See bottom for AN and replies.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. Reki Kawahara does!

Kirito tugged his sweat soaked shirt over his head and tossed it off to the side as he entered the bathroom. Stopping before the long mirror he gazed at himself, he certainly wasn't the same as before being taken to Aincrad. Corded muscle lined his arms and chest, his stomach showed off defined abs as if they were lightly etched in. Sighing, his eyes traced scares as well, from the Lamia bite on his left shoulder to the Manticore claw wound on the right, and even down to the jagged set of scares on his side from a Laughing Coffin member's sword. I guess it's to be expected, after all two whole years of my life there.

[]

Despite dawn just breaking he found Sugu, his little sister, doing sword drills outside with an intense look of concentration on her face. Sitting down he watched her practice with a faint smile on his face, so she keep it up all this time. With one final resolute thrust of her wooden practice sword she let out a tired sigh before turning around.

"Morning little Sugu!" Kirito smiled up at his little sister's shocked expression.

"M-Morning! Its rude to just sit there silently you know. " After a short moments hesitation she came over to sit next to her brother, watching the brilliant morning sunrise.

"You looked pretty focused." Lifting up her practice sword he nearly sent it flying. "So light." His muttered comment.

"I just had a few things on my mind is all." She eyed him waving the sword around goofily before she found herself smiling in sheer joy that he was back.

Catching her staring at him he gave a sheepish grin "Sorry, I'll stop messing around with your sword. But I have to say Sugu, I missed your smile a lot."

With the hint of a blush she stood up suddenly. "Ahh, Breakfast! I'll go get it ready for you, then I have to do the chores."

Standing up beside her Kirito asked "You'll let me help with the chores this time right?"

"No no, you should rest more for now. I'll take care of them. After all I've been doing them alone for the last two years!" Smiling she replied.

His smile falling Kirito simply said. "Sorry."

Mentally kicking herself she grinned "Stop being that way brother, let me go make you some breakfast."

Lifting the practice sword in his hand Kirito suddenly grinned. "How about a duel then little Sugu? If I win you let me help you with the chores."

Sugu froze her heart skipping a beat, A duel... Glancing back at Kirito her eyes were a mix of dreamy and serious before giving him a scowl "Stop calling me little! I've grown you know." For the first time Kirito seemed to really look at her, and as a light blush crept up his cheeks Sugu felt more self consciences than ever. "Anyways, Don't think you can win as easy as you used too. After all I've been practicing every day you've been gone."

Grinning to himself he just nodded "Well I guess I won't go easy on you then, Little Sugu."

Eye twitching she glared at him.

[]

Dressed in practice pads they faced one another before giving a slight bow and stepping back, each of them lost in their own thoughts. For Kirito he felt a mix of comfort and yet pangs of despair as he held the light practice sword. For two years he had been forced to lived by the blade and now returned he found himself panicking over not having a sword constantly on his back. For Sugu her thoughts were of a old childhood promise to herself, that one day she would beat her brother who wasn't a brother and finally confess to him the truth of how she felt.

Taking the traditional stance her grandfather had drilled into them she couldn't help but giggle at Kirito's odd stance. "Your completely open in the front you know! If you've gotten this bad I'm gonna win in the first strike!"

From within the shadows of his face guard Kirito's dark eyes had taken on a hard glint "Humor me Little Sugu." Growling slightly at the aggravating comment he added each time he said her name she rushed forward with all the speed she had gained in the time he was away. Wooden blade whistling as it descended she watched as it closed in on his face, I've got him! Her sword passed through only air as Kirito barely shifted out of the way a moment before the blade struck. Stumbling forward slightly having expected to make contact she still managed to slash out to the side while passing him. Effortlessly he blocked the off balance strike before dancing away with a speed and grace that left her next breath stuck in her throat.

