A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiANXV4Ao9w
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7YIQsmKLe
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkHUMX0uqH
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXfhqTbznn
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamUyOTQPZ3
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv82xLSxcud
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSiiZ5SqH8
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHMK32SOdS
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqvcLG4tnL
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!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMDq24bZZO
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGcQrE3Krb
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoUguWmvXK
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCECCOM8VVC
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYkIMb4B2p
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVewLti8RrH
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gDgenVIiQ
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C8PcEey1J
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmaqHpscm
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK4YD9AAwS
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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIsvJZqAC4
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbNEU5xiLf
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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPB6lbikKB
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPE4IqhV10
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6ETK2FzLr
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tNUS194ir
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qIDnf1n2d
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKlaW6s643
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPWNa5SfRJ
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSyQNhfuNy
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqkdjxGt1Y
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!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwkH6HBDCP
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NOuB8fFF1
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXna7bw4JNF
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNp8egwoeh
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f28isCQ1Z
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw98WV1UdoX
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuxrKRbecJ
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sYYbHDhRW
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePWLBAWBrF
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkQyT2pVFJ
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbmbekvRy3
"Me too..." replies Akiko.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwFEBvnM8A
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQTHLr4jVe
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRbkmlNkpy
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2RpI0fLtC
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLjUhHWQt3
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVysRZx7I2D
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIej3cEbLlT
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09AKs5bTg6
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k81iyHO3J
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3jHJTYKpO
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZuQg7SgQ
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz8zYv25eS
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWYrTgHHSn
Akiko willfully follows.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt96WPXtUX1
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vSZDFOBz4
Kirara responds "Argh..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx6O1tbFoz
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8qdku6nl1
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOLNc8m2qO
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3U2NjAQ9a
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PctSoZZMn
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Spfh6LhKt
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6kkqehATf
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?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBSh51YEx8
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMWvCFXQpC
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeHVeqgWTq
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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHNDPNESdf
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxTgfmGuCo
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznRI0HTeNm
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sx6Ae8B76
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnXSUpbbK1
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG2RCzxM86
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFKUprUJHP
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl36oGNYdO
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3srD4YkJI
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Iw2ewe9y
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hTCuOyRlQ
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax3bV7uMOv
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAWtoe2XUT
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8riZXhLwrg
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcwGiprz2Y
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr19gSyNXWj
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRkBOzJ8nj
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjToi9gyCE
