20 February 745, The Victory Gym
It had almost been a week. A terribly long one.
My body had sustained terrible damage that may leave permanent injuries if it wasn't for the fact that I could use ki. It helped took the burden of the damage and I was able to make a quick recovery.
However, an early recovery meant early training. I had tried building muscles everyday through basic exercises since my recovery as per Yamcha's request.
My Wolf Fang Fist apparently wasn't complete. It requires a lot of shoulder muscle and bicep power to pull it off which Yamcha has by surviving in the wilderness. If I want to be strong, I knew I had to follow his instructions.
Even with the help of ki, it wasn't easy. My ki had only spiked or increased when I was in danger and I chose to avoid that for awhile.
Yamcha to say in the least, was strong. I had not won a single spar since I started. His manipulation of ki was even stronger than mine as he could use it everytime he uses the Wolf Fang Fist.
Yamcha's training wasn't enough if I want to face Juyo again in the World Martial Arts Tournament which leads me to another sort of training. By none other than Leina, of course.
Her training was fairly different and yet similar to the training I had now. She still tell me to do laps around the city and told me to lift some weights like Yamcha but most of the time, she would make sure I learned the basics of martial arts, or more specifically, boxing.
She knew that kicking is one of the main elements of fighting and its extremely effective but she also knew that it requires great flexibility and leg strength to use it. So as an easier and faster solution, she taught me boxing.
And no. Boxing isn't any easier, it requires great stamina and patience as other martial artist had a larger arsenal to them. Boxing also requires a buttload of muscle to be able to do some actual damage. Hence, the muscle training.
As of right now, my muscles ain't exactly feeling very awesome. "Come on, push yourself up again. You don't want to lose in the tournament, right?!" My coach shouted as I struggled to push myself up from the floor. My arms were flimsy and I felt like I could die at any moment.
"I...can't." I muttered softly, wheezing in and out roughly. My eyes were slowly fading in and out due to exhaustion. I don't think I could take it anymore.
"Just do it!!" She shouted into my ear, which hurt and shocked me enough to give it one more go. I pushed with all of my energy, I could hear cracking sounds coming out from my arms but I went for it anyway.
After all, one more wouldn't hurt, would it?
"One...hundred..." I muttered softly, lacking the energy to talk any louder. I let my arms loose and I fell onto the floor with a 'thud', my eyes slowly trying to drift into unconsciousness.
Before I could though, Leina gripped me by the collar of my shirt and lifted me up with one hand. Yup, she's that strong.
"Don't go sleeping on me just yet. You still need to complete 10 laps around the city." She simply stated.
This is going to be a long day, isn't it?
~~~
I collapsed on the ground in the gym as I had finally completed the ten laps that I was instructed to do, gasping for air.
My body was tired, I couldn't take any more than this. It was a surprise that I could even last this long. "Not bad. You surprise me but you need to be better if you want to win in the World Tournament." Someone said from above.
I was too tired to look up but I knew it was Leina's voice. I could feel myself fading in and out, my heart racing. I knew I wouldn't be able to move anymore but I know that she is right. This isn't enough to win the tournament. This isn't enough to beat Juno.
I slowly got up, refusing to give up. My legs were wobbling and I couldn't stand straight, even my stomach started to hurt. "You're right...I won't win...like this. So please, give me my next...training." I told her, my breath wavering every so often.
She seem a little surprised that I said that but she recovered quick enough to not make it obvious. "I have a new training routine for you. Just wait." She said as she headed over to a locker and grabbed out something.
It looked like a band of sorts that you could attached on your body but how is that gonna help me?
"Put these on your wrists." She instructed me as I just continued to look at the odd object. I still don't believe how this could help me but she hasn't mislead me yet so I decided to trust her.
I did as she told to and attached it around my left wrist. However, as soon as I put it on, I could feel my hand got heavier. It took a lot of effort keeping my hand still, it was shaking immensely.
"These are wrist weights. They are usually used by martial artist around the world so it'll be useful for you." She explained. So that's what it is. In the way, this is similar to Goku's training although I have a feeling he's is way heavier. "Now, I want you to keep these weights on at most times, even when you're not training. When I've decided you're ready, I'll add another extra pound." She added.
