Chapter 2: The Long Road Ahead- Pt 1.

A/N: Hello, people of Fanfiction. I have a question for all of you. So far, what can you say about this story? Now, I know that this question is a little redundant in this community, but I seriously want to know. I want to tailor this story to other fans of the SAO series, and as such, I want to know what you think should happen to our dear friend Yuuki. So anyway, that's my bit, and now, I give you the second chapter of this story. As always, leave a review and favorite and/or follow as you see fit, and here you go. ENJOY!

As the day ended, Yuuki had delved back into the game world to one of her most favorite games: Alfheim Online. Most recently, she had logged in about 100 hours in the world of ALO. Most recently, she had been working with friends she met that are in the same situation as she is, all with illnesses that had no cure and that all harbored death. They had all created a guild known as the Sleeping Knights guild.

When Yuuki finally arrived in her ALO avatar, it was already 8 in the evening. Yet she knew her guild mates were still in the game. Why would the leave, anyway, Yuuki thought, It's not like they had anything better to do in the hospital. In her mind, this made sense. Why would they leave the game, where they feel no pain, if they were suffering in their own physical bodies.

As Yuuki went to the tavern that was near the teleport gate, she began to think, Am I really gonna get cured? Am I really gonna have a chance? Her body shuddered with joy, and her mind went blank for half a second. Hey Yuuki, calm down, she thought.

When she got the tavern, the first person she found was Siune. She was sitting at a table by herself. As she got closer to the Siune's table, she noticed something bizarre. While her posture looked like she was relaxed and calm, she noticed a bright trail that led down her face. Tears? Was she really crying? What's going on? She decide to come in behind the mage and surprise her, to sort of cheer her up. She slowly creeped up behind her chair, and right when she got to the back of it, she shaked the chair a little, which made the person in it jump a little.

"Hey! Who's back there?!" the mage asked in fright.

"It's me!" Yuuki said as she poked her head from behind Siune's chair. Siune just slumped in her chair, relieved that it wasn't some random guy out to get her.

"Yuuki sat down across from her friend and ordered some food for herself. She didnt know why, but for some reason, she felt hungry. She turned to her friend.

"So, what's up? What are you doing hanging out here all alone?" Yuuki asked.

"Well, I just decided to grab a quick bite and then head out to meet the others at the stone."

"Oh.", Yuuki said, a little dimayed. By the stone, Yuuki knew she was referring to the Monument of Swordsman that was located in New Aincrad. The big stone on the first floor of the Black Iron Castle in New Aincrad's Starting City had now become a familiar meeting place. Everyone in the Sleeping Knights guild, of which she was the proud leader, wanted their names engraved on it.

However, in order for that to happen, they needed to defeat a floor boss, which is nearly impossible to do with just themselves. The other problem was that if they help other guilds in a normal boss raid party defeat the floor boss, then only the names of the guild leaders who participated become engraved.

So that was their issue. For some time, Yuuki had been looking for someone to help them find that someone who could help them. Their guild currently had six members, and the stone engraving can hold up to 7 members per floor boss. They knew that going into the boss room with six people would be suicide, so they had all agreed that they needed a 7th person to help them fight. They knew this person had to be strong and had to have a strong respect for the game and other players.

"Well, you seem pretty pensive today," Siune said, breaking up Yuuki's train of thought.

"Yeah, I guess I have a lot on my mind," responded Yuuki, "Besides, I've been thinking about the good news I have for all of you." She had considered telling Siune first, since she was her second in command.

"Really?! What is it?" asked Siune. Although Yuuki wanted to tell her the good news, she decided to hold off and wait until they meet the others. "Oh, come on, Yuuki. Can you at least give me a hint as to what it is?" Siune pleaded.

"Nope, not until we meet the others at the Black Iron Castle," Yuuki said jokingly. Siune sighed and gave up her advances in trying to find the truth. She figured that she wouldn't get anywhere with Yuuki anyway, her being as stubborn as she is.

Soon after, an NPC brought the young women their orders. As they finished their meal, they got up and left a tip for the MPC server that had brought their meals. They may not be completely alive, but it's good to be modest, at least, Yuuki thought. Within an hour they were prepared at the teleport gate, ready to go to meet the others at the Monument of Swordsmen .

"Teleport! Starting City!" the girls shouted. In an instant, they shined brilliantly one moment, and the next moment they were gone. A few seconds later, they arrived at the center plaza of the Starting City. Several players were in the Central Plaza, chatting awa about the latest quest and trading both information and gear. Siune and Yuuki ignored all this and went straight for the Black Iron Castle, which was located on the eastern side of the city.

Upon reaching the Castle, one thing was clear. The building was huge! it was probably around 50 meters high and the metal shined in the rays of the setting sun. In Yuuki's opinion, this view was one of the best sights she's seen since she started playing. Upon entering the main floor, they were astounded by the grandness of the space, despite the repeated visits. A few meters ahead of them, the stone stood. It's black surface had a somewhat glossy tone,many the light that streamed behind it only added to that effect. As they got closer to the stone, they noticed that the rest of the guild had already gathered there.

"Hey, guys!" Yuuki said rather excitedly, "How's everyone been?" by the looks on everyones' faces, they looked happy to see Siune and Yuuki.

"Hey Yuuki!" said Tecchi, the hammer-wielder, "We've been waiting for you guys for a little over 20 minutes. What were you doing?"

"Oh, we just grabbed a quick bite to eat on Floor 20 before we came here," explained Siune. The rest of the group seemed to get what had happened, so they didn't comment on the response.

"So," said Jun, a two-handed sword-wielder, trying to clear the awkward silence, "moving on to different things. Have you found anyone that can help us?" He ended up posing the question that many of the other members seemed to have been wanting to ask but didn't have the nerve. They all turned to Yuuki, waiting for her to respond."

Well, actually..." Yukki started, "I don't think I have anyone yet, but I am sure that the person will come along soon." As she said this, Yuuki started to feel nervous and embarrassed about that issue. She knew that everyone was patiently waiting for her decision, but so far, all she could say was that she hadn't found someone yet. Upon hearing this news, everyone sunk their heads, feeling like there wasn't any hope.

"But actually, I have better news to share with all of you," said Yuuki, who was trying to lighten up the mood. This is it, let's see what they feel about it, Yuuki thought.

"What is it, Yuuki?" asked Siune.

"Yeah, what is it?" the others chimed in.

"Well, it's a long story..." started Yuuki. In a matter of minutes, she told them about her deadline announcement a few months ago. As she was telling them, she was reminded of the pain and sadness that she felt. Then she told them about the doctors message earlier that day and how he had told her that she was to try this new drug. "And so, he wants to see if I can take the drug and see if it works. The treatment is due to start up early the next morning," ended Yuuki.

As everyone stood there, digesting what they had just been told, looks of pure joy and relief showed on their face. In a matter of moments, the boys of the guild began cheering ecstatically and jumping up and down. Yuuki had to admit, they were a crazy bunch. When she turned to see Siune, she saw that she had began to cry silently among the guys. But Yuuki knew those tears were from sadness. Not like the tears she shed earlier, Yuuki thought. She knew that Siune's tears were actually tears of joy for her dear friend.

That day, after their little fit, the boys decided to take Yuuki and Siune out to eat and to celebrate Yuuki's chance of survival. The girls just laughed and accepted, knowing full well that when the boys did this, they wouldn't take no for an answer. So they went to the Central Plaza of the Starting City and in an instant, teleported bakc to Floor 20 and celebrated at the best tavern in town.

As the group celebrated, Yuuki realized something about the guild. She noted that although her dear members and friends were battling the most dangerous of diseases in the real world, they always seemed to have joy in their hearts. And as she thought about this, a feeling of warmth began to eminate from deep within her chest. Maybe this is what hope feels like, Yuuki thought, relishing the as the night came to a close and the morning rays of the sun began to show over the horizon, Yuukisaid goodbye to her companions, hoping that she could see them as soon as the treatment process ended in the real world.