Walking into this forest was a mistake. Ikkaku freely admitted that. But when she’d tried to turn around, she found her way blocked off by what appeared to be string wound between the trees. Cautiously, she’d tested it with a single finger, only to find it was as strong as steel and razor sharp, the blood dripping down the tip of her index finger proof enough of that.
So, left with no other choice, she’d found herself wandering through the woods, cautiously trying not to run into the deadly, nearly-invisible barricades. It wasn’t always easy, since the dense forest canopy didn’t let in as much light as she’d like, and there were a few times her jumpsuit caught on the threads, resulting in irritating rips and shallow cuts.
Worst of all, it felt like someone was watching her the whole time. It made her wish she was better at Observation Haki - she’d love to find whatever freak show decided to trap her in this spider web-like maze.
Finally, though, she’d had enough. She’d been navigating the woods for what felt like hours, and it was time to either make her own path or draw out her voyeur. “Alright, whoever’s done this, whatever sick game you’re trying to play, I’m done!” she called out, a scowl marring her face.
No one answered. Not even the birds or wind. It reminded her far too much of the time she’d been lost in the woods when she was a kid. The only difference was, this time, she wasn’t going to hide from invisible monster and cry until her family found her. She was going to face her problems head-on.
Concentrating, Ikkaku coated her hands and feet with Armament Haki for protection. Studying the wall of string before her, she grabbed hold, testing their strength. The thin wires weren’t able to cut through her skin or boots, but they supported her weight.
Nodding to herself, she climbed over the wall of string and landed on the other side with a heavy thud. Smirking up at the trees, hoping her assailant could see that she wasn’t going to play by his rules anymore, she started up the next wall, determined to go in a straight line until she found the edge of the forest.
Trying to climb out of the forestry cage? Now that wouldn’t do. A stiff hand raised, strings coming from his fingertips glimmered lightly against the sun’s bright glares that threatened to peak through forestry brush. With a harsh slash upward, string that had covered entrances throughout the forest extended towards the sky, not too high, but enough to make it more difficult to climb up. Even impossible, give the surface area of the strings as they condensed so close together. This action would likely--no purposely--not knock her down initially...
The heavenly demon rose to his feet, standing up onto the tips of the toes of his shoes, like a dancer he seemed weightless as he bent long spidery legs then launched himself into the air, the light, and nearly invisible strings attaching to clouds above giving the illusion of flight as he headed towards his puppet. Still likely trying to climb.
It would hardly take long--quite fast, scarily fast, till he arrived just behind the lost Heart. He stood upon strings as a hand rested over her shoulder, the tips of string beginning to dig into her skin then wrap around her arm.
Restrict, Restrain, fly, and flaunt!
Low and close, his shoulders bending as he leaned himself so smiling face remained directly behind her head, even closer to her ear. Strings that had started to wrap tightly around her arm had begun to reach her hand, he held her up in a way...While his other hand slowly rose then gripped around the side of her skull, those same tiny strings beginning to threaten stabbing into her face--even one close to her eye.
A low laughter rumbled in his throat as he tightened both grip on her shoulder and face, though no string had begun to twirl around her face, at least...
Lo, little heart, poor heart, shall he stop your beating?