A:N: My first Sword Art Online fic. There isn't really much else for me to say here, except that this story is loosely based around and contains spoilers for Sword Art Online Hollow Fragment. Oh, and I do not own Sword Art Online. Enjoy!

Exhaustion coursed through her body, and she felt herself fading into the blackness of unconsciousness only to snap out of it, feeling her clothes wet across her body. She mentally let out a sigh, and gazed into the rain.

"I can't give up... not yet," she whispered, closing her eyes once again, awaiting the eternal darkness to consume her. She could feel the rain drops falling on her face, slightly stinging her eyes. "It's over." she whispered, closing her eyes for what she thought was the last time.

She awoke to a warm hand shaking her shoulders. "Hey, are you okay?" a voice, male by the sound of it, asked. Leopon opened her pale blue eyes to find herself staring at a total stranger. Hm, but then again, anyone would be a total stranger, she thought. "No, you should just leave me to my fate here," She mummered quietly.

The stranger let out a gasp. "But you'll die if you stay here!" He protested.

Leopon shook her head. "That is the fate I deserve," she deadpanned.

"I'm not going to let you die here," He further protested.

"You really want to help the daughter of the bastard who put us all in this death game," She cried, before she let out a sob. "When SAO first came out, I was so proud of my father and what he had accomplished." She started. "And I was supposed to be one of the first ten thousand players to get to play it after the beta." Her voice shook. "Even though I had no idea what father was doing, I still feel just as guilty as if I did."

The stranger gazed at her evenly. "Then your just as much of a victim as all of us," he mused.

She nodded. "The facts speak for themselves, even if I refuse to believe them in that case." Then, she let out a breath. "But I'll never acknowledge myself as a victim."

"Still, if you feel so guilty about it, you should help the others out clearing the floor," He suggested.

Leopon held a thoughtful look on her face for a moment, then nodded. "I'm too tired to make it to town, you think you could carry me?" She asked sheepishly.

The guy looked taken aback. "You... are you sure you are comfortable with that?" he asked hesitantly.

Leopon gave a small smile. "You seem considerate enough." she mummered, before sitting up and scrunching her legs toward her slightly. "Okay, I'm ready."

Klein picked her up gently, and she let herself breath out a content sigh. "This... actually feels quite comfortable," she whispered, before wrapping her left arm around his shoulder. "So that I don't fall," She cautioned.

Klien nodded. "By the way, my name is Klein," He introduced as he began to carry her toward the town.

"Leopon" She smiled. "Klein is a good name," she added sheepishly.

"You think so?" Klein asked as he moved around a boulder. When Leopon nodded, he gave a small smile. "Your name is nice, too. Unique, but nice."

"Thanks, I was hoping," Leopon began, but then yawned. "Hoping it was unique sounding," she finished before fading into sleep once again.

Klein began to ponder why she was so exhausted as he crossed though the gate threshold to Arc Sophia. Did she get into a fight? He asked himself. Maybe, but he couldn't be sure, and all that he knew was that Leopon needed a safe and warm place to rest.

Arriving in the inn, he noticed curious looks aimed at him. As whispering broke out, Leopon blinked open her eyes and glanced around. "Thank you Klein, I think I can make it now," she noted softly, landing on her feet softly as Klein helped her to stand. "It's alright, he found me exhausted outside of town and was kind enough to carry me to this inn." she explained to the onlookers, who promptly went back to their own business.

She then turned to Klein. "Thank you." She then opened a menu and sent a friends request. "At the least, think if it as a way to contact me if you need any help with anything." She added.

Klein accepted the friends request. "Hey... uh... me and a few of my friends are going on an item hunt in a few days. Would you like to join us?" he asked nervously.

Leopon gave him a warm smile. "Sure! Just message me the details and I'll be there."

Klein returned her smile.

