Chapter 11: The aftershock

Kazuto, Asuna and Yui all woke up quickly, relieved to get away from the intensity of STO. Kazuto sighed, "Man, that was crazy. You ok Yui?" He asked.

The small girl nodded, "Yes…But I don't wanna play that game again…it was scary." She said.

Kazuto looked over to his girlfriend, "What about you, Asuna? Are you ok?" He asked.

Asuna gave him a dirty look, "Oh so you actually care?" She asked sarcastically.

Kazuto was taken aback by this, "Asuna? Is something wrong?" He asked, fairly confused.

Asuna looked over to Yui, "Yui, sweetheart, can you go and spend time with Grandma for a while? Daddy and I need to have a talk." Yui nodded, "Ok."

Once she left, Asuna looked at Kazuto with anger in her eyes, "I'll tell you what's wrong! You left me and Yui! Your family was in danger and you just left us high and dry!" She yelled.

Kazuto was shocked. Sure she had been mad at him before back in SAO, but never at this level, "Asuna, listen I-."

"Don't even try it Kazuto! You made it clear that you don't give a damn about me or Yui!"

That's when Kazuto got angry, "Now hold on just a minute! How can you say that I don't care?"

Asuna grew even angrier, "Well, for starters YOU ABANDONED US!"

Yui jumped into Midori's arms when she heard Asuna's elevated voice boom through the house.

Midori did her best to soothe the young child, "Don't worry Yui…Everything's going to be fine. Your parents are just having a, uh…a spirited debate." She told her. Hoping to put the young girl at ease, "Even I'm worried about how this is unfolding. I've never heard Kazuto yell at anyone before."

Yui clutched Midori's side, "I'm scared Grandma. I don't want Mommy and Daddy to fight."

Midori smiled down at the girl, "I know. Hey, why don't we go out to the park? I bet they'll be done arguing by the time we get back." Yui thought about it for a moment before nodding. Midori smiled, "Alright, give me just a minute to go grab my purse." She said as she went upstairs.

Midori rushed over to Suguha's room to see her sitting on her bed, earmuffs on her head. Midori tapped Sugu on the shoulder, "Sugu! I need to talk to you." She said in a raised voice to be heard over the argument going on.

Sugu removed the earmuffs, "What's up, Mom?" She asked.

"I'm going to take Yui to the park to get her away from all that." She said, gesturing in the direction of the noise, "We'll be at least two hours, if you can get those two to make up, or at least stop fighting, I'll buy you that fancy wooden sword you've been wanting."

Sugu raised an eyebrow, "You mean a bokken?" She inquired.

Then they heard Asuna scream, "I dare you to say that again!" which made Midori nod, "Yes, that. Please?" She begged.

Sugu smiled, "You got it." Midori hugged her, "Thank you. Good luck!"

A few minutes after Midori and Yui left, Sugu grabbed her trusty Shinai and walked into Kazuto's room, "I'VE HAD IT!" She screamed as she whacked both of them on the head.

Asuna rubbed her head, "Ow! Why the heck did you hit us so hard?" She asked incredulously.

Kazuto just groaned, "Welcome to my world." He said.

Sugu slammed her Shinai on the ground, "You two have been driving us all crazy! Your arguing has even pushed poor little Yui away!"

This made both their eyes go wide, "Where is she?" They both asked before glaring at each other.

Sugu put her hands in front of the two of them, "Calm down. She's with Mom. They're at the park so Yui can get away from all of this." She assured them. "All of what?" Asuna asked.

Kazuto rolled his eyes, "Who doesn't know now?" He asked, Asuna glared at him, "Shut up Kazuto!"

"THIS is what she needed to get away from!" Sugu said, interrupting the two of them, "Kazuto, you put yourself through so much to save her. Don't throw all that away because of an argument like this!" Then she turned to Asuna, "And you never call him Kazuto! It's always been Kirito, even when he's being annoying. And that's a lot."

Kazuto raised his hands, "Hey!"

Asuna glanced at him, "She's got a point there." She said plainly.

Sugu slammed the both of them on the head again, "Listen to you two! You can't go two seconds without arguing! What the heck is going on with you both! Cough it up! What's really going on here?"

After a brief moment of silence, they said, "I miss my boy/girlfriend!" They both had a look of shame and regret.

Suguha smiled, "Then it's clear what needs to happen. First, you two apologize to each other and then, when she gets back, apologize to Yui."

Asuna faced Kazuto, but averted her gaze, "Kazu-…Kirito I'm so sorry…I know you care about me and Yui."

Kazuto nodded, "I'm sorry for ever making you think I didn't. The fact is, I knew Yui would be safe, because I know how strong you are. I never meant to make you think I didn't care. But you've got one fact off." He said, catching Asuna's attention, "I don't just care for you both. I love you both." Asuna smiled as tears of joy ran down her face. She kissed Kazuto lovingly, which he gladly accepted.

This continued for a few more minutes until Sugu coughed to get their attention, "Anyways…the second thing you need to do is go out and have a day just to yourselves." She told them, "I read somewhere that, when a couple starts fighting for small reasons, it's because there's a lot of pent up tension. And there are two ways to get it out: couples therapy, or a day long date. And I don't think one fight merits couples counseling. So this weekend, I'll watch Yui while you two go out and do whatever the heck you two do, but no VR. That's what started this problem."

Asuna and Kazuto looked at each other, "Come to think of it…we've never actually gone out on a date yet." Asuna says awkwardly.

Kazuto nodded, "Yeah…We could go to a movie…and have dinner afterwards." He offered.

Asuna smiled, "I'd love that. Thanks Kirito. I love you." She said as she wrapped one arm around him, "And thank you Sugu. Now I owe you two." She told the other girl, who smiled, "Alright. Now we just wait for Yui."

An hour and a half later, Midori and Yui returned home. The first thing Yui noticed was that Kazuto and Asuna were standing in the entry way waiting for her. Asuna knelt down to her daughter, "Yui…I know I scared you with all my screaming at daddy, but let me assure you. That won't happen again. I'm so sorry sweetheart." She said as she hugged the young girl. Yui hugged her back, but was still nervous, it was her father she was worried about.

After the hug with Asuna ended, Kazuto approached her.

It wasn't until he was so close to her, that he realized just how big a mistake he made back in STO. Kazuto looked down, "Yui…I can't apologize enough to you…you needed me…and what did I do? I left…" He said shakily, tears coming down his face, "I'm such a fool…You deserve a father better than me… One that-."

Kazuto was interrupted by Yui hugging him, her arms around his body, holding him as tightly as she could, "Don't say that Daddy! Yes, I wanted you with me that time, but you're still my Daddy! I don't want another Daddy! I just want MY Daddy!" She said, tears rolling down her eyes as well. Hearing this caused Asuna to shed a few tears as well. Kazuto, rendered speechless, simply hugged his little girl for all he's worth, "I promise. I'll always be there for you when you need me from now on." He said as he picked up Yui. The young child smiled towards Asuna, who couldn't help but join in on the hug. The three of them simply stood there, embracing each other.

Midori grinned at Suguha, "Whatever you did, thank you." She told her. Sugu smiled, "Anytime. I couldn't let my brother ruin his relationship. Not after all he's done for her." She said with a warm smile.