Author's Notes: This is a one-shot fic about the pirate Shura. She reflects upon her feelings toward Kenshin. Reflections fanfiction by Gypsy-chan. My Notes : kenji is kenshins and kaorus child in the manga.  theres nothing to say but this fan fic is like a summary of the episodes with shura .  Warning, may contain spoilers REFLECTIONS One dark and starry night, a woman sat alone atop a high mountain. She gazed up into the heavens searching the stars. "Father, why didn't you tell me about this thing called love? Why didn't you tell me how much it would hurt?" She looked down at the beautiful pink kimono in her hand. Tears streamed down her face as she began thinking of him. I know that his heart belongs to another, but that doesn't stop my heart from aching for him. I wonder what he is doing now? I wonder if he still remembers me? It seems like only yesterday when I first saw him. I was proudly standing upon the highest deck of a ship I had just taken over. As I gazed down upon the decks below, I could see my mighty crew plundering the ship of its goods. Several foolish men tried to stop my crew from pillaging their ship. I laughed loudly knowing that they would never succeed. Those fools were all just a bunch of weaklings rushing to their death. I didn't involve myself in the battle for I knew that there was no one worthy of challenging me. As I walked to the other side of the deck, I glanced down at the raging battle. That is when I saw him. I was immediately smitten by his appearance. He was very handsome. He had flaming red hair and a cross-shaped scar. The scar was the mark of a true warrior. His fighting skills were excellent. Far surpassing the skills of those I fought before. I was truly intrigued by this man. His every movement seemed to excite me. His feet moved in tune with the clanging of the swords. It was as though he was gracefully dancing to the sounds of battle. As I continued watching him fight, I knew that I had finally found a worthy opponent. I ordered everyone to move away from him and stand down their weapons. For he was my prey and I alone intended to do battle with him. When I removed my cloak, he could see that I was a woman. He hesitated slightly not wanting to fight me. I didn't give in to his weak manly gestures. I became indignate at the thought of him not treating me as his equal in battle. It made me all the more determined to win the fight for the sake of my honor and for the sake of my crew who were watching me. But then the unthinkable occurred. He defeated me. I couldn't believe it! I, Shura, leader of the Kai-Ryu, one of the most notorious pirates of the seven seas, had been defeated by a land dweller named, Himura Kenshin. I was totally mortified after learning that my opponent had been poisoned. There I was at full strength being beatened by a man that had been poisoned. How humiliating! I became enraged. I wanted to kill him for humiliating me in front of my crew. But I had to make a hasty retreat due to an approaching battle ship. I never thought that I would ever see him again. After such an embarrassing defeat, I really didn't want to see him again. But there he was, surrendering his life to me on behalf of the young woman my crew member had taken from the ship. As we set sail, I watched him calling out to his friends to look after her. I wondered what kind of woman was she for him to give his life up so freely. When we reached the island, I knew that I had to avenge my honor by taking his life. The crew were all thirsting for his blood. I refused to allow anyone to take his life. He was mine. After dismissing the crew, I confronted him. I took my sword and swung it at him. Each time nothing happened. Something was wrong with me. I've never hesitated to take the life of a man before. But for some reason, no matter how hard I tried to kill him I just couldn't do it. I returned his sword to him and demanded that he fight me. But he refused. He just stood there staring at me. His lavender eyes seemed to have mesmerized me. Why am I feeling this way? What's happening to me? I knew that I had to get away from him quickly. I had to go somewhere quite so that I could get a hold of my emotions. So I gave orders for him to be tied up and guarded until I returned. I found a quite spot on the beach. I stretched out upon the cool sand and began looking up at the stars. Questions began to flood my mind. Why did I spare his life? Is it because I am afraid of him? No, it can't be. I have never given in to fear before. My father taught me better than that. So, what is it? What makes him different from other men? When I spoke harsh words to him, he responded with a smile. When I glared at him, he responded with a kind look. I just couldn't figure him out. Later that day many bad things started to happen. I lost leadership over my people when Gin-jo decided to challenge my authority and start a mutiny. Things had gotten so bad that one of my trusted friends almost died from the opium that was forced upon him. I was totally devastated. Not only did my crew turn against me, but I was wounded as well. I had no where else to turn. That is when I decided to end it all. I slowly raised the knife to take my life. Suddenly, I felt a firm hand knocking the knife out of my hand. When I looked up I saw that it was him again, Himura Kenshin. I thought that he had left after we fell off the cliff, but he came back. Saving my life again by mending my broken spirit. As he stood next to me holding my hand I wondered, why does he keep saving me? First he risked his life by jumping off the cliff with me, then he fixes my wounded leg. I felt my face flush as I thought about him. What is this? Am I blushing? Me? The most feared pirate in the world, blushing? My heart began pounding faster the longer he held my hand. I felt things happening to my body in which I couldn't explain. I believe that it was at that moment I fell in love with him. This love was a new emotion for me. I never thought of myself as a woman. I only thought of myself as pirate. So naturally I wondered about love. Is what I'm feeling really love? Father never told me about love. I only remember father giving me mother's pink kimono when I was a little girl. He told me to wear it when I found the man that I fell in love with. Could it be I fell in love with Himura Kenshin? Is he really the one father spoke of ? While still in my confused state, he released my hand and quickly apologized for giving me the wrong impression. At that moment, my heart sunk into despair. His releasing of my hand had brought me back to realty. Even though he had surrendered his life to me, his heart still belonged to her. It was at that point that I decided to give him back his freedom. He didn't leave right away. He stayed for a little while to help my companions and me out of trouble. In the back of my mind I was hoping that he would stay with me. But I knew that was only wishful thinking. My chances of winning his heart was over the moment Kamiya Kaoru arrived. Upon seeing her, his face softened as she began speaking to him. As he carried me on his back, I could feel the love in his heart pouring out to her as he spoke her name. Kaoru-dono. She in turn responded to his love by giving her heart back to him through her smile. As I watched them standing side by side I felt as though I was watching poetry in motion. I quitely wiped away the tears that was forming in my eyes and closed my heart to the emotion called love. It has been three years since I've seen him. But I will never forget the dashing red haired young swordsman with the cross-shaped scar who defeated me. I will always keep the sweet memories of Himura Kenshin alive in my dreams. I wonder what he is doing now? I wonder if he still remembers me? A little boy ran up calling out to her, "Captain Shura, captain Shura, the villagers are all waiting for you to lead us in the ways of your father." Shura smiled and replied, "Run along little one and tell the people that I will be with them shortly." The little boy ran happily back to the village. Shura folded her pink kimono and looked back at the stars. "One day father I will wear this kimono. But right now I know that I must stay strong and follow the path that will lead to happiness for our people." Back in Tokyo at the Kamiya dojo, little Kenji was crying. Kaoru sat up and looked over at the baby. A hand was placed gently upon her shoulders. "Anata, let me see to him this time," he lovingly said. Then he kissed her on the forehead. "Go back to sleep koishii." Kaoru smiled and sleepily whispered, "Arigato anata." She curled up under the blankets and fell back to sleep. Kenshin gently picked up little Kenji and sat near the window. Kenji was still crying. "Shhh, don't cry little one. Daddy is here now." His voice seemed to soothe Kenji's crying. He began intently looking at his father's face. Kenshin smiled as he watched his son exploring his face. "I am glad you stopped crying. Would you like to hear a story?" Kenji began waving his little arms around while making cooing sounds. Kenshin smiled and replied, "Okay, I will take that as a yes. Now let me see, oh yes I know a good story. There once was a beautiful pirate named Shura...." THE END