A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidLVhFp8Y9
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY06zmNIZqX
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ3lgLlBzt
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1EUjNIKgW
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D6LkZmD4s
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYEj8D29H9
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1jNpWuDgq
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH31Vyvhx1
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8pPQ6sazf
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!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsqpsA4uMl
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuHZNfliId
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHE0XTlTCr
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcoMiGEJp7
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeeMelyBnM
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiKwS5DSTe
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSYnDwg3Va
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUr6SCvYPp
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5PFVFaX1Q
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SxK2ImD9W
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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyZMldbpCA
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFfPOeLEnP
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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4GHfq8Szv
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAzKLLCbNA
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmYDgXBPxv
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme9cVpBNKH
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXx8pAkc6Q
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwKDjRirNn
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhvCgo2oUS
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uNskUyai7
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uK7gYrKXg
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!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdAFW9e1Yi
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8MVf0EFGa
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU2b5qQr0y
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvQOhSJCgN
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5tdg3sYpr
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYnupBwZVs
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONAXUmlpax
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7pjiET6dv
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mafMWShYi
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXHVquX01k
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMaaxIsrWj
"Me too..." replies Akiko.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpebQjamIgS
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVLFUtIjbS
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAoCORwmih
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzAWVaOqjp
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9i1o942Rw
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9lfelWnus
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHxubQ6TfR
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm0hsGAPAH
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhu7ttBArW
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxwav89Ch2
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZ7hZwmko
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnyaGpKoqN
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDNWCx17ls
Akiko willfully follows.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNbBhql6OJ
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn6AekYsPX
Kirara responds "Argh..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6otobaGDf
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdO7U0gxC5
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNySQg6MPj
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSfdexIWTT
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pz3sI3C0Z
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgzdTBHWPX
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDvSfxxNMB
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?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3B2QJqRwR
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8adXDY6q09
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZmgkxCVgt
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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbb6XeYJgl
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEFpLUcNOZ
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUTtrkPjrQ
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SUYttmBdm
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv9sHT4xpK
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfim972vwb1
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4VN7nfDmK
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJU8Cy2MzQ
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUC4l6xRAu
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWrPQjgDp
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtnmpQYQoA
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8vq0dGMia
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh90eZw9y79
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pONfg0T6I
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAzzk6uSIR
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lSCSqAskB
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5trFPIsEHC
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ucp06HDzd
