A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZlAniS6LU
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2pz8wTEyS
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLAnVsve3x
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN0vMomvxU
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMulVoQlNe0
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX7fPxXm44
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa5sFKMvuA
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1JwvsO8WQ
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXmW1Ll728
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!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrneAus940c
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAspcFlT44
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz03Kk1F6Mc
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7wjulguAH
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8klDQI5zMd
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBK1CEpAqX
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p5LkDBUCO
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrMQ9jxgza
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh2lzVUrGj
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bOAKiY4RY
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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG9Z44wLc6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM2HbHsXId
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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5naggJx7h
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhQOeGQBMZ
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN90AuDlBG
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjklLce72Lx
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmejZkgdAcx
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hv5QIiUWS
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dEYj828Zk
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjhdzvZ7lW
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi66mb4bNjM
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!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKutASRwQay
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8fmG79kbn
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAiF8qRBsF
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0UUDrKfuK
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDdm1eJm0J
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q59ICECQ5
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUZdxGuCFg
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYasirNptf
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEixmUz91u1
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ0UZLLYla
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjc9KBu9hz
"Me too..." replies Akiko.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0seealppP
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpq6euKHyk
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ8WimYoMK
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX0CHrw9xK
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5thiXD1Bf
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJqmcnmdur
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8WC1nFbo6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFKP5RkGgi
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJXGf79pIt
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DGoEIjfsC
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR3pbO0bpO
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W2LHiKHD2
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoTQk1zDJ9
Akiko willfully follows.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72hCeY2YMy
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3yRx5K1J9
Kirara responds "Argh..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUPY2ai5Vc
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2x3Zjdqem
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPcYB0CgUV
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtOA0kCXAL
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7j8e6JoAQ
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8ZZ37xOSd
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQACeLht7h9
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?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgJNx1obsR
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5atCKXQ0x
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli1O3bjSFs
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."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BlNIQl2U3
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaz8N82Dhc
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pgIBjOAO4
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Y8SKAiAW
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyg5urQzfR
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QtmhbIwh6
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vHPUqc7N8
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAJFDXGo4I
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu06S7Tg21O
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlteFuKsi1K
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuocf0tK6zQ
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6CQcb1B2P
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0d2ov0Cj6
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqaqS3smX0
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgue8IGUbZP
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuI30910zI
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.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0K6FEwYrh
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SJ96drDDp
