Laying Down The Law {Kurai/Shin/Dai}

[Kurai Horo]

"A few new rules before we begin..."

Kurai was pacing before his two students on the deck of the ship that was only minutes from docking at Ignis. Given their encounter with Itami and Natas/Alvaro, Kurai had let Dai and Shin have the journey to themselves without any vigorous training. But now it was time to get back to work whilst they could.

"Number 1: My word is law. This isn't just because I'm your teacher, this is because I know more on what you're capable of than you do. If I say to cut the juice, you do it." He looked at Shin. "Or else we may have a burning wreck docking rather than a ship." Then across to Dai. "Or we may have a whole in the hull and not dock at all." He had held up his forefinger to count off the first rule, now he raised the next.

"Number 2: Under no circumstances, are you to practise this stuff when I'm not present until I deem it safe enough to do so. I don't want to go grocery shopping and return only to have to warp a huge newly formed mountain or fire away with Kamui, it'd really put a dampen on my day..." He held up a third finger.

"Number 3: Don't bother trying to see under the mask. Better men... And Lunar Spirits... Have tried..." He held up a fourth finger now.

"Number 4: Never ever try to spoil the Icha-Icha novels for me. Doing so will result in me using the 1000 Years of Death technique on you when you least expect it..." A menacing sounding attack, which despite having no real combat capabilities, struck fear into those who knew what it was. He beamed.

"Are we clear?"

[Daisuke Takemitsu]

"All clear sir!" I respond enthusiastically, with a firm salute; that is before crumpling to the ground in hunger. "Um, I think I can only follow these orders after some food though... I'm starving!" I say, standing up again and pacing around the deck. "What kind of restaurants and bars do they have here in Ignis? I really hope they have something close to the docks... How much longer Kurai?" I babble, stomach rumbling in anticipation.

[Kurai Horo]

"A few minutes. Enough time to train at least, training on an empty stomach pushes you to your limits faster, going past your limits is the best way to improve." He crosse his arms as if in thought. "Take Itami-kun, who fought Rin. When he was younger, he could use Chidori twice a day, but he pushed that limit. I saw him use Chidori at least three times against Rin, as well as Kirin, and the Nensho Chidori. He's beyond everything he ever was..." He paused for a moment. "Dare I say it, he's stronger than me. So we all need to push our limits. AKA; Stop complaining and get meditating!" He finished with a big smile.

[Kato Shin]

I was already meditating, tracing out a kata in my mind, containing, controlling, restraining the flames, allowing them to flow into the patterns. This time, I was trying something new - instead of actually following the patterns myself, I let the fire trace them in my mind. I reached out toward that whirling maelstrom of flame, felt the heat surge in me... and still, I couldn't... quite... reach it...

[Daisuke Takemitsu]

I sigh. "Guess you're right..." I mumble as I begin to unload a sack full of rocks, placing them around me in a circle. It was difficult meditating on the boat, as the motion the boat as it went as well as the fact that we were surrounded by nothing but water made me feel uneasy. Gotta do what Vash told me to and concentrate... No distractions... I have to feel the Earth... Imagine the mountains... And man, i'm SO hungry... Meditation was getting no where, but I kept trying my hardest. I can sort of feel it... Trying to resist the waves and the motion of the boat. Trying to be still and stand tall, like the mountains. Provide security and calm for those balanced atop my shoulders...