A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kagNjhJ8u
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyt7xhBFsI
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU07BqzfbNA
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohdjYpPyaE
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1LImekau4
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WahIAnx37
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQace686hDi
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyej5qWx9d
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o23AEO7B2
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!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFwlb6lahx
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivP52wGlOf
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEV4OgPjSV
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8cELfZT8W
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DzUW8AkPN
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQURa9hDc2
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HJM3bh1TA
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fkrfldhzb
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGm5FU3ERI
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkF9hYbGtF
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."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICFZmlnnct
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILPMnL88zw
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."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu9cdJv5KC
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdEKKWYrHI
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDF6CNJ1YPj
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9DgQBgEVd
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8oBSIcMjO
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcmviRuE74
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcjPXvPoVN
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUg7jZ35ck
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34gWoPmfSW
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!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHBpJd60kB
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK9r9nRzAb
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrOMXAGxap
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1HkjIAQf9
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HmQoJGgeO
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XMnxH1ni2
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pnOBZ9rND
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1LZl0na28
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82v8tD59Da
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyJXdIM2s6
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCoxafip9e
"Me too..." replies Akiko.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThxsjPrcql
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxSzrV1n2B
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepYleLrtgy
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCkkiY27oX
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrnGB7N0W6
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixgRxclqFU
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbD59MCDnP
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVBSe7fqo6
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDSrhuFTsQ
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoaaLmHV8q
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaVICAzBeh
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuh4Gq0OM9W
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg76RQ63QHr
Akiko willfully follows.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrCvehAT2q
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJTXkqyi5O
Kirara responds "Argh..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhjTH5x3cM
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuxWTZVju2
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9LgEgbQjZ
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxYGFkgR1T
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzOieEGTlH
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AuNiOsVF6
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjlzeYOnba
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?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n3vu1ZEm6
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNzLEIGoih
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE2EDb6JfC
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."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMAoZnoisM
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZR6ryKcpx
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebRSjMs88X
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mI2DGJyJP
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlLJpI3vv
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJNcXMLTQa
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEW8HP6o7N
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltNEkAiGpH
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUJXk0lg9c
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3bHe671Sf
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL0Ab0wWFU
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbWJRosCma
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz7VGX6j4V
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp19ehiWip
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwUZqRXdoR
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxmpdSxqtq
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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdbQhpTWlV
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZiWmKZTRF
