A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.114Please respect copyright.PENANATgaL3B2tB3
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.114Please respect copyright.PENANAyPCV2w5N2h
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAyuNOkU2zQ0
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.114Please respect copyright.PENANAyHiNNCf9oe
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"114Please respect copyright.PENANA8IUkBdspTW
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"114Please respect copyright.PENANAduvn9OzGCK
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"114Please respect copyright.PENANAReSHv8906Z
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAV7FG6PPGFl
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."114Please respect copyright.PENANAZxQRbnTRRn
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!"114Please respect copyright.PENANAiQJ5iJRIkP
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".114Please respect copyright.PENANAI95iBYdjt9
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.114Please respect copyright.PENANAMN2OXVF3wU
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.114Please respect copyright.PENANAs24Qxlsrbg
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.114Please respect copyright.PENANAIFhGmP5Tgd
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.114Please respect copyright.PENANAcdq1Z81Cd1
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"114Please respect copyright.PENANAxeKk6SAYqg
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "114Please respect copyright.PENANAFJWuAANdxI
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"114Please respect copyright.PENANApGGkV2qoLk
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAThCd6KhikU
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."114Please respect copyright.PENANA6jBfQN18OZ
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAQiJ4IU6PkA
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."114Please respect copyright.PENANArEEzdVG8tj
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"114Please respect copyright.PENANAvYVgYtsdA6
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.114Please respect copyright.PENANAwqXGJcQcXO
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"114Please respect copyright.PENANAymjD1JG5fn
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."114Please respect copyright.PENANAYnT2gd1lAh
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"114Please respect copyright.PENANAy8fy6TRyaC
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."114Please respect copyright.PENANAZt4IX1IIhC
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".114Please respect copyright.PENANAdvnAlZyNt2
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".114Please respect copyright.PENANA0kWU5I88wJ
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!"114Please respect copyright.PENANAE2GSJc9AQ0
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.114Please respect copyright.PENANApIXkedzcsI
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."114Please respect copyright.PENANAooRodQH0nI
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.114Please respect copyright.PENANAxLg5atjswJ
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA1hR5zjNjU4
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"114Please respect copyright.PENANAGfgOLuXjMZ
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."114Please respect copyright.PENANA0uQCB7MMbJ
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA7P2SFlp0Qi
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"114Please respect copyright.PENANAwaNqjJfVXk
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANABmR2djIck7
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.114Please respect copyright.PENANAftP9QczG8A
"Me too..." replies Akiko.114Please respect copyright.PENANAc6MYAi50hj
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."114Please respect copyright.PENANAflSE81XmnB
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAIvId8EU5Ms
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAfsKrXeH0tB
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.114Please respect copyright.PENANAIvx2wi4Afj
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAoX7kIxydf6
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA66qyxIDR2U
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA2lnjhmggIo
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAidloyRQHGW
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.114Please respect copyright.PENANA0xif2nhTJf
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"114Please respect copyright.PENANAvgUoEw1WJv
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"114Please respect copyright.PENANAtBUSzhbTCV
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."114Please respect copyright.PENANA2SqtSrHEaQ
Akiko willfully follows.114Please respect copyright.PENANAIDpJhCFhLA
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAqbwaXz6Ucd
Kirara responds "Argh..."114Please respect copyright.PENANA06RrxddU1q
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.114Please respect copyright.PENANAYIFgkg2QH8
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."114Please respect copyright.PENANAzMLtEFEs5z
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA2AJAdOEr9G
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAvPX67eR5JJ
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".114Please respect copyright.PENANAGCXUggAPWr
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."114Please respect copyright.PENANAG2veWUG88Q
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?"114Please respect copyright.PENANAbiavsYidqq
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."114Please respect copyright.PENANA6SliCYpj7m
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"114Please respect copyright.PENANA5kOFrDi78O
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."114Please respect copyright.PENANAslXl6hceQi
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAKiHfQRsuw3
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.114Please respect copyright.PENANAiKxGXtcItb
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAdiiJRW339e
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.114Please respect copyright.PENANAU7MXD4Z7lS
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA4g3QLpEEpt
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.114Please respect copyright.PENANATxaw6x0yvS
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"114Please respect copyright.PENANA38hfGcanCs
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAmqa8dAuL5s
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAme7a8V5o6M
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,114Please respect copyright.PENANAOevbm0F1lx
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "114Please respect copyright.PENANA3vsRma2mOq
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.114Please respect copyright.PENANAC5ewB6vWNA
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAS12c3bzsKO
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.114Please respect copyright.PENANA5tsWbv7bbO
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANAfTSoMZ7CEI
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.114Please respect copyright.PENANA8BqB4Zi9dp
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
114Please respect copyright.PENANAjWtfdlazcA