Preface:

Hello again, I'm Back again with another chapter. The last chapter ended on quite the roller-coaster! Hopefully you enjoy the second half of Naruto's emotional dilemma. Also, I think this will answer quite a few of the questions you had at the end of the last chapter.

All rights and privileges of Sword Art Online belong to Reki Kawahara.

Chapter 4

Monday Nov 7th, 2022

Not even five minutes had passed. Sitting at the table attempting to write, Argo could only wonder what had gone on in that room. "I'll be on the wolf plains," Naruto growled as he walked by. Barely pausing to send out a party invite, Argo was shocked. She had known something was different about him, but this? Obviously, Sachi had asked him to stay and he had said no, but still…

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Argo looked back at the manuscript she was writing. With a little bit of work, the first one would be done; hopefully, it would save some. As a beta tester she had a duty to help the new players. Playing a new MMO with no room for error, the concept was terrifying. Sighing, Argo went back to typing, putting her exceptional memory to work. The only good thing about her, her uncle said.

Line after line of information materialized. Argo knew that many players would gladly pay for this. That this information was worth a countless amount of col. She could literally make herself a fortune just by selling the contents of her mind for money, yet she didn't. It went opposite her uncle's ingrained tenant, nothing is free. From day one that lesson had been pounded into eight-year-old Argo, time and time again. Living in his house was not free, if she couldn't, or wouldn't, pay up then she could live on her own. Therefore, she put her memory to work.

Counting cards was no easy feat, yet Argo had done it for him. No one expected the girl sulking in the corner to be the reason behind her uncle's skill. Using code to communicate, she was able to make him quite a bit of money at seedy gambling tournaments. These winnings were how she had afforded a Nerve Gear. Access to another world, any world that wasn't hers.

This was the final reason Argo wrote this guidebook. Her good will was minimal, her desire to return home even less. It was guilt. Most of the people here left a life behind. A life they desired. Loved ones who would be praying at their bedside. People like Naruto. What right did she have to deny them their happiness?

Thinking back on the smile he'd given her yesterday, Argo's chest hurt. He was a joker, yet there was a kindness underneath it all. Seriousness wrapped in comedy, it was entrancing. In school, Argo had been forced to listen to lectures on charismatic leaders. One's who could convince their soldiers to lay down their lives for a cause. Argo had snorted then; no man could convince her to die for them. No man was worth it. Yet Naruto was everything they claimed one would be, easy to be around, personable, charismatic. You wanted their approval without even knowing why.

That wasn't what had walked past her. That Naruto had been troubled and angry. A child unsure of themselves. His desire to help combated his loyalty to his friends, driving regretful choices. Argo only hoped she could revert him. Praying for the possibly, Argo frantically rushed to finish the guidebook.

Wolf after wolf fell before him. No matter how much he swung his sword, no matter how many drop items he collected, the pit in his stomach remained. Horrible, his treatment of Sachi had been horrible. If it was possible to throw up, he would have. Yet no matter how much he wished to go back and beg for forgiveness, his body wouldn't let him. To return to Sachi, he would lose motivation to clear the game. His two best friends would be here, why should he risk his life when they came with him to this world?

The weakness of giving of up, of making it someone else's problem haunted him across the fields. It had all been so easy yesterday after the tutorial. To create a plan, to carry it out. With darkness came the nightmares, the inevitable truths one had to face when there was nothing to look at but the inside of your eyelids. The insecurities, the questions, had degraded Naruto's confidence. He knew he was good, but the game had already shown him his limitations. He could barely protect his friends from a boar, how could he protect them against bosses?

He couldn't bear another death, not after his grandfather. His grandfather had always wanted someone in the family to be a serious kendo practitioner. Yukito was initially supposed to fill that spot, but he had been disinterested. Yukito preferred baseball and chasing girls. When Kazuto had shown interest, his grandfather was thrilled. An athletic background already built, Kazuto was a natural. His death last year had been heartbreaking. The week before regionals, he had a heart attack during a particularly furious bout. Kneeling over his grandfather's dying body, Kazuto was powerless to help.

