Author's Note: Hey everyone sorry I haven't updated this story in a while but coming up with stories for every individual character is tough. I mean really. So in order to get something out, I am writing this. Hope you could forgive me, and I hope you enjoy.

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Story 1- A Faithful RE-encounter…

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"Days after defeating the 1st Floor Boss, Argo came to me while I was out grinding…"

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"Wait, what did you say?" I asked, as my attention was preoccupied with the monsters that came my way.

"I said someone is asking for your assistance!" Argo yelled into her hands, as I took down another cow-looking monster.

"Someone is looking for my help?" I repeated what I heard.

"That's right, Shirou." Argo replied happily. "Aren't you glad, and don't worry it's someone you might know."

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"Waving her hand as she walked away, I went to the teleport gate that was at the entrance to Floor 2, as that was the most convenient spot to meet people."

"Upon my arrival, I noticed a young woman, probably in her early teens, with light brown hair, and when my presence registered in her eyes, she gleamed with joy and surprise."

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"Shirou!" Asuna waved frivolously, as she noticed me.

"Oh, Asuna." I spoke her name in surprise as I didn't think she'd call upon me through Argo. "Didn't think you'd call me, since you've been partnered up with Kirito since Floor 1."

"About that…" Asuna then began to explain the reason why she called on me and when she did, she started to get more agitated with each word that came out of her mouth. "So, what do you think? You think you could help me?" I thought on her words for a bit, then smirked.

"Of course. I'd love to help." I answered, seeing the light in Asuna's eyes glow with excitement.

"OH, great. Thank you so much." She bowed down in respect. "So, where can we go to do some quick grinding?" I thought about a good place, then snapped my fingers when I came to an answer.

"There's a cave that has already been cleared by the new guild, Aincrad Liberation Force, or the ALF for short, we could go there and grind, since they sold the map to any player who wanted it." When I received confirmation from Asuna that the location I chose was good, we began to head out quickly before the game day came to an end.

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Inside the Minotaur Cave…

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"Dealing with each monster that came their way, looking all around myself as I began to fend them off, allowing Asuna to defeat the monsters on her own. As we continued, I noticed Asuna's fighting style, it was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The elegance, and determination I saw emanating from her blade only made me smile with a joy I had never felt before, and made me want to try and outdo her."

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"Moving at speeds faster than Asuna anticipated, she also smiled at this new feeling welling up inside of her, as I began to challenge her without speaking any words. From one side of the cave to another, the both of us continued forward without rest, our competitive nature allowing us to continue to move forward, but as soon as we believed we had done enough, both of the realized that we had cleared the dungeon on our own.

Making our way to a safe zone in the dungeon, both Asuna and I, once we entered, collapsed from exhaustion. Laying on the ground, struggling to turn around on our backs, we began to laugh as our eyes met once we realized just how childish our actions were for who knows how long. Then after calming down, Asuna spoke up."

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"Thanks." She told me, a smile still plastered on her blushed face.

"For what?" I asked, wondering what she could mean by her thanks.

"Everything." Asuna answered, as she sat up and looked down at me, with a more genuine smile.

"Do you feel more confident in fighting along side Kirito?" I asked, which caught the young girl beside me off guard.

"How…" Asuna tried to find her words but was at a loss.

"It wasn't hard." I answered. "It was as simple as putting two and two together." Looking back at her, I noticed Asuna blushing severely, it was only then did I realize that I should have kept my mouth shut. "Anyways…" I spoke up, in hopes of changing the subject. "Want to start heading back?"

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"As the two of us emerged from the cave, we emerged at the right time. Seeing the virtual Sun set, my expression brightened up, according to Asuna, and ran without delay."

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"Hey…" Asuna yelled out as she chased after me. "What's the rush?!" She asked as we ran up a slope and onto a high cliff.

"This." Was all I answered as I took in the view of the Sun setting in the distance. "In the Beta, I would always try and find a high point anywhere I could and look out into the distance to see this moment."

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"As the sky's color shifted from a crimson red to a pale black, the Sun vanished from our sight and night began to rule the sky. It's in moments like these that I end up forgetting that this world is virtual, and I believe that's a good thing. For me anyways."