The rain batted against the dirt and wind blew against his cloak. The sky was loud and the clouds were dark. Nothing escaped the harsh winds and the two men continued their trek south. River Country was only around the hill when they had paused. Another argument between the two had erupted. Their stark demeanor's had caused a clash and even when the wind yelled at them to shut up, they continued.
Of all the things that they argued about, there was one thing that they could agree on: Power. In all their lives, this was one thing that the two murderers could understand. It was a simple concept and Yaku looked down upon the 200 year old man. The S-rank missing nin still regarded him as the weaker of the two.
"You're strength is as weak as your emotions," Yaku remarked solemnly as he clenched the Yamanaka by the shoulder. His fingers dug in painfully as if taunting his accomplice to fight back.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
"Careful, Yaku." His eyes flitted to the seal on his body that would enable him to immediately enact Shintensin on the more powerful nukenin; his hand had already reflexively formed the required seal, but he didn't supplement it with chakra, leaving it as a pointed warning rather than the first real test of their tenuous partnership. He didn't wince, though the pain was very real.
"Besides. By that logic, you have no strength at all. But you raise a good enough point anyway. I've been meaning to improve my physique."
His eyes quickly darted about, scanning their environment for some interesting feature that they might employ in this regard. "Well, you're supposedly the expert," he mused before returning his gaze and smile to Yaku. "What did you have in mind?"
"Besides. By that logic, you have no strength at all. But you raise a good enough point anyway. I've been meaning to improve my physique."
His eyes quickly darted about, scanning their environment for some interesting feature that they might employ in this regard. "Well, you're supposedly the expert," he mused before returning his gaze and smile to Yaku. "What did you have in mind?"
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
Yaku's mouth parted into a thin line, almost daring the Yamanaka to 'try it.' He didn't let go and even considered breaking something to prove a point. It wasn't till Renjiro mentioned training that Yaku quirked an eyebrow.
His head cocked slightly, almost surprised and his grip loosened. "What?" It wasn't till he realized that the Yamanaka was serious that he changed his tone. His face returned its composed stature and glanced upwards at the clouds. Yaku was a man that lived and got off on training. A highly efficient and productive use of time.
"The Fushinkou clan believe in the strong over the weak. A form of brutal unreasonable strength through pain." He let go of Renjiro's shoulder and stood back. His eyes glistened and he extended one palm. His second hand remained at his side.
"Take both of your hands and try to budge me. Grab hold of my fingers and clench." It was a rather awkward request, but there was no humor in Yaku's voice. He was a teacher through demonstration.
His head cocked slightly, almost surprised and his grip loosened. "What?" It wasn't till he realized that the Yamanaka was serious that he changed his tone. His face returned its composed stature and glanced upwards at the clouds. Yaku was a man that lived and got off on training. A highly efficient and productive use of time.
"The Fushinkou clan believe in the strong over the weak. A form of brutal unreasonable strength through pain." He let go of Renjiro's shoulder and stood back. His eyes glistened and he extended one palm. His second hand remained at his side.
"Take both of your hands and try to budge me. Grab hold of my fingers and clench." It was a rather awkward request, but there was no humor in Yaku's voice. He was a teacher through demonstration.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
OOC: Training begins
Renji smirked. ”You're just looking for any excuse to do with your hands what you can't with your wits.” The teasing tone was light and airy, but he nodded and went about his preparations.
Of course, strength, for Renji, was a fairly relative term. Less about actual muscle mass, more about the way that his mind could make use of one of his borrowed body.
He cracked his knuckles and closed in, flexing his fingers and then splaying them. Rather than grab Yaku by his fingers, he grabbed him by the wrist, and then dug his feet into the ground and hauled backward hard.
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Renji smirked. ”You're just looking for any excuse to do with your hands what you can't with your wits.” The teasing tone was light and airy, but he nodded and went about his preparations.
Of course, strength, for Renji, was a fairly relative term. Less about actual muscle mass, more about the way that his mind could make use of one of his borrowed body.
He cracked his knuckles and closed in, flexing his fingers and then splaying them. Rather than grab Yaku by his fingers, he grabbed him by the wrist, and then dug his feet into the ground and hauled backward hard.
[283/2200]
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
OOC: Ditto 504/4000
The Fushinkou dug his feet into the dirt. The soft and wet ground was less than stable, but enough for Yaku to hold his ground. As the force dug into his wrist, his body stiffened and his chakra nodes re-acted defensively. The pain in his wrist that he would of normally felt subsided and he was left staring blankly at the Yamanaka. His thin lips parted into a crooked line. What an odd sight the two of them must of made. He hadn’t done something like this since his early teens. It was admirable that he could still live his younger years. The rain had drenched his cloak and the water washed his hair. It was slick against his face, but he reveled in the feeling.
The force continued to pry at his wrist and he felt his foot almost waver for a slight second as the ground gave away. He bit down hard and adjusted his feet under the strain of his accomplice. He took a step forward, pushing back against the man. His eyes lightened up and his spine straightened. He remembered the teachings of his long dead elders. ‘A strong and solid position was the key to overcoming your opponent.’ It was unfortunate that there was such a gap between the two. Though Yaku couldn’t blame him after all; most couldn’t compare to his stature.
He analyzed his associates upper body mass with a keen eye. This test told him two things. The mans strength and the mans stamina. Two departments that Yaku assumed he lacked in. Pushing and clenching could tell exactly how much pain a man could enforce. The Fushinkou clan had used this practice to select the strongest of the crop. Yaku had never enjoyed the luxury of being selected, but it didn‘t phase him. It wasn’t until he left his village that he had grew exponentially.
“200 years and this is it?” Yaku remarked condescendingly as he gave a strong push, trying to throw Renjiro off balance. He moved his arm in and outward, almost determined to see Renjiro lose hold and fall in the mud.
“So stubborn. A defect of most humans.” Yaku added under the weight of their fists. His eyes narrowed and he took another step forward. “If you had grabbed my fingers like I said, you might of actually had a better grip,” To prove his point, Yaku defiantly raised his left foot and kicked outward, planning to kick away at the man and send him sprawling. Truthfully, Yaku meant know ill will through his action. He genuinely believed that pain was a strong form of motivation. A great teacher.
No pain, no gain.
The rain fell all around them and no one, but the two were in sight. It was a captivating scene and the Fushinkou approached the man in a non threatening gesture. The S-rank nukenin extended his hand out once more, inviting the Yamanaka to re-grab hold. His fingers splayed open and ready. He switched hands.
“Lets try that again.”
[Training] A Gap in Strength
He wasn't a match for Yaku, but he wasn't a slouch either. As he felt his hands sliding over rain slicked flesh, felt Yaku start to push against him, he knew he'd be taking a trip to the muddy ground, but he would be damned if he was going to let Yaku truly best him.
His features composed into deadly concentration, the first time the Fushinkou would see the expression. He straightened his legs, locked his knees, urged with every fiber of his considerable spirit for the mean flesh that he commanded to resist the irresistible force. As Yaku began swinging him about, like some sort of annoying small dog that had latched on, he shifted his grip, snaking his arms up Yaku's bicep for more purchase in the wet battle.
