A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV4EtWZbUv
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ukpBFJSdn
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFDdScoISe
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYjyNdkUAN
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Oeg5bJTmy
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdX3zgOqHJ
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIseyYgA5iM
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzfSbEHtBy
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN1rpK9wT7
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!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GjiJyy4kl
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFEcZ7UUjQ
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoI8EkUyXA
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA3Vd5TCxO
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7BKbDHJI
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBi5h6B4Yf
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJoCk6r3Qt
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jcPz7aWTJ
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C92IzA7Lv
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHtswrFMag
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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwqgfJMsIu
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtP5PC6KpN
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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyffBnyCMrU
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu35hJqXtgt
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zmSCGO2jA
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX71Lh6VlN
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB63TDYVHI
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5NW8Kmw5t
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnGucGInMr
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3pY5vS6pP
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki1Mu1KZFR
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!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAiZ8RUSX7
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR1T2BNfFN
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOOF4kxHpS
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24WDFxYYjE
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLovQYe0zd
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR81SCqWib
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu1nreMvV6
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ4e0A5QgE
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRtPRA0oTl
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQaCInQYlT
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2GBJyhJJU
"Me too..." replies Akiko.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR9K4ljqp9
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2rJwTwPZ0
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcyzkYd1TK
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvDWUUdKg2
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij6CobGXjy
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKJktwsFtr
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqEyxgdorY
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2WmBxTzid
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIpG0XPT4V
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyW8HEB7ZA
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs05dxf9dmX
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4drQtYlt9
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ0YNUoOse
Akiko willfully follows.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPswxGPFk4Z
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthCZVQBzsR
Kirara responds "Argh..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3t9NiWZaH
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS04ISIqz63
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqP9kPRQRv
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fVGoEbFu9
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqHGxu6chb
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKW9LNgYll
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZuTohLkv4
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?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsD5GTsYUE
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUmvBrDb2n
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTRWk9D2C7
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."212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFSVnbQeYp
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XkJuzBy7h
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfaCk8AoVJ
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytVMwFX8im
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqguiHRk5rg
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm7wVYMLMH
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa2OYJ3MzA
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu0ce9jzIe
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASTbcJn2O3
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyJRNEvgzL
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ClVyXnQ4G
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapL0ll99gH
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj9uI0j2EY
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnvjHQvgvF
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhex6zNyJo
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSbmm9DPI0
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.212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ckpGuhvy
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf4VvxYZ8c
