A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQCt8BTkVQ
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3xIlrn9Ql
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNTErejmuI
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iVbsuKc43
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjtEjbVcPw
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl29trJpRvC
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0Khl4XYTn
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExPjeLFN7F
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsArTHWng3
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!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4VcDSJbmF
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGiR3gpWne
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVbgt63xCX
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl2DOoMVPh
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3HxInnLa2
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhrrA7qNKn
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07lpBzaitl
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZzKDL0mX9
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanqXrjTAMf
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VBSFYSxYN
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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqpTcCfDId
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0GVdR1wOW
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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw5IZ6gQGY
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbfqkd9IEs
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOx8rR05fn
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQkHkcKvnf
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8PSJ0jVJi
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Yt5lGf4gW
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaUThOv32t
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTpePxYHf1
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJCCPri7qJ
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!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQSyi70pY7
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwyh9MXVhx
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfUWKDGmLP
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hMilYlt4f
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52RaK0JCpD
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVWqJzr6Ze
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMupum9NYU5
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA1JDJL4Ib
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS604Q2G96
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nqi8uZQ9R
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WnHXaA60s
"Me too..." replies Akiko.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUeNRTFrlV
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMV8soHYqg
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24q6zuV5jN
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGh0EW6FNs
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ph1CMJNBp
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSK2DkmSIr
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GEA8cm8s6
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ887bZWx1tD
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJrDpYBY2s
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm9I91nPwB
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZfKNm50Ld
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6t271SEe6
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TtS0TAxHj
Akiko willfully follows.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lmKcNdy7F
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5yqqHnWH7
Kirara responds "Argh..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLagE2uZTmh
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJvMI03H9r
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU3tbg798l
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxSukOi0Dr
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXro1SgdIZW
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkqiFo1yxK
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTQJJl9Bgg
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?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dsygbZYDg
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne0RcfbF3Y
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5bW4hwMdS
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."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RSenZsFVI
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSLnZLh5Ho
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOIz9aUQYA
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqmOqVrebt
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyYqs00cqw
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NnUtwz889
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeNfuPN0fL
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZD39fGm9D
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCo9br7Tts
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7noKqLz1c
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxYXjJPK7C
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs38EgI2FF
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qP1QR04V1
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA5sf1qNQS
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn1osd9Vp2
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wXgcf0U9M
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.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFoPn6px76
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr2OzfcFCP