”In... this... weather... fingers would be... folly.” He was putting his all into it, working quite a few muscles isometrically, and his voice showed the strain but no annoyance. Being insane had it's perks; one was seldom bothered by stark realities.
The kick finally did it, dislodged him and set him on his rear. He climbed back up quickly, and latched on anew, repeating the process. He'd learned quite a bit from the first go, and used his mental prowess to better array muscles for the second.
He kept most of his strength in his legs, but spared quite a bit to his chest and arms, and did all of this without going so rigid that Yaku could simply break his form and knock him down again. He might not beat him, but impressing him given their differences was a certainty in his mind. He grabbed right at the wrist again, ready once more for the bucking, shaking, and shoving.
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His features composed into deadly concentration, the first time the Fushinkou would see the expression. He straightened his legs, locked his knees, urged with every fiber of his considerable spirit for the mean flesh that he commanded to resist the irresistible force. As Yaku began swinging him about, like some sort of annoying small dog that had latched on, he shifted his grip, snaking his arms up Yaku's bicep for more purchase in the wet battle.
”In... this... weather... fingers would be... folly.” He was putting his all into it, working quite a few muscles isometrically, and his voice showed the strain but no annoyance. Being insane had it's perks; one was seldom bothered by stark realities.
The kick finally did it, dislodged him and set him on his rear. He climbed back up quickly, and latched on anew, repeating the process. He'd learned quite a bit from the first go, and used his mental prowess to better array muscles for the second.
He kept most of his strength in his legs, but spared quite a bit to his chest and arms, and did all of this without going so rigid that Yaku could simply break his form and knock him down again. He might not beat him, but impressing him given their differences was a certainty in his mind. He grabbed right at the wrist again, ready once more for the bucking, shaking, and shoving.
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
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[Training] A Gap in Strength
1158/4000
“Again?” Yaku questioned before cocking his head. His eyes glared to the sky above and he felt the force latch on. It pried away at his stance and threatened to bring him down. The wet grass and mud were not helping either and for a single second Yaku actually thought that Renjiro might of succeeded. The notion scared him (if such a sensation was possible) and he diverted his strength to his legs. As much as Yaku denied it, he had a large ego and he refused to belittle himself in front of the Yamanaka. Of all people… anyone, but him.
An unmoving brick wall. That is what they had called members of his clan. Their faces did not yield pain and their body did not quiver. He could tell that the cold was getting to Renjiro and this was Yaku‘s advantage. He did not tire, show pain, or succumb to the weather, the Fushinkou shrugged it off. His body was unable to tell the difference. The only texture that did irritate him was the rain. It wasn’t the temperature, but it was the slick and smooth atmosphere that it created. He had stopped shaking his extended arm only out of concern that his feet would lose their hold in the grass. The idea that he could fall only inspired the missing nin however.
“You wont do it…” he breathed under a strained voice. His cold tone was marred and tarnished by his irregular breath. His heart was pumping much faster to adapt to the strain of the Yamanaka. The missing nin couldn’t deny his surprise. The task wasn’t complying to his desires. Standing straight and composed was becoming much more difficult. I must not fall. His left arm shook to withstand his opponent. Weakness wasn’t tolerable to Yaku and he lifted his head upward to reign in more strength.
It’s the… rain. It’s destroying my composure. The bloodline? I-I must… resort to
As the rain fell and their strength clashed, Yaku’s eye lids closed. He was concentrating and if Renjiro dared use his sensor capabilities, he would see Yaku’s chakra nodes fluxgate. The secret to his strength, speed, and physical capabilities. Through his years on the world, Yaku had given in to his bloodline more and more. The more he gave in, the more control he received. It was in his endeavors, Yaku had unlocked a new man. This was a man that did not know boundaries, limits, or reality. In Yaku’s disbelief, he created a man much stronger than the average human. His chakra nodes cooperated with him and as the two clashed for control, Renjiro would see a large shift. Yaku was forced to resort to his secret. If Renjiro was hoping to impress Yaku, the S-rank cloaked man was already disturbed that he had to resort to this. His bloodlines strength.
His chakra nodes released more power and his muscles initiated with renewed strength.
The Nukenins eyes opened and he breathed a soft sigh. His breath was regular once more and he stared gently at Renjiro. Water batted at the mans eyes, but he declined to look away. Yaku was in taking the surrounding and environment once more, however, it was easily noticeable that Yaku did not have the same strained look as before. The S-rank missing nin did not shake or swing his arms this time. He was keeping Renjiro at bay while enjoying the environment for a second longer. The rain pounded against his chest, Renjiro tugged at his arms, and the wind pulled at his face. However, none of this mattered to Yaku at the time being. He seemed hypnotized with the illusion of the training. There was something nostalgic about this practice and Yaku seemed deeply effected by it.
“Hmm… not so bad, Renjiro” Yaku commented quietly. His words were barely a whisper, almost as if it was unnatural for him to say such a remark.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
The change was dramatic. Renjiro didn't dare ablate his concentration for jutsu, since even this much was already starting to get uncomfortably painful. He could already push his bodies further than they should have gone, but not nearly enough to account for Yaku's terrible strength.
And then, somehow, he got stronger.
He couldn't pin point why without slipping. It still felt as if he were barely budging the man as he exerted himself to what he thought was his fullest. It was as much an effort of will as an effort of muscle for him. Usually the build up of lactic acid, the strain on muscles, would prevent a body from risking damage, but with focus, Renji could ignore that, rising above mere flesh.
It all seemed rather paltry compared to the juggernaut he was grappling with.
He would not concede defeat, though. Yaku would only claim victory when he fell, completely spent, and even then, it would come at the cost of respect. Even as the man negated any constraints on his strength in a way Renji would not match for years to come, he continued adjusting, pushing.
A grunt peeled from his lips as he suddenly changed tactics, releasing the man's arms and driving forward to wrap his own arms around his trunk and clasp his hands behind Yaku. If this were a real fight with an opponent so strong, he'd never make such a mistake; Yaku could easily have crushed the life out of that particular body right then and there.
Since it was theoretically only an exercise, he drove with all his might into Yaku. It wasn't even half Yaku's physical power, but regardless, he charged the man like a tackling dummy, pedaling his feet in the mud to try to get him back. One inch would have seemed like a win.
He was too focused for banter, and so he just kept straining.
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And then, somehow, he got stronger.
He couldn't pin point why without slipping. It still felt as if he were barely budging the man as he exerted himself to what he thought was his fullest. It was as much an effort of will as an effort of muscle for him. Usually the build up of lactic acid, the strain on muscles, would prevent a body from risking damage, but with focus, Renji could ignore that, rising above mere flesh.
It all seemed rather paltry compared to the juggernaut he was grappling with.
He would not concede defeat, though. Yaku would only claim victory when he fell, completely spent, and even then, it would come at the cost of respect. Even as the man negated any constraints on his strength in a way Renji would not match for years to come, he continued adjusting, pushing.
