Ryumiko looked out from the window of her carriage, seated next to her sworn-brother, Saito Hajime. He was the only one who could talk some sense into her, but he had his own principles of honor and life.
"Ryumiko, why don't you stand up to your father?" he asked, his amber eyes flashing with disappointment. "You are usually the rebellious one"
"If I do, Hiko-sama will die" Ryumiko answered. "He will kill the both of us"
She was right, Ever since her mother died; Reiyama Reiji was caught in opium addiction, illegal arms-trade and the murder of her fifteen-year old brother. Her betrothal to a Tsubasa Akurou was because he wanted good ties with a man who sold Gatling guns at cheap prices to regular customers. If he gave those guns to the Shogun, he would be rewarded with more money to fund the Shinsen-Gumi and to buy more opium.
"And so, you give up your happiness for that ceramics artist so he can survive your father's wrath?" he asked again. "You're not that pathetic, Ryumiko"
"You haven't been in love before, Oni-san" she replied, "You want to protect those that you love, with your life even if it means that you can't see them again. Even when your heart is crushed, you want to see them smile before you. Aku. Zoku. Zan. Doesn't matter anymore"
"You've changed, Ryumiko" he said, "There was a time when you killed without blinking an eye"
"There was a time when men called me the Iron Wolf-maiden of Mibu" she sighed, "Just because I had more interest in the Shinsen-Gumi than them. It doesn't matter anymore. Hitokiri, lover, or daughter, if I marry Akurou, I can accomplish all of my responsibilities"
Saito could not say anything more at that moment. He knew that she was right. Being brought up in a traditional Samurai clan made Ryumiko honor everything else before her. She'd just commit seppuku rather than fleeing Japan with Hiko Seijurou. That was Reiyama Ryumiko. A Samurai beauty that refuses to do something before she realizes those around her would be safe from any aspect of danger.
"Oni-san," She spoke again, "How is my father?"
"Reiji-sama has closed his doors to everyone except Akurou, whom he believes to be his heir. He doesn't even speak to Kondo and Hijikata now" Saito answered, "Perhaps your fiancé is feeding him more opium, we do not know"
The carriage stopped, and Okita greeted them with his ever-smiling face.
"Ryumiko, nice to see you again" he said, coming back from the hospital.
"Okita" Ryumiko greeted. The child had a severe case of tuberculosis, fighting in the Shinsen-Gumi only made it worse. He'd lost his parents in the wars; her father killed them himself, as they were part of the Ishin-Ishishi. Ryumiko and Saito recruited him soon after, training him in Gatotsu. Heck, it was the last thing they could do for the kid.
"Oni-san", Ryumiko said before retiring into her room as she pressed the bell on the hilt of her katana into Saito's hands, "Bring this to Hiko-sama for me"