This chapter is shorter, but I couldn't bear writing after this perfect ending :P


Lost Memories: My Little Girl

"Children?" Kirito thought nothing else about the situation he was in could surprise him, yet once again he was proven wrong. "They're bringing the child players here?!" He couldn't help the panic in his voice. The panic that rose unreasonably up in his throat and make his chest tight with an emotion he couldn't place. Or maybe he could but just didn't want to.

"Yeah," Liz spoke uncomfortably, looking rather uneasy herself from her position sitting cross legged beside Sugu on the empty second bed in Kirito's quarters. "I'm not sure exactly why cause they aren't bringing all the kids, just ones that other players raised…"

"Is that…" Sugu started speaking, her green eyes soft with concern, "is that why Asuna stormed out of your shared quarters yesterday?"

Liz visibly swallowed and nodded, a look of pain emerging in her pink eyes. "Asuna only remembers me because I've been there with her since she emerged from a second game. There's only one person she remembers without having needed a lot of pushing and reminders in the beginning and it's a young girl." Liz's eyes looked a little watery as she continued, "Asuna remembers the girl she raised in SAO, who she raised from close to an infant to when she was separated from her at the end of the game and reunited with her in the second game only to watch her die in the second game. That's where most of Asuna's nightmares come from. It's not like many of us who can't remember who we're dreaming about, Asuna vividly remembers holding the girl in her arms in the second game, unable to do anything but watch her HP drain to zero and watch her shatter in her arms."

Sugu's eyes widened, "why didn't Asuna tell any of us?"

"She doesn't want to burden anyone," Kirito spoke in a hushed voice before Liz, his heart tight with concern and understanding even as he spoke. Able to understand the pain Asuna was silently carrying around and not wanting to burden anyone with it. "She's in charge of an entire guild out here, in charge of their mental states and training them. She doesn't want to appear weaker than her guild needs her to be right now as everyone figures out their memories."

Liz nodded thickly, "hit the nail right on the head there Kirito." She looked at both of them, "Asuna always thinks of what everyone else needs from me, to you guys, to her other friends, and even to her guild. She talks to me about Yui, her daughter, because she can't hide the nightmares and staying up late sketching out a picture of her daughter in the silence. If I didn't share a room with her I doubt even I would know about Asuna's pain regarding her family in SAO."

"Her family?" Sugu echoed, glancing at her brother as she spoke, "Asuna had a family in SAO too?"

Liz nodded again, pink eyes glistening a little, "yeah, there are nights where Asuna tries drawing them all but can never draw the other two no matter how hard she tries and how upset it makes her. All she remembers is she was married in the game to another player and together they adopted two players, Yui and the other girl who she doesn't remember."

"Yuuki," Kirito's voice was a rather emotional croak, his silver eyes gleaming distant as his mind grew lost in his blocked memories and his search for them all. His search for his family just like Asuna was searching for hers.

Sugu looked sharply at Kirito, "who?" When she noticed the look in her brother's eyes she pressed harder, "who's Yuuki Kirito?"

Kirito looked at her, his silver eyes lost and confused, "I… I don't know." his voice broke, "I can't remember who it is…" Tears burned at his throat and the corners of his eyes, "I can't remember Sugu."


The morning run with Asuna the next morning was more tense than Kirito had thought it would've been but in a way he wasn't surprised. Asuna was completely lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to the world around her beyond muscle memory and stopping when she heard his breathing get too uneven at her faster pace than normal.

The chestnut haired girl's eyes were distant, no doubt thinking about today's arrival of the children players that should begin right after their run. Kirito knew she wasn't even sure if Yui, her daughter, would even be there after witnessing her death in the second game, she was trapped in and it riddled Asuna with pain and fragile hope.

He wished he could do something to make her feel better, but he wasn't much better himself. Last night's nightmare had shaken him up to the point of spending ten minutes throwing up. Having seen his mystery person die once again in his dreams. However, he also knew at least on some conscious level who Yuuki was. Yuuki was the name of his daughter, a player with bright pinkish hued amber eyes and long black hair with a sunny attitude and a love for learning. But even if he remembered her, would she remember him too?

So being mindful of Asuna's turbulent thoughts and mind Kirito kept quiet, his anticipation and fear getting closer by the second as they finished their loop at the front building.

With perfect timing as everyone was already gathered together at the front and one of the shuttle vans were parked in front of them all.

Here goes nothing, Kirito thought shakily to himself as he and Asuna slowed to a stop next to Liz and Sugu. Even if she doesn't remember me I need to at least just see her again, I need to make sure she's healthy and safe even if she doesn't remember me.

After a moment Kirito felt something wrap around two of his fingers and he looked down to find Asuna's index and middle fingers wrapped anxiously around his ring and pinkie finger as the children spilled from the van, essembling in a large semi scared group.


"It's okay Asuna," Kirito couldn't help but laugh a little at the redness of her cheeks. "It's not that embarrassing holding my hand is it?" He asked her in a low voice, his breath tickling her ear.

If possible Asuna's face got redder and she lightly squeezed his two fingers in a slight reprimanding manner. "Shut up and pay attention to Heathcliff," she muttered, keeping her eyes fixed on Heathcliff's holographic plans for the boss battle. Her sharp eyes picking out all and every strategy, flaw, and strength in her leader's plan.

Kirito hummed with amusement but did as she asked, silently relishing in the comforting warmth of her fingers wrapped around his.


Kirito blinked free from his vague memories, the memory of which vanished the moment he refocused, slightly shaking his head before gently squeezing Asuna's fingers. Looking out at the parked van and not at her. He did however speak to her, "it's okay Asuna," he murmured, feeling inclined to say the words in that way, finding them familiar to pronounce as if he had said them before. "She's here, just look for her."

Asuna's fingers tightened their grip and she breathed a shaky breath but did nothing else. Her anticipation and fear remaining hidden from her face as a name was called.

"Yuuki, raised by Kirito the Black Swordsman-" The staff member's word were cut off by the yell of a small child who pushed through the other children.

"Mama!" Dark silver eyes fixated on Asuna accompanied by long black hair, fair skin similar in color to Asuna's, and a lanky build for her young age. The child was wearing a pink sweater and brown skirt with brown ankle boots, and Kirito knew who it was purely by the sudden sob that escaped Asuna's throat.

Asuna instantly took to her knees and released Kirito's fingers, opening her arms for the small girl who was breaking into a run toward her. Tears shone in Asuna's eyes, tears of relief and motherly love. It was like a massive weight had been lifted from the caramel haired girl's slender shoulders at the sight of her SAO child perfectly safe and healthy. "Yui!"


Other SAO Stories

I'll wait for as long as it takes Kirito ~ Kirito has decided after being in a party with her for a year, that Asuna's potential is limitless. So she needs to be with a guild, the new third guild called the KoB. But to get her there he may have to push her away to get her to leave him and join the guild. However, one sentence stops him in his tracks 'Because I love you! I love you much to leave...' (Kirisuna) (COMPLETED) (Sequel Completed) |I'll Wait Forever Series|

New Memories And Resolve ~ Numbed by rejection and heartbreak, Asuna is at a loss of what to do. So she makes the hard decision to follow Kirito's wishes and join the KoB, purely for his sake. However, Kirito wants one more day with her, a last day of making new memories and and giving her the strength to go on. "I care for you more than you'll ever know Asuna…" (Sequel to 'I'll wait as long as it Takes Kirito) (Kirisuna) (Completed) |I'll Wait Forever Series|

Was it All a Joke to You? *New* Getting used to the separation is hard for both parties, but when Kirito and other players' lives are in danger, Asuna instantly comes to his aid. However, harsh words are said after an accidental kiss from Sachi and now Asuna is left wondering, "was it all a joke to him?" (Sequel to 'New Memories and Resolve) (Kirisuna) (Completed) |I'll wait Forever Series|

Stolen Kisses, Iron Resolve ~ After seeing Asuna change drastically to the point where he sometimes fears for her life, Kirito wavers in his decision. What it really a good idea to seperate when Asuna was so torn up by it? They both falter, and for a few moments it's like it's gone back to normal. Something happens and Kirito's resolve is strengthened to iron. But is it really for the best? To push her away only to be drawn back to her and have to push her away again? (Sequel to Was if All a Joke to You?) (Kirisuna) (In progress) |I'll Wait Forever Series|

Butter Knives and Togas ~ Argo needs info, Asuna and Kirito volunteer, they find out there's a reason no player escaped the dungeon, and it's a miracle Kirito can take his eyes off of Asuna at all. Plus the next boss fight is in two days, their inventories have been snatched, Kirito's wearing armor he can barely stand in, Asuna looks like an angel, and their armed with butter knives. Seriously Kyaba? (To be Uploaded) |I'll Wait Forever Series|

Please… Don't Do this ~ Asuna's had enough. The lonely and tired girl gazed below at the water from where she was sitting, was it worth it? And if so, what could change her mind? A boy from her past who's been looking for her since she beat him in a tournament two and a half years ago. 'I will NOT lose you! Never again!' Heavy AU (Completed)

The Hacker's Role ~ I unknowingly helped make the game unhackable from the outside, and now I'm going to make up for my mistakes. I wasn't originally trapped in the game, but now? Now I'm the mystery that keeps players alive. I was a Beta Tester alongside my childhood friend 'the Rat,' and now I'm nicknamed "the Hacker" or "AI." Why? Because in other players eyes, I can't be killed, so I will beat this game. (Collection centered around Caylee's involvement in SAO.) (In Progress)

What I Power My Sword With ~ ...I power it with love. Love for her, my equal and better half. I power my sword with the thought of protecting everyone in the Underworld and one day returning to the girl with amber eyes and long caramel colored hair named Asuna Yuuki. I know she's waiting for me, with open arms for when I return. Kirito will always carry Asuna in his heart, even in a world tens of years away.