A grunt peeled from his lips as he suddenly changed tactics, releasing the man's arms and driving forward to wrap his own arms around his trunk and clasp his hands behind Yaku. If this were a real fight with an opponent so strong, he'd never make such a mistake; Yaku could easily have crushed the life out of that particular body right then and there.
Since it was theoretically only an exercise, he drove with all his might into Yaku. It wasn't even half Yaku's physical power, but regardless, he charged the man like a tackling dummy, pedaling his feet in the mud to try to get him back. One inch would have seemed like a win.
He was too focused for banter, and so he just kept straining.
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Yaku Fushinkou
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- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
1769/4000
"A long time ago I was at your end of the spectrum." Yaku said nonchalantly as if this training was a normal routine in his day. His arms were still tense and flexing to hold back Renjiro. In his world of disbelief, the problems and conflicts of training were non existent. He could talk and concentrate on other things while still keeping Renjiro in check. He delighted himself in this respect.
“Just like you… pushing and fighting against this world to make it budge.” His eyes narrowed as if toying with this thought for a second longer. He straightened his spine as the mans muscles began to weigh too heavy on his original stance. “I wasn’t the strongest or even average in my clan. It was a shame to my father, but I just wasn’t physically inclined.” His eyes closed, but this time not in concentration. His body had developed significantly since that era in the village. He had rejected the clans oldest teaching and did something unprecedented at the time. He studied and even dabbled in emotion. Where most men of his bloodline were afraid to even touch it, Yaku had prodded and examined the power of human feelings. Soon it had became an obsession and through this undefined sensation, Yaku grew.
The S-rank missing nin braced himself for impact. He could feel Renjiro letting go and charging to knock him over. Yaku planted his feet and solidified his muscles. His feet became rooted into the earth and as the man barreled into him, he kept his composure. His body stiffened and he didn’t budge. Not an inch as Renjiro hoped. The strain wore away at the mud, but even then… Yaku sunk lower into the dirt as if it was quicksand. He readied himself for the Yamanakas new tactics. He gave him credit for his spirit and audacity, but the Fushinkou waved it off as futile. Yaku lolled his head and embraced the rain that beat against his face.
“You are stronger than the average human, but you will never surpass me,” he let his words sink in as his eyes lowered to meet that of Renjiro’s, “Never” he repeated somberly as if to repeat or tantalize a fact. “Not as long as you hold onto your emotions.” He took a step forward, pushing against the man to prove a point. One step after another he forced Renjiro backwards. “I know you have wanted to get in my head for some time, Renjiro.“ Yaku pushed even deeper still. He was starting to enjoy the exercise and his words were picking up. He was growing louder with each step. “ I’ll let you in on a secret.“ Yaku’s placid face broke for a second as it lit up with excitement.
“I don’t feel pain, fear, or misery. It doesn’t phase me. It never will. Power and strength is the only thing that satisfies me. “ The chakra flowed into his arms, his legs, and his chest. It coursed through his veins and not even a single muscle twitched. He had became completely captivated with himself, with his word and his banter. “This is what separates me from you and the rest of your kind. The humans. This is why I am better.” He took another step forward.
Yaku would never admit it, but Renjiro was allowed to see the true ego of Yaku Fushinkou. The megalomaniac behind the cape. Behind the calm and fake smiles was a man that had isolated himself from humanity. He was not a man to know defeat. His body shivered in delight and he posed in a straight line as Renjiro batted away at him.
"A long time ago I was at your end of the spectrum." Yaku said nonchalantly as if this training was a normal routine in his day. His arms were still tense and flexing to hold back Renjiro. In his world of disbelief, the problems and conflicts of training were non existent. He could talk and concentrate on other things while still keeping Renjiro in check. He delighted himself in this respect.
“Just like you… pushing and fighting against this world to make it budge.” His eyes narrowed as if toying with this thought for a second longer. He straightened his spine as the mans muscles began to weigh too heavy on his original stance. “I wasn’t the strongest or even average in my clan. It was a shame to my father, but I just wasn’t physically inclined.” His eyes closed, but this time not in concentration. His body had developed significantly since that era in the village. He had rejected the clans oldest teaching and did something unprecedented at the time. He studied and even dabbled in emotion. Where most men of his bloodline were afraid to even touch it, Yaku had prodded and examined the power of human feelings. Soon it had became an obsession and through this undefined sensation, Yaku grew.
The S-rank missing nin braced himself for impact. He could feel Renjiro letting go and charging to knock him over. Yaku planted his feet and solidified his muscles. His feet became rooted into the earth and as the man barreled into him, he kept his composure. His body stiffened and he didn’t budge. Not an inch as Renjiro hoped. The strain wore away at the mud, but even then… Yaku sunk lower into the dirt as if it was quicksand. He readied himself for the Yamanakas new tactics. He gave him credit for his spirit and audacity, but the Fushinkou waved it off as futile. Yaku lolled his head and embraced the rain that beat against his face.
“You are stronger than the average human, but you will never surpass me,” he let his words sink in as his eyes lowered to meet that of Renjiro’s, “Never” he repeated somberly as if to repeat or tantalize a fact. “Not as long as you hold onto your emotions.” He took a step forward, pushing against the man to prove a point. One step after another he forced Renjiro backwards. “I know you have wanted to get in my head for some time, Renjiro.“ Yaku pushed even deeper still. He was starting to enjoy the exercise and his words were picking up. He was growing louder with each step. “ I’ll let you in on a secret.“ Yaku’s placid face broke for a second as it lit up with excitement.
“I don’t feel pain, fear, or misery. It doesn’t phase me. It never will. Power and strength is the only thing that satisfies me. “ The chakra flowed into his arms, his legs, and his chest. It coursed through his veins and not even a single muscle twitched. He had became completely captivated with himself, with his word and his banter. “This is what separates me from you and the rest of your kind. The humans. This is why I am better.” He took another step forward.
Yaku would never admit it, but Renjiro was allowed to see the true ego of Yaku Fushinkou. The megalomaniac behind the cape. Behind the calm and fake smiles was a man that had isolated himself from humanity. He was not a man to know defeat. His body shivered in delight and he posed in a straight line as Renjiro batted away at him.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
For someone so renowned for stoicism, the Fushinkou sure liked to talk.
It only barely made it under Renjiro's skin. He accepted his lack of strength as compared to Yaku, but he hardly accepted the man's line of reasoning. As he pressed his shoulder into Yaku's chest, shoving and shoving and shoving futiley. He might not ever manage to move the man, but he could certainly deal a body blow to his rhetoric.
He ducked low, driving his shoulder into Yaku's gut with as much strength as he could summon, and then continued the process of using what little leverage he had and his leg strength to attempt to overcome the man's ample endurance.
In a ragged voice, he spoke. ”I'll let you in on a secret,” he gasped. He slid his right leg forward just a touch, and bent his left knee just a bit more. The increases in strengths came in small increments, but eventually, they would amount to something.
”Your entire view is based on a flawed paradox. Even if you are capable of removing emotion, you still understand their impli- urgh- cations. You know what anger is. You know what makes you angry. And so in situations where you would be angry but fail to feel it, you still, on a subconscious level, are aware that anger is possible. It's really quite beautiful, is fall as circul- ernf- as circular paradoxes go. You might not feel, but you still possess intellect, and can't help but fashion a proxy of feeling even as you ABSTAIN!”
He had been keeping his force uniform while he spoke, letting Yaku think it had distracted him to present the pet theory he'd been developing since the day they met. In reality, he had been making the same minute adjustments to his positioning, redirecting power, coiling like a snake ready to strike. On the final word, he let all that gathered incremental gain explode into the man's chest, driving his shoulder hard in an attempt that would be much more noticeable.
It was certainly noticeable to Renji, since it was a bit like doing the same to a brick wall. Something popped in his shoulder, and he let loose a cry of pain.
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It only barely made it under Renjiro's skin. He accepted his lack of strength as compared to Yaku, but he hardly accepted the man's line of reasoning. As he pressed his shoulder into Yaku's chest, shoving and shoving and shoving futiley. He might not ever manage to move the man, but he could certainly deal a body blow to his rhetoric.
He ducked low, driving his shoulder into Yaku's gut with as much strength as he could summon, and then continued the process of using what little leverage he had and his leg strength to attempt to overcome the man's ample endurance.
In a ragged voice, he spoke. ”I'll let you in on a secret,” he gasped. He slid his right leg forward just a touch, and bent his left knee just a bit more. The increases in strengths came in small increments, but eventually, they would amount to something.
”Your entire view is based on a flawed paradox. Even if you are capable of removing emotion, you still understand their impli- urgh- cations. You know what anger is. You know what makes you angry. And so in situations where you would be angry but fail to feel it, you still, on a subconscious level, are aware that anger is possible. It's really quite beautiful, is fall as circul- ernf- as circular paradoxes go. You might not feel, but you still possess intellect, and can't help but fashion a proxy of feeling even as you ABSTAIN!”
He had been keeping his force uniform while he spoke, letting Yaku think it had distracted him to present the pet theory he'd been developing since the day they met. In reality, he had been making the same minute adjustments to his positioning, redirecting power, coiling like a snake ready to strike. On the final word, he let all that gathered incremental gain explode into the man's chest, driving his shoulder hard in an attempt that would be much more noticeable.
It was certainly noticeable to Renji, since it was a bit like doing the same to a brick wall. Something popped in his shoulder, and he let loose a cry of pain.
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
2582/4000
OOC: Subtracting 100 words from myself for all the dialogue.
The weight beat and whacked away at him. No part of his body was left unchecked as Renjiro pried and searched for weak spots. Yaku would give him none and his body remained in a straight line. His eyes were the only things that moved and followed every movement that the Yamanaka made, bracing himself for each collision. Yaku’s world was motionless except for the few disturbances that unsettled his cloths. The rain continued to fall and he watched Renjiro in his struggle.
“You are right in some respects. More so than you think. I understand your sensations and weaknesses very well.” Yaku paused, he even went so far to reveal an opening in his stance. Not so much from Renjiro, but from his own thoughts… Yaku wavered for a moment. His legs even shook. His body shivered. “Many in my clan are even too afraid to read the definition. The idea or concept of emotion alarms them.” His eyes turned almost religiously to the earth, the practice had put him in a rather nostalgic mood. He took another step forward until he loomed over the Yamanaka. The weight of the two men had clashed repeatedly for the past hour. This was the same exact fight that humanity as a whole would have to face some day.
The mans strength tugged at his posture. With every second, the weight seemed heavier and heavier. Yaku could not deny this fact and he pumped more chakra into his veins. His legs were unbending and he let the man hit him and hit him. He was open to the challenge and invited it.
“I am unique to my clan as I UNDERSTAND it.” his fist clenched and his mouth hung open defiantly. “I know what makes you click and I revel in it as much as you do. I survived because I was willing to cross the line between monster and humanity.” His eyes emanated for a slight second and he could hear Renjiro’s cry of pain. The man had hit him a bit too hard. This was the pain that only humans delighted in. Yaku was not sympathetic and he urged his accomplice up. Again and again.
“They say I am inhuman for being emotionless.” Renjiro wasn’t finished and Yaku noted that his opponent seemed to bear the pain. He bore the struggle. He continued on and Yaku once again braced himself. “My clan leader even called me a monster and said that we were cursed.” His last word came out in a gasp as the Yamanaka hit him in the chest causing his sentence to jingle. Yaku even feared for a second that his stance was about to fall apart. However, within a second of Renjiros rest, Yaku was able to reclaim himself.
“I walked the land for a decade and I saw what humanity truly was. Murder, bigotry, poverty, war, and selfishness. That is what humanity breeds.” He said this last sentence with as much conviction as his stance. His ebbing strength even seemed to renew itself in the light of his words. Yaku was his own motivation. He had no role models and that was what kept him going for so long. Renjiro crashed into him, but Yaku continued to talk.
“I will turn this curse into a blessing.” His fist clenched and his body hardened. He took everything that Renjiro had as a source of empowerment. Their collisions had become less of a nuisance and more of a stimulant. He eyed his own muscles and asked for more. His chakra continued to circulate. Self sustaining chakra that kept him going.
In this state, Yaku could never understand Renjiro’s paradox. Unwilling to and unable to. Yaku found empowerment in his words through empowerment of his own strength. Every attack and failed clash against him was a reason for his own antics. His body flexed and if Renjiro had analyzed him, he would see a much different man. Yaku’s lean body had became much more bulky and muscular. The bloodline was very much apparent and visible as it pumped into his muscles.
"If only you understood the feeling. It's so much different than words." Yaku waved the mans paradox with a hand, “Not even genjutsu can recreate this feeling.” His eyes solemnly lost contact with the Yamanaka and he lifted his arms to the sky. Hitting him was like hitting a wall at this point. Nothing would move him and his clan was in large part due to this. It urged and encouraged his antics. It had taken complete control of him. A single thought played across Yaku’s mind. The rain, the sweat, the mud, and the wind. The world was around him and as the Yamanaka continued to fight against him, Yaku repeated a promise. An oath he had made long ago. It was unspoken and he murmured it beneath his lips.
OOC: Subtracting 100 words from myself for all the dialogue.
The weight beat and whacked away at him. No part of his body was left unchecked as Renjiro pried and searched for weak spots. Yaku would give him none and his body remained in a straight line. His eyes were the only things that moved and followed every movement that the Yamanaka made, bracing himself for each collision. Yaku’s world was motionless except for the few disturbances that unsettled his cloths. The rain continued to fall and he watched Renjiro in his struggle.
