Nature training (solo)

After his meal with the man in the strange hut Arawn left to set up his camp site. The wasn't much to it. A small green tent was the only thing he really had to put together. He had asked Bryce, and the hunchback had given it to him. Bryce claimed the material was water resistant, kept the heat as well as cold out, and it repelled insects and other critters. All that and still a rather simple design. After setting up the main poles he connected the frame that cover would rest on. There were alot of poles. Different sizes and junction joints to connect them all. At first it was rather confusing, but soon he got the hang of it. In a matter of minutes he had the small dome's skeleton complete. He unrolled the material and connected it to the small structure. After the last part was connected Arawn took a step back to examine his work. It was barely four feet tall, but it was nearly seven feet wide. More than enough for his body to lay inside. With that thought in mind Arawn picked up his backpack, opened the main flap's zipper, and stepped in. It had been hot after working on the tent, upon walking into it's confines he felt somewhat cooler.
"Bryce wasn't lying." Arawn said to himself as he dropped the satchel to the grassy floor. While he had preferred to have a covered bottom to the tent, it didn't really bother him too much. Arawn pulled his bed roll from the backpack and laid it down. Little by little he spread it out to check the length of the tent. Sure enough there was more than enough room with some to spare. He appreciated the man's hospitality, but he felt he should adhere to his master's orders. Leaving his pack on the ground Arawn turned and left the tent being sure to zip it back up. He needed to make himself a spot to cook. Moving away from the tent he selected a spot on the ground at random. Here by the small lake the grass was green. Having a fire shouldn't bring too much a risk. He would need to go into the forest for wood of course. Arawn looked back at his tent. The small dome stood firm. He took note that the green almost matched the treetops. Anyone looking from above probably would think it another tree. He laughed at that thought and matched off into the woods.

It wouldn't be a long trip. With the number of trees present it wasn't hard to find fuel for burning. Of course some were too small, for use, but gradually he found some sizable pieces. What he couldn't find on the ground he broke off from the trees themselves. A few more choice pieces and he'd be unable to carry it all. Using both arms he cradled the bundle he had collected.
"Ah, I'll need some kindling." he said to himself. When he spoke he heard something rustling in the bushes. It would seem he had startled something. He had figured most of the other creatures had already moved out of his way. Animals seemed to be able to detect him quite well. He recalled many instances when dogs had barked at him as he made patrols in the cities. Cats would hiss and birds would fly away when he arrived on a tree. It was interesting to say the least. Perhaps he wouldn't need the repellant features of the tent after all. All the animals were already wary of him. Arawn shrugged as he bent over to pick up some of the dead fallen leaves. They had turned brown already from being on the ground so long. "Perfect." He grabbed a handful and added some some thin twigs for good measure. It should be enough to last him the night. Looking up the sky wasn't as bright as it had been. Silently he wondered what time it was. Unfortunately he hadn't brought a watch with him. Other than food and shelter there wasn't much else he had taken for the trip. He felt some what naked. Scratch that he felt stuffy. Wearing a gigai was always uncomfortable. Why had his master insisted that he go a trip in one? No one was around. Again a shrug as Arawn made his way back to the tent.

The trip back took longer than expected as he got lost a few times. He was glad to be alone so no one could have seen him in the embarrassing moment.It was much darken now than it had been when he had decided to return. He finally emerged from the woods somewhat east of his camp. At least he was close. How had he gotten that far turned around? The tent seemed undisturbed since he left it. He glanced at the strange man's hut in the corner of his eye. Setting the wood down he moved over to the flap and opened it. Nothing inside had been disturbed. Digging into he pack he found the food and flint. Being in the woods all day he decided to have a small meal before going to bed. He'd be getting up early the next day.

Arawn ate his small can of soup in relative silence. He was tempted to visit his strange neighbor, but instead enjoyed his own company instead. The sky was getting darker and darker. Soon his humble fire was the only means of light as the shadows lengthened. There was no reason to bother the man. After scooping the last of the liquid into his mouth Arawn set the can on the ground. Letting the spoon hang from his mouth he stared into the fire. His meal complete there wasn't much to do, but relax. He removed the spoon and dropped it into the empty can. There were sounds coming from the forest around him, but nothing close. Birds calling and singing. There was the rustling of leaves as creatures moved through the bust around him. The fire both drew them and repelled them. He had a feeling that none of them would come close at this point. There were no signs of any dangerous beasts when he had gone looking for wood. If there were such animals they had claim to other areas. Arawn sighed and picked up a stick to stir the fire. For many moments he sat there poking at the pit. His mind drifted back to his last session with his master

Some days earlier

The sun was glaring down at him almost a fiercely as his Master from his seat on the manor's porch. Wearing only pants Arawn stood atop a boulder. The rock was hardly an idea perch. Without shoes on keeping his balance was difficult. His are were fully extended out to each side. In each hand was large stone slab. He was told to not let either brick drop. Arawn teetered back and forth as he tried to keep the extra weight up while remaining atop the stone. It had already been and hour and a half since this exercise started and he was sweating out of every pore. He almost looked like a fountain with the amount of liquid coming off his body. His arms felt like they were on fire. Even now they trembled with effort to keep the very heavy stone aloft. It wasn't until he had taken them in hand did he realize what they really were; sekiseki stone. Indeed it was the mysterious reikou draining material. Whatever strength he normally employed was sapped by the demonic stone. That aside each tablet had to weight at least over 75lbs. A small sum, but drained of his inner power it was more than enough. Holding them up was taking all the physical strength he could muster.

