Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy the new updated chapter!

A special thank you to HappyTheCamper for beta-ing this!

Chapter 11

"Yoruko-chan!" Sachi gasped.

Yoruko's body twitched, and shook. She jerked back and forth.

"Y-Yoruko-chan! I'm coming!" Sachi said.

"Sachi!"

Sachi skidded. She looked back at Kirito. Kirito ran to the window, and poked his head through the window. Sachi was almost worried he would fall out like Yoruko did.

"Kirito?" Sachi asked. "What's wrong? Yoruko-chan needs me."

Kirito's black eyes narrowed. He looked out the window, and then lifted a foot, he placed it onto the windowsill ledge.

"There is somebody out there," Kirito explained.

Sachi frowned. She tried to see the person Kirito was talking about but the thought of Yoruko being in pain made it difficult for her to focus. She shook her head, "Then go follow them! I have to go help Yoruko-chan."

Kirito nodded silently. He clenched his fists and fully climbed onto the ledge of the window. The wind made his coat flutter behind him.

Sachi turned around to leave the room when Schmidt caught her attention. Schmidt's body shook with tears appearing on the edge of his eyelashes. The man's face was pale as chalk. He looked ghostly, and his shoulders were hunched as he cowered in his chair.

His slow voice soon turned loud as he wailed. "That cloak. It's Griselda's. She's back…back from the dead to punish us all…she has come for revenge on us all…!"

Sachi's brow raised. She opened her storage and summoned a small bottle out. It had a skinny neck with a large bosom. It was less than full, and the liquid inside held a light blue colour.

"Schmidt-san. Here...drink this, it will calm your nerves," Sachi said, "You're going into shock."

Schmidt peered up at Sachi. He took the bottle with shaky hands, nearly dropping it from his nerves.

"I'll be right back!" Sachi assured him. "Do not go anywhere Schmidt-san. You're in condition to move right now!" .

She turned around and ran through the door, almost tripping over her feet as she bolted down the steps and onto the street. She called out dozens of apologies over her shoulder whenever she ran into somebody, before finally locating the fallen girl from the window.

"Yoruko-chan! Yoruko-chan!" Sachi pleaded for some sort of reply. She fell to her knees at Yoruko's side, and froze upon seeing a growing shade of red creeping over the tiles on the road.

Blood. There was so much blood.

"G-Griselda…she's so mad at me…" Yoruko said in a broken voice.

Sachi frowned, and pressed her hands into blooded Yoruko's back. She tried her best to stop the blood, she tried so hard to stop the bleeding and to save Yoruko's life but it was turning into a fruitless effort. Before now, Sachi thought she had seen the worse Sword Art Online had to offer.

Of course, she had never seen anybody die like this in the game thus far.

The image of Yoruko's face would leave her haunted forever. The way its colour melted off. The way Yoruko's breath shuddered. Her skin becoming colder and colder with every passing second. Sachi's eyes was beginning to tear up. This was just too terrible. To awful.

"Yoruko-chan. Please. Hold on for me," Sachi said, "Just a little longer. I promise I can make it stop."

Yoruko looked up at Sachi. Her eyes…Oh her eyes…Sachi will never forget them.

"It's alright," Yoruko said, "Goodbye."

The woman's body shattered. The little colours of shards scattered around Sachi's frozen hands. They disappeared within seconds, and it made Sachi's chest tighten.

"Y-Yoruko-chan," Sachi let out shakily.

Sachi wanted to call out to Yoruko but she knew she would get no answer. Only the drumming inside her head. Sachi's stomach launched with the urge to throw up.

"Sachi," Kirito's calm but shaken voice called.

Sachi blinked. She lifted her head to look at Kirito, and roughly tried to wipe her tears away. She thought she was done with all of this, done crying like a small child, but the tears never stopped. They just kept coming. Yoruko had died, and it was her fault. She failed to do something, anything! Why could she not do anything when it truly mattered?

Kirito landed safely on his feet. He dusted his black clothes off, and then looked at the girl. Kirito's dark eyes stared at the blood on Sachi's body and watched quietly as it faded away. He looked down in understanding. A voiceless question came from him.

Sachi nodded. She sharply through her nose. She did not want another asthma attack, but she could already feel the familiar scratchiness on the back of her throat. She had no inhaler. She had nothing but herbs, bags and the wind to relief her from the pain.

It was difficult but she would somehow manage.

"S-So...what happened? I'm assuming you didn't catch him?" Sachi hiccupped, trying to hide her teary face.

Kirito shook his head, "No. He, I think he teleported away just as I was about to get him," he explained with clenched hands. They were so tightly clenched that his knuckles turned pure white, "This isn't your fault."

Sachi opened her mouth, as if she was about to argue but nothing came out. Instead another sob escaped her lips. She covered her face and tried to gather her breath. It was only when she felt the familiar feeling of gently hands taking her shoulders did she tense up.

"I thought…I thought for certain she would be safe. That nothing could hurt her. I thought the system would protect the inn," Kirito whispered hopelessly.

"Why am I even crying?" Sachi whimpered with a dry laugh, "I'm so…I should be over this. People die all the time in SAO…"

Kirito's eyes softened, "It's normal. People can cry about everything. Yoruko-san…she was…well, she was your first friend since, you know…" he winced and looked away, "It's makes sense that you'd be upset…"

"I wish I wasn't so pathetic," Sachi mumbled quietly. She slowly got to her feet, her legs shaking and she breathed in sharply.

"You're not pathetic," Kirito frowned, "It wasn't your fault. This attack, I think it was already planned."

Sachi sniffled, "Already planned? What do you mean?" she questioned, looking at the other in confusion.

"I think they was waiting for Yoruko-san to be out in the open," Kirito said, glaring at a wall near them, he let out a soft sharp grunt. He then suddenly slammed his fist into the wall, and shuddered.

Sachi gasped. She quickly stepped up to him, and grabbed his first with both hands, "K-Kirito. Please be careful…" she mumbled shakily, looking down at his hand. She could already see the familiar signs of bruises appearing.

Both looked back at the wall when an unfamiliar purple sign appeared, but Kirito did not appear to look surprised. It was something Sachi had never seen before, but she could only assume that he had.

It was immortal? Sachi wondered how many times Kirito had taken his anger out on a building? How many times had he punched immortal walls?

"Sorry..." Kirito let out a soft apology'. He sheepishly looked down.

"S-Somebody is watching us?" she asked nervously.

Sachi kept looking around the street. It was like she was expecting something to pop out and scream 'boo'.

"I know. I got that feeling too, but I wish I could have stopped it," He admitted. He turned his dark gaze onto Sachi, they quickly softened. He put his free hand on top of the Sachi's hands, still holding his bruised up hand.

Neither smiled. They just stared at one another.

"What is done, is done," Kirito said, "So we stand up and try again."

"What if…what if I'm not strong enough?" Sachi asked.

Kirito gently patted her on the head. He hoped to comfort her the best he could, and carefully tried his best to make her feel better.

"But you are," Kirito said. "You are the most strongest person I know,"

Sachi swallowed the lump in her throat. She felt her lips twitching into a strain smile. It was the nicest thing anybody had ever said to her, but did she believe it? No. Not even close. She was weak, pathetic and just a waste of space. She keeps trying and trying, and nothing was changing. Back home, in the real world, Sachi would always be told she was weak. She had never been told she was strong, or the strongest person they knew. It sent her chest burst with warmth.

Sachi's mother and father was very…different to other parents. They was not abusive. They was just overly strike, overly protective.

"You're stronger than me. A lot of people are stronger than me…I can possibly be the strongest person you know," Sachi said, "I couldn't even save Yoruko-chan. I'm useless," Sachi whimpered.

Kirito frowned, and wrapped his arms around Sachi's shoulders. He gently pulled her into a hug, "You are not useless."

Sachi's body stiffened within Kirito's embrace. She had not been expecting him to hold her hand, let alone hug her. Kirito was different to her. He was stronger, and much more powerful. Why would he keep doing this for her? Sachi felt awkward. Kirito was her friend, and she owed him so much.

She smiled meekly, and weakly, "Thank you," She said.

Kirito let out a breathe, and stepped away. He had a small smile on his lips, "You will never be useless. Sachi,"

Kirito used his thumb to brush the tears away, "You are strong. You need to remember that," Kirito added.

Sachi let out a soft hiccup. She looked up at him with a redden face.

"You are not useless. Not a burden. You're Sachi. You're my friend, and the most admirable warrior here," Kirito said.

Sachi stared for a good few seconds, "T-Thank you Kirito…Thank you for being my friend, and always being there to push me forward…I-I don't know what I would have done without you…"

Suddenly laughter filled the air. A loud panicked like laugh, it sent horrible cold chills down Kirito's and Sachi's spines.

"The devil is laughing at us," Schmidt laughed hysterically.

The two turned towards the man as he staggered towards them. He walked from the Inn's door. Similar to that of a drunk man.

"Griselda's soul cannot rest. It dances for the devils pleasure," He said. "She will bring the grim-reaper to end us all!" Schmidt looked at the two of them with red eyes. He had a strange smile on his white face.

"This world is to cruel for you," He was partially serious, "The devil will grab your souls and not let them go!"

And then…he fell.

Kirito stared in disbelief. His eyebrows raised, as he watched Schmidt fall to the ground with a loud thud. His large arms and legs flopped out as he hit the ground. A loud sickling creak came from him.

"It seems he got into the liquor," Kirito said.

Kirito walked towards the man. He lightly nudged Schmidt with the tip of his boot, he then sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, and awkwardly peered back at Sachi with a single eye, "I think he decided to get himself drunk," He added.

Sachi blinked once and then twice. She stared at Kirito and then Schmidt, "That…that was fast…" She said.

Kirito shrugged, "He has a low alcohol tolerance. I guess," He said.

"Oh. It probably mixed with the relaxer potion I gave him. That is why he got so…drunk…so quickly…" Sachi said after a moment of thought.

"Relaxer potion?" Kirito asked.

"Yes. I tried to duplicate some of the easier medical sedatives," Sachi explained. "I've only been able to make a few. Relaxer potions and pain relief. They are not as good as an healing potion, but they help you heal quickly over time."

Kirito's mouth was agape.

"Here. You can have one of each," Sachi offered.

Kirito eagerly took the bottles. He looked down at them, the relaxer potion was light blue, while the pain relief was a dark green colour.

"You really are amazing," He sighed.

Sachi nervously flushed, "I don't think we should bother Schmidt anymore today," Sachi said.

Kirito looked back at Schmidt in amusement. He smirked and nodded, "I better help him back inside," He said.

"I'll help you," Sachi said.