It wouldn't happen again, it couldn't. He wasn't powerless anymore; his sword was as dangerous as anyone's. Here, strength was a stat, not something granted by age. If one of them died, Naruto knew he'd collapse, he couldn't do it. Bearing Sachi and Arthur's hate, even that would be easier. They would be safer if they stayed in the Town of Beginnings. Sachi especially, she wasn't a fighter. She shouldn't have been forced into this twisted game.

Sitting at the top of a hill, Naruto grimaced. It was beautiful, the waist height grass hiding its wolves with ease. The swaying grass glowed a brilliant emerald underneath the early morning sun. To be able to walk these fields with his friends. To be able to laugh and joke. If Kayaba hadn't made this a death game, that's indeed what he would have done after school today. Sachi and him would have laughed at school about neither realizing the other had bought the game. Joining forces, they would have set out joyfully across these plains, looking for new areas to conquer. But now, that dream had been turned into a nightmare. To try and live it would invite death on his friends. Looking over the landscape, Naruto cried. He cried for what could have been, and what he had lost.

Argo winced as, yet again, Naruto took a wolf she could have dealt with. The obsessive protection had been funny, maybe even a little endearing at first, but now… More than being insulting, it was a bad sign. If he couldn't trust his teammates, he couldn't participate in a boss raid, unless… Horror growing, Argo forced herself to speak. "W-what do you know about boss monsters, Nar-boi?"

"Boss monsters? They're basically elite monsters with more health."

Shocked at how someone could be so clueless, Argo gaped at her party mate. "Y-you can't actually be thinking about trying to solo them?"

Face hardening, Naruto finally looked at her. "I have to. I won't risk my friends and anyone else will just get in my way."

"Sorry to break this to you," Argo growled, "but even you can't fight a boss solo. They are designed to be fought by raid groups."

"That's what you said about elite monsters," Naruto dismissed. "If I can kill them, I can kill a boss."

"No, I said elite monsters were fought with a party. Bosses are fought with multiple parties." Argo continued to rage. "Since you've decided to be dense, let me lay out some facts for you. The boss of this floor is called 'Illfang the Kobold Lord'. Initially wielding a hand axe and buckler, Illfang possesses four health bars. Since, he's small, for a boss, you surround him with six to eight players, a party. Attacking with primarily vertical sword skills, one player tanks Illfang and the others wail on him. When that party gets low, they switch out, rinse and repeat.

"To fight him yourself, not only would you have to tank all the skills, you will still have to output the damage. Let's say you deal the damage of two players, that's still going to take you four times as long to bring him down. That's forty minutes a health bar, Almost three hours for the entire fight!"

"A-Argo look…" Naruto tried to interrupt.

Rolling over his point, Argo was on a rampage, "AND, all of that is ignoring the small mobs. There are three of them, and these aren't little boars. They are elite troopers that can take over a minute for a full party to bring down."

"I know that it will be…"

"I'm not finished yet!" Argo all but yelled, standing less than a foot form the boy. "These three mobs don't just stay dead. Oh no, there are another three every health bar."

"It's a difficult fight I understand." Naruto broke in, trying to stop the diminutive girl.

"No, you don't, I haven't even gotten to the best part! When Illfang enters his final phase, he draws a Talwar, an Indian curved sword. Wielding it in two hands, the blade does even more damage than the axe. While the sword skills remain mainly single target, you need a shield to receive these blows. Plus, they come to fast to dodge, even for you I'd reckon. Still eager to go solo him?"

"I guess I could assemble a raid with the top players," the admonished boy admitted. "Although you're probably just making it sound worse than it is so I don't attempt it."

"You think my info is wrong?" Argo growled menacingly.

Realizing his mistake, Naruto hastily backpedalled. "N-no of course not. You wouldn't sell incorrect information… You may just edit it in an attempt to save a friend's life."

Sighing, Argo's anger ran out. "Of course, I'll try to save you Nar-boi. I don't know why, but if you need me, I'll be there." Unable to look into those black eyes any longer, Argo continued down the path to Horunka.

"Ah," Naruto exclaimed quietly. The words hit hard. He had said them to Sachi once. When he had saved her, he promised her he'd always save her. But when she'd begged him to stay? Suddenly clearing the game became more important. He had put strangers above his best friend. Was he a hero or a monster? Resolve cracking, Naruto followed the info broker to the next town.

Sitting across a table from each other, Argo was unsure of what to say. The harsh reality was that they had only known each other for a little more than a day. Personally, Argo considered it a miracle that Naruto had even agreed to have supper with her. She knew he was dying to get out there and fight. To feel like he was making a difference. At least he had let her fight for the remainder of the journey.

"Is there something on my face?"

"Huh?" the question snapped Argo out of her reverie. Realizing she had been staring at Naruto's face, she felt her cheeks heat up. "Oh no, it's nothing."

"Oh… well thanks."

"For what?" Argo asked confused.

Shifting in his chair, Naruto resembled what he was, a boy. Albeit a good-looking one, Argo thought snidely. "Saving my life."

"Huh?" echoing herself, Argo wasn't sure if she had heard right. She had almost killed him before the tutorial. Nothing she had done up to this point redeemed that.

"I was thinking about abandoning you here." Naruto admitted. "I realized that you planned on collecting the information on monsters personally. I thought I could save you the danger by staying ahead of you. By soloing the floors and bosses, I could keep you and everyone safe. But I can't, can I?" In the end I'm only one person, I can't save everyone."

Gulping, Argo composed herself as she took in this new information before responding. "It's a very generous statement, Nar-boi, but you didn't understand the concept of MMO did you? It's called multiplayer for a reason. It's not meant to be beatable by one person. I'm still missing the part where I saved your life." Argo couldn't help but tease.

"By yelling at me with facts," Naruto chuckled. "You rammed the truth down my throat until I couldn't ignore it. Without that, I'd be off closer to the labyrinth right now. Eventually, I'd run into something I couldn't solo and die a pointless death. So, thank you."

"It's no problem, Nar-boi, just promise me one thing?"

"Of course," Naruto agreed with a smile, "what is it?"

"To go back to being you. You aren't edgy and mean. You're kind and warm. A leader, not a tyrant."

"But what if a tyrant is what's needed to beat this game?" Naruto rebuked quietly. "Regardless, I'll try to remember how to smile, for you."

"Thank you," Argo smiled, relief flooding her. It wasn't a solution, but it was a start. "Although that was an interesting choice of words I noticed."

Wary at the gleam in Argo's eyes, Naruto slowly extended the words Argo was waiting for. "What words were those?"

"Rammed down my throat… you weren't thinking about what you wanted to put down my throat, were you?"

Caught off guard, Naruto could only gape at the cackling info broker, face bright red. "I-I wouldn't, I mean I haven't…"

"I got you!" Argo crowed at the poor boy. "You put up a good front, but I got you this time."

"Fine," Naruto grumbled, "you got me. But don't worry, I'll win the next one."

"Oh, really?" Argo smirked, arching an eyebrow. "So, you're willing to bet on that, right?"

Confidence waning, Naruto hesitated. "I'll think about it."

"You do that." Argo replied with an easy smile. Already he's coming back, Argo thought. No matter what Naruto believed, Argo knew better. The boy she had met yesterday, the one with infinite care and patience. The one who had wrapped her in a hug, that was the Naruto they needed. This one would only burnout and fall short. Like a meteor shooting for the earth, without protection, he would burn up before making it.

Heading upstairs to their rooms, Naruto hesitated outside of Argo's room. "So…"

"You want to share a bed?" Argo teased. "My you're forward. You didn't even pay for my meal."

"What? No!" Naruto vehemently denied. "I wanted to know the plan for tomorrow."

"Sure, you did," Argo winked. "Well, in the morning I'll be running around town collecting info. During that time there's a bunch of quests I want you to do. Mostly fetch and puzzle quests, as well as some other things. During the afternoon I'll be writing stuff up. In the forest is a quest for a really good one-handed sword. It will probably take you the rest of the day to do as well."

"Makes sense," Naruto yawned. "Meet at six for breakfast?"

"Six?" Argo exclaimed, "that's so early!"

