Running Towards “Something Crazy” (Solo)

OOC: Here we go ladies and gentlemen. Another episode of "Something Crazy"

IC:

Part 2

Tatsuya had been returning to the sparring grounds for the last few nights, practicing the same technique or a simple variation. Usually throwing the bamboo sword up in the air and spinning himself around one or two times before catching and returning it to a defensive position. He did this until he felt confident enough to continue forward with his training. He was already beginning to remove his eyes from the sword, if only for a fraction of a second. Hardly anywhere near the ability he was intending for, but still a work in progress. In these last nights he had yet to apply offensive techniques to his movements and tonight would be no different.

Tatsuya had begun his nightly regimen with his usual warm-up, a simple sword kata and shadow spar. Once he finished warming up he threw his sword into the air a few times just to be sure he had proper control over it. He would catch it with the same hand that threw it up or with the opposite hand, even throwing in a few turn-a-rounds for good measure. It no longer felt like an unnatural movement to him. He had already convinced himself he was ready to take a step forward in his training, even though he knew it would not be a big one. “No matter how small the step is, progress is still progress.” He told himself.

Tatsuya readied himself by taking a deep breath. Once he felt in the right state of mind he brought the sword up to a ready position with his right hand. Tonight’s training would serve two purposes. First, he would be applying the technique while moving and second, it would in adversely increase his stamina and speed. He began to rotate his sword clockwise and when it reached a certain point he released it sending it soaring and spinning to his left. Tatsuya quickly began running in that direction, he extended his left arm only to miss the sword by mere centimeters. Though had it been a real sword he would have lost his hand had he caught it, because it was the blade end he was reaching for. “Guess I should be glad I missed. That’s why we practice.” He thought to himself as he reached for the sword lying on the ground.

Tatsuya once again took the sword in his right hand and readied himself. He tossed the sword through the air spinning it clockwise once again to his left and began chasing it. This time when he threw it in the air he was sure he was he corrected the spin of the sword. When he caught up to his sword he again reached out his left arm and attempted to catch it. He was right in the fact that he had corrected the spin, but he still did not catch it, at least not completely. Though he managed to catch up to the sword, he only was able to catch the back end of the hilt. He had to give an extra push to himself so the sword didn’t hit the floor, but only barely.

Tatsuya reaffirmed the grip on his sword and took a deep breath. “Third time’s the charm.” He thought to himself, once again tossing the sword the same way as the first two attempts. Giving chase once more, he pushed himself harder to catch the sword. He didn’t reach out his left arm until the last second, when the sword was just above his head. The sword’s hilt hit squarely in his palm, and just like a bear trap his hand closed instantly. Success, he stood there breathing heavily since this was already his third try, but he still needed to continue. This time instead of throwing it to the left he launched to his right and gave chase. As he caught up to the sword he once again waited until the last second to extend his right arm and was fortunate enough to catch it on his first try.

Standing in the field breathing hard, happy he caught it on the first try he thought to himself, “No time to rest.” He quickly threw the sword to his left. Giving chase and catching it he did not hesitate in throwing it back the other way. He continued for the rest of the night, throwing it back and forth. Not to mention switching the direction he would throw it so his body would not get used to it. He would throw it straight ahead of him, to the back of him, and any other direction he felt like throwing it. By dawn he was drenched in sweat. He had to remove the top portion of his uniform just because it was so heavy from his sweat. He was breathing so hard he was ready to pass out. He wasn’t even sure how he made it back to his dorm room, but he did, only to rest for another night of “Something Crazy.”