A hand plucks a choice mushroom from its roots; squatting legs straighten up; eyes glimpse the large abode in the distance.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU85R2SCOxi
Chizue stares momentarily then returns to what she was doing.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzi3YjxBDI
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUMt20Yd6m
Eyes look up in disgust; an outstretched right arm with a pointing index finger evenly moves from the left to right of the courtyard.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2CdaH0cq6
The little well fed man complains, "Where are my night guards?!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAvrvS1hx0
Looking condescendingly at the middle-aged man catching his breath, "Can you tell me, advisor Shin?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZCH2ETYom
Half stuttering and catching his breath advisor Shin responds, "Lord Yamada, this morning... they -"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYlwHFFHK2
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDm6Tw5NTe
Advisor Shin continues, "Well..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq9eZvEVOY
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!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Z4HTM3L5
Advisor Shin instinctively, "Yes, right away, my Lord...".108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFTB8k6mTI
Like a rodent fleeing for its life, Advisor Shin scurries off.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwc6BGPg9s
Releasing a stern sigh, Lord Yamada sits down at his audience chamber.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdQozDYAWj
Conceitedly, Lord Yamada raises his head and scans the chamber. Advisors and guards line up before him.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdna1dQcDPV
A couple of the men in the audience chamber ever so slightly lower their heads and duck their eyes.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDKhupTcbO
Breaking the silence, Lord Yamada echoes, "Anyone have anything of worth to report!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkKWEGWgY6
Briefly, the chamber stays silent, then a shady man calls out, "My lord, you may want to consider cutting back on our 'procuring expenses' "108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfE8C33xKM
Lord Yamada beams his eyes at the shady man- then retorts, "What drivel do you speak!" "Get the tax collectors to work harder!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfFXEdyZlQ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKT62HxGPq
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A65msWnYf
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmndP8Er76Y
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qUjEAdoK5
Raising eyebrows, Lord Yamada looks squarely at the old man, "So, Junichi why is your tattered mess before me?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3QcuFRQmz
"Well- umm..." Junichi responds.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZQbT3eXRY
Impatience transforms Lord Yamada's expression, "Spit it out!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0jm6jqAl5
Trembling, Junichi suddenly responds, "I can get you- the golden and red haired girls."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZiofXgu3F
Lord Yamada rubs hands briskly in anticipation then demands, "Bring them to 'me' at once"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uudZaCDq5
Junichi lowers his head and says, "You see..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MzVCaOQ7j
Lord Yamada's clenches his fist, "Guards! Remove this dreg from my presence and give him his just 'reward' ".108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA3hS9k9AL
At once, the guard advances towards him. Upon realizing his predicament, Junichi pleads "Wait...wait-".108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPgBj8e52S
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!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmJFDVzzZg
Reluctantly, Lord Yamada motions to the guard to drag Yunichi back. Once released, meekly, Yunichi drops something in to the guard's right hand.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrUenl4rYT
Robotically, the guard approaches Lord Yamada, then sets the item on Lord Yamada's right hand and speaks, "Here my lord."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Sxk1Zefk
A small hand holds it up; eyes proceed to examine it; it glistens in the sunlight.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP49kLi3cZR
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM31VFqevA
Hiding his desire, Lord Yamada reverts to his usual expression then glances at Junichi; he pauses, then asks, "So, what's your plan?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ8Wf03e7N
Junichi fills with courage answering, "There is this girl called Chizue..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQbtgRw4Jo
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Qw5kuppz
With hands cupped over her mouth, Chizue calls out to the girls, "Want to go to town?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKQNgXW8Ge
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZkirRjdmS
"I'm ready!" announces Kirara.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70eXBMGI1l
"Me too..." replies Akiko.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYasgTtRpc
Chizue commands, "Let's go then."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhJr9zsmdJ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDawvIKSDZ
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBBEHM15kg
Chizue suddenly shouts out, "Don't eat that!" as Kirara holds an odd looking berry in her hand then inconspicuously lets it fall.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJnxyydsIf
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtCgBLQqB0
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXgz8IPWNH
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb8mptI8Ov
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQzzdaagxk
Creepily, Junichi creeps closer; eyes ogle; old eager hands reach out.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHOmEUxRQX
Disturbing voice muffled by lips smacking, "Who might these cuties be?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZOYK6GlKm
Swiftly, Chizue snatches each girls' wrist then immediately, commands, "Time to go!"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU05xXx7lIb
Kirara balks, "That's all?"
Akiko confused, "Huh.."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrxZiTMADr
Akiko willfully follows.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfUxIfgrqe
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89yowpESUG
Kirara responds "Argh..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDruX4LNR0
Ecstatic Junichi leaves Lord Yamada's abode fondling a small pouch of jingling coins.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uFaNzQbLQ
Chizue finishes sorting her bag of goods then casually announces to the girls, 'I'll be back soon."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnovMDZGPI5
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0HhRCgZYW
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFjNf0xttI
As Chizue walks by a pleasant voice greets her from behind, "Hello, Chizue-chan, it's good to see you".108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj9Iw28aD8
Chizue stops then turns, "Good to see you too, Keiko-san."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TnCNyuBxv
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?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG9sj6B9k6
Hesitantly, Chizue looks at her coin purse then back at Keiko, "Umm..."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS3oq3VmP7
Keiko interrupts slyly, "Or perhaps they'd be perfect gifts for the girls you were with the other day?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDBIVZtnPn
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."108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhOBYts4kB
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc96SokeyU
From the corner of her eye, Chizue notices the sun sinking toward the horizon. Naturally, she lengthens her stride.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAQygiGzfg
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeyyVuyfCg
Frantically, Chizue weaves through the town. Her lungs heave and another pursuer materializes from the shadows.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj92qbejbjt
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0naUy2jT5I
As the sky prepares to darken, the wind begins to cool, and the girls instinctively huddle together under a tree.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYf6iH5fx6
Kirara's stomach grumbles, but she frowns and strokes her long hair. Eventually, she lets out a sigh, "Where's Chizue-sama?"108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZJydl04Qq
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvkBH0Mn0s
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6oclgs3s5
Eagerly, Kirara jogs through the woods,108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVJjS98OPo
"I am going to surprise her. She'll be so happy to see me. "108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Eu6aQSHc
Far off, Akiko begins to cry and calls out, "Kirara!," but Kirara as if deaf continues down the twisting path.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxmo7eGIU3
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JOt5MG2qE
Methodically, Chizue reaches the edge of town. Oddly, the guards stationed there have are nowhere to be found.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zaECbhGpj
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzB6TZi4E3
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.108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPg8B7zhaD
Under her breath, "I've got to hurry, the girls must be hungry.
108Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhYMTpJNvf
