The Akata Clan Grounds rested at the bottom of the second tallest mountain in Lightning Country. It's a three part area, with the first lowest section of the grounds being a splendidly well kept meditation garden, with a rivlet that flowed around the perimeter of the entire grounds, a bridged crossed the rivlet onto the property. Within the meditation garden are plenty of comfortable places to sit, plenty of beautiful plants whose aroma fills the air with sweet relaxing scents. The second area is a rather large training field dedicated to the clan's chakram throwing training. It has a target practice field, a challenge section, and standard target posts. The third highest section is the patriarch's living quarters, and the family dojo.

Takeshii kneeled on a soft cushion within his home in his father's study. His father had concerns that he wasn't focusing enough on his training and wished to give him the tutelage that he needed. His father Tsubame was a severely scarred man from his many battles, his eyes were blue with sunflowers in the middle, a trademark of the Akata Clan Bloodline. At this point he wore a black gi with the clan's crest on the back, a white and yellow rope around his waste denoting that he was a master of both the Clan's Onojutsu techniques and Kyojutsu techniques. The yellow rope representing that he mastered the Chakram in close quarters combat, and the white representing that he had mastered it in long distance combat as well.

"Son, you've been shirking on your training haven't you?"

"Yes, sir. But I shall make up for it today. Any challenge you set forth for me, I will complete."

"Very well, I'll begin with refreshing your knowledge of the clan's basic long distance techniques. Follow me to the training fields, and bring your chakram."

Grabbing his set of standard chakram he made his way to the Clan's training field where his father waited in front of the target posts. After giving Takeshii his instructions to hit the central post, he would stand back and watch. This was his teaching method, give an objective, see the basic form of the student, than correct as needed.

Takeshii grabbed one of his chakram holding it as one might hold a frisbee and let it rip as hard as he could, but released too early sending it flying into the garden. The second chakram he through was released too late, and curved towards the dojo. He thought a moment and nodded, the third chakram was thrown at just the right angle, but didn't have enough speed to make it too the post. With the fourth chakram Takeshii made sure to put extra umph into it but to throw it at just the right angle. It flew straight and stuck into the post.

"Good, now go get the chakram that missed and we'll do it right. First off if your grip, when throwing from the inside position you need to place your index finger along the edge of the chakram, this gives you greater accuracy when throwing the chakram. In combat ranged attacks is all about angles. There are four main angles of throwing the chakram, the inside throw which you've been doing is best for long distance straight shots but has a wider silohette making it easier to spot by the target. You have 10 chakram, I want you to start here and throw all ten into the center post while circling around it. Don't stop moving, and don't miss. If you do, we start over until you get it right."

Takeshii took his position at the dojo corner of the field and would make his way towards to the garden corner. On his father's mark he'd start running tossing a chakram every other step, making sure that his hand position was correct and that he was throwing at the right angle.

tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, zing. He hit all but the seventh which knicked the target and ricocheted off. After grabbing all his chakram from the post he'd start again.

"As you travel around the target, keep your body angled the same towards the target so that each throw is exactly the same."

With a nod, Takeshii started running again, this time also keeping a mind on his bodies position relevant to his target.

tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak, tak. Success!  All 10 chakrams made their mark.

"Good, now this time I want to bee line grab you chakram and come back. Your next drill is to bee line your way from your start position to your end position. You're body angle will be different with each throw, so alter your throwing angle to compensate."

Again Takeshii took his chakram and went to the start position. However his first run was horrible he missed with his second chakram. His second was marginally better as he missed with the fourth. He took a moment to think about the angle of his normal throw and thought of what angle he'd need to compensate and started again. The third time was much better, and he missed with his eigth toss. His final try was a complete success, and after doing it two more times successfully he engrained these angles into his mind.

"Very good, I'd say thats a wonderful start son."


(915/1500 for Kyojutsu Sub-Spec)

"Next is the under hand toss. This toss is best for going over obstacles, or between corridors. It has equal range as the inside toss, but has a much thinner profile to the target making it harder to spot. So just like before, I want you to start by throwing your chakram into the post. However this time, you'll start close to the target and take three steps back with each throw. Also the hold is the same with the underhand toss as it is with the inside toss."

Takeshii started about 5 feet away from the post, and his first shot was like child's play. He stepped back 5 more feet and again his second shot was very easy. However after 5 more feet, the angle of throwing was different and he made it to the target but he hit low. So he grabbed that chakram and went back to his 15 ft. position. He tossed harder and it stuck where he wanted it too.

At each consequitive toss, the angle changed slightly and each time the chakram arched more to get to the target. Takeshii could see how this would be difficult to use in combat, as it also took slightly more time to use the underhand toss, than to use the inside toss which kept the body at a lower profile and threw straight from the body. However, the fact that it could be used to go over obsticles or between obsticles was a positive note, as that meant he could use this toss in situations where he couldn't use the other. When he had successfully completed his objective his father decided to make it more difficult, by using his Doton jutsu to create a low wall in front of the target that went about half was up the target.

"We'll do the same thing, but I'm going to give you one extra chakram. Use the inside throw to try going over the wall from here. See what happens."