“You are right in some respects. More so than you think. I understand your sensations and weaknesses very well.” Yaku paused, he even went so far to reveal an opening in his stance. Not so much from Renjiro, but from his own thoughts… Yaku wavered for a moment. His legs even shook. His body shivered. “Many in my clan are even too afraid to read the definition. The idea or concept of emotion alarms them.” His eyes turned almost religiously to the earth, the practice had put him in a rather nostalgic mood. He took another step forward until he loomed over the Yamanaka. The weight of the two men had clashed repeatedly for the past hour. This was the same exact fight that humanity as a whole would have to face some day.
The mans strength tugged at his posture. With every second, the weight seemed heavier and heavier. Yaku could not deny this fact and he pumped more chakra into his veins. His legs were unbending and he let the man hit him and hit him. He was open to the challenge and invited it.
“I am unique to my clan as I UNDERSTAND it.” his fist clenched and his mouth hung open defiantly. “I know what makes you click and I revel in it as much as you do. I survived because I was willing to cross the line between monster and humanity.” His eyes emanated for a slight second and he could hear Renjiro’s cry of pain. The man had hit him a bit too hard. This was the pain that only humans delighted in. Yaku was not sympathetic and he urged his accomplice up. Again and again.
“They say I am inhuman for being emotionless.” Renjiro wasn’t finished and Yaku noted that his opponent seemed to bear the pain. He bore the struggle. He continued on and Yaku once again braced himself. “My clan leader even called me a monster and said that we were cursed.” His last word came out in a gasp as the Yamanaka hit him in the chest causing his sentence to jingle. Yaku even feared for a second that his stance was about to fall apart. However, within a second of Renjiros rest, Yaku was able to reclaim himself.
“I walked the land for a decade and I saw what humanity truly was. Murder, bigotry, poverty, war, and selfishness. That is what humanity breeds.” He said this last sentence with as much conviction as his stance. His ebbing strength even seemed to renew itself in the light of his words. Yaku was his own motivation. He had no role models and that was what kept him going for so long. Renjiro crashed into him, but Yaku continued to talk.
“I will turn this curse into a blessing.” His fist clenched and his body hardened. He took everything that Renjiro had as a source of empowerment. Their collisions had become less of a nuisance and more of a stimulant. He eyed his own muscles and asked for more. His chakra continued to circulate. Self sustaining chakra that kept him going.
In this state, Yaku could never understand Renjiro’s paradox. Unwilling to and unable to. Yaku found empowerment in his words through empowerment of his own strength. Every attack and failed clash against him was a reason for his own antics. His body flexed and if Renjiro had analyzed him, he would see a much different man. Yaku’s lean body had became much more bulky and muscular. The bloodline was very much apparent and visible as it pumped into his muscles.
"If only you understood the feeling. It's so much different than words." Yaku waved the mans paradox with a hand, “Not even genjutsu can recreate this feeling.” His eyes solemnly lost contact with the Yamanaka and he lifted his arms to the sky. Hitting him was like hitting a wall at this point. Nothing would move him and his clan was in large part due to this. It urged and encouraged his antics. It had taken complete control of him. A single thought played across Yaku’s mind. The rain, the sweat, the mud, and the wind. The world was around him and as the Yamanaka continued to fight against him, Yaku repeated a promise. An oath he had made long ago. It was unspoken and he murmured it beneath his lips.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
”Humanity is overrated, dear Yaku,” he hissed as he finally abandoned his all but useless tactic. He'd had a little taste there of success, but the real victory in his mind was the fact that Yaku's refutation barely qualified. If he hadn't been completely focused on the rigors of dislodging the Fushinkou, he would certainly have noticed the changes. ”You were called inhuman. I am a mind and spirit that has existed since before your grandparents were born. Kindly shut up and make this worth my while.” As he blathered the words, he shifted again, this time to press both his hands onto Yaku's outstretched right arm. ”You're.” He gripped the forearm tightly, and in a rapid flurry, made a dozen adjustments to the distribution of his body's strength for what he was about to attempt all in an instant. ”Boring.”He shifted his weight forward. ”Me.”
Just before the final word, he hopped, pushing down on the man's arm with the full weight of his body, desperate to get it to lower. Even a few inches would have been worth the pain that he had likely just opened himself to. Even as he grunted and continued raising and lowering his body weight (it would almost look like he was doing pull ups on Yaku's arm, if the Fushinkou kept it steady), the shoulder he had injured was a blaze of pain.
That was good though. The damage inflicted on his body was just as important as the ways he managed to improve his offensive strength. Endurance was an important factor too, and just as he could force his body to be stronger than it had any right to, he could do the same with his resilience.
1550/2200
Just before the final word, he hopped, pushing down on the man's arm with the full weight of his body, desperate to get it to lower. Even a few inches would have been worth the pain that he had likely just opened himself to. Even as he grunted and continued raising and lowering his body weight (it would almost look like he was doing pull ups on Yaku's arm, if the Fushinkou kept it steady), the shoulder he had injured was a blaze of pain.
That was good though. The damage inflicted on his body was just as important as the ways he managed to improve his offensive strength. Endurance was an important factor too, and just as he could force his body to be stronger than it had any right to, he could do the same with his resilience.
1550/2200
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
3097/4000
Renjiro did not give up and Yaku was forced to stay at attention. The rain continued to fall and the world continued to slow down. Nothing concerned Yaku at this moment. His attention was fixated with the training and only the training. His chakra nodes moaned and roared for complete control. Yaku had to fight himself from giving entirely in. His strength had been ebbing for quite some time and he had maintained his stance strictly through his bloodline. Apart of this idea disgusted him and he pulled back on his chakra usage. He simmered the nodes hold and he could feel his own human frailties begin to grow. He was never satisfied with himself.
“Boring?” Yaku questioned skeptically as if he found this sentence illogical. Renjiro just was of a different class and Yaku didn’t bother himself by trying to figure out his motives. Two hundred years and Yaku still considered him immature for his age. “I guess I couldn’t expect anything less from you.” Yaku grunted and re concentrated on his arm. His muscles in his forearm had been waning for some time. The Yamanaka had changed strategies and Yaku actually found it to be working.
His arm was still, but behind the façade and presentation, Yaku was starting to shake. He could feel his muscles trembling and his endurance ebbing. His body wanted to give in, but his Fushinkou mind refused. He would hold it up and still until it was impossible to do so. This of course was dangerous and could have disastrous effects on his own health, but his ego and pride would see it no other way. He could only hope that his will would outlast the Yamanka’s determination to train. His legs wavered for a second and he buckled his knees in an awkward last defense to hold onto the ground. Every second felt worst than the last and even the ground was starting to become more slick and less able to hold him. He was losing his grip.
It started with an inch. His arm quivered and lowered a small fraction. The weight had grown too heavy and too over bearing, he couldn’t maintain the same exact position without creating an uncomfortable situation throughout his body. He refused to resort to his bloodline this time. A second inch came and his arm lowered again. It was a momentary weakness and the Fushinkou quickly tried to cover it by shaking his arm. If he couldn’t hold his weight, he could at least try to throw him off for a loop. Yaku grabbed the man by the chest and mockingly held him over his head. There was a sense of power in this next moment and Yaku released his hand, hoping to dislodge the Yamanaka and send him sprawling into the mud.
