Early Merry Christmas! Got this chapter made for you guys as a Christmas Present since I won't be touching SAO for a while to work on my ERASED fanfic. I also lied. I will be making in total, three chapters based around the time of Christmas because of how long this one was getting. This happens the day before Christmas Eve. Hope you like it and as always Read and Review!

Kazuto woke up in his bed and smiled. Things are back to normal. Everything is fine. He tried to stand up, which he was getting better of handling himself but it was still difficult. Apparently that pole did even more damage than I thought it did. He eased his way downstairs where Sugu and his Aunt were waiting for him.

"Morning Kazuto." Sugu addressed him. Midori gave him breakfast as he sat down.

"So what does Gentleman Kazuto have for Miss Asuna today?" Midori asked him.

"Nothing for awhile. She and her mom are going shopping together, just the two of them." Sugu smiled at him.

"You jealous?" She teased. Kazuto chuckled.

"Only a little. No, I'm glad things got straightened out between them. It just sucks that had to be the reason." He was referring to three weeks ago, the fight with Sugou. After Kazuto got out of the hospital Kazuto took Asuna home where both of her parents embraced her in a big hug, her mom apologizing for being so cruel. Kazuto thought it was best to leave them alone so he waved bye to Asuna and left. Getting home wasn't easy. He kept running out of breath, his chest and back was decently damaged by the pole that stabbed him during the fight with Sugou. Kazuto got up from the table and put his plate in the sink.

"Thanks Midori, I'm gonna head out and have a chat with Faber then maybe hit Agil's cafe."

"Be careful bro!" Sugu told him. He waved bye and headed out. He looked at his bike, something he couldn't use until he was healed. He smiled at the bike, for no reason really. He made his way to Faber's and knocked on the door. When no one came to the door he tried to open it. It was locked. He put his ear up to the door. He could barely hear the sound of rhythmic clanging. He must be working. He decided to just head to the Dicey Cafe. He walked in and saw Agil and Klein glance up. Obviously they were in a deep conversation about something.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Klein avoided his gaze.

"Nothing much Kazuto. Just chatting. So how come Asuna ain't with you?" Agil asked.

"Did you exhaust her Mr. Swordsman? If you know what I mean." That remark got Klein a punch in the face.

"I deserved that." Agil chuckled at Klein.

"She's out with her mom, shopping." Klein and Agil nodded.

"It's good to see they're getting along again." Kazuto nodded at Agil.

"Hey, I stopped by at Faber's and he wouldn't answer the door. He was working I guess but I thought he was taking a break." Klein avoided his gaze again.

"He's been very busy. He's got a special order apparently." Agil told him. Kazuto nodded. He stayed for awhile chatting until about four hours later Kazuto's phone got a text message. It was Asuna. Meet me at my house, I have a surprise for you.

"Time for me to go meet Asuna. Bye guys." Kazuto got up and left. He made his way toward Asuna's house. When he was about half-way there he ran out of energy, kneeling down. As he was kneeling, he had the feeling he was being watched but as he looked around he didn't see anyone. When he regained his breath he got up and continued making his way to Asuna's house. He continued to run out of breath on the way there. He finally got to the door and knocked. The door opened, and standing there holding the door was Asuna's mom, Kyouko.

"Hello Miss Yuuki. Asuna said she wanted to me to come meet her." Kyouko looked at the panting Kazuto.

"You look exhausted, please come in. I'll make tea." Kazuto was taken aback. He expected to get hit or yelled at for showing up. She really has changed for the better. He entered the house and Kyouko shut the door. He took a couple of steps into the dining room before heard sniffling. He turned around and saw Kyouko crying lightly.

"I'm sorry, for everything. When I found out what happened with Asuna, I was prepared to go myself. I snuck in while you two were fighting and saw you protecting Asuna, and when you got knocked into that pole, how Asuna looked so scared about losing you. I finally realized the connection you two had. Then when that creep knocked Asuna on the ground and you defended her I realized you weren't bad. I saw how you two worked together flawlessly to beat that disgusting creep. I should have listened to the both of you. I'm sorry Kazuto." Kazuto walked up to her and gave her a hug. Kyouko sobbed into his shoulder. This feels so weird. Who would've thought I would ever be comforting Asuna's mother? Asuna walked downstairs and saw Kazuto comforting her mother and she smiled. Kazuto saw Asuna and smiled too. Kyouko finally calmed down and went to make tea. Kazuto sat down next to Asuna and waited for the tea. Kyouko came back to the table and poured the two of them some tea and sat down to pour some for herself. Kyouko looked up at Asuna.

