A/N: So it was pointed out to me that I use spaces between my punctuation marks and the words from a review. It's a bad habit of mine since I'm not used to writing but I made sure to correct all of the past chapters. I'll try my best not to do it anymore. Other than that, I hope you enjoy today's chapter!

CHAPTER 6

KIRIGAYA KAZUTO POV

FLASHBACK

''And this is?'' I ask, as I take the piece of paper into my hands.

''I'd like you to look after the members of The Knights of the Blood Oath. If the two victims were targeted because of they guild they were in, it's highly likely they will come after more of them, wouldn't you agree? That is a list of every member of the KoB that attends this school'' he answers.

After having read the name 'Yuuki Asuna' inside that list, I can't help but fully accept Mr. Kikuoka's proposal.

''What would you have me do sir? How should I protect these members from being targeted and how would I know when and which member will be targeted?'' I ask Kikuoka-san, worried about the danger of this situation .

''I understand that this is a particularly demanding mission, Kirigaya-kun. Of course the rest of the Committee, as well as myself and a few teachers themselves will assist in making sure that our students are as safe as possible. If need be, the police will be involved as well. But for now, I would like you to sit back and observe the students who are potential targets. I need you to avoid contact with them as much as possible, but making sure to keep them safe in case you spot anything shady or out of the ordinary. I'm fairly certain that they're going to be lured somewhere secluded in case they are targeted. I'm aware this is a tall task, but something tells me you will be of great use.'' he answers confidently.

I pause, realizing that this essentially means I'd have to keep my distance from Asuna, but I ultimately decide that this is for the best.

''Very well, sir. I'll do my best to keep the students out of harm's way. However, I'd appreciate being notified in case there's progress in the investigation regarding these red-players.''

''I understand, that's the least I can do for you, Kirigaya-kun.'' he answers, slightly fixing his glasses.

After leaving the Principal's office, I can't help but feel a little shook from what I had just learnt. Not only are red-players targeting students with violent purposes inside school grounds, but that Asuna is also a likely target.

When I enter my classroom after having walked down a few hallways while being completely lost in thought, I look towards my seat and I'm suddenly met with a pair of worried, hazel eyes.

''Hey , Kazuto-kun'' she speaks.

''H-hey'' I stammer.

''Is everything okay?'' she softly asks, looking at me with pleading eyes, seeming concerned.

Is my heart being ripped out of my chest right now?

''Yes , everything's fine , why?'' I lie, trying to sound as convincing as possible without looking her in the eyes.

''That's good then. You just looked a little worried is all'' she answers, shooting me her perfect smile.

God, how am I going to manage to keep my distance from this angel?

Two weeks have passed since I've started looking over the students that were previously part of the Knights of the Blood Oath, and most importantly, Asuna.

As much as I hate it, I've managed to keep my distance from her these past two weeks and honestly, I'm about to reach my limit. I feel with every passing day, she's more aware of the fact that I'm avoiding her and she seems hurt.

Trust me when I say this, I absolutely despise being the one to cause her any sort of pain. It's already been two weeks and there have been no incidents of the students being targeted yet, but who's to say this won't go on forever? How long can I keep this up? I feel like she's ready to snap at me at any point and I wouldn't blame her. Or maybe .. she has already given up on me.

It's currently lunch break and I have yet to see Asuna around, even though she was in class which is starting to worry me. My mind races back to the start of this morning, where Asuna opened her locker and found what I assumed was a letter in it.

I quickly connect the dots and realize that it was probably a 'love' letter. To be completely honest, I detest the fact that she received one, even though I'm aware of how popular she is between the guys in our school.

Since I haven't seen her, I swiftly make my way to the back of the school yard, a secluded place where confessions tend to occur thanks to the privacy it offers, since no one really tends to go back there.

Soon enough, I reach the back of the school yard where I spot Asuna and the back of a person I seem to be unfamiliar with, who is currently speaking to her. I would love to go up to them and give the guy a piece of my mind but thankfully I don't let my emotions get the better of me and keep my presence unknown. Throughout his confession, Asuna seems uninterested and spaced out, which I'm overwhelmingly grateful for.

However, while she's spaced out and looking away, the guy reaches into his back pocket and holds onto what I assume is the handle of a pocket knife.

