A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1NrgXlP0Q
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJTcIbJEKt
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SpECAsYbI
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TRRH97XdG
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj7z65RtvL
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojN4vcpMwo
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpAx03Jp0x
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqijo8ejcIG
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcYY5hEY8J
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!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYobagRZXf
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXRsyhcD5c
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1YSsIxzgl
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie4lTJ2eGV
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFGLzMXo0i
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0b4CEoTi6
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvPNezAT3K
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaQn8cjwt5
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJtfDtL5Dx
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij0nOWlwK1
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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ3ZYI1VQv
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWrCYsbjkl
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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhHUf60Wsz
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxMiT6lE4Y
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeBis8aZEK
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISRcO1nAVq
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7R7uHEGDn
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw82wVKlIJ3
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8VPAgm2v2
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIeNB2bTPK
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkGu2e8Lb5
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!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnxFRQAopR
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4pGAtwCL6
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG4KqISE6V
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKKs7bWcRl
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE1iF5Innp
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf0CZMY0Ts
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2f31INjJf
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiamzXxKiWK
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzWjfZdpqk
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyaUPGGFkG
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRdzvhF5mI
"Me too..." replies Akiko.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnUcpzd5v5
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDduIPxydY4
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0mQbqD9pa
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTyzCkZDT9
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0WOZt4Ior
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbnIMKF4YC
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXNDFRaTix
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnohxSuXEg4
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfK9YZSbHs
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatMA37MIhT
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq431XBB0z
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeoRq56FRl
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw3YSJg8i2
Akiko willfully follows.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4cnjTDpMP
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4csOkaSejH
Kirara responds "Argh..."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5OzgjbPep
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RIQpipxXY
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIBmFHzoOV
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Lhf06bq1
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYksgh2ZeRA
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9qfJb4DtA
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4WV6yg8bu
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?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqlUrFjmYe
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb4BSBZ6jc
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlpyMsOAvn
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."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZENdGCJ5H5
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8GpxTujwz
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Iew9oS7IQ
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdSRrskEsH
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RpRKHdkcC
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCP76yPRfr
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XgkzH8DfO
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh4uMUEsx6
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi9tLSyMCY
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSwjKR44xW
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnRhZNv9Wp
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp00hV7Bn53
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrju76yVEAZ
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkZ8upukob
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhXy0te9vk
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe98J4MxhE
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.87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHXxCPkbM1
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaTFP2owQu