It took a lot of effort but the two was able to get Schmidt's arms over their shoulders. Sachi almost forgot how much armour alone weighted. Schmidt was so heavy. It took them sometime but Kirito and Sachi was able to drag him back to his room. Of course, they had a few looks from the other people staying there, but who doesn't?

"Hmm. You smell nice," Schmidt drunkenly said.

Sachi flushed from embarrassment, "Oh. Thank you," She said.

Schmidt smiled. He swayed a little as he stumbled along with the two of them, "A fine lady like you can't be single," He said with a drunkenly laugh. "If you are, I could show you a thing or two,"

Sachi blinked. She opened and shut her mouth. She had no idea what to say to that. Sachi had never been hit on before. Nobody had ever shown interest in her before. She had no luck with boys or men or…whatever between.

"Ow!" Schmidt suddenly whined. "Boy! Your grip is too tight!"

Kirito let out a laugh, "Oh. Sorry about that," He said. "Here we are. Your room," He kicked the door open with his boot. The door swung open with loud thud.

Schmidt looked at the door, "Ah, so we are," He said. "So how about it lassie?"

Sachi awkwardly stared at him. He was a different person now that he was drunk…or drugged. She supposed it was a bad side effect to the potion. Sachi will have to look into it.

"Unfortunately, we need to go," Kirito grunted.

"R-Right. Kirito is right," Sachi muttered, "I-I have to go Schmidt. I have to go help, um, Kirito,"

Schmidt made a sound from the back of his throat, "Ah. Well shame," He said.

They made sure the door was secured before they left Schmidt. Neither Kirito or Sachi wanted anybody coming in after them.

"Well… Schmidt seems nice…" Sachi said. She tried her hardest not to think of Yoruko. It would only make her sad again.

Kirito shrugged, "I guess," He said.

Sachi frowned, "Are you alright?" she asked in confusion.

Kirito blinked, he looked at her, and sheepishly smiled. He rubbed the back of his neck, "Schmidt still thinks it was a ghost. It is not," Kirito decided to speak instead, "That man teleported away. No ghost does that…I have to figure out what's going on," Kirito said with frustration. He sighed to himself and then crossed his arms. He didn't know to figure out what was going on. Or what to do about it.

"The two safe area murders have to work using some logic that involves the system. They just have to," He added.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out Kirito…but um, c-can you let go of my hands now?" Sachi said.

Kirito had grabbed her hand when they had been talking with Schmidt. Sachi was not sure why, but she was thankful… Schmidt had come on to her. Even if he was drunk. She had never had somebody do that before.

"Your hands…" Kirito repeated. He blinked again, and looked down at their hands, "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to-to!" He said. No spluttered out. He then laughed sheepishly, and quickly dropped her hands.

Sachi simply smiled. She accepted the apology, and brushed it off, "We should go. I don't like sanding out here," She said awkwardly.

"Yeah. Anybody could hear us," Kirito added.

~#~#~#~#~#~#~

Kirito groaned. He slumped down on the bench in front of a wonderful fountain. Kirito's head was ducked, and placed a hand onto his forehead.

"Damnit it. I've gone over it in my head again, and I still don't get it. I mean he used a teleport," Kirito muttered. He stopped mid-rant. He blinked between two of his fingers.

"Kirito?" Sachi called, as she sat down next to him.

"Nothing. It doesn't make sense anyway," He said.

Kirito twirled himself upward. He rested his back against the wood, and let out a deep huff. Kirito blow a lose black hair out of his face, but growled when it fell back into place.

Sachi winced. She looked at the fountain. She stared at the water in silence.

Kirito quietly grunted and huffed. He practically fought with his hair.

Sachi hadn't seen him so frustrated before, 'It must really be getting to him…'

"Oh," Sachi said. She brought her arm up. Her white menu box popped up. She looked through her storage and summoned out a small round red package.

"I made this for you Kirito," She said, as she held out a box. It immediately made Kirito perked up. Sachi swore for second Kirito had dog ears and tail. He looked eager. Excited even.

Kirito's eyes widened. They shined as if Sachi was offering him something made out of gold. He gladly took the package. He grinned widely, "Thank you," He said gratefully.

Kirito must be pretty hungry, Sachi thought. She watched as Kirito unwrapped the large burger.

"Ah. I didn't have much left, so it's nothing special but I thought you'd like a burger. Um. You should eat it before it vaporizes. The durability is nearly at zero," Sachi said thoughtfully. She pushed her hair out of her face and clicking her tongue. She reminded herself to stop at the market tomorrow or the next day.

Sachi's face became a dusty pink colour as her stomach growled with hunger. It reminded her that she had to eat too, so she took a small container out from her storage.

"A burger?" Kirito gapped, "I didn't know Sword Art Online had them. I mean, I know they hose chicken burgers that are similar to burgers…but not hamburgers!"

"This is good Sachi!" He said with his mouth full. He moaned to himself, "It's like I'm having a food orgasm in my mouth."

Sachi flushed from embarrassment. She shook her head, and sighed, "Kirito."

Kirito grinned widely, and shrugged. He took another large mouth full, and groaned again. The meat, the cheese, the salad, the bun – oh the bun. Everything was so perfect.

"I'm glad. It reminds me of home. I like to cook, I'd spend most of my time cooking back in the real world. Considering that I wasn't very…healthy…there wasn't many things I could do but cooking always made me happy. It's what helps me stay connected to my family," she said.

Sachi carefully removed the lid of her own container.

