Flame Of Siberia: Yuri!!! On Ice Sequel

Chapter 1 - Part 2

Natasha's POV

"Natasha-chan, gambare!"

"Davai, Natasha!"

My skating instructors cheer from the sides of the rink as I enter my starting pose, mimicking adoring fans as I prepare to skate for them for the last time before my big journey.

The wind whips through my hair and beats onto my face as my instructors watch me like a hawk. The clarinet plays the glissando and I set off on my journey around the ice rink. The path of spins, jumps and steps seems endless - a twisting, winding road full of excitement and wonder.

Three years have passed since I moved to St. Petersburg to train with Viktor Nikiforov. As a little girl I grew up on the ice, having lived in Siberia where the lakes are frozen solid in winter. My parents were the Figure Skating World Champions for pairs, and my brother Alexei and I have been a team as long as I can remember. It was a pity when he started medical school - but I want to continue my family's legacy and carry on skating my way through life. So, you can imagine that when I found out that Russia's greatest figure skater of our generation started a skating school, I had to take my chance by the horns. I was fourteen at the time, and it was scary as hell to make the big move. However, I have lived with Viktor and his partner Yuuri the whole time, and their hospitality along with their expertise has shaped me into the skater and person that I am.

But... Then things went horribly wrong. Something happened to make me refuse to return to the ice for several months. Since my return I have studied Pairs to follow in my parents' footsteps, Yuuri stepping in as my partner and Viktor remaining as my coach. I try to carry the same charisma as Mama and Papa did, the same joy, the same passion. It's what's been keeping me going, giving me a reason to live.

Back to the program. The music heats up to the finale, the orchestra joining the piano in a feisty jazz theme. I make out I am a Broadway superstar, giving my teachers a smile as I punch my arms to the sky and prepare for my signature jump combination. Come on, triple toe loop, single flip, triple Lutz. It is like the tune is coursing through my veins, a constant wave of electricity that feeds my passion and desire to give each and every second my best shot.

I smirk to myself. What if I surprised Viktor and changed the last triple to an Axel instead of a Salchow?

Let's go for it. With an almighty push, I launch myself into the air - yes, yes, yes... Boom! Triple axel!

The adrenaline rush carries me through my combination spin, not letting go until the very last moment.

I enter the finishing pose and gasp for breath, as if I am a fish washed up on the sand. My arms flop to my sides and my legs weaken as I fall to my knees, awakening from my trance, and Viktor applauds from the side of the rink.

"Natasha, darling, that was incredible! The best I have seen you skate," he breathes. I dash into his arms and he strokes my hair in a fatherly manner.

"I wanted to make the last time I perform for you to be a surprise," I breathe, burying my face into his Balenciaga T-shirt.

"You never fail to surprise me," he replies.

"You... You really think I'm good enough for Yakov and Lilia?" I stutter, tears in my eyes.

Viktor smiles.

"Of course. You are the most hardworking skater I have had the privilege to coach since Yuuri Katsuki, and you will soar under their tuition. But don't worry, you are always welcome back if things get too much."

I cry more. "Thank you so much, Viktor. Thank you."

"This isn't goodbye," he laughs. "You do know who you are joining on the team, don't you?"

I blink back the tears and take a tissue from the box. "No?"

Viktor chuckles and shows me a video of a boy skating during practise over in Moscow.

He has long, ice blond hair and a slender build, dancing to Shostakovich's tenth symphony. His quads and triples are swift and powerful, and his steps are fluid and smooth as he glides over the ice. It can only be -

"Yuri Plisetsky?" I gasp as he lands a quad toe loop like it's nothing.

"Yes," Viktor smiles. "Yakov and I discussed it, and we came to the conclusion that you would be the perfect guide for Yurio's studies in pairs skating."

"Really?" I murmur, still unsure as to whether this is the right path for me.

"Really. If you can get thrown about by myself and Yuuri, then you can compete with Yurio at your side, no problem. I believe in you, Natasha." Just as Viktor says that, Yuuri returns, already on the ice ready for pairs practise.

"Natasha-chan, are you ready?" he calls.

Viktor winks at me. "Show me what you've got."