A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uNDjuSeiu
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHjYMwKS3X
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRJXboohTb
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxGCQwRak
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFOro9nJji
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Tl6n6TAd
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwWHr1pEQ0
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZtK7rxcCr
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6CSqVXlWW
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!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzILE7DiqPH
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51PGEIbgrd
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS66CPoxGR
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qOej9FEFW
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsume00gYCV
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ13XK0Chc
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQgthctxWO
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7KmbJjDsR
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zoSbpWNMj
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ROPzFMkQI
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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mOjhE35CC
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uoamrP6AK
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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeINu7SHv6
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFpx4ilozK
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgdopz65d8
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WJh91jujw
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmIRPHfyQE
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSmYdoMets
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIUlJLnjJt
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa9JIHuaDO
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43mKUHIszJ
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!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb7xztDBrI
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv2RSnpipi
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKJNd6hiq2
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtVcfuqBNl
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96uh0MoTxD
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMDDtQtmPj
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n17faOXPa
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wEUk1cpSU
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkwIffiWx5
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09vWgYVNSj
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM96nsGkvD
"Me too..." replies Akiko.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAWa92Qnka
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2tMPODAsB
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zYboIAhXy
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdku03HqQZq
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukWvqaKISC
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiDX5Z4Hhk
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY47SM2ML1V
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjkN8YR1mM
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOPtCGKMKL
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq9r5PRjmN
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2leZbWxVdz
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ9Jk4RZ5y
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoZqbSgTur
Akiko willfully follows.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wFqhuxRby
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5jGfOSUQP
Kirara responds "Argh..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9voUBwE6iV
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gnhbupuaJ
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN8QfsYZjE
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9WXUEKNXK
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAO80D0EAu
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XI6FqPA6f
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaPmqGeLtD
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?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHrKHU67Ky
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqti2gkREN9
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xOiWzyUEa
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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6ZHtDICBe
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLoEPYi2XG
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkRTfs9Rmw
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpKm5EH6cL
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqdnQJBxzN
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbb3HNQEFv
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbo4e4tZXl
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVbSrlIhdH
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb2HFoCXYt
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L0QxqFiCg
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYOFoVRA80
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxBzcE3mvO
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpjSuwRyNR
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzyssmFRNC
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwfXfIAyjc
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeQEHultuW
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxZbhtaky1
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqY0KJ59A2
