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