"Hey, show him what we got you earlier. That's why you called him here right?" She nodded and ran upstairs.

"What's she getting?" Kazuto asked her mom.

"You'll see." She said with a warming smile on her face. He heard Asuna stutter.

"Hey, K Kirito-kun? How do I look." He looked up and his eyes went wide. Asuna is in a beautiful white dress, not super poofy but nice and flowing. Her face was a really deep shade of red.

"You look beautiful Asuna." Kazuto complimented. Her face if possible, went even redder.

"You really think so?" Kazuto nodded. She smiled, embarrassed but really happy that he likes it. She joined them for tea and drank in peace. After they were done drinking Kyouko took care of the tea cups and returned to her chair.

"Listen Kazuto, I am very sorry for the trouble I caused. You're a good kid, I just didn't see it. I guess I was so focused on finding who was best for her that I didn't see the best one for her was already with her. I hope that maybe we could get together for Christmas on Sunday. Would your Aunt be okay with that? And would you?" Kazuto was surprised at this request but nodded.

"Yeah I would love that actually. I'm sorry for being so aggressive." Kazuto thought this was awesome. He was having all his friends over for dinner anyway so adding them will be great. All his friends were going to show up later in the night, so he could have her parents over in the morning so it can just be basically family.

"Oh my husband has a surprise for you when you bring Asuna back home tonight." Kazuto looked puzzled.

"I don't quite understand."

"You're taking her out aren't you? Go on, be young, enjoy yourselves. Please." Kazuto nodded. This is so strange but I won't argue it.

"So Asuna, you want to head out for awhile?" He asked awkwardly. She smiled and nodded.

"Let me grab my stuff and we can go." She ran upstairs. Kazuto looked over at Kyouko.

"So what kind of surprise is it. It ain't a dress that he's wearing is it?" He joked. She glared at him and then she broke out in laughter.

"That brings back memories. He once wore a dress to understand why us girls wear them. No, he's gonna ask you something, and he has something to give you. It's an early Christmas present. It's technically for you and Asuna." Kazuto nodded thought he had no clue what this item could be. Asuna came downstairs with some of her stuff and then they waved bye to Kyouko and they left. They talked as they walked. Part way down the road Kazuto brought up her Mom.

"I'm surprised at how much your mom has changed." She nodded and giggled.

"I know, It's so unusual. I think my kidnapping opened her eyes finally." Kazuto nodded in agreement.

"So where are we headed today Kirito-kun?"

"The park. I already stopped in at the cafe. That's where I was before I got your text."

"Okay. Let's get a move on then." They made their way to the park. Kazuto ran out of energy at one point but did everything he could not to show it. When they got there Kazuto took Asuna to a bench and sat down.

"So they cleaned the benches of the snow?" She asked him. He nodded and held her hand.

"Yeah, that's why I wanted to come here. We could sit on the benches and have it just be us." They chatted for a bit and then Kazuto brought up the surprise that her dad had.

"Do you have any idea for what this surprise is supposed to be?" She shook her head.

"I know daddy wanted to ask something of you but that's all I know. And a surprise gift that's supposed to be for the both of us I have no clue." Asuna gave a yawn.

"Tired?" She nodded.

"Wanna head back?" She shook her head.

"Nope. I like where we are." She rested her head on Kazuto's shoulder. He smiled and leaned his head on her's. They fell asleep pretty quickly. A few hours later they were woken by the sound of a ringing phone. It was Asuna's phone. As Asuna answered it Kazuto realized how dark it was getting.

"Sorry Mom. We lost track of time. We'll head back right now." They got up and made their way back to Asuna's house. Kazuto pushed himself to fake like he was fine but he was running out of energy really quickly. Asuna noticed his breathing was heavier and started to get concerned. By the time they neared her house Kazuto couldn't fake it anymore. He collapsed on the sidewalk panting and light-headed.

"Kirito-kun!" Asuna dropped down on her knees and put her hand on his back. She helped him up and supported him.

"How long have you been like this?" She asked him as they made the rest of their way to Asuna's house.

"The whole- the whole time since- since the fight." He panted.

"I thought you were fine!" She exclaimed. He lightly shook his head.

"I've been hiding it, trying to ignore it when I'm with other's. I guess I can't hide it now. Not with you."

"You shouldn't have hid it from me dummy!" He only nodded. He couldn't speak anymore, he was too exhausted. They made it to her house and Asuna opened the door.

"Sorry we took so long, we chatted for longer than we thought we did. We're home thought and get Kazuto a pillow!" Asuna helped Kazuto on the couch. Kyouko came over with a soft pillow.

"You didn't need to do that for me."

"Nonsense. Just rest, my husband will be out here shortly." Kazuto lied down.

"Don't worry Kirito-kun, I'll stay right here with you while you rest." Asuna said with a warming smiling. Kazuto smiled and relaxed. Shouzou Yuuki, Asuna's father, came into the living room where Kazuto was resting. Kazuto looked over at him.

"Hello Mr. Yuuki, good to see you." Shouzou gave a warm smile.

"Please call me Shouzou. Thanks for bringing Asuna home, and keeping her safe weeks ago. I wanted to propose something to you." Kazuto was wondering what he was going to say.

"If you want, I would like you to come work with me at RECT." Kazuto was taken aback.

"Really? I've got school and stuff, but I guess I'll think about it. Thank you for the offer at least." Shouzou smiled.

"Thank you for at least thinking about it. Now I have a Christmas gift for you, something that was a side job that I worked on. Getting the idea from Vocaloids I developed something I would like you to have." He pulled out a little device from his pocket and handed it to Kazuto.

"What is it?" Kazuto asked examining the device. It was a little round disk like device with a glass orb on the top and some buttons on the side

"A portable hologram projector. Press the little red button." Kazuto pressed the button and the glass orb projected a hologram of the device.

"I hope you put it to good use."

"Is this your only one? I don't want to take it if it is."

"Don't worry I have a few more to continue to play around with. I advise you to play around with that and see what you can do with it." Kazuto nodded and smiled.

"Thank you very much. I'll get going now. I need to get home." Shouzou smiled.

"You can stay the night if you'd like. That way you can get some rest." Kazuto shook his head.

"I would but I think I have an idea for this projector to make things better for Christmas. I'll work on it in the morning so I won't be available 'till after lunch." Shouzou nodded. Kazuto got up and hugged Asuna, shook his hand with Shouzou, and even got a hug from Kyouko then left. I can't wait until tomorrow. If this works Asuna will be so happy. I just wish I had a ride home. As he walked home a car was slowly approaching him from the side. He grew anxious but when the window rolled down he was relieved.

"Hey Kazuto, need a ride home?" Kikuoka shouted from the car. Kazuto smiled.

"Yeah thanks a lot Kikuoka." Kazuto got in the car and they drove off. On the way, he explained to Kikuoka about his day and how Asuna found out about his weakness and shortness of breath.

"You really shouldn't have kept that from her."

"I just didn't want her to be any more worried. Anyway, her dad asked me if I wanted to work with him for RECT." Kikuoka glanced over.

"And you said?"

"I'll think about it. I have school and stuff. I would love to get more VR experience but I don't think I'm ready for a full-fledged job. Oh, but he gave me this." He pulled out the projector and activated it.

"That's pretty cool."

"Yeah, I have a plan that will make Christmas better for me and Asuna. Hey speaking of which, everyone is coming over Sunday for Christmas, you wanna come over?"

"I have my own family to meet with but that isn't until later in the night so I'll show up in the morning. Anyway, Kazuto your home now so I guess see you in two days."

"See you in two days." And with that Kazuto got out of the car and entered the house.

"Midori, Sugu, I'm home!" Midori and Sugu were in the kitchen eating dinner.

"You were gone for awhile. I guess you were with Asuna then?" Midori asked. He nodded.

"Yeah, we went to the park. She was in such a beautiful dress too." Midori handed Kazuto a plate with his dinner on it. They all chatted about their day and then Kazuto went up and got ready for bed. Right before he went to bed he checked his phone and saw he had gotten a text message from Asuna. Please don't break that projector. Daddy worked hard on that for you. Love you and good night Kirito-kun. He smiled and replied. Like I would break it. Love you too, good night Asuna. With that Kazuto lied down for the night and went to sleep.

Again Early Merry Christmas! Have a good day/night and I will see you soon!