A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyTYo4oRIJ
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XbS5TmiIa
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxeIDaFtYZ
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wnVUbPPoO
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡketgy78TQT
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eDagzu7oA
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ433vkvQX2I
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpnlxboZQq
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2GGmMQGtM
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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDoLFe6dBF
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P78XsrJEB
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSijyJooP0d
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgk6vYZhH1
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jm9IUD9bK
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFKC6A3BHU
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiREWrQAU7H
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w3CGx3xJD
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lsDIYPxdI
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMqiY2S0HM
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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3jx2HmK1v
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw6DZrtjaF
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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDmlJMesWg
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbvUwQlgat
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cgnzhqqkx
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvnGbyQ31r
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvUaqgMYY9
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxWR7WarPW
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmihxnFtdW2
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCGHbi8IqM
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPX26pD50X
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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebByU4t3le
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHazFNhyIx
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw7EAtr0Ob
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyTTJPU2IU
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo06qvFgEJ
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivI7mIXdSf
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ScxWcV4Ar
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDqtgBzI4r
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l6E4cs8ta
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxX8eLViJr
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXNKbM5Ciy
"Me too..." replies Akiko.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYmnSzw0MS
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUZfnD2wLG
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFXtsCtRUK
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzDXqxBpqn
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tjgSBhkl0
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl7yiEIDu2
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINMDo3HhW3
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD3tqlvy2d
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHISdaX2b5
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCSoPbc35v
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivjww7awRP
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPA4fANVQ6
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo5IdUPfl5
Akiko willfully follows.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0OpAqfAHO
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5C6Mes541
Kirara responds "Argh..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aVU2Z2HNL
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eyGye14Yz
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsReikSHpOi
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwx9m1lyO6
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV65ayfmHG
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfNCFJSgTQ
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRjF2Cwqha
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?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9KwP7VUpe
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYtmblkgRB
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mJJyStTr3
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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu212LuEt2
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU2Pu18Hwl
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VMqf4aELK
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtniN4rq9rZ
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH21kuNAdC8
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstwIl2FY6X
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw0e8NKzof
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7xvS4pV4F
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PU9v7SLyq
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH1AhpNSO8
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGaPZOOdZO
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5bSWzdK00
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT0kPC1XLS
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lVq6Klra8
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoojvXhfED
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYCLQCDCqI
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUr6Mt05bO
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxxY6dst8f
