(To check out some of my drawings of Osha, check out my Pinterest – daisy0754)

Previously in, "The Charms of a Nikiforov":

"Why did this happen? To her of all people…on the night I get another title…my sisters skating career is over?"

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters, nor the universe of Yuri! On Ice – they all belong to Kubo 3, nor do I own any of the famous skaters, jumps, music etc. I only own my OC's and this story.

Chapter One

The Heckler in a Sea of Fans

***3/4 Years Later***

***Figure Skating Series, Grand Prix Final, Sochi, Russia, 2015***

The Russian crowds cheered as their skating hero – Victor Nikiforov – smiled, holding up his gold medal and placing a gentle kiss upon it. Banners waved, women swooned, fans clapped, and down in the ruckus of the skaters and trainers, a short silver-haired woman rolled her eyes behind a set of square, turquoise glasses.

"Really, Vitya, even I can tell that smile is fake!"

Her jest to her brother was drowned under the commentary and screaming, but Osha made it all the same. Yes she was proud of her big brother, too proud for words, but his lack of appreciation for his win made her a little annoyed.

"Sure enough, he's crushed the Free Skating event, as well. This marks the fifth consecutive Grand Prix Final win for Victor Nikiforov. Nikiforov is now 27 years old, some speculate that he may retire after this season…"

Osha snorted as she began walking behind stage, smiling and waving at a few of the male skaters and their coaches.

"That is doubtful. Vitya isn't going to retire, unless he goes bald or something!"

"…but his masterful performance here may lay such rumours to rest. Now, let's talks about Yuri Katsuki who was here competing in his very first grand prix final, what are your thoughts on that?"

"I hate to say it but he didn't perform like his usual self today"

Ah yes, Osha thought to herself, Yuri Katsuki. I just wanted to run and give him a hug after his performance today…bless he doesn't deserve to have people talk about him in his moments of crisis. I know exactly what that feels like. Hope he's ok…I'd hate to see him retire after this.

She was cut off mid-thought, by someone bumping into her.

Speak of the devil.

"Oh, I-I'm sorry. I should've been watching where I was going, sorry. Sorry."

Osha offered the Japanese man a bright smile and waved a hand.

"It's fine, no need for such a profound apology, ok?"

She chuckled at her own words and then raised an eyebrow. Yuri Katsuki looked like he was on the very brink of tears. He was hunched over, phone clutched in his hand. Osha's blue eyes couldn't read the Japanese on the screen, but she could see pictures of the skater and his coach. Had he been reading the news about himself?

That will only shake him up more.

"Are you ok, Yuri?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine, sorry, I just…I just have to go…"

He ran away before she even had the chance to get a better response out of him and vanished into the men's bathrooms. Osha bit her lip, wondering whether or not to go after him, when she spotted the tall (well everyone else was tall, considering she only stood at 5'1) figure of Yuri Plisetsky – the Junior Grand Prix gold medallist for Men's Skating, and the rising star for figure skating in Russia, and he was only 14.

"Hey Yuri!"

"Hmm? Oh, hey Osha, didn't see you there?"

Osha smirked and folded her arms.

"That a jibe on my height, Yura?"

"So, what if it was?"

The blonde boy shoved his hands into the pockets of his uniform and shrugged at her. Osha punched his arm lightly and chuckled.

"You'll never change, Yura. Have you seen Yuri?"

This caused Yuri to stiffen and straighten up. He kicked himself off the wall and looked down at her.

"Yuri Katsuki? Not since he bombed his free skate and came off the ice crying like a baby. Idiot. He should retire before I make my senior debut, otherwise it is just sad to know I'll crush him."

"You do realise that he can do better step sequences than you?"

"Yeah right, he still screws them up though. You can win on interpretation points alone, you know that."

The silver-haired girl sighed.

"I know, I know. Will you please help me look for him? I'm worried, because he didn't look to happy before."

"Urgh fine, just so stop nagging at me."

She beamed at the young boy and he attempted to hide a shy blush. Osha had always liked Yuri, ever since she had first met him and the then 11-year-old had insulted her to her face. The girl had just laughed it off and insulted him straight back, and thus Yuri had great admiration for Osha…and he liked her much better than he did Victor.

It had been a long road before she had come out of the hospital, three years earlier. Four operations now stood as permanent scars on her leg and she was bedridden for five months. Physiotherapy sessions, which she still had to go to even now, and rehabilitation with bars, crutches, and then a cane had followed, before she was eventually allowed to walk again on her own. That day had been the best in a long time. Victor would visit her every day in the mornings before practice and then in the evenings afterwards. Their parents would fill the gap in between, so not to cross paths with their son. The relationship there was strained, but that was another story. It was nearly a whole year, to the day of her accident, when she left the hospital – a promise to herself that she was never going back unless she had to.

Her doctor and physio had told her not to skate again. That had been heart-breaking. Skating was her love and life. Victor had gotten her into it when she was 4 and she could never imagine her life without it…even if the thought of the ice terrified her now. Fear was something she could get past. They said her leg needed to heal with things like running before she could even consider stepping on ice, but it would be years before she could properly perform again…if at all.

So now, Osha spent most of what used to be her skating practice at the rink watching the other Russian skaters. Yakov had enjoyed the company off the ice, even if she attempted to annoy him all the time. The rink was a home-away-from-home and her old and new rink-mates appreciated her being there, even if she didn't skate.

"Osha! Hey!"

"JJ!"

The short girl ran and jumped at her friend, hugging him tightly. JJ laughed and gave her a squeeze, before placing her down gently. Osha gave his chest, specifically where his bronze medal lay, a light slap and laughed.

"Congratulations, Mister I-won-the-bronze!"

"Thanks, but it wasn't the gold. Next time though, I'm definitely gonna beat your brother, Toots."

"Haha, no I don't think so, Vitya is definitely not going to stop winning any time soon."

"Don't I get even a bit of moral support?"

"No."

JJ, Jean, placed a hand over his chest and mocked being wounded, wiping tears from his eyes. Osha shook her head and folded her arms. She was proud of her friend for becoming such a successful skater, and really marvelled at his unique "JJ-style". He was fast becoming a strong competitor in the world of skating.

"Oshi!"

The sound of Victor caused JJ to sober up. He coughed awkwardly and looked behind him to see whereabouts the Russian was. Osha frowned. Ever since her accident the two men could barely be around each other. Victor blamed JJ for the accident, even after Osha had told him it wasn't his fault.

"I'll see you at the banquet later, kay?"

"Yeah, we'll do some shots!"

"Hell yeah!"

"Say hi to Alain and Nathalie for me!"

"Sure thing, Toots."

They high fived, before JJ ran off to find his parents and Victor appeared with Yakov in tow. The tall Russian, who was almost identical to his younger sibling, scooped up his sister into a bear hug. She returned it with the same enthusiasm and kissed his cheek, her smile glowing with pride and admiration for her idol and brother. She also gave the old coach and quick kiss, causing his to fluster and storm off ahead of them, as they all began walking out of the building and towards the hotel.

"Congratulations, Vitya! Your skate was incredible today."

"Thank you, Oshi! It still needs a bit more tweaking before the Worlds."

"Always the perfectionist."

Victor slung his free arm around her shoulder and chuckled. Yes, he like to tweak his programmes over the season, but if anyone was the perfectionist, it was Osha.

"Speak for yourself, you're always pointing out things in my performances that could be improved upon! You're basically Yakov, except you don't coach."

Here we go again, Vitya. Stop trying to get me to coach…it isn't for me. Wait, did he just compare me to Yakov?!

"Don't compare me to Yakov, I have hair you know!"

With that comment, her older brother ruffled the short mess of hair that fell past her chin. Osha squirmed away from him, prodding his sides, but to no avail and Victor stopped when her hair was well and truly fuzzed up.

"There you go, sliznyak!"

"Don't call me, slug!"

"Why?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

Urgh, he is so "mature". He needs to get a boyfriend, and fast.

The shorter of the pair huffed as they entered the hotel and elbowed her brother in the ribcage. Hearing Victor's yelp of pain and sudden wheezing, Yakov turned around.

"That is enough, both of you. Honestly you're worse than children!"

The scolding continued for a few more minutes, in full view of the reception staff, before he eventually allowed them to go to their room to change for the banquet.

The banquet itself, to say the least and by no means an understatement, was an event to behold…although Osha's memory of it became a little hazy as the night went on. There was A LOT of alcohol consumed and a fair bit of dancing – the photos alone were little gems, but adding in the videos of that proved to be a goldmine of memories.

"Urgh, my head is killing me."

"Well that is what you get for drinking so much when you're pint sized."

"Oh, shut up, Vitya."

Yuri laughed as Osha punched her brother weakly. She had her hood pulled over her face and her glasses were askew, and failing to hide the bags under her eyes. Hangovers were definitely not Osha's strong point. The three skaters were following Yakov through Sochi airport, greeting fans and signing autographs – even Osha who's fans kept telling her how much they missed seeing her skate – on their way towards the flight back to St Petersburg. The closing press conference had been hours earlier.

"Are you looking forward to next season, Yura?"

"Yes, I'm going to win the Grand Prix in my senior debut…I can feel it."

Osha smiled warmly and bumped his shoulder.

"I like your confidence."

Victor, on the other hand, merely raised an eyebrow as he dragged his suitcase behind him.

"You did well Yuri, but I think your step sequences could use a little work."

The teen groaned, much to the girl's amusement, lolling his head back and causing his hood to slip a little.

"Urgh, I won didn't I so who really cares? Shut up, anyway."

They all paused at the gate and it took everything Osha had not to laugh loudly when Yuri started getting told off by Yakov.

"Yuri! Shut it!"

Her attention was taken by a woman outside, in the snow. In her arms she cradled a small, brown poodle puppy and it made Osha's heart melt as it's little head bopped up and down excitedly.

Awww he is just like Makkachin! I cannot wait to see him when we get home!

She adored him and loved cuddling up with him whenever she was staying at his flat, which was more often than naught. She preferred the company of Victor's dog in her bed, than the empty space of her room at home. Even her parents now recognised this.

"You want to get a photo?"

The sound of her brother's voice drew her back to reality. Osha raised a brow and looked to see who he was talking to. Her eyes found Yuri Katsuki.

Of course. I'm hardly surprised Vitya wants a photo with him considering how close the two of them got last night.

Yuri was standing with his coach and talking to a Japanese commentator. When his brown eyes met her blue ones, she offered him a kind smile, but he looked away panicked.

Is he still shy? Oooooh I wonder if he is embarrassed by what he did last night? He certainly doesn't seem the type who drunkenly asks people to be their coach.

"Sure thing!"

Osha wasn't surprised, considering her though process, when Yuri jumped and then quickly turned to go in the other direction. If Yuri was embarrassed, the last he would want is for any of the Russian trio bringing up the events of the banquet, so it was best for them to keep mum about the whole thing. What surprised her was her brother's face to this reaction.

Why does he look so dejected? No not that…he looks hurt. Yuri might as well have slapped him. Surely Vitya can tell he's embarrassed? Or can he? He can be really block-headed when it comes to people like Yuri…

"Hey, assholes, the plane is boarding."

"Alright, Yuri, we're coming. Come on Osha, let's go home."

Nah, Vitya will probably realise later. I can trust him not to get too obsessed over the whole thing.

...

Russian Dictionary

Vitya - Victor

Oshi - Osha

Yura - Yuri

Sliznyak - Slug