"That's when I usually get up to do morning workout," Naruto shrugged. "I'll see you at seven then?"

"Night," Argo nodded, walking into her cold room alone.

Watching the door close, Naruto dragged himself to his room. Despite the teasing and minor flirting, neither of them would have survived actually sharing a bed. He hadn't even done that with Sachi or Sugu.

Folding himself into his bed, Naruto removed his clothes as an afterthought. There was no sweat or dirt to drive one to bathe. Thinking about how strange it was to not wash the sweat off after a day of sweating, Naruto chuckled slightly. So different yet so familiar. Running his fingers through the woollen sheets, Naruto focused on the senses in his fingers. The coarse texture was the same, yet there was a subtle lack of something. Precision, Naruto decided after a moment. No matter what spot on the blanket he picked, it was the same. There were no irregularities or loose strings. Little things like this reminded him he was in a different world, yet the similarities made it feel real. Everything to convince us this world is real, Naruto thought bitterly.

Bitterness slowly faded as waves of exhaustion assaulted him. Even if the physical part wasn't real, the mind could be worn out. After a fitful sleep last night, Naruto was ready to sleep. It was a wonder Argo was even operational today. Hoping Sachi was doing alright, Naruto's conscious faded.

"He's not coming back…" Sachi murmured from where she'd fallen. "My hero has abandoned me…" Tears grew fresh in her eyes as night fell once more. The first night had been bad enough, trapped until death claimed her in a video game; without even a chance to finally confess. Then morning had come. Finally working up the courage to go downstairs, he had appeared. A little tired, but glorious. Her best friend, her saviour. Here to do it once again. He could have asked for anything at that moment and Sachi would have given it willingly. But no, what he'd asked for was the only thing she couldn't give. That she stays here without him as he goes to beat the game. He had chosen the others over her. He had chosen that girl over her. Laughing hysterically, Sachi wondered if dying would hurt in this game.

Tuesday Nov 8th, 2022

Flower in hand Naruto walked back out of the forest to the hut he had accepted the quest at. 'The Medicine of the Forest' it was called. The objective was simple, receive a flower which grows on a monster called 'Little Nepenthe'. The problems? An absurdly low spawn rate on mobs with the flower, and secondly, the presence of nepenthes which had fruit on them. Breaking the fruit released a strong smell which attracted every nepenthe in a large radius.

Approaching the cabin, Naruto opened the door and walked in. After talking to the grandmother and handing over the flower, the quest was complete. Pulling out the quest reward, the 'Anneal Blade', Naruto admired it. Changing the angle at which light struck the blade seemed to change the colour. Ranging from a steely grey to almost Black, the blade fascinated Naruto. Ripping his eyes away, Naruto sheathed it, replacing his almost broken 'Short Sword'. Equipment upgraded, Naruto should return to Horunka to eat supper and celebrate with Argo, yet Naruto was still hesitant to leave the cabin. For some reason, his instincts were telling him to stay. That there was something here he had to see.

Mind made up, Naruto turned back into the cabin and followed the grandmother through the back door. Walking through, Naruto saw the old woman gently administering the medicine to the sick child. Standing quietly in the corner of the room, Naruto watched as the grandmother's attentive care slowly brought colour back to the child.

"Why are you crying, mister?" The still hoarse voice of the child shook Naruto out of his reverie.

"Crying?" Naruto asked. Touching his face, Naruto's fingers came away wet before the tears burst into polygons. "I don't know…" Naruto started to say but stopped. He did know. Naruto had once spent a week at his cousin's, what was supposed to be a boot camp to help with their kendo skills. Unfortunately, Sugu had fallen into the pond on the first day. It was winter, and she thought it was frozen. Falling through the ice, Sugu almost died. Despite going to the hospital, Sugu had a bad cold for the rest of the week. Ignoring kendo practice, Kazuto helped his cousin overcome the illness. Sitting beside her, helping her drink, promising her it would be okay.

Not only Suguha, but Sachi as well. Every day for a week last year, when Sachi was home with the flu, Naruto stopped by. Just checking in he always told her when she said not to bother. Besides, I'll always be there when you need me, Naruto had told Sachi with a smile.

Tears coming faster now, Naruto broke down as he collapsed to the floor. "I abandoned them. Everyone who needs me." Naruto's back shook from the sobs escaping him. He promised, and he still left her. As a warm pressure caressed his back, Naruto looked up to see the girl rubbing his back.

"If you truly care for them, they'll understand when you return." The girl told Naruto with a smile.

"Thank you," Naruto replied, wiping his face Naruto asked, "What is your name?" Realizing his mistake too late, Naruto panicked wondering how the AI was going to deal with the question.

"I'm Agatha," the girl replied with a smile.

"And you should still be in bed," the mom interrupted gently. "While it wasn't much, I hope your time here has helped you, young man. You don't look quite as stressed as when you came in earlier."

"I-I think it has," Naruto answered, slowly standing back up. "and the name is Naruto, if you ever need anything, I'll help."

"Oh ho, I'm afraid there's nothing around here to interest an adventurer like you," The mother laughed. "Well unless Agatha falls sick again, but what's the chance of that happening?"

"Right… What are the chances…" Agatha and her mother didn't notice Naruto's melancholy mood as they continued to laugh. Not wanting to ruin the joyous mood, Naruto excused himself and left the cabin to return to Horunka proper.

"You look like you've been through hell," Argo commented when Naruto met up with her again. "Quest really gave you that much trouble?"

"Of course not. Everything happened as you said it would." Naruto told her dejectedly. "It was everything after the quest that's been giving me trouble."

"Will you tell me?" Argo asked, turning her full attention to the conversation. "Or are you going to make me beg, Nar-boi?"

Smiling faintly at Argo's teasing, Naruto nursed his drink for awhile before slowly replying. "I abandoned her. In a strange world where she was so happy just to see me again… and I left her."

When the topic turned to Sachi, Argo's expression soured but remained focused. "You're working to free her from this world. If she can't at least appreciate that… then she isn't worth your time."

"She's my best friend Argo. Not only her but the others. Seeing that mother care for her daughter, Agatha, I guess it just made me question my decisions."

"I guess it's a question of what you want," Argo tentatively told him. "Whether you want to return to the real world or stay here in this one."

"You make it sound like this game is a world." Naruto replied testily.

"Well in a way it is Nar-boi," Argo answered with a smile, happy that the discussion had moved away from Sachi. "I mean, death is real, and we can't leave. What more does it need?"

"I don't know Argo, but I can't accept it," Naruto adamantly refused her logic.

"Why Nar-boi?" Argo quietly asked. "I think it makes things easier for me, you know, thinking it's real?"

Clenching his fists, Naruto opened his heart to Argo, "If I think of this world as real, how can I end it? Already, that girl on the quest, Agatha, I forgot she wasn't real. If this world is real, as you claim, how can I justify fighting to end it?"

At the vulnerability in his voice, Argo swallowed nervously. Every man in her life had always been in control, or at least pretended to be. They kept their feelings locked inside and revealed no weakness. Doubt crept into Argo's voice as she dealt with these new circumstances. "Naruto… I-I don't know."

Looking at Argo now, for the second time Naruto saw a normal girl, not a savvy info broker, but a frightened girl who was trying to make the most of bad circumstances. "I think maybe I was too narrow minded." Naruto slowly spoke, as the silence stretched.

"What do you mean?" Argo asked confused at the change.

"I think I've been too focused on freeing everyone from this… this world. I need to combine that drive with remaining social. Even if I do free them from this world, what's the point if I wasn't there when they needed me?"

"I see," Argo said, a mixture of emotions at war inside her. "But I thought you refused to let your friends die for you?"

Naruto stilled as his previous arguments warred with his new realizations. "If they want to fight with me," Naruto slowly spoke, "I'll just have to make sure they are prepared; so that they can stay alive long enough for me to help. If we do it cautiously enough, no one will die."

Clapping her hands, Argo congratulated him. "Wow! I thought you'd never figure that out!"

Blushing, Naruto scratched his head embarrassed. "Yeah, I guess I haven't been thinking too clearly. I have no right to deny them the choice to fight if that's what they want to do."

