-Natasha-
"Class meet Takashi Shirogane." I hear the teacher say as they introduce my brother
I look at him as all the other students start to make the connection. He sends me a small smile before turning his attention to the class.
I vaguely listen to everyone as Shiro is explains something or other about the simulator that we're going to be trying.
I hear my teacher clear her throat to get our attention as we head out towards his car and the sim. I grab Keith's shoulder and we head down together.
"How come you get to be related to this guy?" I hear a boy ask
"Because that's what the universe wanted." I snap back
"Tashie, no need to be so snappy." A kid says
"Lance, I swear if I hear that stupid name again, you won't even make into Garrison." I hiss
I feel somebody place their hand on my shoulder. I look up and see Shiro laughing softly as he leads me into the sim.
"Since Natasha here has done it before, she's going to show you how it's done." He says
I look at him as I start the simulator and get ready.
"Which level should I stop on?" I ask
"Whichever one you feel like." He says
I start the sim and just avoid all the asteroids and such until I reach about level 6 then I just stop.
"Alright, you've seen how it's done. Now let's see what you guys got." He says
He helps me down and smiles. I send him a smile back as I turn to watch Lance and James, only for them to get to level three then fail.
Getting what you two deserve...
-~-
"Nat, you're not going to believe this." My brother yells upstairs
"What am I not going to believe?" I ask, walking to the end of the stairs
"Come down here and I'll tell you." He says
I walk downstairs and see his dark grey eyes with his black hair hanging in front of them. He's holding an envelope as he is watching me.
I see two other people, one is an older man with white hair and brown eyes. Then a young boy, maybe my age or a little bit older with light brown hair and brown eyes.
They must be his crew...
I look over the two people.
"Nat, I want you to meet my crew before we head to Kerberos," Shiro says
"Wait, you guys were picked?" I ask
"We sure were." He says
I look at him as I hug him as he laughs.
"They would be so proud of you," I say
"Nat, we all know they would be proud of both of us." He says "Now let me introduce you to my team."
He points to the older man with a smile as he watches as I step back.
"Nat, this is Commander Samuel Holt." He says, then moving to the younger one "And this is his son Matt."
"Nice to meet you both," I say with a smile, shaking both of their hands
"It's nice to meet you, Natasha," Matt says as he smiles
"Call me Nat, everybody does," I say
"We really are honored to be flying with your brother on this mission." The commander says "He's one of the best pilots I've had on my crew."
"He should be honored to be flying you guys," I say
I look over at my brother, a smile on his face as he watches me meet his crew. I look at his arm as his bracelet is in plain sight.
"Wait..." I start
"Don't worry Nat, we are working on getting him cleared to fly," Samuel reassures
"So they know?" I ask
"Yes. We know but we still want him to be our pilot despite what everybody is saying." Matt says
I smile as I continue to talk to them, getting to know them.
"I'm glad you guys are getting along." I hear him whisper
-~-
"We all know you're here because of the Shiroganes," Lance says
I turn to look at him after the headmaster turns away.
"Shut up Lance." I start "Keith is here because he deserves it. He actually has some piloting skills unlike you who got in for grades."
"Oh, right you're here because of your brother." James says "Has to keep an eye on you somehow, am I right?"
I roll my eyes as I look over at Keith as he sends me a small smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about Tashie." Lance teases
I growl as I turn to leave. I'm not even to the door when I hear the headmaster yelling at someone to break it up. I whip around and see Keith going after James.
"Keith!" I yell
I go to run over when Shiro grabs me and shakes his head.
"I need to stop him!" I say "James probably did something stupid to put him on edge."
"Give him time to cool off." He whispers
"You know better than anyone that my presence helps him calm down cause I'm someone who is always going to be there," I argue
"Nat, just meet us in the office." He says as he let's go of me
I hear his bracelet beep and I grab his arm, hiding it from everybody else and take a look at it.
"It's getting worse?" I ask
He pulls his arm away from me before turning around.