The brick wall that Yaku had displayed was slowly chipping away. Of course there was only small signs, but if one looked close enough, they might be able to see it. Behind the mud and rain, his calm and placid posture was less sincere. It was forced.
Renjiro did not give up and Yaku was forced to stay at attention. The rain continued to fall and the world continued to slow down. Nothing concerned Yaku at this moment. His attention was fixated with the training and only the training. His chakra nodes moaned and roared for complete control. Yaku had to fight himself from giving entirely in. His strength had been ebbing for quite some time and he had maintained his stance strictly through his bloodline. Apart of this idea disgusted him and he pulled back on his chakra usage. He simmered the nodes hold and he could feel his own human frailties begin to grow. He was never satisfied with himself.
“Boring?” Yaku questioned skeptically as if he found this sentence illogical. Renjiro just was of a different class and Yaku didn’t bother himself by trying to figure out his motives. Two hundred years and Yaku still considered him immature for his age. “I guess I couldn’t expect anything less from you.” Yaku grunted and re concentrated on his arm. His muscles in his forearm had been waning for some time. The Yamanaka had changed strategies and Yaku actually found it to be working.
His arm was still, but behind the façade and presentation, Yaku was starting to shake. He could feel his muscles trembling and his endurance ebbing. His body wanted to give in, but his Fushinkou mind refused. He would hold it up and still until it was impossible to do so. This of course was dangerous and could have disastrous effects on his own health, but his ego and pride would see it no other way. He could only hope that his will would outlast the Yamanka’s determination to train. His legs wavered for a second and he buckled his knees in an awkward last defense to hold onto the ground. Every second felt worst than the last and even the ground was starting to become more slick and less able to hold him. He was losing his grip.
It started with an inch. His arm quivered and lowered a small fraction. The weight had grown too heavy and too over bearing, he couldn’t maintain the same exact position without creating an uncomfortable situation throughout his body. He refused to resort to his bloodline this time. A second inch came and his arm lowered again. It was a momentary weakness and the Fushinkou quickly tried to cover it by shaking his arm. If he couldn’t hold his weight, he could at least try to throw him off for a loop. Yaku grabbed the man by the chest and mockingly held him over his head. There was a sense of power in this next moment and Yaku released his hand, hoping to dislodge the Yamanaka and send him sprawling into the mud.
The brick wall that Yaku had displayed was slowly chipping away. Of course there was only small signs, but if one looked close enough, they might be able to see it. Behind the mud and rain, his calm and placid posture was less sincere. It was forced.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
1979/2200
Renjiro was nearly spent. He could earnestly admit that he had never engaged in such a taxing physical activity in the whole of his two centuries. His own control over the Yamanaka body he wore was beginning to fray, and he had the distinct feeling that the process was going to be exponential rather than linear. It took more and more concentration to command the pilfered muscle to obey, more and more will power to distribute his strength and account for the movements of Yaku.
He only had moments more, and he knew it.
”You're going... to have to... carry me, after, nnf, this,” he panted, doing everything in his power not to be thrown off when Yaku exerted his strength. His flagging strength. Still more than enough to undo Renjiro, but it was noticeable enough that even with his exhaustion, he realized that he was at least doing something. A tired smile curved Renji's full lips.
The shaking almost did the trick. Renji was practically hugging the man's arm to keep his purchase, but then it was all but over. When Yaku grabbed him and hoisted him up, he had little recourse but to swing his own leaden feeling arms up and ineffectually claw at the man's fist, trying to pry his fingers apart unsuccessfully.
He was still smiling though, as Yaku stared up at him. It was a sleepy, content sort of smile. He needed no confirmation to know that he had exceeded the more powerful shinobi's expectations. When he felt Yaku's fingers uncurling, he snapped up a defiant kick, aimed at the man's chin. It would probably do more harm to his foot than to Yaku, but he hardly cared.
He fell, and too much off his strength was concentrated in his upper body for him to even attempt a graceful landing. He his the mud and crumpled into it, sprawling out and affording himself a few deep breaths before he began to clamber indelicately to his feet. He slipped on the slick surface and wound up on all fours. Actually standing was perhaps the most impressive action he'd taken so far in this little encounter.
He felt incredibly weak. Pain rode his every synapse, screamed in his muscles with even the slightest movements, but he was not done. Not yet. He staggered forward, nearly slipping a few times. The smile had slipped away; it was too much effort to keep even those muscles in operation.
Grim determination, the determination that had enabled him to survive centuries, was all Yaku would behold on his muddied features.
1979/2200
Renjiro was nearly spent. He could earnestly admit that he had never engaged in such a taxing physical activity in the whole of his two centuries. His own control over the Yamanaka body he wore was beginning to fray, and he had the distinct feeling that the process was going to be exponential rather than linear. It took more and more concentration to command the pilfered muscle to obey, more and more will power to distribute his strength and account for the movements of Yaku.
He only had moments more, and he knew it.
”You're going... to have to... carry me, after, nnf, this,” he panted, doing everything in his power not to be thrown off when Yaku exerted his strength. His flagging strength. Still more than enough to undo Renjiro, but it was noticeable enough that even with his exhaustion, he realized that he was at least doing something. A tired smile curved Renji's full lips.
The shaking almost did the trick. Renji was practically hugging the man's arm to keep his purchase, but then it was all but over. When Yaku grabbed him and hoisted him up, he had little recourse but to swing his own leaden feeling arms up and ineffectually claw at the man's fist, trying to pry his fingers apart unsuccessfully.
He was still smiling though, as Yaku stared up at him. It was a sleepy, content sort of smile. He needed no confirmation to know that he had exceeded the more powerful shinobi's expectations. When he felt Yaku's fingers uncurling, he snapped up a defiant kick, aimed at the man's chin. It would probably do more harm to his foot than to Yaku, but he hardly cared.
He fell, and too much off his strength was concentrated in his upper body for him to even attempt a graceful landing. He his the mud and crumpled into it, sprawling out and affording himself a few deep breaths before he began to clamber indelicately to his feet. He slipped on the slick surface and wound up on all fours. Actually standing was perhaps the most impressive action he'd taken so far in this little encounter.
He felt incredibly weak. Pain rode his every synapse, screamed in his muscles with even the slightest movements, but he was not done. Not yet. He staggered forward, nearly slipping a few times. The smile had slipped away; it was too much effort to keep even those muscles in operation.
Grim determination, the determination that had enabled him to survive centuries, was all Yaku would behold on his muddied features.
1979/2200
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
3618/4000
The man wouldn’t fall and Yaku shook more and more. The exasperated feeling of failure crept into his eyes and he desperately flicked his hand like shooing away a rodent. The Konoha Nukenin had a strong grip and clung to him as if he had life support. The Yamanaka had overstayed his welcome and Yaku was beginning to doubt even his own strength. It wasn’t often that the Henkou leader was forced to these limits. He didn’t train with others often and was well accustomed to doing things alone. He didn’t realize how much another ones presence could push him so. Just as he thought he had succeeded, it struck him in the face.
