Taisetsu na Kiyoku
(Treasured memories)
PROLOGUE
After 2 years trapped inside the death game created by Kayaba Akihiko, also known as Commander Heathcliff of the Knights of the Blood Oath, all 6,147 remaining players have successfully logged out, as the game has been cleared. Asuna was struck by the Commander in order to save her loved one and Kirito managed to land a killing blow on Kayaba, giving up his life in the process.
However, the commander himself is quite fond of the duo, who managed to surpass this game's limits out of their willpower to save and avenge each other. So, while the couple is cuddled up in the sky above Aincrad, ready to disappear, Kayaba appears and offers Kirito a deal he just can't refuse. In exchange for everyone's memories of the Black Swordsman in the world of Sword Art Online, he will spare his life and, most importantly, Asuna's .
KIRITO POV
''Kirito-kun, don't, I beg you. I told you before, I don't want the time we spent here to disappear, no matter what.''
I'm so sorry Asuna. But you're too important to me. I can't let this stop me from a chance to save your life.
''Kayaba, you promise that if you erase everyone's memories of me, Asuna will be unharmed?''
''Indeed, she will wake up in her hospital bed along with the other 6,145 players and yourself.''
''KIRITO-KUN, STOP. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD THAT YOU'RE NOT A PART OF.''
''I'm sorry Asuna.. I swear, I will find you in the real world somehow no matter what it takes.''
''YOU DON'T KNOW THAT, KIRITO-KUN! YOU MAY NEVER EVEN MEET ME AND EVEN IF YOU DO, YOU WON'T REMEMBER ME AND NEITHER WILL I!'' she says, sobbing, making my heart ache.
''Asuna, I'm so sorry but I don't know what else to do.. I won't let you die here, I told you I would take you back to the real world. I promise I will fall in love with you all over again, on the other side. Trust me , please.''
I wipe the tears off her eyes and take a deep breath.
''Do it, Kayaba.''
In an instant , the castle of Aincrad completely disappears and everything around me is surrounded by darkness.
Suddenly, I wake up in a hospital bed. I see cables all around me and a tracking of my lifeline on a screen. Why the hell am I here ?
I stand up, and a vision of a chestnut-haired girl appears in my brain. Who is that? As I try to remember, my head keeps spinning and I'm pretty sure this is the worst headache I've had in my life. Unable to handle the pain in my brain, I fall to my knees and let out a loud yell. A nurse comes in a few seconds later.
''ΚIRIGAYA-KUN HAS WOKEN UP! Contact his family as soon as possible.''
I'm instantly surrounded by doctors and after a bunch of questions I definitely didn't know the answers to such as 'What happened' or 'How are you feeling', my family comes in. My aunt, Midori, and my cousin Suguha enter and hug me as they burst into tears.
''Kazuto, I'm so glad you're okay. Welcome back.'' They both say, practically in unison, as they're both sobbing .
I'm unsure of where I had been, but answer anyway.
''Glad to be back, Mom, Sugu.''
A/N: As mentioned in the summary , this will be a story about Kirito's and Asuna's life in highschool with a twist in that they don't remember what happened in SAO, yet.
This is only the prologue to help you understand what happened beforehand. Alfheim has obviously not happened and it will not happen. It's a pretty bad arc and it needs too many renovations to be good and I think it's better off not existing altogether.
The main SAO characters will appear in this story, and, as a quick side-note for the people who might not remember, Kazuto calls Midori (his aunt) Mom because he hasn't told her he has figured out that she is actually his Aunt and that Sugu is his cousin.
This might be a ''highschool story'', but I'm pretty sure I'll write something about them going in some type of virtual world.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online, obviously, all rights go to Reki Kawahara. -Syth