Keep this on at all times?! That's like a death wish!! My hands were already straining from the weights for several seconds and she wants me to keep this on?! "H-how am I g-gonna last that long?" I asked her, out of disbelief more than anything.
"You'll be fine." She quickly dismissed my question. "By the way, I want you to wear these on your ankle as well." That made my jaw comically dropped to the ground. I can't take that much pressure, I'm already breaking. "Don't give me that look, sure it'll be hard but you'll certainly get stronger."
She might not be the best friend to ever have but she is a martial artist after all. I trust her judgment. "Fine. I guess I'll just take your word for it."
"Aww...that means a lot coming from you." She teased me, poking my cheek a little, bending over a little.
My face flushed a little but I refuse to give her the satisfaction. "Just give me the ankle weights already." I grumbled.
She stopped her teasing and straightened her posture. "Right, here." She said as she grabbed the weights from her locker. "Oh yeah, you don't have do anymore training for the rest of the day. Just put your weights on and walk back home." She stated.
Walk back home with the weights on?! I'm already so exhausted though. However, I held back my complaint and followed her orders. "Alright. See you tomorrow." I said as I headed out of the gym.
The sky was still pretty bright. It was only about 3 p.m. according to the clock back at the gym. I did not want to go back on my words so attached the weights around my wrists and ankles.
As I had finished, I straightened my back and took a step forward. My legs went a little wobbly, my muscle screaming in pain at me.
Damn it. This is too hard. I can't take this. I could just give up now. No one would blame me. After all, I'm we-
No. I must keep going. I won't repeat the past. I don't want to let people down again. I can do this. Just take baby steps.
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4.
~~~
20 February 745, Yamcha's hideout
I made it...I think. I can't tell the difference from a regular boulder and Yamcha's house anymore. They look really similar now that my vision is starting to blur.
The sky was starting to go dark, showing that it was going to be night. I really hope that this is the right place.
"Sam?" A voice called out from my left. I swirled my head to that direction to see a blurry figure standing there.
I couldn't tell who it was but judging by the voice and tone of familiarity. I had to assume it's Yamcha. "Yamcha?" I called out, my voice still exhausted.
"Sam!" He rushed over in worry as my body gave out a little, supporting my body before I could fall. "What happened?"
"Hehe..." I couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Leina's training happened." I told him.
I swear I could see him shudder a little. "You know, I'm kinda scared of meeting this person already. Hehe." He joked a little to lighten up the mood.
"...Yeah." I muttered softly. "I think I would like to rest for awhile. My body just can't take this burden anymore."
"Uhh...sure." As those words left his mouth, I immediately gave in to the tiredness and fell asleep, letting my eyes rest.
~~~
21 February 745, Yamcha's hideout
"Fist!" My sparring opponent shouted as he landed his palms straight into my chest, sending me to the floor.
Ever since I woke up, I had not took off the weights that Leina gave me. If this will help me, I must follow through this training.
"Are you alright?" Yamcha asked as he walked over to me. He reached out his hand, which I grabbed onto. "You've been pretty out of it throughout this match." Yamcha asked, his voice filled with concern.
"I'm...fine." I told him. I didn't want to worry him, he already had enough things to worry about. "Just tired is all."
Yamcha didn't look like he believed me but he chose to drop the subject. "Alright...if you say so. Just tell me when you need help, okay?"
"Yeah, no problem." I reassured him. "So, want to train our latent energy?" I changed the subject.
Yamcha stood a little in silence, his eyes looked at me disappointingly, filling me up with guilt. "Sure." He muttered.
The both of us sat down across each other, legs crossed. We sat up straight, or rather he sat up straight. I hunched a little due to exhaustion. We closed our eyes and concentrated on...something.
We don't exactly know how to draw our ki out on command. Therefore, we had this small ki training regime.
Our ki training usually consisted of meditating. It was probably the easiest way to draw out our ki, even if we failed to.
Yamcha had been able to draw out his ki whenever he used the Wolf Fang Fist. However, he had a hard time controlling it. I was able to use my ki whenever something dangerous happens or when I started panic with the exception of that one time where I took a break and concentrated on my ki.