Takeshii did as his father asked, and threw an inside throw over the wall, however the angle while it did take it over the wall also took it above the target.

"You see... that is why you use the underhand toss in this situation. It will go over the wall, and than fall into the target. It's important that you don't go too far over the wall, the higher you throw the more time your opponent has to react to it. However, a good tactic when in combat is to throw one high and one low. The opponent's eyes will typically track the obvious threat, the high toss, while the lower one comes in and surprises them. With the lower chakram a surprise attack the second chakram will typically hit soon after allowing you to hit your opponent twice with relatively high success rate. For now throw one at a time over the wall."

Takeshii took his stance and tossed one chakram at a time over the wall, some went high, some went low but none of them hit the wall. However only 7 of them made it to the target. So after retrieving his chakram again, he'd restart a more consistant pattern took place as Takeshii figured out that with a stronger throw you could make a smaller trajectory, while lighter throws needed a higher trajectory. So his second attempt was a success, with each chakram hitting somewhere on the post.

"Very good, not to make it harder. As I stated before this technique is also useful for going between obstacles. Try this." His father would use his Doton jutsu to split the stone wall he had created in half, making a 4 inch split. Also raising it so that Takeshii couldn't simply go over the wall. He would have to go through the 4 inch space.

Takeshii nodded, but his first chakram skimmed a wall and never made it through. His second was more careful but lacked the power to make it to the target. His third throw was powerful enough to make it to the target, but again skimmed the wall and even though it made it through the space it went off kilter and missed the target. His father signaled him to start over.

"You're not focusing enough son. Use your eyes, you'll see the space for what it is. An openning. Don't worry, you've got this."

Takeshii focused, his vision blurred as his target came into focus. Like when you look just at the tip your finger and the rest of your vision blurs out, but your finger is in perfect focus. The only thing in existance was the space and the target. Takeshii focused on the target and the space itself blurred out of existance. The only thing left was the target. No obstacles, a perfectly open field, all Takeshii had to do was throw his chakram. The chakram whirled through the air, perfectly straight. Straight through the space, straight to the target post, and TAK! Success!

Another flew, another hit. Another flew, another hit. Ten in a row, and none missed. Takeshii had finally found his rhythm.

"Excellent! That's all for basic techniques. Next for the challenge course. Follow me."

Takeshii followed his father to the opposite end of the training field to the challenge course, this course was a wooded area with straw manequins in various positions. Ten in total. Three in trees, two hiding behind ledges, three in the open (two with hostages), and one behind two trees with a 2 inch openning.

"There are ten targets, target is painted in certain areas. Red paint means that hitting these areas can cause death, while Blue means that hitting these areas can cripple or stun your opponent. Your objective is to hit the red spots on each target. That means you must hit the neck. However, I will count throws that hit blue areas as well. The wrists, ankles, elbows, knees, or groin. Cutting these will prevent movement of those limbs allowing for an easier target. Have at it. Cutting the groin causes both intense physical pain and psychological distress."

Takeshii took a look at the lay out, and decided to take the one between the trees out first, focusing his sight he threw an under handed toss between the trees, but ricochetted it in such a way that it curved off the tree and stuck into the manequins neck just above the shoulder. Two more were thrown one with each hand into the necks of the two manequins holding the hostages. One more into the one without the hostage, cutting deep into the throat. He tossed one underhand toss over the ledge which hit the mannequin on the other side. Sticking into it's shoulder, just touching the red paint. A horizontal toss stuck into a mannequin peaking over the other ledge. That left three more, they were all in the trees. He threw two horizontal chakrams at once into the manequins on the left and right hitting both necks, and the last one was a strong vertical toss that lodged itself into the groin of the last mannequin.

"Very good. 9 out of 10, but the last one would have fallen from the tree and died anyways, so I'll count it. You pass your training, good job son. Now retreive your Chakram and meet me at the Dojo. The next part of your training will begin there. Don't forget your large chakram."

(+1261)

(1500/1500 kyojutsu)
(using the left over from my Kyojutsu training to go towards Bukijutsu, 676/2000 bukijutsu C->B)

After going home to retreive his two large Chakram, a pair of 12 inch wide ring blades used in both close quarters combat, and ranged combat. Takeshii would stroll over to the family dojo where his father awaited for him. He'd remove his shoes, go to the changing room where he would put his gi and blue belt on. The families belt system went as such, white, yellow, green, blue, brown, red, and finally black. Grand Masters like his father wore a thin black rope, his father was a grand master of the families ranged weapon style as well, and so wore a white rope as well. The inside of the dojo was split into two parts, the back room was small and contained four smaller rooms for changing it also contained a storage room with a variety of chakram, small, large, and extra-large. The large main room had 6 training mannequins 3 on either side of the large dojo, and an empty space in the center.

"Ok, we'll go over basic techniques for close quarters combat and review your basic kata. First off, I want you to tell me where your targets are on the body when using the chakram. Show me on this mannequin."

"The neck, tendons on the arms and legs, stomach, and chest." Takeshii replied, and than struck the mannequin on each spot respectively, the neck with a straight strike, the tendons where the elbow bends with a chop, the tendons on the backs of the knees with a slash, and a straight strike to the chest, followed by a slice across the stomache.

"Good. When attacking the throat you have two options. You can go for a straight strike, with sufficient force you can cut both the carotid arteries and the jugular veins. When attacking the tendons, a clean cut against them will severe them. When attacking the heart its important to go between the ribs, afterwards cut out through the sides."

His father would use one of his own Chakram to demonstrate each blow.

"There are three main types of attacks with the chakram. First is the Slash, this makes wider wounds but the wounds typically aren't that deep. The second is the thrusting strike, or Chakram Punch. This causes deeper wounds, but the wounds cannot be wider than the width of the chakram itself. The last is called the hook, this is using the ring for grappling, hooking it over a limb in an effort to control it. This is also the primary means of defense with the chakram. I want you to demonstrate each. A Slash across the stomach, a hook over the head, and using the hook a chakram punch to the throat."

Takeshii followed suit, turning in a circle he'd slash across the belly with both chakram. Than hooking one over the head he'd thrust the other chakram into the throat cutting deep into the mannequin's neck. He'd than unhook the chakram. Crossing his hands over his body he'd use an X cut across the mannequin's chest.

"Mm... Good. Now to review your Kata."

(1200/2000 Bukijutsu C->B)

"Start with White Belt and continue to Blue Belt."

"Yes, sir."

Takeshii took his spot in the center of the floor. Crossing his chakram over his body he'd bring them to his sides. Stepping forward with his right leg he'd execute a left horizontal slash to his left side followed by a straight chakram punch to the same side. Stepping forward he'd repeat the action on the opposite side. Crossing his hands he'd execute a spreading horizontal slash to both sides followed by two vertical cuts to the front with both hands. Stepping forward with his right leg he'd execute a double chakram punch than he'd bring both chakram to his right side, with his right hand behind his back. He'd turn with his left leg and execute a double horizontal cut first with his left leg and than with his right with a short yell to denote the end of the first form. Stepping back he'd cross his arms and bring his chakram to his side.

"Good. Yellow Belt Kata, begin."

With a bow, Takeshii would begin. Stepping to the side with his left leg into a horse stance he'd execute a spreading horizontal slash to both sides, he'd than punch his chakram over their respective shoulder. Following this movement he would step forward with his right leg and turn to his left, simultaneously crossing his arms and executing an X-cut. He'd step forward again with his right leg with a chakram punch. Turning to his right he'd execute two horizontal cuts to his right, than stepping with his left leg repeating the process to the opposite side. Standing stationary he'd execute a left vertical chakram punch, followed with a step with his right leg a horizontal chakram punch and a short yell. Stepping back he'd cross his arms and bring his chakram to his side once more.

"Very good, son. Green Belt Kata, begin."

Again Takeshii bowed. Stepping forward with his right leg he'd raise his right arm in a middle block while his left hand executed an vertical side punch in front of the block, following this his right hand executed the same strike to the left side, and than his left hand would execute a straight chakram punch. He'd switch legs, bringing his right leg in and than stepping out with his left and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side. bringing his left leg in he'd turn with his right leg with two horizontal slashes to the right. He'd turn to his left and step forward with his right leg with two horizontal slashes to the left and a left chakram punch. This would be followed by a low chakram punch to a femoral artery, and a stepping chakram punch to the tendon on the front of the arm pit. Turning to the right and stepping with his left leg he'd execute another low chakram punch to a femoral artery, followed by another stepping chakram punch to an armpit tendon, and a stationary chakram punch to the throat of an imaginary enemy ending with a short yell. Turning around he would cross his arms and bring his chakrams to his side.

"Excellent. Blue Belt Kata, begin."

Again Takeshii bowed. Crossing his left leg over his right, he'd bring his right hand over his head and his left hand to his left side. His right leg stepped over his left and he turned to his left he'd execute two vertical cuts with his left than his right while crossing his arms. His right leg would cross over his left and he'd repeat the series of attacks on the opposite side. Crossing his legs again he'd turn fulling around Hooking his left chakram and pulling the chakram in as he executed a vertical cut with his right hand to the top of an imaginary enemies head. Stepping forward he would repeat the attack, than turning to his right he'd repeat it again, and stepping forward he'd repeat it once more. Stepping back with his left leg he'd execute two circular low horizontal cuts with his right hand. Using a turning step with his left leg, he would execute an elbow to the ribs of an imaginary enemy, than hooking his chakrams around the enemy's neck and opposite arm would turn again and throw the enemy over his body before punching a chakram into his throat. Turning with his right leg he would repeat the action on the opposite side. Rising from the ground, he'd cross his arms one last time, and bring his chakram to the side.

"Wonderful. You pass. I bestow upon you, my son. This brown belt. Please take a knee, and remove your belt."

His father would take Takeshii's blue belt, and tie a brown one around his waist. Than as his father stood, Takeshii would go on both knees and deeply bow to his father. His training complete for the day, the two would walk to the house where Takeshii's father would tie his blue belt onto a stand in his room. They'd meet Takeshii's mother in the dining room for dinner; Bulgolgi and Kimchi.

(2088/2000 Bukijutsu C->B)

~Exit for now~