AN: Some of you should probably go back and reread the last chapter. I forgot to add something and had to go back and insert it. Also, I willbe switching back and forth from calling Ichigo Mugestu or just Mu. Other than that I' like to thank urs-v for helping me finally think of a way to write a summery.

Disclaimer: I don't own SAO or Bleach.

Chapter 4: Second First Step

It has been two months since the death game know as «Sword Art Online» stated, and no one was any closer to freedom. They had yet to find the first boss. Even so over one-thousand people had died. Though most death were due to players full of despare taking their own life. Even so may still believed they could survive.

After Mugetsu and Kirito reached the next town, both had decided to go their separet the way they had been able to reach level 6 by clearing the wolf and boars that would spawn in their path. Since then the only time there was any form of communication between the two was when Ichigo messaged him on where he could find a better sword.

『Look for an old house with the Secret Medicine of the Forest quest at the edge of the forest near the village. The reward is the «Aneel Blade». Just make sure you don't cut the bulb carried by the Nepent. If you do, you'll be swaremed by mobs.』

The next morning he set out to complete the quest. It took some time to reach the house but thanks to Kirito the house was easy to recognize. So after accepting the quest he headed out into the forest to gather the required item. Unfortunately he soon found out that the quest would take longe than expected.

'Damn, I've been at this for an hour and still can't find a single flower. There must be some way to get this done faster.' Soon his mind came up with an idea that most would find crazy or completely stupid. 'Well, it's worth a try.' And with that he slash the bulb on a Little Nepent, causing the nearby mobs to surround him from all sides. 'Shit, guess it wasn't such a good idea after all.'

By the time he finally finish clearing all the mob his HP had been depleted to the red zone. But he somehow managed to get two «Little Nepent's flower». 'All I need for the quest is one. But it's to be able to be used as a healing item. Maybe I should save the second just in case.' As he was exiting the forest a tall white figure caught his attention. Above it seemed to be a quest marker. 'I'll check it out after finishing this.'

And so he returned to the mother's house and gave her the «Little Nepent's flower». "Thank you, now I can heal my daughter. Please, follow me." He did as told and entered a room with a feverish girl lying on a bed. He watch as the mother added the flower into a jar before pouring it into a cup and give it to the girl to drink. She quickly seemed to get better and started hugging he mother. Mu couldn't help but smile at the seen before him.

"Thank you again for helping me kind sir. We don't have much, but if you wish, you may take the sword mounted on the living room wall. It would serve you better than us in any case."

"Not a problem," he answered with a smile. "Oh, there's something I need to ask you before I leave."

"And what would that be?"

"If I brought you more «Little Nepent's flowers» would you be willing to make some more of that medicine?"

"But of course! It would be the least I could do for your help! Just bring me the flowers and I'll see what I can do." Hearing this he handed her his extra flower and waited to receive two small flask with a clear green liquid. After that he stood up and grabbed the «Aneel Blade» from its place on the wall before leaving.

When he returned to the in at which he had been staying it was still near midday. 'Man that quest was tiring. Still, I wonder what that figure in the forest. Guess I'll go back and checking it out some other time. For now I just want to lie down and...' but thanks to him getting up early, his exhaustion got the better of him, and soon he fell into a deep sleep.

When Mu woke up the sun was already setting in the distance. He had received a message sometime while sleeping. With nothing else to do he decided to see what it was about. The one who sent it was no other than Kirito.

『Hey Mugetusu, why didn't you come to the meeting? Apparently they have found the boss room. Everyone was asked to form party groups in order to avoid any unnecessary deaths.』

Upon reading the message, any remaining fatigue he might have had vanished. Realization soon dawned on him as he remembered there was supposed to be a meeting about clearing the game. 'Shit,' he thought, 'I must have missed it while I was asleep.'

『Sorry, I fell asleep after completing the quest for the «Aneel Blade». Anyway, just send me the location everyone is meeting up at tomorrow and I'll be there.』

『Fine, just make sure you don't oversleep again. We're all supposed to be there by nine.』

The comment about him oversleeping had caused a tick mark to form on Mu's head. 'That was a one time thing, damn it!' He let out a tired sigh and decided to let it go. 'But want is there to do now, I just slept. And honestly I don't feel like doing any training. Hmm, I could check out that quest I saw in the forest.' And with that he left the inn and made his way back to the forest

As Mugetsu approached the place where he had seen the unknown figure, he could hear children laugh. "Now, now you two. Remember what we came here to do," said the voice of an unseen man.

"But master," he herd the children respond simultaneously, " we don't know where the enemy is. Why can't we play a game until then?"

"I'm sorry, but we can't let those blades fall into his hands. If he is somehow able to replicate their power it will prove difficult to win in the upcoming war."

'War? What do they mean? And who is this person they're supposed to fight? Well, guess there's only one way to find out.' He stepped out from behind the tree he was hiding. Thanks to the moonlight he was able to see the people before him. They weretwo twin boys and a man that lookedasif he was their father. Both children seemed to be no older than eight anhad green eyes and white hair, with slight bangs covering their face. They wore identical blue kimonos with vertical red and yellow stripes near their waists, light beige hakamas, triangular blue hats with small red fans, and blue shoes. The man similar to them except for his cloths. He had a black kimono and hakama with a white coat on his back.

"Oh, hello there sir. May I help you with something," the man asked in a kind manner.

"Actually I was about to ask-" Before he could finished, the two boys clung to his legs.

"Will you play with us, Mister? We haven't played since we left the village." Both looked at Mugestu with pleading smiles.

"Calm down you two. Let him finish what he was saying." Both let go upon being told.

"Aww, but we wanted to play."

"It's ok." The two turned to Mu, who was now showing one of his rare, kind smiles. "If you want, I can play with you guys later." At this the twins' faces brightened up.

"Yaay! Mister said he would play with us!" Soon they started to jump around in circles.

"Thank you." Mugestu's attention retuned to the man in black. "Those two haven't been able to have fun since this whole mess started. So, what was it that you were about to say?"

"Right, do you guys need any help with whatever it is you're looking for mister..."

"Ukitake, Jūshirō Ukitake. And these two are Sōgyo no Kotowari. It might seem strange, but they share the same name. As for your offer, your help would be greatly appreciated. Though I should warn you, if you find what we are looking for, you will be involved in a deadly fight. Are you still willing to help after hearing this?"

"Of course," answered Mugestu. "Ever since I've arrived here, every fight I'm in is a battle for survival. By the way, the name's Mugestu."