...

...I'M SORRY! I'M SO SO SORRY!

Chapter 20: The Cardinal's Choice

The sun filtered through the window and slowly crossed the room, resting on a teen's half-curled hand. The teen didn't twitch his hand until a few seconds later. He scrunched his eyes together before slowly blinking them open.

Kirito stared at the ceiling above him with dazed eyes; his mind completely blank. He couldn't seem to register anything at the moment, even just to think about anything. He felt like he was half-there, and half-here. Or just dead tired.

Not a single thought occurred to him as he just laid there, feeling no sense of urgency or worry. Should he be worried? Well, yes, but could he bring himself to care? ...Unfortunately, no. He still couldn't register anything.

Not even when someone with red hair and a bandana appeared above him. Or even the words that formed on the man's lips. It was like hearing the man talking through muffled wall, distant, but heard. He could only stare, and not a single thought came to him.

Maybe he should've at the very least tried to think, or even care, but he could bring himself to do it. Instead, his eyes slowly slipped closed as he heard the man's voice gradually getting clearer.

"...-irito!"

Everything, for that brief moment, slipped through his hands as he fell back into a world of darkness.

"Kirito!"

He still couldn't bring himself to care.

._._._._._.

~A few hours later~

Kirito finally stirred from his sleep. His body tensed as he slowly opened his eyes. The room was lit with a lamp at his left. Outside was dark, slowly setting into the night. Kirito hissed as he sat up, cursing at his throbbing head. A ball of fur rolled off of his arm and tumbled right off the bed with a small thump!

"What the...?" Kirito muttered as he placed a hand to his head. He peered at the floor and took note of a golden ball of...an animal. "...heck is that...?"

Suddenly the ball unraveled into a cat-like creature with an orange gold mane. The two shared a loooong stare, almost as if they both couldn't believe their eyes. Kirito looked at his HP bar and quickly read the names underneath his own. In addition to Klein's HP bar, there was Shiku's. His lion. It finally clicked in his head.

"Shiku?!"

Kirito barely had the chance to yell, when the cat-lion leapt at him with a happy purr.

"Wah!" Kirito fell back on the bed with Shiku licking his face. "Gah! No! What are you doing?!"

He scrambled out of bed and stumbled to the floor when his knees suddenly buckled underneath him. He easily face-planted the floor with a yelp. Shiku mewed in surprise and bounded over to him hurriedly. Kirito laid there for a second, hiding his face flushing in embarrassment. A few seconds later, he finally looked up to see the cat-lion crouching in front of him.

"...That was embarrassing." Kirito stated rather bluntly. Shiku mewed in agreement as he began to lift himself up. His arms shook as he tried to drag his legs underneath him, though, only his right moved. His dark eyes widened in shock. "Oh, no. Please tell me this isn't happening..."

*Knock, knock, knock*

Kirito craned his neck to see the door behind him open. Klein was sighing as he entered the room and paused at the sight in front of him. Kirito managed a smile.

"Good evening...?" he greeted. Klein immediately brightened.

"Ah! Kirito! You're up-" he did a double take. "What are you doing on the floor?!"

"...Stretching." Unfortunately for Kirito, his arms gave way and he landed on Shiku, who happened to be directly below him. The poor cat-lion screeched as he was sandwiched to the floor with Kirito's stomach. Klein crossed his arms and gave him the "Oh, really" look.

Kirito rolled his eyes and struggled to lift himself up again. Klein hurried to his side and helped him sit up.

"You okay?" he asked Kirito. The teen scowled and gripped Klein's shoulder.

"No. I feel like crap all over and I can't seem to move my legs…" he trailed off as when he remembered how it was nearly the same way in reality. Klein silently understood. He easily picked him up and placed him back on the bed. Shiku leapt up on the bed once Kirito was settled back into bed with the guild leader's help.

"You know, you gave us a scare back there." Klein began as he pulled up a chair. Kirito ruffled Shiku's mane and avoided Klein's eyes.

"Sorry," he apologized, "I don't know what came over me. It was just so sudden that I can't even seem to put it in words."

"You know, you're going to have to pretty soon. Asuna hasn't been in a good mood at all. In fact, Heathcliff had to tell her to get a vacation!" Klein said with amusement in his voice. Kirito stared at him for a moment before giving him a look.

"Who are you and what have you done with Klein?" he deadpanned. Klein felt his jaw drop as he hunched forward in surprise.

"What?! No, it's me Klein! Of course I'm Klein! What makes you think I'm not?!" the guild leader demanded as he stood up with his arms crossed. Kirito haphazardly shrugged his shoulders.

"You're not bombarding me with questions, not telling me what I should do and not do….not even being an annoying mom." Klein could definitely hear the smile in Kirito's voice as he spoke. In truth, he did want to ask him questions. He wanted to scold him and yell at him for making everyone worry. Heck, even Silica, the girl they just befriended, and Heathcliff (of all people to worry) was getting scared.

"Well, I figured that if Asuna is still upset, I'll leave all the scolding to her." Klein said, defensively. He sighed and sat back down, running a hand though his hair. "Look, Kirito, you've been out for a week."