"We'll talk later. He's going to want to talk to me about Keith." He almost growls
-~-
I would push my black hair into a quickly done braid, my dark gray eyes watching every single finger movement.
"Natasha!" I hear my brother yell
"Coming!" I yell
I go running down the stairs as I see the TV on and everybody is talking about the Kerberos mission. I look around the kitchen and see my brother as he is sitting at the kitchen table.
"You ready for this new adventure?" I ask, looking at Shiro as I sit across from him
"I sure am. Don't know if I'm ready to leave you home alone." He laughs
"I got Keith, I'll be fine," I say with a smile
"You two better watch out for each other." He says "If you need anything don't be afraid to reach out to Adam."
"You better return to us safely." I say "Besides, I'm not ready to deal with him yet."
"Then if you need something go to Collen and Katie." He says
"I have their contact ready to go just in case," I say with a smile
He smiles as we stand up to walk to the door. I stop at the door and look outside as I look over our neighborhood.
"Nat, you better stay in school." He says "I won't be here to make sure you are getting there every day."
"I have a reason to be there. I need to beat this Lance kid. He's trying to take my spot as the next fighter pilot in training." I say "And he's just somebody I can't stand."
Shiro laughs as he shakes his head.
"The things he doesn't know." He says
I look at him then at the ground.
"What am I supposed to do without you here though? You have always been there..." I start to ramble "Well besides your other missions. But what if I need to talk to my big brother? What if something happens to you and I can't be there to help? What about your arm? I'm one of the only ones who know what to do when it gets bad."
"Hey, I'll be back before you know it." He says as he sets his hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down
I look at him when I see the cars to bring him to his ship show up. I look at him one last time and hug him before he leaves. I look down at the bracelet like thing on his arm and sigh as I just hug him tighter.
"I love you, Nat. I'll see you soon." He says as he places a kiss to the top of my head before he lets go and walks away
-~-
I'm walking down the stairs and see the TV on from last night when I see Dr. Samuel Holt, Matt Holt, and Shiro's pictures on the TV. I hurry over to the remote and turn the volume up and set the remote down, immediately starting to play with my hair.
"Due to pilot error, the ship to Kerberos has crashed and the entire crew is presumed dead." The reporter says
I run to the door when I hear a knock on the door. I yank the door open, expecting a Garrison officer. Only to see Keith standing there, looking at me.
"He c-can't be gone," I whisper
Keith looks at me with sad eyes before he catches me as my knees go weak.
"They didn't even come to tell you before the news came on?" He asks
I shake my head as I can't form any words.
"We're going to have to talk to the Headmaster about this and see if he understands why," Keith says
"I'm going to have to move in with them now..." I say "Now that Shiro is no longer around... I have to live in the dorms."
"Hey, maybe we'll share one. I still don't have a roommate." Keith says
"Highly doubt it. You really think that they would allow a boy and a girl in the same room alone. Especially two that are really good friends." I say with a small laugh
He shoots me a smile as he looks at the picture of Shiro and I before he had left for his first day at the academy.
I hear the phone go off and I slowly stand up and reach for it, bring it to my ear.
"H-hello?" I ask
"Natasha, have you seen the news?" I hear Katie ask over the phone
"I... I just saw it." I start
"Do you really believe that Shiro would mess up that bad?" She asks
"I-I don't think so. But..." I start, my mind racing to his arm
"My mom thinks it might be best if you came over to our place for dinner tonight. Try to find out as much as we can." She starts
"I think that would be a good idea. I think I might need someone there today." I start "Pidge, tell your mom that I would love to come for dinner."
"We'll see you soon Nat." She says before hanging up
"They've really stepped into your life," Keith says
"Collen has become like a mother to me." I start "Katie is pretty much a little sister to me."
He looks at me then smiles as he hugs me one last time.
"I should head out before it gets too late and I'm past curfew." He says
"Look at you, actually obeying curfew." I laugh
He laughs as he stands up and starts to walk out of the room.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He says before shutting the door
-~-
I look at the headmaster as he is sitting at his desk.
