Hey everyone! Here's a new update! I'm trying really hard to get into system for updating my stories. For who is waiting for the next chapter of 'Tear Stained Moon' it will be updated soon! My beta has the new chapter, it should be up next week. I'm sorry about the long wait. I am hoping to get the next chapter of this out soon too~ It just takes me awhile as I've got to work during the day! Haha~

I'm so glad to see you all again. I hope you enjoying the story!

A thank you to TheSib, Naruto Sakura Uzumaki, Guest, 159, Mike Kromer, UCCMaster, Yaksher, Megan, Mataras, Fuuka95, Ryujin Kami, Pizzajon and Raketsou! For commenting! You all made me smile, made my day!

Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Gruesome, Blood Spill, Suggested Sexural Themes, AU, What If

Please thank my wonderful Beta: Coolstuff for all their hard work.

Chapter 10

Sword and Arrow

It was like a dream.

Sachi gasped softly, her eyes growing wide as she gazed across the beautiful flowers that laid in front of her. She's never been on this level before. Normally Sachi would keep at least five or so levels behind the frontlines. But she couldn't believe this floor had just been cleared very recently.

"It's so beautiful." Sachi sighs softly, tilting her head around to scan the flowers. The flowers were ranged in neat sections, all placed in pretty rows. Different colors were stretched out across her, as far as an eye could see. Sachi could almost see all kinds of parties located here. Still, Sachi shook her head. Nothing was harmless in here and it was really beautiful too but for some reason, Sachi could only wonder what kind of monsters were located in Aincrad. She shuddered at the thought of it.

Silica bounced on the balls of her feet, smiling brightly and staring in awe. "It's like a dream!" she tilts her head back and sniffed around. Taking in the wonderful smell of many flowers that was filling the air and swirling around them. Sachi had never smelt anything like it before – it was nice and she had to remember them for future needs.

"This floor is also known as the Flower Garden. The entire floor is covered in flowers." Kirito said softly, dark orbs running around the grand flower garden. Wearily taking in everything and observing every avatar in the place.

Sachi frowns a little, and lifts her head up. Now she understood why he was being so suspicious. Somebody had tried to listen in on their conversation last night. After that Kirito, had been worried about both of them sleeping. He decided to keep watch, in case anything else happened. Sachi had offered to take turns, but Kirito discarded that idea quickly. Sachi felt weird about the whole watch idea. Sleeping while he was keeping watch, but Kirito had reassured her – before sleeping though, the pair talked mostly about the strange quests they had stumbled upon. As well as herbs Sachi had been gathering along the way. Kirito had even decided on giving her some herbs he had picked up for no reason – he was going to sell them but figured she might be able to make something with them instead.

All the better for himself, really. Sachi can really cook.

Hopefully, she will remember just who gave her the herbs.

Sachi had promised to make him more sushi once they had helped Silica out. She had flushed when the deal was brought up, but agreed as the herbs he had were from higher levels. Ones she hadn't entered yet, and it would be good to have anyways. Besides, her cooking was at the highest skill. She had levelled up since she cooked quite a bit. She wondered if she would be able to duplicate the more popular recipes back in the real world with these herbs or maybe other herbs. She hoped so, she missed using Togarashi, and making Daikon Sauce: Togarashi is a Japanese seasoning made of crushed red pepper and other condiments, blended into a powder. Red or black pepper may be substituted.

"Um, the floor is really pretty…" Sachi mumbled, turning her to the side and smiles at the white flowers that was the closest to her. She watches the petals as they flicked and danced, it was a really pretty sight. Especially as she watched the glowing pink and red butterflies. Her eyes rises and she felt her cheeks heat when she noticed the other avatars around the room standing together, standing in pairs. Sachi blinks a little in realization.

"Um…is this one of those levels for couples?" Sachi wondered out loud, blushing a little as she caught two avatars kissing one another. It was always an awkward thing to see, she supposed. She wasn't exactly interested in relationships or anything and she finds it hard enough to talk people as it is – she doesn't think she's quite ready to become that close to anyone yet.

"Hm?" Kirito glances at Sachi from the corner of his eye. "Wha…What makes you say that Sachi?"

Sachi smiles at him briefly and points around. "Look, all the avatars are paired up. Some are even, um, k-kissing. So it's a couple level, obviously." She comments shyly, embarrassed upon seeing the digital avatars hold one another and kiss enough other and more. She wondered if anyone there was married or anything. They looked more than close to one another. "D-Didn't you notice?"

Kirito flushes a little himself and turns away, lightly pulling a strand of black hair on his face. "Um. Yeah. We should get Silica." He muttered, even his ears were tinted red from his own embarrassment. He could feel Sachi staring at him in hesitancy before she turned to Silica and walked towards her.

"Silica-san?" She calls over to her, waving a little as Silica turns as her name was called.

"Yes! Sorry for keeping you waiting." Silica stammered, smiling meekly and straightening herself up as she dusts off her clothes. Sachi realized it must be her stranded quest uniform, judging from the armour she was wearing. More armour than her golden outfit. It was crimson and ran down to her ankles like a cloak with a matching red and black school like skirt.

"What's wrong?" Kirito questioned quietly, hesitating. He walks up to the pair and blinks a little when Silica squeals softly.

Silica pulls at her hazelnut locks that hanged in her face. Her cherry shaped face turning crimson as she glanced around nervously. "Ah, nothing at all..." She squealed once again, and Sachi noticed that she too was looking at the avatars and other players on the level – obviously noticing it was a couple level.

"Let's go." Kirito said smoothly and simply.

Sachi blinked once and then twice. She breathes out softly and glances at Kirito before her eyes widens. Sometimes, she wonders if she was being dense for not noticing it before. Silica evidently has developed a crush on her dark haired friend and Sachi couldn't help but chuckle. It was amusing for some reason.

'Is Kirito denser than me?' She wondered to herself, trailing behind the other two with a small smile on her face. Walking through the flowers until the three of them began to step onto a beautiful marble bridge. Sachi tilts her head when she heard the gentle rhythm of the water and sighs to herself. She thought that if she'd come back, just to sit on the bridge and think. It would be so peaceful.

Sachi hums lowly, tilting her head to the side and peered over the edge of the bridge. Watching the crystal water run, it sparkles and glitters in the sunlight above them. The great thing about being in a game like Sword Art Online is that the weather here never gets too hot which means no sweaty blasts from the sun! That was something Sachi liked a lot, as she would have asthma attacks a lot during the summer where the air was dry and she was would be too sweaty.

Swiftly, Kirito throw his arm up to stop Sachi from walking further. Sachi pauses in step and lifts her attention to him, and blinks owlishly over at him in confusion. "Kirito?" she asks softly, tilting her head forward to peek at his face. She pulled her eyebrows together.

"Here." Kirito uttered out, handing a soft blue stone into Sachi's hand. His eyes narrows at her, almost scaring her from how dark his gaze was. Sachi's eyes lowered to the crystal in her hands, it was a dark shade of blue with grey marble like twirls around it. It was just about the same size of her hands and Sachi found it easy to hold.

"A teleport crystal?" Sachi mumbled, looking down at the stone and frowning. A teleport crystal, she had a few in her own storage. Being extra careful as of what happened last year. She wished that she'd packed teleport crystals back then, if only she did that then maybe one of them might still be alive.

Kirito grabs Sachi's shoulder, a little too harshly for her liking. Pressing his fingers into her pale blue covered shoulder, and gave her a small shook. "If anything unexpected happens, and I tell you to warp out, use this crystal to jump to any town." He says in a firm voice, giving Sachi an even darker look when her lips parted to speak.

"Sachi. Please." He almost begged and Sachi felt her cheeks flush pink. Looking off to the side briefly, Sachi nods to him. Kirito let out a deep breath of relief, and gently pats her on the head. His midnight orbs softening as he gives her a small, sad smile – nodding in return to her.

'He's still worried about me…no matter how stronger I'll become. No matter many times I level up. I'll still be a burden to him…' Sachi thought, turning away with her head down. She held the crystal tightly, pressing it softly against her cheeks and pressing her lips together. Her warm eyes staring downward sadly. Always a burden and nothing else.

"And I can help if something goes wrong" Silica voice meekly filled Sachi's ears and brought the girl out of the thought. She twirls around to look at the young girl, and let out a small sigh upon seeing Kirito holding a same crystal to her. Silica was staring at the crystal like it offended her.

Kirito shook his head a little and forced the stone further into her small hands. "Promise me. Silica-san…"

Silica blinks once before sniffling, and nodding her head to him. She carefully took the stone and pouted. A defeated expression appearing across her face. "O-Okay…"

Kirito makes a deep sigh, humming out from the back of his throat and pushes his silk onyx tuffs out of his face. He smiles a little and then turns around to face the other side of the bridge. Kirito looked relieved with his shoulders sagging a little. "Okay. Good, let's go then. This path should lead straight to the Hill of Memories." He explains calmly.

Sachi sighs to herself and her eyes return to the teleport crystal. Kirito was worried that she could get hurt and most likely die. He didn't want the same thing to happen to their friends, to happen again. Sachi frowns again, her eyes closing briefly and she inhales sharply. 'K-Kirito…do you blame yourself for what happened?' she thought sadly, her own shoulders falling and her head slightly leaning to the side. Her eyelids slides half-lidded, throwing a shadow across her cheeks.

Swiftly, Sachi felt the air around her grow cold and her body shuddered. Her skin prickled all over, and she gasped out loudly. "Silica-san." She gasped, spinning around just as something grabbed ahold of the young girl and began to pull her along the ground. Swing the small girl through the air, forest like veins wrapped tightly around Silica's ankles.

Turning around completely, Sachi's eyes widens so much that they even stung a little. The creature was much like a giant plant with many roots imbedded into the ground. It's was massive, and it was self-twisting and turning. Its large crimson colored head thrown back, with its big mouth stretched out wide revealing its bright reddish fangs that chopped at nothing. Ready to eat Silica fully.

Silica screamed, her pink eyes becoming wide and her mouth stretched out wide in fear. She shirked and screamed loudly, waving her hands around before gasping out as she felt her skirt beginning to fall downward. Silica quickly grabbed ahold of the end of her skirt, and held upward as to not show off her underwear. "Save me! Save Me! Kirito-san! Don't look, but please! Save me!"

"Calm down, Silica! It's really weak!" Kirito called over to her, before turning away and covering his eyes with a single hand. Pressing his fingers in front of his eyes.

Sachi locks her head forward and frowned. "Kirito. You pervert." She gasped out, seeing him peeking through his fingers.

Kirito turned bright red, and shook his head furiously at her. Spinning around with his shoulders hunched. "W-What! No I'm not!" he gasped out in horror.

Sachi glanced back at Silica and sighed in relief as she pushed herself forward, slashing at the veins and throwing herself downward towards the monster. She thrusted her small dagger into the top of the head with a shriek. Sachi shook her head and turned back Kirito. "You were peeking" she teases, chuckling as he glared at her with a frown.

"Did you see?" Silica asked, her face becoming red. She pulls at her skirt and whimpers, walking towards them with a low sniffle.

"Um. N-No, I didn't." Kirito said, closing his fingers. He glances over at Sachi, his cheeks turned pink as she just smiles sweetly. The rest of the walk went pretty smoothly. Sachi didn't need to take out her bow and whenever they ran into a monster, Kirito dealt with it before she could blink. She had to admit, Kirito had got even stronger since the last time she saw him.

"Kirito-san. Can I ask you about your sister?" Silica suddenly asked shyly, walking next to Sachi and peeking up at him through her sandy lock with a small frown.

Kirito glanced at her very briefly, and shrugged a little. "Why now, all of a sudden?"

Sachi reaches up and tugs on a small silk raven lock. She looks at Kirito thoughtfully. She remembers Kirito telling her a little about his young sister. She could tell it bothered him to speak about about his sister. Sachi frowned to her and wondered why it would bother him. Sachi, herself, doesn't have a sibling so she wasn't sure what kind of problems he could have.

"You said I looked like her. I know it's impolite to ask about the real world, but would it be okay?" Silica asked softly, turning her orbs up to look at Kirito.

"I called her my little sister, but she's actually my cousin. We grew up together, so I don't think she knows. Maybe that's why…." Kirito began, trailing off with a small frown. He stares at nothing in particular and slowly shakes his head. His eyes lowering down to look at the ground.

Hearing the soft 'huh?' from Silica, Kirito turned to her and forced a strain smile. "Hm. It's nothing." He says kindly and shook his head. He points upward, and nods to the side. "Look, there's the flower."

"Huh?" Silica blinks once more, twirling her head around and making her locks bounce. She gasps and rushes forward. The flower was one of the most beautiful flowers Sachi had ever seen. It was pure white and sparkled with small specks of gold fluttering from its wide petals.

Sachi stares at Silica before finally returning her attention to Kirito and noticed that he looked troubled. Worried and pretty sad. Sachi felt concern bubble up in her chest as she gently places her hands onto his shoulder. "Kirito. Are you and your sister not close?"

Kirito looks at Sachi and shifts his eyes side to side. "It's true. I've been distancing myself from her because of it. Our grandfather's really strict. When I was eight, he made us attend a local kendo dojo. Remember, I told you about him before." Kirito says quietly, smiling weakly at her and scratching the back of his head.

Sachi blinks. Now that she tried to think about it, she remembered Kirito telling her about it back when he was teaching her kendo. He didn't go into detail about his grandfather or sister, she felt her chest swell that he was confiding in her. Sachi couldn't help but smile at him, nodding for him to continue.

"Well, I stopped two years after and my grandfather beat me up." Kirito sighs softly, turning to look down at his feet and frowns deeply. Sachi's eyes saddens as she watches the boy. She could see how much it must be hurting him. She gently pats him on the shoulders, in some kind of comfort. "So my sister said that she'd put in enough effort for the both of us. And to my grandfather stop hitting me…she worked really hard after that and made it to nationals."

Sachi's eyes widens, and she gasped. "All the way to nationals? That's amazing." She said, praising his sister with a smile.

Kirito returns the smile with a small nod of the head. "But I always felt bad about it. Like maybe she would rather have been doing something else and secretly holds it against me…That's why I want to help Silica. It's possible that by helping her, it's like a way to atone for my sister." He muttered, looking towards Silica, watching her as she marveled the growing snow-white flower on the beautiful alter.

"Kirito. I won't say I'm sorry." Sachi bravely said, quickly looking away from him when he glanced at her with surprised eyes. His jaw slightly hanging open, he never expected Sachi to say that of all things. Sachi nervously reaches up and began to play with one of the loose locks of hairs she has. Her cheeks pink. "But I don't think she hates you. I don't think you can work that hard for someone you hate. I'm sure she probably loves kendo, and she probably feels thankful to you for pushing her towards it."

Kirito's eyes widens before they become soft. He rotates his gaze downward and smiles. "You just keep reassuring me, Sachi…" he says, and chuckles lowly. He lifts his head and looks at Sachi, reaching up and placing his hand onto her head. Making her head jolt downward a little. "Thank you."

Sachi blinks once and then twice, before returning his smile and nodding. "If we get out, you should talk to her. To rebuild your relationship with her. She may be your cousin, but she was your sister first. She probably doesn't understand why you've pulled away either" Sachi said with glowing eyes.

"When we do clear the game, I'll do that." Kirito says firmly, pushing his hand lightly on her head and making her duck her head briefly. He laughed as he withdraws and Sachi holds the spot where his hand was just, she pouts and tries her best to send a glare up at him.

"You are so mean, Kirito." She grumbled, looking off to the side before smiling meekly.

Silica turns towards them, holding the flower in her hands. Holding it like a baby and cradling it close to her. "Um. This will bring Pina back, right?" She asks nervously, knees buckling as she walks towards the two and peeks up at them with large round eyes. She smiles as the pair nodded to her. "I'm so glad..."

"Let's revive her after we get back to town. I'm sure Pina would prefer it that way." Sachi says gently, meeting Silica halfway and patting her on the head.

Kirito nods in agreement with Sachi, shifting his weight and placing his hand onto his hips. "But there are a lot of strong monsters around here." He said, pushing his dark hair out of eyes once again.

"Yeah." Silica smiles brightly, her eyes almost tearing up as she looked at the flower. She stroked the flower a little before storing the flower away. She lets out a deep breath and looked between the two.

On the way back, the monsters weren't so bad Sachi noted. Glancing to the side and smiling to herself upon seeing Silica still smiling to herself. It was nice to see Silica was smiling more, so much better than the little teary frown she had on most of the time. It was good that she's not on the verge of crying anymore. Even Kirito looked like he was smiling for real and finally stopped glancing at Sachi to make sure she was still there and not hurt. Sachi sighed to herself, and pushes herself forward with her arms in front of herself. Her eyes glows as she spots the familiar sight of the gorgeous bridge. She wanted to run so this time she could probably look over the rails of the bridge, to watch the water.

However, like a blur, Kirito grabbed ahold of her elbow and pulled her back. Using his other arm to loop around her and pressed his hand against her lower back, guiding her to stand behind him rather than in front of him. "Kirito?" Sachi said quietly, clocking her head to the side to look up at him.

Kirito growled under his breathe, stepping forward and glared at the trees. If looks could kill, Sachi was sure the trees would be burned up by now or something. "Whoever's behind those trees, come out." Kirito hissed through clenched teeth. It sent a chill down Sachi's spin as she stared at the back of Kirito's head, wondering who he had deducted waiting for them.

"R...Rosalia-san?" Silica gasped loudly, her voice cracking and breaking as she stared with wide cotton candy eyes.

Sachi blinks once, watching as a familiar woman steps out from behind a tree. Her short curls catches the crimson sun above them. Sachi inhales sharply, she bristled upon staring at her. It was the woman who was causing Silica trouble. Promptly, Sachi was overcame with heavy worry and she quickly moved to stand near Silica, placing her hands onto her shoulders and drawing her back a little. Silica turned towards Sachi, while keeping her gaze onto Rosalia.

"If you can see through my hiding skill, your detection skill must be quite high, Swordsman." Rosalia smirked, purring her words out as she tilts her body to lean on her spear. Her eyes growing dark and deadly, eyeing the three or more really Silica.

"It appears you managed to get the Pneuma Flower. Congratulations." Rosalia said an odd tone of kindness.

It made Sachi frown deeply, she had only ever heard two people talk like that and they wasn't very nice people. She bites her bottom lip as the expression on Rosalia's face took a turn for cruelty, and Sachi tightened her grip of Silica's shoulders. "Now hand it over."

"Wh... What are you talking about?" Silica asked in a meek voice. Her body slowly beginning to tremble.

Sachi stares blankly at Rosalia before narrowing her eyes in realization. Of cause, Rosalia must have been the one listening to her and Kirito. "Why should we hand it over to you Rosalia-san? Silica-san worked really hard to get it. She put in the effort, you didn't. So it belongs to her." Sachi said, her tone still gentle as she spoke. Trying to somehow reason with the woman, even when she felt angry, she still used her manners.

Kirito tilts his body, placing his hand onto his hip and clocking his head to the side. "Or should we call you leader of the orange guild, Titan's Hand." Kirito asked, his lips pulling into a wide chilling smirk. His eyes narrowing down on the woman.

"But she's green!" Silica frowns, gasping her words out and looking up at Kirito. Even Sachi was confused, her eyes lifting to the soft green glowing diamond floating above Roselia's head. She was confused.

Kirito glances back at the pair. "It's a simple trick. The green members find targets, and lead them to where the orange players are waiting." Kirito explained with low snort.

Turning his attention back to the woman standing across from them. "That was one of your friends listening to us last night, right?"

Sachi looks up at the red haired woman and sniffs a little. Watching as she nods her head to what Kirito was saying.

Rosalia chuckles. Her eyes moving between them with a red smirk of her own. Looking like a demon that was eyeing her prey. "That's right. I was assessing its strength, while waiting for them to earn money from adventuring."

Rosalia truly looked like a demon. Her eyes narrowing, Sachi gulped at the way she was staring at them. Sachi felt slightly disgusted when she licked her lips and she couldn't believe somebody would try and target Silica. Sword Art Online really does bring out worst of people!

"You were the prey I was most anticipating. It was unfortunate you left, but then you said you were getting a rare item. However, you two knew all that but went with her anyway. Are you guys idiots?" Rosalia rolled eyes and shrugged her shoulders before turning to look at them with her hands onto her hips.

Kirito hummed, almost mockingly. He turns his head to the side, and flicks a silk black hair out of his face. "Actually. I was more interested in finding you, Rosalia." He admits and Sachi jolts in surprise. She turns to look at him in curiosity. Why was he looking for Rosalia?

Rosalia looked to the side and curled a red hair around her finger, looking pretty bored herself. Her bright red lips pulls into a smile. "Oh really? Whatever for?" she purrs out, winking at him and chuckling when he snorts.

"A few days ago, you attacked a guild known as the Silver Flags. The only one who survived was the leader." Kirito began speaking, his eyes slowly narrowing with each words that passed his lips. Sachi stayed quiet, listening in wonder. She felt so bad for the guild Silver Flags, the leader. She understand how he felt.

"Oh, the losers with no money." Rosalia said with an emotionless voice. Sachi gasped a little – did she really not care about hurting anybody? Killing anybody?

Kirito's eyes became slits as he frowns at Rosalia and shook his head. His voice coming out very cold, and hard. Sending horrible chills down Sachi and Silica's spins. "Their leader went from the warp point to the front lines, from morning until night, begging someone to avenge them. He didn't want you killed. He wanted someone to jail you. Can you understand how he felt?"

"Nope. What kind of idiot would take this seriously? There's no proof that killing someone here means they die IRL." Rosalia laughed, leaning her weight onto her right and tilting her body. She snorts herself, and rolls her eyes.

Sachi shook her head. "Rosalia-san. There was proof. Did you just not care to notice it? Or are you just not smart enough to understand it? The first day in Sword Art Online. We were shown the reports, remember? The ones in the sky? We saw many people dying that day! Even now, many people have died. It isn't a prank, or a trick. It's real. And we're all in danger. You're killing real, normal innocent people!" Sachi gasped out, beginning calmly but coming frustrated near the end.

Especially when Rosalia didn't look as if she scared, nothing that Sachi was saying was making sense to her. In fact, she gave Sachi a look that one would a child and it made her even more upset.

"Whatever. Anyways, shouldn't you be more concerned about yourselves?" Rosalia sighed deeply. Turning her snake like eyes onto them once more, and laughed. She lifts her hand and snapped her finger, calling the same males from earlier to step out from behind the trees. Walking out from their hiding places, while holding their weapons tightly. All of which was laughing and chuckling darkly at them.

"Kirito-san, Sachi-chan, there are too many! We should run!" Silica panicked, hunching herself and shaking uncontrollable. She crushes her teeth together and shook.

Kirito looks back at her and smiles. "Don't worry, it'll be okay." He began, turning his eyes to Sachi and nods to her.

"Sachi, you and Silica need to stay back. I can handle this. If anything happens, use the teleport crystals and get out of here. Okay?" he says firmly, but quietly.

Sachi stares at him, watching as he began to walk across the bridge. Kirito lifts his hand and quite plainly pulls his sword from his back. He flicks it to the side, and stares ahead. Sachi frowns and bites her bottom lip.

She notes that Silica had pulled out her own teleport crystal and settled, ready to leave. Sachi didn't want to leave, what if something happens to Kirito? She frowns deeper, and presses her hands to her chest.

'Kirito…be careful…'

"Kirito-san!" Silica cried out in worry. Her eyebrows pulling together and her knees buckling. Sachi had to grab her shoulders once again, to stop her from falling right then and there. She was worried that Silica was too overwhelmed with everything.

"Kirito?" One of the males with Rosalia frowned to himself, stepping back a little.

"Black clothes… a one-handed sword, no-shield style. That can't be the Black Swordsman…" he muttered to himself, becoming nervous and shuddering a bit in realization. With loud stuttered gasp, he spun his head around to the leader of their small group.

"Rosalia-san, this is the beater who solos the front like… he is in the lead group!"

"The lead group?" Silica gasped out.

Sachi wasn't sure if she should be impressed or just worried.

"Someone from the lead group wouldn't be down here!" Rosalia said, confidently. She lifts a hand and waves it in the air with a loud bark of laugh. "Get him and take everything he owns! We'll deal with the other two after that!"

With that said, they charged. Their weapons glowing their chosen color. Swinging at Kirito, creating bright blood red wounds briefly, before they swiftly faded away. Slashing, hacking and even hammering against him. Over and over in hopes to bring him down. But Kirito just stood quietly in the middle of the bridge, allowing them to attack him again and again. His black eyes were half-lidded and he looked like he could careless.

Sachi was amazed. She had never seen like that before and she felt fascinated by it. Suddenly, she recognized the sound of feet hitting the ground, and she blinked in time to see one charging towards her and Silica. Gasping, she turned and shoved Silica to the side and twisted on the balls of her feet as the many throw his sword down. Barely missing being hit by the blade.

"Sachi-chan!" Silica screamed out worriedly, eyebrows pulling together.

Sachi inhales sharply, and holds her hand up. Beautifully, sparkling white light began to gather between her hands as she summoned her bow out. As soon as she held it, she spun and used it to block another attack from him. As soon as his blade hit the middle, she twisted it and slammed it against him. Somehow shoving him backwards, and making him trip over his feet.

"You're…You're the White Arrow!" He gasped out, staring up at Sachi with wide eyes.

Immediately, Sachi let out a squeal. She jolted on the spot and felt her face heat up, becoming a bright ruby color. "W-White A-Arrow?!" she repeated, finding herself becoming numb and she stumbled backward on her feet.

White Arrow? She has a nickname? Really? She didn't believe anybody know of her. No, that wasn't right. Maybe he got it mixed up, maybe there was somebody else who uses a bow and arrow and main color white? Right? Right?

"White Arrow…m-me?" she muttered out, pointing at herself meekly.

The man raised an eye. "Well. You use a bow and arrow right?" he asks slowly, turning and slowly, carefully getting to his feet.

Sachi nods mutely to him.

"Well, then yeah. You're the only one who uses that. Most people find it too weak."

Sachi's lips twitches. White Arrow. That's what everyone has labeled her, but how? Who could have seen her? Sure, she works with a few people on quest and helped some people. It was surprisingly. Her head felt a little light from pure shock of it.

Suddenly the man came charging towards her once more. Sachi gasped and spun her bow, slamming the sharp edge into him and forcing him back. As soon as she saw the river of red fly through the air. She felt her whole being freeze. Her eyes widens and her jaw dropped. "I-I…I….I…" she couldn't speak, her knees shook, buckling under her.

Has she…had she just killed him? Had she just done a murder? No. Her whole being shook, and her stomach twisted painfully. "Sachi-chan! Sachi-chan!" Silica cried out as she fell to her knees, her head low and eyes wide. Sachi had just attacked a man, and killed him. Right?

Suddenly a loud thud erupted through the air, and Sachi felt a hand suddenly pet her on the head. "Sachi. You didn't kill him." Kirito's voice fills her ears and Sachi lifts her head to look up at him with large eyes. Kirito smiles at her and nods to the side.

"See."

Sachi turns her head to find the man she had attacked stumble backward with a small cut across his cheek. She breathed out in relief. "Oh thank god…" she muttered, pushing her curls out of her face and sniffling.

"What are you doing?! Kill him already!" Rosalia suddenly screamed, gaining their attention. She looked panicked and was stepping forward and back again. Her eyes narrowing down at Kirito.

Kirito snorted and turned fall around to face her. Crossing his arms and letting out a low laugh. Rolling his eyes. "About four hundred, in around ten seconds. That's the total damage you seven can do to me." Kirito said, firmly, lips pulling into a cunning smile. "I'm level seventy-eight. I have 14,500 HP. My battle healing skill auto-regenerates six hundred points every ten seconds. We could stand here all day, and you'd never beat me" Kirito informs.

"Is that even possible?"

"It is." Kirito nodded, closing his eyes briefly.

"Basically, my numbers are bigger than yours!"

"High enough numbers will make you invincible. MMOs that use a level system are unfair that way." Kirito spoke, reaching into his pocket and taking out a large round smooth white pearl crystal.

Kirito rotates his head to the side and eyed the woman in red, mockingly. "My client spent his entire fortune to buy this warp crystal. It's set to take you to the prison."

Kirito's dark eyes runs across everyone and smirks even wider, revealing his teeth a little to them. "I'm going to send you all there."

"Well, I'm green! If you hurt me, you'll go orange and…" Rosalia said, her spear positioned in front of her. She was ready to defeat herself if needed.

Kirito hunched himself, and as fast as Sachi had ever seen, shot across the small opening. He swung his sword around him, holding the sharp blade out in front of himself and pressing it to her throat. His blade flashes deadly in the sunlight, he hunched his head forward and allowed his pure black tuffs hanged into his face. His lips pulls into a bone-chilling grin.

"Just so we're clear. I'm a solo player. One or two days of playing while orange mean nothing to me."

Sachi wasn't sure what he said, but whatever Kirito had said to Rosalia had shaken her. Her eyes widens and her mouth opened wide, her jaw dropping in shock. And finally, she disappeared in a flash of bright burning blue, along with everyone else.

"W-What happened?" Silica asked meekly, looking up at Sachi.

Sachi tilts her head around and smiles down at Silica, patting her on the head. Much like Kirito had done to her in the past. "He sent them to prison." She explained in a gentle voice to which Silica sniffled and nodded. She blinks a little, and shook her head.

Trust Kirito to be over dramatic.

With a small smile, Sachi turned her attention to the young brunette and gently pats her on the head again. Much like how a mother would to her child. Her warm eyes glows gently. "We got the flower. So Pina-chan will be alright."

"Yeah." Silica smiles widely, and almost goofily up at Sachi. Her ruby eyes shimmering, and her finger twitched. Holding her crystal close to her chest.

"Pina…!"

'Pina…I'll talk to you lots and lots, okay? About my amazing adventure today…And about the one day in my life that I had a big brother and a big sister…I'll tell you all about it. Everything.'

Sachi couldn't help but feel a great sense of relief and peace fall across her body as she stares after the small honey haired girl. It felt good, so very good that she was able to help somebody else. To be able to bring happiness to somebody. She was glad, so glad that Silica had her adorable friend back. Her heart skipped a beat.

'I can only hope…Silica-chan won't have go through that pain ever again…' Sachi thought, closing her eyes slowly and sighing softly. It didn't take her long to return to her own room after helping Silica. The very same Inn room she had shared with Kirito. Breathing gently, she suddenly jumped in confusion when she felt a hand press against the top of her head. Fingers curled that single, annoying hair that stuck out of her head and gently tugged on it teasingly.

"Kirito" Sachi pouted, and looked up at him with a small frown.

Kirito simply smiles back down at her, and clocks his head to the side. "I'm sure the two will be fine. Pina won't let Silica get into trouble again." He spoke with a gentle tone. Reading the short girl easily, and pats said girl on the head again.

"She's stronger now. And she will continue to get stronger. Don't worry."

Sachi's eyes shimmers. Kirito's words fills her up with warmth, and makes all her worry melt away. She blinks once and feels salty water builds up at the corners of her eyes. Ducker, Tetsuo, Sasamaru and Keita. They're all gone, and Sachi could never – no would ever never forget them. Their faces, smiles and laughter. It hurts every day, and a small voice in the back of her head always told her the truth.

'It's all your fault they're gone. If only you didn't hide. You could have saved them.'

The pain was unbelievable. Sachi couldn't think straight when she remembered that day, that very day when she lost them. And seeing Silica, so hurt, so broken, reminded her of it. Silica had felt the same pain, the same acid burning feeling that spread across her chest and it makes her eyes water. Silica had lost her closest friend.

Sachi was pleased, so relieved and happy for Silica to have her friend back but, she couldn't help feeling jealous. She got her friend back, why couldn't Sachi bring back Ducker, or Tetsuo, or Sasamaru, or Keita? Why couldn't she revive her friends? It wasn't fair, and she felt so shameful to have those thoughts.

"W-Why can't I b-bring back…" she began, only to have words die in her throat and a broken sob escaped her lips. Why, why, couldn't she bring them back? She's sorry, so sorry that she couldn't save them. Couldn't protect them. She could have, but she didn't.

Swiftly, Sachi felt herself being pulled forward into a hug. Arms wrapped around her shoulders, and her face was pushed into a jade covered shoulder. She sniffled, and leant into the familiar embrace and felt a weak smile crawl across her lips.

"I tried Sachi. I really did. I-I tried to bring them back, to save them. But I failed. I failed over and over again." Kirito said in a broken tone which made Sachi's heart drop to her stomach. She hiccupped, more tears spilling over her cheeks. Her shaking hands reached up, and gripped his midnight coat.

"I'm so sorry I let you down again."

Sachi shook her head, she breathed in deeply and just sighs against him. Eventually, she pulls away with a small smile. "You didn't let me down. K-Kirito. You…You did everything for me, and I so thankful for it. I…I just miss them…" she mumbled, trailing off with a small cry. Another hiccup escaping her lips, and her shoulders shook.

"I miss them too." Kirito admits after a small gap of silence. He sniffs, and his lips twitches, gently stepping away. He scratches the back of his neck, and inhales sharply. His eyes looked slightly reddish, like he was about to cry himself and Sachi felt her chest tighten.

Sachi shifts on her feet. She moved back to sit upon the made bed. She knew she had to get ready, to move onto the next level and try with all her might to level up from sixty. She wants to work hard, and had already set a goal for herself. To hit level Sixty five before the end of the next full moon.

"S-So you're leaving, then?" Sachi asked, rubbing her eyes and lifting her head to look up at Kirito. Nipping at her bottom lip, and placing her hands together in her lap.

Kirito swallows a lump, and nods his head. Pushing the jade tuffs out of his face. "I've been away from the front lines for five days. I need to get back." He explained with a soft voice, and comes to sit next to Sachi. Teasingly, nudging their shoulders together to which Sachi smiles amusingly.

"Hmm. T-The lead group is amazing….I could never be one of them…" Sachi spoke softly, shaking her head and pushing back a long raven curl behind her ear. She softly hums to herself, and her eyes slide half-lid.

Kirito sighs, almost tiredly and shook his head furiously. "Sachi. Stop cutting yourself short. You're a lot stronger than what you think. You are a strong and powerful girl. You can handle yourself well now. I know you can help everyone. All you've got to do, is try." He uttered out in a firm tone of voice, staring back at Sachi with narrowed eyes. Believing every word he said, and Sachi let out a shaky breath. Her heart pounds in disbelief.

"Sachi. The truth is that levels are just numbers. In this world, strength is just an illusion. There are more important things." Kirito said, closing his eyes and lowering his head. He smiles warmly at the girl, and gently runs his fingers through her raven curls. Trying with all his might to encourage her, to encourage her to fight. To stand up tall, and do her best.

Kirito knew she could.

"K-Kirito…." Sachi trailed off. Her heart seemed to pound harder, and her eyes widens a bit. She inhales sharply, and smiles wearily at him. "I-I…I…I…" her lips opened and shut, unsure of what she wanted to say. She wanted to agree. Sachi wanted to help, wanted to stand by his side on the front lines and fight for everyone. Fight for everyone who is too afraid to stand up. Just too afraid.

Sachi wanted to be strong but she's afraid.

Sachi felt a warm summer chill run down her spin. Kirito turns on the spot, turning to face her and reaches out. Taking her smaller hands in his and holds them tightly. Pressing his fingers against the palms of her hands.

"Sachi. Let's make a deal."

"A-A deal?" Sachi repeated bravely. She tilts her head to the side in thought, and she sniffed with a shuddered breath.

Kirito nodded his head in determination. "Work hard. Work very hard to level up for the next month, and then once this date rolls around, I'll come find you. We will complete a front line mission together. On the newest level, with only the highest levelled players."

"K-Kirito…" Sachi gasped. Her hands shook against his, and she purses her lips together.

Slowly, she nods her head.

"Okay. I p-promise Kirito!"

"I'll do it!"

Yay! Chapter 10! I'm so proud of myself. I didn't think I would ever get this far! Haha~ I hope you like it! I really do.

So what is your thoughts? I'd love to know!

I have got a few comments on Kirito/Asuna. I've already said, the two won't be romantically involved with each other. I have got a few plans for future chapters. I will not be following a few parts of the anime, as I think they're stupid and ridiculous. I will be changing it to make it more realistic.

Now. Asuna will appear soon.