A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWcnwHJsiC
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WvQfaUWfq
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdg4Z3cg3Y
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATcwhpfbyO
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqTjRw3DoW
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8d2TSMo4h
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl29l9x5tyq
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxL4stYrDS
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP7H3TYszv
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!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrr91bMGlCp
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpxlwxKS7m
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRPAHrecq4
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0lFjhXtX6
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXzjusdByJ
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhOQsbI7lQ
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo8XGfkpqC
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TeH7J9Xkx
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKvVKRKa6G
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DfxdA7OBI
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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIdIbizfBk
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXo1p8VnT4
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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCsheorYaN
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjYHEuLv5L
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyudlcSwiSP
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EaSiv0ov8
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLYPEsJncQ
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyWm64OkwS
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WloFP8PTY
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvjzgpbpVC
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYz2PCPJ0p
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!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGgtlAPFcX
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZDHBxrOhO
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5INE44sbf7
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7giDyLoMve
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHzmChxKl8
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfGHThdyYa
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHCjuk4hhd
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfHPZlzGMS
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF32dqbSF4U
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxxjEWUNi8
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lujdL26zl
"Me too..." replies Akiko.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3RUWTPJaE
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnoYmCDZyW
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8U6sQQ62g
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnjnMAWoJT
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeeiMLpr7C
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGgihnMAem
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmMLmIexgF
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Uu7HiLz2P
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7KmkBsRsD
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmap9EW6jUa
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEybRXynf8
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhHyOidKjX
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DeN3e9VjF
Akiko willfully follows.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaDNPLyxs7
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZhO7vWzo3
Kirara responds "Argh..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpIMVIlox6
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhCsePPtj5
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8tbi1kqKF
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y9TDLHBPn
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcKuwaNXxX
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7nVP3jheS
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5CUiLePzU
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?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqVyEFTcW2
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyAJ9GFgYg
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qAxHAQUCq
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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDaK46SFX6
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQX24ElTNC
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbybhdq70k
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHy2KzxqMX
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GNC9YCY3o
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzSN5nd6rG
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNeP0Wiugi
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErukjF5jSk
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQQe49wvXo
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0QPoNMFmL
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoTdnicz8e
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDTDJhMzwv
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWblt9HC04c
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCce80XPG
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzxRp6TW6D
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrvxzkn0mw
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviTLUBBb4M
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcCrSLdQSq
