Chapter 6
'If the Black Cats improve and make it to the front lines, Keita's ideals could change the unsociable atmosphere there…'
Kirito shifted on the spot, swallowing a painful lump in his throat. He pushes his deep, pitch black hair out of his face and looks around himself briefly. The young, double black stood calmly within one of the Black Cat's Inn room. Kirito glanced at the room once more. It was pretty plain looking with twin beds. He believed this room belonged to Keita and Tetsuo, as the two were very close, and he remembered Ducker mentioning the two were best friends, that they had grown up together, so it was no surprise.
In the left corner of the room was a pair of odd goggles and mismatched socks laying on the chest of draws. Kirito chuckled lowly under his breath as he noticed the small bundle of what looked like laundry. Kirito found it amusing that it almost looked like a normal bedroom back home. The young male shook his head, rounding his attention back to Keita standing at the front of the beds.
Slowly, Kirito slid his eyes half-lidded, his black eyes flashing as he glanced very briefly at his level standing proudly near his full health bar. Level 48. He had levelled up quite a lot after joining the Black Cats. He had to resort to sneaking out at night to avoid questions on his level, and so far so good, nobody has questioned his supposedly low level.
It's nice, having friends, Kirito hadn't really been able to make friends back in the real world. He wasn't sure of what to say, and most of the time, he preferred to be alone anyway, so it never really bugged him anyway. Kirito presses his lips firmly together, looking across from himself where the young only female stand nervously, her legs pressed tightly together. It was nice, to have friends.
"I have some news for you all. Including the spoils of the last hunt, we've accumulated 200,000 Col!" Keita breathed out.
Keita spoke with a wide smile appearing across his face. He grins even wider, if it was possible, his dark eyes swirling with emotions. He moves his weight from one foot to the other, placing his hands onto his hips and bouncing his shoulders while he spoke excitedly.
Tetsuo let out a low cheer, throwing his fist forward, "Pretty soon, buying our own house will no longer be a dream!" he said proudly, his kind eyes sparkling.
"I know, how about we get Sachi some new equipment?" Sasamaru called out, suggesting to the idea while holding his hand up and spreading his fingers out wide.
His warm eyes flashes in light, and Sachi flushes from embarrassment when everyone turned to look at her. Sure, she had pretty low quality equipment, but she was able to work with what she's got. It works well, and honestly, she's sure if she wanted something knew, she could use the spider silk she still has.
"No, I'm fine w-with what I have now." Sachi bravely smiles up at Keita.
Keita snorted a little, but still smiled none the less, "Don't be so reserved. We can't make Kirito be the vanguard forever," He says firmly, arching his back and held his head high while he spoke.
Sachi's eyes widen. Automatically, she felt the familiar weight appear on his shoulders. Her stomach twisted painfully, and her bottom lip trembled. She hadn't thought of that. Was she being a burden to the double black swordsmen?
"S-Sorry." She squealed out, looking to the black haired boy and flushing deeper as she found him staring tensely back at her.
"I don't mind. Don't worry about it," Kirito kindly spoke, allowing a ghost of a smile to appear on his lips when Sachi returned her shy eyes to him.
Keita tilts his head, moving his weight from one foot to the other, "Sachi, I know it's hard switching jobs, but you've almost got it."
"Hmm," Kirito nodded his head in agreement. His lips twitching while he hummed, "You've come a long way. You're improving at sword fighting."
It was true. Every day, the two would return to one of the training spots, and Kirito was very happy with how well Sachi was improving. Slowly, but surely, she was beginning to get the hang of it. Sachi could learn a lot from his baby sister, Suguha. Kirito's more than sure the two would become good friends, and Sachi was the type of person who would need a very head strong friend like Suguha.
Suguha would have so much fun teaching Sachi. Suguha had such a big head, and she loved being in charge and having control of things. She adored teaching people, especially kendo. Sachi was almost the perfect student. She was always asking questions and asking for demonstrations on movement and such. Sachi was almost like, swiftly the image of the hooded female appeared in his mind.
Kirito quickly lowered his head, staring at his lap. After clearing the tenth level, Kirito had tried to find the girl but always came up empty handed. He wanted to make it up to her, for letting her down, for allowing Diavel-san down. He couldn't stop the guilt from eating away at him every day and night. No matter what he did, Kirito never felt as if he had made it up. So, he spend days and night searching for the girl, but nobody had any information of a hooded, archery player. A few rumours here and there about an arrow, but Kirito didn't really pay much attention to it. Kirito just hopped he wasn't too late.
"Let's do our best!" Keita cheered.
Keita clenched his right hand and fist bumping the air. He grins widely at the ones around him. His eyes moving back onto Sachi, who stared back at him.
Sachi gulped, her hands trembles in her lap. She sniffles and forces a strained smile before turning her head and peering down at her own lap.
"Y-Yeah…"She breathes deeply and chews her bottom lip.
The young, raven haired female breathes as deeply as possible, feeling her throat burn. After the meeting, she had moved to her own room in the Inn. Unlike most of the guild, she had a room to herself, she supposed it was because she was the only female. With a low sigh, Sachi pushes a long lock behind her ear. Her lavender eyes roll around her room, and she shakes.
It was quiet and empty. Sachi wasn't sure if she liked being on her own. Sachi thought she would have got used to being on her own, but she really hadn't. Before, she would share with Diavel-kun. Ever since she was young, she and Diavel-kun had always got a room together. A few times they had to share a bed, but most of the time they got twin beds. Diavel-kun was like her older brother, and she felt so lost without him, so lonely.
Sachi never noticed how alone she truly was until she discovered the Black Cats. She missed them.
Sniffing, Sachi walks towards the only bed in the room and slowly lowers herself onto the blankets. She pulls legs together and twists her feet around one another. Her fingers dipping into the soft material of her skirt. Carefully, she raised her head and looked at her full health bar. It glowed a beautiful green that shimmered within the slowly darkening room. Her eyes flicker to her level, 36. She had levelled up three more ranks since joining the guild.
Sachi felt like she had slacked a little. Puffing out her cheeks, Sachi opens her storage and rolls her eyes across her items. Her bow glows, being the highest levelled weapon she had in her storage, almost matching her own level at level 7. Sachi tilts her head and wonders when her bow would finally hit level 8, and update. She felt such curiosity on what her bow would look like. Honestly, she was getting a little bored with the classic wooden design. Sachi couldn't help but feel excitement about how her bow would change.
Carefully, Sachi looks at her arrowheads and sees she was pretty low. If she was going to begin to train once more, she'd need more arrowheads. Nodding her head in agreement with her thoughts, Sachi turned and selected the marble stone and got to work with carving. Sachi was quite proud with herself, seeing her fingers glow wide and work skilfully on the stone. She never thought in a million years she would be such skilled at a thing.
Sachi could remember months ago, where it took her hours to create one single arrow head, and not just that, her fingers would be bruised and cut. Now she could create almost thirty arrowheads in an hour. Sachi couldn't wait to see how many arrowheads she'd be able to make in an hour when she reaches a very much higher level. Sachi almost felt giddy about it.
Before she knew it, the moon was well into the night sky, and Sachi lowered her hands. She smiled kindly down at the pile of neat and beautiful arrowheads all stacked up near her knees and all attached to wonderfully carved sticks. She breathed in deeply and opened her storage, adding them into her storage and equipping them to her main weapon. Once she had attached them, she glanced out her window and breathed deeply. She selected her brand new cloak, as her only one had been ripped apart by a giant spider. Her new one was a simple, soft, white one with gentle blue symbols kissing the edge.
Tugging it down her legs, Sachi looked in her mirror and smiles to see the hooded-cloak circle around her knees. She turns and looks over her shoulders. She looked good, she decided after a few seconds and rubbed her hands gently together, summoning her bow out in a clash of white specks. Carefully, she ties it over her shoulder, hiding it underneath her cloak and pokes her head out of her room's door, nervously peering down the corridors, glancing at every shadow that seemed to flicker along the walls. At one point, Sachi thought she saw somebody walk along the hallway, but eventually she gathered up her courage and left the comfort of the dark room.
It didn't take young Sachi long to stumble across the hidden rock clearing. Her stomach coiled as she stepped onto a rather large and somewhat smelly rock, her breath hitched and she puffed her cheeks out while her eyes rolls around the area.
Sachi stared at the rocks closely, biting her bottom lip hard and hunching her shoulders. She twists her hands, tightening her fingers around her bow and holding it close to herself, and then, they came. They all came creeping out of the shadows like crashing waves, shrieks and hissing escaping their plump lips.
Banshees, or as close to one as possible. Sachi frowns deeply at the feminine like creature. The beings all looked identical, with long, dirty, black hair that hung around their faces like spider legs, pressing against their deep blue, sickly skin. Wide, bug eyes sat upon their face, with long, saliva dripping fangs pushing out from their top lips. Their eyes flashes dangerously, turning to take in Sachi's form, wondering who this player was.
The banshees tilts their head back, letting out loud ear-piercing cries which coursed Sachi to clench her eyes shut. The banshees was fairly weak creatures on this floor, and they could easily be taken care off but in numbers, but they were known to be a very fearful coven.
The banshee hill was also known as a great levelling up field, and after what seem weeks, Sachi had finally gathered enough courage to enter the hill.
Almost automatically, Sachi reeled backward in disgust. She had read a little on the banshee after hearing about them, but she had never expected they would look like this, all wearing deep green and brown dress with webbed hands and feet. The raven haired girl shook her head furiously and twisted her bow, holding it up slightly so it was behind her, and the fuming creatures stared hungrily up at her.
Sachi gulps a painful lump in her throat, her shoulders trembled, especially when one Banshee decided to test the waters and step towards her. Climbing onto the very stone Sachi was, the creature arches its back and slowly wiggles its webbed fingers, its muddy black hair falling into its rather large face.
Sachi stared back at the creature, looking into those large, glassy, orange eyes that seemed to observe her every movement. It was then Sachi noticed, the creature really didn't have any lips like she had thought moments before. Its mouth was flat with red scales seeming to shape the tiny slit, the fangs just hanging out. With the crimson scales, it certainly looked as if the Banshees had lips. Swiftly, the Banshee hunched itself and brings it long arms up. Sachi breathes in a sharp gasp as the Banshee lets out a loud shriek and charged forward, preparing to rip into Sachi's skin with its razer-sharp fingers.
Immediately, Sachi stumbled backward and realised the arrow she had already prepared and watched with a pounding heart as the arrow imbeds itself into the Banshees chest. Sachi's eyes widens so much that they sting, watching as the arrow stabs into the creature, sending a river blue out from its wound before it disappeared into shards like glass.
Silence fills her ears, and Sachi stares at the empty spot where the Banshee had just been standing moments before hands. Her skill increases just a little from the weaker creature, but Sachi knows that if she defeats the whole coven, she should level up more than that. Inhaling so deeply that her lungs burned a little, Sachi turns her head to look at the other Banshees, just standing numbly. Then it happened, another shriek that caused goose bumps that nibbled along her skin, and they all came. Preparing to prey upon her, their heads ducked and long fangs snapped together. Groans, wails and hisses echo through the night sky, all female-like creatures moving unhuman like towards her.
Sachi sniffled as she spun around another Banshee that had leaped at her. She pulls her arms back, shooting another arrow at said Banshee, watching briefly as it hits the creature in the back before it burst into glass shards. Her mouth was so dry, and she ducked underneath another Banshee before yelping when sharp arms looped around her body, pressing into the lower parts of her arms, slicing into the softness of her skin.
A Banshee shrieks into her ear, making Sachi cry out before seeing another Banshee come rushing towards her. Sachi breathes sharply through her nose and arches her leg, successfully kicking the creature in the stomach before twisting her bow and ripping the sharp end into the Banshee behind her. Straight away, the Banshee lets out a wail and stumbles backward. Sachi quickly grabbed ahold of her bow still sticking out of said Banshee's side and twisted it before slashing it out. Sachi repeated the action until that Banshee disappeared into blue and red shards.
Gasping for breath, Sachi rips the sensitive skin of her bottom lip. Her eyes flicker to the wounds on her arms before looking ahead of herself and grabbing another arrow. Sachi kicks the same Banshee again when it charged towards her once more, pushing it backward and watching as it shudders in front of her. She quickly shot the arrow, watching as it glowed a soft white colour before splitting into three arrows.
One arrow hits the Banshee's body, while the other two hit two other Banshee's behind it. Sachi wipes the sweat from her forehead, looking to her health bar and nodding her head as she saw it wasn't quite at the half-way yet.
Letting out a small hiccup, Sachi turns her head to look at the remaining Banshees and draws another arrow. She was so pleased with herself that she had finally unlocked an arrow skill, other than the faster or accurate target skills, which is as good as they can be in time. The skill Sachi uses is one she tends to use when fighting against a coven of enemies. It's basically when a single arrow can split into three or more.
At the moment, she had gained the three split, six split and lastly fifteen split. Sachi tended to use the three split quite a lot, while the other two most likely when she was in a desperate situation, but she wouldn't denial the urge and desperation to see what the highest stack skill her bow would have, and what kind of skills that she could unlock in time.
Sachi panted, her throat burning as she shifted her weight on her feet. She sniffles deeply while her eyes roll across the rocky hills around her. There was one Banshee left, and Sachi couldn't help but feel the familiar rush of giddiness, excitement and, at the same time, fear and worry. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, Sachi hunched her shoulders and carefully pulled her bow to her chest, preparing to shot an arrow if needed.
Suckling her bottom lip, Sachi, as carefully as she could, climbed off the stone onto the one nearer to the ground. Her legs buckled underneath her weight, her knees twitching while she slowly shuffled forward, her eyes flickering side to side. With a startled gasp, Sachi jumped and spun around, launching her arrow and frowning with puffed out cheeks at the bird sitting on the branch of a tree above her. Its large, black eyes look down her with an unimpressed sound coming from its beck before he flow away.
"W-What a waste of a g-good an arrow…" She sighed to herself, her eyes sliding half-lidded, and her hands slowly lowered while holding her bow.
She grumbled to herself and shook her head, pushing a deep lock of raven behind her ear. Her stomach dropped, and Sachi pouted, turning her head to look back in the right direction.
The Banshee stood directly in her face, moving into her personal space. The female creature's long, muddy, black hair hangs in her pale blue face, her bug eyes narrowing and her flat lips tugging into a deep scowl. Her webbed claws snapped near Sachi, and the said raven stumbled backward as the final Banshee charged and threw Sachi to the ground.
Sachi let out a soundless scream as the Banshee appeared on top of her, digging her long clawed fingers into the soft skin of Sachi's throat. Said female cried out loudly, her hands trembling as they reached up and grabbed a hold of the Banshee's wrists. Her own fingernails dug into the blue skin of the Banshee. Sachi's eyes widened so much they stung as the Banshee leaned in close to her face and let out a loud, earth shaking scream into Sachi's face, her long fangs snapping harshly near Sachi's face.
Body shaking, Sachi's eyes flickered off to the side to eye her own Health bar and felt her heart drop at seeing her Health Bar decreasing quickly, the colour glowing, melting from Green to Yellow and lastly to Red. Sachi was a bit star struck at how fast her Health was disappearing.
With a grumble, Sachi clenches her teeth and twists her legs, kicking her legs harshly against the Banshee and breathed out in relief as the Banshee shrieked as it was thrown off her and crashed into a stone behind Sachi.
Sachi gasped for breath, rolling over and gently holding her throbbing throat. Her fingers caressing the skin, Sachi winced and peeked over at the Banshee, watching as said creature hissed while stumbling to its feet, rubbing its head with hateful eyes. Sachi chewed her bottom lip, ripping her bow from the ground and twisting it in her hands. She gasped as the Banshee launched forward, ready to tear Sachi's throat out, only for Sachi to arch herself backward and shoved the bow into the Banshee's chest. Sachi struggled against the Banshee before twisting her bow and using it to shove the Banshee away, and as quickly as she could, she summoned one of her arrows and shot it straight into the Banshee's chest as it went to launch at her once again.
The young raven haired girl watched as the Banshee shuddered on the spot, its blue shoulders trembling uncontrollable before the beings body flashes oddly before the banshee suddenly shatters into many different shards. Sachi stared blankly at the spot where the Banshee had just been standing, and she hissed for breath, feeling her throat sting a little while her legs shook and her feet twisted together.
Sachi licks her bottom lip and winces upon tasting the disgusting copper-flavour in her mouth. She shook her head, and Sachi slowly raised a hand, opening her menu and choosing one of the few health items. Automatically, her body felt more than good. Sachi breathes deeply, and she tilts her head to watch her Health bar regenerating to full percent. Her warm eyes flickered down to look at the tiny wounds the Banshees had given her begin to fade away.
Great! Banshee Hill Quest Cleared!
Sachi smiles sadly, just as her skill and statistics appear in front of her face. The white and pink melted in front of her, and Sachi felt herself deflate as her level 36 increases, just levelling to 38. All that hard work, and for what? Just two more levels, but it wasn't enough. Sachi's lips twitched downward, and she pushes her curls from her face, tilting her body and glancing at her skills. All of which increased by 350, so much better than when they were, increasing by just 100. Sachi wanted to feel proud of herself, no, she was proud of herself, but the sadness and guilt shoved that to the side.
Slowly, Sachi turned and began to climb back up the trail leading out from the Banshee hill. Her body shook as she heard a familiar shriek echoed through as the Banshee Guest reset after she fully stepped out from the bounds. Sachi hiccups a little and peers back over her shoulders, staring at the bobbling shadows moving under the full blue moon. The field had restarted, the Banshees waiting for their next victim who was brave enough to enter their hill.
Snorting lowly, Sachi shook her head and turned back to the trail leading back to the village where the Inn was. She mutters lowly under her breath as she walked, twisting her bow between her fingers before storing it away.
Carefully, she climbs down the steps while her shoulders slowly sagged. Sure, she was levelling up, but Sachi felt it wasn't nearly enough. Sachi had to protect her guild. Keita was levelling up too, but he just entered level 20, and that wasn't enough to survive out here.
At the mere thought of her dear friend fading into shards, just like…Diavel-kun, Sachi let out a broken gasp, her eyes trembling and beginning to sting, and her face heated up so much that it made her clench her hands tightly.
Sachi couldn't handle the thought of not seeing her friends, never see their faces ever again. She wasn't strong enough, and Sachi probably won't ever be strong enough. What if she wasn't enough, what if she coursed their deaths and there was nothing she could do? She didn't want to be that person, that person who lets all their loved ones down. It hurt too much.
Almost immediately, her chest tightened, like a boot was being crushed against her, or perhaps a hand reaching inside and squeezing her, long nails piercing her chest. Her lungs burned and twitched quickly, followed by a familiar burning sensation that spread quickly across her body. Her lungs shook, and Sachi couldn't breathe. It was like a red string was being tied around her throat and was quickly becoming tighter and tighter.
