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Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. Reki Kawahara does!
[Lisbeth's Smith Shop: 48th Floor]
The door gave its cheery chime as Kirito entered Lisbeth's Smith Shop. It had been two weeks since that day he first entered this shop, and yet it felt like hardly any time had passed. His wounds had healed nicely and he had even replaced another ruined coat, something that was happening far too often in his opinion. Lis's head poked out from the back room and her false saleswoman smile was instantly replaced with the genuine article.
"Kirito!" She cried out his name in greeting as she entered the room. Kirito blinked several times, gone was the rather drab but functional attire she had worn before. Instead,she was wearing a bright pink outfit that complemented her dyed hair rather nicely. Twirling to a stop directly in front of him with a slight blush she asked. "What do you think?"
Feeling a bit nervous under her intense waiting gaze he reached up and ruffled her pink hair. "It looks good on you!" As he tried to take his hand away both of hers came up to gently grip his forearm, holding his hand in place on top of her head.
For a moment Lis held his hand in place enjoying the warmth that spread through her body before with an embarrassed giggle she did her best to play it off "I see you have new cloths too!" Rubbing the sleeve of his new coat as if feeling the material was her goal from the start, she asked while letting go of his arm. "What is this made of?"
"Um, wyrm scale leather. I've gone through so many coats lately I thought maybe I'd try something a bit more durable, hopefully this will be worth the effort it took to get the leather." Kirito gave a sheepish grin.
"Really? That sounds rather exotic, where did you ever find someone to make it?" Lis questioned while thinking that the high quality coat of exotic materials match the Black Swordsman much better than his old cheap one.
A dark blush rapidly spread up his face "Um…. the tailor Ashley made it for me."
Lis's eyes went wide then narrowed as her mischievous grin spread across her face "Oh ho ho, Ashley?"
Still blushing furiously. "Y-yes. Have you heard of her?"
Still grinning "Of course I have, what woman hasn't? After all she is the best tailor in all of Aincrad. Of course she is also a bit eccentric. I heard she never makes clothes for men though."
With a nervous cough Kirito continued. "Oh…. Is that so. She did take some convincing to get the coat made."
Lis thought his head might pop if it got any redder, still grinning she couldn't help but ask in a teasing tone. "Oh, Convincing? What kind of Convincing?"
With another nervous cough Kirito asked in a slightly higher voice "D-did you finish the sword by chance?"
After a short debate Lis decided to have mercy on the swordsman, despite how curious she was, and let him change the subject. "Of course I did. Who do you think your dealing with?"
Giving her a thankful smile he answered seriously. "Lisbeth, Aincrad's greatest master smith!"
Now her turn to blush as she brushed some unseen dirt from her skirt "Well… Yes. Anyways come on back into the forge area. I'm not carrying that monster out if I don't have too!"
Grinning, Kirito followed her back into the forge area, there sitting on a work table that seemed to strain under its weight was a sword of utter darkness. The polished blade, that seemed to drink in the light around it, seemed to have a strange crimson glow deep beneath its polished surface. Picking up the sword, Kirito gave it a testing twirl listening to the smooth sound of its razor edge cutting the air. Several hard slashes brought an excited grin to his face. "Its amazing!"
Lis let out the breath she had been holding and grinned from ear to ear. "Well of course it is. I made it after all!" Smiling a bit shyly she added "With some help of course. Its name is the Elucidator."
Giving the sword a final testing slash he placed it back on the table "A fitting name. Its perfect. I'd like to buy your Dark Repulsor too. How much for them?"
Lowering her eyes she gripped her skirt before answering in a soft voice so different from her normal tone "I don't need any money. In exchange for the swords…. I'd like to be your personal smith."
Confused Kirito questioned. "Personal smith? What does that mean."
Biting her bottom lip she took a deep breath before answering "Let me, only me, be the one to maintain your equipment. Come back here after you've been out in the field… Come see me… Every day."
Kirito almost agreed to the unusual request with out thinking, before the intense look in Lis's eyes made his heart pound with understanding. "Lis…" He glanced away "There is someone… Someone important to me… I… She…" Kirito stumbled around his confession.
Head lowered, Lis interrupted him "Oh… I see."
Feeling helpless in the face of such a situation. "Lis… I..."
With a bright grin Lis looked up at Kirito "Idiot! You don't think I was interested in… in something like that! I just don't want you treating my swords badly is all!" Lis tilted her head to the side giving him a teasing grin that didn't match the tears in the corners of her eyes.
After a moments hesitation Kirito stepped forward and wrapped the teary eyed smith in a tight hug. "I'm sorry." Lis clung to him even knowing it wouldn't last, she just wanted to enjoy the moment. "You did keep your promise though, you made a sword for me." Kirito's voice muffled, by his coat she had buried her face in, struck a cord reminding her of a nearly forgotten memory. Of a cloaked figure, her first customer so long ago… and the first person to complement her work.
Looking up at Kirito's smiling face she felt a laugh bubble up past the heavy weight on her heart. "You! From back then?" Kirito only nodded. Pulling back from the swordsman she grinned. "Well I keep my promise, so you have to keep yours. Every time you come back from the field you have to stop by for maintenance!" I haven't given up yet!
[Dungeon Area: 75th Floor]
The Skeletal warrior raised its thick tower shield to block the next attack. With a soft rasping sound the pitch black sword cut easily through the metal shield as if it were paper. Letting out a rattling scream the monster waved around the remaining half of the shield in desperation before, in a rush Kirito began spinning around the monster. With each twist he slashed out with both of his new swords, the razor edged master work weapons sliced through the hard skeletal frame of the monster with ease. As the monster collapsed into a pile of bone fragments Kirito grinned wildly before charging the last of the monsters.
He had chosen to test his new weapons against these monsters for a reason, while not very offensively strong their defense was amazing. Those heavy tower shields and bones as hard as stone normally wore away at his swords, so in the past he had avoided them. But now, as he charged in both weapons thrust out to the right to give a double handed upward swing launching the monster into the air before a series of lighting fast slashes blew apart the monster into a rain of rubble, he had no trouble at all. Eyeing the still razor sharp and unmarred blades he grinned to himself. Wait until she sees these!
Kirito had another dinner date with Asuna tonight, between his new coat, his new swords, and the necklace he found for her he was rather excited about seeing her. Reaching into his pouch he pulled the piece of jewelry out to look at it again. A pale icy blue tear dropped shaped gem hung from a finely woven gold chain. As the flickering light of a nearby torch reflected from the cool gem it cast a soft light that had reminded him of the hazy aura she always seemed to have when bathed in moonlight. Even when he first acquired it from its previous owner , a harpy, he had instantly thought to give it to her. So instead of being tossed in with the other junk he pawned off on Agil he had been carrying it until their next date. Flicking the necklace up to catch in a tight fist he grinned, I'd better go get cleaned up!
[Asuna's Home: 61st Floor Selmburg]
Kirito sat back on the small sofa with his cup of honey sweetened tea wearing only a pair of simple black pants and his best, still just plain black, shirt. His new swords and coat were currently tucked away in Asuna's coat closet. After much fawning from the girl she had insisted he not wear his combat attire to the dinner table. Afraid of missing out on another delicious meal, or possibly being stabbed with a fork, Kirito had quickly complied. Sipping his tea Kirito let out a contented sigh. "Dinner was the best yet! I'd fight a hundred floor bosses just for another dinner like that!"
Blushing lightly Asuna, dressed in the soft pink sundress that hung low off her shoulders that just happened to be Kirito's favorite, giggled "Silly! You don't have to go that far." Her voice taking on a shy tone "I'll cook for you any time you want, Kirito." Grinning as Kirito developed his own blush she continued "Of course, You will need to get me another rabbit!"
With a groan Kirito complained "I've only seen three of them, and that's the first one I've managed to catch! Their just too fast!"
"Well if you want to enjoy that stew again, you're just going to have to try harder!" Giggling at his defeated look she thought of something. "Oh, Leader wanted me to let you know the next boss fight should be in a few days. He wanted me to remind everyone this is a quarter mark floor."
Kirito's face tensed at that comment for two reasons. First, the comment about a quarter mark floor. So far the twenty fifth and fiftieth floors had been particularly bad fights, most agreed the seventy fiftieth would probably be the same. Second, was the mention of The Knights of the Blood Oaths leader, Heathcliff. Kirito thought back on their last meeting, unlike previously, where he simply caught glimpses of him at boss fights or occasionally strategy meetings they had been face to face. Shortly after the Laughing Coffin Crusade Heathcliff had actually summoned him in person. Kirito had felt it odd, while at this point he was more or less universally accepted at boss fights, that still didn't mean everyone liked him. Those that didn't simply gave him the cold shoulder. Heathcliff was amongst the lead in this group, though he was at every boss fight since the Knights were formed shortly after the 25th floor's disastrous battle. It always seemed he went out of his way to avoid Kirito, so being asked to come see him in person at the Knights headquarters even under the guise of thanking him for saving their sub leader felt odd.
Still, with Asuna at his side he had gone to meet with the legendary fighter, the Holy Sword. During the meeting a stone faced Heathcliff had given his thanks from behind his desk with his closest advisors. Though everything seemed friendly enough on the surface, the man's hard eyes seemed to constantly be sizing Kirito up. In response the dark part within Kirito twisted and seethed making him feel more aggressive towards the man in front of him. In the end, air filled with tension, Kirito had made his leave with a slightly confused Asuna at his side.
"You still don't like the Leader?" Asuna's question brought him out of his daze and he gave a sheepish grin.
"No, it's not that." Have lied. "I was just thinking about the next boss fight is all." Asuna, giving him a questioning look, seemed to reluctantly accept his excuse. "Anyways, I have something I want to give you."
Grinning excitedly Asuna questioned "Oh? Something for me? What is it?!"
With his own mischievous grin Kirito replied "Close your eyes!"
For a moment Asuna gave him a serious look before complying. Kirito grinned and fished out the necklace from his pocket ready to dangle it in front of her for when she opened her eyes. As he looked at her again she licked her lips before giving them a slight pout suddenly making his heart pound. What kind of gift does she think I'm giving her! Swallowing hard after a moment's hesitation he said "Open your eyes."
She opened her eyes with a slightly disappointed look, a look that was quickly replaced with one of pure joy. "This is for me? It's so pretty!" Carefully she reached up and took the necklace from Kirito before with a brilliant smile, that made his heart skip a beat, she reached behind her to fasten it around her neck.
Under her intense smiling gaze Kirito felt himself fluster and glancing out the window towards the night sky he stated "It's getting kinda late."
With a slightly dejected tone Asuna replied "Yes it is..."
Glancing back at the beautiful girl before him he blurted out "Can I stay with you tonight?" Oh god not again, Why Why Why can't I control my mouth when I'm around her!
Asuna's entire body tensed at that comment making Kirito glance around nervously to ensure no silverware was close at hand. When his eyes settled on her once again she gave a resolved nod before standing up suddenly to walk away from him. Oh god, I've done it now. She's really pissed this time. Her back turned to him she seemed to be fiddling with her hands, probably debating on whether or not to get her rapier. Maybe I should just leave.
Before the nervous swordsman could decide what to do a surprising thing happened. Asuna's pink sun dressed dropped to the floor. Jaw dropped and eyes wide Kirito stared at the girl, his eyes tracing down her slender frame to the small white panties hugging her hips. Glancing over her shoulder at him with a shy look she whispered "Don't stare!" Kirito, frozen, continued to stare. "Hurry and get undressed too, its embarrassing being like this alone."
After making a few unintelligible sounds Kirito swallowed hard "I just wanted to stay here... like before... I didn't mean..."