"I guess not…" Trailing off, Argo forced herself to finish, "I suppose this means you'll be heading back to the Town of Beginnings then?"

Reaching forward, Naruto lifted Argo's chin and stared into her eyes, "it's not forever," Naruto said with a smile. "I'll get them caught up to the front lines in no time."

"I know I probably shouldn't say this," Argo began hesitantly, "but I really enjoyed travelling with you. Even if it was only two days, I-I don't want you to leave."

Blushing, Argo stared at her feet to avoid seeing Naruto's reaction. When Naruto's chair scraped, Argo tensed up, wondering if he would really just leave her without saying anything. Hands shaking Argo waited for the sound of receding feet that never came. Argo looked up, wondering what was going on, just in time to see Naruto enfold her in a hug.

"I know we haven't known each other long Argo, but I care for you too. You can come with me if you wish, but your work is saving lives, and you love it."

The soothing sound of Naruto's whispered words calmed the shaking in Argo's body but increased her heart rate. "Come back quick Nar-boi. I don't want to be alone." Pressing her face deeper in Naruto's neck, Argo, for the first time in years, let herself cry.

Naruto let the info broker recover before speaking. "You know me, Argo. I couldn't get out of a wet paper bag without your knowledge."

"True," Argo replied with a smile. "But, you'll miss me for other reasons, right?"

"You're my friend, Argo," Naruto answered her, confusion entering his voice.

"I know you and Sachi are close, but…" Giving Naruto a quick peck on the lips, Argo dashed to the door of the tavern. "Just think about it, alright?"

With a final wink Argo left Naruto there alone to nurse a new headache he could feel coming. "I don't understand girls…" Naruto told himself while collapsing at the table. With night falling Naruto decided he'd go back tomorrow. New possibilities for a new day.

Wednesday Nov 9th, 2022

Walking through the teleport gate at the Town of Beginnings, Naruto wondered at the difference two days had made in his surroundings. That difference was people. Looking around, Naruto could see people walking the streets. Typically, alone, but sometimes groups of people who looked ready to go adventure appeared. Spying him emerging from the teleport gate, one group of people ran over to ask him questions.

"Wow! Did you come from another town? Is it actually possible to survive out there?"

"Slow down," Naruto calmly replied. "And yes, to both questions."

Growing excited, the group of people further pestered Naruto. "Do you have time to help us out? I mean this guidebook has a lot of great information in it, but it's not a replacement for real experience you know?"

Sighing, Naruto replied while walking past them, "Follow the instructions in the guide and you'll do fine. Just don't get cocky." Leaving them behind with a wave, Naruto opened his menu to send Sachi a message.

Sitting down on the edge of one of the numerous fountains, Naruto sent Sachi a fifth message. Please reply, Sachi, I know I left you, but I want to make it up to you now. I was in a bad place and couldn't focus on what was important. I'll be sitting in the park at G8 for the rest of the day if you want to talk. Alternatively, tell me another location and I'll come find you. I'm so sorry, Naruto.

Sighing, Naruto hit send on the message and held his face in his hands. Sachi had no reason to forgive him. She had begged him to stay, and he had left. Cursing his stupidity, Naruto was interrupted by a pinging noise. Hands shaking with anticipation, Naruto opened his menu and looked at his notifications. It was a message from Sachi.

Jumping up and whooping with excitement, Naruto read the message. So, you even call yourself Naruto now? You're my best friend Kazuto, I had hoped even more. Do you remember those boys you protected me from? I thought you were my hero then. But I suppose you can only be the hero to one girl, and you've chosen that ratty looking thing, haven't you? Well, if you want to see me, I'm where you left me.

Reading and rereading the message, Naruto's good mood vanished. Sachi thought he had left her to be with Argo it seemed. Massaging his temples, Naruto set out towards where he had perhaps ruined his oldest friendship.

Kazuto had met Sachi back in preschool. For the first couple of months they had almost no interaction, Kazuto was easy-going and made friends with the kids in the class easily. Sachi, however, was quiet, had trouble making friends, and preferred to spend her time alone on the computer. One day, however, some of the boys in the class were throwing things at Sachi, who was trying to play a game.