The foot hit his chin and the Fushinkou felt the force relinquish quickly away. Had Yaku been anyone else, he may of reacted, but his head simply lolled back as if to gather the full force of the blow. Mulling the pain, he was only delighted with a few seconds before his chakra nodes acted up. His skin tingled and numbed before subsiding the pain. It was as if it had never happened and Yaku slowly raised his head. His gray eyes seemed rather gentle and out of place for the blow. His mouth parted into a thin line. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Instead he decided to not say a thing. To conserve every bit of energy against Renjiro.
When the Yamanaka finally fell, Yaku was relieved. Not because his energy was draining, but because Yaku detested the idea of being in the same position as Renjiro… in the dirt. Such an act was something he hadn’t done in ages, but had come close to. With the open opportunity, the Fushinkou regained his breath and stance. His footwork had been falling apart and slipping, the momentary rest gave him just enough time to replant his roots into the earth. It wasn’t long until Yaku was prepared. He had even shifted shoulders and switched hands. This of course was not needed as he looked up… The Yamanaka was exhausted.
There was something hypnotic about the mans endurance. More so than his own. A Fushinkou did not tire or feel the pain of chores, but them, they felt it all. The pain, the inhaling and gasping lungs. This notion in itself was impressive. Yaku could not deny this fact and looked upon Renjiro’s determination with open fascination. The man was covered in wet dirt by this time and his arms fell to his side. He was exhausted, but he continued to rise. He slowly ascended to all fours and then to his own feet.
“One last time…” Yaku offered with a smile as he extended his arm. He wasn’t mocking or taunting his accomplice this time. Even in his weakness, Yaku could respect the Yamanakas endurance. The man had pried away at his strength and revealed his weaknesses. Even as he splayed and split his fingers, the S-rank could feel a sense of growth. This was a feeling that not many undertook, but Yaku enthralled himself in it. These moments for Yaku were rare.
The man wouldn’t fall and Yaku shook more and more. The exasperated feeling of failure crept into his eyes and he desperately flicked his hand like shooing away a rodent. The Konoha Nukenin had a strong grip and clung to him as if he had life support. The Yamanaka had overstayed his welcome and Yaku was beginning to doubt even his own strength. It wasn’t often that the Henkou leader was forced to these limits. He didn’t train with others often and was well accustomed to doing things alone. He didn’t realize how much another ones presence could push him so. Just as he thought he had succeeded, it struck him in the face.
The foot hit his chin and the Fushinkou felt the force relinquish quickly away. Had Yaku been anyone else, he may of reacted, but his head simply lolled back as if to gather the full force of the blow. Mulling the pain, he was only delighted with a few seconds before his chakra nodes acted up. His skin tingled and numbed before subsiding the pain. It was as if it had never happened and Yaku slowly raised his head. His gray eyes seemed rather gentle and out of place for the blow. His mouth parted into a thin line. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Instead he decided to not say a thing. To conserve every bit of energy against Renjiro.
When the Yamanaka finally fell, Yaku was relieved. Not because his energy was draining, but because Yaku detested the idea of being in the same position as Renjiro… in the dirt. Such an act was something he hadn’t done in ages, but had come close to. With the open opportunity, the Fushinkou regained his breath and stance. His footwork had been falling apart and slipping, the momentary rest gave him just enough time to replant his roots into the earth. It wasn’t long until Yaku was prepared. He had even shifted shoulders and switched hands. This of course was not needed as he looked up… The Yamanaka was exhausted.
There was something hypnotic about the mans endurance. More so than his own. A Fushinkou did not tire or feel the pain of chores, but them, they felt it all. The pain, the inhaling and gasping lungs. This notion in itself was impressive. Yaku could not deny this fact and looked upon Renjiro’s determination with open fascination. The man was covered in wet dirt by this time and his arms fell to his side. He was exhausted, but he continued to rise. He slowly ascended to all fours and then to his own feet.
“One last time…” Yaku offered with a smile as he extended his arm. He wasn’t mocking or taunting his accomplice this time. Even in his weakness, Yaku could respect the Yamanakas endurance. The man had pried away at his strength and revealed his weaknesses. Even as he splayed and split his fingers, the S-rank could feel a sense of growth. This was a feeling that not many undertook, but Yaku enthralled himself in it. These moments for Yaku were rare.
[Training] A Gap in Strength
One last effort, though really, this would only be first of many occasions where the two nukenin vied. With Renji involved, their partnership would never be precisely what it seemed, and even as commonplace and banal as this little contest was, clearly, beneath the surface, much more was at stake than a bit of mud and a few days of soreness.
He saw the smile and wished he had the strength remaining to prick the man's mind and confirm his theories about why it existed at all. Instead, he doggedly approached the Fushinkou and lifted his arms. It was almost excruciating, and Renji's mud-spattered features blanched at the crude fleshly pain of it.
He closed his fists around Yaku's fingers this time, taking two and each hand. He clenched for all he was worth, as if his goal were merely to grind the knuckles of those fingers together and induce some pain. Of course, given the opponent, that would have been a faulty tactic, but it had far more to do with a good grip.
He drew a ragged but deep breath, and then began again. First tugging, and refocusing strength into the muscles on his arms and back that would need the most bolstering. That would hardly be enough though, if anything he was capable of was. Still, it was force, opposition that Yaku would have to contend with. The strengthening of his upper body was subsidiary to the real crux of his strategy though.
Next he funneled all of his remaining energy into his core and legs. Doing so, he knew for certain he would have nothing left by the time his last concerted effort was through. There was simply no more strength to coax out of the mean matter he inhabited; he'd surpassed its limitations completely, and would suffer for it later.
Keeping his knees bent just so, he forced a step back. It would meet no resistance from Yaku unless the man started pulling, but Renji was already drawing his other leg back, using the first like a lever as he hauled with all of himself, hoping only to gain enough ground to be able to set the second foot down.
If he managed to do that, all the pain he felt and would feel in the coming days from this little work out would be well, well worth it.
He strained with every fiber of his being, body and mind, working his arms to drag Yaku along with him, even if it was just to force the man to bend at the waist. All the while, added to that force was the rest of Renji's body driving to plant that foot.
2425/2200
He saw the smile and wished he had the strength remaining to prick the man's mind and confirm his theories about why it existed at all. Instead, he doggedly approached the Fushinkou and lifted his arms. It was almost excruciating, and Renji's mud-spattered features blanched at the crude fleshly pain of it.
He closed his fists around Yaku's fingers this time, taking two and each hand. He clenched for all he was worth, as if his goal were merely to grind the knuckles of those fingers together and induce some pain. Of course, given the opponent, that would have been a faulty tactic, but it had far more to do with a good grip.
He drew a ragged but deep breath, and then began again. First tugging, and refocusing strength into the muscles on his arms and back that would need the most bolstering. That would hardly be enough though, if anything he was capable of was. Still, it was force, opposition that Yaku would have to contend with. The strengthening of his upper body was subsidiary to the real crux of his strategy though.