This training might not only draw out our ki on command but be able to heighten our senses as well. The desert was one of the best place to meditate due to the silence.
We kept our position for awhile without moving, still as a rock can be. I tried to focus but I could only get bored. Being used to having something in hand at all times doesn't help me a lot in situations like these.
"Yes!" Yamcha shouted in victory across me. I won't lie, that made me jump a little. I opened my eyes in curiosity, wondering what had gotten Yamcha to be this happy.
As I opened my eyes, he was standing up, pumping his fist into the air, his grin wide. I can't say that I'm not curious as to what got him excited. "What happened?" I asked, being straightforward.
"You wouldn't believe it, I felt my latent energy just now!" He exclaimed. That was certainly unbelievable. He did it?! I could only widen my eyes in surprise.
Self Confidence level: 60%
I had to admit, I felt a little jealous. I mean, why wouldn't I be? However, I knew that he always had potential and he had trained harder than I did so I pushed down my feelings of jealousy and congratulated him. "That's a-amazing!" I complimented half-heartedly.
"I know right! Maybe if I continue concentrating, I might be able to use it!" Yamcha replied.
"Yeah, maybe you could." I encouraged him. He may have gotten progress but I know that I must work even harder if I want to be better. "Oh yeah, what time is it anyway?" I asked.
"Hmm...not sure. However, judging by the direction of the shadow from the boulders, it should be around 9 a.m." He told me as he glanced over at the boulder's shadow and the direction of the sun.
Shit! I'm late for Leina's training! She's gonna kill me! "S-sorry, I gotta go! You know the drill." I told him as I went into the house and grabbed my belongings.
As I rushed out of the house, Yamcha looked a little upset that our training had ended. "Oh...see ya, I guess."
I felt like I was betraying or disappointing him but I really needed to hurry before she kills me. "Don't worry, I will be back as usual." I reassured him with a smile before heading out.
"Where were you?!"She shouted at me with frustration, making me flinch. "You were suppose to be here an hour ago." She added.
"I'm terribly sorry for being late, the weights are a little hard to get used to." I reasoned to her, hoping she would understand. It was true, the weights had made walking to the city more than a mere chore.
"So you're saying it's my fault?!" She yelled as she took my words the wrong way...again.
"N-no!! It's my fault, I should've been more aware of the time." I explained to her, hoping it would calm her down.
She stood and paused for awhile, clearly thinking to herself. She suddenly sighed and faced me. "Very well, at least you own up to your own mistakes." I sighed in relief as those words left her mouth. "However." I froze up a little. "You'll have to do twice the amount of training for today, which means 20 laps, 200 pushups and so on, got that?"
I wanted to complain or retort but I knew that would only make my situation worse so I kept my mouth shut and nodded.
"Good. Now are you just gonna stand there or you're gonna run?!" She increased her volume as she spoke.
I quickly jump to action and started running off, with no destination in mind. I have to somehow overcome this, I don't want to give up just yet.
Need...to...rest. I had been running for the hour or so, I could barely keep track of time anymore. My brain had already went dead for the last couple laps.
I had counted that I had run around 4-5 laps so far. I probably shouldn't have counted, it made me feel like there's still a long way to go. Well, that because it is.
My legs couldn't take the pressure and gave out, my knees hitting the floor. I placed my palms in front of me, stopping myself from falling. The sweat I had gained from running, dripped to the floor.
I had not realized but my arms were trembling due to the wrist weights. Shit! Am I this pathetic? Why can't I even do this simple task?
I looked up with maximum effort and glanced at several other runners as well. They were jogging around the park, enjoying themselves. They running with such ease, making me sad a little.
Self Confidence Level: 40%
I clenched my fist tightly, shutting my eyes to calm myself and clear my thoughts. Just do it like how you did in meditation training, Sam. Calm yourself.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I opened my eyes again, setting my sights on a nearby jogger. Okay, Sam. Just give yourself a goal, one step at a time.
I slowly got back up, my legs a little wobbly.
Just run, Sam.
I started dashing off, my legs felt like breaking but I held on. One step at a time, Sam. One step at a time.
"Hey."
