Time went by and I still couldn't get to sleep, however after this long and exhausting day I was tired. My eyelids were getting heavier and could close every minute, but still something was keeping me awake.

I observed Kirito, who was staring outside at the place that was slightly brightened by the moonlight. I joined him and had a look outside, the view was quite amazing. It was a bit chilly out here in comparison to the other side of the cave that was heated from the fire. My eyes caught a glimpse of Liz who appeared to be sleeping when I looked back for a moment.

Noticing his troubled face, I felt worried. I carefully placed my hands on Kirito's shoulders. "Hey, Kirito, are you alright?" My whispering words broke the silence.

He placed his hands onto mine and held them tightly while he pulled them downwards. I froze when my fingers touched his chest. My heartbeat sharply fastened as my body touched his, giving me a feeling of warmth. I felt his hair touching my face and I noticed a tear falling from his eye while he still was staring outside.

I sat down, right next to him with my arms still around his upper body. He immediately dried his tears with his sleeve. "I'm sorry" he sad with a broken voice and his watering eyes. His grip loosened and he let go of my arms as he stood up, walking forward and stopping right before the entrance as he leaned against the side of the cave. "Kirito?..."

Approaching him I grabbed his arm and turned him around. In an instant I had his back in my arms. With his hands positioned on my lower back he put his head on my shoulder.

This moment seemed to last forever, yet I knew it was only a few minutes. Nonetheless it felt great to hold him like this, he gave me a lovely feeling and I was happy to be here for him.

While bending a bit backwards he put his hand on the side of my face and looked me straight in my eyes.

Blushing at him I stared back in his sparkling black eyes, noticing he was trying to hold back his tears. He looked so fragile.

"Thank you Sinon".

"What are you thanking me for? I-I didn't do anything" I said softly with a trembling voice and a nervous look on my face.

A smile appeared on his face. Moving towards me I could feel his warm breath on my neck. Suddenly I became very nervous.

"Thanks for being here with me and to have faith in me" he whispered in my ear.

My body temperature rose when he held me like this, I wasn't sure how to react. His hands were holding me in a comfortable embrace. My heart was beating wildly. I wondered if he could feel the pounding of my heart.

He began caressing my jaw, his finger tops sliding on my cheek. All I could do was stare at him, heating up every second he held me.

He closed his eyes and planted his lips on my forehead giving me a gentle kiss. I took a deep breath, but before I could say something he moved his fingers to my lips telling me to not say anything. I only led out a muffled sound. Replacing his hand he lifted up my chin. "You should get some sleep, don't worry about me, I'll be okay." He said abruptly, then took me by the shoulders and slowly turned me around giving me a little push in the direction of the other side of the cave where Liz was sleeping silently.

What just happened?

"Ah! You don't think you can get rid of me that easy do you?" I reacted a bit furious.

He looked at me with a straight face.

"Listen… If you need someone… I'll be here for you." I finally said. I stepped towards him. "Please…don't keep it to yourself. I don't want to see you hurt like this."

"Sinon…"

He looked a bit amazed. I hope he realizes that it's better to talk about it. A little smile appeared on his face and he nodded. It really looked like he needed someone to talk to. He grabbed my hand and we stepped outside.

We sat down in a field of grass, still near the cave. We decided that this would be the best place to talk to each other without disturbing Liz with the probability to wake her up. We had a clear view from out here so if there would be enemy's nearby we would notice it.

Kirito let out a sigh and was struggling how to say things while he was fooling around with a small piece of grass in his hands. I was waiting patiently for him to say the first words that made any sense but even after a while the situation didn't improve. He had a hard time talking about this.

"It's about this morning, isn't it?" I started the conversation. He looked down when I let out these words.

"I-I just wish I handled the situation differently…".

I grabbed his hand "You made the right decision to leave that battlefield Kirito. There is no way we could have defeated them."

"Yeah I know that but I just regret how I left Klein…and eventually Asuna too. Maybe if I stayed a bit longer I could have convinced Klein to come with me. Then Asuna wouldn't have to go after him." He went with his hand trough his hair "Argh I was so stupid!".

I understood how he felt…I actually felt the same when we left them there, thinking about what more I could've done. "Maybe, but I don't think you could have convinced Klein at that moment. He seemed very persisted about staying there. And to be honest he shouldn't have said all those things to you."

"He was right you know, how could I abandon all the players who were giving all of their strength and their life's in that battle? "

I leaned a bit forward "You only made that decision to protect us. We all know that, even Klein". Suddenly I noticed that I was close to him…to close….

I immediately sat straight and forced a cough. "Anyways it wasn't possible to get all of them out of there, so please don't feel like you did something bad. It was only natural to react that way. All of them knew that it was impossible to defeat those bosses. By the way you were not the only one who left that place. Many players followed your decision after you left. I saw them leaving, so you actually saved a lot of lives. I hope you realize that."

"Thanks Sinon, I never thought about it that way." He lifted up his arm and moved his hand downwards and looked relieved. The little menu-screen appeared right before him with his friend list opened. He shoved the little screen to me and pointed at it. "Their names are still there. They probably found a place where they can be save for tonight."

I looked at the small screen, where names were listed in alphabetical order. The first name that was on it: Asuna. He scrolled the page, Klein's name was there too. "I'm glad they are alright…"

Kirito suddenly surprised me. As he leaned forward he put his hand on my mouth pushing me backwards. Falling on top of me in the long cold grass. "Kirito…?"

