][/blockquote]

[⌈ addy ⌋]

+5

Learned. n-n

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Kibatsu Genron (Principles For Striking)
Rank: "E", "D", "C", "B", "A", "S"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Training that strengthens offense with a sword.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Kibatsu Genron is the lesson in which a swordsman learns how to use his/her sword in order to wound an opponent as quickly as possible with as few strikes as possible. With each progression in skill levels, the user becomes able to strike through defensive measures with his/her attacks due to experience and precision training.

E Rank: At this level of skill the user only understands the mechanics of breaking enemy defenses.
D Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are E-Rank and lower.
C Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are D-Rank and lower.
B Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are C-Rank and lower, as well as knocking the target back up to two meters.
A Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are B-Rank and lower, as well as knocking the target back up to five meters.
S Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are A-Rank and lower, as well as knocking the target back up to seven meters.

Limit: Gyakusatsu

{0/5}

[/i]

Yoshimoto slapped Yuusuke on the back. "Well done so far kid, this next technique requires an explination before I can teach you it properly." Yoshimoto said picking up his bokken. He pointe it at Yuusuke and pointed him toward, then flicked the tip to the side telling him to move.

"Hold up a simple guard. I will explain the aspects of striking through an opponents guard." Yoshimoto said, Yuusuke nodded. Yuusuke held a weak guard with his bokken. He looked at his master, nodding to show that he was ready for his masters explination.

Yuusuke's master circled him slowly. "There are many ways to break through a guard, the most obvious one is the back." Yoshimoto explained, before smashing his bokken into Yuusuke's back. Yuusuke yelled in pain, his membrane was in it's C-rank form, so he felt all the pain.

"Argh! What was that for?" Yuusuke yelled, turning to his master. "Pain is the only way you will remember. Now pay attention. The next point of weakness is often...THE SIDES!" Yoshimoto, smashed the bokken into Yuusuke's side.

He buckled in pain, before righting himself. "And finally kid, The last and most difficult principle of striking is behind you opponents guard!" Yoshimoto hooked his blade within Yuusuke's guard and smacked him in the chest knocking him over. "Now you know the basic principles of striking."
[/sub][/blockquote]

[⌈ addy ⌋]

Owie.

+5! Learned.

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Kibatsu Genron (Principles For Striking)
Rank: "E", "D", "C", "B", "A", "S"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Training that strengthens offense with a sword.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Kibatsu Genron is the lesson in which a swordsman learns how to use his/her sword in order to wound an opponent as quickly as possible with as few strikes as possible. With each progression in skill levels, the user becomes able to strike through defensive measures with his/her attacks due to experience and precision training.

E Rank: At this level of skill the user only understands the mechanics of breaking enemy defenses.
D Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are E-Rank and lower.
C Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are D-Rank and lower.
B Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are C-Rank and lower, as well as knocking the target back up to two meters.
A Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are B-Rank and lower, as well as knocking the target back up to five meters.
S Rank: At this level of skill the user is capable of penetrating defenses that are A-Rank and lower, as well as knocking the target back up to seven meters.

Limit: Gyakusatsu

{0/10}

[/i]

Yoshimoto looked at Yuusuke grinning "Come on kid, let's keep going." Yoshimoto continued circling him "You need to master all aspects of the striking principles." He continued circling Yuusuke. Yuusuke rolled his shoulders preparing himself.

Yoshimoto circled him holding his bokken tightly. "Remember the three main points kid. The three mains." Yoshimoto laughed. "THE BACK!" Yoshimoto drew back his bokken and slammed his bokken to Yuusuke's back, powerfully. Yuusuke groaned in pain.

"I still don't see why I need pain to remember these things!" Yuusuke questioned. Yoshimoto smacked Yuusuke in the back with the bokken three times. On each hit he called out a word. "DON'T....QUESTION....ME!" He shouted. "Shut up and learn." He said, growling slightly.

Yoshimoto carried on walking around him, glaring now. He seemed angered by Yuusuke's question. Yoshimoto pulled back his arm "The side!" He shouted, then slammed the tip into Yuusuke's side. Yuusuke bent over crippling in pain, he made no sound.

Yoshimoto continued walking around Yuusuke. He pointed the tip at his face as he crossed the front of him until going to the side of him and shouting "Behind the guard!" He struck Yuusuke powerfully in the chest knocking him on his back.

Yoshimoto leaned over him "Never, Ever, forget those three things." He said glaring down at him. He spun his bokken, itching the back of his head with it. He clapped his hands together."Get up!" He shouted. Yuusuke lept up from the floor.

Yuusuke walked away from his master slightly holding his bokken. "Now I will hold a very basic guard, and you have to get around it." Yoshimoto said, bowing to Yuusuke. Yuusuke bowed in response, spinning his bokken around. He was ready to try.

Yuusuke gripped the bokken holding at a fourty-five degree angle at his stomach. He held his right hand at the top of the hilt, just beneath the handguard. He held his left hand lower down on the hilt, and stepping his legs into the same shape. He was using the basic middle level posture.

Yuusuke moved quickly to the back of his master, releasing the tension in his muscles striking toward his back suddenly. Then moved quickly re-tensing his muscles then un-tensing them again jabbing him in the side with the bokken. Then finally he moved to the front slipping his blade within his masters guard hitting him in the chest.

Ren bowed, grinning at him. "Well done Yuusuke. You have done very well here." Ren said. Yuusuke grinned widely, he bowed back at his master. Then jumped up and down slightly, shaking his arms too loosen his msucles, rolling his neck as he did.[/sub][/blockquote]

[⌈ addy ⌋]

Hehe.. Fun to read.

+10, add it.

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Kaihi Shuuren (Evasion Training)
Rank: "E", "D", "C", "B", "A", "S"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Training that increases a swordsman's ability to evade attacks.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Kaihi Shuuren is the lesson in which a swordsman learns how to better dodge and evade both unarmed and weapons attacks. This requires intensive, rigorous resistance training in order to make the muscles stronger and therefore faster. Furthermore, extreme sparring is needed in order to take the raw speed and strength and mold it into solid reflexes.

E Rank: At this level of skill the user only has his/her normal evasion speed.
D Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 5%.
C Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 10%.
B Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 15%.
A Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 20%.
S Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 25%.

Limit: Gyakusatsu

{0/5}

[/i]

Yoshimoto grinned after Yuusuke's last achievement then pointed the tip of his sword at Yuusuke. "Now for evasion. You need to learn to dodge a weapon. People will always fight in this world and you have a much better chance surviving if you can actually dodge." Yoshimoto said.

You need to learn to MOVE QUICKLY!" Yoshimoto progressively rose his voice, until he reached a shout, then he smacked his bokken into Yuusuke's leg hard. Yuusuke dropped to his knee. "Get up! You need to learn to move!" He shouted as Yuusuke stood back up.

Yoshimoto stepped forward and smashed the hilt of his bokken into Yuusuke's left cheek knocking him to the floor. "EVERYTIME YOU DON'T DODGE YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT!" Yuusuke was face first on the floor pushing himself up slightly, before spitting blood on the floor.

Yuusuke stood up slowly, looking at his master. "You are going to get hurt!" Yoshimoto said, stepping forward trying to hit Yuusuke across the chest. Yuusuke tried to dodge by ducking, but he was not quite quick enough and the bokken smacked into his face and knocked him onto his back.

Yuusuke stood up spitting more blood onto the floor. "Close, but not quite...CLOSE ENOUGH!" Yoshimoto shouted as he swung his bokken in a downward slash toward Yuusuke's shoulder. Yuusuke simply stepped to the side, avoiding the bokken quicker than he thought.[/sub][/blockquote]

[⌈ addy ⌋]

You're such a masochist. xD

+5, learned!

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

Kaihi Shuuren (Evasion Training)
Rank: "E", "D", "C", "B", "A", "S"
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Training that increases a swordsman's ability to evade attacks.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Kaihi Shuuren is the lesson in which a swordsman learns how to better dodge and evade both unarmed and weapons attacks. This requires intensive, rigorous resistance training in order to make the muscles stronger and therefore faster. Furthermore, extreme sparring is needed in order to take the raw speed and strength and mold it into solid reflexes.

E Rank: At this level of skill the user only has his/her normal evasion speed.
D Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 5%.
C Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 10%.
B Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 15%.
A Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 20%.
S Rank: At this level of skill the user's base evasion speed is increased by 25%.

Limit: Gyakusatsu

{0/10}

[/i]

Yuusuke panted looking up at his master, with some blood running from his mouth. Yuusuke wiped his face and waited for his masters next instruction. "We ain't done yet kid." Yoshimoto said gripping his bokken once more. He walked close to Yuusuke.

Yuusuke glared back at him, and gave a slight nod to show he was ready. His master quickly stepped forward and smashed his bokken straight into Yuusuke's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. "ALWAYS THINK WITH YOUR GUT!" Yoshimoto shouted as he stepped closer to Yuusuke.

Yuusuke stood up slowly, catching his breath. His master thrust the blade toward Yuusuke's shoulder, as he shouted. "YOUR GUT IS ALWAYS RIGHT!" Yuusuke didn't and time to move and the strike sent him spinning slightly. Yoshimoto looked at Yuusuke "Your mind never gives you the answer fast enough."

He stepped in again a cracked his bokken across Yuusuke's face whilst shouting. "THE GUT IS ALWAYS FASTER!" Yuusuke continued attempting to dodge, but wasn't quite fast enough. Yuusuke spat some blood out of his mouth concentrating on his master.

"Think with your gut Yuusuke. Your gut." Yuusuke told himself as he watched his master thrust his bokken towards Yuusuke's stomach. Everything felt as if it was in slow motion. Yuusuke turned his body as the blade reached him, completely dodging it, but not so early that it was obvious what he was going to do.

Yoshimoto stumbled forward slightly, then stood up again nodding at Yuusuke. Yuusuke rolled his shoulders, "That was good but, you need to be able to do it CONSISTANTLY!" He yelled as he struck with his bokken towards Yuusuke's legs knocking him to the ground.

Yuusuke coughed up some blood before getting to his hands and knees attempting to stand up. As he was rising to his feet he heard his masters voice. "You have to be FASTER THAN THIS!" Yoshimoto shouted and he brought his bokken down into Yuusuke's back slamming him into the floor once again.

Yuusuke rolled over, seeing his master raising his bokken for another strike. Suddenly he brought it down again. Yuusuke's gut kicked in, and he saw the bokken come ever closer. He rolled out the way, quickly, and flung himself up from the ground.

His master came at him with a volley of strikes this time. Yuusuke found himself automatically moving his body, without even thinking about it. Occasionally one would clip him. But he was doing well for evasion, until suddenly one slapped him across the face, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"Well done Yuusuke. I am impressed with your progress. Get some rest in the next room. I have a students quaters." Yoshimoto motioned to the door so Yuusuke could get some rest.[/sub][/blockquote]