Next he funneled all of his remaining energy into his core and legs. Doing so, he knew for certain he would have nothing left by the time his last concerted effort was through. There was simply no more strength to coax out of the mean matter he inhabited; he'd surpassed its limitations completely, and would suffer for it later.
Keeping his knees bent just so, he forced a step back. It would meet no resistance from Yaku unless the man started pulling, but Renji was already drawing his other leg back, using the first like a lever as he hauled with all of himself, hoping only to gain enough ground to be able to set the second foot down.
If he managed to do that, all the pain he felt and would feel in the coming days from this little work out would be well, well worth it.
He strained with every fiber of his being, body and mind, working his arms to drag Yaku along with him, even if it was just to force the man to bend at the waist. All the while, added to that force was the rest of Renji's body driving to plant that foot.
2425/2200
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Yaku Fushinkou
- Posts: 2895
- Joined: Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:00 pm
[Training] A Gap in Strength
4237/4000
He could feel his hands slowly enclose over his fingers. He knew what to expect and gently closed his eye to the rain. The Yamanaka crunched down and mashed his fingers together. Normally humans were sensitive with such things, but Yaku couldn’t feel a thing. He was numb to such pains. The muscle grinded against his fingers and he bowed his head. The man pulled and tugged with every last bit of energy. Yaku could feel the tiredness and desperate clings in his pressure. It was enthralling and Yaku kept his hand at posed and relaxed. The tingling feeling would eventually diminish.
As Renjiro first began to pull, the animosity in the air had changed. In Yaku’s eyes it no longer seemed like a contest. Not at all and he seemed not as worried about standing up straight or maintaining his visage. He was concerned about one thing now and that was the training. The Yamanaka continued to pull away at Yaku and for the second time, his mind began to wander. His muscles flexed and he readjusted his weight for strength. His head lolled and he slowly opened his eyes to look at the struggling Renjiro. There was a sense of camaraderie he felt in the mans pain, but he quickly shrugged it off.
“I expected you to give up long ago…”
Yaku spoke abruptly. Though the Fushinkou was debatably emotionless, he had no qualms with speaking his mind. He forced his fingers apart and fought against the enclosed fists. He was feeling highly satisfied with their training and even felt that today would be a good bookmark in his strength training. He relaxed his muscles slightly. He was ready to finish.
“That’s enough..” Yaku began as Renjiro shifted once more. The Yamanaka had heard, but was ignoring the Fushinkou. Yaku felt inclined to let up, but apart of him wanted to see what the Yamanaka was trying to accomplish. The man was switching his weight up and Yaku could sense the last ditch effort. A last pull to topple him.
A human lever?
Yaku was impressed and did not move. He did not say anything else. He only fought and strained. The first foot planted into the dirt and Yaku anticipated the sudden weight. It was much stronger than before, as if it was renewed or motivated by the fact that the both of them were almost done. Renjiro’s strength hadn’t dwindled during their hour of practice, but it had actually grown. Something irregular for most.
The mud around Yaku’s feet had turned to slush by this time and as Yaku looked back to Renjiro, he saw the determination in the mans eye. He was using all his strength. It was so easy to give in and Yaku eyed the ground, looking for support in the collapsed earth. He couldn’t find any and the soles of his feet were edging to slide. It first was an inch and even Renjiro noticed it that time. Yaku’s body took a slight lurch as his feet stiffened and failed to cling onto anything. In part, Yaku would always blame the mud after this day, but he also unspokingly blamed himself for never solidifying his position. In the end, Renjiro was allowed to put both feet on the ground. By the time he had accomplished this, Yaku had regrettingly moved more than he had ever anticipated.
“That’s enough” Yaku repeated, this time re-enforcing his statement by loosening up. Both of them were tired, but Yaku had no desire to continue. “River Country is still just ahead. We’ve gone well past our limit today.”
A lazy excuse, but he assumed that Renjiro didn’t care either way.
“We can rest here for now.”
He could feel his hands slowly enclose over his fingers. He knew what to expect and gently closed his eye to the rain. The Yamanaka crunched down and mashed his fingers together. Normally humans were sensitive with such things, but Yaku couldn’t feel a thing. He was numb to such pains. The muscle grinded against his fingers and he bowed his head. The man pulled and tugged with every last bit of energy. Yaku could feel the tiredness and desperate clings in his pressure. It was enthralling and Yaku kept his hand at posed and relaxed. The tingling feeling would eventually diminish.
As Renjiro first began to pull, the animosity in the air had changed. In Yaku’s eyes it no longer seemed like a contest. Not at all and he seemed not as worried about standing up straight or maintaining his visage. He was concerned about one thing now and that was the training. The Yamanaka continued to pull away at Yaku and for the second time, his mind began to wander. His muscles flexed and he readjusted his weight for strength. His head lolled and he slowly opened his eyes to look at the struggling Renjiro. There was a sense of camaraderie he felt in the mans pain, but he quickly shrugged it off.
“I expected you to give up long ago…”
Yaku spoke abruptly. Though the Fushinkou was debatably emotionless, he had no qualms with speaking his mind. He forced his fingers apart and fought against the enclosed fists. He was feeling highly satisfied with their training and even felt that today would be a good bookmark in his strength training. He relaxed his muscles slightly. He was ready to finish.
“That’s enough..” Yaku began as Renjiro shifted once more. The Yamanaka had heard, but was ignoring the Fushinkou. Yaku felt inclined to let up, but apart of him wanted to see what the Yamanaka was trying to accomplish. The man was switching his weight up and Yaku could sense the last ditch effort. A last pull to topple him.
A human lever?
Yaku was impressed and did not move. He did not say anything else. He only fought and strained. The first foot planted into the dirt and Yaku anticipated the sudden weight. It was much stronger than before, as if it was renewed or motivated by the fact that the both of them were almost done. Renjiro’s strength hadn’t dwindled during their hour of practice, but it had actually grown. Something irregular for most.
The mud around Yaku’s feet had turned to slush by this time and as Yaku looked back to Renjiro, he saw the determination in the mans eye. He was using all his strength. It was so easy to give in and Yaku eyed the ground, looking for support in the collapsed earth. He couldn’t find any and the soles of his feet were edging to slide. It first was an inch and even Renjiro noticed it that time. Yaku’s body took a slight lurch as his feet stiffened and failed to cling onto anything. In part, Yaku would always blame the mud after this day, but he also unspokingly blamed himself for never solidifying his position. In the end, Renjiro was allowed to put both feet on the ground. By the time he had accomplished this, Yaku had regrettingly moved more than he had ever anticipated.
“That’s enough” Yaku repeated, this time re-enforcing his statement by loosening up. Both of them were tired, but Yaku had no desire to continue. “River Country is still just ahead. We’ve gone well past our limit today.”
A lazy excuse, but he assumed that Renjiro didn’t care either way.
“We can rest here for now.”