You never did understand why they always insisted you stay away from the Shinazugawa boy.

The rumors either being that he was broken, or demented. Or a coarse mixture of the two. Following in his brother's footsteps, all anyone could vividly recollect of Genya was his viciousness from his youth.

Bummer.

What never clicked for you, was their determination to keep the last name Shinazugawa from certain happiness, & pride.

You understood it even less as the mornings passed where your teenage romance began to flourish into nights spend together. Tangled up in sheets in the comfort of long robes & nightgowns. His scarred figure rugged, but familiar.

Home-like.

You understood it even less when you would wake up to the slayer placing a kiss to your sleeping forehead, before scurrying out the door to begin the day's work once more.

He was a kind soul. You knew that, you wished he knew that, too.

"Hey, I'll be back later..Gyomei needs me for training today.."

The boy's voice was gruff, but soft, & kind, as he gave your bicep a gentle squeeze.