Chapter 1: Clash Between Swords

"Things could always get worse, when they're bad."

.:Misao:.

It took a couple of days for the ninja to pull herself back together. Her pride (and ego) wouldn't let her mourn over the new flaw. Yes, she fell, and tripped, and bumped into trees, and had hard times trying to find shelter during the cold June rains, but she kept on. That was the thing about Misao. She was such a strong person, such a fighter.

With twigs in her hair, bags under her dazed eyes, small scratches and minor bruises, she carefully sat down against an oak tree. "I'm starving." She mumbled, her stomach growled in agreement.

She sighed and closed her eyes. "I better not die here alone. That would be such a great ending to my life. Makimachi Misao: Died from starvation due to the frog piss that sprayed in her eyes causing her blindness." She spoke to herself sarcastically.

For 2 days straight, the young girl hadn't eaten. She tried a couple of berry bushes but found them to be bad tasting and slightly poisonous.

Being alone in a forest, all she had as a companion… was herself. But that would change soon.

"I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts...Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head..." Misao sung to herself.

It was the only thing she could do to keep herself entertained.

.:Soujiro:.

Close by, dressed in blue, Soujiro was filling up his canteen with water. He had decided to travel through the forest, wanting to be away from civilization for a while. He was quite intrigued by how clear the water seemed.

"OUCH! SON OF A ---!"

Soujiro snapped his head towards the voice. He blinked in confusion and stood up.

"STUPID LITTLE ---ARRGGH!"

"...Someone's not happy." Soujiro smiled and sweat-dropped. Curiosity overtook him, and he followed the loud cursing and threats.

"Retarded grasshopper, whatever it was." Misao growled, standing up, fuming.

Soujiro stood a few feet away from her, surprised to see who it was.

"I thought only sailors cursed like that." He spoke with his usual fake glee.

Misao twirled at the sound of his voice and looked frantically to spot him. But she couldn't.

"Who the hell are you?" She snapped, not having a good day.

"...You don't remember me?" Soujiro asked coming closer.

Misao had her kunai magically appear between her slender fingers and whispered lowly: "I don't need to see to kill."

Soujiro raised an eyebrow, puzzled by what she meant. He looked at her, and realized it.

"You're blind, Miss Makimachi."