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Next Luo demonstrated a side kick, at varying heights. Masaki payed closer attention this time, and realized it wasn't extremely different. He knew he wouldn't get too much more training before he collapse d, but knowing he was getting stronger filled him with a whole new resolve. He would train until either Luo called it a day or Masaki collapsed, whichever came first. Masaki lifted his leg and tried the lowest version of the side-kick, and as he dragged his feet through the water realized the chances of Luo ending the training before he collapsed was nill. Hours of overexertion combined with the food he hadn't had were beginning to take his toll. Even so, he managed the first few levels of kicks with minimal difficulty. They weren't much different from the kick he had just learned. The higher kicks however, were a whole new obstacle. Masaki couldn't manage kicks any higher than his ribs, but Luo was even kicking at head height somehow. After several failed attempts to kick higher, Masaki surrendered. He wouldn't learn it this way. Once again, he was forced to slow down, he brought his leg up as high as he could in a slow kick, and then pulled it with his hands to achieve the right height. It was painful, extremely, and he spent a long time stretching each leg out. Not having a proper way to measure time in such an environment, Masaki couldn't guess how long it really took. Finally, he managed a couple kicks up to head-height. He would need to practice these kicks constantly, a day of learning wouldn't be enough and Masaki knew it. Even so, he did manage to get the basic idea right. He would certainly stand a better chance in close quarters in the "tournament" that had been arranged. Fortunately, the last kick wasn't too big an obstacle after he managed the head-level side kick. It was still damned difficult, but after a few slow kicks, he managed to pull off a decent axe kick before the water turned black. His weighted ankles and wrists had began to bleed from the constant abuse, and his muscles protested in every way they could. It was a miracle of Masaki's resolve that he was able to put up with this training that bordered on self destruction until he did. Finally however, the berseker was rendered immobile as it's mind and body shut down.

((sorry for the walls of text... BTW do you want to give the village another week to post in the profiles? or do you think everyone who can has already moved their profile?))

Masaki's sleep was no more dream-filled than it ever was, it was likely his mind was too exhausted to produce dreams. He slept through the the evening, thenight and the better part of the morning leaving him with several extra hours of sleep. When he did wake up, his muscles informed him that they were not pleased with yesterday's events. He sat up, before realizing he was placed in a cot, and his clothes were well dried. He didn't know it, but the fire had been a blessing, saving him from getting sick in his wet clothing. He glanced around with a dazed look, as he fought the grogginess that accompanied mornings. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd get any breakfast, considering who his sensei was. A loud growl from his stomach pleaded for food as he looked for his sensei. Among the many discomforts, Masaki was also in the surrounded by trees and water. The smells seemed to revive him, as he felt at home. The bustle of the village simply couldn't compare.

Masaki nodded as Luo talked. It probably wasn't that late, only about 10, but Luo obviously had planned on starting early. Masaki ate his food quickly, he even managed to use the chopsticks without making too big a mess. When he finished he turned to Luo. "First question, why bother meditating? isn't that just doing nothing and being quiet?" He smacked a bug on his neck. Even with his body aching all over, Masaki did not like the idea of sitting all day. How that could possibly make hims stronger was beyond him. He stood up and stretched his muscles in every way he could to keep them from stiffening up too much. He then stepped back for a moment to practice the axe kick once more, this time in the open air. He found himself momentarily stunned at how strong the kick felt. Maybe I shouldn't question his methods, he does seem to know how to teach but...sitting? what is that going to do for me?!?

