I wasn't going to post today, but I didn't have anything better to do, so...I'm here! Also, counting today's chapter, I foresee SAO lasting...maybe ten chapters or so? Left? I don't know, we'll see. Enjoy!

March 8th, 2025 50th floor Algade

Asuna didn't bother getting up, she just stared at her roof. She didn't feel particularly good today, she didn't know why. She didn't have the sickness effect, so it wasn't that. She just didn't want to get out of bed. Sighing as she sat up slowly, she stared at the opposite wall, wondering if he was over there. She knew for a fact that he wasn't, but sometimes she liked to hope. Slowly turning and allowing her feet to touch the ground, Asuna rested her head on her hands as she stared at the ground. Asuna stood up and dragged her feet into he kitchen, where she made herself some tea and sat down at the table. She hadn't bothered equipping any clothes, so she just sat there in her nightgown, deep in thought. Asuna had no idea what she was to do today, she'd probably have to go see Heathcliff about it. She stared at the empty seat across from her and sighed unhappily.

"I wonder where he is right about now..." She wondered aloud. "I wonder if he misses me too..." Asuna shook her head to clear the thought, she didn't have time to dwell on it. Quickly grabbing a sandwich from the fridge, Asuna equipped her armor and walked out into the city, eating her breakfast quietly. "Maybe I'll go and see Lis today." She said. "I haven't talked to her for a while...yeah, I'll do that." Making up her mind, Asuna walked to the teleportation gate and took a deep breath. "Teleport to Redbank." She spoke, and she felt her feet leave the ground.

Redbank

Asuna stood outside the blacksmith shop warily, now fully aware she hadn't spoken to Lis since or about Kirito and her splitting up. Asuna had a bad feeling the blacksmith would reprimand her for that, but she knew she deserved it. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and was greeted by the sight of Lis and Klein speaking in low tones.

"I'm just saying," Asuna heard Klein say lowly. "It'd be a great way to get them to talk..." Lis's eyes widened when she spotted Asuna standing behind Klein, and pushed the redhead over as she ran to greet her.

"Hey Asuna!" The pinkette said happily, smiling at Asuna. "How have you been?" Asuna couldn't help but smile back at Lis, she was too peppy.

"I'm good." She replied, smiling down at Klein. "Hello, Klein-san."

"Hey, Asuna" the guild leader replied, not bothering to stand up again. "I'm alright, thanks for asking." Lis huffed and crossed her arms.

"Walk it off, you big baby." She said, and Klein glared at her.

"Anyway." Asuna said, holding to break up the tension between the two of them. "What were you two talking about before I walked in?" Asuna raised an eyebrow as both of them began to panic.

"N-nothing!" Lis replied, waving Asuna off. "Small talk, that's all!"

"Yep, totally!" Klein replied. "Nothing important, I swear."

"...Right..." Asuna replied slowly, staring at the two of them closely. Truthfully she was looking for any loose screws. "Well, I just came to see how you were doing, Lis."

"I'm fine, Asuna." Lisbeth replied, placing her hands on her hips. "But are you?" Asuna stared at the blacksmith in confusion.

"Yes, I'm fine...?" Asuna replied.

"Even though you and Kirito broke up?" Asuna rolled her eyes at her friends question.

"First of all, Lis, " Asuna replied. "We did not break up, for we were never a couple. Second of all, we're on speaking terms, so why would I care?"

"Because you love him." Asuna glared at Lisbeth, who snickered at her joke. Klein smiled as he began to walk towards the door.

"Well, you ladies probably have stuff to talk about." Asuna noticed he looked more at Lisbeth than her. She had to idea why though. "So I'll leave you to it. Later!"

"Bye" Asuna replied as Klein left, leaving her and Lisbeth alone. Lisbeth smiled at Asuna.

"Well, I have an interesting idea" Lis said with a wink, immediately putting Asuna on edge. She wasn't a fan of Lis's ideas, they more often than not involved embarrassing whoever was in on the idea with her.

"What is it?" Asuna asked warily, preparing to bolt out the door. Lisbeth smiled even wider.

"Seeing as you and Kirito broke up...split up, whatever, "Lis corrected as Asuna glared at her. "And I'm super busy right now, how about you and I go to dinner tonight? Girl time!" Asuna raised an eyebrow at Lisbeth, unsure of what to do.

"You and me?" Asuna asked. "Just us? No embarrassing me or anything?" Lis backed up with a hurt expression on her face, clutching her chest.

"Asuna!" She exclaimed. "I am hurt! Is that how you think of me?!"

"Yes, how else would I think of you?" Lis made a face as she hummed, deep in thought.

"Hmm, yeah you're right." She replied. "It's how I imagined you would. Anyway, what do you think?" Asuna placed a finger on her chin as she thought about it. On one hand, she had come down here to catch up with Lisbeth, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. Then again, she had the sneaking suspicion Lis was up to something.