She's being targeted!

I start closing the distance between us as quickly as humanly possible without making my presence known.

''You're naive , Senkō-sama !'' he shouts, as he raises his hand above his head while holding the pocket knife he pulled out. (A/N: Senkō is the japanese word for Flash , Asuna's nickname)

I can make it!

As soon as his hand starts coming down towards Asuna, I manage to grip onto his wrist and stop his arm in place while it was still in the air. I quickly pin the guy down with my knee after catching him off guard, and disarm him.

My thoughts are currently foggy and I'm so on edge that I can practically feel the adrenaline rushing through me. This guy was about to hurt Asuna bad and I'm downright furious.

''Why'd you target her!?" I ask, immediately breaking one of his arms, as I'm unable to currently control my nerves.

"AAAGH" he screams in pain, without answering me.

''Answer my questions or I will break the other one too !'' I say, while pulling his other arm further back, gripping it tight. ''On whose orders are you acting!?" I continue.

''Go to hell!'' he answers , trying to seem threatening , making me lose all sense of patience and break his other arm too.

''AAAAGHH'' he screams again .

''OKAY, OKAY, I'LL TELL YOU'' he continues in agony, finally caving in. ''Laughing Coffin is targeting certain SAO players who were part of a guild that was responsible for capturing them . That's all I was told, I swear!''

''Who are its leaders!?''

''I don't know who they are, they always wear masks, I swear!''

As soon as he answers me, I waste no time and knock him unconscious with a blow to the back of his neck. Laughing Coffin, huh.. I think to myself.

My thoughts are, nonetheless, quickly interrupted when I look at the chestnut-haired girl in front of me, who's obviously shocked but somehow still able to glare at me and I gulp, unsure of what is about to happen.

However, I'm, shortly, pleasantly surprised when she pounces at me, pulling me into a tight hug as she loses the glare on her face.

''Thank you'' she says softly, and slightly sobbing as tears threaten to fall from her eyes.

''Anytime, Asuna'' I answer, quickly hugging her back, as I try to calm her down.

After a minute or so, she releases me and pulls away from the hug.

''Are you okay?'' I ask her, while inspecting her facial expression.

''Mhm, I'm alright thanks to you, Kazuto-kun..'' she says looking straight into my eyes. ''But, after this situation is taken care of..'' she says while looking towards the unconscious man next to us ''..you have some explaining to do, Kazuto-kun!" she continues, her previous glare returning to her, her hands glued on her waist.

''I promise I will explain everything to you later, Asuna'' I answer with the hands in the back of my head, knowing fully well she's referring to the fact that I had been avoiding her for the past two weeks. "But for now, I need to contact someone first." I continue , pulling my phone out of my pocket in order to contact Kikuoka-san as Asuna nods.

After having contacted Kikuoka-san to take the person that attacked Asuna to the hospital, I'm once again called in to the principal's office to speak to him.

''Be right back'' I tell Asuna , as we part ways in the hallway outside of the principal's office.

''Mmh'' she nods.

As soon as I enter the room I'm met with the familiar Kikuoka-san, who is currently fixated on his laptop's screen.

''You wanted to see me, sir?" I ask, breaking the silence and getting his attention.

''Oh, yes, Kirigaya-kun. Good job today. I was correct to rely on you to protect our school's students.'' he answers.

''Thank you sir, but I need to ask you, is the guy that attacked Yuuki Asuna-san today ok?" I ask.

''He's perfectly conscious and his body will completely recover eventually. Although you did give him a pretty rough patch, Kirigaya-kun." he answers, slightly smirking, making me sweat-drop a little.

''Have you already spoken to him?" I ask, curious about any development.

''Indeed we have." he says, fixing his glasses. "As you have already learnt, the PK guild whose orders he was acting on was Laughing Coffin. We do not know many of the names that were a part of that guild, especially when it comes to the higher-ups." he continues.

''Is that so..?" I ask, slightly worried and uncertain about the risk of the situation.

''But do not worry Kirigaya-kun. After today, even Laughing Coffin is bound to be more cautious. I highly doubt they will mobilize again for a while. I will prepare a list of the names we know of as soon as possible and hand it over to you. For now I'd like you to stay under the radar. There's plenty of people helping us with this investigation so you needn't worry so much. You have already done plenty." he says with an honest smile.

''Thank you, Kikuoka-san. If I could assist you with anything, please let me know." I answer bowing and he nods.

As soon as I exit Kikuoka-san's office, I'm greeted by a chestnut-haired girl sitting cross-armed opposite to me, seemingly deep in thought.

''Sorry for making you wait, Asuna'' I speak up and she turns her head towards me.

''Is he going to be okay?" she quickly asks, referring to the man that attacked her.

''Mmh , he will recover completely in a few weeks." I nod. "Besides, I don't think you should be worrying about him when you were the one that was attacked, you know" I say, smiling at her genuine kindness.

"Kazuto-kun, will you explain to me what's going on?" she says with a more serious expression on her face.

"Of course.. Let's start walking shall we?" I say, gesturing we go somewhere more private.

After finding the nearest empty bench to sit in outside of the school building, I explain everything to Asuna. The previous attack on two of the school's students, me being asked to join the Discipline Committee to protect students from red-players, the targeting of the members of the Knights of the Blood Oath, and the mission I was assigned by Kikuoka-san himself.

"I see.. You know you are involved in something really dangerous, Kazuto-kun.." she says, shocked by the news I just gave her, making her worry about me. "But, you did probably save my life today and I .. seriously don't know how to thank you enough" she continues, bowing her head to me.

"Like I said, you don't need to thank me Asuna. I told you I'd do it anytime.." I say while grabbing onto her hand that was resting on the bench and making her face straight at me, making us both blush.

"T-that being said, you did avoid me for weeks straight, Kazuto-kun!" she says, her smile having turned into a full-fledged pout.

"I-I know, I'm really sorry about that, I was asked to keep my distance by Kikuoka-san so I could look out for anything unusual.." I say, placing my palm at the back of my head and looking away.

"Mmm.. I'll forgive you... I-if you make it up to me" she says while blushing, looking at me with a determined expression.

"Sure, but how?" I ask, somewhat flustered.

"Lis is having a party at her house tomorrow to celebrate her birthday. I-I want you to come hang out with me" she answers, blushing a deeper shade of red and seeming somewhat nervous.

"I would love to." I say, smiling at how unbelievably cute she is, as she smiles back, content with my answer. "But on one condition.." I continue, resulting in her giving me a questioning look.

"What condition?"

"T-today.. let me take you home" I say, slightly stuttering, my nerves getting the better of me.

"If I may ask, w-why?" she asks, flustered at my straightforwardness, but genuinely curious.

"It might just be me being a little paranoid, but after you were targeted today.. I guess I got a sense of how dangerous these guys can be and I'd feel a little more reassured if I took you home today" I hesitantly admit.

"T-Thank you.. Then I guess I'll gladly take you up on the offer"

"Y-you're welcome"

"Then it's settled. We still need to pick up our stuff, so, see you at the entrance in a little while?" she says softly while clapping her hands together, reminding me how irresistible her voice can be, as she stands up from the bench.

"See you then"

ASUNA POV

After the bell that marks the end of the school day rings, I pick up my stuff from my locker and start heading towards the school entrance.

Calm down, Asuna! He's just taking me home, why am I so nervous about this? Then again the last time he took me home..

My thoughts rush back to when my ankle was injured and Kazuto-kun offered to take me home, where halfway through I ended up on his back and my heart starts pounding.

As I exit the school building while being lost in thought, I spot a crowd of girls looking towards the school entrance while woo'ing and whispering. And when I look over, I'm met with the sight of a very familiar raven-haired boy, who is currently resting his back on a motorcycle and wearing a helmet.

H-he drives a bike!? How did I not notice that this morning!?

As I get closer, he quickly spots me as his onyx eyes look straight into mine.

"Yo, Asuna" he says, his voice husky as usual, as he shoots me that perfect, signature smile of his.

As soon as he speaks, all the attention shifts towards me, as the crowd of girls is now slightly glaring at me.

'They really are dating, huh?'

'I'm so envious of Asuna-senpai!'

''Are you ready to go?" Kazuto-kun speaks once again, helping me brush aside the girls' comments that have been making my face turn red.

''Mhm, perfectly!'' I nod excitedly. "I didn't realize you drove a motorcycle to school though, Kazuto-kun?"

"Oh, this is actually the first time I drove it here. I finally received my license no more than a few days ago.. I guess I didn't feel like walking today" he says, laughing somewhat awkwardly. "D-do you mind? If you don't wanna ride on it, I'd be more than glad to walk" he says, panicking slightly.

''Don't worry, I don't mind at all" I say, giving him a reassuring smile as he smiles back.

"Then hop on and make sure you wear this" he says as he gets on the bike hands me another helmet.

I quickly put the helmet on and get on the bike, placing myself right behind him.

"Do you remember where my place is?" I inquire.

"Of course I do. More importantly, make sure you hold on tight, Asuna" he says, as he gestures towards his waist.

I quickly wrap my arms around his waist and he takes off. As I rest the side of my head on his back, and I'm once again surprised at how wide and toned it is. I could really get used to this..

My heart is beating so fast right now.. I wonder if he can tell since I'm pressed onto his back.. I would be so embarrassed!

After around 10 minutes of me being lost in thought, Kazuto-kun abruptly stops the bike and I look around us, realizing we've reached my house.

''W-we're here Asuna'' he exclaims, as he takes his helmet off and looks towards me, revealing his cheeks which are showing a tint of red.

Realization quickly hits me as I become aware of the fact that I'm holding onto his waist way too tightly and that my breasts are resting on his back.

''Oh god, I'm so sorry! Was I hurting you this whole time?" I ask, now extremely flustered.

''Don't worry, you weren't hurting me, Asuna. I actually didn't mind it at all.." he reassures me hesitantly, making both of us blush, as we eventually get off of the bike.

He takes his helmet off as I do the same, revealing his perfectly messy dark hair, which he tries to fix up. I'm suddenly reminded of the time we were alone in the nurse's office after he had carried me there, where I tried to ruffle up his hair resulting in us almost kissing, which makes me weak in the knees.

We start walking towards my door and when we reach the entrance, I turn around to face Kazuto-kun.

"Honestly, thank you so much for today Kazuto-kun. I'd probably be in the hospital, if not worse, if it weren't for you.." I say, tearing up a little.

"Don't mention it, Asuna. It's part of my job in the Discipline Committee anyway" he says softly, his husky voice as attractive as ever, patting my head to console me.

"And for taking me all the way home as well.."

"I was the one that asked you to let me take you home though" he says, laughing somewhat awkwardly.

"Even so, I still appreciate it" I continue, smiling hard.

I start unlocking my door when Kazuto-kun grabs my attention once again.

"Oh, Asuna, I almost forgot to ask. The party you mentioned earlier, do you know what time it'll be?"

"Um, if I'm not mistaken, it should be at around 8 o'clock" I say, slightly pausing, making sure to remember the correct time Lis had mentioned.

"S-so..um" he mutters, as he seems to be mustering up the courage to say something. "Would you like me to come pick you up 15 minutes earlier than that?" he continues, making my heart start pounding aggressively fast.

"Mmh, I would really like that'' I nod with a huge smile eminent on my face, while placing my hand on my heart, as if to stop it from racing.

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow" he says, shooting me that usual, heart-melting smile of his.

After a second or two of hesitation, I muster up the courage and get on my tip-toes as I close the distance between us. I give Kazuto-kun a peck on the cheek, taking him by surprise, leaving him with a slightly wide-eyed, dumb-founded yet flushed look on his face.

"See you tomorrow" I quickly follow up, as I open the door as rapidly as possible and close it behind me.

When I'm inside, my knees finally give in to the nerves as I drop to the floor.

I actually did it.. God, how is a simple kiss on the cheek so nerve-wracking when it comes to him!?

The simple thought of him wanting to pick me up before the party puts an uncontrollable smile on my face.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

A/N: And that's it for Chapter 6. I'd like to mention, for the people that have already read Chapter 5 before I released this chapter, I have added a brief conversation between Lis and Asuna. If you'd like to, please feel free to read it. I originally planned on making this chapter longer by putting the party's events in this chapter as well, but I decided not to since it would take a little while longer to update the story.

That being said, please look forward to the next chapter, where things between Kirito and Asuna finally get steamier ;)