'I can breathe!' Sachi thought in white panic. The air felt stale, like the oxygen was being sucked right out from her. Her shoulder shook as her eyes widen so much that they looked like they were about to pop right out. She snaps her head side to side, looking at her surrounding with a fiery panic. Sachi gasped for breath, her hands clenching one another. She couldn't be there. She had to be somewhere where it was darker, and much more, boxed up in some way. She had to get away, far away, or at least out of the familiar street she had come to know and love so much.
With a broken whimper, Sachi spun and raced toward the only place she knew where nobody would be, where nobody would be able to bother her, or find her. It was peaceful, with a small river that makes the soft sound of water gently splashing against the walls, and so, she found herself huddled up tightly underneath a bridge while sitting across from the gentle river. She hiccupped, panting deeply and letting out a small sob.
She couldn't breathe! Sachi needed her inhaler. She needed something! She needed help! Sachi tried to apply pressure by pressing her hand firmly against her chest, hoping it would, but unlike before, it didn't help much. Instead Sachi found herself withering against the wall. Was she going to die?
'Can't breathe! Can't Breathe! Can't Breathe!'
"Sachi!" A voice cut through her thoughts.
Sachi blinks owlishly, furiously and trembled, her breath hitching repeatingly while her fingers slowly began to become numb. Clenching her eyes shut briefly, she slowly turns her head to the side, weakly looking at the owner of the voice.
"Sachi. Everyone's worried. What's wrong? Were you attacked?" Kirito asked.
Kirito's voice holding an odd quiver, but eventually, it faded away when he looked at Sachi's full health bar. His eyebrows pulled together, and his lips pressed tightly together in confusion.
"Sachi?" he said.
Sachi whimpered, her mouth opening and letting out a soundless cry as she gently rested her back against the cool stone behind her. Her hands twist together and press against her chest, her knees curling tightly together.
"A-Asthma." She bit out after a few second, her nose flaring a little as she pulled her knees closer to her chest.
Kirito's eyes widen in understanding, his lips twitched before he looks through his storage, "Um. Will this help?" he wondered, slowly steeping in Sachi direction and holding out a paper, brown bag.
It was a known fact that things such as inhalers weren't available in the game, or at least that was what Kirito knew. Maybe he should have a look around. He didn't want Sachi to be in pain.
Sachi looked to it and smiles a little, shakily eying the bag.
"U-Umm…" She tried to speak, but couldn't with the bursting sensation moving around her throat.
Slowly, she reaches out, and Kirito quickly met her halfway, passing her the paper bag and watching silently in concern as she held the bag to her lips. Sachi sighed in relief, breathing and out, feeling her body quickly relaxing. It was a bit odd, as back at home, it would take much longer for herself to calm down. Sachi briefly wondered if the game was helping her health a little.
"Are you alright?" Kirito murmured softly, clocking his head to the side while his eyes softened down at the raven huddled up. He watches silently as Sachi breathed sharply and lifts her warm eyes to him, forcing a tiny smile thankfully, "So, you've got asthma?"
"Are you sure it's alright for you to, um, train?" Kirito questioned quietly, slowly turning on the spot and crouching down, "Um, with me?"
"Yes!" Sachi blurred out, her eyes widening a little.
She puffs her cheeks as she noticed the taken back expression which came across Kirito's face. Automatically, Sachi flushed from embarrassment and wheezed a little.
"I h-have too. I…I lost somebody, somebody whose important to me. I have t-to work to become stronger…" she mumbled a little, pressing her fingers tightly together.
Kirito pushes his dark locks out of his face, rubbing his fingers along his cheeks and looks at Sachi. "I'm sorry. I didn't know…" he says quietly, carefully choosing his words.
"He blame-blamed himself when w-we got trapped h-here. It was h-his idea to play Sword Art O-Online." Sachi said as calmly as she could, even though her voice shook and hitched a little. Sachi couldn't help but smile a little as she spoke the words, her mind quickly rolling towards her blue haired friend, "He made me t-train as soon as it w-was announced we were t-trapped here…even though I wasn't very good. He teased me so much."
Kirito couldn't help but let a ghost of a smile touch his lips. It was a sad smile which understood Sachi, but the image of poor Sachi puffing her cheeks out with a tiny pout on her lips appeared in his mind. The expression she had whenever she was teased, and oddly, Kirito found it amusing.
"I see. Um, was he, um…?" the dark haired male trailed off awkwardly while looking to the side.
He glances at Sachi briefly when she didn't reply and noticed the way her face twisted.
"Sachi?"
Sachi parted his lips to speak, she shook her head a little and sighs deeply.
"N-No. He was like my b-brother. My elder brother who would always protect me from e-everything…he was always there for me…" she said sadly, sniffling as she ducked her head slightly, "Besides…h-he was so overprotective of me t-that he scared off any boy…" she chuckled lowly under her breath, her eyes sparkling a little before fading back into sadness.
"I miss him."