Back to the present

He had wondered what he had done to receive such treatment. As he thought about it now the answer was rather clear; he had lost another fight. But in his defense it wasn't against a simple opponent, he had went up against a captain. A captain!
"Such an unforgiving master." he muttered and poked the fire again. After that second hour finished he was allowed to stop and was told to go on this trip to train.
"Your training is till incomplete. Hyun-Mu must be tamed." Master Tsung words echoed to him. Shaking his head he poked the fire again before standing and retrieving the can. The flames had nearly died and the light had faded. Standing walked over to the edge of water and filled the can. When he moved back he poured the water onto the dying fire and stomped the rest of the embers out. He stood there waiting for his eye to adjust to the dark and made his way to the tent. Fumbling with the zipper he let himself in and closed it behind him. As laid down on the bed roll he tried to figure out what the old man had meant.

When he woke up it was still dark, but not the deep shroud of nighttime. Arawn stretched and stifled a yawn. He has surprised himself by waking up so promptly. Perhaps there was some truth in that old adage.'Early to bed, early to rise...' thought to himself as he stretched again and moved out of the warm bed. It wasn't the softest bed, nor was it the hardest. Still he felt somewhat rested despite the slightly unevenness. He fumbled in the darkness for the zipper and opened the tent. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the low light. Arawn stood motionless at the mouth of his tent listening to the forest waking up around him. Just as things look different at night Arawn noted the near alien appearance the area now had. It was cold without the sun to warm him and a fog had rolled in. The smokey substance was everywhere. Arawn felt like he was living inside a cloud for a moment. Most of the vapors was over the lake he shared the clearing with. It was literally a wall of white. There was no way to see across the waters. He could imagine someone accidentally walking into the water without even knowing it was there. That someone might be him if he wasn't careful. Shaking his head he closed the tent flap behind him.
"Enough procrastination." he sighed as he turned toward the ghostly woods. The grass crunched beneath his feet as he slowly made his way between the trees. The further he got from the lake the thinner the fog got. That was good as he did need to see where he was going. Arawn tried his best to walk a straight path. Every once in a while he had to go around a particular big tree or very nasty patch of poison ivy. Finally he came to a stop within a small circle of trees. This would be the perfect place.

Arawn began some warm up exercises. He was still wearing his gigai so he felt very stiff and uncomfortable. As much as he wanted to take it off he had been ordered to practice with it on. After doing some leg bends his eyes closed as he prepared himself mentally. As the minutes ticked by he tried to visualize what he was about to do. His master had suggested a forest for a simple reason; he was to attack the trees. Arawn's eyes snapped open as he darted toward the first tree. Without hesitation his right fist struck the thick bark. If he was human such a move would undoubtedly result in a broken hand. Thankfully Arawn wasn't human. Even with the minimal spiritual power he could muster it was enough to grant him some measure of strength. His fist broke the bark and dug into the tree. The oak shuddered with the blow, but stood firm. In his true form he probably could break the trunk in half. Undaunted he now hit with his left hand. The results were the same. Once again he tore through the bark and left an imprint in the wood below. Slowly he looked behind him and turned to face another wide tree as if it was a new opponent joining the fray. With a hop he lifted himself into the air. The distance between himself and the new target was closed by a flying side kick high up the trunk. His foot bounced off the trunk and he landed safely on his feet. Spinning he launched a reverse side kick now much lower. There was a loud sound as this kick impacted. The strength of a kick was greater than his fist by far. Rather than break the bark off it had shattered like glass before the shinigami's muffled power. He gave the trunk a low roundhouse kick as if taking out the opponent's knees and then a punch for good measure. Once again he turned to face another tree an begin attacking. Little by little he could feel himself heat up. With each punch and kick he slowly felt his body's stiffness ease. At the same time he felt hot as well. Exercising with a gigai on was like wearing a sauna suit. The false body began to sweat as Arawn further exerted himself. Fighting trees Arawn thought to himself as he struck the mighty oaks one after another. This is so damn old fashioned Again and again his first chipped away at the tree bark.

His mind wandered as his body went on auto-pilot. Kicks and punches were used in a constant string as Arawn moved from tree to tree. While the body functioned he tried to direct his mind. What was it that his master wanted him to learn from this? Hitting a stationary target had it's merits, but why trees? Why in a gigai? It didn't make sense. How long had he been at it? Already he could feel a slight ache as his fist slammed against a tree. Has his spiritual power already weakened? He tried to focus more, but it was hard to do so. Was that the point, to get him to better channel his power?