Ryumiko said nothing, but amber flashed in her eyes like a spreading flame. It was a good six months since those in the Shinsen-Gumi saw the change of color in her eyes, a sign that she was ultimately enraged, or was too immersed in killing someone. The way she looked at Akurou was filled with poison and hatred that could pierce the strongest of hearts.
Akurou was, needless to say, deathly afraid of his wife at that moment. So was his father. They stood there aghast by the sudden rise of maleficent Ki about her, but couldn't bring their own bodies to strike her down. She saw a small red paper packet clench in Akurou's fist, it must be opium, she thought, and snatched it from him.
"Give it back to me, woman!" he exclaimed with anger and fear. He knew that Ryumiko would kill him if she found out that it was he who kept feeding her father with opium. "You have no right to know its contents"
"Akurou, we will not allow you to carry unknown substances into our head-quarters" said Hijikata, one of the leading captains of the Shinsen-Gumi organization. "Reiji-sama may be isolated from the Shinsen-Gumi which he founded with his effort and blood, but we will uphold its honor, no matter what" Apparently, he knew that it was opium that was in the packet.
"Anata" Ryumiko said with a soft voice, "Please stop feeding my father opium". Her amber orbs were now reduced to the normal chestnut ones. She was really begging him this time, "Anata, I don't care if you're an addict yourself, I don't care about how you abuse me, I just want me father to be safe"
This time, it was her father-in-law, Akarou who slapped her. "You are part of MY family from now on" he said furiously. "Therefore you will care for the welfare of my son as much as you care for your father's. I demand it of you!"
"You have no authority over me, father" she said softly, yet menacingly. "If I wasn't in such a predicament as to ensure the survival of the Shinsen-Gumi, I wouldn't have married your son!"
"You said it, Ryumiko!" Okita exclaimed.
"Why should she listen to you?" asked another colleague.
"You Miburo Mibu-wolves, or wolves of Mibu are the foulest beings on the Earth to insult a father-in-law trying to teach his son's wife a lesson!" he replied in rage.
"The only ones who are fouler are those on the side of the Ishin-Ishishi" Reiji spoke. This time, he had regained much of his former self. There was power in his voice. Yes, commanding power. Power that would set Akurou and Akarou cowering at his feet. At least, it was what those in the Shinsen-Gumi and Ryumiko thought.
"Reiji, your darling daughter has disgraced my son, what is the compensation" Akarou asked in defiance.
"This" Reiji said, striking Ryumiko with his whip. "Have I not taught you to always honor those who have higher authority than you?"
"Otou-sama, I will not say any foul words against you, but even if you can control my actions, you can never control my heart" she replied. "My heart lies with Hiko Seijurou the Thirteenth of the Hiten-Mitsurugi, and no one can deny that fact, not even you. I will not give myself so easily to the man I hate with my heart. That man is Tsubasa Akurou!"