Everyone was dumbfounded at Reiji's actions. He used to be a doting father to Ryumiko, submitting to her every time she used her "aren't I daddy's favorite girl" ™ face. Even Saito, ever the stone-cold character was shocked.
"Reiji-sama, Ryumiko was only voicing her opinions" Okita pleaded as Reiji continued to whip his daughter. No matter how hard Ryumiko tried to absorb the blows, he was still stronger than her in terms of Ki, and could easily hurt her without using any effort. Her body which was already covered with bruises was now laden with blood, blood that seeped from her skin every time the whip touched her.
She did not cry out in pain, but tears fell from her
Hijikata took hold of Reiji's hands while Kondou dove for the whip. Together they restrained him, giving Ryumiko a chance to leave the place. And that she did, using all her strength, she ran to Hiko's abode.
"We'll send our men to send you back when everything's calmed down!" she could hear Kondou shout towards her.
"Thank you!" she replied. Fear caught her as she ran, while guilt tried to force her to stay. After all, Reiji was still her father… No, she said to herself, I will not let blind obedience bring me to further misfortune…
Night had fallen, and the stars came out to play amongst themselves. They twinkled and glimmered, lighting the path to the dwelling of the master-swordsman with the help of the moon. She was already at the foot of the mountain of where he resided in, but it was a good 20 kilometers from the Shinsen-Gumi headquarters.
She was weary and tired, but she pushed herself to go further, lest her father caught up with her. Twenty minutes later, she found him, sitting by his kiln, drinking Sake, no doubt. Her heart glowed with happiness and relief to see him, but weariness took her, and knocked her out cold.
Hiko heard the soft thud that came with her fall, and rushed to her side. He found scores of bruises and slashes on her body, and wondered furiously on the identities of those who would dare to abuse her.
"Hiko-sama?" she whispered weakly. Her chestnut eyes filled with tears that were mixed with joy and sadness. She clung tightly to his well-muscled body, and cried. Her body was as cold as ice, but her tears warm as the summer sun. "Akurou… my father… they'll want me dead if they find me…"
"Why, what happened?" he asked, 'Tell me what happened, please" He wanted to know why would her husband and father hurt her so. He couldn't understand why anyone would beat someone as kind, gentle and loyal as Reiyama Ryumiko. I'll get to the bottom of this, Ryumiko; I promise… he swore silently to her as she lost her consciousness again.
Still, if what Ryumiko said was true, he would have to reveal himself to the world; her efforts to hide him from the Emperor and the Shogun would be wasted and ground to dust. Will he risk all this, just to protect her? Or will he stand at the sidelines whilst watching the woman he'd loved the most receive abuse from her father and husband?