And yeah, I know. It's a short chapter, but it was supposed to be short. Anyway...HOLY MOTHER OF ALL THE SWEETEST CHOCOLATE OF THE WORLD! Over one hundred reviews! I nearly had a heart attack when I saw it go over a hundred. Thank you guys soo much for favoriting and following this story!

Thank you to The Werewolf Assassin, SpringStars, Death Update (you still are scary), Vangran, InvisableTarget, Impstar, DemonFoxBK201, Riku Uzumaki (my one hundredth reviewer!), Guest, haystack51, Anju Makaa, Kanrei, SuperSammy64, Shizuku Tsukishima749, AW27, Faliara, BlueCandyStar (you were from Chappy 1), and Anomonist for reviewing last chapter!

Chapter 14: The Wills and Bonds of Close Friends

Honestly, Kirito felt really guilty about kicking Klein and Asuna out of his room, but he couldn't let them see him cry. He needed to be strong if he wanted to make it out alive and he couldn't break now. That is, if he hadn't already.

Kirito groaned as he ran a hand through his black hair. The rain outside had finally stopped and he practically cried himself dry. He didn't mean to, but he couldn't stop. All his frustration and fear just surfaced and there was nothing he could do.

Well, there was one thing he could do.

"There's always hope...right?" Kirito muttered to himself. Sighing, he stood up from his bed and walked to his door. His hand hovered over the door knob with uncertainty. Now that he told Asuna and Klein, how the heck was he supposed to face them?

He stood there for another minute before giving up with a heavy sigh.

"Standing here isn't going to help." he told himself as he dropped his hand heavily on the door knob. He opened to door only to stare directly at a fist. "Ah..."

He blinked and gave the fist's owner a grimace. "I was hoping to stop at the stairs to give myself a moment, but I can throw that out of my window, now."

Although he was calm outside, he was panicking more than he ever did in his life. Ohcrapohcrapohcrap! That came out wrong! I meant to say 'hi'! Not sound like a complete jerk! This is waaaay to early for me! What do I do? What the-How do normal people deal with this?! He thought frantically.

Asuna lowered her fist with a look of confusion. "I'm sorry? I wasn't gonna let you become a hermit and lock us out. By the way, Klein was to one who sent me to get you."

Kirito blinked. "Eh?"

Asuna smiled. "Just come with me."

She held out a hand. Kirito glanced back and forth between her and her hand in wariness.

"Why do I get the feeling that something is gonna happen...?" he asked with a small smile forming at his lips. Asuna rolled her eyes with a cheery smile.

"Just take it." she said. The moment Kirito touched her hand, she snapped her fingers tightly around his hand and shot down the stairs, partially dragging a stumbling Kirito.

"WHA! A-Asuna!? What's going on?!" he cried as she dragged him outside. She didn't answer as they ran all the way out of town and didn't stop until they arrived at an open field. Asuna finally released his hand and took a couple steps back.

"Asuna, what is up with-" Kirito was cut off by a familiar voice.

"About time you got him out here." Klein said as Kirito spun around to face him.

"Klein-" he began again, but Asuna cut him off.

"Well, can't blame a girl for taking her time." she answered with a smile and a small shrug. Kirito shook his head, confused with everything happening.

"What in the world are you guys planning?" he demanded. Klein placed his left hand on his waist.

"Kirito, take a look around you." He said as he swept around his right arm. Kirito raised an eyebrow as he silently questioned Klein's intention, but did what he was told. He let his eyes take a good look around him.

A small, easy breeze swept through the open field and the strands of grass and blotches of flowers swayed gently. The sky outside the floor was bright orange from the setting sun. Suddenly, to Kirito, the world seemed real, like he was actually living and not trying to fight for his dwindling life. Everything seemed serene.

He could see other players crossing the field, but they weren't frowning. In fact, they seemed to be enjoying each other's company. They acted as if they born into this world and grew up together. For a moment, Kirito forgot he was trapped in a horrifying death game. He closed his eyes and took in the calmness around him.

"Peaceful, isn't it?" came Asuna's voice. Kirito only nodded since he couldn't come up with anything to say.

"You know, I think this was what you needed, huh?" said Klein. "You don't always have to constantly fight. Especially by yourself. I'm sure it's not fun being all alone. Well, I know from experience. I don't have a girlfriend and it's hard to catch a lady's attention. I would mind having a hot lady-GWUAGH!"

Kirito's eyes snapped open when he heard a loud smack. He choked down a laugh at the scene before him. Asuna's hand was high above her head and Klein was squatting down, nursing his viciously red cheek with a scowl plastered on his face.

"One more word about wanting to have a girlfriend, Klein, I will give you another good slap on your other cheek." Asuna threatened dangerously. She shook her head as she crossed her arms. "I can't believe you would go on about something totally pointless."

Klein shot up and curled his hand into a fist. "Talking about having a girlfriend in not pointless! Every single guy does that!"

Asuna placed a hand on her rapier with a forced smile and her eyebrow twitching. "I wouldn't mind being an orange player for a little while..."

Kirito shook his head with a small laugh. "Klein, I think now is a good time to drop the subject."

Klein pointed at him with such vigor. Kirito could've sworn that in real life, Klein would've dislocated his shoulder by now.

"I will not back down! I'm single and I'm desperate here! Desperate!" he exclaimed. Klein gestured at Asuna. "Kirito, Asuna is the perfect example of being the perfect girlfriend! And you're telling me to back down?! Never!"

Asuna's face flushed red as she promptly did a round house kick aimed at Klein's head. Kirito watched with horrified amazement as Klein sailed through the air for a couple of seconds.

"I didn't say 'back down'... I said 'drop the subject'..." he corrected subconsciously. He winced as Klein landed harshly on the ground a few feet away. There was a heavy silence as Asuna brushed the front of her skirt impassively. She gave Kirito a side glance.

"What? He deserved it." Asuna deadpanned. He couldn't take it anymore. Kirito tried to stop the laughter that threatened to come out. But he knew, he was fighting a losing battle, and soon, he was laughing.

Asuna's eyes widened when Kirito suddenly burst into laughter. She didn't mean to do it, but Klein was really pushing her buttons. But her surprise didn't stay long as Kirito's laugh became contagious. She started with a giggle and quickly escalated to a full-blown laugh. At that moment, she, too, forgot that she was in a death game.

Klein rubbed his head as he sat up, lightly glaring at the two kids. "Alright, alright, laugh it up you two. Soon, I will have my revenge!"

He suddenly joined them with his own barking laughter. He completely forgot about his worries and laughed them away. Other players passing by gave them odd looks before shaking their heads and walking away.

The three laughed for what they thought to be hours, but was only a few minutes in reality. They were all laying on their backs and gasping for breath as the sun was almost set.

"Haha, we really need to-haha-do this more often." Klein said between laughs. Kirito chuckled as he closed his eyes to relish the moment.

"You mean talk about girls? Nah, I'll pass." Kirito said lazily. Asuna groaned as she rolled her eyes.

"Boys." she grumbled under her breath as she rolled to her side and half-heartedly glared at Klein. "By the way, are all older men perverted? Because as far as I'm concerned, Kirito's the only one who isn't interested in girls at the current moment."

Kirito huffed in amusement. "Well, I don't go out much. So, yeah..."

"What? No, not about girls!" Klein said. He sat up and looked that the two teens. "I mean, have a bit of fun."

Kirito blinked at Klein before sitting up with interest. Asuna did the same as Klein continued.

"I know we're in a pretty bad situation here, but it's always good to do something to unwind and remind ourselves that we're alive. You get what I mean?" Klein asked. The other two shared a look of surprise.

"That..." Asuna began, "is the most wisest thing I've ever heard from you today."

Klein's jaw dropped. "Oi!"

Kirito smiled lightly. "Well, you're right. I think we should."

"Especially you, Kirito." Asuna said seriously as she stared at him. "What we wanted to actually do out here was to remind you that you're not alone. I'm here, Klein's here-"

"The whole ≪Fuurinkazen≫ Guild is living under the same roof." Klein added helpfully. Asuna nodded.

"Even Heathcliff." she said. Kirito looked away at the mention of Aki-nii-chan.

"Heathcliff?" he asked a little harshly. He didn't intend to, but it slipped out of his control for that moment. Asuna furrowed her eyebrow in confusion.

"Something wrong?" she asked. Kirito shook his head.

"No, nothing." he assured. Kirito quickly changed the subject with a question he had been meaning to ask. "Why do you guys even care, anyway? I'm a complete stranger playing this game, and yet, you two won't let me go."

"Who cares?" Klein asked, surprising Kirito. "I may not know you in the real world, but hey! You needed a hand so I just had to help."

"So, what? I'm a charity case now?" Kirito sighed. Asuna shook her head.

"What? No! You're more of an interesting person who was just, really cool!" she blurted. He looked at her unconvinced.

"Riiiiiiight." he drawled as he crossed his arms. Asuna sighed.

"Look, I know there is more to you than your whole 'Black Swordsman' thing. I know you're kind, and I know you can laugh like any other person." she said. Kirito gave her a look.

"You know, I'll be blunt and honest. I knew you two were trying to get me to smile the whole three months I've been stuck with Klein. You guys sucked at jokes, not saying that I can do better, which I can't." he quickly added as he saw Klein's challenging look. "But, why?"

"It's better when people smile." Klein answered with a satisfied nod. "But, Kirito, what we're trying to say here is that...you should be yourself. Or live however you wanted to actually live."

"Even for just a short moment." Asuna added. Kirito brought his knees to his chest and stayed silent for a minute before answering them.

"Well, if you two are telling me to live like I wanted to, then Klein, you might have a hard time..." Kirito warned as he felt a huge burden lift from his shoulders. He felt so much light and happier now, that he was ready to actually live for the first time in a long time.

"Hard time? Heh, I can deal with anything!" Klein said confidently. Asuna pressed her lips together when she saw Kirito's smile. It wasn't an "I'm happy!" smile. It was more along the lines of "You're gonna regret this..." smile.

She shook her head. At least she was not the one living with Kirito.

Yup, like I said. Short. But the next chapter, the whole beginning part is already written out so it will be out a lot sooner than you think. So tell me what you guys thought about this chapter! And for those of you who didn't know yet, I have another story up that is an SAO fiction called "The Prince of Aincrad", so feel completely free to check it out an such. Since school is starting again...have fun at school guys and girls!

Later!

-CloudyLightning