"Hey!!" Someone shouted from above me. I looked up to see Leina, glaring at me. "You've already reached two hundred."
Huh? I glanced around me, a little confused. Two hundred? What was I doi-
Oh. I was doing the 200 situps I was meant to do after I've done the 20km run and 200 pushups back to back. I must have went unconscious for awhile.
"S-sorry, I spaced out a little." I apologized quickly as if on response.
She, however, didn't shout at me as she always did and glanced at me, her eyes filled with concern? I wasn't too sure, I'm a little slow when it comes to reading people. "It's fine. Go back home, you've done enough today." She spoke softly, throwing a towel at me.
The towel was thrown on my face, my arms were too exhausted to catch the towel. The towel slipped off my face but I made no movement to catch it. I was still confuse as to what was happening. "H-hey, Leina." I called out. She turned her head towards me, awaiting my reply. "I-I can...still continue. Besides, I still haven't finish our training routi-"
"I said you're done for today!" She stated loudly, interrupting my reasoning. She turned away and walked, forcing me to watch her retreating back.
Self Confidence level: 20%
I sighed and laid down on the floor. If only I was stronger, then maybe she wouldn't cut my training short. If I only I worked harder!!!
...guess I'm done for today.
~~~
"Sam?" Yamcha called out from the inside of his hideout. "You're quite early today." He stated with genuine surprise.
"Yeah. Leina said I should rest for the day." I told him, walking into his house.
"Leina told you that? From what I gather, she doesn't seem like that kind of person." Yamcha said as he was setting his home-cooked bowl of ramen on the table.
"Yeah. She told me that." I said, slightly downcast. I settled my belongings near my sleeping area which I had not taken off since Leina's training this morning. I took a seat across Yamcha and made myself comfortable.
Yamcha looked at me with awkwardly, probably having trouble to start a conversation. Despite that, he started one anyway, "...You want to talk about it?" He asked.
"There's nothing to talk about, Yamcha. Just me problems." I told him, hoping he would drop the subject. I did not want to make him worry about my problems when he already has his own.
"Maybe...you can make it a 'we' problem?" Yamcha attempted to crack a joke to lighten the mood had failed.
"...Look, Yamcha. I just don't want to talk about it." I ignored the urge to retaliate his joke but chose not to.
Yamcha sighed heavily and went back to eating his ramen but before he took a bite, he voiced out his thoughts, "I thought my brother would trust me but I guess I was wrong." After that, he took a huge bite of his ramen.
I knew he was trying to get me to talk, I wasn't stupid. But I won't lie, that hurt me more than I thought it should. I was almost tempted to talk but being the stubborn and stupid person I am, I still remain firm.
"But even then." My friend talked after swallowing his food in his mouth. "I will trust him with my life because he is my brother."
That almost made me teared up, my heart was beating out loud. I was honestly shocked to hear that from him, not due to his personality, but the fact that I was treated as such.
I did not know why he said as such, or why he care about me that much.
But one thing was for sure, I had a good night sleep.
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Self Confidence level: 100%
~~~
Author's note: Hello everyone!! Sorry for not publishing for so long but I'm here to let you guys know that I'm still here.
I had not receive any reviews lately but I'm happy for the new follows!!!
Anyways, even if there wasn't any fighting, I would still add this,
Sam: 6 (exhausted) 4
Yamcha: 9
Leina: 9
And here's an omake for you guys. :)
~~~
(Leina's POV)
I was impressed by his determination...impress is a strong word. I think the word I'm looking for is surprise.
He had not complained once throughout the entire training I had given him. He had accepted the weights I had given him despite it being so heavy.
There were that he annoys me though like how he always apologises for almost everything he do. It kinda makes me frustrated, but he is good nonetheless.
He still wanted to go on despite him being exhausted and tired. However, I had to stop him there. If he go any further, he will only damage his body which is counter-productive.
Besides, it would also shorten his lifespan. I don't want to him to die so quickly.
He might prove to be a good challenger one day, but as of now, I'll just have to wait.
~~~
A little bit of insight of Leina's mind and her thought process.
Anyways, I hope you guys would leave a review or a criticism that is well- constructed. I hope to see you guys soon.
