Gaara nodded. He was beginning to understand why taijutsu training required so much repetitive movement--punching or kicking a training post hundreds upon hundreds of times, until the movement was so ingrained into your body and brain you couldn't forget it even if you wanted.

Lee was right. At this point, sparring wouldn't accomplish much; the difference between them was too great. Gaara had to start by re-conditioning his own body and mind. "I'll start setting aside some time each day to train myself," he said. "The next time we spar, I'll be more prepared."