I typed away steadily on my keypad, numbers and letters flying by at a rapid pace. There was a small whine at my feet and I looked down to see the little white wolf pawing at my feet. " What's the matter huh? Mom's not giving you enough attention?" I asked and picked the pup up.

She snuggled into my lap and whined unhappily as I pet her back. The poor little pup has been rejected by almost everyone in her family all month long, everyone except Inferno. I sat in the restaurant with the pup, enjoying some later morning breakfast while working. " Um excuse me?" a voice asked from the doorway.

" Hi what can I do for you today?" I asked and with a quick swipe put the screen and keyboard away.

" We heard there were some wolf puppies that people could tame here," one of the girls in the small group said.

" Just two left actually. This way please," I said and took the guild to the backyard.

Ryoutarou was in the back simultaneously chasing the puppies and running from Inferno as they ran around the backyard while Amaterasu watched from the porch. This month had been hectic around the onsen. When the puppies were first born and hanging around here a small guild was staying at the onsen. They left then went to town and shared the news of tamable wolves at our onsen and ever since then we had been filled to the brim with reservations and people coming to visit. In the month's time we made back our money spent on the onsen and were currently earning more by the day.

I sat back and watched the guild go out to the puppies and pet them. The white pup hopped off my lap and went over to her mother then sat beside her. Amaterasu stood up and walked away, the white wolf puppy following the whole way. It was a sad sight seeing the rejection but I couldn't make Amaterasu accept the white puppy. She was smaller than the rest, completely white, and even cold to the touch instead of warm. A few minutes later the white pup came back and sat in my lap whining again. " Aw this one's really cute!" One of the girls said and pointed to the white pup.

They got closer and the little one moved closer to me before running around and hiding behind me. " Sorry she's really shy," I said and pet the little one.

The girls frowned then walked away. Ryoutarou came over just then and sat beside me, sweating profusely. "Inferno is so fast. I feel like the tortoise running away from the hare," he panted and I laughed.

" Here is your reward for taking care of the pups," I said and pulled out a glass of lemonade from my inventory.

" I was kind of hoping for something involving a little more lip contact," Ryoutarou said then made a kissy face. I smiled then leaned in and gave him a peck. " Also something longer than a second."

" Thank goodness we moved back to the other house or we would have to deal with this all the time," Kunimittz said behind us.

I turned, smiling, and saw the rest of the guild standing behind us. Once the onsen got busy the rest of guild decided to move back to our other house temporarily. Even though I missed all of them it was nice have Ryoutarou all to myself. " You guys here for lunch? I think there's a special going on today or something."

" No we came to borrow Ryoutarou for a bit if you don't mind. Asuna's at the front too looking for you also."

" Ok. Let's all do dinner tonight in town does that sound good?"

The guild nodded and I began to walk away until Ryoutarou pulled me back to him and kissed me much deeper than before to the group disgust. " Now that is a reward."

I slapped his arm playfully before walking away, Inferno and the little white wolf pup following. Asuna sat in the restaurant playfully along with Kirito. " How are you two doing today?" I asked sitting down.

" Good thanks. We'll be fighting the boss on level 62 tomorrow so we'd like to go over the fighting plan with you."

" Right you said the scouts reported a 'green porcupine thing' if I'm right?"

" That's correct. How accurate is this to the original game version?"

" Well that particular enemy is supposed to be later on in the game, a move Kayaba has been fond of lately."

" Do you think we're getting closer to him?" Kirito asked.

" I would assume so. Practically anyone could pick up one boss and drop him in another level if they pleased. Easy enough an intern could have done it."

" That's good news. Now let's discuss battle strategies," Asuna said and we spent the next few hours going over who would be there, the types of fighters, and the best way to fight him. Asuna has been coming here almost every level now to discuss how to fight the next boss and I gave her all the information I could on the matter. Kirito didn't usually come but the two had been getting closer lately. " So will you join us in tomorrow's battle?"

" No unfortunately not. But I am very close to breaking the firewall, at least 95% of the way there. Once in I'll make sure Kayaba can make no more of these boss changes."

" We heard Klein was coming back in to fight tomorrow so we assumed you would be too," Kirito said.

" Where did you hear that?" I asked confused.

" From your guild as we walked in. Didn't you know?"

I shook my head no in confusion. Is this what they wanted to talk about with Ryoutarou? " Well we should get going right Kirito?" Asuna asked.

" Uh ya I guess. See you soon Fumiko," Kirito finished and I waved as they left.

The guys had been going to the front lines, I knew that already, but I felt worried for Ryoutarou. I didn't want him there without me I wanted to fight side by side with Ryoutarou, be his back up. But if I did go who knows what the consequences would be not only for me but for my guild, Kayaba's visit in my mind. I shook my head, sending the bad thoughts away, and went to the backyard to see the last wolf pup picked up by another guild. " Thanks for letting check the wolves out. This one is part of the family now," the leader said.

" No problem at all. Have you seen the white wolf around?" I asked.

" The big one? She went into the woods a few minutes ago and we haven't seen her since," the leader said before heading back into the onsen with his guild.

The little white pup ran out and sniffed the ground then sat and whimpered. Amaterasu was gone, her motherly duties done for the puppies she loved. The white pup howled into the sky, her sadness unable to be contained. I looked down to Inferno who appeared saddened as well. I gripped my hands tightly in anger now at Amaterasu then moved forward and picked up the crying pup. " Don't pay attention to her any longer. I'm going to take care of you now alright?"

The pup looked at me sadly until I hugged her to me and she snuggled in.

' Ice wolf one would like to join your party. Do you accept?'

She was an ice wolf? It did make much more sense given her cold nature but how did Amaterasu and Inferno pull that off? No matter now I thought to myself as the white beauty looked back at me with icy eyes. I pressed accept then thought on the name for a moment. " I think I'll call you Blizzard."

Blizzard appeared in my top corner below Inferno with a much smaller health bar. I pet her head and she shut her eyes in happiness. Don't worry little one, I'll take much better care of you. I looked to the time and saw the sun was close to setting, right around dinnertime it seems. If the three of us walked down the mountain then we would make it to town right on time. Just as we began our descent Ryoutarou messaged me that we would be eating at a hot pot place in the center of town. I messaged him back that I would meet him there and we continued our journey. Inferno strode beside me calmly while Blizzard ran off the path sniffing everything in her wake.

Once in town it only took a few more minutes to find the hot pot place and find the guild waving to me in the back. " How did the meeting go with Asuna?" Ryoutarou asked.

" Good tomorrow's battle should be a cinch. I heard you all are going to participate is that true?" I asked.

Everyone looked away as the table was silent. " We were going to tell you," Dale muttered.

" Tell her Ryoutarou!" Issin hissed.

" Tell me what?" I asked.

" Well the guys… me included have been feeling a little cooped up in the house. I just want to stretch my muscles is all. I know you're focused on your work, which is great, but I can't sit around all day like you. You're fighting on you end now let me fight on mine," Ryoutarou said.

" I just don't want you going out there without me."

" Then come with us! All you ever do is type away on that keyboard. Take the day off and-"

" I can't," I said sternly, a bit too stern as they all looked at me surprised. " I'm just really, really close to being done ok? Just take one more level off and then we can all go."

" I can't do that Fumiko they need us on the front lines. I need to go out there and help."

" Well then why can't you just help players on the lower floor then?"

" Because there's a boss fight tomorrow, they are low on people already, and this is what we came to do!"

I bit my lip both in anger and sadness. Can I tell them about the time I saw Kayaba? No that would just freak everyone out and cause distrust again. " Fine," I muttered and stood.

" Fumiko come on just sit. Dinner is about to come any second now and-"

" I'm not hungry," I said while walking away. Why won't he just listen to me? All I want is his safety yet he refuses it! He would rather go on the battlefield than be with me? Fine then he can do whatever the hell he wants! I stopped angrily walking away then slowed down and sighed. I was being too controlling wasn't I? Ryoutarou is one of the best swordsmen in the game there was no need for me to worry about him especially when the guild would be with him. I was such an idiot!

