A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC33RO4iYr
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmemt0o53l
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1hQgoF13z
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGUmUtmqcR
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZqiWUtdVU
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mI8t9FI3o
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmix60ruybV
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1wyKzdu8h
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3YHnWHdGD
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!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGiD8KmIM3
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWkPi0YWla
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjEcCbRSAa
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf7OYg5XXq
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKy9wMMUcx
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gp8woWkzA
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NS1wGK8Bs
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMClqgc3Sf
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkRRXdGp9f
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbTgHU0msT
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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaJplE52Qv
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwdz3LzJWx
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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8bAlV0mC3
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gteLOVDyR
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmo5uEj5hc
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYQuOPnq9x
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65mbZEUAg0
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe11qA7GlK2
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsMJtYzRrC
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFJhi1z3mR
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRzxkA4RgP
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!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBgeG2aSM0
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJp1cDxFPs
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx0UsJR4SR
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufaSqotKkK
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz6oFCM2Vh
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZPresQlye
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVYBSy0Q4t
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTPWGnPnED
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzWjMcPMLa
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIsjiQVm3F
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5pfbUeED5
"Me too..." replies Akiko.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWHNQKqkbE
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhGsW9iicn
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqlL6y3UMT
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW03x2voDab
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GjU7KrwY2
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLoMAFx6Hr
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6s7c2oRTP
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoxGOHMfTg
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyY2rDWhs5
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhTseAxIRe
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0ELMjv5LV
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbC0yyirqX
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaeTyVbAUi
Akiko willfully follows.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmew378Muvc
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcMA64ZTPX
Kirara responds "Argh..."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJUXtv6P2r
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2QLUElaRz
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSRm4gmi1g
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQv3Gnz730
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ6gd7f13y
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77vucH3Um3
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDbkeAvhEB
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?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaojdgi0Wgu
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiGDDzWtzi
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj7kFzSZaN
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."80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ264D2Ii420
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhbk8wr6eY
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB22DUXuBV
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNTBVNbhTv
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZvrJEubbD
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kkcZdEKq9
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpRmpCbAEI
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyiVednyk7
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeGLqgmaM4
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS9HBUL8EX
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA0eCP4ZHl
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6j4Q2RuqV
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tvfgLtfu5
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVQp9tD93b
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOBTtVWxbO
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWozV5eOMHB
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.80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQjaMePiIN
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAoQ5Sa62P
