To Cross A Cat's Path [Closed]

If it wasn't for Micah being unable to express much, Yugiri would catch wind of deep confusion. In terms of what he was trying to get at, the girl wasn't really wrong. At least, not far off. What Micah really meant was, more specifically, "patient determination". But, in retrospect, meditation really was the embodiment of "patient determination". Once more, Micah felt presumptuous in regards to forming an opinion on the Lady Yugiri. This time, his smile went down, and as the only change of his expression, it might be confused for confirmation on her answer. In reality, it was because Micah moved that wide smile of his to be internal. There was a limit on how wide his face could smile, but no limit on how wide his heart could. This kid was, really, really interesting.

"Alright then. Keep staring into my eyes, as before, and surrender yourself to the feeling. Surrender yourself to the emptiness that drains of you everything--but do not surrender who you are to it. Let the emptiness be a means of guidance, a tool to achieve your goals. Be steadfast in its pull, but don't resist it."

It was hard to convey these things through words alone. Micah changed his posture to match Yugiri's, back straight, legs crossed, everything. He kept his eyes on hers and fell silent. Thank goodness for the effects of his shikai--at this point, Micah was winging it a bit. He had a plan in mind, but Yugiri swept him off course a bit. His explanation was genuine, however.

After all, reaching into yourself, bringing out your zanpakuto, and even expanding your reserves, yourself, and your world, is largely done-so in part by emptying yourself of trivialities and unnecessary additives, but retaining, even strengthening the essence of your being. Those two independently were fairly difficult on their own, and doing both at the same time was even harder as the two were total opposites. One was passive, inaction, and releasing. The other was proactive, action, and binding. For this purpose, Micah's shikai would serve to basically guarantee achieving one side of the coin. Now, the other half was entirely up to Yugiri to achieve. Within all this apathy and emptiness, could the Shihouin not only maintain herself and her will, but fortify and empower it?

It seemed like progress was being made. Yugiri went silent and put her focus into this staring contest. Given that his shikai, Micah was really good at staring contests. In his mind, to keep himself occupied mentally, that's what they were doing. Of course, he was still making sure she was staying on task all the while, and once he noticed a bit of a shift in her demeanor and presence, Micah spoke up, hoping to clarify what he meant and offer further guidance.

"Lady Yugiri, you are responsible for succeeding in this training. Remember where you are, what you are doing. Nothing else matters except for that one, singular purpose. Allow the apathy to wash away everything around. A willow branch bends with the water and winds, but if there are no waters and winds, there is nothing to bend to. Your will is that branch, your distractions are the waters and winds. You do not bend to them because your will is strong--you do not bend to them because they are not there. Not your worries, not your future, not your past, nothing. The only thing there is, is your will. Focus."

Micah was true to his word. Until something happened, until Yugiri moved, he was a frozen buddha statue, his eyes continuing to look into hers, peering into her soul. Micah was exceptionally attuned to death and lifespan, so he was wholly aware of what point was too far for the young lady. Until then, for however long it would take, the shinigami stayed there, in this dark world, where the only two things which existed was Micah and Yugiri.

"Back already, m'lady? Everything alright with yourself?"

Micah was aware of Yugiri's break in meditation as soon as it happened. Physically, Micah didn't see much difference in her appearance. He did notice some spiritual differences and prompted Yugiri to check herself, but other than that she seemed healthy and fine.

"Well, I had another part in mind to expand your energy reserves, but it would be good to know how well you've done yourself before we take the next step. Has anything changed? In particular, it would be most beneficial if the actual depth and capacity of your reserves has expanded--the present content of energy within them isn't as relevant."

"This is the really easy part, but it's a bit painful and requires our undivided, physical attention."

Micah separated his legs and scooted closer to Yugiri, holding out his hands with open palms facing upwards, resting on his knees.

"It's really simple--I'm going to start breaking the walls of your energy reserves, and you will have to repeatedly consolidate and control your energy to prevent it from leaking out. Once I'm done battering at your reserves, they will repair. It's very dangerous if we aren't careful, and it's also very painful. However, if we succeed, while it will take a while for your spirit to adjust and actually fill out your reserves, once you do adapt your energy will be much higher as a whole. The other difficult aspect is dealing with the imbalance of your own energy reserves and your zanpakuto, but with good communication that imbalance can quickly become inconsequential. It's up to you on whether you'd like to try this out."

If she was all in for it, all Yugiri needed to do was place her hands into Micah's palms.