Disclaimer: I don't own Sword Art Online.


"Asuna!"

With a surprised tone, Kirito let out the name of his beloved partner. The boy's eyes widened as he felt himself being pulled into the arms of the girl he loved. She embraced him tightly, her eyes closing as she rested her forehead against his own.

"What's this for?" Kirito asked in his bewilderment.

"Sorry," Asuna whispered softly. "I just want to hold onto you, Kirito, and never let you go."

"You do?" Kirito blinked with astonishment at the brunette's heartfelt words towards him. "Why?"

Asuna opened her eyes. They twinkled as she levelled them with Kirito's. Both were overflowing with love for him.

"You're so precious to me, Kirito. The most important person ever to be a part of my life. I don't regret joining SAO and having to face its many trials and dangers. If I hadn't done that, then I would not have met you - and I could not face a life with you."

A sweet smile found its way onto Asuna's face. She directed it at Kirito, still holding him closely in her arms.

"You have done so much for me, Kirito. You have fought alongside me, protected me from peril, even saved my life on many occasions. I would not even be here right now to tell you this if it weren't for you. I owe you my life."

"Oh, don't worry about it." Kirito smiled back humbly. "You don't have to repay me, Asuna. It's my duty to protect you."

"And it's mine to protect you in return." Asuna used her hands to cup Kirito's cheeks, tenderly stroking them with her thumbs. "I don't want anything to happen to you, Kirito. I couldn't live with myself if I were to lose you."

"Don't say that." Kirito gently placed his hands over where Asuna's were on his cheeks. "You're not going to lose me, Asuna. I will always be right by your side, keeping you safe-"

"And I will always be here to keep you safe to," Asuna declared. "I won't let anything take you from me, Kirito. I will willingly fight whatever comes our way so nothing can rip you from my side - or from inside my heart."

Kirito's heart raced. It was filling with warmth over what the girl he adored said about him. He was highly moved to hear she did not want him to be taken from her. He had no intention of ever leaving the love of his life. Nothing in the real world or inside Sword Art Online could keep them apart. He was determined to always stay by Asuna's side, keeping her safe and showing her how much she meant to him.

"I love you, Asuna…"

Asuna's eyes twinkled with happy tears as her smile remained in place over what the boy had just told her.

"I love you too, Kirito…"

The pair gazed at one another as they remained locked together in their embrace. Then they slowly leaned forward to close the gap between one another - as their lips collided for the young couple to share a deep passionate kiss of love in the moonlight.


The end.