Asuna's eyes went wide while a dark blush rushed down her face and even to her exposed chest. Gripping her right hand in a first she gritted her teeth as she charged the foolish swordsman. Kirito reacted out of instinct, catching her wrist he fell back on the couch using her momentum to pull her off her feet. As she landed heavily on top of him she gave him a furious glare before he leaned up and pressed his lips to hers. Her anger instantly vanished, her lips softened against his, as they kissed. Their hot breath mingling Kirito reached his free arm around her to pull her tight against him. He could feel her heart racing in tandem with his own as he pulled away from their kiss. Smiling at the dreamy eyed panting girl above him he whispered "I'm an idiot, I know. But... I'll make it up to you." Before kissing her smiling lips once again...
[75th Floor: Dungeon area]
Kirito stood beside Asuna, who leaned gently against him, waiting with the rest of the group outside the bosses room. He nodded to Klein and Agil before once again letting his gaze settle on the crimson and white clad swordsman. Every since that day a nagging feeling had been growing within Kirito, one he still couldn't quite place, but he had come to trust these feelings. Heathcliff, considered the strongest fighter in all of Aincrad, The Holy Sword, The Leader the Knights of the Blood Oath, Champion figurehead of the lead assault groups... Was a threat to Kirito. A slight tug on his sleeve brought his gaze down to Asuna at his side who gave him a questioning look with an arched eyebrow. Grinning he leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips "It's nothing." Flustered, both by the small kiss and the cat calls from others nearby, she let the subject drop.
Standing before the boss room Heathcliff simply gave everyone a serious look, no speeches would come from this stoic warrior, just the look of absolute confidence. Turning around he pushed open the doors and lead the silent charge into the boss room.
[]
The massive room within dwarfed any boss room they had witnessed so far, its ceiling rising high up into darkness. Behind the group the giant doors closed with a sharp sound before melting away into the wall, a sudden sense of dread filling the room. Kirito swallowed hard his eyes straining as she scanned the darkness while shifting subconsciously closer to Asuna. With a terrifying roar a massive form descended out of the darkness, the body of a lion, bat like wings, a fanged human face, and a scorpion like tail curled on is back, it was truly a monstrous sight. As the Manticore crashed down on the ground with another ferocious roar the impact alone knocked several from their feet. Towering over the gathered group its height at the shoulder at least five meters, it was a boss worthy of the seventy fifth floor.
It charged in simply trampling many of the group beneath is massive paws before a crimson and white clad shield wielder intercepted it. Its mouth open wide as if to swallow the man whole a cross shaped tower shield collided against one if its saber tooth like fangs. In a stunning display of power the monster was forced to a stop after the lone man skidded backwards only a few meters. Watching that display Kirito could only think, Too strong!
Without waiting any longer Kirito charged in, with Asuna at his side, leading the rest of the group. Kirito and Asuna both ducked down letting the monster's wing pass over head with a fierce breeze. Behind them those too slow to react were thrown across the room, while those that had dodged continued to follow the black and white clad couple. Spinning to the side, Kirito dodged the scorpion like tail as it struck the ground with enough force to shatter the stone. Once, twice, then a third time his swords rang out as they slashed into the armored tail before it retreated unharmed. Impossible, neither the Dark Repulsor nor the Elucidator could cut that thing?! Diving into a roll he managed to dodge a swipe of the beast's massive paws before rushing in on its side.
Racing beneath the beast he thrust his blade over head and dragged it across its stomach. His twin blades managed to cut through the thinnest part of the monsters fur, but leaving only shallow cuts in his wake. Asuna was dancing around one of its stomping hind legs, her lighting fast attacks barely scratching it. For tens of minutes the assault group rained down their fiercest attacks on the monster who in turn did the same. Panting and already exhausted, Kirito disengaged from the fight for a moment to catch his breath. Damn it, this isn't working... at this rate... Gritting his teeth his glared at the monster before him, come on. Where is it, you have to have a weakness.
Its tail was covered in that ridiculous caprice armor, the rest of its body coated in thick fur as strong as the toughest steel. Letting his gaze settled on its wings, Kirito eyed the thick tears and gashes that had been inflicted on them robbing it of flight but seeming to do nothing more than enrage the monster more. An idea formed in his mind he searched out a particular giant figure and spotting them, raced in their direction. "Agil!" As the giant bald man glanced in the direction of the charging swordsman Kirito yelled out again "Give me a boost!"
