A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hw5J32Puw
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6zploWboj
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtQLwOF0P2
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvwAdH6UMP
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a2Rk8ScsX
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsfih4nRWY
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZjxRjc2Bn
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUKjHrl4PX
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaf8WIB34G
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!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE6oyn57ZL
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4mV5vIjAy
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9tOPLQxXO
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkHQIfiZaG
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtWacepW9R
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQekMwWdqC
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPyYMi6ATh
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ2IWnzqlL
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU8ijxHB0m
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUUIHmULXK
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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70w0okVC2w
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFkjgnWCxR
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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BMPFiAl5v
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWQUzIMSJT
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvjFwuc7ST
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErj3Gn7cLy
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eBya7U48B
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw8Fr2a29s
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGsg4YKDmC
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mxLkoFhdx
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGUoW2iPqM
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!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4udDUVw5FJ
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlytdg7Hp4
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgReGUqjlcE
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrGVkEYjVK
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1J3e156YT
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP3at1YyNl
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDV61aW74e
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy0JxOUHbv
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFiOjlq7QB
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIHwsGgkG8
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9qHvFBQMF
"Me too..." replies Akiko.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxn34PwYZ4
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4k3mmcHuO
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9JtfRS8K9
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw0FT6idEw
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2USrDmjmn
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh7CrnQzbG
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv50ZK6gFT
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ84phxiVy
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhEM0tMEos
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3ZyXrcUpX
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfwnY6nWCD
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT19nJRKWqw
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr4jWSntmd
Akiko willfully follows.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREnTeQKdtv
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUi1ehFoo9
Kirara responds "Argh..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1ZqFSD0zb
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8j8tm06AR
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvQ8VFPnta
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcACrakqxmw
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eHqr2s6SM
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5ulXlTja4
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCXXidFFN2
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?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNV2h75LO2
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwOb4JPY2a
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh0EyBl1gf
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."129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2vENW739t
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DD8GenWi9
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX0XMoEU1w
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrcK4knnO7
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQAIp3Es5t
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSShy2xz2zN
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozUvRWHlI7
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PH3oCQxYp
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLXmovfWiz
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSA1lXov2q
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYFmBRezRY
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlbYWq1qv0
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVbdfUG47P
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU1ivX0H8Y
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCLoHOnQEl
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjJzWw4KnL
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.129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkvz2jmDbr
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
129Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxX6kjGzqn
