Well, here you go folks a brand new chapter to this story and as you requested it continues anyway to give you a heads up this has a significant time skip to when they are adult's so just giving you that heads up and thank you for the kind reviews they make me want to write more and the more I write the more you can enjoy my stories.
A/N 07/09/2021 yet another revised chapter i do hope the changes made make the story more enjoyable
Disclaimer I do not own Sword Art Online Reki Kawahara does.
: July 8th, 2031, Tokyo Japan:
It had been almost 7 years since they defeated Sword Art Online, all the people that were still in school when they were trapped had been able to catch up to their age group in little time thanks to the SAO survivor school.
2 years ago, Asuna, Rika and Kana had graduated from university and last year Kazuto had finished this year as well was Shino's year to graduate her and Kazuto were still together.
Though they were put through some tough trials through the years, Shino using the advice of her therapist tried a new VRMMO called Gun gale online to try and help alleviate her fear of guns.
There she had become a legendary sniper in her own rights and had decided after placing 24th in the second Bullet of Bullets tournament, to try again in the third Bob but there was an issue with a player claiming to be able to kill someone with his gun.
After the government had Kirito go in to help Sinon investigate they were able to put a stop to it, they had found out it was Shinkawa and his brother pulling it off with Johnny Black the Shinkawa's were imprisoned but black got away.
That sadly was not the only bad news to hit the Sao family the Kono twins Aeki and Yuki who had been hospitalized and in a medicuboid due to a drug resistant form of the AIDS virus, Aeki lost her battle with the virus one year after the gun gale incident and Yuki 2 years later.
The whole group every year on this date made it a point to first visit Yuki and Ran's memorial in game before visiting their graves to tell them all that has transpired in the year past.
They had both been welcomed into the little family for their aid in rescuing Shino, Keiko and Saori and Asuna became best friends with Yuki.
Yuki's passing was the hardest for them all it meant that they had now lost two sisters but was mainly worse for Asuna who did not handle the death well as she grew awfully close to the twins during their remaining time, and it took Shino, Rika, and Kana awhile to get her out of her funk.
This year however was special Kazuto had something special planned and the only other 2 people to know what he was doing was his sister Sugu and Ryutaro, and both thought it would be a great idea.
He planned to propose to Shino in front of the whole group including those no longer in the land of the living.
There was that and he vowed he would not propose the same way Ryutaro did at the after party for Kazuto's graduation.
They had all gathered at eh Dicey café for a small party and Andrew through the suggestion from Keiko to have Karaoke.
Ryutaro after having thought about it decided to sing his proposal to Rika with the song Enchanted by the American idol Taylor Swift, he sang the whole song while holding the ring and was to the surprise to everyone there on key the whole time.
Rika of course said yes though they have not set a date as far as anyone knew.
It was getting close to 4:00P.M. And the last of the group had arrived.
They all gathered around the gravestones and said their pieces usually every year Asuna is the last one to speak but this year it was Kazuto.
He walked up to the gravestone. "Hey girls well it's been another year and we still miss you guys, but this year I want our visit to you to end on a high note I hope you both approve." Kazuto says to the graves as he places his hands on each stone smiling.
He then stands up and looks towards the whole group and walks over to Shino and grabs her hands he looks her in the eye.
"Shino, listen I have something I want to ask you, since the first day we met you have been a great friend and we have been through hell and back again a few times, yet we have survived and come out stronger." Kazuto stated as he got down on one knee.
"Shino, I ask in front of the people closest to us will you do me the honor of being your husband?" Kazuto asked her as he presented the ring which was white gold with a blue sapphire for the gem.
Shino brought her hands up to her mouth as everyone gasped and smiled, she cried a little and nodded her head yes.
"Yes, Kazuto I will marry you." She said as he slipped the ring on her finger and they embraced, everyone congratulated them as they turned towards the graves of their fallen sisters.
"Yuki, Aeki we love and miss you guys and thank you for witnessing this." They all said together.
: 1 hour later Dicey café:
Everyone had gathered at the café and were all talking Kazuto was talking about his new job at Rect progress which had expanded to incorporate medical and bio technical sciences under Kouichirou.
Kazuto would be working with the A.I. development team, though he is not the only one that works there Asuna works as her brother's personal assistant learning all that there is to learn about running the company.
Rika got a job there as well after she graduated from university working in their bio medical engineering department helping to create artificial limbs that resemble real ones.