"I'm sorry," Kirito quickly added, his shoulders lifting a little. His eyes slides half-lidded, he rocks forward and nibbles his bottom lip a little and forces a strain smile at Sachi, "I'm sure he'll be proud of you, for how hard working you're being…So when did you, um, find the Black Cats?"
"….O-Oh. Um, they found me…after…" Sachi mumbled lowly, twitching a little and pulling her knees closer to her chest and wraps her arms tightly around them, "Ducker-kun and Testsuo-kun found me."
Kirito smiles a little, hunching forward to see Sachi sitting in the shadows, "You have so many people who worry about. You really shouldn't have ran off, everyone was so worried. Sachi, you have many people who care about you…" he says slowly and carefully, but firmly.
"Um…you even have me. I, um, care about you Sachi. You're a good friend."
"Kirito-san…" Sachi began, pulling her eyebrows together a little and parts her lips a little, "K-Kirito-san…can't I just run away?"
Kirito blinks a little, looking at her. "Run away?" he questions, letting out a small shuddering breath and shifts on his backside.
"From what? From this town, the monsters? Don't worry about them, I'll protect you." He said kindly, pulling his own eyebrows together briefly.
"….N-No, the Black Cats…" Sachi breathes out, her throat tingles and tightens a little. She sniffled and buried her face into her knees, letting out small whimper, "And S-Sword Art Online. It's too hard."
"Sachi…A-Are you suggesting a suicide? Because that's just…" Kirito began, flinching from his words and clenching his teeth. His eyes darkens and looks back at Sachi, his eyes narrowing and almost glaring at her, making said girl shudder.
"I won't let you."
Sachi breathes in a sharp breath through her nose, lowers her head and hunches her shoulders.
"Maybe a s-suicide would be good…no, sorry. I was lying." She muttered as an afterthought, her eyes becoming soft and she pushes a raven lock behind her ear.
"If I was p-prepared to die, I w-wouldn't be hiding in the s-safety of this town, right?" she whimpered, her voice breathing as she muttered the last word and looks at Kirito with wide desperate eyes.
"But I'm trying…trying so hard. I promised him, I would try. Try to get through this game…but it's…it's just too hard, Kirito-san." Sachi hiccupped a little, feeling her eyes begin to sting and her face heat up. Slowly, her view began to blur up, "Can't I…I just leave? Why is my life at stake when it's only a game? What's the point?"
Kirito hisses under his breath, and he closes his eyes briefly, "You can't leave. I won't let you. There's probably no meaning to it. I think. Hm. I'm sure of it," He spoke in determine, clenching his hands on his knees, digging his fingers into his jeans.
"I'm afraid of d-dying. So many p-people have already died. What if…" Sachi herself winced at her own words, letting out a tiny whine and pressing herself further into the wall behind her.
"Don't finish that sentence," Kirito bit out, maybe too harshly as Sachi lets out a small gasp from his tone. Kirito quickly winces at her expression and shook his head, "You're afraid of dying? I'm afraid of dying, too."
Sachi owlishly blinks at Kirito. "You are?" she wheezed out and turns her attention from the double black player and looks down at her booted feet, noticing the way cracks of the pavement underneath her seemed to spread out like tree-branches, "I h-haven't been able to s-sleep lately. I'm so scared. A-After, he died in my arms. He's just gone. And th-there was nothing I could do."
"You won't die," Kirito stated firmly, leaving no room to argue with the tone his used.
Sachi's eyes fluttered a slightly and she presses her lips tightly together, "R-Really?" she whispered quietly, her shoulders trembled, "I d-don't understand, h-how can you be so s-sure?"
Kirito lets a small hum, lowering his head and rests it against the cool wall behind him. He looks up at the starry sky above them, watching the way the stars seemed to sparkle above them.
"The Black Cats is by no means a weak guild. We're also taking extra precautions in ascending floors. Moreover, I and Tetsuo are here. So, there's no need for you to fight as a vanguard," He says comforting, letting a tiny smile take over his lips while he looks at her.
"How…will I really s-survive? I don't know anymore…I'm just too weak for anything…." Sachi said brokenly, another hiccup leaves her lips and Sachi struggles to prevent herself from right out crying. Instead a tiny sob escapes her throat, "E-Even in the real world, I'm weak. W-Would it be worth it? I m-mean…I wasn't a-allowed out the house because of my a-asthma? It's no different…"
Kirito gets to his feet. His dark eyes turns to take in Sachi's form, "You'll survive. It'll be worth it." He states, liking the stunned glint that appeared within Sachi's gentle eyes, noticing the way the long eyelashes flutter around her large eyes and her lips parted.
"This game won't be the end of you, it'll be a lesson. It'll show you that you can be stronger. You don't have to be afraid of anything. You just have to try, and when we get back to the real world, you'll be able to take that step, the step outside." He walks down the tiny walk way and leans over a little, reaching a hand out to her. His fingers stretch out wide to her, and he smiles kindly down at her.
"Sachi. We'll survive. I'll make sure of it."