Sunlight flooded her room at the inn and she blinked as she rose out of her bed. "Morning already?" she asked nobody in particular. Giving her arms a stretch, she rose out of bed and equipped her armor. She had an orange and black zip-up jacket, with a small breastplate, and black trousers with combat boots. Her jacket was short sleeve, and she didn't opt to use any kind of gloves or arm wear.

Exiting the Inn, she checked her inventory one last time before heading out to the meeting place. As she approached, she saw Klein wave at her.

"Hey, Leopon, perfect timing!" Klein explained. "We where just going over today's quest."

Leopon listened as Klein began. "Alright, today we need to gather 20 insect stingers. This might take a few hours, but hopefully, it won't take too long." He then paused, and gazed at Leopon. "There are a few rules we have when it comes to item drops." he added. "Unless it is an item we need for a quest or for materials we need for something we need to make, if you get an item drop, you get to keep it. As for Col, twenty percent of the total goes to running the Fuurinkazan, and the rest is split evenly among the party members. Fair enough?"

Leopon nodded. "That perfectly fine with me," she ok-ed.

"Alright, that about explains everything, so let's get this show on the road!"

Leopon equipped her weapons, which included a jagged red rapier called Red's Thornbaron, and shield similar to Commander Heathcliff's, except instead of being white and red, hers was solid blue with no designs. After everything was in order among the group, they headed out as a group, into the plains outside the town. "There's some of them Hornets now!" Dale called out, pointing wildly.

Leopon rushed forward, taking out one of them which was on it's own. As she gazed around to check the other members of the party, she noticed that most of them where doing just fine, usually needing to only use two or three hits. I guess their levels are pretty high too. She supposed. She then took out another Hornet, mentally chuckling with the ease it shattered from her swords power.

Red's Thornbaron was among the most powerful rapiers in the game, but it's power made it significantly slower than other rapiers in the game. Considering most rapier users focused on speed and agility, it didn't usually fit their fighting style. However, even though it was heaver and slower than most rapiers, it was marginally faster and a bit easier to control than most one handed swords. Mix it in with a good shield and it was a very effective weapon.

Suddenly, Leopon heard a scream and noticed that Klein was being attacked by what appeared to be a large spider, with black, purple and read markings. Hold on Klein, I'm coming! She mentally yelled, before rushing in and hitting the spider with a rather elaborate sword technique.

The spider mob cringed as it felt the move begin to take it's toll, and then, bang. Millions of shards surrounded Leopon as her move finished up. Hm, guess that was a mini boss. She thought to herself before turning to Klein. "Hey, you okay?" she asked gently, keeling to where he was sitting.

"Yes, thanks to you." he then got up and brushed off his pants. "Thank you Leopon."

Leopon also stood up and nodded. "I'm just glad you are okay." she mummered softly. He lost a quarter of his health from that attack. I wonder just how high his level really is. Leopon decided not to ask, as she did not want to seem rude or suggest that Klein couldn't take care of himself.

"Hey, Boss, I think we have enough of them stingers, should we head back?" one of the guys asked.

Klein looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, it might be best if we do."

"I'll bring up the rear." Leopon offered. When no one objected, she walked behind them after they took off, keeping a sharp eye on the surroundings around them.

Unannounced to Leopon, a conversation was taking place.

"You are thinking of inviting her into the guild, aren't you boss?"

"Huh? Well, maybe I'm considering the possibility, but... it might be too soon." he then looked to the others.

"Well, she seems trustworthy. And she's definitely strong, I saw her taking those hornets out with one blow!"

"And the way she rushed in to save you? That was pretty heroic."

Klein thought for a while. "So, you are thinking along the same lines?"

They one by one nodded. "I think she'll make an excellent addition. "

"Okay, I'll invite her for our next quest. After that, if nothing changes, I'll invite her to one of the local coffee shops and bring up the subject," Klein promised.

Back in the rear, Leopon noticed the gates to Ark Sophia up ahead. Well, I have managed to survive another day in the fields, it seems.

"Klein! Klein! Have you seen Kirito!" A girl in a Blood Oath's uniform cried desperately.

"No, Why, what's the problem Asuna?" Klein asked, sounding quite worried.

Wait, that's Asuna? No way! I thought, before giving her a good look over. It is! I thought excitedly.

"He isn't here! I've searched and searched for him, but I can't find him anywhere!" Asuna cried.

Leopon could tell Asuna was panicking. "It's okay Asuna, I'll help you look." She opened up.

"Le...Leopon?" Asuna sputtered, not quite believing what she was seeing.

"Wait, you know each other?" Klein asked, now confused.

Asuna gave an affirmative nod. "Yeah, we use to be in the Kights of the Blood Oath together." she explained, before a girl in pigtails showed up. "We managed to find Kirito," she reported.

"Oh, thank you Silica!"Asuna warmly spoke, before turning to Leopon. "I need to introduce you to my husband." she added softly, before walking off.

Leopon gave a small sigh. "Well, this ought to be good." she mummered before turning to Klein. "Hey, listen, here is the stingers I acquired from the mission." She explained, opening a trade window. After Klein accepted, she then decided to leave the party.

"But what about your experience?" Klein protested.

Leopon let out a sigh. "I guess you've noticed how easily I took down that spider?" she began.

Klein nodded.

"My levels is 142." Leopon explained, before turning to leave. "Let me know if you need me for anything, alright," she replied before running off to catch up with Asuna.

Klein stood there for a moment, before letting out a humored Sigh. "Level 142, huh? I wonder what she had to do to get to such a high level?" he asked himself before heading back to the quest NPC.

Leopon fell in step beside Asuna. "So, what exactly is all this about you getting a husband?" She asked.

Asuna gazed at Leopon. "Well, me and Kirito have been though a lot over the past year, and... we just fell for each other." she explained.

Kirito? His name sounds familiar, somehow. However, she decided to just to leave it at that.

"Anyways, what where you doing with the Fuurinkazan?" Asuna brought up.

"Oh, their leader, Klein, kinda saved my life and I'm helping them out in return." Leopon explained.

"Did they demand or you offer?"

"I offered," Leopon then smirked. "You'll never guess how Klein saved my life."

"Woah woah woah? Klen saved your life?" Asuna exclaimed like it was the most weird thing that she heard in her life.

Leopon grinned. "Yep! It was raining hard and I was lying there, exhausted half to death in the field when he showed up. He was kind enough to carry me to the inn in this town, and that was about it."

Asuna just blinked. "He didn't try to do anything perverted, did he?" She finally managed to get out.

"No, if anything, I may have put my arm around his neck, but other than that, nothing of the sort happened." She then gave Asuna that one look Asuna always knew Leopon would give when she was about to say something that would cause someone to gape. "Boy, was that ride fun. Maybe I can get him to do it again sometime."

Gasping, Asuna just shook her head. "Don't tell me you've fallen for him already." she demanded.

Leopon chuckled. "Nope! But... I would like to get to know him a bit better."

Asuna shook her head doubtfully. "The seeds of romance have been firmly planted in you, my good friend."

Deciding to just admit to it, she just nodded. "Okay, maybe I do kinda like what I've seen out of him so far. That doesn't mean I am in love with him, alright," she clarified.

"Sure Leopon, Sure," Asuna doubted. Leopon has started falling for Klein? She thought, utterly shocked. However, the more she thought about it, the more it made sense that her friend just might be beginning to fall for the Fuurinkazan leader. Think about it Asuna, they are both adults, Klein saved Leopon's life, and they have a somewhat similar personality. Asuna shuddered mentally when she remember catching Leopon in the act of girl watching. That' I'll never forget.

Arriving at the Teleport gate, Leopon watched as Asuna ran up to her husband. As she watched Asuna's state of mind and actions, she pondered about what had happened to her. How? I know Asuna is tough and a bit teasing at times, but I have never seen this side of her. After a few moments, Asuna motioned for her to join in.