"…"

Sachi's face darken even more when she felt eyes on her. She turned her head, she blinked in confusion upon finding Kirito staring at her. His burger hanging from his mouth.

"Ah. Sorry…" Kirito said with flushed cheeks.

"I'm just surprised how hard working you are. Considering how much time you've been spending on training, I'm amazed you can find time to get a cooking skill. It must be pretty high?" Kirito asked.

Kirito peered at her. He couldn't help himself, he wanted to know what level she was at cooking. He's not embarrassed to admit it, okay maybe a little, but his cooking skill isn't even at the halfway point. That and the fact that maybe-just maybe, Sachi will continue to cook for him.

"W-Well. I'll always make time for it…um, I guess it's my highest skill…," She admitted. Honestly, she hadn't really looked at how high her cooking skill is. Sachi just…liked to cook.

Cooking was the only thing she was allowed to do.

It was kinda funny how quickly Kirito switched from a bad mood to a good mood when food was involved or better yet, when Sachi's cooking was involved. Kirito turned his eyes to Sachi, and he looked at the container Sachi had.

"So, what else did you make?" Kirito asked.

Sachi shyly smiled. She looked down at the tub, "It's nothing fancy. Just Yakisoba," Sachi said.

"Just Yakisoba!" Kirito snorted.

Yakisoba is grilled or fried Chinese style noodles mixed with pieces of meat, cabbage, carrots, or other vegetables, and garnished with red ginger. It is a popular festival food. Kirito remembered his aunt cooking it quite a bit.

Sachi blinked. She never understood why it amazed Kirito so much that she was able to make dishes from home. Sachi shrugged. She held it out to him.

"Um. What to try it?" Sachi asked.

It was like Sachi had offered water to a man that had never drunk before. Kirito almost sparkled as he looked at the food. He eagerly nodded his head.

"It's really good!" Kirito said. Kirito spooned the food into mouth, and moaned loudly, "It tastes just like the ones my aunt makes," He said, licking off any leftovers from his lips.

Sachi couldn't help but beam. She liked it when people enjoyed her food, it always made her feel like she was on cloud nine.

"You know, you really should sell these. Put them up for action and make a lot of money," Kirito laughed. He enjoyed the expression that overcame Sachi's round face.

Sachi lowered her head. Her face burned red, "M-Maybe. I could get extra money but I like c-cooking for a small group. I like seeing the faces of my friends when they true my food…" She said.

"Does that mean you'll make me more hamburgers later?" Kirito asked cheekily.

Kirito suddenly froze. His eyes widened. He didn't move quick enough to catch his hamburger. It fell the ground. The burger vaporized on the ground.

Tragic.

"B-Burger-kun…why…?" Kirito said.

"Kirito. I-I didn't think my burger was that good…" Sachi said.

Sachi stared with wide eyes, as Kirito fell to his knees over the burger. Kirito's large, teary black eyes turned to Sachi. He frowned, and held a hand up while sniffling.

"You don't understand Sachi! We had something special. Burger-kun was the one. We were going to run away together and get married. Burger-kun was my everything. I was hoping for a baby Burger-kuns where I then devour them all while sipping red wine," Kirito whined.

Kirito generally looked like he was about to cry.

"You're too young for wine, Kirito…" Sachi said in a slow and drown out voice. Sachi's face became blank. She stared at him.

Kirito frowned even deeper than before. His eyes narrowed determination, "I'd break the law for Burger-kun!" Kirito spoke somewhat bravely. He even puffed his chest out playfully.

"I guess you'll have to settle for um, Bento-chan instead…" Sachi said. She lifted a hand and opened her white storage. She sighed. Sachi took out a bento she had made an hour ago in a rush.

It was in case she ran into Silica-chan today. Silica-chan loved her bentos. Sachi always made sure to make one for her just in case.

"You're a god! Sachi!" Kirito grinned.

He happily took the wrapped up bento. Kirito's eyes sparkled upon seeing something similar to bacon inside the bread rolls. Kirito breathed sharply. His shoulders suddenly sagged. His head flopped forward, and the look of sadness instantly appeared upon his face. Kirito looked much like a puppy that had just been kicked.

"What's wrong now?" Sachi asked as kindly as possible.

"It's not the same!" Kirito said, "…Burger-kun was special…"

"I forgot how weird you are, Kirito," Sachi said softly.

Sachi tried to push the dark curls out of her face. Sachi shrugged. She then spooned more Yakisoba into her mouth.

Kirito snorted. He bites once again into the bento. He chews on it and almost let out a moan from the delicious saltiness. It has been so long since he had tasted bacon that he almost forgot what it tastes like. It was perfect. Kirito swallowed the bacon bento. He went to take another mouth full when he by chance, glanced over at Sachi in time to see that she had stopped eating.

Sachi looked so sad.

"Sachi? Is something wrong?" Kirito asked.

"Oh. Um. Well, I keep thinking about yesterday…and Yoruko-chan…If-If she really had died yesterday then-then…," Sachi said softly.

The possibility of another person dying in her care terrified her. Somebody else dying in her arms. Sachi had worked so hard. So damn hard to make herself stronger…as strong as possible to help people. to make sure another person wouldn't be hurt.

Sachi had lost so many people already. So many important people to this blasted game.

"Sachi!" Kirito said loudly, "It wouldn't be your fault if Yoruko-san had died."

"Yoruko-san died similar to when an item loses its durability? Right? What we saw yesterday was just Kains's armour's durability fading. So you were right that he and Yoruko-san are alive. You also brought up the question about not seeing Kains's HP drop and the fact that Yoruko-san is still alive on your friends list," Kirito added.

