Chapter nine

"Open up the com system." Allura commanded as they re-entered the bridge.

"Shiro what are you doing?" Allura's face appeared on the screen of the Black Lion. He typed something down and sent it to them. His message flashing up in the castle screen, reading:

"I'm gonna follow the Red Lion to Keith. Stay put, when I find the Galra central command I'll send you the coordinates. Once you get them, wormhole there immediately. I'll try to find a place that can hide the ship for a sneak attack. We may also need the Green Lion's cloaking ability."

Every one looked at each other, Allura's gaze not breaking. The team, then, turned their attention to the silent princess, who closed her eyes then nodded to Shiro. When they disconnected, Allura placed a hand in her forehead, with her other arm holding her elbow; signifying her frustration.

Keith tumbled back again, his body aching and burning from being beat around. His sword was, surprisingly still in hand. He'd made it this far, but how many more foes will he have to face before they realize he can't be broken. I just have to keep his up a little longer. He thought. His train of thought huffing and puffing with his breaths. His lungs stung and his sweat rolled down his face and neck. His jet black locks were completed soaked, and plastered to his neck. The door opened for what seemed like the thousandth time, revealing a foe that was, surprisingly, around his own size for once. Most, if not all, of his opponents had been bigger than him... by a lot! The stranger sped forward sprinting towards him with their arms back to gain more speed, a blade in each hand. Both long and narrow, like giant steak knives; without the ridged edge, but Keith bravely prepared to defend with the one blade he had. The two battled forever, their swords clanging together at all angles. His exhaustion pursued him further, he had scratches and bruises. And he could swear that something was broken somewhere. His back burned like the sun, and he felt a stabbing pain in his chest. His body screamed at him to stop, but he ignored it's pleas; knowing that it would cost him his life otherwise. He barely had the strength to stand, but somehow found the strength to keep fighting. He had no idea how he was doing it, but yet again he finished the match with one final sweep of his blade. The sword slashed his opponent's abdomen and they fell lifeless beyond him. The crowd screamed in a mish-mash of cries. Good? Bad? He didn't care, all he wanted was to leave and be with his team. His mind drifted to Shiro and his worries about how the team were doing in trying to understand him. He wondered it they'd found a way to communicate with him, without Keith translating his sign language. A horn sounded jerking Keith back into reality, as a couple of sentries approached him. Great, now what?

The Red lion continued to jet on ahead of Shiro. He kept Black fixed on Red. It almost seemed like the Red Lion was intentionally leading him to Keith, like it knew he was going to follow. But still,... Shiro couldn't help but let his mind wander; wander off into a realm of memories only he knew...

"Shiro, you're training is going well, why mess it up with more responsibilities?" Keith questioned from the bench. Shiro closed his locker gently, the turned to face the young man.

"Because it can better my status." He responded. "The more things I know, the better chances I have for getting sent on missions. Plus, it's good to practice what I've been taught to a younger generation. Besides, part of being a Garrison pilot is passing on what you've learned the next generation that will one day take your place at some point."

"Yeah but you're already stressed as it is. Don't you think you're stretching yourself a little thin?" Keith began to pry, knowing that it would eventually annoy his friend.

"Mhm maybe." Shiro shrugged. "But it'll be worth it in the end. I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right." Keith gave in, pushing his hands into the pockets of his Garrison uniform...

...Shiro remembered that day like it was yesterday, but wondered if he had been right to push himself. Or if maybe it was a mistake. But then he recalled another memory that changed his mind...

...Micheal hammered some more boards together. He shifted his weight on to his right palm to reach over the long platform he was building, and hammered down the nails sticking out of the golden wood. He brushing the sweat away from his brow with his long forearm. And a figure stood in his peripheral view, forcing in to look away from his work. He was delighted to see his beloved nephew standing there beside him holding a bucket of nails. He motioned his thanks, and Shiro set the bucket down next to him. The boy smiled, happy he had helped... even just a little bit. He felt pride swell up in him, he was little, yes. But he knew that you don't have to be big to be a big help. Micheal chuckled silently, he found his nephew's pride to be quite amusing. The boy ran back to his mother at the edge of the tiny yard. Hugging her leg, she set her hand gently on his head, as the two watched him work. Micheal looked up and smiled at the two of them. Akari returned one and motioned to him, saying it was time for dinner. Micheal nodded and said ok, and with that Akari picked up her five-year-old Takashi and carried him into the house. Micheal and Kiyoshi, Shiro's Father, would soon follow...

...Shiro remembered how his father and uncle had worked hard and succeeded in finishing that shed. And that they never gave up no matter how hard it was. He remembered his uncle to be a risk taker, like himself; guess that's where he got. Shiro gave a light chuckle at this. Uncle Kogane never gave up no matter how hard it was. Maybe he had made a good choice in what he'd done after all. His uncle turned out ok, and so did he. But he wondered if maybe there was something he was missing. Something about himself that didn't know, like an unlock chest waiting to be discovered. He already knew one treasure chest he'd opened, and now he couldn't imagine life without Keith. He knew he had to get him back. No matter what it takes.

Pidge slumped in her seat, boredom written across her face. Thought she still worried about Keith, and she was, now, also worrying about Shiro. Lance lay on the floor with his arms and legs sprawled out, staring blankly up as the crystal above him. Hunk just sat there on the floor next to him, with his left leg extended out and his other foot pulled up against his thigh. His arms were braced back to hold his weight, as he reclined back onto his palms. Allura leaned her back against Coran's side, as he himself stood leaning against his control panel; a hand on her shoulder. The Princess's posture, along with her crossed arms, displayed her anxiety of their situation.

"I don't like this!" Allura finally blurted out. If we're not careful we could lose Keith, Shiro, and the Black lion. And it'll only be a matter of time before they demand the rest of the lions."

"That's not gonna happen." Hunk encouraged, getting to his feet. "Shiro will find out where Keith is, and he'll tell us as soon as he does. We'll get Keith back, and everything with be fine... I hope." The Yellow Paladin tried to sound fully optimistic, though he feared that his tone betrayed him.

"Thank you for trying, Hunk." Allura found a slight smile had reached her face. "But I'm not sure it's that simple." She hesitated before continuing. "Finding Galra headquarters is one thing, but sneaking onto it and breaking Keith out is another. And we don't even know that they have him."

"I think Shiro's right, though." Pidge remarked. "If Keith was here one time and gone the next, he had to have disappeared during the fight. Meaning he could very likely have been captured."

"I don't know." Lance sighed doubtfully. "But say it's true. How will we know if he's there?"

"We can scan for him, like we did Allura." Coran explained. "But getting aboard the ship undetected it the bigger challenge."

"But what if they catch us before we even get near the ship." Lance questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Then we'd have to move quickly." Allura said, her unrelenting determination told them they were going through with the plan; whether they were spotted or not.

The Red lion suddenly took a sharp turn, but Shiro skillfully kept pace with it. The lion landed on an asteroid and sat quietly, it's lights going dim. As soon as Shiro landed on the asteroid himself... WHOOSH!!

How's it going guys!! Can't wait to write the next chapter. This story has been one of the funnest ones I've done yet! So thank you all so much!!! More is yet to come, but, of course, I'm not sure how much more. But glad you're still enjoying this! Thx!!! 3