Hey everyone. I am so sorry I haven't updated for a few months. I've been busy hanging with friends, school and playing Disney Infinity and Pokemon X on my 3ds I bought. (so happy and proud of myself). I am going to set a schedule to where I can update stories 1-3 times a week. I will start a schedule next week. I promise!

I do not own Asuna or any of the SAO cast. However I do own Mirikai

Please review and enjoy!


Asuna and I have been living normal, peaceful lives in SAO, in a house we bought on Floor 20. It was nice and cheap, so we still had a fair amount of money left. I mostly stayed home while Asuna went out. I mostly kept to myself even when we were out in public. I didn't talk to anyone except her. The only time I was really, truly myself was when it was just me and her around at our little house. She was a really good chef. She made all my favorite foods...better than even my mom could cook. My mom...my brothers...my family…

NO! I can't do that. I cannot let my feelings dominate me again. I tried to hide my feelings about my family, but she could see through it. However, she didn't force anything on me. In fact, she made me feel comfortable by wrapping her arms around me. It was those points that I'd let the tears fall and tell Asuna everything. From how wonderful my family is...to...the thing that drove me to isolate myself from my little brother.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen!" my brother cried out.

"Leave me alone! It's all your fault! They used me, and it's all your fault! I'll never be able to have a true friend because of YOU!" I screamed.

Ach! No...I can't think about it. I just can't...it's too painful. Asuna comforted me when I needed it. The pain seemed to cease when I was around her. She cared for me as if she was my big sister...but technically in this world she is. It doesn't matter if you're related IRL. In SAO, you could be family if you chose to. Asuna was my sister now. I still can't and probably won't ever tell her my name IRL. Today, Asuna and I are going to get some supplies for her to cook our meals. I never cooked for myself in this game...and luckily never have to. Asuna offered to cook all meals just the way I like it. We headed out to the market, and I wore a cloak around myself to keep hidden. Asuna helped me make it. I kept close to her as we strolled around town, picking out ingredients and materials to cook and make things with. I am so glad I can at least draw here. I don't know what I'd do without good ol' paper and pencil. We picked up plenty of pencils and paper. I only draw things that won't give me away though, especially since Asuna likes to look at my drawings. There are times that I really want to sing, but I don't want anyone to hear me. I miss singing. I used to sing with my little brother and big sister at times, but...now I'm not even sure I'm gonna make it home now. I mean...Asuna is tough, and I'm trying to get tougher...but...it feels next to impossible to clear this game.

The nice thing is that Asuna has no idea who my little brother is...so she's really, truly, my friend. I stare at her sometimes, wondering if there's something else about me that Asuna would want from me...I guess I'm so used to the fact that every friend I ever had used me that...I am scared to make a possible true friend. What if she stabs me in the back? No...Asuna wouldn't hurt me like that! She isn't like that...right?

We headed back to our house to drop of the ingredients, and along the way, Asuna slowly removed my hood. At first I was a little reluctant to let her, but as she did, she stared at me with concern.

"You don't need to wear that around me," Asuna said gently, "You can show me your face, Mirikai."

I stared at her, and I nodded, cracking a small smile as she pulled me in for a hug. My eyes met hers again, and it was like we'd known each other forever, like she's always been my friend, my new sister. Her arms wrapped around me...it felt so...warm. She's a great friend and big sister. She'd make a wonderfully nice mother someday. She's so pretty too. She'll make a guy really happy someday. I felt so loved in her arms. So loved that...I felt myself falling asleep yet again, and she picked me up before I could lose consciousness.

However...this sleep was not dreamless…

I opened my eyes, and Asuna was in front of me. Behind me was my little brother. I looked at them both, both reaching to me. I knew I could only pick one...but...who? My little brother? Or my big sister in the virtual world. Would it be so bad to never return home? Asuna and I could easily just stay in SAO forever...couldn't we? But...what about my life IRL? Then they'd see me as if I'm sleeping forever. I turned, and Asuna was now on one side of me while my brother was on the other side. I could see both of them had pleading eyes. I could read their faces.

"Stay with me, Mirikai," Asuna whispered.

"No, come home," my brother whispered.

"Choose wisely, Mirikai," another voice, I recognized so easily as Akihiko Kayaba, said.

"I can't have both! I don't know what to choose!" I shouted, "I'll bring them together!"

However, as I reached for both, I could see barriers between us. Kayaba stood in front of me, ready to fight again, and it hit me. I really can only have one...I have to choose to fight him or stay with Asuna forever, and whoever I give up...is who I lose forever. I came at him, faster than I ever went before in my life. I struck him, but instead, he turned into Asuna. The barrier was broken, and I could see Asuna staring at me as red shards rose from the place I stabbed her.

"Asuna…" I whispered, "I'm so sorry…"

Asuna didn't say anything. She smiled at me, and a tear fell before she burst into shards.

"ASUNA!" I shouted, and my brother approached me.

"You have to win," he whispered, and Kayaba tried to strike me, but I dodged it.

"You have to be better than that, Mirikai," he taunted before striking me.

"Noooo!"

I gasp as I bolt upright again, laying on my bed. I was breathing heavily, and Asuna was instantly to my aid with some homemade chicken noodle soup. Best part, all it is is broth, chicken and noodles, no veggies, just the way I like it.

"Another nightmare?" Asuna asked me gently as I nodded, "Aw, I'm sorry."

She put the soup down on the table and hugged me as I burst to tears again. Could I bear to tell her what the nightmare is about? Could I really tell her that now I am conflicted between staying with her or going home to my brother?

"What are all these nightmares about anyway, Mirikai?" Asuna asked me.

"They...they're about my brother...and you…" I mumbled.

"Me? What about me?" Asuna questioned, "I'm not that scary, am I?"

"No...it's just...I...I'm conflicted."

"Why?"

Could I tell her? Can I…?

I sighed, "Because now I have to choose…"

"Choose what?"

"Between you or my family IRL…"

Asuna placed her finger under my chin, and she directed my head to gaze into hers. She placed her hands on my shoulders for reassurance.

"Mirikai, I would never ask you to choose me over your family IRL. You may be my sister here, but when the time comes to when we can go home, you have a family in the real world that misses you. Maybe someday we can meet again IRL, but for now...I'm your virtual sister. Right now you have two families."

Asuna's words sunk, and I seemed to be convinced...she was right. I have two families now...that or Asuna is now a part of my family...either way...it doesn't matter. Maybe when I escape SAO, I'll find Asuna IRL...but...how?

"Hey...Asuna?"

"Hm?"

"C-can I ask you your name IRL?"

"Actually...my avatar name and real life name are the same: Asuna."

"That's really pretty."

"Can I ask you yours?"

"Um…"

Asuna must have seen my hesitation, "It's okay, you don't have to tell me."

"Okay...I'm going to try to go back to sleep."

"Good night, Mirikai," Asuna whispers as I lay down and fall into a deep, peaceful, nightmareless sleep.


Next chapter we will get into depth into how Asuna became a member of the Knights of the Blood Oath. Actually next couple chapters will involve the KoBO. There will be a chapter with Kirito in the near future, but not for a couple chapters.