Ryutaro still works there though now he is the junior vice president of the gaming wing of the company.
Kana however became an award-winning writer having written books about the SAO incident and the ALO fiasco, her newest one is about to be a best seller again it is a fiction based on lore for a another VRMMO.
So, they were all gathered around a table talking.
"So, Rika have you guys set a date for the wedding yet?" Asuna asked.
"Yeah Rika-San when you two finally going to get married?" Keiko asked as well.
Rika blushed a little when Ryutaro joined her.
"Yes, we have the date it is this November 6th we figured it was the day after we truly confessed our love that and well, we want to be married before." She started to say before looking at Ryutaro who nodded.
"Before what Rika?" Shino asked.
"Well, I went to the doctor a while ago due to being sick a lot and well I'm four months pregnant." She spoke.
All the girls squealed and surrounded her. "Oh, wow a new member of the family do you know what you're having Rika-San?" Keiko asked beaming at her friend.
Rika shook her head. "No, me and Ryou want to be surprised." She spoke.
As the night went on the girls sat there planning a baby shower for her and asking about bridesmaids and other things.
: November 5th, 2031:
Shino was in the washroom of the Kirigaya household they still lived there while she was in university to save on money, she was staring at a pregnancy test, and it was positive.
She was happy and sad at the same time she still had another 2 months of university left and then if all went well the police academy as well, that was when she planned, she would tell Kazuto after the wedding reception.
She planned this as she did not want to spoil Rika and Ryutaro's big day, she was one of the bridesmaids but as to no surprise as all the girls in their group were bridesmaids though Asuna to no surprise was the maid of honor.
She was laying her dress out for the next day, Midori was the one who helped her and Suguha pick their dresses out.
Kazuto was the best man no surprise there with him and Ryou being so close, that was the thing with her group almost 9 years ago she was a scared girl all alone and suffering from PTSD was now someone's fiancé and had such a close and tight knit group of friends.
The thing is that they do not call each other friends everyone is a brother or sister in the group having survived a death game together made them in their own words a family, and she would never have it any other way.
: Meanwhile in a hotel on the other side of the city:
A man with a pointed face and chiseled facial features sits and plans with another man.
"Atsushi are you prepared for what needs to be done?" The pointed faced man asked his associate.
"Yeah, PoH I am, so we get them during the reception right can we kill them all?" Atsushi asks.
PoH shakes his head. "No just the swordsman make the Asada girl watch him die then take out the lighting flash if you can but the swordsman in the target." PoH explains.
"Right, right he will pay for screwing up Death gun but how are we going to sneak up on him." Atsushi states then asks.
"Simple we will be working with the catering company as wait staff that should get you close enough to do what is needed." PoH stated.
Atsushi nodded and they planned it all out.
: November 6th, 2031, 9:00 A.M. Yukki residence:
It was 1 hour till the wedding and in Asuna' s bedroom was where Rika was getting ready with her maid of honor and bridesmaid's.
"God, I feel like a blimp, maybe I should have waited for the baby to be born before we did the wedding." Rika moaned as she was getting her done by Keiko.
"Oh, come off its Rika you look great at least you're not short like me when I get farther along, I'm going to be like a beach ball with feet." Kana stated.
Asuna and Kana had decided they wanted at least one child but to be of both families the simplest way to do that was to have Asuna's brother donate and Kana to carry the baby seeing as Kana only had a sister.
And even at 3 months pregnant everyone's favorite rat complains a lot.
"Pay no heed to my wife Rika you look great now smile today is you and Ryutaro's special day." Asuna said Rika was smiling at this.
"Asuna is right Rika and today will be the happiest day of your life." Shino stated.
There was a knock on the door which caused everyone's head to spin towards it.
"KLEIN FOR THE LAST TIME NO YOU CAN NOT SEE HER TILL THE CEREMONY!" Shino and Asuna both yelled at the same time.
The door opened a bit. "Um I'm not the groom." The voice said.
The sound of the voice made Rika beam with joy. "Papa you made it!" She squealed.
He walked in and hugged his daughter. "Rika-Chan I would not miss your wedding no matter what, my you look beautiful your mothers wedding dress fits you so nicely even at almost 8 months pregnant." He stated as he and his daughter hugged.
Meanwhile in Koichiro's room sits the groom and his friends as they are waiting till it is time for the ceremony to start.
"Man, I can't believe I am really getting married." Ryutaro says.