Sachi stared at Kirito. She had not thought about that, Sachi brought up her white menu. She peered at her friends list.

"Yoruko-chan is still listed. So then she must really still be alive….I hope anyway," Sachi said.

"But all Kains did was teleport out of his armour when it reached zero. It made everyone believe he died," Kirito stated.

Kirito stuck his nose up in the air. He puffed his cheeks out. He had been saying all along that he did not believe somebody could truly die in a safe zone! Kirito has not changed his opinion.

"Sachi?" Kirito said. His's lips twisted into a smirk. He turned to look at Sachi once again.

"Did you noticed during the whole meeting Yoruko-san never turned her back to us?" He asked.

"Could Yoruko-chan have the dagger in her back the whole time?" Sachi asked quietly.

"Yes. She probably did that whole performance to throw us off," Kirito said, "So then the person in the cloak was Kains."

"Yeah. Those two must have realized that they could use this method to fake their deaths," Sachi said quietly. She clocked her head to the side in thought. It really was a smart plan.

A brilliant plan.

Sachi highly doubted that she could pull it off herself.

Kirito stretched himself out across the bench. He had just finished his bento. It was delicious, as was expected!

He made a low moan. Kirito crossed his arms behind his head and crossed a single leg, "So they targeted Schmidt to see if he was a part of Griselda's death. In order to bring it out, they needed an illusionary avenger to scare him. That would make sense since the Holy Dragon Alliance pride themselves in rare items, but I would've heard if they got a ring like that," Kirito said.

"But the blood…" Sachi muttered. "Yoruko-chan bleed out,"

Kirito made a deep hum sound. He put his hand to his chin in thought, "That doesn't make sense. There was blood," Kirito muttered. "Maybe it was fake blood? Something similar to blood that would dissolved like the armour."

Sachi made a deep sound. Her mind turned in thought.

What could dissolve like armour?

"A crimson berry fruit," Sachi suddenly gasped.

Kirito blinked, "What's a crimson berry fruit?" he asked.

Sachi tilted her head towards him. She opened her storage and summoned out the berry. It was large. Much bigger than her hand. It wasn't round, but more of the appearance of many little balls stuck together. The berry was a shade of red. When it appeared in Sachi's hand, it immediately began to let out a sickly-like liquid, that ran down Sachi's hand.

"A crimson berry fruit is normally used in cooking. They produced a none-sticky liquid that is slightly hotter than the fruit itself. If it is placed in a cold spot, the fruit would dissolve very quickly," Sachi explained.

Kirito frowned deeply. He stared at the fruit before he held his hand out. Kirito winced as the fruit began to produce the liquid. It had no smell, and it was warm like Sachi said.

"This could be mistaken for blood," Kirito said. "Especially if somebody doesn't pay it much attention. It could dissolve before we had a chance to analyse it,"

Just as Kirito said that, the fruit dissolved. It faded away much like blood would.

"It's too cold here for it," Kirito added, Kirito stared at the fruit stains on his arm. He shrugged and brought his hand closer to his face. He licked at it, and grimaced, "It is bitter," Kirito grunted.

Sachi let out a soft chuckle, "Kirito. It needs to be cooked for it to have a good taste," She said.

Kirito pouted. He watched as the stains dissolved too. He wiggled his hand and sighed, sliding his eyes closed.

"Sachi? Where is Yoruko-san?" Kirito asked.

Sachi felt stupid. She never thought to even check for Yoruko. It was stupid to her. Why didn't she think of that? Yoruko was still listed as friend.

"She's at Cross Hill, Floor Nineteen," Sachi said, "You can get crimson berry fruits there. They grow in bunches on that floor,"

Kirito nodded, "That explains it," He said.

Sachi nodded herself. She ran her fingers through her hair. She really didn't like that her hair was so short, It did not grow in Sword Art Online.

"Anyway. We should go for tea. I'm thirsty," Kirito said.

"I thought you didn't like tea," Sachi asked.

Kirito flushed. He peered back at Sachi sheepishly. "I didn't…I don't mind it now," He admitted.

Sachi made a soft 'Oh'. She smiled, and stood up next to Kirito. She dusted off her skirt.

The place wasn't bad. Sachi was glad it wasn't so busy, no one was staring at them. It felt a little more comfortable.

"You know. We ended up falling for Yoruko-san's plot but I don't really mind," Kirito said. He let out a low groan of tiredness, he felt good. It was amusing.

"They did have some good intentions," Sachi smiled meekly. Sachi's shoulders hunched together. It was true, but it made her wonder if really…anybody was dead? In the glide?

Sachi felt a nice breeze blow across her face. She wondered…If something like the ring had been dropped back when her guild was alive, what would they have done? Sachi is sure nobody would have cared. They might have teased each other, mocked one and another, but they wouldn't have hurt each other…right?

Sachi's chest tightened. She felt her face heat up with unleashed tears.

"Knowing the guild, they might have sold the item to buy more things that would be truly useful," Kirito said. He looked at Sachi. He placed a hand onto Sachi's head. He gently patted the dark curls comfortingly.

It was like he was able to read her mind.

Kirito smiled kindly, "It's okay to cry Sachi,"

Sachi sat quietly. Her tears welled up. They slide down her cheeks like rain. She hiccupped, and sniffed. Every time she wiped the tears away, more would take its place.

Kirito shifted closer to her. He moved to her side, and wrapped an arm around Sachi's shoulders.

"S-Say, Kirito, if you were in a guild and a rare item like that dropped. What would you have done?" Sachi hiccupped.

What would he had done if an item had dropped in the Midnight Cats?

"Well, part of the reason I play solo is to avoid those situations," Kirito said thoughtfully.

Kirito rubbed his chin. He and Sachi was still in guild of their own, but the reason why he had always refused to join another guild was for two reasons. One was because of the awkward situation, that and he couldn't tolerate the thought of losing Sachi. He didn't want to, or even could, leave Sachi own her own.

"Honestly, the privacy we get in SAO is one of the few things I like," Kirito said. "When an item drops, it goes to the person it's dropped for and no one knows unless the person says something. It's good we have at least some privacy."

"I like having privacy…before Tucker was always trying to look through my storage. Especially since I didn't want him to know my level," Sachi admitted in such a quiet voice that Kirito almost didn't hear her. Sachi looked down almost shamefully, before brushing it off.

"I thought there was a way to share inventory," Kirito added.

Sachi's cheeks flushed a little, "Well. Silica-chan and I had met a married couple that shared inventory…so we assume when you get married you share inventory with your spouse," She said awkwardly.

"If relationships were like that in the real world, it would be easier on everyone who is in an honest relationship. Nothing is private these days," Kirito said.

Sachi found herself nodded in agreement. She had seen many couples have fights, and break up over silliest things.

Sachi's eyes widens. She snapped her head to Kirito, with a gasp, "Kirito! When a spouse dies, any item the other person had goes to the surviving spouse! Grimrock must have had the ring all along."

Kirito's eyes widen in surprise, "So Grimrock stole the ring from his own storage," Kirito said, "I would assume that Schmidt was involved in Griselda's death in some way. Maybe lowering her defences. Grimrock probably hired some orange players to kill his wife so that he could have the ring. After that, either Grimrock waited for everything to die down, or used Kains and Yoruko-san to cover his tracks…" Kirito trailed off.

"What's wrong Kirito?" Sachi asked.

Kirito grabbed her hand tightly, "Sachi! We have to go now!" he said urgently.

~#~#~#~#~#~#~

Sachi's head felt pretty heavy, and tried to calm herself down. Sachi lifted her head as something big, and fuzzy pushed into her, a smile appeared across her face. She reached out to gently touch the horse.

The horse was huffing for attention.

Sachi gently stroked the brown and white fur. It was a beautiful horse, then again, most horses in SAO was beautiful.

Sachi was worried about Kirito, his plan, and most of all…she was worried about how well she could complete her part. Kirito had been so confidence in her. He had encouraged her. He had promised her that she would be fine. Sachi doubted that. There was no way she could do this without screwing up some way.

Sachi trembled. Her heart was pounding, and she forced her feet to move. It was almost like she had thick chain around her ankles. The trees cast long black shadows along the ground. Sachi tried not to let it get to her. She tried not to be too scared but she was. She couldn't help it.

Still, the determination blazed brightly within her, Sachi didn't want to let Kirito down.

"I-I can do this," Sachi said to herself.

Sachi bravely walked forward. Her body trembled with each step. She even pathetically jumped when a twig snapped underneath her boots. Sachi forced herself to go onward. She pushed a loose dark curl behind her ear.

The shadows stretched across the stones like tiny fingers of trolls. They all looked like they was reaching out to her. The shadows wiggled about desperately. They tried to latch onto her delicate skin.

It was a cold too.

"Oh god. W-Why does it f-feel like I'm walking directly into my own h-horror s-story?" Sachi muttered.

Why was she doing this again?

Honestly. Sachi loved the horror genera. Because her parents had become so controlling, and wouldn't let her do normal everyday actives. Sachi spent most of her free time trying to see how scared she could become. That being said, Sachi still thought she was a coward. She doesn't have thick skin, but Sachi still loved all horror movies and novels.

Sachi could spend hours diving into the genera, that being said, she should knew better.

"I'm t-that dumbass g-girl that makes all t-the wrong decisions…" Sachi sighed.

Sachi shook her head disappointingly at herself, and climbed over a fallen log that looked like it had begun to rot. Sachi paid little attention to it, she found herself continuously checking the branches above her. It was like she was expecting something to leap through the branches.

Sachi stopped. She could see the figure through the trees.

'That must be Grimrock.' Just like where Kirito said he would be.

Sachi gulped. She pulled out a small knife. Well, it wasn't really a small knife. It was just the name of the weapon. she did not have a sword.

An arrow might not do the same trick, and Sachi didn't want to chance it.

"S-Stay still, and do what I say. I wouldn't h-have to hurt you," Sachi said. She cursed herself for how her voice shook. It wasn't like she did this on a daily basic.

Grimrock stiffened. Sachi made sure not to dig the tip of the sword into the Grimrock's back. She held it just a little away, but close enough that Grimrock could feel it. Grimrock raised his hands up. He submitted to her, thankfully.

Sachi sighed in relief, "A-Alright Grimrock-san. W-Walk forward," Sachi said.

Grimrock took one foot forward before he paused. His hands twitched, and then clenched.

"I am not Grimrock," The person said.

Sachi blinked in confusion, "W-What?" She gasped. "Then who are you?"

The figure turned around. They pulled their hood down to reveal not a man, but a woman, "I am Griselda. Grimrock's wife," She said.

"What?" Sachi gasped again. "But…but…y-you're d-dead! You d-died,"

Griselda frowned. She turned away with a shrug, "Well obviously I am not," Griselda said.

"Obviously…" Sachi frowned. The hand holding to knife, or sword, or whatever it was, shook. It trembled.

"But…where is Grimrock?" Sachi asked. "W-Where is he?"

Griselda snorted, and rolled her eyes, "Not here," She smirked.

Sachi's eyebrows pulled together. She didn't understand. She couldn't understand. It felt so…wrong…Very wrong. She stepped forward, and pushed the knife closer to Griselda.

"W-Well the fact remains," Sachi said. "N-Not funny business… Griselda-san. Please, walk forward,"

Griselda smirked wider. "Alright. You sure you're a warrior? Not somebody who rots in an inn somewhere? You seem very weak. Your hand is shaking," She said. She then turned around. She still had her hands up. Griselda was still doing what Sachi wanted, but she was trying to hit a nerve.

Sachi choose not to reply. Instead she gently pressed the tip of the knife into Griselda's back. It kind of unnerved Sachi. Griselda was not acting like how Yoruko and the others had said she acted like.

Griselda was acting very…very…different. Griselda did not even appear to be scared. She just acted like I was a fly.

"Sachi!" a familiar voice called as she stepped into the clearing.

"Kirito," She said. "T-There's…um, s-something isn't right. I mean, um…"

Kirito frowned. His eyebrows pulled together. He stood with Yoruko, and the two other men Sachi had seen earlier. She felt happy to know Yoruko had not died. Sachi noticed crimson berry fruit bushes around. It made her think that her theory was right. The blood was from the fruit.

"What's wrong?" Kirito asked. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"Ah. I see," Griselda said. "So you're doing this for a boy?"

Sachi frowned deeply. She shook her head.

Kirito's eyes widened. He stared at the woman, "Who are you? Where's Grimrock?" Kirito asked.

Yoruko gasped loudly. Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with both hands, "G- Griselda!" She cried. "How! Grimrock killed you!"

Schmidt and Kains stared at the woman. Their faces white like they had seen a ghost.

"Y-You…You're alive?" Schmidt asked slowly.

Yoruko shook her head furiously. She brought up her menu to look at her friends list. Her eyes ran through the names, but couldn't find Griselda, "Y-You removed me from your friend list? That's how…I thought you was d-dead," Yoruko said. "B-But why? We were so close!"

Griselda rolled her eyes. "Oh stop whining Yoruko," She said.

Yoruko gasped again. She stepped back as if Griselda had slapped her. Griselda spoke like she didn't just send a bunch of people to kill them.

"Where is Grimrock?" Kains demanded. "What did you do to him?"

Griselda sighed deeply. She crossed her arms, "I killed him obviously," She said. "It wasn't that hard. He was so blind and stupid. It was easy."

Schmidt shook his head, "But he is still alive on our friend list," He said.

Griselda smirked, "Is he? Is he really?" she all but purred out.

Schmidt brought up his friend list. He stared at it, "It says…Grimrock is right here. With us," He muttered in thought.

"You stole his name," He said, with narrowed eyes, "That way, people thought you had died and not him. When in fact, he died and you was alive."

Griselda shrugged, "Yeah. We got married in the game as well. It was easy. Being married gave me access to his name. You know, to change our second names and stuff," She said with a roll of eyes.

"Why, Griselda?" Yoruko asked, "Was it the money? You wanted money from the ring so badly?"

"Money? Did you say money?" Griselda asked, with a dark chuckle, "It wasn't for the money. I had… I had to kill him… while he was still my husband."

"I…I don't understand," Yoruko whimpered.

Griselda growled. "That's so like you. Pretend to be so sweet and innocent, when you're just a whore," She hissed.

Yoruko stumbled back. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. Yoruko held her hands to her chest.

"You think I'm stupid? Grimrock was my husband in the game and the real world. I knew everything about him," Griselda said. "He could not hide anything from me,"

Yoruko looked down. Her shoulders hunched up, "So…you knew?" she said quietly.

Griselda snorted. She sneered. "Of course! I knew! You thought I wouldn't?" she said.

Sachi blinked. She looked between the two woman. 'They…they both loved the same man…'

"….W-Why did you kill him Griselda?" Yoruko asked.

Griselda growled. She glared at the shorter woman, "I love him. I gave him everything. Anything I had, I gave to him. I had nothing left! He had it all!" Griselda sneered. "And he was going to leave me,"

"Leave me for you!"

"You killed him because he was going to leave you?" Kirito asked, shocked.

"That's more than reason enough," Griselda said. "Someday, you'll understand,"

Kirito's eyes twitched, "No. I will never understand that," He said with a shake of the head.

"Hmm. Perhaps you won't. You are a man after all," Griselda said. "But you will,"

Sachi jumped. She stepped away from Griselda when the older woman turned to look at her.

"You will because you are a woman. Once you've found love and are about to lose it," Griselda said smugly, "When you give yourself to a man. You give your heart, soul and body to that man and he crushes it. He throws it away for another woman!"

Sachi shook her head, "Maybe. Maybe someday when I do fall in love. I would understand how you feel, but I would never kill him," She said.

"I would never kill the man I love!"

"I would never kill him because I love him. If he is happier with somebody else, then so be it. I will be happy for him. Yes, it will hurt but it won't forever. It will get easier, and then one day I will move on," Sachi said softly.

"Just because my heart was broken once does not mean I can't fall in love with somebody else after," Sachi added. She had a hand to her chest, "It's all a part of being in love. I can't wait to feel it, but that doesn't mean I'm not afraid too."

"The pain is being in love too," Sachi said. "Love is the good and the bad. You can't have one without the other. That is why the memories of being in love are so important… because that makes the presence they had stronger. They made such an impact on your life that you never want to let any memory go,"

Sachi let out a sharp breathe. Her eyes were becoming hot with tears, "Someday I will understand your feelings. Griselda-san," Sachi said softly, "Someday I will understand how you felt when the person you love fell in love with another, but I will never understand what you felt to make you kill him,"

"That is forgivable,"

Kains stared at Sachi. He then looked at Griselda.

"I love you, Griselda," Kains said.

Griselda blinked owlishly. She looked surprised and confused.

"W-What?" She asked.

Kains lowered his head. He breathed in sharply, "I've been in love with you since we all was in High School but you never noticed me," Kains admitted. "I knew Grimrock had fallen out of love with you…but I thought….I thought if I was there for you then-then you might have given me a chance…"

Griselda stared at him. "Kains…I…" She shook her head.

"I wish it wasn't like this…but Griselda, you killed Grimrock. You killed our friend, and made us think it was him who killed you," Kains added. "Y-You have to go to prison,"

Griselda looked down. She didn't say anything. Instead, she nodded her head.

Schmidt looked between the three of them. His eyes looked at Griselda, Kains to Yoruko. He sighed deeply, and scratched the back of his head.

"Kirito-san. Sachi-chan," Schmidt said, "If you don't mind, we would like to take Griselda to the prison."

Kirito nodded his head. He bowed to Schmidt.

"Yes. Of course," Kirito said.

Kains walked towards Griselda. He took her gently by the shoulders, and helped her to her feet.

Schmidt smiled weakly. He took Sachi's hand, and bowed his head, "Thank you. Thank you so much for your help, Sachi-chan," Schmidt said

Sachi blinked at him. She felt a little taken back, but forced a smiled.

Schmidt bowed his head. He took out a handkerchief from his storage, and held it to her, "A token of gratitude," He said. "Somebody as beautiful as you should not be crying,"

Sachi took the handkerchief with shaky hands, "O-Oh. Thank you," She said.

With that, Schmidt bowed once again. He then turned around, and followed after the other three.

Sachi stared after him, "I-I…I hope everything will turn out well for them…" She said.

Sachi looked down at the handkerchief in her hands. It was very pretty. White with purple patterns. She smiled weakly at it, and used it to dry her eyes.

"Sachi…" Kirito said after a long moment of silence. Kirito walked towards her. He wrapped his arms tightly around Sachi.

"What you said…do you mean that?" He asked.

Sachi blinked her teary eyes. She looked up at him, "Of course I do," Sachi said. "Love…being in love, I think it is a wonderful thing. I think it has two sides. The good and the bad. You have to accept both sides, and not just one side of it. It's important,"

Kirito nodded his head. "Yes. That is true. But remember, not everyone will have the same experience with love. Grimrock fell out of love with Griselda, but that doesn't mean it will happen to other people," He said.

Sachi smiled. "I know that Kirito…have you ever been in love before?" She asked.

Kirito's eyes widened. He looked taken back and surprised she had asked that. Kirito's face flushed, "Oh. Err. Um, no. I don't think so," Kirito said. "…Have…have you?"

Sachi looked down, another sad smile on her face, "No. I haven't. But I want too. Hopefully one day I will," She said.

Sachi pulled away from Kirito. She breathed in sharply. She tried to cool her face down. Sachi felt embarrassed. She had cried so much in front of Kirito. Sachi never cried in front of people before. She didn't like too.

"You must think I'm a cry-baby," Sachi laughed. "I don't mean to cry. I don't like crying, but I can't stop the tears,"

Kirito looked at her face, "It doesn't matter if you cry. But if you don't like people seeing you cry, then only cry with me around," Kirito whispered. "I won't let anyone see,"

Sachi let out a breathless gasp. She looked at Kirito with red eyes, "T-Thank you…" She wheezed softly.

"It's okay. If you need to cry, then you should," Kirito said. "I think, you was cool when you said that to Griselda,"

Sachi looked at Kirito again, "Y-You really t-think so?" She asked with a shaky voice.

Kirito smiled brightly. He ran his hand through her hair like he always did, "Yes. I really think so. You had so much emotion. It was so passionate," Kirito said firmly. Sternly. "It sent shiver down my spine."

Sachi laughed. "A shiver?" She giggled.

Kirito shrugged. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "Hey. At least you're not crying anymore. I think that is a point Kirito," He said with a grin.

Sachi laughed more. "Let's go get breakfast. I'll treat," She said with a smile.

"You mean go to a restaurant?" Kirito asked. "Or a café…of something?"

Sachi clocked her head. "Is there something wrong with that?" She asked.

"I was hoping you could make me…"

Sachi shook her head, "Really Kirito?"

Kirito grinned. He shrugged, before his eyes narrowed. "Oh. You're keeping that?" He asked.

Sachi looked down at her menu. She was putting the handkerchief away, "Of course. Schmidt-san gave it to me," She said with a small smile.

Kirito frowned.

"Oh. Schmidt-san sent me a friend request," Sachi said, looking at the white floating box.

"What? Why?" Kirito gasped.