Now, before I begin this chapter, I'd like to address something very important. All of you who have read and responded to my note of my last update, I thank you. I'm not being sarcastic or anything like that, honest! Especially to Pichicha123. Him/her cursing at me and all that made me remember a dear friend I lost several years back. It sounded so much like him I couldn't help but laugh. Like...harder than I should've. It brought me back to reality. All of you have shown me how much you guys love this story and you really don't want me to stop.

Personally, I don't want to stop and now there is nothing that is going to make me do that ever again. Thank you so much to Cookie Cha, Vathara, Avatar Conner, MightyBommb,Valheru1988, minitune, Delta Marauder, SoulNinjas, Janomaru, TykkiMikk, The-lazy-bum, Agent 94, Impstar, Xymorm, darkpiro9, Pichicha123,Vangran, purplegiraffe21, thepkrmgc, MyNoseAgreesWithMe, art3mis66, skyrumen818, strabimonx, Midweekcomic13, emROCKS, DemonFoxBK201, Lord Destroyer, Guest, DragonsFollower, Guest, Guest, Jaing Kryze, liteMARGARITA, mattmurdork333, LCHMadness, HawkBlade0, Billy the Kid 730, fantoshiro, and EquinoxWolf for giving me a piece of their mind (that was more than half of you), support, advice, and reminding me why I write and why I should keep going.

Although, the chain message that I received wasn't directed to the content of my story. In fact, it seemed like it was directed to me entirely. It brought up some bad memories and I pretty much lost it. I will admit it to all of you, I am emotionally unstable when it comes to things like this. Amyra Silverheart knows that at a more personal level, I believe. So, I am very sorry for making you sad or frustrated with me. I really didn't mean to. So I'm very, very, very sorry. And I don't know if that'll cut it, but if it isn't then I'll just do what I can to not make you guys upset and frustrated with me again. I promise! I will be honest, I am a difficult person. D:

Honestly, who knew that the internet had more nice people than bad? I apparently didn't know until now! XD You guys had taught me so much and I learned something new from each and every one of you. The biggest lesson I had learned was that the past is the past, and the future is the future, and the present is now. Even if it's painful, you still have to keep going forward. And I shouldn't let a single person get to me that easily ever again!

But enough of that! I'm back and that is all that matters! Although, this chapter isn't very...chipper. It's...well, it a reality check chapter, do you ever expect these things to be happy?

Chapter 22: The Willing

A teen with light, chocolate colored hair and dark grey eyes stood in front of a door, staring at the nameplate right by it. The big bold numbers of 274 seemed to be mocking him, teasing him. To him, the door was just daring him to enter. Behind that door, he knew there was someone there; a child who was similar to him.

Just earlier today, he overheard a few gossiping nurses. He never really liked them, but he learned to get used to it. It was his only way to get information around the hospital. He heard about thousands of people trapped in a game, and he found that hard to believe until he saw the news. He couldn't help but thank his luck. At one point, he wanted to buy it, but he feared that the tumor in his head would get worse. He heard many times before about people who needed new kidneys, or lungs, but never…a heart. The child's name was never mentioned and it only made his curiosity grow. When he finally asked one of the nurses, he managed to only get a name.

Kirigaya Kazuto.

Taking another breath, the teen reached for the door knob. He was only able to tap the surface when someone behind him called his name.

"Suzuku! I finally found you!"

The teen, Suzuku, retracted his hand and stepped away from the door. He saw the only friend he had in the world scamper to him in worry. The girl had short black hair with small ribbons tried at the side of her face and dark eyes framed with dark-rimmed glasses. She grabbed his hand and pulled him slightly, "Suzu, come on, Rinko-san was looking for you."

Suzuku tugged at his hand and stayed rooted. She turned to look at him with confusion.

"Why aren't you coming?" she asked him. With one hand, he signed with practiced ease.

"Asada, please let me visit this room."

The girl, Asada, perfectly understood him and looked at the room. "This room? You don't even know this person and yet you're visiting him?"

Suzuku nodded and took his hand back when he felt her loosen her grip. Asada did nothing to stop him as she just sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll wait here, but make it quick. I don't know how long Rinko-san can wait for us."

With a thankful smile, he swallowed his fear and went right inside, closing the door behind him. Softly, he could hear Asada mumbling, "Always had to see things yourself, huh, Suzu?"

He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face as he closed his eyes. He was a bit jealous of her. She knew him better than he knew himself. It made him wonder why she would come to visit him when she lived far from here. He knew she used to live near him before an incident made her move away, though, they weren't close before. They were only acquaintances in the same class in primary school. She had another friend (at least, he hoped so) back in her place that kept her company when she sort of needed it. As far as he was concerned, she came to find a way to relieve her stress. In the same way, Suzuku saw her as someone to look forward to seeing.

