A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW57q9UB8i
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSK4WTlhFp
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNGybVsFdU
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYV16tCiCB
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKLvk0lU6e
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXUwDZgw3J
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbUH6iSPRm
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZt5QJEv49
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJHrQjvXoI
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!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAjmochcI9
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zNLw5rLiQ
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvr3drUJFo
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjal9N0NjpD
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySNKWUliTV
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTKjYhAmMj
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB6iK2OqZO
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2Lr5QOcRt
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHk3kZXD1m
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3RPU3F8qI
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."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeHpg7nJek
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhkowKn5FW
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."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfFO6WeM2k
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsOd3XZddA
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLhp4u1XY1
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A0MkcSJnj
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkU2CCtBGx
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI1Dqf9oH6
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjvn4ZE7Fq
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibgNIpMyid
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPzlJT9GbY
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!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ6QCBfu9g
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5K9vlOAD
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHsYabAfyQ
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1CH8qhwwT
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v4x3HQ6J8
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs4WN8oH0S
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllQjoHcNe8
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nHWZMEhlY
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4oXN2Bp35
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ckk8P73aV
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1uiF0BBdh
"Me too..." replies Akiko.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtt0oW21LZ
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGaX98Gthi
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwUX9hy8Kp
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD4IzICyW3
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1VJazrPJ7
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf649yZFFPk
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEZp72Jhrj
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eqbbZdUtJ
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZveVUH7Ff7
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmRNxhzffc
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQutE7lKzm2
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yKedMVyXc
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLARwXvyTv
Akiko willfully follows.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHoymKK13B
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeGkL6hs5l
Kirara responds "Argh..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02H3gBsbVe
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAvxN2jUSL
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2LVyye3q4
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhPoK2GLZM
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7oJ5zr1l2
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSnppb1TmU
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR2kVGdaum
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?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw1Zv4ynLW
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmsp159Qnq
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgB0Z2Wjdb
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."88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyVGAYFgaN
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo9W0Pqtbt
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRShdI4v49
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5IPcP87ke
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdiuDnMykL
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsarOAlMrf
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeA27j4n1u
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PGDweYNOj
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHpJYNDsgT
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSsxayuz9W
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0HzC6hyJZ
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZu6wre66r
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTpAv9TNNm
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAFG1FUkIN
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQOnnsZv8j
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwalS8h6Ul
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.88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIXXZPexYX
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JOBxLfNtJ