"A week?!" Kirito exclaimed. He instantly regretted it as a splitting headache appeared once again. He gritted his teeth and hissed slightly. Shiku nudged his hand in comfort. Of course, he didn't miss the frown on Klein's face.

"Yeah, a week. Although, you did wake up here and there, but you didn't seem to hear me when I called out to you." Klein said. Kirito closed his eyes and tilted his head back.

"I did?" he questioned. Klein gave him a grim nod.

"Are you sure you're alright? It could be—"

"—that my NerveGear was lagging." he cut in, but he knew. He knew he was just lying to himself and Klein. His body was reaching its limit, and he shouldn't even attempt to sugar coat it.

"Kirito…this could be worse than you think." Klein said with a serious voice. The teen shook his head and plastered a smile on his face.

"Yeah, I know," Kirito said as he gathered Shiku in his arms, "all the more reason why we just have to clear the game."

Klein sat there for a moment, pondering over what to do. Once Kirito was well enough to get out of bed, what was he going to do? He knew that telling Kirito to stay in one place was never going to work, but neither could taking him to the Front Lines would. He could probably take him on small, easy-going missions, but Kirito would more than likely get irritated. But then, what would happen if Kirito never got better? What could he do then? Kirito was a naturally stubborn, rebellious child, so there wasn't he could do about that anyway…

He sighed and got up, giving Kirito an affectionate pat on the head. Kirito flinched and gave him a perplexed look. Klein easily felt the heat of his fever with a single touch and it made him worry.

"You get some more rest," he said as he headed to the door, "I'll get you something to eat."

Kirito blinked after him with a tilted head. "And when you come back, you better be Klein."

The guild leader paused as he took in Kirito's words. Not a moment later, his usual smile appeared on his face and he gave Kirito a thumbs-up. "Hahaha, you got it, Kirito!"

Though it was a bit forced, Kirito didn't doubt for a second that Klein would go back to his usual self. If there was going to be one grim person, it should be Kirito himself. He released Shiku from his grip and allowed the cat-lion to curl up at the end of his bed. Sighing, he decided to check if nothing actually changed in his stats while he was out…

Now, suddenly bored, he swiped his hand down and randomly began to stroll around. Kirito stared at his menu, more specifically, his skills. Nothing at the current moment was making any sense to him. He dismissed his menu and sat there for a good five seconds before reopening his menu to his skills. He bit the back of his lip and let his eyes reread the same two words over and over.

"Dual…blades…?" he finally muttered to himself. He looked up with a dumbfounded face. "Ah. Dual Blades."

Realization finally dawned on him. "Oh my—Aki-nii-chan!"

Without really thinking, he leapt out of bed and jumped out the window with only one thing in mind. To see Heathcliff. It didn't really register in his head that he was actually running and not stumbling around like a fool. Nor did it register that he was only wearing a black shirt, a pair of black pants, no shoes, or even a sword equipped. All he just had to do was run. Run and see his "brother".

._._._._._.

Heathcliff heaved a sigh as he finally managed to get the meeting room empty for the day. His only source of light was from the lamps at the corners of the room. He already shared his plans for the next day to his leading members (Asuna was a bit unfocused, and Heathcliff never bothered to blame her), and he was ready to log out for a few short hours. Of course, he enjoyed the world that he created, but for some odd reason, it was beginning to seem a little…less exciting now.

For once, he was beginning to question himself. When he heard that Kirito collapsed a week ago, he felt a spike of fear he was very familiar to. Every phone call from the hospital, from Rinko, or from Midori, he felt that same fear. He knew why he created this game. He knew why he wanted to create a world of his own. He wanted to be a king, a ruler, a god. He wanted to create a world as a haven for a child who could never be a child; a place for that child to have a bit of fun and forget their surroundings, even for just a moment.

But, he created his world out of fear, of losing someone he cared dearly for.

"This…probably wasn't what I wanted." he said out loud in the empty room. His voice echoed off the walls, giving him a feel of loneliness. "And…this is most likely what Kazuto-kun never wanted…"

He placed his elbows on the table before him and buried his tired face in his hands. He could remember how Kazuto would give an easy smile every single day, but that smile rarely ever appeared on Kirito's face. Kirito was barely anything like the Kazuto he knew. Kazuto was a thin slate of glass that displayed his happiness, while Kirito was a heavy curtain of uncertainty and desperation. Was it Heathcliff's fault for making the Kazuto he knew into Kirito?

Most likely.

"Damn it…" Heathcliff cursed. He should've—

Bang!

._._._._._.

"Get back here! You can't go in without permission!" screamed a severely pissed off Kuradeel. The Black Swordsman promptly ignored him and scurried down a hall and took a left. The moment he arrived at the Knights of the Blood Oath Head Quarters, he bypassed everyone who tried to question him saying, "Please, pardon my intrusion!" Of course, he just had to run into Asuna's bodyguard, Kuradeel. Kirito practically labeled him as a boneless chicken that lost its head. Kuradeel tried to grab him by the arm, but Kirito's arm was thin and he slipped away like water.

Once he reach two double doors, Kirito slammed the doors open with no hesitation and ran inside. He saw Heathcliff looking up in surprise and standing up, hand hovering over his sword. Kirito didn't dare to slow down as he jumped over the width of the long table and karate chopped Heathcliff on the head.

SMACK!

"IIIIIDIOT!" Kirito cried, forcing Heathcliff into his chair. He landed on the edge of the table with one knee touching the surface and glared dangerously at the guild leader.

"WHA!?"

"Heathcliff!"

Kirito ignored Heathcliff's raised hand (for Kuradeel to stand down) and pointed an accusing finger at him. He was pretty sure that Kuradeel listened. Well, he hoped.

"You're an idiot! An epic fool! A shortsighted, ridiculous—" Kirito cut himself off and turned around to see Kuradeel ready to capture him. The Black Swordsman pointed at him with such vigor that Kuradeel was taken aback. "You! Get out of here! I need to talk to your stupid guild leader!"

"Don't addre—"

"OUT!"

"Kuradeel, please. Close the doors while you're at it." Heathcliff said, leaning slightly out of his chair to see past Kirito. With an angered expression, Kuradeel turned on his heel and hurriedly headed toward the door. Just outside the room, Kirito could see a small crowd of KoB members looking in with curiosity. He waited until those doors were closed before turning back to Heathcliff.

"…Truce?" Heathcliff asked with a bit of a hopeful smile, breaking the dead silence between them. Kirito narrowed his eyes at him.

"…Stupidest, bird-brained, 'supposedly mature', non-blood related, older brother who lost his marbles." he spat, finally finishing his earlier sentence. Heathcliff's smile faltered as his shoulders fell. Kirito glanced at the side for a moment as if thinking something over. "…But, yeah, I guess. Truce."

"…Are you having mood swings?" Heathcliff asked rather randomly. Kirito rolled his eyes and karate chopped his head fiercely once more.

Smack!

Heathcliff was secretly glad he disabled the pain absorption, because he knew that he would've gotten a concussion in real life.

"No. I'm fuming inside and trying hard not to snap again." Kirito said with a smile.

"I-I see… What's wrong Kazuto-kun?" Heathcliff asked, forgetting to address him as "Kirito". The teen blinked at the use of his real name. For some odd reason a bit of his anger lightened a little. Let's repeat that again…a little. Kirito shook his head and glared at him.

"Dual Blades. Explain. Now." he demanded. Kirito knew he was being rude and such, but at the current moment, he was upset. Really upset.

"What? Dual Blades? You received the Skill?" Heathcliff asked, confusion clear on his face.

"Don't play dumb with me!" Kirito snapped. "You know I did! Aki-nii, you should've given it to someone else! I can't accept this skill. There are thousands of others who are more qualified than me. Klein would've been a better choice. Or Asuna! And yet you chose me to have this Skill? Why—Heathcliff?"

Kirito cut himself off when he noticed the look of disbelief on Heathcliff's face. He felt a pang of nervousness as his anger slowly dissolved. Their eyes meet and Heathcliff's was dead serious.

"Kazuto-kun…I was not the one who chose who received a Skill. I only created them. The Cardinal System does."

Kirito blinked. "Eh?"

I'm really sorry guys! I know I said that this chapter would come quick, but a thing called Senior Project got in the way. I nearly failed Pre-Calculus, so to save my sorry little rear, I had to study like hell. Then I had SAT testing (which was today, March 14, 2015). And this thing called Market day...Ugh. A thing to keep in mind everyone: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE OR YOU'LL END UP BULLCRAPPING EVERYTHING IN THE END. Yup. Bullcrap. Practically more than half of my assignments were half-hearted (but/or at least attempted). Uhm...I'll stop my rant.

Okay! Thank you sooooo much to SpringStars, Faliara, thepkrmgc, skyrumen818, Delta Marauder, Impstar, EquinoxWolf, fyphoniex, Sn0wk1tty, StarElsie (from ALL Chapters O-O)and Guest, who asked me when the next chapter would come out over a month ago... for reviewing last chapter! :D And Again, I apologize for making you guys wait for sooooooooo long!

One last thing, I will update POA next, but first, I plan to finish the Two Swordsmasters first so you guys can have a reference or something to refer to when you guys read Prince of Aincrad. Less confusing, I hope.

So, tell me what you guys thought of this chapter!

Preview!

Kirito looked a little skeptical as he looked at the little house near a river. "Hmmm, I don't know, Asuna. Are you sure this blacksmith doesn't look too hard? I'd hate to have yet another person constantly nagging me..."

Asuna confidently placed a hand on her hip with a smile. "Oh, cheer up, Kirito! As long as we don't mention anything and stay perfectly normal, then we'll be fine!"

The Black Swordsman bit the back of his lip. "She's your best friend, right...?"

"Yup! She's the best friend and blacksmith you would ever find in Aincrad." Asuna replied with a smile. She grabbed his wrist and began to cross the small paved bridge. Kirito forced a smile.

"...I'm screwed. I just know I am." he muttered under his breath.

Later!

-CloudyLightning (with no promises when the next update will come!)