Opening his eyes, he felt himself frown. The window was open and the wind was very gentle. The sunlight lit up the room softly, making the room somewhat inviting. His gaze quickly caught the machines and monitors. The familiar sounds of the beeps made him cringe. Was it really that bad?

Suzuku pulled up a chair and took note of the vases of flowers and the stuffed toys at the nightstand. There wasn't a single card that said "Get Well!" or "I Hope You Wake Up". In fact, there wasn't a card at all. There was a cream stuffed bear sitting on the edge, accompanied with a giraffe, a tiger, and a cute light blue bunny. He found it odd how only a fat lion was right next to the other teen's arm. He tilted his head. What made the lion so special?

He continued to sit there, staring at the Nerve Gear in dislike. The teen was trapped in the game. Briefly, Suzuku wondered why Kazuto would play that game when he was ill. Was he that desperate to get away from everything? Did that fake reality look that appealing?

Honestly speaking, Suzuku wouldn't have minded playing the game, but not…get trapped in it. Maybe that was the reason Kazuto played Sword Art Online? Maybe he thought it was just for a tiny bit?

Suzuku sighed as he pulled the chair closer and slid his hand underneath the other's. He blinked. It felt so weird, but it scared him. Was it really that bad?

He took a good look at the black-haired teen before him. The teen was as pale as a vampire in those American novels he read a while back. The hand he held was smaller than his own and he couldn't believe that it was a hand of a fifteen-year-old boy. Just by looking at the other teen made it hard for him to believe that Kazuto was still alive. Although, the constant, slow beeps from the monitors reassured him in a way. Under the visor of the Nerve Gear, he caught a glimpse at Kazuto's peaceful face.

At that instant, he felt a wave of relief and sighed, letting go of all of the insecurities he had. Just seeing Kazuto somehow managed to calm his bad nervousness. For that moment, he felt like a normal person again. Placing a hand at his chest, he smiled to himself and closed his eyes, his lips forming into words, but not a sound escaped.

"If you can give me this peace, Kazuto-kun, then I'm sure, that if it's you...you'll use this heart of mine well."

He was hoping to feel Kazuto's hand twitch or something, but there was nothing. Opening his eyes, he looked at the lion with a smile.

"If I was a betting type, I'd bet that you're in there right by his side."

Suzuku reached over and patted the soft lion's head. He could imagine the cat purring under his touch. Finally reassured, he sat back and held on to Kazuto's hand a bit longer before letting go. He moved to get up but paused when he heard Asada's voice from outside.

"H-hey! Wait, He'll come out in a bit! So, please—"

The door suddenly opened and he turned in the chair to see who it was. His eyes widened as an officer walked right in. The man stopped with his face grim and his hands very still. Suzuku glanced at the hands before looking up at the officer.

"Tonomi Suzuku?" the officer asked. Suzuku stood up and placed his hands behind his back with a nod of acknowledgement. The officer seemed to be waiting for a verbal response, but Suzuku continued to stare at him.

"Errm…right. Suzuku-kun, I hate to be the one to bring bad news, but…" the officer trailed off a bit, waiting for Suzuku to say something, but another voice came in instead.

"What is it, officer?" asked Rinko as she came into the room with Asada right behind her. The officer frowned as he turned to where he could see everyone. Suzuku tilted his head in wonder, curious to what he had to say.

"…Suzuku-kun's father lost in court. He lost custody over Suzuku-kun and house will be taken under the government. Starting from December, someone from the Child Welfare Services is going to come by and take Suzuku-kun to an orphanage where he will stay until he turns eighteen. An agent from the Child Welfare Services will be coming here tomorrow to discuss things with the hospital. I am…very sorry."

Suzuku only blinked slowly as he lowered his gaze to the floor. Rinko gritted her teeth and bowed her head.

"No, don't apologize. You were only here to deliver the verdict. Thank you, sir." She said, clearly upset at the sudden news. The officer bowed once in respect and left, glancing at Suzuku for a brief moment. Asada hurried to his side and just hugged him.

First his mother and now...his father. Where could he do now? His mother was gone, taken by a blazing, accidental fire a few years back. There were no grandparents that existed anymore. He didn't even have any uncles or aunts that could possibly adopt him. He was by himself.

For a few months, his father hadn't kept up with the bills from taxes and hospitals, falling into a very big debt. It was because of the debt that his father did something so desperate: getting arrested for murdering a man for money. It was stupid, but desperate. Suzuku felt guilty about it. After all, his father tried hard to support him, but as a single parent, things just got harder. The treatment that he needed was starting to get expensive. There was no mother to care for him when his father went to work. Before his father knew it, he was out of his reach.

Suzuku wanted nothing more but to be with his father, but it was impossible now. If the Child Welfare Services stay true to their reputation, then more than likely, he'll never get to see his father again.

Once Asada released him from the hug, he looked at Rinko and placed a hand over his heart and pointed his hand toward Kazuto.

"W-what?" Rinko stammered, hardly believing her eyes. Suzuku's eyes burned with determination. It may had seemed foolish, but he knew that he wouldn't get better by how the doctors acted around him. He was dying and he knew it. His heart was perfectly healthy and he wouldn't need it if he died. If there was anything he wanted to do before he died, then it would be giving something he had to a stranger. He wanted to be a help to someone else.

Kazuto needed this heart. If there was a place to start, then it would begin with Kazuto. He just knew that Kazuto needed this heart more than he did. There were people out there that love and care for him. He often heard Rinko talk about a child who had this weird ability to make people smile when they couldn't. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but feel like he found who Rinko was talking about.

Kazuto needed to live, and Suzuku would do whatever it took to give him what he needed most. Even if Kazuto wouldn't accept his heart, Suzuku was sure that someone would convince him to keep living.

His conviction was that strong. With the brightest smile, Suzuku placed a hand on Kazuto's arm with his hand still over his heart.

Rinko slowly placed a hand over her mouth as the sun shone right over the two teens with its bright afternoon light. To her, it was perfect, yet… heart wrenching. It was such a sight to see. The innocence of the sunlight only enhanced the silent message that it portrayed. A dying child, who just lost everything, was giving all he had left to a dying child who needed it more.

Suzuku opened his mouth, a small, soft voice cracked from the lack of use of eight years.

"I volunte-er."

Asada blinked, not understanding, but shocked all the same. She looked at Rinko who had tears streaming from her face.

"Are you sure, Suzuku?" Rinko asked him with a shaking voice. Asada couldn't help but feel a bit said as she looked at Suzuku.

The teen nodded with that smile still on his face. "Y-yes."

Rinko suddenly swept him into a tight, yet gentle hug, crying harder. Asada still didn't understand, but she placed a hand on Rinko's shoulder, giving Suzuku a questioning glance. He only smiled and mouthed, "I'll tell you later."

She gave him a look that clearly said "Don't you dare forget, then". Slowly, Suzuku managed to find a way to sit Rinko down on the chair next to Kazuto. She released him but still held his hand. He watched in silence as she reached for the other teen's hand and grasped it tenderly.

Suzuku looked over to Kazuto once more and placed his own hand on top of Rinko's.

"When you wake up, I'm sure a good friend will be there for you." he thought, "Rinko-san is also waiting for you. Don't make me wait too long, Kazuto."

Suzuku knew that Asada wouldn't understand now, but he knew she would one of these days. All he could do now was hope that Kazuto would wake up before time runs out. Feeling a tiny twinge of sadness, he watched Asada shrug her shoulders in complete confusion. She would definitely hate him for it, but she would understand.

For some odd reason, Suzuku had a feeling that Asada and Kazuto would meet each other face to face one day. He just hoped they'll become good friends.

Hmmm... I should've made it longer. Oh well. So, how did this chapter go? I was really trying to avoid adding an OC, but I desperately needed one. I honestly poured a tiny bit of my real self into Suzuku. I only just recently created him and I really needed a donor. By the looks of it, his personality is...a tiny bit of me. TINY. Oh yeah, and one last thing, thank you to Krulla Chief, thepkrmgc, skyrumen818, Yuu3, Kirinthor, Sn0wk1tty, Impstar, Delta Marauder, Guest, and SoulNinjas for reviewing Chapter 21!

Every single person mentioned in this chapter is very dearly loved and cared for. Of course, that includes all of those who Favorite'd and Followed this story. I won't stop writing and my resolve will stay strong. Just like Suzuku's conviction. :D

Preview! ('m gonna get a kick out of this! XD)

"We were only gone for a night and half a day…AND THIS HAPPENS?!" Lisbeth cried, obviously devastated by the wreckage before her. Asuna carefully stepped over the fallen weapons and called out for Kirito.

"Oi! Kirito, where are you?" she said as she looked around. Lisbeth followed her with gritted teeth.

"How in the world could a pesky brat like him destroy a whole shop…!" she mumbled. "Come out and take my anger like a man, Kirito!"

Later!

-CloudyLightning

(P.S.: As for that note before this chapter, I might delete the whole thing and just leave something stupid and funny. Or something cool and weird at the same time. But I don't know what would happen when I delete it. DX)