He sputtered, pushing the mud away from his mouth. The chain became snagged on the bottom of the bamboo tree in front of him, ceasing its forward progression. The bamboo snapped, falling down atop of Kusunoki. Splintering on top of his skull his eyes rolled back in his head, as if he'd passed out. He rose from the ground now, his mind a blank. The empty vessel swayed slightly from heel to toe, teetering in his position. With his motions the trees around him billowed opposite to his movements. It was as if an unnatural wind had brought the forest to life. Kusunoki's right arm was thrust upward now, throwing his scythe blade over an arching bamboo tree. It swung now like a bob pendulum high above him.
Suddenly, he snapped both of his arms straight out in front of him. His wrist bent slightly, positioning his fingertips at a 45 degree angle toward the ground. The ashen phalanges began to move erratically; flexing and tensing. They ceased their uncontrolled spasms resting tranquilly with only a slight curl. His body swayed once more leaning backward heavily, knees bent, shoulders back, and elbows bent at a ninety degree angle. That 'false wind' once again swayed the trees in the direction of his movement. A creaking noise was produced from his knees as he brought them into a more comfortable position. His iris and pupils still unseen, from his previously acquired knot.
A few moments passed, the forest remaining still and quiet, almost as if no battle was taking place. The trees seemed lifeless, standing still in their places. It was almost unnatural. Breezes came and went, nothing moved except the loose leaves that had fallen along the ground. The still was shattered, and dispersed around Kusunoki's form. From a distance, he would appear to be an odd statue placed in a peculiar part of the bamboo area. The wind now swirled violently, almost in a gale force around the man. He seemed to be the eye of this furious wind.
Amidst the fury of the swirling winds his fingers began to move in a sequence. This was truly strange, as his head swayed from side to side, so did the trees, the 'wind's' movements shifting rapidly. His body swayed to the right now, his feet working upon the terrain, creating small cracks with every step. His iris less eyes continued to stare blankly ahead, with the rapid dialing of his fingers in front of him. Moonlight seemed to glimmer from his frame, sparkles fluttering around his phalanges. He stopped behind Keiichi, the distance had remained ten feet, unaware to Kusunoki.
Kusunoki's right foot soon met with a wet patch in the clear, sliding over to his side. His skull crashed into another tree, splintering on impact. His eyes reverted to their azure hue, growing wide with the pain he now felt. His hands grasped the top of his head, and he rocked back and forth. A slurring of curse words flew from his mouth crashing into the ears of anyone who had heard, like a raging river against the banks. Writhing upon the forest floor he continued to lay there, unsure of how he'd gotten behind the man, or why his head was in such pain.
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