We live in a world where amnesia is the most wished-for state. When did history become a bad word?

~ John Guare


The next few days were filled with trying to catch up on months of semester work. Catching up had been pathetically easy- again, I was in a Mathlet class back in America. Here it was just Childs play. The only thing I had some trouble with was Japan's history. Luckily, most of the BP- once they had been filled in and updated with what was going on and who I actually was- were around enough for me to ask questions and get the missing pieces of info I needed. Gunmax and I butted heads more often than not, and I had fun teasing the living hell out of Drillboy. He was the cutest thing ever, and I was all too happy to play the 'big sister' role.

But there were times I had to play 'the vault'. I had to be the confidant, the one person that was spoken too in the trust that they'd stay quiet. To be honest, I didn't mind that at all. I felt like I was rekindling my previous relationship with the Brave Police.

I almost preferred the way it was going. I was relearning everything about each mecha. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their hobbies, their dislikes, how they thought, what they were like aspeople. I was recreating the family I had forgotten, with the occasional pop up of a memory.

Those were fun to go along with and tease the BP over.

Through this 'confidant' thing, I found out Shadowmaru had a brother. I also found out how Kagerou died.

Well, okay, technically his AI chip is at the bottom of the sea. I even have the damn coordinates too. Shadowmaru was convinced that he was gone. On finding out that Shadowmaru had seen his brother's 'frame' die, but I begged to differ.

My first project was going to be a machine operated sub with a capsule. It was going to small, small enough to withstand the pressure of the sea, so I could get that damn AI and return the chip to Toudou for repairs. But, after I retrieve the previous data put on it.

Computer code isn't my strong suit, but I did have Charlie. Charlie was one of the guy friends I had back in America, and he's a computer genius. If anyone can revive Kagerou, it's Charlie.

A few calls to military buddies who owed me favors later, all my pieces were ready for assembly. That included a tanks worth of power cabling to keep the thing charged. All I needed now was for the parts to be imported than I could start construction.

"Natasha,"Well, okay and I need Deckerd to stop worrying over me.

"You're worrying too much Deckerd."I reminded him. I was leaning on the open ledge of my window with my Bluetooth in my ear connecting my call. Drillboy had just bolted off to continue his day off, but he had brought me food so he's allowed to bolt and have fun. Deckerd was on patrol and had called to check up on me.

Again.

"When you want to bring in Military grade equipment over the border from America I'm allowed to worry."I rolled my eyes, and let the smile play on my lips.

"It's for a personal project, not a death ray Deckerd. I'm making a Submarine. I've built a car before- it was pathetically easy. Now I want to try something a little hard, a Sub was the first thing in my head. Come on Deck I have plans, blueprints and all! All I'm missing is a permit, and my parts."I chirped. He made a sound of frustration, and I could hear his near defeated sigh just after.

"Natasha life isn't nearly that easy. There's paperwork, regulations, restrictions, and it has to be approved before it can be let into the country. It might take a year, maybe longer to get everything you need."He warned. I sighed heavily, and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Yeah yeah I get you Dekkado. But worst comes to worst, my buddies have blue prints of all the parts I need. I can just ask them to email them to me and then I can just make them myself. Find scrap metal should be easy enough."I explained to him. He sighed heavily, and I knew that he was either going to use the whole 'stern brother' thing or he was going to start in on another rant.

"Natasha I am serious," Deckerd warned, "What you're asking for so extremely dangerous if it isn't handled properly. If something goes wrong, there isn't a thing I or anyone else can do to help you plead your case." His vocoder had dropped down a few octaves when he started using English. It was a base like sound, and I couldn't help the excited shiver that ran down my spine.

"I know Deckerd. But that's why I have you guys, you're supposed to help me with this so I don'tfuck myself over." I teased,"Besides, I'm serious about this too, you know. I want to do this, even if I have to make the parts." This was true. Gunmax had told me of an old junkyard that was used to dump metal parts. Apparently, the Junkyard in question was the same one where Gunmax realized that the BP weren't as bad as he thought. Which, is where the beautiful relationship of bantering he and Deckerd have started. Deckerd sighed heavily, and I swear I could practically feel his frustration over my stubbornness.

"I know Natasha," Deckerd said with a sigh of defeat. "You're so hard-headed. What have the doctors said since the last update?"I grinned hugely when he relented, and fist pumped. It sent a spark of pain up my side, and I instantly crouched down to cover my side with a soft groan of pain.

"Natasha?"I could hear the near urgent concern from Deckerd, and felt the grin tug at my lips.

"I'm good, just remembered that my rib is broken, and that I shouldn't be fist pumping in victory over being stubborn,"I paused, grinning at hearing his chuckle before continuing, "Back to your question. My rib is still broken, and it should be fully healed with in a week or two. I hope. Knowing my luck probably not though."He hummed softly, and I could pick up the sound of his radio tuning on, and strained to hear what it was saying.

Just my luck, I didn't hear it at all.

"You'll be fine Natasha. I'll come check on you tonight before I go home. Stay out of trouble until then Natasha."I feigned being hurt, and made a sound like I was in pain.

"Deckerd, your lack of faith in me tares at my heart,"I said dramatically. He chuckled in response.

"Just be safe."He restated.

"Yes dad."I teased. He chuckled again, and I picked up his sirens just before the call cut. Sighing gently, turned off my earbud, and turned to the side table.

"What am I going do with you coper? You're always worrying, it's going to be the death of you someday I swear." I said softly. Two figurines sat on my side table. Ironically enough, it was Deckerd and Gunmax. My baby cousins had brought them with the last time they visited, lucky me.

The Twins were adorable. They had specifically brought the two, saying something along the lines of me needing body guards, and that Decker and Gunmax were the only ones that were free to do so.

Deep down, the idea of having them as my 'guards' was actually really nice. Besides, I might not remember much from May of 2010, but the Brave Police seemed like a decent place to start anyway.


Sasukie has been one of the few friends' I've made in the hospital to date. She's in for a kidney transfer, and it's taking longer than it should to get the kidney transferred in. Sasukie's my age, and a plus, she goes to the same high school I do. She's got short, and messy blonde hair, with deep green eyes that contrast her pale skin tone.

"Wait wait wait," she's also one of the only people I feel like I can trust with information, like why I'm under house arrest.

"You mean to tell me the whole reason you're still in the hospital is because you're under house arrest, and the whole reason you're under house arrest is because you shot at Duke of the Brave Police?" Sasukie demanded. Her features were twisted up in a startled confusion, even while she stuffed a piece of cheese pizza in her face. I chuckled at her, and took a sip of my coca-cola before answering her.

"More or less. Life let me get off really easy with this stunt."I said to her. She gave me a look that screamed 'unimpressed' before finishing off her pizza, and pointing a manicured finger in my face.

"Let off really easy my ass. You got off Scott free! My brother robbed a bank about six months ago with an industry robot, he needed the cash for my surgery, and he's getting four years in prison for some dents on one of the Brave Police during his escape, they didn't even charge him with theft, just the assault of an officer." She said. I blinked, and leaned forwards frowning. That... Sounded WAY less detailed than is should be. Something wasn't adding up.

... You know what? My gut has gotten me into enough trouble as it is; I'm not gonna even listen it right now.

"How the hell are you getting off so easily?" She asked, reaching over for the last can of pop. I shrugged, and bit into my pizza before answering.

"Obligation I think. They've been a part of my life for a lot longer than a month or two," I explained around the food, I swallowed, and continued when Sasukie gave me a look. "Do you remember when I said I pretty much grew up on a military base?" She nodded, and I smiled a little at the memories I had dug up. "They stayed on my base for like, a month when I was ten."

"Bullshit!" She crowed.

