Chapter 10: Asuna's Past

Two days later, and the whole circle of friends and family had been told of Asuna's conversation with Rika. Midori, Suguha, and their other friends were shocked to hear how she reacted, considering that she normally keeps a level head in any scenario.

The Yuuki's, however, were not surprised, given her past.

Kazuto, finally tired of not knowing, walked up to Asuna and made her look him in the eyes, "Asuna what's going on? Why are you acting like this to Liz? I've never seen you act like this before." He said.

Asuna glared at him, "I thought I told you that I'm not changing my mind." She said.

Kazuto shook his head, "And I'm not asking you to. All I want is an explanation." He said. He knew he couldn't force Asuna change her mind, and he didn't want to, but he did want to know why she has made this decision.

Asuna sighed, "My life before SAO was very different than how it is now. Back then, at school, I'd have crushes all the time. And every time I did, my 'friends'" she said, putting air quotes around the word friends, "would set me up with whatever guy I was interested in. But every time, the same thing happened." She then stopped, her breath having a small shake to it.

Kazuto wrapped his arm around her and gently guided her to the couch, so she could sit down. She smiled, "Thank you, anyways. Just before I'd be ready to tell the guy how I feel, I'd see one, or sometimes, a bunch of my friends making out, or flirting with him... After enough times, I finally accepted a harsh truth. They were just using me to learn more about what the guy likes, or what kind of girl he dates, then snatch him away from me..." There was silence.

Kazuto had no idea she'd been through such an ordeal, "No wonder she acted the way she did when we first met in SAO. She couldn't fully trust people because of those girls she used to know." He thought.

Asuna took a deep breath before continuing, "After I woke up from ALO, and finished my rehab, those same girls approached me, saying they had found the perfect guy for me." Then, Asuna had a blush upon her cheeks, which was a surprise to say the least for Kazuto. "But I told them no, saying that I had already found the perfect man for me." She said, looking lovingly into his eyes.

The two shared a warm hug before Asuna continued, "So yeah. That's why I can't forgive Liz for what she did."

Kazuto smiled, "Asuna, I get why you're so angry at her, but you don't have any real reason to be." He said calmly.

Asuna eyed him with suspicion, "What are you talking about?" She wondered.

Kazuto leaned back on the couch, "You said you can't forgive her for what she did. But the fact is, she didn't do anything. If she had, she wouldn't have had the secret in the first place." Asuna's eyes widened a bit as she heard this, "I don't know how exactly she felt, about me," he continued, "but it's clear that she valued your friendship a lot more. Otherwise she'd have done exactly what those girls did."

Upon realization, Asuna began to shed tears, "Oh no... what have I done?" She said.

Kazuto rubbed her back soothingly, "It's not too late. You go and make things right with her, I'll watch Yui while you're gone."

Asuna replied by kissing him softly for a moment, "You're the best, Kirito."

Asuna went to Rika's home, she was invited in by Rika's father and she went up to her friend's room. When she arrived at the door, she knocked only to receive, "Go away, Mom. I don't wanna talk about it." She said through the door.

Asuna took a breath, "Not even to me?" She asked.

Liz soon opened up the door to look at her, "Asuna? What are you doing over here?" She asked.

Asuna took a deep breath, "I think we need to talk really quick." She said. Liz nodded and allowed her in.

The two stood across from each other, about a foot apart from one another. Neither of them knew whether or not it would be wise to start the conversation. They both took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry!" They both said, bowing their heads.

Due to their close proximity, when they both bowed their heads, they also bashed their foreheads into each other, "OWWW!" They both exclaimed. After taking five seconds to recover from their head injuries, they looked each other in the eyes, and before anyone knew it, they found themselves laughing.

Once their laughter calmed down, Asuna looked to the girl, "But, why are you sorry? I'm the one who overreacted." She said.

Liz shook her head, "You had told me about those tramps you used to be friends with before SAO. I was afraid if I told you, then you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore."

Asuna smiled, "Well then I've got some bad news for you." She said. Rika looked at her for a moment before Asuna smiled, "You're not getting rid of me that easily." Rika smiled as well and hugged her friend for all she's worth.

There was a brief silence before Rika spoke up, "Is this a bad time to say that Suguha also used to have a crush on Kazuto?" She asked.

Asuna laughed, "Oh I've known that for months now." She answered.

Rika raised an eyebrow, "Did she tell you?" She wondered.

Asuna then giggled, "No, she was just really bad at hiding it back then." She said causing the two to laugh again.

(A/N: Ok, that's it for this chapter! We dove a bit into Asuna's past in this chapter, hope you liked it.

Klein: Hey, what's with all the weird motorbikes backstage?

Ninja Writer: As I told Kazuto and Asuna in the last chapter, I'll explain in the final chapter. Until then...

Klein: Send us a review, would ya?)