A/N: Welcome back! Sorry for putting this off for so long, but I decided to write another chapter for my good friend and fellow writer, Den3424. Anyways, this one-shot will be based on the novel At Our Sudden Moon, basically a Romeo and Juliet type of story but during the Sengoku Era in Japan. I obviously won't be able to re-write the whole story in a one-shot, but I'll be pulling out a scene from my mind instead. Enjoy!
Prompt 3: What if Kirito and Asuna took the places of Romeo and Juliet?
~Star-Crossed~
He knew this was wrong.
Thin rays of pale blue moonlight escaped through the window, faintly illuminating the room. The air was stale and musty, as if no one had set foot in this room for many months. Kirito moved swiftly across the small chamber and opened the window, unhooking the rusty latch and swinging the doors out. A cooling, gentle breeze ran through his leather tunic, chasing away the beads of sweat that ran down his body. He panted and caught his breath, looking over his shoulder at his lover.
"This will do."
Asuna nodded, scanning the inn room. The walls seemed to be slightly rotted, and with just minimal movement, the floorboards creaked and groaned.
What seemed like just a moment ago, the two had reunited at the stone bridge connecting their clans' territories. Both had waited tediously for midnight, when they snuck out through their windows in secret.
However, when lookouts from both of their families had seen the two royal figures holding each other on the bridge, it seemed as though their secret was just not meant to be. Immediately, alarm bells sounded throughout the town, alerting both of the clans' armies of soldiers and guards. It wasn't long before Kirito and Asuna heard the heavy clattering of chained armor and spears approaching the bridge.
The two lovers climbed over a nearby stone wall and fled as quickly as their legs could manage through the midnight air. When Asuna's legs began to give out after several minutes, Kirito firmly took her hand and pulled her along with him as far as he could manage.
Eventually, the noise of rattling armor and shouting from behind them began to die down. They were now far outside their clan territories, but no where near the edge of the city. Too exhausted to continue running, Kirito pulled her into the closest inn he could find, praying that news about their escapade had not yet reached this part of the city.
Without thinking, he pulled out whatever coins he could muster up in his pockets and placed it on the inn keeper's desk.
"Sir," the short, elderly man stepped back, slightly startled by his panicked movements. "I'm afraid we're all out of suitable rooms for the night. You can try again tomorrow."
"Well, do you have any unsuitable rooms?" He panted, seeking any type of refuge from the searching guards. The inn keeper nodded, accepting only half of what Kirito had placed on the desk. He gestured for them to follow him down a flight of stairs, and into the room they stood in now. He placed a few candles around the room, then returned to his desk upstairs.
It was nothing like how Asuna had pictured their first night together, but considering the circumstances, she nodded her head silently.
Yes, this will do.
Asuna laid atop Kirito's chest, snuggling into his shirt for warmth. Kirito held her closely, rubbing his arms up and down her body to drive away the cool breeze. Both of their chests rose and fell with intensity, still recovering from their exciting getaway.
As Kirito stared up at the dusty ceiling wondering what their next move should be, Asuna seemed to read his mind. She looked up at him and sighed.
"So, what now?" She questioned, peering at his face illuminated by the faint candlelight.
Without turning his gaze, Kirito closed his eyes and let out a long exhale.
"We have each other... and we should be safe here for the night. Isn't that enough?" He replied, wrapping his right arm around her shoulder.
"You're right, it is enough... but we can't live like this forever. The news will probably have spread all across the city tomorrow. What if we get caught soon?"
Kirito sighed, slowly shifting his body. He gently rolled so he was on top of her, then pressed their lips together. Slightly surprised, Asuna eventually closed her eyes and felt herself melt into his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and the back of his head to pull him closer, while Kirito's hand inched further towards her waist. After a few moments, he pulled away and stared into her amber gaze.
"If we get caught, then we get caught. Nothing is going to stop me from seeing you, not even my parents." He moved his head to rest in the crook of her neck, placing gentle kisses along her jawline and down to her collarbone.
Asuna sighed once again, allowing him to continue his ministrations. They had moved so quickly within the last couple of hours, both mentally and physically, that she had hardly anytime to allow her mind to relax. It just occurred to her that their first kiss was only a few nights ago at the bridge. But even so, Asuna knew that she would never love any of the suitors that her father chose as much as Kirito. She closed her eyes and hugged him closer.
After a few more minutes, Kirito rolled back over onto his back and opened his arms to her. She gratefully accepted, wrapping one arm around his stomach and resting on her side.
"Damn, I didn't think you're parents could hate me any more than they already do." Kirito chuckled. Asuna let out a heartwarming giggle, burying her nose into his collarbone and inhaling his comforting scent.
"Well, I didn't think that I would ever be laying in bed with you in the basement of an inn, but here we are." She smiled to herself.
He knew this was wrong.
But at the same time, it just felt so right.
How would their parents react? Of course they would be fuming and furious, but to what extent? Would they force them to separate? Would they lock them into their rooms to never see the light of day, let alone each other? Would they be disowned? Infinite questions raced through their minds. They knew that there would be severe consequences to their eloping.
But for now, they knew that being able to be together like this was all worth it.
All of a sudden, the two star-crossed lovers heard a gentle knock on the door. Slightly panicked, they separated to stand on either side of the bed, prepared to face whoever it may have been.
"May I come in?" A quiet, hoarse voice called from behind the door, easing their fears. It was only the inn-keeper they had spoken to earlier. Kirito lowered his guard and opened the door, revealing the small, elderly man.
"First of all, let me apologize for being so abrupt and demanding with our entry. Thank you for letting us stay here." Kirito bowed and held out his hand, to which the inn-keeper gratefully accepted.
"Oh, don't you worry about that. I think I know why you two were in such a rush now. Kirito and Asuna of the Seijo and Makeda clans, am I correct?" He smirked with an innocent grin.
Their hearts caught in their throats upon hearing their true identities, worried that the man was here to either turn them in or confront them. Instead, he held up a hand in solace.
"Now now, don't panic. Some guards came through upstairs and asked if I'd seen a black-headed boy and a chestnut-haired girl come through here. They looked dangerous, so I told them that I hadn't seen anything of the sorts. They are long gone by now." The inn-keeper smiled, bringing relief to their faces.
"Thank you, sir. For everything." Asuna stepped up and shook his hand, bowing deeply. He bowed back with a chuckle.
"And thank you! I never thought I would see royalty come through this old place. It's an honor, miss." Asuna cheeks grew red at the mention of royalty, feeling like she should have been the opposite just a few moments ago. "Tomorrow morning, I shall arrange a ride for you two into the other side of the city. You should be safe from the guards there for the next few days. Please let me know if you need anything else, I would be happy to help."
Kirito and Asuna nodded, feeling overwhelmingly lucky for coming across this man and his inn. As the inn-keeper was about to close the door and bid them farewell for the rest of the night, Kirito called out to him and opened the door again.
"Wait! We want to send you a letter when we get to the other side of the city. What is your name?" He questioned.
"Ahh..." The elderly man chuckled, eager to hear more about their adventures.
"You can call me Lawrence."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed! For you uncultured people out there that don't understand the ending, Friar Lawrence was the man who officiated the marriage of Romeo and Juliet in the original play. Thanks for reading, I'm currently working on a new project that is currently under wraps until I know I'll actually be able to develop it. 'Til next time! -Harv