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Blizzard pawing at the door to the pet shop, probably smelling treats inside. I picked her up then went inside the store. Inferno needed a new bed and Blizzard needed a bed, a collar, and apparently some food as I felt her belly rumble in my grasp. I saw a nice blue collar that would work nicely with Blizzard's fur and bought that along with two big beds knowing Blizzard would grow into hers. Well I can't go back to Ryoutarou right now he's probably mad at my behavior. So I decided to go to my favorite spot to mope, the docks at level 24. Not only could I watch the sea but also my favorite crepes were there. Inferno and Blizzard played on the edge of the water as I munched on a crepe gloomily. " Did you get me one?"

I turned back and saw Ryoutarou standing behind me before hopping over the bench to also sit. " How did you find me?" I asked.

" Well this is one of your favorite spots to hang out so I checked here first. But there's also, you know, the whole guild thing where I can find you anywhere."

I giggled a little as Ryoutarou leaned across and took a bite of my crepe. " Hey!"

" It's just a bite," he replied mouth full.

" Ew close your mouth!" I laughed tried to cover his mouth.

" No!" He replied then chewed with his mouth open.

We laughed at the stupidity of the situation even after Ryoutarou finished chewing. " You're such an i-"

Ryoutarou kissed me, catching me off guard as his lips collided with mine. " Don't run off like that again ok?" he asked after pulling away, forehead up against mine.

" Ok," I murmured back as Ryoutarou leaned in again to steal my lips. How could I have ended up with someone so loving and forgiving as Ryoutarou? He's so perfect in every way and now more than ever I felt my love for him swelling up in my chest. He pulled away from the kiss first, only an inch or so away, though it felt like I could have kissed him forever.

" I'm going to fight tomorrow," he murmured.

" I know," I replied.

" Really? You're ok with it?"

" Not really but I accept that it's what you want. And I'll be right there with you on the next level, you'll see."

" I mean I am a pretty great swordsman," Ryoutarou said then flexed his muscles making me laugh. " How many katana wielders are there?"

" 10 I think."

" And who's the best one of them all?"

" You."

" See there's no need to worry then! You trust me right?"

I smiled widely and took Ryoutarou's hands then replied, " Yes, I trust you and your skills."

Ryoutarou smiled and pecked my head just as the wolves came back over, sopping wet. " Speaking of water the guys are going to sleep at the onsen tonight. Missed the hot springs apparently."

" Let's just stay here then. I haven't felt the sand between my toes in ages."

" On one condition: you have to buy more crepes."

I laughed and nodded as Ryoutarou and I stood then headed for the crepe stand. After a quick ride home we arrived at the beach, the wolves immediately running off and into the forest. We ate our crepes on the beach while discussing the battle strategy for tomorrow. I yawned tiredly as the night dragged on and Ryoutarou seemed to take notice as he scooped me up without a moments notice. " Bed time already?" I yawned.

" We both have to be up early tomorrow."

I nodded against his chest as the door to our room was opened. Ryoutarou dropped me on the bed and I laughed at the bounce. " What about the wolves?"

" I have a feeling Inferno can take care of Blizzard," Ryoutarou said as he changed into boxers. I too changed into my undergarments and smiled up at Ryoutarou. " Oh no not tonight. I need to be ready for tomorrow, both of us do."

Ryoutarou got in bed and laid down back to me as I snuggled up to him. " What happens if things go wrong though?" I asked with my head buried into his back. I reached around and hugged him to me tightly. " What happens if this is the last time we're together?"

" No stop that," Ryoutarou said and turned back to me. " You said you trust my strength right?"

" I do but-"

" Then you don't need to worry." Ryoutarou said as he cupped my cheek.

I nodded but bit my lip. Any number of things could go wrong with Kayaba in control. He may have been going easy on us lately but I doubt that treatment will not last for long. I hugged Ryoutarou to me tightly and he hugged me back softly. I pulled away and looked back up at Ryoutarou then kissed his lips. What if this was our last kiss? I savored the taste, feel, and sensation of his lips to my own. I wanted him so bad and Ryoutarou knew it. " Please," I murmured against his lips.

" Please what?" Ryoutarou asked knowingly, a small smirk gracing his face.

" Please… hold me," I begged.

" Only because you said please," he said as he sat up then got on top of me. His lips collided with my own, ravishing them and my body for the rest of the night. Please stay safe Ryoutarou, please.