I've been away for years but I'm back and ready to take this story and the others on. Genkai and Toguro are still one of my favorite pairings and I've decided to take this into an AU. I'll start with the events leading up to their Dark Tournament and what occurs after that. I loved their arc in the show, but I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic and want to see a better ending for them.

I've revamped this story since I wrote this back in 2009 (holy seas, I am SO sorry!)

I still want to stick with Genkai as the POV for most of the story, but sometimes I'll be switching to the Younger Toguro. I also created the first name for him and his brother.

Satoru (Younger) and Yuu (Older)

When I came to this dojo, I was but a young woman who had left behind a tragic time. I was traveling not far from here when I was attacked by a low-class demon. However, at the time I did not understand what the demon was or why he had come after me. Thankfully, that day I was saved by a man named Satoru Toguro, the youngest of the Toguro brothers. He had been passing by on his morning run when he had taken notice of the demon and myself. I was captivated with how he fought and easily defeated the offender.

Now, I am here being trained by the youngest brother. I have come to perfect my fighting and increase my ability to fight demons under his tutelage. At first, I felt like a mouse amongst him and his older brother, Yuu. However, I steadily grew into my powers and my psychic abilities. It has been a year since that incident and I have grown to become a lethal fighter while quietly dealing with my feelings towards Satoru. In all his infinite wisdom when it came to fighting demons, he was a blockhead when it came to his feelings.

I was snapped out of my daydream, to realize Satoru and his students had come back from their training session. Each of the youngsters was worn out to near exhaustion, but Satoru smiled congratulating them all on a job well done. I sat in my usual spot also smiling at the young students, for they had a fine master, with a tender heart. After Toguro had made sure they were all settled he came over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder, ever so lightly.

"And how are you Genkai? I apologize for the lateness, we took longer than expected but they insisted we train longer." He smiled again and I smiled back.

"I am fine, and it is fine, they have such a great master who they wish to emulate." A small blush formed on his cheeks at the compliment. Clearing his throat he held out a hand and helped me up.

"Dinner?" To which I nodded and followed him inside.

After dinner had finished, I went about my nightly routine of a few chores and ensuring the students were in bed. Even with being here for a year, I was still getting used to the students. A few months into living with the Toguro's I suggested he should train young men and women from villages close by so they could defend their homes. Satoru took to the idea immediately and went on his way to find students, which he came back with 15. All with various backgrounds, ages, and skills. They were all great kids with potential.

From there I made my way back outside to decompress from the day. There I found Satoru, sitting on the deck. "May I sit?" I asked him and he nodded.

Taking a seat, my eyes took in the sight of the moonlight reflecting off him, but I quickly diverted my eyes to the sky when he turned his head towards me.

"It's been a long time since I stared at the sky beyond a few minutes," He said, his eyes pierced the dark night sky.

"I try to look at it every night, doing so refreshes me and gives me good thoughts to think about."

His attention was turned down to me with a questioning look. "What kind of thoughts?"

I looked into his eyes briefly, you, you big idiot, I said to myself but went on to say "What life was like before here. What I need to do to improve my fighting and spirit energy. How fortunate I am to have you and the students. Sometimes I just like to stare at the sky and let my mind wander about everything."

"Do you miss home? Do you wish you could go back?" He asks cautiously. I haven't disclosed what happened to me or my village but perhaps I should.

"I miss my home but I wouldn't want to return… would you like to know what happened? I know I haven't spoken of what happened but… perhaps I should finally share my story." I turn my head up at him then, and he is staring at me.

"If you wish to confide in me, then I would be honored to hear what you have to say." He then moves closer and wraps his arm around my shoulders. I couldn't help but slump into him slightly, my head against his chest, I close my eyes briefly taking in his scent. After a moment, I lift myself slightly and begin to tell my story.

"As you know you rescued me a year ago from that low-class demon, but where I came from had been much worse. I'm not sure what exactly happened. I was asleep when I was woken by my father. He said an animal was rampaging through the village, killing everyone. He quickly got me out of bed and dressed. We could hear screaming and curdling of blood not far from us, so he took my hand and we ran. While I can't remember much of the carnage, I remember looking back and seeing a demon, who stood in great height and was slaughtering everyone he saw. At that moment he saw my father and I running and my father also noticed this. He let go of my hand at that moment and told me to keep running as he ran towards the monster. I cried but did as I was told, hearing his screams as I disappeared among the forest. I believe the demon you later saved me from was part of his group. Once you saved me and told me what you did and how you were able to do it, I knew I found a new home and would be safe here, with you." I fell silent at that proclamation, and Satoru's arm tightened around my shoulders.

"Thank you, for telling me Genkai. I am happy you are here and glad you feel safe here… and with me." He said as he looked down at me and I looked up at him. I felt him shift as his head came closer to mine but we heard a creak from the roof and shifted away from one another.

Yuu was standing at the top of the roof, his hands in his pockets and a slimy grin on his face. He most likely heard everything I said and was filing the information away for use later on. Yuu rarely came around. While he was trained like Satoru, Yuu likes to partake in other nefarious things to which Satoru did not want around the students. So the oldest brother, knowing best to abide by his brother's wishes, did so. Thus him being here means something was up.

I got up as Satoru did and gave him a nod before I went inside, leaving the brothers to their discussion.