A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLCOLybXtY
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR2OJLnua9
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WWkoDoxTH
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX6BRn3AKv
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44nyKFZ3Oi
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xlQZUZtLj
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAyrkHRuFp
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSmftEvD46
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YIMlaL5Dn
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!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N3NAwuw00
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NDr4DEY5T
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiTh8B2Z7v
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Rp4tVfHY
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHYHHdo3kl
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhrGIh9UrO
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZFhLLfRDd
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG58ueFwhN
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Es5NYFEF
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2opNRFg2G5
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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ovCjZcjA
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ995sECqUj4
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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqfJuA7Red
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyzRGVRHdj
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotSEffUxsm
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeTYvMo4wm
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh60DpwGwg
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IQYNc4QMy
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23GDwyad9V
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfJ0u2ikaa
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyce0R79XPi
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!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnB2aGOEpH
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISpWT113Q2
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bIBV3dpKj
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphCJ1nUu4z
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8HXLJ3K63
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gabMWU2Tv
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC6YbRiegg
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ifwdPXqdO
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKeiW86eD8
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Q6Ut3rYt
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTuUwiumL7
"Me too..." replies Akiko.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVzM5Wis1J
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8fJOYQm2n
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvruVFJNxhU
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHz8veiQQ0
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUaZ8TNn3h
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr4uUuwU6J
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aQb35W1hp
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf49zUTyhyx
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8gLqQqqPB
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl3iFhByWT
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonRR49CsR3
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrwlIyUvEX
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR9jBzDH1a
Akiko willfully follows.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEMeqy1cXl
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgcTYifKhn
Kirara responds "Argh..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI9xvIPT6m
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcNtQVkhvb
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSG5tdR2Uc
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKOEmQryWp
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2Af20isFs
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzX0CsmEBs
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAi7p9JVD2
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?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObgeu1aNBY
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMSHRV9HKG
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzEzoEjCnV
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."191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEWMBXabZe
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFfOkSt15S
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZpc7ReBgW
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eX7xKbEM4
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctwQuOQvqG
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5lp1HHUdd
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyasqIIuBkG
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQfI062P5U
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbvMonBTO7
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aZgdumhjq
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GeKlgloTO
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dAx31eQmz
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJQ2j71Qec
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfl17PzMv7
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqBKG2dpwU
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAdnfcgWnd
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.191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzspP8mPmUZ
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla0elOeiAq
