So. Hi everyone. Damn this update took forever. I apologize greatly. I just got serious writers block. Especially now that my entire planned story is over and I have to do it Completely on my own, with a bit of canon here and there. Thank you for all the reviews so far. I'm glad you like the story, even if it took me this long to update. I'll try to be better about it but I'm still unprepared for the story ahead, plus I've been on a streak with my other story so for a while I will be updating that one more frequently.

AFTERPOST UPDATE- So, people really don't like this chapter do they? Barely 3 hours after posting it 2 people quit following it. Should I rewrite it more clean and towards the characters? Let me know

Update- I was just sitting there washing the dishes, barely into this chapter, when a rush of ideas washed over me. Funny because the song 'Wonderful Rush' was playing on my ipod (Love Live School Idol Project) Needless to say, my writer's block is broken. Thank you for your patience. Love you all

If you have any requests for scenes, scenarios, or situations, throw it at me. I'll see what sticks. Plus it will help with ideas and story development. Anyway, enjoy

Update as I'm writing, once again, not planned. I have no idea how you will react to this, development. Sorry, I think

Walking hand in hand away from the dungeon, Kirito and I found a decent place to rest- a shady spot beneath a tree, one that he was sure wouldn't attack us, away from town. Sitting down against the tree, I watched him follow suit, leaning his head back, his face becoming a picture of upmost tranquility.

Afraid to break his peace, I softly started to ask, "Kirito-kun?" Opening one eye, he peered down at me. "Um… I was just wondering… What are you going to do… about me… and the front lines?"

Damning his rest away, he leaned forward, crossing his arms, his mouth pursed and eyebrows tight. Sorry… Eyes closed, he took a long moment before acknowledging my words. "Well, I do have to get back. But I don't want to leave you." He then, opening his eyes and facing me, flashed a silly smile, "Guess you're coming with me."

I choked on…well nothing, and stared at him, mouth agape. "H…How can I even? I'm too weak…I'd just… I don't know how." I'm level 45, with the top floor being 55. I would surely die… But it's Kirito-kun. I want to be with him… but I can't spend time with him when I'm dead!

"Hm…" He pondered this for a while, or at least I think he pretended too, I'm not sure. "Well, I guess we'll have to fix that." His lips upturned brightly again as he stated what he must have thought was the obvious answer. Fix that? That would take… forever.

"Bu…" He raised his hand to stop my questioning. His smile didn't fade though.

"Let's worry about that later. For now, we have to find a place to camp out." Camp? Oh, right, orange, duh.

Having toured much of the floor, or at least much of the area that I was allowed to enter, once running into an invisible wall when we found a 'conveniently' placed safe zone, we found a more secluded garden in a small valley. The trees that were so sparse throughout the level were more thickly placed here. At the base of an exceptionally large, well I couldn't really call it a hill, was a hidden area that could barely pass for a clearing. Finding this secluded place was pure luck though; apparently not even Kirito knew about such a spot. 'I didn't spend much time here. It was too easy a floor' Sure. Too easy.

"So do you want to stay here? We should be safe from other players here. We are, after all, on the edge of the floor." We are? Interesting. "Besides, the sun's going down." At his words I looked up, the sky being a dark orange, showing the virtual sun hidden behind the trees would be gone soon.

"Yeah! It's pretty here." I dropped to the ground and buried my face into a particularly enticing bunch of flowers, simply enjoying the feel and smell in my face.

Next to me I heard Kirito let loose a chuckle at me. "You know, they do have pillows and blankets in this game. Much better than flowers." I disagree. But a Kirito pillow… My thoughts drifted, some destinations more adult than others, extremely grateful I had decided to shove my face into the ground where he couldn't see.

From his direction, I heard some shuffling and the light dings of him using his menu. Around me, noises signaling the materialization of objects from his storage could be heard, each item settling on the ground softly. Awww, won't they crush the pretty flowers? "Uh-oh."

Being alerted by that, I perked up, looking at Kirito. Looking down, hand rubbing the back of his head nervously, cheeks slightly reddened. I wonder… "Hm?"

"Well, it seems I only have the one sleeping bag. I thought I was prepared for anything. I have an axe for wood, emergency wood in case I'm somewhere cold, matches, cooking and eating utensils… but only one sleeping bag…"

Smiling cutely, I opened my mouth to speak, then stopped short, frozen and speechless. Do I want to tell him? I mean, I wouldn't mind sharing the sleeping bag… But I do have my own. But… "That's okay, Kirito. I mean, um…" Share or honesty? Share or honesty? Crap. "We can share!" I proclaimed that idea with more force than necessary, my longing winning over my chaste and respectful side.

He simply looked at me, considering my words. I kept the smile as if the idea didn't bother me in the slightest, though internally I was scared he would be put off by it.

"We'll figure it out." Looking around at the stuff, he brightened with sudden remembrance. "Oh! Would you mind taking a look for wood while I set up the cooking supplies? I'd rather save my emergency stash if you don't mind."

Simply nodding, I left. With my eyes I searched for wood, but as I walked, my brain was left on his words. 'We'll figure it out.' So does that mean he's not sure? Or he wants to make sure I'm sure? Or maybe he just wants to let me down easy… I thought after last night it wouldn't be a problem. Maybe he's just not used to it, being solo and all. He did have another girl in his bed he told me. But that was, "AHH!"

*SPLASH*

Not really watching where I was going, my next step had had no ground beneath it to hold me up, sending me cascading face first into a shallow body of water.

After the first few seconds of shock, I collected myself and got up. "Woahhhh…" Looking up, I stared in awe. Apparently, I was in a pond. You couldn't tell it was a pond though through the bunches and bunches of white petal flowers that covered the surface. The only way you knew there was water was the way they slowly lifted and dipped from the waves I had made.

Reaching a hand forward, I brushed some flowers aside, silently wishing. My wish, happily, was granted; before my eyes the water deepened to where you could stand and have it only up to your neck. Using my SEARCH skill, I couldn't find any enemies. Sure I hadn't leveled it up much, but the body of water was small so I knew that it would be enough to tell me it was safe. Swimming in this would be so soothing… and romantic.

Grinning at my found treasure, I got up and returned to camp, completely forgetting the wood.

"So no luck with the… why are you all wet?" Kirito gazed at me quizzically when I reached our small clearing. Apparently he hadn't been paying attention enough to hear my fall.

"Oh, that. It's a surprise. But first! Food. I'm starving." Remaining puzzled, I watched my companion materialize his own firewood, light it, and begin to cook, making simple stew with bread for dipping.

"I have to warn you, my cooking sucks. But I promise it won't poison you." He chuckled at this, as if poisoning wasn't completely out of the question.

"I'm sure it'll be fine Kirito-kun. Besides, we have two sets of dessert!" Taking my words to mean the cheesecake, I felt light inside, knowing my secret would surprise him. Hopefully he'll like it.

After a few minutes of silent cooking he declared the food edible and the tea hot. Tasting it though, I had to agree with his previous statement, it was pretty bad. Feigning contentedness, I smiled and ate with loud 'mmm's' and sighs, only chocking on it once or twice. Kirito, on the other hand, simply stared at me knowingly as he ate his portion, not once flinching at the horrid taste, texture, and even look of his food. He's probably used to it, always being alone. Kind of sad…

After we finished, I brought out two slices of the cheesecake from this morning, and we ate those too, more heartily though. I was both thankful and dejected that the game didn't make food have a lingering taste, not wanting to keep in the taste of Kirito's 'food' while wanting to savor the cheesecake. Or Kirito's tongue. Shush you. You know it's true. Oh shut up.

Watching Kirito clean up, I noticed the light was almost completely gone at this point, only the moonlight showing through the trees. Even then, the trees blocked out most of it with their thick branches and leaves. "Hey, Kirito?"

"Hm?" He continued to clean up as he listened.

"I'm going to… Would you like…" How in the world do I ask? Taking a minute, I saw him stop what he was doing, curious as to my predicament. "Just finish what you are doing then follow after me."

Leaving him behind, I walked in the direction of the pond, eyes keen for hidden monsters and the ripple of the flowers. Despite keeping a sharp eye out, my thoughts raced. I sounded weird back there, didn't I? No, you sounded mysterious. Ug, barely.

Seeing a familiar set of flowers, I smiled and looked behind me, making sure he hadn't caught up yet. Nope. Opening my menu, I selected REMOVE ALL, and disabled the ethics code as well. Stepping a toe through the flowers, a shiver rushed up my body. While the water wasn't cold, it wasn't warm either. Still, I wanted to enjoy it as much as possible. Stepping forward, the water crept up my body, both cooling and warming it at the same time, the lukewarm liquid soothing me in an odd way. As it reached my neck, I found the edge of the pool and leaned my back against it, reveling in its soft caresses.

Before long, I heard the grass shifting, a figure appearing in the dark. "Silica-chan?" It asked, more in a confused recognition than a searching tone. With his skills I doubt it was really a search. "What are you…" His voice died off. I felt his gaze on me. Even below the water in the near pitch black night and covered by a layer of flowers, I felt like he could see me.

Blushing and feeling a sensation creep down my spine, I let out a small, "Want to join me?"

"J-J-Join you? But, I… Um. You see…" Even without being able to see it, I smiled, remembering how cute he was when he was flustered. "I just… um. I don't think we should. You know. Like… I'm a guy, you're a girl… For all you know I could…" He trailed off, his meaning lingering in the air. He could completely take control and if he really wanted to, I'm sure he could rape me. The thought left my insides cold, a brief image of his beautiful face stained with insanity, lust, and leaking maniacal laughter.

Filled with even more shyness than before, I whispered, "I trust you…" He wouldn't do something like that. He's an honest guy. He could have done it last night if he wanted to, but he didn't then either.

Taking a moment, Kirito stood there silently. After a while, I heard a deep sigh and low, hard whispers, "idiot… stupid… pervert… naked... wrong." Obviously he was cursing himself at the thought of my suggestion, but still, I heard an eventual *DING* of his menu and felt the water shift slightly.

Even if I couldn't see anyway, I looked away for his comfort, hoping that he wouldn't second guess himself and run. Thankfully, he continued to sink deeper, then rested against the wall opposite of me, water reaching around his collarbone.

I took a minute to let the situation sink in to him. I could feel the tension radiating off of him, even from a couple of feet away. "Feel good, doesn't it?"

Letting out a deep sigh, he responded, "definitely. But… you know… isn't this a bit weird?"

Of course it's weird. But I'm not going to tell him that. It'll just scare him away. "Well, you can't actually see me, nor I you. So, if you want, you can just pretend I;m not here…" I didn't really want that, but if it put his mind at ease, then so be it.

He didn't bother to respond to that, instead, I saw his body shift, looking more relaxed with his head leaning back on the bank. I too stretched out, focusing on relaxing my whole body. That came to a halt though as I felt my feet brush his. Snapping them back, I apologized, "Sorry! I just… sorry."

All I heard was a small grunt in response, not really annoyed or okay. It simply acknowledged that it happened.

Letting myself go a bit, I let my mind wander, something I was starting to learn was a bad idea. He seems relaxed. Kind of like his muscles receded into his body. His muscles… The soft cut lines on his arms and chest… and abs… I wonder how they feel under…

The water became cold, my body suddenly fire from my thoughts. Both shame and want ran through me. I need to stop doing that… It'll drive me crazy if I'm always thinking that way.

Heart banging against my chest, I let out a small, "Kirito-kun?"

Another grunt was sent my way. It wasn't an annoyed one. It sounded more like he was just too out of it to be capable of speech. "Will you kiss me?" You know you're an idiot, right? Yes… I know. My query seemed to snap him back to this world.

"Wh-What?! I thought you… but trust… and ethics… clothes…" He scrambled around to create a logical sentence as to why he shouldn't kiss me while we were both naked. It seemed he wasn't going to be able to though.

"Just don't try anything. I… I k-know I can trust you Kirito-kun." I drew out the kun on his name, trying to show confidence, though I was starting to tremble at simply the idea of it.

"I don't want…" he sighed out.

"You don't want to? But…you…but." Now it was my turn to be shocked. He didn't Want to? He, a naked teenager, didn't want to kiss another naked teenager with no chance of ramifications? My heart dropped.

"I don't want to hurt you," he restated. Oh… Oh! So then… he does.

"You won't…" I reached my toes out, searching for his, giving his foot a light tracing.

Making small waves, I saw Kirito wade towards me, stopping about a foot away, making sure to keep a safe distance between us. He really is scared. He really does care… Taking a step for the last foot, I lightly touched his chest and leaned up, waiting for his lips. Feeling his breath on me, I knew he was hesitating, even if only an inch away. I heard him swallow and close the gap, brushing lips with mine lightly. Holding him in place, I kissed him back softly, trying to reassure him.

After a moment, I felt something in him change. His lips became… more. His breathing became deeper. His pressure on my face became stronger. Slowly a trace of wetness met my lips, and I opened my mouth, allowing him entrance. Taking my fingers, I traced down his chest, taking in his muscles, lower towards his abs, trying to relish in the feeling of them.

Rising up to meet him better and deepen the kiss, I felt the water line recede down my body, though I made sure to make sure it didn't expose me. As I did, I felt his hands reach out and encircle my waist, one going up to stroke my back, something I've come to love. We stayed kissing like that for a few minutes, enjoying the simple touches on his chest and my back, as our mouths danced. I could stay like this forever…

Feeling him shift again, his extended arms slowly pulled my body towards himself, trying to become closer. Normally I would have loved it, but being naked… it was a bad idea. I'm not ready for that. Nope… More firmly placing a hand against his chest, I felt him shut down, mouth halt, body stiff, suddenly aware of what he was doing.

Letting me go, almost forcefully, Kirito turned around and scrambled up the side of the water, then sprinted out of sight.

Well that was a long chapter, kinda. I hope it makes up for being such a long waited update. I'm sorry it took so long again. Also, sorry that well, ^ all that happened. I think I made Silica too old in character. Idk, It's late. I'm about to post this and it's 6am. *Yawn*

Anyway, love to hear your comments, raging or not, and what you think about the story. Hopefully next chapter sooner than this one.