"Pure truth." I corrected, grinning. She gapped at me, and I leaned forwards even more. "Do you also remember when I said that I don't remember the month of May? I've uncovered a few memories, and some snippets of that month, and all of them involve the BP in some way, shape, or form." I told her. She stared at me blankly, than pointed at me again.

"Bullshit." She said sharply. I smirked, but shook my head.

"Pure truth." I repeated grinning. Something moved at the window while she reeled, and a glance over pointed out the headlight on Deckerd's back. I smiled a little at it, but turned back and pretended not to notice when he moved again.

"So you're getting off Scott free because you think they feel obligated to look after you? Especially when they've known you since you were ten?" Sasukie said slowly. Her arms crossed, and a contemplating face twisted up her pretty features. I nodded, and shrugged.

"They looked after me when I was a child, then my base blew up, they couldn't do anything to help me, so now they're trying to make up for lost time I guess." I explained.

"Why were they even there in the first place?" She asked, watching me devour the slice. "It doesn't really make sense as to why they'd go to the states."

"In all honesty," I said, glancing to the window. Deckerd moved out of view again, and I turned to Sasukie with a shrug. "I don't know. I don't have that memory yet." I told her. She huffed, than turned to the door when it creaked open. The nurse poked her head in, and smiled at both of us.

"Bed time Sasukie. You have a big day tomorrow." She said. Sasukie whined, but helped me clean up the pizza boxes and the cans of pop.

"We're not done with this conversation," Sasukie warned at the door way. I saluted her grinning, and watched the door close. Sighing heavily, I turned to the window, and made my way over. Deckerd was leaning against the building, lost in thought about something in the past, or in the future. His shoulder luckily wasn't that far of a jump from my window.

At least five feet. I can jump five and a half. Swinging up, I tossed myself over, and landed roughly on Deckerd's shoulder. He jolted alive, and jerked away from my window.

"Whoa whoa Deckerd wait it's -me!" Did I forget to mention that I didn't have shoes on? Mid jerking, I lost my balance, and went free falling down his frame. Luckily for his awesome reflexes, his hands almost immediately cupped around me protectively, and saved me from a fate worse than death.

"Natasha? What were you thinking?" Taking a minute to calm my heart beat; I groaned and flopped on his shoulder when he deposited me there.

"I was thinking of sitting on your shoulder to talk to you, but that didn't go over well." I told him sheepishly. He smiled, and chuckled gently. I beamed, and resettled myself on his shoulder to watch the city with him. We were quiet a while before I finally broke out peaceful silence. "So. You know now, what are you gonna do with your new info?" I asked. He blinked, and looked at me confused.

"Why would you think I would do something with the information I gained?" He asked slowly. I smirked softly, and shrugged at him.

"A lot of people will find out that we," I gestured to him, me, and out to the city and towards the BPHQ where I assume the others currently are. "Have a connection- that I mean something to you all. A lot of your enemies might use that against you, not to mention a lot of stuff is going to come to light if word gets out." I told him. He was silent, but his optics softened, and a smile replaced his serious look.

"We'll deals with it. You're our friend- you're part of our family, Natasha. Nothing is going to change that," He said, smiling growing a little. The world faded to sepia, and suddenly we're in the wreck hall of Echo Four Seven Two, and Deckerd isn't the only BP there.

Gunmax, PowerJoe, and Dumpson are on his other sides, and all of them have startled, but pleased expressions as Gunmax leaned forwards, a grin forming as even Deckerd beamed past his blush.

"Hey Kid," It was English, but everything about Gunmax screamed that he was about to die with laughter. The same could be said for PowerJoe actually. "Repeat what you called BoyScout for us one more time, okay Barista?" That's right, I wanted to be a Bartender or work in a cafe originally, and Gunmax's nickname for me when he found out was Barista.

Their faces changed to amused, and I remember puffing my cheeks in frustration. PowerJoe called me Cheeto Puff, because of how often I would puff my cheeks and pout at him.

How could I forget all of this?

"I asked Deckerd-née-San if you would all stay till September, or if you could all come back to celebrate my birthday if you couldn't stay that long." PowerJoe cracked first. Snickers echoing behind Deckerd. Gunmax tried to smother his grin, though he ended up failing and howling with laughter. Dumpson had the biggest, shit eating grin on while Deckerd flustered again, and scooped me up from the floor.

"We'll come back Taht, promise." Dumpson said. Taht is what Galen called me, most of the BP I think had picked up on it, minus one or two that choose different nicknames. I remembered grinning hugely, then turning to Gunmax and PowerJoe while they leaned together wheezing with laughter.

"Ne, PowerJoe-née-san, Gunmax-Née, why are you laughing? This is serious stuff!" This time, they froze, and flustered and sputtered. Deckerd and Dumpson laughed this time, and I could remember being so confused about why they were laughing. "Nani? Dumpson-née! I don't get it. Stop laughing! Come on guys, I'm confused!" Drillboy had come in behind them, whining something in Japanese before blinking at the laughing BP.

"Nani?"

"Driller-née-san! They're being mean and not explaining to me why they're laughing!" I watch Drillboy still, then explode into a huge grin, and snag me from Deckerd as all four broke into laughter.

"You called me Née-San!" He gushed happily. I blinked, but nodded in confusion.

"Of course I did, you're my brothers! My family! Aren't I supposed to put the honorifics on your names?" The world faded back to color, and I could feel the straining on my cheeks from grinning. Deckerd was blinking at me patiently, waiting for me to finish the memory that had resurfaced.

They were my family. They were my brothers, my uncles, and the people I loved with all my heart. And yet, I wasn't the same person to them anymore. I was a stranger, I was someone they had never met, and I was different.

I was broken...

"Sorry Deckerd-née, I got distracted with a memory." I almost didn't catch the honorifics I added at the end. But I did, he certainly did. His entire face lit up with happiness, and practically glows with the smile he offered me. I could almost read the excited train of thought racing around his head, and not only that, but his smile was fucking contagious.

His smile, I now realize and remember, had always been my favorite part of Deckerd. His smile always made me feel so safe, and I still feel safe looking at it. My heart gave a sharp ache, and my smile slide off when a new train of thought appeared in my head.

I still wasn't the little me they needed me to be, and my heart ached with that thought.

"I'm sorry for the fact I'm different from how you remember. I'm sorry I can't be the little bubble of sunshine you all got attached too, and I'm sorry that you have to see me not know who you are. It's not fair to you- to any of you. I just... I'm not her anymore, and you're all waiting around for her to jump out and laugh and being your sister again but-" Deckerd's finger touching my lips halted my babble. Tears had budded in my eyes, but were quickly blinked back as I turned, and looked to Deckerd. His finger carefully- so carefully- curled my bangs behind my ears. His smile had softened, and his orange lenses had dimmed to an amber color. The look in those lenses, the understanding and reassurance and the love only bloomed the waterfall cooling my cheeks.

He already knew every argument and point I was going to tell him.

"Natasha, little sister," His voice had dropped to that reassuring brotherly tone Galen used. The kind of tone a big sibling would use to calm and soothed a crying child, to protect them from every danger and hateful thing in the world.

And he was using it for me.

"We've never expected you to be that little girl we met. We're not waiting for you to turn into her either. We're your friends, your family. Nothing will change that. Yes, you're different. But everyone is, and everyone changes over time. We just want you happy, and if that means we create new bonds, then so be it. We won't force you to remember. But know that we do love you." He said carefully. The tears continued to trail down my cheeks, and I hiccuped against the sobs. His finger turned, I think moving to brush away my tears, but he froze when I curled my hands around his thumb, and tugged it to me to give it a hug. He moved obediently, and curled his fingers around me while I buried my face into his warm metal.

"Arigato, Dekkado-Née-San..."