Hello everyone! What's up? This is the first chapter of Blind Tears, and I hope you like it! Don't forget to review- because if there is no reviews there is no story! Okay? And this is after the Kyoto arc, like maybe 2 years so Misao is 18. And this is obviously Aoshi x Misao.

Disclaimer- I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Though if I did, I wouldn't really be writing this, I don't think…

Blind Tears- Chapter one- The Accident

Misao's POV

Misao got up that morning, feeling very refreshed. She had gotten extra sleep, and had more energy than usual. She changed into a light kimono for when she had to help the Aoi-ya with customers. She looked at the mirror and gazed at her reflection in the mirror; with those forget-me-not blue eyes and silky soft black hair in a braid at her back. She smiled in satisfaction and left her room.

Maybe I can practice longer than usual today, if Okon and Omasu don't make me do a crap load of chores first… She thought this as she went down stairs. Maybe I can even persuade Aoshi-sama to go to the market with me! After all, it will be Omasu's birthday soon…

She was so busy thinking about all of this she didn't happen to notice where she was going, and BAM! Misao ran into a wall.

"OW! Damn that hurt…"

"You should watch where you're going, Misao."

She looked up into Aoshi's own ice blue eyes and froze, literally.

Great, Aoshi-sama thinks I'm an idiot now… He sure has a habit for showing up out of the blue, too…

"Gomen, Aoshi-sama. I wasn't looking where I was going… and…" Her entire face was going red with embarrassment.

"Go on."

"Well… I was wondering if you'd like to go to the market with me later, so I could pick out a present for Omasu on her birthday, and we need groceries…"

Please say yes… Her eyes pleaded.

He nodded. "I'll go with you." At those words, Misao's entire face lit up.

"You will! Oh arigato, Aoshi-sama!" She would have given him a hug, but well, he's not the kind of person you give hugs to. She skipped out the door and went into the Aoi-ya's kitchen to help with chores.

"Good morning!" She shouted out cheerfully. Okon and Omasu looked up from making breakfast.

"Ohayo Misao. So what were you talking about with Aoshi-sama?" Okon asked with a smile on her face.

"Yes, what? You're never this happy unless Aoshi-sama actually agrees to go with you somewhere… Are you going to confess your feelings?" Omasu said with a sly grin on her face. Misao could've sworn she saw fox ears on both of their heads. (a/n: I love foxes. Just so you people know…)

They look like that Megumi chick they always call vixen

"FOR your information, I was talking about going to the market to get YOU"-points finger to Omasu-"a birthday present, and I won't tell him, yet… So back off! And I am in a good mood because I actually got enough sleep for once! Sheesh!" Misao stalked off to do some training.

"You know, you can't really tell if she's in a good mood or not…" Okon said.

"Too true, but that's our little Misao…" Omasu replied.

"I HEARD THAT! And I am not little!" They giggled and went back to work.

Aoshi's POV

(In the training place)

Aoshi watched Misao practice on the training dummies. Razor sharp kunai sliced here and there, landing and hitting their desired targets with precision. Misao had gotten better over the years, but that was to be expected of the Okashira of the Oniwanbanshu (you know who it is!). Still, he was impressed, and that is a lot of praise coming from a man who hardly spoke or showed emotion. She still couldn't beat him, no matter how hard she tried, but she knew she was competent.

"Aoshi-sama, I am going to take a bath and then we'll go, okay?" Misao asked. She didn't look very tired, but rather cheerful at the idea of going to the market with him.

He nodded and turned to meditate, and Misao raced off.

Misao's POV

(at the market)

"Ooooh… I wonder if Omasu would like this." Misao eyed a barrette with little tiny jewels on it. They had been wandering around the market for a while, looking here and there.

She'd better like it, because it took almost all of my pocket money…But I guess I do owe her for the silk ribbon… She shuddered at that memory.

Flash back-

"Oh come on Misao, you have to wear this ribbon, it will even have Aoshi-sama drooling… You know he might like it…" Omasu was trying to dress her up for Aoshi-sama's birthday last year.

"Fine, but then I'm gonna burn it…"

Later, Aoshi and Misao were talking a walk and ran into some low tree limbs. The silk ribbon was tied to the top of her head, and looked ridiculous because one of the loops the bow of the ribbon made was big and sticking up on the top of her head. So when she tried to duck, it got caught and she couldn't move any farther, and Aoshi-sama tried to help her but then it got stuck on the tree, and Misao was very embarrassed and ashamed for losing Omasu's best silk ribbon.

End of flash back-

She got the present and turned to see what Aoshi had bought- a nice little fan.

"Are you ready to go, Aoshi-sama?" She asked.

He nodded, and they started walking down an alley.

This was a dingy little alley, and was littered with trash. Suddenly, Aoshi stopped, looking around.

"Aoshi-sama, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Misao was worried for him.

"I'm fine. I must be hearing things but-" He never got to finish his sentence because things started happening at once.

Bandits came out and surrounded them on both sides; Aoshi unsheathed his kodachi and Misao got out her kunai. Some of the bandits had swords; others had big wooden sticks. They immediately started attacking; Aoshi parried some of the swords blows and sliced when he had an opening, while Misao flung her kunai into shoulders, arms and legs. However, they both failed to notice that one bandit had a gun.

After many bandits were taken down, the one with the gun panicked and shot it; the bullet crashed into glass close to Misao's face.

A scream broke out- Misao's- full of pain.

Aoshi spun around and what he saw nearly made him want to kill every thing on sight.

Numerous cuts on Misao's eyes and on her eyelids and cheeks oozed blood; her once lively blue eyes now a blank, dull blue. When she closed her eyes blood welled out, like tears. Tears of blood.

She collapsed into a state of unconsciousness, and fell. Aoshi caught her before she could hurt herself, and held her close. He would have sliced the bandit to pieces, but he was gone.

Only one thought was going through Aoshi's head;

I will make you PAY for what you've done to Misao.

AZ: So what did you guys and girls think? Was it good? Remember to review, or I'll send Aoshi after you! Nudges Aoshi Right?

Aoshi: Go away, woman.

AZ: You're no fun! I'll just make Kenshin do it instead!

Poof! Kenshin appears.

Kenshin: Oro!

AZ: So remember people: review! Or Kenshin will kick your butts!

Kenshin: I don't hit peoples butts, that I don't.

AZ: You're just too nice. So review, please!