A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxaVYGvoWS
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cTe4mnCVM
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4pGGDrSmV
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPckkILLI77
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIR2GnZVMu
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIzVzcH562
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2koELYf5Qk
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbET0t62ZI0
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SRng9r8QU
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!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8zhsJQMQy
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxE3irFbZN
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk2s8DSiie
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6MYqoYl9l
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN58pFIYA9
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yHzbXvLcd
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOkmUcKSW8
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXM1AGX6RM
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu974k9wTZ
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqs85ENpNP
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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJlQp13XtV
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom83XUjr7z
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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFu6nULlP4
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA06PfmxP0f
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQviUYXnDhF
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvnMisueOg
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUqAV9BN7z
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2JRAC7GtW
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX5a1vKBbd
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y7Xx2fQBC
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkwUvdH4jt
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!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4rg6ha39I
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7YvMFx7h1
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOvaQ36hvI
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZZle41WlX
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDLcoBPdbu
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0HJMeV35q
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGuQY24Rj9
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusQbCq0NQT
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Y9yGozQ5
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMzhS58avC
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyFxwhHww8
"Me too..." replies Akiko.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y2ight5ds
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGfMDLsHEX
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb08fh8ZmDa
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoUkgh2ihd
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgXA9mO6tY
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6fDGvHCLA
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24buyEysHn
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9iUTnLNcR
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMO2vvhIUC
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQpE3IWTsf
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhAjrL3uXM
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0eq6VnlSN
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrmfnSkq0Z
Akiko willfully follows.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVkwHEaTQv
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx7sfHaL1A
Kirara responds "Argh..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3NnJ6YBE3
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSRQdp72p5
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtXzm92KrE
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN14ylTgYpp
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKUAi10R08
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaKA4eeyQF
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesBG1aDaFY
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?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkPGZohiUY
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlrv79pD0P
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkkOokfcfE
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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJQasgX0bv
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l3503SrJh
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lUSit7Mm0
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BZMXQS8og
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Qsd40sQY
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SW5IVC7Jc
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNta7EfbFz
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU5l0nKJXu
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZvFC6lH04
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6NNscFyHA
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94n8G54JXp
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAHuW1P6Af
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshmlTW4sh9
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRej2zdhIZ
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsnCWOvedu
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwQLNS3BOu
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV3NvaCWvQ
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBtgNuOzWm
