A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTeRNNOCzt
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3b9sDwrKN
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH18kyW6LE
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmCLLPg50h
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fnKz4NrzZ
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KBUj5Nj8e
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeusf2f68CP
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU0zVBgMb1
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6GQcnD3Da
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!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgasyNDsAzd
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO7F51e0dR
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qBdW2cCRJ
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EUnH9JNOL
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zBXnEflrB
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHPtgugZz3
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYu4N8zATi
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B5jz2uFJk
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfElKqf9J2
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGqEzKXLlE
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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BLVjrY3HW
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jap3TxtKc
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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQfOhuS6lk
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VLeNx9kXe
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfkJuZ1qE8
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkRxVC0cmy
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJUHadYFjU
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBN3uWLa33
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CFXbA486o
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg0tnhqQtO
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KFIvzjmtq
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!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ScCsHfB1n
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OM09DDuvr
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab6e3Tjqx7
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QnQsggkZ8
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r5MxCwCYD
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5cV6i6dDb
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWCxOmLQ4P
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCliq04zifo
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHJDA4nOEV
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHoYMXMbI9
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QKhNBGac1
"Me too..." replies Akiko.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl7uD7lfQy
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRVhjkN9kk
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88gMSTKOXo
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxsgfLzZIX
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaB5mH3BcS
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DTYt13Wll
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrZgf2jDyy
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qfKH4A9lM
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGjnN9UM6n
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv96GBePnRH
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprDytsHb8
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EZJE40IY2
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuPMRlru9H
Akiko willfully follows.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4oT6wJ5Pd
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9zYUtfohn
Kirara responds "Argh..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeVkgmXl8V
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYoMswUfwc
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ438dszzvIE
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKm2damDDg
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt9mDnMaLK
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nQEMcc48e
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4j5fkPpDB
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?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRjAfmY8JY
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRTSYi6zhW
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNL0RF79Nj
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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHf7Qs3smd
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmHDlXWvat
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYujUkrAYC
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECNRXuM1a1
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIatv6pULWC
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu86rTFJ1p7
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HNYK1BCUy
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz2NU12plI
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye63QFDak4
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpysfbSZMS5
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuTjY5ZBU9
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3boRCNnF1
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT9jOUC7wn
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWwsT60tqi
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJChuK2eKhN
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DlXeWHkAg
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxxPb34mjF
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXhqMGbwYE
