A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.53Please respect copyright.PENANAHMicrXpHwE
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.53Please respect copyright.PENANATArLDmIofA
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANA5i83ICfyMF
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.53Please respect copyright.PENANAUmhpO1zxQD
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"53Please respect copyright.PENANAjJlZpv8SuN
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"53Please respect copyright.PENANA5zLxC498LL
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"53Please respect copyright.PENANAZUgWQImjP9
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAPWlxPV0DL5
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."53Please respect copyright.PENANAFO56EWUjjP
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!"53Please respect copyright.PENANAZVITVNYSis
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".53Please respect copyright.PENANASmamscmCXX
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.53Please respect copyright.PENANAb0CofHMumU
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.53Please respect copyright.PENANAmiDy6SRxLz
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.53Please respect copyright.PENANA7ePpBy1QOZ
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.53Please respect copyright.PENANAa5LKRVb2NC
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"53Please respect copyright.PENANAK7dViRu1zQ
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "53Please respect copyright.PENANAxtGI34U6sg
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"53Please respect copyright.PENANAsJdoSV1Jpc
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAA0c2qD5Elp
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."53Please respect copyright.PENANA3qfYSNu5ux
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAKLI7zTvKV4
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."53Please respect copyright.PENANAtfdtrrceu4
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"53Please respect copyright.PENANAsP5qqamfGK
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.53Please respect copyright.PENANAwPT4U5UA6P
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"53Please respect copyright.PENANA9v3sJiUxhK
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."53Please respect copyright.PENANADZkT1ryQRd
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"53Please respect copyright.PENANAv99kH84qem
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."53Please respect copyright.PENANAZkzUlS8KNY
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".53Please respect copyright.PENANAQA4z1QmCtB
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".53Please respect copyright.PENANA6wr4yUxK2V
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!"53Please respect copyright.PENANAFmT3jl3w2S
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.53Please respect copyright.PENANAgiN7W24sc0
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."53Please respect copyright.PENANAfNHHSh6lud
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.53Please respect copyright.PENANAsyPXXJ0KaG
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAKeTA6158XF
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"53Please respect copyright.PENANA2KN1Re9hCs
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."53Please respect copyright.PENANAk6JbfzsRpS
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAvSSyh2LQXc
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"53Please respect copyright.PENANATr8HSTnqH7
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAioBlL40UnP
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.53Please respect copyright.PENANAa5kYMhx3Nb
"Me too..." replies Akiko.53Please respect copyright.PENANAsSNp4BcrtO
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."53Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3QbHtPgVY
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAYcQRWqLV5y
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAZGDIsa2Pu6
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.53Please respect copyright.PENANAG68KpIxqqb
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANABWTRsYL2PR
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAD8b2sAsXEO
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAKQQG3IAkGN
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAjSXsz4iOnZ
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.53Please respect copyright.PENANA3sVtsz0GDM
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"53Please respect copyright.PENANAcEWjFczXMZ
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"53Please respect copyright.PENANAi3WSXiDhN2
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."53Please respect copyright.PENANAaPXKUEtb8X
Akiko willfully follows.53Please respect copyright.PENANABnfjxNcpFW
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAjk7GJYcwaA
Kirara responds "Argh..."53Please respect copyright.PENANAiKNLxO6hvO
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.53Please respect copyright.PENANA2C0XjKVkN2
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."53Please respect copyright.PENANAuqpMlZu5bC
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANA8ihjvGkoS3
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAbXbSiAVXxo
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".53Please respect copyright.PENANA6CkpUqu30W
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."53Please respect copyright.PENANAqbPO5rIkLS
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?"53Please respect copyright.PENANA0WTtwAsOo9
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."53Please respect copyright.PENANAmig0fcg9l6
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"53Please respect copyright.PENANALyZuONVza7
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."53Please respect copyright.PENANAgzscOJ83v4
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAmgfDWZdjB7
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.53Please respect copyright.PENANAtvJmsxPv6Z
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANA9qidxWB53P
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.53Please respect copyright.PENANABuVPBU8BJw
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAcnezZn5lwv
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.53Please respect copyright.PENANABbCqQgDYjz
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"53Please respect copyright.PENANAnJF56e6CTn
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAvf7UoclGl7
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAi4IlW2Ynfs
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,53Please respect copyright.PENANAtsY1n47I7W
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "53Please respect copyright.PENANACzlXhBB9cY
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.53Please respect copyright.PENANAxLPLz7L4CY
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAbYBKPPtraU
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.53Please respect copyright.PENANAHpzuAW9Tvt
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAsL5gOC2kxP
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.53Please respect copyright.PENANAp2thIBr3PW
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
53Please respect copyright.PENANAnaF8UEmpTA