Masaki sat as Luo directed, and listened to what he said. A frown crossed his face. "Doesn't make sense" but he followed Luo's example and duplicated his pose. doesn't chakra naturally flow throughout the boddy? I understood it was a system much like the blood system whatever that's called... Despite Masaki's thoughts and doubts, he closed his eyes and focused on his chakra. As if he were attempting to perform a jutsu, he concentrated on his chakra, and "traced" it throughout his body. He spent a while doing so, eventually however, he realised he was an idiot. Luo must have been saying to direct the chakra as if doing a jutsu. While chakra did indeed run naturally through the body, when performing jutsu you call on a large amount of chakra and move it through your body, generally to the hands or feet, to make "ninja magic." Masaki focused, and this time led several small masses of built up chakra throughout his body. When he reached his ring-finger, he transfered it to his thumb as directed. Noticing something strange, Masaki looped it, and send it in a circuit through his fingers. When the chakra moved from finger to thumb it created a magnetic feeling, as if he couldn't pull his fingers apart. After several minutes playing like that, he moved on. The last bit would be the hardest, Luo intended for him to "exude chakra and cause it to recede in a controlled manner." In other words, he would basically need to release his chakra throughout his body rather than one spot like he would when performing a jutsu. Not only that, he was supposed to control it outside his body. As expected that bit took the longest. While Masaki could manage from the start to "exude" the chakra throughout his body, it was incredibly out of balance. He would concentrate on one area to balance it out, but then lose the balance for the rest. It took a lot of practice just to even things out, all while juggling his chakra in the air around him and bringing a sense of order to his chakra. Masaki's own traits seemed to be inherited by or from his chakra, which was unmanageable and chaotic. Eventually a weaker "aura" than Luo's was formed, but it indeed reached a strong balance. Masaki concentrated on this, keeping things as consistent as possible. Somehow, this practiced seemed to soothe his muscles even more, it almost felt like his body was regenerating itself. If it was actually helping, it was probably doing no more than massaging his muscles, or a hot bath would do, but every little bit helped.
((force Masaki to be still and calm for too long and he'll explode...Just a heads up.))

((indeed, I'm noticing that. You are attacking most of his personality, and even making a dent. Not sure he'll make the next Buddha anytime soon though.))
Masaki rubbed his sore ankles and wrists a bit before strapping the weights back on. Hopefully leaving the bandages on would prevent further wear and tear. It was a good thing Luo decided to start with the real training, Masaki was beginning to shake and would probably not be able to sit still much longer. He stood and moved back again then and started practicing the kicks from the basic kick up to the axe kick. The first kicks were mostly refresher, it took a couple tries to make each one feel like it had in the water. The later ones, even though he had only just practiced the axe kick, were difficult again. His muscles had become tight from the long sleep and sit session, and his flexibility was lost. He had to stretch his legs in various ways before he could get anywhere near the right height, but eventually he managed to pull it off. He practiced a couple more times to get things as controlled and powerful as they could get.
Finally he wiped the sweat from his head and turned to Luo, waiting for instructions for this run.

Masaki followed as Luo ran on the branches once more. This must be a warm up, or there's something he's not telling me He thought. After yesterday, a simple circuit through the trees wouldn't do much for him. When Luo skipped a branch, Masaki figured he must have been showing off or something since Masaki could barely reach the branch with all the weight he was carrying. When he landed on the branch however, he realized his mistake. A loud rustling from the side announced that he had found the shuriken that Luo had bought, or rather it had found him. Luo was still ahead of him, so he wasn't attacking. Masaki grabbed the branch, and flipped down onto the lower one, as the shuriken flew overhead. So there was more to this "run" after all. Even so, the shuriken were far away, and Masaki had dodged them easilly. He jumped back up and continued following Luo.

Masaki followed his sensei, who started going out of his way to "show off" which slightly irritated Masaki. Not only was it rude, but It made it difficult to determine what traps the man was dodging. Masaki didn't have the same flexibility as his sensei, and Mainly just followed normally, only mimicing Lup when he thought he might be avoiding a trap. This was all for naught however, as the next trap Masaki tripped was set up differently. Masaki tripped it midair, the only bonus being that he had felt the wire snap, leaving a thin cut on his forehead. Masaki Kicked off of a nearby tree, effectively "sidestepping" the kunai, but they were only inches away. The traps were getting stronger. Masaki didn't know how many he had dodged, so the next one could be the same, or it could be impossible to dodge. He grinned. This test didn't make much sense, but he had to admit it was fun. Much more interesting than sitting was.