A/N: Today is the start of TenMaki week for Tumblr! I don't know how many days I'll be able to write for. But I did write this: An entry for Day 1, AU. So without further ado, it's time for femslash!

Day 1: A fresh start

If there was one thing that Maki definitely found admirable about Tenko, it was her dream. The Ultimate Aikido Master always talked about how she would open her own training dojo, where she could teach others the strength to look out for those they cared about.

As the Ultimate Assassin, Maki only ever used her strength to kill… to destroy. Was that why Maki had found herself becoming drawn to Tenko during their time at Hope's Peak Academy? Perhaps it was, but that wasn't something Maki would ever admit out loud.

Being the emotionally open girl that she was, during their second year together Tenko spoke the words that Maki couldn't: "Maybe Tenko is the only one that feels this way. But Tenko has enjoyed the time she's spent with Maki. And Tenko is imagining… that she could be with Maki even after we graduate!"

"Wha-what? Why would you want to be with a horrible person like me?" Maki couldn't help but say that, because she really did feel that way, after all the blood she spilled. And that was when it happened- Tenko grabbed Maki by the hands and declared, "Maki is not a horrible person! Tenko has seen into your heart, and it's so warm and caring deep down. But your heart is also wounded and troubled. And Tenko hopes that she can be the one that help you face that head on!"

If anyone had a heart that was warm and caring, it was Tenko. Just being in her presence was like being in an embrace. That was how they came to be a couple for the remainder of their time at Hope's Peak Academy.

If there was one thing that worried Maki, it was what she would do after graduation. Maki had every intention of leaving the assassin cult the first chance she got- she had long since grown weary of seeing dead bodies. But Maki had no idea what to do with herself after that.

Maki didn't speak of this with anyone, not even with Tenko. Yet, as if Tenko already knew of Maki's troubles, she approached Maki and asked if Maki would mind going somewhere so they could talk…

The destination that Tenko had in mind was what appeared to be a wooden building that was tucked away in a quieter corner of the city. "Where is this, Tenko?" Maki asked.

"This is none other than Tenko's future Neo Aikido dojo! Tenko has saved up money throughout all three years she's spent as a student of Hope's Peak," Tenko explained. "So she plans to make a down payment on this place as soon as she graduates."

"So through your hard work, you plan to take the first step in accomplishing your dream. That's all well and good, but what do I have to do with this?" Maki asked.

"Well, Tenko has seen that something has been troubling Maki, and while Tenko doesn't know what is, Tenko has a feeling it's related to your… talent," Tenko said, gripping one of her arms.

"... You'd be correct. But I do not want to concern yourself with my talent any longer. I fully plan to leave that world for good as soon as I can," Maki said, putting a reassuring hand on one of Tenko's shoulder.

"Tenko is happy to hear that! And it means that Tenko was right to do this!" Tenko exclaimed, smiling. "Because while Tenko plans to run this dojo, when it gets big enough she won't be able to do it alone. So Tenko wants to run this dojo alongside you, Maki!"

It took a moment for Maki for process what Tenko was saying. "Do you mean… that you want me to be a part of something so important to you? Even after all I've done?"

"Of course Tenko wants Maki do be a part of this- you're her girlfriend. But it's not just that. Maybe you can't take back all that you've done before. But the reason that Tenko wants to open this dojo is to make the world a better place in her own way! So Tenko was thinking, maybe Maki could lend her strength to people who need it to protect someone they care about."

And there it was- the sincerity and warmth that flowed not just from Tenko's words, but from her smile, her eyes, from every inch of her body. Tenko could be overwhelming at times, but right now, her feelings were washing over Maki, washing away the doubts and fear Maki had about her future. Maki found that now she was smiling too, looking at the dojo that represented everything Tenko worked for.

"It's true… I can't imagine a life not being an assassin, even though I hate it. I didn't know what would become of me," Maki said, intertwining one of her hands with one of Tenko's. "But if you believe in me so much you're willing to share your dream with me, how could I refuse? Perhaps while running this dojo with you, I'll discover what I really want to do."

"And Tenko will support Maki every step of the way!" Tenko exclaimed, squeezing Maki's hand. "But first, we got to graduate from Hope's Peak. So there's one final intense battle ahead of us!"

"It's not that big of a deal." Yet even with Maki's sardonic quip, she was still smiling.

Tenko turned to leave, probably to go back to Hope's Peak. Maki followed after her, but glanced back to take one last look at the dojo.

That was where Maki's new future would begin. It was where their new future would begin, together.

A/N: This is based of an AU that a friend an fellow TenMaki shipper came with, where Maki is a dojo trainer. Consider this one-shot an origin story to this AU. I want to contribute as much as I can to TenMaki, so expect more in the coming days. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl and thank you for visiting my Corner of Romance!