The sounds of rain brought peace to Hiko Seijurou the thirteenth's mind. The light pitter-patter was the sound of bliss to him, a seasoned warrior able to kill everyone in seconds with his agility and power. His arrogance was his main trait, along with his insatiable penchant for Sake.
The rain did not stop, and sleep took him after the last drop of his favorite Sake was in his throat. His dreams always troubled him in his sleep, yet, he did not heed them, and being the stubborn man he was. This time, he was about to be proven wrong. He saw his twenty five year-old self holding a demure woman no older than twenty, Reiyama Ryumiko, his childhood sweet-heart by the waist as he kissed her with unceasing passion in his dream. It had happened six years ago, the year before he took Kenshin as his apprentice. They didn't seem to realize he was there, not even his past self
"Hiko-sama", said the woman, who was holding her katana as tightly as Hiko held her. "My father wants me back by sunset"
"Ryumiko, we can run away, faraway where nobody will find us" Hiko said, he was younger then, more reckless. His decision to hide from the head of the all-powerful Shinsen-Gumi would only leave them in pieces on the road even if the head of the aforementioned organization was Ryumiko's own father, who intended for her to be married to a "young man who can set his priorities right", namely, one who was loyal to the Shogun and his feudal ways. Still, there were others who could fill in that category as gentlemen, but Reiyama Reiji chose a vulgar, alcoholic man who was a famous womanizer.
"I will not allow you to step into further danger, Hiko-sama" Ryumiko said, "If you reveal yourself as the Master of the Hiten-Mitsurugi and refuse to fight on either side of this war, the Emperor and the Shogun will kill you" This was true. Both sides now needed a master in the battle-arts to ensure victory, no matter what the cost. Ryumiko has seen those that refused to fight in that war was being killed by the Shogun's samurai and the Emperor's captains.
"Ryumiko-sama, Reiji-sama demands that you return now" two men said in a menacing tone. "Remember that your wedding is tomorrow"
"You will not take her!" Hiko said, unsheathing his sword, ready to kill those who would separate them.
Ryumiko stopped him, and said, "Hiko-sama, don't. If you kill them, their deaths will alert the Shinsen-Gumi!"
"You're the leader of the Shinsen-Gumi's first division; can't you do something about it?"
"Hiko-sama, no one can deter my father's plans. I will try and return to you. Please remember me" she said, hugging him one last time, and left.
It was the last time since he saw her. Reiyama Ryumiko, the daughter of the founder of the Shinsen-Gumi, a woman who had her own visions and dreams, but was consumed by her father's plans and demands after her mother's death. Reiyama Reiji was consumed by grief, and had no longer seen the joy of life. He's killed his own son in his grief, and now, he would take the step to destroy his daughter's life.