How... Did spending two years in Aincrad really make that big of a difference? No! I can still do this. Fighting back tears that threatened to well up she charged in again, no longer holding back she unleashed a series of deadly strikes that would have defeated anyone else she had ever meet. But to Kirito they seemed to barely move, forged within the fires of countless life or death battles Kirito's swordsmanship had simply gone beyond anything Sugu could have ever imagined. Finally, with a simple two hit attack, that moved at a speed so fast Sugu never even saw the blows, he managed to disarm her before landing a solid strike.

Grinning he pulled off his face guard "I win! Guess were doing chores together after all." Frowning he knelt next to Sugu who had fallen back to sit on the ground hard. "Are you ok? I didn't hit you too hard did I? I was certain I held back enough..."

Doing her best to keep the tears out of her voice Sugu replied "No, It's just... I never expected you to be so good. I was certain when you came back... All the practicing I did... I really thought I could beat you."

Feeling uncomfortable and confused Kirito lied "Well I was only bragging, I was having to give my all just to keep up with you."

Chuckling she did the best to dry her tears "Liar, even an armature could tell you weren't even having to try." Letting out a sigh and silently promising she would still one day tell him she continued in a cheery voice "Well since you won, your helping with the chores... I'm gonna make you regret not losing!"

[]

Collapsing out on the grass outside Kirito let out a sigh, Maybe I should have let her win. I don't remember there being so many chores before! Still, its different. Cleaning, fixing things, doing little stuff I did as a child, without having to watch my back for monsters. No worries about whether or not I'll be attacked out of the blue, or when the next floor boss will be. This is what I wanted, what I fought so hard for right? Kirito thought to himself feeling confused. Hearing Sugu coming out of the house he sat up to see her smiling as she carried him over some water. Still, I really did miss them all.

[]

Kirito flipped the plain brown travel cloak over his shoulder as he approached the tavern, it had been a long walk from his home town to the next one over but it was necessary. Pushing through the door into the Dicey Tavern he looked around the empty main room before letting his gaze settle on the giant man behind the bar. Walking over he slammed his fist down on the counter before in his deepest voice he ordered.

"Give me the strongest stuff you got, make it a double!" With a grin Agil slid the already prepared glass of water down to him. Lifting he glass he downed it in one gulp washing the dust from the road away "Whew this sure is some cheap place you got here Agil, the booze is so watered down you can't even taste it. No wonder its empty."

"Hey hey hey! That's no way to talk about my baby you know! Besides if my wife hears you talking like that your gonna wish you had to face a floor boss instead." The giant bald man laughed hearty

"Ugh, I still can't believe you were married! You never even said anything!" Shaking his head Kirito laughed along with him.

"Well we try not to think about the depressing parts of what we left behind when we were there right?" Chuckling he gave Kirito a wink.

"Depressing parts eh?" A rather attractive woman stuck her head out from the back room. "I'll remind you of that later tonight, when your sleeping down here in the bar." Smiling brightly she waved at Kirito "Good to see you again Kirito. Try not to be corrupted by this brute I somehow got tricked into marrying." With that she disappeared back into the back area of the tavern.

"Honey!" Agil's pleading cry went unanswered. Sighing he gave Kirito a sheepish grin. "Don't let her know, but a man couldn't ask for a better wife. She keep this place going the entire time I was away, then welcomed me back like I'd only gone to the next town or something. To be honest I wasn't sure she would wait for me."

Kirito did his best to give the man a happy smile. "I'm really happy for you Agil."

Agil remembering exactly why Kirito made so many frequent trips to his tavern gave him an understanding nod. "Don't worry Kirito, You will find her. In fact I was about to head over to your place when you showed up. Didn't think you wanted to wait." Reaching under the counter he placed a small metal object down with a sealed letter. "This was delivered first thing this morning by a Wisp of all things. So I'm guessing its important or they wouldn't have gone to that much trouble."

Heart pounding in his chest he reached for the letter and looked it over. He made a questioning face at the strange symbol pressed into the wax, like the whiskered face of a rodent, before a sudden realization brought a smile to his face and he tore it open.

Kii-bou!

I hope your missing me! Better not be letting any other girls watch you take a bath now, or I might just get jealous! Also, be sure to thank Agil. He has to have a horrible sense for business if he isn't charging you a fortune with the way he's been burning through communication crystals lately.

The object I sent with this letter is a Mirage Sphere, it can record an image for later viewing. You have no idea how hard it is to get one of these, so you better take care of it! I'll be coming to get it after all, in person. Don't get all excited now Kii-bou, its purely business of course. The image it holds was taken about a week ago somewhere in Alfheim. I'm afraid I don't have the details on where exactly, it was difficult enough to get this. I don't know if it will help but... We owe you big time, both of you.

Your bathing buddy,

Argo

P.S. Don't bother asking how, but I've confirmed that her name wasn't crossed out on the obelisk in Aincrad.

Talking to the man reading over his shoulder Kirito asked "Alfheim? Beyond the mountains to the north? Doesn't Argo live way in the south eastern providence? How did she get a hold of something from so far away, not to mention getting past the barrier." Both shared a look before seeming to come to the same conclusion, with Argo anything was possible. Sitting the letter down he reached out he touched the device sitting on the counter. With a soft whirling hum it opened up, the top part rising up before lights spread out creating a sphere. Within the sphere an image slowly formed, one that caused Kirito's heart to stop beating for a moment.

The image of a forlorn chest nut haired girl made him swallow hard. Once over the initial shock he spotted a few things that were off, first and most evident was her ears. Gone were the delicate rounded earlobes he was so very familiar with, but instead pointed ears capped with some strange metal cover rose out of her hair. Her dress was thin and frilly unlike anything he had ever seen her in, while in the back ground he could see tree limbs that looked impossibly large through golden bars as if she sat near a cage. Despite all the small differences Kirito knew without a doubt that the girl in the image was his Asuna!

"Agil... That's her. Its Asuna." After giving the image one final critical glance he nodded his agreement. "But why would she be in Alfheim? I thought your contact said she was the daughter of one of the nobles in central."

Agil nodded "They did, but they also said she never returned with the rest of us."

Kirito nodded thinking that last part over before he asked "Agro said her name wasn't crossed off the obelisk in Aincrad. Do you think that's true?"

Agil gave him a questioning look "You know as well as I that any information you get from The Rat, is always 100% accurate."

Frowning "Still... Even for Argo that should be something impossible. Right?" Glancing at one another the men seemed to silently agree again. When it comes to information gathering, nothing is impossible for that one.

Sighing "But Alfheim... There isn't even a way to get there. The barrier has held since the end of the great wars ages ago." Thinking on the great wars Kirito remembered the last conversation he had about them, it was also the last time he saw her.

[]

Crimson and gold light from the sunset washed across the clouds below painting an imaginably beautiful scene to greet the Black Swordsman when he opened his eyes. So this is the afterlife. The realm of the spirits truly is beautiful.

"Kirito?" From behind him came the teary whisper of a familiar voice. Turning around he found Asuna standing in mid air only a short distance from him. Before his mind could fully comprehend the beautiful image she made bathed in the fiery light of the sunset she rushed forward throwing herself into his arms.

Wrapping her in the tightest hug ever he lowered his face to press his lips to the top of her sweet smelling hair. "I'm sorry. It seems I died too."

Desperately clinging to him as if afraid he might disappear Asuna muffled voice rose up from his chest. "Idiot. You're not supposed to start off with something depressing like that."

Smiling against her hair he whispered "It can't be that depressing, After all. As long as I'm with you Asuna, nothing else matters." In response she simply squeezed him tighter.

"You're not dead my dear Kirito, neither of you are." A frighteningly familiar voice spoke up from behind them. Whipping around Kirito pushed Asuna behind him defensively . How did he sneak up on me with out I noticing. Was his first thought. Then as he reached desperately for that dark part of himself he felt a rush of panic. It's gone, my curse is gone!

"What have you done? You took away my power?" Glaring at Kayaba before him he braced himself, determined to fight to the very end.

"I didn't do any such think my dear Kirito. You removed it on your own, after all that power was born for the soul purpose of killing Gods. It would be problematic if it was still inside you now. But there is no need to worry, I am no longer your enemy." Smiling Kayaba turned to watch something in the distances.

Glancing over to where he was looking Kirito saw the floating castle Aincrad, minus a number of floors at the top, sailing silently through the sky. "You said were not dead? What about the others, all the others killed there."

Letting out what seemed like a tired sigh Kayaba nodded grimly "I'm afraid the others are lost, there are more limits to what a God can do than you might imagine my dear Kirito. You two though, were within my grasp."

Despite everything Kirito couldn't help but hope the God before him was being truthful, while the loss of so many lives was depressing, when it came down to it... he valued her life more than all others combined. "So... What now?" Kirito questioned uncertainly.

Grinning slightly Kayaba replied "Always straight to the point, you really are like him." Glancing over at Kirito he continued "The one we called Hell's Dragon. He was the strongest of us you know."

Confused Kirito glanced to Asuna who had moved to beside him before asking "Us?"

Chuckling some he looked back out over Aincrad "I forget most of the history has been forgotten. Us, as in the ten who slew the last God in the great wars." At their confused look he continued "I'm not the first God to rule over Sao, nor was the one before me. Of course I think of myself as one of the better ones this land has had." At their doubtful look he grinned "You should have seen the world back then, war, famine, disease, despair, and hopelessness were the staples of our lives. But still, in the darkness of that world hope shone ever brighter than it does in the peaceful world of today. And hero's were born within that bright light."

Glancing over at Kirito he grinned again "Some a bit darker than others. Your ancestor was by far the strongest amongst us, vicious, brutal, deadly, yet still filled with a kindness that at times was hard to believe. He was an interesting person. Unfortunately, his power was a bit more than most of his bloodline could handle, they tended to lose control of it thus was born the Cursed Bloodline." Giving a sympathetic nod to Kirito he continued."Despite that, his power was the key to our worlds salvation. It was him in the end that defeated the God of old. I may have dealt the final blow but that was simply because he refused to, in the end there was something he didn't want to leave behind." Glancing at Asuna he nodded "Yes defiantly alike you two are. Don't worry though, I won't separate you two."

Looking out over the world so far below them Kayaba gave off a sense of extreme loneliness and tiredness as if his long life had worn away at him. "No matter how much time passes this view never gets old. It doesn't ever change, no matter who rules." Seeming to remember something Kayaba turned back to the pair. "Oh I almost forgot the main reason I brought you here. Congratulations on clearing Aincrad and defeating the God who used to rule."

Glancing at one another they shared a confused look. "T-Thank you?" Came Kirito's questioning reply.

Chuckling to himself Kayaba nodded "I guess it is a lot to take in. Well I'll be seeing you. Shortly you will both return to your homes." Before Kirito could ask any of the countless questions floating around in his mind, Kayaba disappeared.

"Kirito?" Glancing down at Asuna he realized he had been squeezing her hand in frustration.

"Sorry Asuna." he lifted her hand to kiss it gently bringing a blush to her face.

"It's ok." she smiled and leaned against him. "So it's really over?"

Nodding he answered "It seems so."

Biting her lip gently she asked "Will we get to see each other again?"

Pulling her close he leaned down to whisper in her ear "I'll come for you, no matter where you are. Count on it, My Asuna." With tears in her eyes she leaned up to kiss him before a bright blue light engulfed them.

[]

Gritting his teeth he stared at the image projected before him. Alfheim, Land of the immortal fairies, I'll find a way to you no matter what it takes. Kirito gathered up the letter and sphere "I'd better get home or I'll never make it back by dark. Thank you again Agil, for everything."

Grinning the bald man nodded to Kirito "No. Thank you Kirito, for getting me back home. Even if you did send me straight into the arms of that old hag!"

From the back room a muffled voice shouted out "You're not talking a pillow with you tonight either!"

With a sheepish look Agil waved off a laughing Kirito before heading into the back room to try and smooth things over with his wife.

[]

That night, like all the others, Kirito had the same dream. Tonight he dreamed he was teaching her how to fish at the local pond. Laughing whole heartedly as she panicked trying to place the worm on the hook. Then came the dreaded darkness and those icy cold chains dragging them apart. But this time things were slightly different, instead of her normal appearance and clothing, Asuna now appeared as she had within the Mirage Sphere. Then for the first time since having the dreams Asuna spoke, with teary eyes she cried out "KIRITO!"

Struggling against the chains with renewed vigor he shouted out to her. "Asuna!" Instead of being dragged away to disappear into darkness she came to a stop, still bound by the chains. From the darkness beside her a man appeared holding the ends of her chains. Silky blond hair flowed down around the golden crown topping his head and past pointed ears capped in gold. Behind him translucent emerald green wings shimmered against the darkness. But what Kirito found himself focusing on was the lewd smile and cruel look in his eyes as laughing he pulled her away into the darkness. Screaming out in fury he tore at the chains with wild abandon until suddenly, they shattered, and with a primal scream he found himself falling through the darkness.

[]

Leaping from one branch to the other she cursed the new moon, If only there was some moonlight I could recharge my wings! Sinon the Cat Sith archer dived through a gap in the trees doing a flip mid air to crash down and skid along the grass on her back. Before she came to a stop she raised her bow and drew back firing into the foliage over head where moments ago she had emerged from. Her arrow caught the crimson armored Salamander in the neck as he burst through. Losing control of his flight he spun forward and, as the woods were filled with the high pitched twanging sounds of a rapidly released bow string, received two more arrows before crashing heavily to the ground.

Spring boarding back to her feet, as the salamander's body turned into a brilliant crimson spirit flame , the blue haired cat girl scrambled up to the trees to spot a second Salamander far off in the distance but closing rapidly. Flying he will catch up to me in no time, Better deal with this while he is far enough away. With a flick of her wrist he bow snapped apart doubling in length before she notched an arrow in place. Drawing back with a smoothness only a true master archer would have, her superior cat like eyes focused on the distant target bringing it into clear view as she muttered off the distance. Small bangs of her hair brushed against her forehead gently in the breeze giving her all the information on wind speed she needed. With a twitch of her right ear she released the arrow before instantly drawing and firing a second, then a third arrow without hesitation from the quiver strapped to her right thigh. In the distance she watched the Salamander stagger, then falling out of the sky to burst into crimson flames.

Good, that should buy me some more time. Without waiting she dropped down gracefully to the forest floor below and with one final snap of her wrist she collapsed her bow into its smaller form before padded silently into the shadowy depths of the forest around her.

[]

Opening his eyes Kirito's heart instantly jumped into his throat. Instead of waking up in his bed, he was falling through clouds towards the ground below. Letting out a wild scream of panic he flailed his arms in a futile attempt to slow his decent. Beneath him a dark forest rapidly approached as, gritting his teeth, he doubled his efforts. With an unusual buzzing sound from behind he slowed considerably before crashing into the trees below. Branches broke or bent beneath his weight before he finally crashed down into the thick grass covering the forest floor. Breathing hard, his heart still pounding in his ears, he took a quick inventory to see that everything was still more or less intact.

Listening to the trickling of a nearby stream his breathing and heart rate finally slowed down. I'm alive. But.. What's going on? Sitting up he reached up to rub a bump on his head but his hand brushed against his ear several inches away from his head, a strange electric sensation ran through his spine. Jumping up, shock washing all the pain from his bruised body, he reached up wide eyed to tentatively touch his ear. Feeling out the long pointed ear more shivers ran down his spine to settle in the pit of his stomach as a strange electric warmth sensation. Glancing around with a flushed look he thought to himself, defiantly don't want to do that in public. Spotting the stream he moved over to a tiny cove holding water still enough to form a reflection.

In the dim starlight he eyed his strange appearance, his face was the same, his hair the same, but his ears were now long and pointed. "Just like hers…" he whispered aloud thinking on the strange image of Asuna within the Mirage Sphere. Glancing around the mysterious forest he couldn't help but ask to the empty surroundings "Where am I?"

[]

With a frustrated curse Kirito fell back to lay in the thick grass of his small clearing. In the hours since he arrived he had discovered a few strange things, like the translucent wings that would appear on his back. Just thinking back on it made him rub the bruise on his forehead from his last flight attempt. Sighing as his stomach gave out another loud growl he glance down to the thing resting on his chest. Nearly as big as his head the soft pink colored egg, he was still mostly sure it was an egg, with its golden flecks sparking in the morning light taunted him. Shock was quickly replaced with hunger as the morning rolled in around him, still Kirito had been confident he could at least find a meal. But even with all his knowledge from living in the wilds of Aincrad for so long he had only managed to find this one giant egg. An egg that he was so far unable to crack open! He'd even spent some time bashing it against a large rock to no effect.

Closing his eyes he thought back on some of the delicious meals Asuna had made for him in the past. Mouth watering and stomach grumbling he whispered "Asuna! I'll come for you. But… I could really use a little help…." A loud cracking sound brought him out of his day dreaming, sitting up quickly the egg rolled off him to settle in the lush grass. Watching with a hungry look Kirito waited to see just what would hatch from the mystery egg.

Shock battled disappointment as the egg split open to reveal a diminutive feminine figure wearing a pink outfit that looked more like a flower than a dress. Deciding, reluctantly, that he couldn't eat it he was further shocked when it gave a small curtsey and spoke. "It's very nice to meet you Papa, my name is Yui!"

Glancing around as if looking for someone to confirm what just happened he looked back down at the tiny girl. "Um... Nice to meet you too um...Yui."

Making him jump, the little girl flew up on translucent wings to hover directly in front of his face. "So how can I help you, Papa?"

Confused, Kirito rubbed the back of his head before asking "Why do you keep calling me Papa? Err I mean more importantly where am I? No wait who are you? Err actually do you know..."

Hands on her hip she gave him a scowl that was more cute than anything "One question at a time Papa! And your Papa because... well you are. You did hatch me!" Giggling she buzzed around taking in the surroundings before, her shoulders drooping, she gave a depressed reply "I'm afraid I have no idea where we are Papa."

Unable to resist the adorable sad look on her face he reached out and gently poked her cheek. "That's ok Yui, you were just hatched after all." Sighing, great I've seen so many strange things I'm not even phased by them anymore.

Kirito was just thinking of his next question when a loud explosion went off nearby. Leaping to his feet caution battled against a need to know more. In the end the need to find out what was going on won out and Kirito breathed out a silent prayer as he leap up to fly along shakily.

AN: Sorry not a whole lot of action in this one. Gotta get the set up done before then. I'm rather excited to finally be at this part of the story. Sorry in advance Sugu fans that's about all your going to get with her. Lyfa will probably be in here, albeit not to the extent she was in the cannon story. Anyways one last thing, as of me typing this PoE's last character wipe is less than seventeen hours away. So if I don't update for a few days I'm probably releveling, but I'll be back shortly. If its longer than a few days Asuna found out about Sanchi and I'm toast.
Might I should hide all the silverware in the world for safety sakes.

roughstar333: Hope this update answered your questions more or less. Thanks for reading and taking the time to review!

Welcome as always bakapervert, great name btw.

Thanks for another awesome review Mr/Mrs. Anonymous, I'm guessing your the same person from the last few anonymous reviews, but keep that up and my head will swell til I can't wear my hat anymore. Wait, I don't wear hats. You may continue. Joking aside though I do really appreciate all the reviews from everyone.

I actually thought about doing that. It would have been simple enough to fit in the story, but I wanted Kirito to fall as far down as possible before rising up to victory. I almost had Sanchi live too. I never liked that he couldn't save her, he is Kirito after all! But when I played that story through my head it turned into a rather vicious love triangle between Asuna, Sanchi, and Kirito that went from fluffy to ecchi to oh god my nose won't stop bleeding. So I decided best to avoid that.

Hope everyone enjoyed this update!