A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV1DCL8QtO
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JvVf69pMP
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ulIJh48uh
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfscUsW8QW
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW85c5oZuL
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ4PFwFxaF
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDdj5ws6F5
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSUQ09Xx9w
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieikqgjV5H
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!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAWLF3FuLO
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4L49NuRVG
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro5OwF59Mf
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MGtFFDPZZ
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iciMy5V1F
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsNO7nXmvi
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPh1UTWea7
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKumUESaydT
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWKcpFFmlo
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7USir0Lpya
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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT23DKHHxv
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6rh7WHG6w
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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJryOGH9TgQ
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj55Fj7kfRH
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEOpoGHyJb
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD185A9ux9
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3LS0eVZ2B
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdywJXawG12
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbL19MrffB
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTzfQQMImR
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrc411MTF1
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!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYegjBwfJB
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU7aNcRkYt
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN72CRBRkIB
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lMAM6z6tt
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZog34BHOEn
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4JPT8TT7D
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjUhxQZ8JT
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK3lFjT0dG
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb0MJwRWH3
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD1A4aH4Aj
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGEdJQ9epg
"Me too..." replies Akiko.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDFG6Nvu1l
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelYU0kSDWr
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg7yYUozO9
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gokuIYJ2o
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sZq9tJnpc
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHFbpRj52x
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBrMVbwUq4
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnYVsiuoib
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugHPFhkEJx
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKqMHIlXam
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNulHBcvTE
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL3htMpYxZ
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWEdwO2KrF
Akiko willfully follows.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxrmUeNmy8
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb616TWu6b
Kirara responds "Argh..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9QUDyeYT2
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPobcS0G26
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCie5WSyhz1
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBaorKjjD1
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkJFvjxPv7
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ezbeLCwZ
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEbyY5Hp2a
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?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgyS2I18MR
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRevdQHn0it
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn2r42Qktw
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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPmsj4EQu5
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbMPkwiwSz
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60mgZLqFji
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu67OIVa6h
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9KdRFiFS8
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ4Mnk8Z1l
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHy2KAUwQR
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnjJBIv98J
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbRdvo3LdB
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1BxI9LbUO
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80HbCPInfk
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0luw6cYQ6K
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf8MRaFK7f
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0Adqhklqm
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1gI9erdHC
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EAj2GELqZ
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPLxLwTTjR
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDlkrVkdii
