A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nEgM0gEFW
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYpk6HjDTG
Doors slam open; a little man walks proudly past his stationed samurai guards. Arrogantly, he strides to the center of a spacious courtyard. An out of breath man comes running then stops off to the right just shy of the small man.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4o8WhDSy0
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwDB3AqrDS
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfjdkoJPSa
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVefxMJzfRu
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr0Ohnzyn4
Suddenly, interrupting with a violent motion Lord Yamada raises his extended right arm with open hand stopping just before Advisor Shin's trembling face. Simply, he already knew what Advisor Shin was going to say, since he had heard it many times before.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDYcKZmuOi
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPAtxg6LtJ
Lord Yamada twists his head towards the right and slightly downwards then glares at Advisor Shin, "Don't just waste my time, find replacements now!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgvXfOivBd
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AUlUjfI9V
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNkqUHtzA
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuetgyzTTH3
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBnfWVMX8f
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp99yiNZzV
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tHNwHD2aB
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1BgKJBdtd
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniHpdmiks7
The man just nods. As he quickly disappears from the chamber, another man walks up to where Lord Yamada commands. He whispers something into his ear.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ApmGRN8v
Lord Yamada looks up with a devilish grin responding likewise to the advisor, "Have them brought to my bed chambers." then under his breath, "Can't have enough peaches."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVnm8Gn3GR
With a wooden creak, the heavy doors to the audience chamber open. Proudly, a single guard drags a half-beat up old man before Lord Yamada.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKeZBS04nN
Abruptly, the guard releases the old man in front of Lord Yamada. Baffled, the old man seems disoriented. Coldly, the guard informs Lord Yamada, "We caught him loitering out front."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZUMdjByo7
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaI76QmhPh
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsalY7ExcZu
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsucD6JKY7h
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf9fUKjro0
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9X151Ho88
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAQbG6eUBD
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXwFPhAUBx
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkwQBPylUz
As the guard proceeds to haul him out from the chamber, Junichi swiftly maneuver's his head and appeals, "My lord, I proof! Just let me show you!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10zvkgmO4A
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjpFP2azXA
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfggzrVYhNK
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o4ShHU6e1
Gradually, a joyfully malevolent smile possesses Lord Yamada as he has never seen the rumored golden-haired girl. As silence pervades the hall, Lord Yamada continues to admire it for yet another minute.
An advisor attempts to abort a sneeze, but fails.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76c7Kocev5
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEf9OrJz7c
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0xUDAmJvj
In the distance, Kirara happily climbs up a twisted tree. Closer by, Akiko sits and plays with some perfectly shaped rocks as some are cubes while others are spheres.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34EQ1clrxp
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGDDIA5iZV
Suddenly, Kirara flips off a tree and lands like a cat. Slowly, Akiko stands up and briefly dusts herself off. Shortly, both girls appear before Chizue with sparkling eyes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOOovlXVR1
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sdAnh6k1a
"Me too..." replies Akiko.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISz09GYkiX
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvAmIIPqRc
Happily, the three girls walk out to the edge of the clearing. They follow a lightly travelled path which slopes down weaving through a heavily wooded forest. Chizue leads the way. Obediently, Akiko walks behind Chizue carefully watching her step. Periodically, Kirara wanders off forcing Chizue to call out to her.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9BpUbrsoq
Chizue rolls her eyes, "Kirara what are you doing?" as Kirara hangs on a branch as it suddenly snaps and she falls flat on the ground.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBV6Ryz8rL
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSSXwb0udG
Chizue lets out a heavy sigh, "Are you trying to get lost?" as Kirara attempts to crawl into some bushes, but Chizue pulls her out by the neck of her clothes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EyLKM3iXq
Finally, they reach the town of Yamada. Smiles overtook both girls' faces. Unlike its days of prosperity, the town now looks desolate with some dilapidated and abandoned homes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2JPbJFSjL
Chizue trades some foraged goods for treats. She gives each girl a couple of them. Unsurprisingly, Kirara finishes hers in a couple bites while Akiko savors hers.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDhz6RXcT3
From a distance, old man, Junichi fiddles with some coins. Unexpectedly, he turns his head spotting the golden-white and red haired girls who tower over the black-haired girl. Instinctively, Junichi begins to rub his hands together as he continues to creepily stare at the girls. Accidentally, Chizue's eyes meet with Junichi's then abruptly avert from his lecherous gaze.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK8UyC2cJA
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdVC6Sx9aQ
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImbWSK8pEm
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qDITtc3RP
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECkx55wqQL
Akiko willfully follows.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPO4kAv35R
Chizue pulls Kirara's arm to get her moving, but her feet take only a couple of steps then halts. With a desperate, angry power, Chizue yanks getting her finally to follow.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaCn6ySMUw
Kirara responds "Argh..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoB1zkKyRt
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKJwRXqyBy
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0yabUc2p5
With their previous experience, Akiko seems disinterested while Kirara seems oblivious focused on what she is doing. With a small branch, Akiko starts drawing on the dirt floor before her some figures as she has already drawn some clouds and a detailed house. Meters away, Kirara lays flat on her back looking up and pointing at the sky.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeaNKfp2Rd
As she enters the town, Chizue stops briefly at the gate; her hair begins to stand on end. However, everything looks as usual, so Chizue sells some foraged goods to one townsperson followed by another. Momentarily, eyes appear between the gaps of the buildings then disappear. Chizue glances, but nothing seems amiss.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzvxSaW0ZV
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0x6vzPYxA
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cj1e5klNC
With a sudden motion, Keiko removes a sheet to uncover some simple accessories, "I've got some new items. Might any of these interest you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhEYzb7b0M
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagFxil4j49
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKw5Ol0zEj
Haltingly, Chizue steps forward. Keiko places a hand on the middle of her back and coaxes her closer while pointing with her other hand, "I think these would be great for the girls."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaTLidsWRo
A small young hand releases some coins; an older hand receives them; another small hand acquires some hair pins; the young hands place the hair pins within a worn bag; hands wave goodbye; youthful legs begin to walk.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKWmY6JvpO
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix3ILpJnU1
Hands shoot from the shadows; narrowly, the figure avoids; hands dart towards again; swiftly, the figure twists and feet spring off a discarded box; a man trips over a box.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3PamzGXK9
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzt9SKtPFd
Legs dart through the stalls, a youthful hand waves; wind blows some dust up into the air; dust assaults eyes; a man crashes into a fruit stall; another man halts, furiously rubs his eyes; escaping, legs bound into an alley.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNbp4nTkzV
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmmZiOijTq
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTaMzAQd0E
A hand opens with some berries; another hand instantly grabs them; a mouth quickly gobbles up the berries; asking for more food, a hand quickly opens and closes in rapid succession.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVlYsWxPBV
Realizing she has no more food in her possession, Akiko casually stands, turns, walks a little, then digs through their food stash.
Calmly, Akiko rotates back, "I've got some more-", but notices Kirara is gone.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIB3BYqz63
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2JIq9HQ4e
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkg6lPpDQU
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8pA8eQ3Yv
Darkness descends on the forest. Abruptly, Kirara stops, examines her surroundings, and finally notices she is lost. Restlessly, she wanders the unfamiliar surroundings longing for familiar faces. Denizens of the night break the calm. Slithering in from the edges of darkness, a mist emerges followed by the wind evolving into a howl. Spontaneously, a hand grabs her wrist forcing, Kirara to spring back.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1j0Hf0BQl
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbhv0PPe2S
Legs dash through the gate, briefly stumble on a rock; taking a wide stance, legs stabilize halting briefly; eyes spot the tree line; legs begin anew; despite feeling like lead, legs stubbornly refuse to quit.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhYzj0RIyd
As soon as Chizue reaches the fifth tree in, she falls down out of sight behind it. Over the course of a couple minutes, her breathing calms. Sweat drenches her from head to toe.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar9ytMOHBQ
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOy1JRx4AO