"Shhh, be quiet Sinon." While whispering these words he came a bit closer. "Kirito?"

"Don't talk." Again he placed his fingers on my mouth. I heard some breaking twigs and heavily breathing sounds… Some monsters were nearby? The cracking sounds faded after a while. They probably just were passing by.

Kirito lifted his head "Listen, we should get back inside, its saver there than out here."

"Uhm Kirito…?"

He looked at me wondering what was wrong. I looked away, his eyes following me."Uhh! Uhm, uhm I'm…I'm so sorry!..." He immediately jumped back and bowed his head when he noticed he had his hand placed at my chest. His face colored blood red and he looked very uneasy.

I held my arms protectively against my body.

"S-Sinon..?"

Exhaling I stood up "Why are you looking at me like that, you idiot! Don't just stand there, we need to get back …"

"Uh r-right!" He stood up with a straight back like I was giving him a commando and started walking to the cave.

"Don't say a word about this alright,… just...just forget this ever happened…" I still felt uncomfortable while we walked towards the cave and I couldn't stop blushing. Kirito led out a small chuckle. "Wh-What are you laughing at?!" I said confused while trying to scratch him with my claws. Unfortunately he was able to avoid my attack. "Hahah I'm sorry Sinon, it's nothing. I just thought you looked cute there for a moment."

I gazed at him with a confused and red expression on my face. "Wh-What are you saying?"

"Do you want me to repeat that?" He said teasingly while we reached the cave.

Sighting I ignored his answer. "Listen, get some sleep I'll take the first shift… and I won't take no for an answer, you hear me. I'll wake you up when I get tired, alright?"

It seemed like he wanted to go against my proposal, but eventually he nodded. He patted me playful on the head as I watched him walking towards the fire, lying down in a comfortable sleeping position.

This time I was the one who was lonely staring outside the cave with my bow next to me. Guarding the cave so Kirito and Liz could be save and get some rest.

My thoughts went back to what just happened. Urgh that idiot…well at least he felt a bit better after the talk we had I guess. I couldn't help watching him sleeping so peacefully. Uhhh why am I… why am I staring at him? My eyes couldn't let go of him and my mind made me crazy. Flashbacks of he gently holding me came back to me. Aargh just forget him Sinon!

My attempts to forget him failed. I couldn't get him out of my mind.

"What are you so frustrated about? You seem like you can punch someone in the face."

Uhh? Lost in my thoughts I didn't notice Liz standing next to me. Surprised by her sudden approach I didn't know what to say. I needed some time to come back to reality.

"You know… It's not very helpful to guard the cave if you keep daydreaming…Want me to take it over for you? You seem like you need some rest yourself."

It was stupid to reject her offer. I tried to stay awake, but I barely could keep my eyes open. After accepting Liz's offer I walked deeper in the cave and lied down on a warm bed of leaves and placed myself in a comfortable position. This feels so great…. I'm exhausted….


"Hmmpff….."

Ah what's happening? I turned around and opened my eyes. Kirito?

"Why are you poking me? I'm trying to sleep, leave me alone." I immediately turned back in my original sleeping position en closed my eyes again. However I still felt someone finger touching my cheek and I was hearing laughter sounds. "Hey stop it!" I pushed his hand away and again tried to fall asleep again. Still hearing him laugh a bit.

"Hey sleepyhead… It's already morning, time to wake up. The sun is shining and we have a long way until we arrive at the next town."

Morning? He must be joking. I just went to sleep… yeah I'm going to ignore him. Hmm I hear him leave, that's good. Finally some rest.

"Sinon, last chance… time to wake up…"

He's back? Unbelievable! Argh just leave me alone, I'm trying to get some rest…

"Guess she isn't going to wake up… Well it's her choice."

Splashing sounds drew my attention, that hit me in a few seconds.

"Ahh! What! What are you doing?!" Chocked by the cold water that was thrown on me, I stood up and gazed at Liz and Kirito who were obviously amused.

"Liz you did that?"

"Hehe yeah, I had to find a way to wake you up you know and Kirito wasn't doing a great job himself." Her eyes rolled towards Kirito, who tried to defend himself.

"Oh it isn't my fault that she wouldn't wake up, I did my best…"

"Well my idea was clearly better hehe" Her eyes went back towards me and on the look on her face I saw that she was really enjoying herself.

"Hey! This isn't funny you know! I'm totally wet! Have you any idea how this feels?" With my arms crossed over my body I tried to warm up a bit, but still was shivering because of the ice-cold water that covered my body.

"Hahhah don't worry about that, the sun is shining so you will be dry in a few minutes." Kirito pointed outside.

"Hmmpfff". I lifted up my arm and was aiming to hit him, but decided to let this go. I crossed my arms again. "Either way; what were you saying? We are going to the next town?"

"Yes Liz and I already discussed this. Until now we only have seen two of those monsters and from what we know they are out to attack areas where players are gathered together. If there are only two of them nearby we can warn the players who are located east, where the nearest town is located from here."

"Hmm alright… but what if that town is also being attacked? Then what should we do?"

"We hope that's not the case but if it is I think it would be best to observe their attacks and try to find their weak points. And also get as many players as possible out of there."

"Right sounds like a good plan".

Huh? I heard something outside; Kirito and Liz heard it to. We went outside to find out what was going on.

A group of people were standing like 30 metres from us. I wondered what they were doing. Sounds like they were having an intense discussion.