With only a slight hesitation Agil braced his body and tilted his giant axe downwards towards the rushing figure. As Kirito planted both feet on the flat side of the giant axe's head Agil gave out a thunderous roar as he twisted his entire body to fling the black swordsman high into the air. Kirito did a forward flip as he reached the peak of his flight and dived straight down towards the monster, both blades leading the way.
As he descended he let out a fierce war cry of his own, his eyes flashing golden as the lengths of his blades burst into dark flames. With a sudden explosive burst of speed he slammed into the back of the monster, his twin blades sinking deep into the flesh between its wings. With a ground shaking impact the monster's feet were knocked out from under it and it collapsed down. Twisting both blades before wrenching them out he began a fierce assault alternating strikes between the bases of both wings. Thick, hot blood, gushed free from the deep wounds as the monster gave out a pained roar. Ignoring the sudden rush of fierce attacks from the other group the monster rose up and did its best to buck the swordsman off its back.
Thrusting a blade into the joint area of one of the wings to anchor himself, Kirito continued hacking away at the monster with his other sword. In a desperate attempt to free itself of the vicious swordsman the monster charged forward slamming face first into the wall. The bone jarring impact did manage to send the swordsman flying over its head to crash into the wall. Bouncing slightly as he struck the floor Kirito's groan turned into a pained cry as a heavy paw landed on him, a curved claw digging into his shoulder.
Pinned, Kirito watched as the monster shook its head trying to recover from the impact with the wall. Before it could recover a brilliant white streak, like a shooting star, crashed into the side of the leg pinning him with monstrous force. Asuna's assault didn't end with the single powerful charge attack but a fierce barrage of thrust caused the monster to roar in pain, but still it refused to relinquish its prize. Thrusts slowing with exhaustion Asuna gave out a teary cry of frustration before a green and red streak struck the leg on either side of her. Klein and Agil joined Asuna's desperate assault on the monsters leg with a vengeance. Refusing to give up the monster let out a frustrated roar before it lashed out with its tail towards the pinned swordsman. Kirito watched the tail descend as if in slow motion, with only one thought on his mind. Asuna!
A crimson clad figure appeared out of nowhere above him, the monster's tail crashing against a shield with an impact that brought about a shockwave. Repelling the seemingly unstoppable attack with frighten ease Heathcliff slashed out at the tail, his glowing sword cleaving easily through its armor to send the giant stinger sailing through the air. Kirito was freed as the monster stumbled back with a pained cry, before collapsing on its side. Klein's voice rose over the cacophony of sound ordering everyone to attack. Pushing his bruised and battered body up Kirito took a stumbling step forward before rushing to join the rest of the group's final assault.
[]
With one last shuddering breath the monster went still, all around it exhausted fighters collapsed where they stood. Laying on his back, eyes closed and breathing hard, Kirito felt more exhausted than he could ever remember. Asuna lifted his head to rest it on her lap before running her fingers through his hair. Looking up into her pale exhausted face he could see the remnants of unshed tears in her eyes, smiling he whispered "Thanks."
She only shook her head before brushing away a stray tear and smiling down at him. With a sigh Kirito closed his eyes, Twenty five more floors. Damn you Kayaba.
With a sudden jerk, Kirito opened his eyes wide.
AN: Sorry more awkward mushy stuff.
To Kanrei and my Anonymous reader: Thank you so much for your reviews. I appreciate the support more than you know! As for the pairing, it will be AsunaxKirito. Lis isn't one of my favorites either, and while I really like Argo I can't ever seem to bring myself to pair her with Kirito. Now, that said, Kirito's commitment will of course be tested, after all every woman he meets does try and throw herself at him. The only real threat is probably Sinon who I plan to add in probably in a few chapters. That's probably mostly due to how attractive I find blue haired anime girls.
As always, hope you enjoyed reading and if you spot any terrifying typos/grammar sins or have any suggestions let me know and I'll try to do better in the future.
