a) 要 -> 妙 -> 省 -> 眠
要 YOU, i(ru) - essential(s) need
妙 MYOU - strange, odd, adroit, mystery
省 SEI, SHOU, kaerimiru, habu(ku) - ministry, reflect, omit
眠 MIN, nemu(ru), nemu(i) - sleep. sleepy, tired
b) 柔 -> 柱 -> 青 -> 胞
柔 JUU, NYUU, yawa(rakai) - soft
柱 CHUU, hashira - pillar, column, pole
青 SEI, SHOU, ao(i) - blue
胞 HOU - sac, sheath, placenta