"You know that is confidential information." He says as I glare at him
"I'm the pilot's sister. I deserve to know what really happened." I start "Especially when people are saying it's a pilot error."
I take a deep breath before I say the next part, moving my hair out of my face.
"My brother was the best pilot I knew. He would never risk anything if it meant risking his crew's life." I start
"Maybe you should take that advice." He says "Your brother went up there impaired. He knew he was risking his life and the crews. So this is your brother's fault."
"Just because I hang out with Keith doesn't mean anything!" I yell "Besides, the doctor cleared him to go so I have no clue what you're talking about! Now tell me what really happened before I get angry."
The headmaster jumps to his feet and just looks at me.
"How about you get out of my office and this school!" He yells
"Fine!" I yell "This is your mistake!"
I storm out of the room and head towards the entrance of the school, leaving the school.
-~-
"He kicked you out?" Keith asks
"Yep," I say as I make my move on the chessboard
"You really could care less huh?" He laughs
"Not really. Yeah, I could've used the skills to try and find him cause I know he isn't dead but if nobody wants to help me, then what's the point in staying?" I say
He agrees as he watches me then looks at the clock.
"I should go." He says "It's getting late."
I look at him and nod and watch as he leaves.
I hear another knock on the door. I sigh as I turn around to go answer it only to see Adam.
I cross my arms as I look at him, not even attempting to hide the tears of anger.
"What do you want?" I hiss
"I heard about you getting kicked out of the academy. I wanted to see if you were okay." He starts
"I'm fine!" I say
"Obviously you aren't." He starts again
"What does it matter to you?" I cry
"Just because your brother and I ended on not so good of terms, doesn't mean that I don't care any less about you." He explains
"'Not so good of terms'?! You made him chose between you and the mission he's been preparing for. That was your fault, that had nothing to do with him!" I start yelling "He really loved you, Adam. I was finally getting used to seeing you more often even if it was you being my teacher. But when you made him choose..."
"Natasha, I understand that I didn't make a good choice. But it was for his sake." He tries to explain "His arm was getting worse and we all knew it."
I roll my eyes, wiping a few of the tears away.
"He was cleared to go. He just needed the support from those he loved." I start, looking at the ground as I start to give in to exhaustion
Adam looks at me before turning to leave.
"I'm sorry Nat. I wish we hadn't ended how we did." He whispers
"I think you should leave Adam. I'll see you in a few days if you decide to go." I say, placing my hand on the door
I watch as he walks towards his vehicle and drives off.
-~-
It's been a few days since the funeral that the Garrison held for him.
I look at the pictures across the room of him and our family, him and I. There are so many of him and me.
"I miss you, Shiro," I whisper
I hear a knock on the door and somebody try to say something, but they walk away. I hear another knock and a familiar voice.
"Nat, you need to come out here!" Keith says through the door
"Please stop calling me that!" I yell
"You can't stay in there forever. We're going to find him. Even if it's the last thing I do." He says
I look at the door as I listen to his footsteps walk away from the house.
That is the last I saw of Keith in a long time.
-~-
I look around the desert as I'm riding my brother's old space bike. I have the wind blowing through whatever hair is hanging out from under the helmet.
"How I have missed this sensation," I whisper
I look over the cliffs that I'm riding next to as I start to pull the bike to the side.
"I miss you, Shiro," I whisper as I look towards the sunset
I start to bike again and head towards the cliff where Shiro first beat Keith the first time that we had gone riding together.
I continue to watch the sun as I get closer to the edge. I slow the bike down but it doesn't slow down.
No! Not today, please...
I watch as the cliff's edge gets closer and closer.
I try to pull the bike in a different direction, but it's too late.
I hear myself scream as I fall off of the bike and hurtle towards the sandy ground. I try to bring my arms up to protect try and protect my head.
I find my body hit the sand, the glass on my helmet shattering, cutting into my face.
I fit a sting above my eye, right on my eyebrow. I reach up slowly and feel a small but steady blood flow from a piece of glass cutting into my head.
Nobody is going to come for me...
I've pushed everyone away...