"Don't tell me your getting cold feet man." Andrew says as a few people laugh.
"Wait so the fearless samurai of SAO is actually scared of something." Ducker stated.
"What no I'm not getting cold feet I'm just a little worried is all I want today to be perfect." Ryutaro said as every just giggled and continued talking till it was time for the ceremony.
When it was finally time Ryutaro was standing at the altar as the wedding music played and Rika was walked down the aisle by her father in her long flowing wedding dress.
She got to the alter and looked at Ryutaro who smile at her. "Wow you look so beautiful." He said which caused her to blush.
The ceremony went off without a hitch with Yui being the ring bearer for them thanks to the use of some new holoprojectors thanks to Rect progress.
Everyone then headed into the giant tent setup in the yard to have the reception and after introductions Rika and Ryutaro changed into more casual clothing.
Everyone was talking and dancing as the catering staff was taking care of getting the food ready, after everyone was seated and the main dinner was served.
Everyone then decided to share their feelings towards the new couple today instead of a single speech, the rest of the party went wonderfully.
Near the end of the reception Kazuto got up to go to the bar and get some more drinks for the others as they were all talking.
Asuna and Shino were talking about when they were going to have her and Kanata baby shower when they heard glasses fall to the ground and shatter.
This had caused everyone to look over to where the noise came from and were shocked by what they saw, a man with one arm wrapped around Kazuto's neck while the other was holding a dagger to his side.
Kazuto struggled a bit as Shino, Sugu Ryutaro and Andrew immediately jumped to their feet.
"Hey, stay where you are or the black swordsman gets it, you know you and your friends really should butt out of other people's business." The guy stated.
"Who the hell are and what do you think you are doing?" Ryutaro demanded.
That was when another man walked over to join his compatriot.
"Oh, it is quite simple we are old friends you could say samurai as to what we are doing getting revenge for the wrongs done to Spiegel and XaXa." The new figure stated.
With that statement the one holding Kazuto stabbed him on the side, Kazuto gasped in pain as he was let go and dropped to the ground bleeding.
"KAZUTO!" Shino yelled as she ran to him.
Meanwhile Ryutaro, Asuna, Andrew and Suguha ran at the attackers, Andrew and Asuna got to the one that had not stabbed Kazuto and tried to attack him he only dodged their attacks and he knocked them both to the ground, he then looked at his compatriot.
"Johnny I will take my leave I believe you can finish the assignment." PoH said as he took off.
Ryutaro and Sugu had attacked Johnny Black he was not as well versed in physical fighting as PoH was and took a punch from Ryou and a kick from Sugu before he was able to jump back from them, they went to attack him again when he waved his finger at them.
"If I, were you guys, I would be focused on helping the swordsman, see the dagger I used was laced with the remaining drug succinylcholine from the death gun fun we had." Black stated.
Shino was on her knees holding Kazuto's hand as he withered in pain.
"No Kazuto you can't leave me hold on please I need you Kazuto please hold on your baby needs you too." She pleaded with him as tears fell down her face.
He had fallen unconscious and then she heard what Black had said this had launched her into a rage.
"YOU SON OF BITCH'S JUST CAN'T LET US ALONE HUH GOT TO KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE, WELL NOW IM GOING TO END YOU!" Shino screamed as she tackled him to the ground and just started punching him repeatedly.
She kept going even after he fell unconscious until she was pulled off him by Andrew.
"Shino calm down emergency services are on their way this is not helping Kazuto; this guy is knocked out and if he wakes up, we will detain him." Andrew pleaded with her.
She started to calm down slightly and looked over at Kazuto who was being looked over by Asuna and Sugu she ran back over to him and checked his pulse he still had one and was still breathing but it was labored Sugu was applying pressure to the stab wound with a cloth.
They could hear the sirens in the distance when suddenly there was a new scream, it was Rika who had a small puddle under her.
"Oh god no it's too early." She said as Ryutaro ran over to her.
The paramedics arrived and were directed to both Kazuto and Rika, and they called in for a second ambulance to hurry there as soon as possible.
They also checked Johnny he was still alive, and they called for a third one for him but was told it was not priority as his injuries were minor and he was the attacker.
The paramedics were talking with Kana and Andrew who were the only two either not helping with Rika or Kazuto or not in a state of shock.
"That man over there stabbed him with a dagger he said it was laced with succinylcholine which was the drug used to stop the hearts of their victims during that incident with Gun Gale Online." Kana explained to the paramedics looking over Kazuto.
"She is almost 8 months pregnant I would say about 7 and a half moths along it seems the stress of the attack caused her labor." Andrew explained to the other ones.
The second ambulance arrived on the scene, and they were prepping Rika and Kazuto for transport, Ryou went with Rika while Shino and Sugu were able to ride with Kazuto.
On route to the hospital the heart monitor on Kazuto suddenly started to alert the paramedics of a problem, Sugu who was sitting in the front seat due to limited room in the back spun her head around.
"What is that what is happening to Oni-Chan?" She demanded.
The driver replied to her. "It is signaling a problem with his heart." Was all he said.
"He has gone into V-tach start compressions, charge the defibrillator up." The head paramedic in the back ordered to the other one back there with her.
Shino was started to shake as fear was beginning to overtake her Sugu could see her turning white signaling the onset of a panic attack.
They were doing compressions on Kazuto's chest as they were using a bag to breath for him.
"Charge the paddles to 250." The head paramedic ordered as she prepared to shock Kazuto.
"Ready." The other one said.
"Clear!" The head one yelled as she shocked him it caused his heartbeat to go back to normal.
"He is back to sinus rhythm." The other one said.
Sugu used that moment to inform them of Shino. "Miss my sister back there she has PTSD and this whole event seems to have triggered a panic attack in her." Sugu said as this caused both paramedics to look up at Shino.
She was shaking with tears pouring out of her eyes and her skin looked as if she had been bleached.
"What is her name?" the head paramedic asked.
"Asada, Shino." Sugu responded.
The head paramedic grabbed Shino's arms. "Asada-San please it is ok we got his heart back to normal, and we are almost to the hospital Asada-San you need to calm down please." The woman said in a very calm and soothing voice which caused Shino to start to come out of her attack.
They arrived at the hospital as they wheeled in Kazuto Sugu and Shino were not allowed in the room while the doctors worked on him, however his heart had gone into V-tach again as they arrived.
Sugu helped Shino into the waiting room to see Andrew, Kana, Kathy, Asuna, Keiko and Ryutaro.
Ryou as everyone could see was a nervous wreck as he paced back and forth.
Andrew looked up as he saw the two girls walk into the waiting room.
"They rushed Rika in for an emergency C-Section how is Kazuto?" he asked.
Shino was still too nervous to speak. "His heart acted up on route they got it going again but just as we got here it started acting up again and Shino is at the moment on the verge of another panic attack, and to be honest I'm scared half to death of losing Oni-Chan right now." Sugu explained.
Ryutaro hearing this walked over to Shino, he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Shino he will make it Kaz is the strongest of all of us he will pull through I just know it." Ryou said as Shino just stared at him.
After a few seconds she collapsed into his chest. "Why Klein why do these things happen to us haven't we been punished enough in our lives, oh god I can't lose him." Shino said as she cried into his chest.
He wrapped his arms around her to comfort her as he once did when they thought Kirito had perished to free them all form the death game.
"I wish I knew Sinon I am so scared right now I'm not sure I can handle losing my best friend or my baby and if I lost both I'm not even sure I would handle it so I have to have hope that they both will make it." He spoke.
Inside the trauma room the doctors are working to get Kazuto's heart to restart they are flushing the drug from his body, but it is not looking good.
: Inside Kazuto's mind:
"What is he doing here he promised he would not join us for many years later?" he heard one voice say.
"I'm not sure but he is not supposed to be here." The other voice said.
He started to open his eyes as they came into focus, he saw two people he thought he would never see again.
"What Yuki, Aeki how where and I?" He asked.
"Kirito what are you doing here you promised you would not join us for a long time." Yuki asked.
"I was attacked at Rika and Ryutaro's wedding that was the last thing I remember am I dead?" He asks them.
Aeki shakes her head as Yuki goes to answer him. "No not yet Kirito though your close to it." She spoke.
Kazuto was shocked by the answer. "So, what happens now?" He asked now in shock.
"That is up to you Kirito, but you promised you would not join us for a long time and the Kirito I know never goes back on his promises and besides there is more than just Sinon you need to go back for." Yuki said hinting at her pregnancy she just found out about last night.
Aeki points in a direction away from them. "You go back that way Kirito, and you live got it, and we better not see you back here for a long, long time." Aeki said with a smile.
: Back in the hospital room.
"Sensei his heart rate and blood ox levels are back to normal, and the drug is almost filtered out of his system, but he is still unconscious." The nurse said.
"Get him up for an MRI and EEG as well." The doctor ordered.
: Waiting room:
It had been a half hour since Kazuto arrived and 45 minutes since Rika got there, everyone was on edge wondering what was happening with them both when suddenly, the doors opened, and a doctor walked out.
"Family for Tsuboi, Rika?" She asked.
Ryutaro jumped up. "That is my wife is she and the baby ok Sensei?" he asked.
The doctor smiled. "Mother and baby are doing very well your son is about a month premature but with proper neonatal care he will become very strong your wife is recovering from the surgery you can come see her." The doctor said as this brought a smile to everyone's face.
Ryutaro followed the doctor to Rika's room, as he walked in Rika who was awake looked up at him and smiled and she pointed to the bassinet next to her.
He walked over to it and saw a little baby with a small tuft of brownish red hair with oxygen tube on his nose to aid him in breathing, he was sleeping this brought a huge smile to his face.
"How is Kazuto?" Rika squeaked out.
Ryou looked at her with a slight bit of sadness on his face. "He is still in surgery, but I believe he will come out of this he is strong just like this little guy here." Ryutaro said as Rika smiled.
"Have you thought of any names?" He asked her.
She nodded. "Yeah, what you just said made me think of the perfect name, I think we should name him after him if it were not for him, we would have most likely died in SAO and if not, we would have never found each other." Rika said as Ryou nodded in agreement he then walked over to the nurse and told her.
After about ten minutes they had to get the baby to the neonatal care room while Rika was transported to her room to rest, Ryutaro decided he was going to go back to the waiting room to tell everyone the news of the baby.
As he walked out there, he found out that Kazuto was still in surgery, but they should be done soon.
He sat down with everyone. "He is very healthy for a preemie; he is strong also me and Rika have decided on a name." He said as everyone was now paying attention though Shino was still staring at the doors waiting for Kazuto's doctor to come out.
"We felt that his strength in coming into this world and defying the odds reminded us of someone special to all of us I would like you all when you can visit him later to welcome Tsuboi, Kazuto to the world." He said which caught Shino's attention as Suguha smiled.
"You named him after Kazuto?" She asked still in slight shock.
He walked over to her and sat down next to her. "Yeah, we did because he was stubborn and survived just like his namesake, and also to honor the fact that with his and your help I was able to survive and because of our friendship me and Rika met plus he is my best friend and the babies godfather." Ryutaro said as Shino smiled.
"Also, Shino did I hear you correctly at the party when you were pleading for Kazuto to survive that your pregnant?" he whispered so the others would not hear.
She nodded. "Yeah, I found out last night Kazuto does not know I was going to tell him after the reception, I was waiting because I did not want to steal any of the thunder of the wedding today this was to be you and Rika's day." She spoke.
He smiled. "Arigatō Shino but we are all family you could have said something me and Rika would have been happy for you but Arigatō for thinking of us first means a lot." He said as he placed her in a hug when they heard the doors open.
"I am looking for the family of Kirigaya, Kazuto?" the doctor asked.
Sugu jumped up as Shino looked over in those directions and started to get up with the help of Ryutaro.
"Yes, I am his sister, and this is his fiancé how is Oni-Chan Sensei?" Sugu asked.
The doctor sighed. "We were able to get his heart started and flush the drug from his system, we also had to repair the blood vessels cut by the dagger however the drug did do damage to his brain we are not sure how badly by at the moment he is in a coma, and we are not sure when he will wake up." The doctor said.
This caused Shino to break down right there as Ryutaro and the others gathered around her to comfort her.
"Please Kazuto don't leave me I love you I need you and our baby will need you." Shino thought to herself as she was held by Asuna and Sugu crying.
Well, here is the end of this chapter and no I am not going to leave you all on a cliffhanger for ever there will be at least one more chapter maybe two more this story keeps growing every day I think of plot bunnies that fit in here, I know it is slightly shorter than my other chapters not much shorter but shorter.
Also, just in case anyone got the wrong idea on the Asuna, and Argo baby Asuna's brother donates through a sperm bank style method not the other way for Argo to get pregnant thought I would clear that up before I got bombarded with questions lol.
Please as always, I do look forward to your reviews.
Till next chapter catch ya on the flip side