"Yeah, why not?" Asuna replied with a grin. "Where shall we do this?" Lis shrugged.

"How about..." She trailed off, deep in thought. "Uhhhhh..."

"You don't know, do you?' Asuna asked, smirking at the pinkette, who chuckled sheepishly. "Alright, we can meet at Algade, there's a nice place there near Agil's shop. Here, I'll mark it for you." Asuna went in depth to give Lisbeth directions, and the pinkette smiled.

"Good." Lis said happily, ushering Asuna out of the shop. "Now get out of here, I've wasted enough time for crafting weapons by talking to Klein. Shoo, shoo!" Asuna laughed as the blacksmith pushed her out. "Meet me there at seven, got it?"

"Yes!" Asuna laughed at her expression. Lisbeth slammed the door to her shop shut and Asuna stood there for a moment, smiling to herself. "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret this."


77th floor

Kirito was in his tree, as per usual. Where else would he be? As much as he missed her, not being Asuna's partner certainly gave him a lot of free time. He sighed as his HUD alerted him that he had a message. If he had anyone to bet with, he was willing to bet is was either Klein or Lisbeth. Heathcliff was an option as well, but he was only once and a while.

Surely it wasn't her.

Kirito opened the message and smiled as he realized it was Klein. He frowned when Klein basically demanded he come to Awyne to speak with him. Kirito didn't have to, but he felt obliged since he'd broken down in Klein's presence. He really didn't have any good reason to avoid the redhead, so Kirito stood slowly and stretched. Pulling out a teleport crystal and teleporting to Awyne, Kirito looked around for the guild leader, not seeing him in the immediate area. Kirito took a short walk through the city before he spotted Klein leaning against the railing of the city.

"Klein." Kirito called out, causing the guild leader to jump a little.

"Kirito!" he shouted happily. "Man, don't scare me like that, I didn't even hear you coming up behind me."

"Obviously not, you're as dense as these trees." Klein laughed and wrapped an arm around Kirito's shoulders, steering him into the city.

"You know, Kirito," Klein said, poking him in the chest. "You really ought to get out more."

"I'm out" Kirito replied, gesturing towards the city. "I'm always out." Klein rolled his eyes.

"You know what I mean." He said flatly. "All you do it sit up at the top of that tree and skulk all day."

"So?" Klein face palmed at Kirito's question.

"So...So..." Klein seemed to be struggling to find something to say. "So, just get out and do something! was Asuna your only link to social interaction?" Kirito involuntarily flinched at the jab, and Klein frowned. "Sorry, didn't think that through."

"Yeah, whatever." Kirito said, going silent. Truthfully, he knew Klein as right. Ever since he'd become a solo player, he'd pushed everyone away. Had she been his social lifeline? he didn't want to think so.

"You know what?" Klein asked. "Tonight, you and I are gonna have a good time."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yep." Kirito watched as Klein quickly read through a message, smiling to himself. Kirito wondered in the back of his head what the message had been about. "How about you meet me at that restaurant near Agil's shop in Algade?" The mere memory of that city made Kirito's chest tighten. He'd gone to that restaurant with Asuna once, it had been a good time.

"I suppose I can do that..." Kirito said quietly, thinking about how he'd react going back to the capital he used to live in. Klein laughed and slapped him on the back.

"See? I knew you could do it." he said cheekily. Kirito rolled his eyes and freed himself from the iron grip Klein had on him.

"Is this some kind of trick?" Kirito asked warily, causing Klein to jump a bit. "I mean, it can't be a coincidence you picked Algade..."

"You're going paranoid, eh Kirito?" Klein asked with a strange laugh. "Why would I be trying to trick you? I can't ask a friend to relax and enjoy himself without getting interrogated?"

"I wasn't interrogating anyone, Klein" Klein made a face.

"You damn well know what I mean. Kirito." he said. "I'm just trying to help you out. If you're going to be a dick about it..."

"Calm down Klein" Kirito said with a small laugh. "I was just kidding. What time should I show up? or are you as punctual as a teenage girl?" Kirito smiled as his insult made Klein glare at him, but he shrugged.

"Seven, if you're not to busy being emo at the top of a tree." Kirito glared back at Klein, who laughed and wrapped him in another iron grip. "I'm just messing with you, man! You got to lighten up!" Kirito couldn't help but chuckle a bit, Klein's attitude was infectious. "I'll see you there man, I gotta go deal with my guild. You know how they get."

"Yeah yeah, I'll see you at seven." Klein smiled as he walked away from Kirito, leaving him at the edge of Awyne, just Kirito and his thoughts. "Algade..." Kirito said aloud. "Can I handle being there? She may even be home..." Kirito wondered what had caused him and Asuna to drift so much. One tiny fight and the next thing he knew he couldn't talk to her. "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to regret this?"


It was seven, and Asuna couldn't lie, she was a bit excited. Some girl time with Lis was certainly what she could use to relax. She was dressed in her usual casual wear, the blue shirt and shorts. Asuna smiled as she left the house and began the walk to the restaurant. She wondered if Lis was already there, but she doubted it. The girl had been absolutely swamped by the clearing group's orders for custom weapons. Lis had talked about it so fondly, and Asuna knew she enjoyed her work, but Asuna knew she could never do that much work. Lisbeth had told her a story about how she's done an order for 100 swords in an afternoon, although Asuna felt like the pinkette had lied to her. Asuna was shaken from her thoughts when she reached her destination, and entered the lobby. She was approached by an NPC, who smiled at her.

"Are you Asuna?" he asked, and Asuna nodded in confirmation. "Please, follow me! Your friend is already waiting for you this way!" Asuna followed after the waiter, wondering how on earth Lis had gotten there before her. had Lis left early just to beat her here? Asuna found it unlikely. Asuna soon found out why, as she reached the booth the waiter was leading her too. Asuna wasn't a genius, but she was sure that man wasn't Lisbeth.

"K-Kirito-kun?" Asuna asked weakly, taking a step back. Kirito looked up in confusion, his head having been resting on his arms. he paled when he saw her.

"A-Asuna?" he asked weakly as the waiter walked away. "W-what are you doing here?" Asuna noted he was dressed casually as well, so he must've been here to eat. Asuna hadn't made a move to sit, she just stood in here slightly taken aback stance.

"Lis invited me to dinner" She replied quietly, watching as Kirito made a confused sound. "What's the matter?"

"Klein invited me." he replied. "What the hell's going on?" Klein. Lisbeth. Asuna put the pieces of the puzzle together, and she growled. "What's wrong, Asuna?"

"They set us up" Asuna replied angrily, crossing her arms. "Klein was talking to Lis when I went to visit her this morning, but they avoided telling me what." Kirito nodded in understanding and sighed.

"Klein checked a message while he was talking to me." he said slowly, staring down at the table. "I assume now it was Lis telling him where to tell me to go." Asuna nodded, that was most likely the case. Both she and Kirito remained silent before he chuckled. "Well, what are you waiting for?" he asked, smiling at her. "Sit down and let's eat. I'd hate to waste Klein's money that he spent setting this up for us." Asuna smiled at the thought of a payed tab.

"Agreed." Asuna said, sitting down across from him, a menu materializing in her hands. Ordering every expensive dish to piss Klein off, she smiled as she looked up at Kirito, who was already done.

"So," Kirito said, sarcastically leaning forward to look interested. "How's being the Vice Commander of the Knights treating you?" He asked with false enthusiasm, at least Asuna assumed it was. She chuckled and traced circles on the table.

"Tiring." She replied, leaning forward to rest on her arms. "It really take a lot out of me."

"I can imagine." Kirito replied, leaning back and grinning. "Getting up early in the morning, taking charge of a group of noobs, ugh... I don't know how you do it."

"Neither do I" Asuna replied. "Especially after that time I needed your help."

"Yeah." Asuna was worried that the end of that sentence would end the conversation, so she sat up a little.

"So, what about you?" Asuna asked, smiling brightly. Kirito just looked confused.

"Huh?" he asked.

"I mean..." Asuna said, making a series of hand motions. "Sir Grinds-a-lot over here, showing up as a level 150 and soloing a floor boss, I mean...impressive." Kirito snickered.

"I work out." he replied with a grin, causing Asuna to laugh. "Seriously though, when I told you I'd lost track of my leveling, I wasn't kidding."

"I know." Asuna replied. "I know when you're kidding. Quite honestly I don't know how you can be so distracted you don't even notice the levels going up."

"Well..." Asuna noticed how Kirito just trailed off, and she felt guilty when she realized what he was referring to.

"Oh..." She said quietly. "Right..." Kirito managed a weak smile.

"Don't worry about it." he said with a grin. "e're both still alive, so there's nothing to worry about."

"You sure look on the bright side a lot more now." Asuna said wistfully. "Where was that Kirito-kun when I was your partner?"

"I was there." he replied, smirking at her. "I was just dealing with you most of the time, you couldn't see it." Asuna chuckled.

"Right, my bad."


Asuna slammed her fist down on the table as she laughed. She wasn't sure she'd ever laughed so hard in her life, and that was saying something.

"Honest to God!" Kirito replied, trying to keep a straight face. "I swear that is exactly what he told me!"

"There is no way Klein-san is that dumb..." Asuna managed, doing her best to calm down. A quick look around the restaurant told Asuna they were the only ones left. "Hey, Kirito-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"We're the only people still here." Asuna watched as Kirito looked around curiously, laughing as he did.

"We probably scared everyone out we were talking so loud." he joked, and Asuna smiled.

"I have noobies to train early tomorrow, so I probably should go..." Asuna said slowly, watching as Kirito frowned. "Although we haven't been on the best of terms lately Kirito-kun, I had fun."

"As did I" He replied, standing up. "Come on, I walk you home." Asuna smirked at him as she attempted to ignore the heat that rushed to her face.

"Walk me home?" Asuna asked slyly, causing Kirito to redden as well. "What do you mean by that, Kirito-kun?"

"N-nothing!" Kirito replied. "it was just nice hanging out with you, so...you know what? Forget I said anything." Asuna laughed as she dragged Kirito out of his seat.

"I'm just teasing you, God. I see you haven't gotten any better at that." Kirito rolled his eyes as they walked through the streets, devoid of any life besides them.

"Of course I haven't, I've avoided it for months."

"Yeah, I know." Asuna and Kirito were both silent as they reached home, but it wasn't the awkward silence that had plagued them both since the split. Just, quiet. Asuna walked up the steps to the house and turned to find Kirito standing at the bottom, staring up at her. "Well, good night." Asuna said slowly, watching as Kirito rubbed the back of his head.

"G'night." he replied, and Asuna sighed as she stepped into the house, throwing a wave over her shoulder for Kirito. Sighing in contentment as she walked to her room, replaying the nights events in her head. She and Kirito had actually spoken for three hours without any prolonged silence, a record for them since the split. Asuna undressed slowly, equipping her nightgown as she turned the lights off. Asuna turned back to her menu and stared at it curiously.

"What is that?" Asuna asked curiously, pressing the item. It spawned into her hand, and Asuna squeaked.

The flower.

The stupid flower.

Asuna stared at it in shock, she had been completely unaware she even still had it. This was the flower that Kirito had given her the day they split up. That day seemed so long ago, but Asuna remembered it perfectly.

"Why do you have a flower?"

"For you, stupid"

Asuna replayed the simple exchange a few times as she stared down at the flower unsure of what to do. We were partners, supposedly until the end...the end... Asuna looked out of the window in her room out into the street, but Kirito was no where to be seen.

"What the hell is wrong with me?!" Asuna quickly reequipped her clothes and sprinted out into the street, tears stinging her eyes. "I have to find him, and make this right...Please still be in the city!"


Kirito stared down at the ground as he walked, replaying the night in his mind. he was happy he'd gotten the chance the talk with Asuna, even if both were so incompetent they had their friends set it up against both participating parties will. Looking back Kirito would have to tear Klein a new one for this, he'd lied right to Kirito's face about it being a trick.

"Bastard..." Kirito mumbled, smiling as he kicked a small pebble down the street. "Still, it was nice to talk to her like old times..."

"Kirito-kun!" Kirito froze in place at the voice. First of all, why was she chasing him? Second of all, why did she sound so desperate? Kirito turned just in time to be wrapped into the most constrictive hug he'd ever gotten, and Asuna tried to squeeze the life from him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean those things I told you, I was just mad..."

"Asuna, what the..."

"I'm sorry I didn't try and make this right sooner, I was just being difficult! Then Heathcliff invited me to be the Vice Commander and I couldn't just leave..."

"Asuna..."

"Then on top of all of that, we couldn't stop running into each other! I'm really sorry I said those things, and for everything I did before, please, I'm so sor..."

"Asuna what the hell are you talking about?" Kirito was doing his best to comfort her, but he had no idea what was wrong. Asuna sniffled into his coat and looked up at him, eyes full of tears.

"I'm apologizing for what I said during the 80th floor boss fight." She said slowly. "I was a fool to split up from you..." Kirito smiled weakly as she pressed her head against his shoulder, rubbing a small circle on her back. "I wanted to apologize the moment I got home, but I was being so thick about it, I didn't..."

"For the record, I'm sorry too." Kirito said warily. "I kind of went off on you afterwards, and I didn't mean that either."

"I know." Kirito could hear Asuna open her menu, and Kirito saw his menu open up. A friend request.

"Asuna...?" He asked carefully, and she parted from the hug to smile at him.

"Don't you remember out pact?" She asked with a teary smile. "We'll fight for all of those who can't..." Asuna held her hand out in front of her, and Kirito grinned widely as he clasped it.

"And for all those who died trying." he finished. "Partners, until the end." Asuna nodded, her smile even wider than before.

"Until the end."

Boom haha! I bet you guys were really wondering what significance that flower would have, huh? There's only like fifteen floors left, so I got them back together. I hope you enjoyed, leave a review!