"Oh, and Kirito, this is Leopon, an old friend of mine, and a former member of the Blood Oath. "Leopon, this is my husband, Kirito." Leopon gaped, looking between the two for a moment. "Wait, you married the Black Swordsman?" She gasped, just realizing who Kirito was. She then smiled. "Asuna chose well."

Kirito and Asuna blushed at that comment. Chitchatting a bit, they decided to head back to the inn for the night. "So, you where forced teleported, right?" Leopon questioned.

"Yeah, that is right," Kirito admitted.

"Hollow Area, right?"

"Yeah... wait, how do you know about the place?"

Leopon sighed. "I've been going back and forth between the area for a while now. Most people can't just go between the two, but... I could."

Asuna tipped her head. "So, what is this world like?"

"Well, it's dangerous. Between weaker versions of floor bosses, higher mob levels, and player killers, it's not a good place to be stuck in. However," she then paused. "If you can manage to avoid the pk'ers, and defeat the mobs, then it;s a good place to train and houses pretty powerful weapons and bosses."

Asuna shook her head. "Maybe we shouldn't go there then."

Leopon nodded. "At least, not unless you know how to survive the dangers. But, it might be worth training some of our closest friends, you can really level up fast."

Kirito looked thoughtful. "Can you tell us anything else, Leopon?"

Leopon nodded. "First off, you have to be an administrator or moderator to go back and forth. And in order to be consider that, you have to have special unique skills in order to do that."

"What kind of skills?"

"Well, let's see... I think it has to do with weaponry. Dual welding, prime shield attack, and other skills like that."

"I know there was a member of Titans hand who can dual weld axes." Kirito offered.

"Then, you have to be chosen by the cardinal system, or Kayaba himself. After that, you can go back and forth. Moderators and admins can bring one person with them each, however if an admin and another admin or moderator enter together, they can bring up to three people with them."

Kirito let out a sigh as he entered the inn. "I'm going to get it from the other girls again, aren't I?"

Asuna just smirked. "That you are."

Leopon smiled slightly. Oh, this will be good. She followed them into the inn, quite surprised that it was the same inn she had been staying at.

"Oh, so you managed to find him, and... who is this?" A girl with pink hair asked curiously.

"This is my good friend Leopon." Asuna introduced as Leopon bowed her head. "It is nice to meet you," Leopon began polity.

After everything settled down, Leopon took her seat and listened at the girls rattled off on Kirito. "Oh, and I meet someone in the hollow area."

At this the all the girls glared at Kirito. "This someone..."

"Was a girl, wasn't it?"

After confirming that, and mentioning her name, Leopon just sat there quietly, amused. Oh, cat fight! She thought excitedly, but then frowned as everything died down after the mention of a Skull Reaper.

"Can a boss like that really exist there?" Asuna asked, before turning to Leopon.

"Yes, actually. I've only fought a weaker version of Illfang, but I have seen quite a few other bosses down there."

Asuna then demanded Kirito to rest. "But my HP and stats are fine," he protested. Leopon however, was quite tired and simply said, "Tell you what, if you promise to rest now and spend the day with Asuna tomorrow, I'll give you a tour of what I know about the hollow area the day after, okay?"

"Sure, thanks Leopon, I'll just go and rest up now." He smiled, before heading up to his room.

"Thanks Leopon," Asuna whispered before following him. She just smiled. No problem, Asuna, she thought before yawning. "I'm going to retire for the night as well." she mummered, before making her way to her bead and switched to her sleeping clothes, a pair of sleeping jogs and a white sleeveless shirt. She then curled up and smiled under the covers. Klien was right, how could I have been so stupid to think it was okay for me to let myself die just like that. Still... I...I am no victim of this game. I'll never acknowledge that, she thought before drifting into sleep.