Sachi breathes in sharply. Her mouth felt a dry and she gasps. "K-Kirito-san…" she said slowly and allows her eyes to fall to the hand, watching the way his fingers twitched out to her. Sachi nibbles her bottom lip and finally reaches out to him, gently grasping Kirito hand.
"Trust me. Okay?" Kirito says.
Kirito eased her onto her feet and giving her a smile which Sachi couldn't help but return, before allowing Kirito to lead her back to the Inn. Both stopped out in the hallway, right outside Sachi's room.
Kirito sheepishly scratches the back of his head and nervously holds one eyes shut in an awkward wink, "Um. If you still can't sleep, come find me. I'll talk with you, until you fall asleep." He offered, shifting his feet, moving his weight from one foot to the other.
It was almost amusing for Sachi. She felt as if she was looking at a young boy who didn't know how to talk to girls. She almost giggled but held it back with a gentle smile.
"Thank you…b-but are you sure?" Sachi asks, tilting her head and making her raven hair to bounce around her face. She had only known him for a little while, and yet, he had done so much for her, "I don't want to be a, um, b-burden to you…a bother…"
Kirito shook her head, his eyes closing briefly with a small smile. "It's fine. My sister used to have trouble sleeping, too. I'd sit up with her until she fell asleep…" Kirito stops briefly, letting out a tiny, sharp breath and glancing at his feet.
"The truth is, my Dad, he passed away when we were younger. My sister had this fear about falling asleep and not waking up again. And I really don't mind," he said softly.
"I-I'm sorry." Sachi said gently, reaching out and placing a comforting hand onto his shoulder, smiling a little and suckling her bottom lip before bowing her head, "T-Thank you so much K-Kirito-san…You're a good friend too."
The dark haired boy reaches up and suddenly pats her on the head. He chuckles at the sudden pout that overtakes her cherry face.
"Goodnight Sachi," He says confidently, pulling his hand away and stepping backward.
"G-Goodnight, K-Kirito-san." Sachi breathes deeply, her chest shuddering while turning to open the door to her bedroom.
She waves meekly over her shoulder and disappears through the door. The young female pushes the dark locks off her forehead and peers around her dark and lonely room. She swallowed a lump in her throat and shuddered. It had been a long day and night.
Out of everyone in the guild, Sachi never thought Kirito would be the one to find her. She never expected herself to truly become friends with him. He had this barrier around him that she could sense, that he didn't want to get close to anyone. It was surprising that she had somehow got a little close to Kirito, that the two had become friends.
Sniffling a little, Sachi slowly stepped forward and opened up her menu. Her eyes roll through the tabs, and she smiles meekly as she finally found the nightie she liked. She gulps a little and selected it. Sachi clenched her eyes shut as her clothes disappeared in white specks and was replaced by a plain white nightie. It landed over her body and was a little baggy, with thick white lace up the sides. It was the only thing she could buy that wasn't too revealing.
The neckline was a little wide, showing a little of her shoulders but not much. Her sleeves reached her elbows and flared up to the shoulders with more lace. The plain, white skirt curled around her knees. Maybe when she was a higher level with more yen, and much braver, which was most definitely needed, she'd buy one of those prettier night-gowns, the ones she had seen many confident and strong females buy. They were beautiful and gorgeous, and she would love to have one but she didn't like to perches things she wouldn't use. So not yet, maybe later. Much later, that is.
Giving her hair a quick brush, Sachi sniffled and crawled into bed, sighing as the warm blankets pooled around her body and hugged her just right, giving her the comfort she needed, after the terrifying day in the Banshee Hill. Letting out a tiny moan, Sachi allowed her eyes to shut, and she tried desperately to let the darkness to come and take her for the night.
Sachi wasn't sure how long she laid in bed, but the more she did, the more she found herself unable to sleep. It was too hard for her. It was incredibly difficult for her mind to calm down, too many things were running through her mind. Despite being tired, her body aching, she couldn't sleep. Whenever she closed her eyes, nothing came, nothing hugged her like it used to. She couldn't sleep, no matter what she tried. Sachi even tried counting sheep, but it did absolute nothing for her.
'Now what?' She wondered to herself, her eyes fluttering open and staring blankly up at the cling above her and found herself counting the tiny marks imprinted in the martial. Her fingers rested on her chest, rubbing a little on the blanket weighing her down.
'Maybe I could….see Kirito-san? Would that be okay? I don't want to be a bother, but he did say I could come see him if I can't sleep…' she thought rolling a little.
'He wouldn't mind…right?' she pouted and carefully pushed herself up, while stretching her arms up. She blinks a little, looks to her door and almost willed it open herself. When nothing happened, she grunted and carefully climbed out of the warm blankets, feeling her heart drain to her stomach.
'Kirito-san wouldn't mind…I hope.'
Frowning to herself, Sachi opens her door and pokes her head out, scanning the darkness in the hallway and when she saw nothing, she sighed in relief and quickly stumbled towards the room where she knew Kirito was staying. Sachi gulped, hugging her pure white pillow to her chest, her knees bucking as she walked. She paused outside the room, and Sachi could see the light oozing out from underneath the door, letting her know Kirito was still awake thankfully, but she couldn't bring herself to knock. She almost turned around and ran back to her room with her tail between her legs. Her heart pounded as she raised her hand, hovering it over the wood before bravely racking her knuckles shyly against the wood.
"Oh. Um. Come in?" Kirito's familiar voice called to her, and Sachi sucks in a deep breath.
Sachi closes her eyes briefly and pushes the door open, her arms tightening even more around her pillow. She chews her bottom lip, shuffling into the room with her shoulder hunched. Sachi presses her lips together and sniffles.
"S-Sorry…Um…" she trailed, blinking her eyes slowly while rolling her eyes around Kirito room.
It was very similar to her own bedroom with two wooden double doors, one made up while the other was a simple mess.
Kirito sat on the made-up bed, he blinks his wide, midnight eyes and tilts his head to look over his shoulder and smiles a little.
"Can't sleep, huh?" he murmurs out and pushes himself, straightening out his long-sleeved shirt.
Sachi swallowed, noticing this was the first she had seen Kirito without his black jacket on. "Y-Yeah. Um, I'm sorry." She mumbled shyly, ducking her head and hugging the pillow even tighter if it was possible.
"Ah. It's okay." Kirito says, nodding his head a little in agreement with his words. He bits his bottom lip and awkwardly shifts on the spot. He breathes somewhat shakily.
"If you want…you can sleep in here? I don't mind. Um. I have two beds…" he muttered nervously and awkwardly, looking to the side. The dark haired boy turns his head and looks at his other bed, "Um. I'll take the un-made up one. You can take the one with the blankets. If you want."
"K-Kirito-san. I can't do that. This is your r-room." Sachi says nervously, slowly sitting on the edge of the bed and pressing her legs tightly together.
She hadn't really shared a room with anybody before, she had shared with Diavel many times. There was no other girls in the guild, so she didn't have to share with anyone. She had shared a bed with boys before, with Diavel before.
"U-Um…if y-you're alright with it…w-we can share the b-b-bed?" she stuttered the words out, finding her cheeks darning at the embarrassing thought.
Kirito, himself, flushed at the words and shifted one more. "I, um, don't mind. If you don't mind, I mean. Um." He shovelled on the spot, pressing his hands his sides stiffly. He glances away with warm cheeks from embarrassment, and Sachi could only mutely nod before standing up shyly and turning to face the bed.
"U-Um…don't you wear, um, something else to bed?" Sachi wondered out loud before shaking her head furiously, "S-Sorry! That sounded way better in my head." She squealed out, her bare feet twists together, her toes pressing together.
Kirito gulps, and lightly rubs the tip of his finger against his cheek, "O-Oh. Well, I do. Um. I wear, err…" he glanced back Sachi and bounced his eyebrows a little.
Hoping she got the message without him actually saying it. She did, however, turning redder and let out a silent.
'Oh'.
Sachi shuddered as she finally found herself laying in the double bed. The two were back to back, Sachi could even feel the warmth vibrating from Kirito's side of the bed. She knew she didn't need her own pillow, as Kirito had two and she was using one of them but it felt comforting while hugging the pillow.
'Kirito-san is right…if I s-stay with the Black Cats, I should be safe. And if I keep training hard, despite my health, I can…protect them. We'll all be safe…I hope I can really go back to the real world someday.'
'…I'm sure there are many players like myself who fear death…Even so, they probably laugh, cry, and survive in this world to the best of their ability.' Sachi gulped at the thought, sniffling and rubbing her face into the tip of the pillow. Sachi sighed from the softness of the pillow, the gentle feather brushing against her face. She laid against the pillow quietly, peeking out into the darkness but oddly she felt comfort in the room. She didn't understand why.
"….Kirito-san?" Sachi mumbled out quietly, wondering if Kirito was still awake. Her heart pounded in her chest as her mind twirled with the depressing thoughts. Sachi chewed her bottom lip and felt the bed shift as Kirito rolled over.
"It's okay. You're definitely going to survive." Kirito spoke.
Sachi breathed out while she rolled over to look at the double black haired boy. Kirito speaks the words with a gentle smile, laying on his back with his arm resting over his stomach, his black eyes gentle.
Sachi blinks a little, pulling her knees up after rolling onto her side. Her knees pressed into the bottom of the pillow while she snuggled into the pillow. She gives Kirito a gentle and kind smile.
"Thank you."
She feels Kirito nod to her, and Sachi lets out a tired yawn, feeling herself finally drop over the edge of sleep. For the first time since Diavel had left her, Sachi feels safe and relaxed.
"I'll protect you no matter what."
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway."
