A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LV0bBRfs6
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAfAOtZsMq
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd0SLvDptz
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8un5QW4Bg
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXapHcpHac
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRJ8AZfaf3
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9EjGGKhQm
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOcWh6b4yv
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrbTDXgQ7k
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!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7mbNA9IHN
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZEjXQjYhe
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGymMXvS1R
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMmgKoTEjc
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAWrPTpGCZ
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbAiCMHMIT
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4nU0gbjbI
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAUchtuvmV
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqIAEPxAer
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zyke0aT52
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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDFAdNrWGY
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRRX0JA6NM
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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDIBj7T6g7
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HD0GgTlQv
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZynTPexJPj
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgawZhcviru
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2OozzFo51
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX20dmXkPdH
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLFgQQe058
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ6oClbiCS
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUfNMGkXB3
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!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU3xLQteyw
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9pNLz1Wkc
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRs2pJe1l6
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9mO5DeywE
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cydTMDdp0
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZODPA897e
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlwg2w1jPP
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjtfYz2DzS
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnrmIQY7oN
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FqztGTT5G
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuF7QvDwNW
"Me too..." replies Akiko.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d3NDV61Jk
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RTdgDQtx1
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2IR94kfHT
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4RQ6PiQqJ
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRtXe8RPYO
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7yROAOkAu
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLr8k7vn1Q
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgPngVfZQw
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwQ3Q7hTSz
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTEoiz5XJC
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJRWsfWf2i
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4iHf90GLU
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrBZmVvmEc
Akiko willfully follows.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71ZCdpWI7s
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGE4asioku
Kirara responds "Argh..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FQk2VsRbT
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUxpCwBiSV
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3SkxAkLqb
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtA07sJ4pV
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxXxcmsMMF
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mfCvrrHF7
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYizawySLJI
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?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssHalqVrqv
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DDfXleLhO
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XZGdPuMLV
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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA9i5UUqgD
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYecsC0m7rd
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ6zprWgqL
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGo0eRZVx4
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYesa53OS4G
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LJP8C4js6
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1xDjEPxia
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8U8PbbpnT
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt73SrXfra
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvstx3s3AX
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGptrg7k1d
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKcugJ52sN
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW8rTzfmU6
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMKtzWFWp2
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiXBjOK2bA
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhWzI3j59f
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD72MTk0pU
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIhppNLUpq
