WOW… two reviews already…. Not bad for a recovering Mary-Sue author. Thanks, Patience Halliwell. Love ya, all you out there who are reading this, please review!
"Now, now, Ryumiko" said, Tsubasa Akarou, now father in law to Ryumiko. "Leaving your duties of a hitokiri is most compulsory to do, as you're now a daughter of my clan. Please remember that we value peace and quiet. No one wants to see a blood-stained person coming in and out of the house. The family honor would be ruined"
"Yes, father" she replied coldly. There was no sincerity in her words, but only disdain and malcontent. She lived for the Shinsen-Gumi which she had sworn to protect and maintain, and would die by it. Never has she heard a request to end her days as a hitokiri of the Bakufu, as she was married to the job. That was why she was called the Iron Wolf-maiden of Mibu. She wouldn't let any man touch her, as she laid the survival of the Shinsen-Gumi before her.
"From now on, you are to stay at home to clean, cook and take care of my numerous grandchildren while my sons and I are out" he continued, "You are also advised that Sake is a must at mealtimes and so is rice. Given your skills as a hitokiri, you are needed to guard the house during the night every alternate day"
"Yes, father" Monotony was sometimes a pleasure in life, especially when you're with the in-laws, since they want you to be a "good daughter in-law that causes no disturbance in the house" Still the need to guard the house during the night seemed to be puzzling, as the whole family had a part in the arms trade. They could just use the money they earned to get a bodyguard or two.
Ryumiko was almost certain that a stay-at-home life would be the death of her, but still she had to comply with her father and her father-in-law's wishes, for the good of all. Oh, well, at least I can still use my katana, she thought.
The first night with Akurou was a nightmare. He came home heavily drunk that night, and slapped her when she refused to give him more Sake. There was opium all around his room, scattered openly. It pained her to see this, although she had no love for him. She knew that it was opium that destroyed so many lives in Japan and all around the world. Now it would destroy hers as her husband and father was addicted to it.
"Akurou, too much Sake and opium will destroy your body" she said politely to her husband. "Please, change your habits to improve in health"
"Don't talk to me like that, bitch" he scolded, "I am your husband, therefore I am superior to you. Your words mean nothing to me, I will do as I like"
"Even if you do not listen to me, you should see your body's deterioration. It is a sign that it can't take any more abuse" she reasoned. As much as she disliked him, he was still human. He was stubborn, fierce, and definitely a wife-beater. She took his habits as a challenge, and wanted to change him into a better person, no matter what it takes.
"The abuse that I'm suffering now is an incompetent wife" he shouted, and punched her in the stomach. It came right out of nowhere. Although she was an expert swordswoman with a highly developed Ki, she caught it unawares and didn't have time to absorb the blow. "Now that you're notified, get me more Sake this instant!"