Shield and Sword

by BannaMan

Iriamu Yūsutasu is your average law abiding Japanese citizen. Nothing interesting happens in his past, nor in his future, he is just normal. Though with the release of SAO, he's forced to become something much more than that, a hero. With his newly found friends, Haruto, Yoko, and later Keiko, he'll survive the Death Game, and hopefully save as many people as he can in the process

34. Chapter 34

Chapter 34- Yoko, Stop Running Away...

Yoko kept running, and running until she blacked out from exhaustion.

(Line Break of Border)

Floor 9 Front Lines

January 1st, 2023

Klein

"Oi, Yoko, you awake?" Klein asked while poking the sleeping girls face. He had no idea how or why the girl got to the front lines, but she somehow did, and took a nap in the process. Klein stopped poking her and got back up. The sun had just risen over the edge of Aincrad, casting a gorgeous glow into the glade they were in. The trees were too think to see very far around the glade, it is strange how it came to be in a place like this.

"Dale, Harry, watch over her right quick. I'll contact Uma." Klein spoke has he sighed. They came here to grind but ended up watching over a girl.

The bandana man opened his menu and clicked Uma's name. Soon after, he clicked the send message button and typed out the message.

Umairi

We found Yoko on the frontlines. You and your friends need to come get her.

He sent the message and soon after, the response came in.

Umairi

What?! When did she go missing? Does Haruto now? One sec I'm coming.

Klein scratched his chin, doesn't he already know she was gone? He typed back a response.

Umairi

Didn't you already know she was gone?

His response shocked Klein even more than need be.

Umairi

No, I became a Solo player. Where is the front line?

Klein responded Ninth Floor, use the Position Check and closed his menu. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Why did Uma have to become a soloer has well." Klein thought while taking a seat to rest.

"Klein, she's awake." One of his friends called. Klein grunted as he got up, and walked over to her. Dale backed away has Klein walked up, which brought Yoko's attention to him.

"Hey, Yoko, can you tell me why you're out here?" Klein questioned. Yoko shook her head no. Why did she have to be like this? "Whatever, we'll wait for Uma to come and get you."

Yoko eyes widen as if in shock. "Uma?" She whispered. Klein nodded. Klein couldn't read her expression, but something was strange about her when he said Uma's name. Klein shrugged it off and took a seat again.

(Line, Line, Break)

Floor 9

January 1st, 2023

Umairi

Umairi finished off the spider monster with a Slash. It exploded in a haze of blue and the results window opened. Umairi ignored it and continued down the road, the Position Check said he was pretty close to Yoko now.

Has Umairi walked, he caught a glimpse of movement to his right. The teen opened his menu and checked Position Check. Yep, that's where they should be.

Umairi walked into the clearing and waved. "Sup." Umairi tried his best to hold in a laugh when he saw the small guild scramble to get prepared to fight off a possible attacker. "Oh, it's just you." Klein sighed in relief. Umairi looked down at Yoko, who was still sitting on the grass.

"Come on, up and at em." Umairi stated while extending a hand to help her up. She took it and Umairi pulled the girl to her feet. Umairi brought his attention to Klein and spoke. "I apologize for Yoko. I didn't realize she had run away. I'll bring her to Haruto."

Klein shrugged and responded "No problem. Oh, and Umairi." Umairi cocked his head slightly. "Yes?"

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" Umairi was a little confused but nodded and followed Klein has he walked away from the group.

When they were out of earshot from everyone else, Klein turned around, his face saying he was upset. "Why did you become a solo player?" Umairi slouched and let out a sigh. "I became one because I've only caused problems for the group." This time Klein was confused and pressured on. So Umairi told Klein everything, starting with Yoko running away and ending till now.

Klein put his hand to his chin and hummed for a second. "What you just said kind of makes sense...but don't stay solo." Umairi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" Klein pinched the bridge of his nose and said "I have a friend who is a solo player. Because of that, he has horrible social skills. I don't want you to become like that."

Umairi ignored his statementhe and bode Klein farewell. He walked back to the group and grabbed Yoko by the arm. "Let's go." She nodded and willingly followed Umairi has left the guild, Fuurinkazan, behind.

Has Umairi and Yoko walked, they did not talk. When they were about halfway to the main city on the floor, Umairi stopped and turned to Yoko. "You're going to explain to me how you got out here." Yoko looked down at that ground and fidgeted. "Yoko..."

She sighed and told Umairi what had happened on New Years. "Keiko did that?" Umairi asked surprised. "That doesn't sound like her." Yoko nodded as she wiped her eyes. "Okay, let's go drop you off with Haruto." She nodded and Umairi continued walking. "For being a solo player, I still some how see Haruto and friends a lot." He thought as he walked down the small path.

When he entered the town, Umairi immediately walked to the Teleportation Gates and stepped inside. If he remembered correctly, Haruto had said to meet them in Urbus when he got Yoko. "Urbus!" He yelled and Umairi soon felt the feeling of weightlessness followed by a view of the floor.

Soon after, Yoko appeared next to him. "Come on, let's go." Umairi stated while grabbing Yoko by the hand. If he remembered correctly, Haruto was near here in a restaurant.

Leading Yoko, Umairi quickly opened his menu and clicked the Position Check for Haruto. He saw the map and where Haruto was currently at, so that's where he went.

When Umairi walked into the restaurant, he was greeted by a nervous Haruto standing by the door. "Alright, thank god. Yoko, are you okay?" Haruto asked after he sighed in really. Yoko nodded in reply. "Good...then what were you thinking!" Haruto yelled. The other people in the restaurant glanced angrily their way. Haruto bowed in their direction and turned his attention back to Yoko. "Why the hell did you run away."

"Whoa, Haruto, calm it down." Umairi stated while stepping slightly in between Yoko and Haruto. Haruto took a deep breath and backed off. "Yoko...please never do that again." Haruto sighed. A pale Yoko quickly nodded. "Okay, now, let's get something eat, I'm starving."

Umairi shook his head no. "Sorry, I'm heading back to the front lines." Haruto looked sad at his reply. "I'll talk to you guys later." Haruto sadly nodded and Yoko's face returned to neutral. Umairi waved and left the building. Time to head back to the front lines.

A/N yay! I got my shit together and wrote this! Okay, I have to be completely honest with you guys, the reason my chapters have been shorter is because my parents. My dad made a new rule where it's not electronics past 9 pm, which is when I usually write. Now I have to write bits and pieces between the day and I get distracted much easier during the day. I've been arguing the rule, but I've had no success yet. Wish me luck.

Guest (ARandomGuy)- Thanks for the review! I now have 1 vote for longer and 1 vote for shorter. I hope you're enjoying the series!

And that's the end of this chapter, please follow and favorite this shit and become a Desu today. *Theme music plays, aka X-Files theme song*