Tears streaming down her face, Sachi attempted to ignore the boys and continue her game. Noticing the commotion Kazuto walked over.

"Hey, Ren, Mishima, what are you two doing?"

"Can't you see? Sachi is losing at her game. She should probably get better." Mishima smirked.

"I see." The cold tone of Kazuto's reply made both boys look over.

"Ow!"

"Ugh!"

The pained voices of the boys rang out as Kazuto pulled on the scruff of their necks. As the boys rolled on the floor clenching their necks in pain, Kazuto walked over to Sachi.

"Are you alright? I won't let them bug you anymore." Kazuto told her with a smile.

"Thank you," Sachi replied with a big smile. The petite face, framed by long black hair, with tear streaks still present was the most beautiful thing Kazuto had seen. From then on, Kazuto swore to himself that he would protect this girl.

Finally arriving outside of Sachi's door, Naruto hesitated. How could he face Sachi again after what he had done? Swallowing, Naruto knocked quietly on the door. With a creak the door opened to reveal the form of Sachi. The dark room was lit with only the lamp on the nightstand. The effect caused Sachi's outline to be visible while her features were shrouded in darkness. Hands still shaking, words fled Naruto as he stared at this spectre-like apparition.

"So, you actually came," Sachi's voice came out dull and lined with pain. As Sachi's form receded into the room, Naruto followed her.

"Of course, I came, I wanted to see you." Naruto replied breathlessly.

Chuckling dryly, Sachi turned around and Naruto was finally able to get a good look at her. The shadows under her eyes indicated a lack of sleep, while her gaunt cheeks revealed that Sachi hadn't been eating. "You know. I almost wouldn't have been here for you to see. When you left me here, I thought about killing myself. But it turns out I'm not brave enough to do that either."

"Sachi…" seeing his friend in this state, what he'd done to her, Naruto started to break down. With tears streaming down his face, Naruto fell to his knees. "Please, don't say such things. Whatever you need, I'm here."

"Really? Because the last time I asked for you to stay, and YOU LEFT!" Screaming as loud as she could. Sachi felt liquid running down her face. Pulling her wet fingers away she realized she was crying. "No, no more tears." Sachi whispered. "Why do you always make me cry?"

"I-I know I left, Sachi. But I was in a bad place. Let me make it up to you." Naruto pleaded in response.

"A bad place, eh? Did that girl's body fix that for you?"

Naruto winced as Sachi's verbal daggers pierced him. "Argo is only a friend, Sachi." Naruto told her, hoping to ease Sachi, but the words tasted bad in his mouth. Was Argo only a friend? Based on how she had left him, Naruto wasn't sure that was how she saw it.

"Right. A friend who you would prefer to spend time with." Sachi answered dully.

"Look, Sachi I…" Trailing off, Naruto swallowed as he mustered his courage. He knew his words here would forever change their relationship, but he had already done that when he had left her. Standing up, Naruto resolved himself to tell her the truth. "Sachi, from the time we were first in preschool, and we became friends, I've admired you." Closing the distance between them, Naruto grabbed Sachi's hands. "I know I don't deserve anything from you Sachi. I know I let you down, I was a horrible friend. But please, live. If you don't want to see me again, that's fine. Just stay alive until the end. Return to your parents, your friends. Please."

"How can I believe your words now? How do I not know that you won't just leave me again?" Sachi asked quietly, unsure what she wanted to hear.

"You… you can't," Naruto admitted. "I was so caught up with desire to free everyone, to be able to meet everyone back in the real world. I put it all on myself. I ignored your needs. As a friend, I failed you."

Sachi stood there silently, not looking at Naruto. "I'm so conflicted…" Sachi started slowly. The words caused Naruto pain, but he took them silently, waiting for the decisive blow. "Part of me blames you for abandoning me. The other part blames me for not being strong enough to follow you."

Surprise flitted across Naruto's face. Thinking back on her words, she had said either. This must have been what she was talking about. Not being brave enough to insist he bring her with him. "Don't blame yourself Sachi. No one expects you to fight."

"But they expect you to?" Sachi glared, finally looking at him.

"Yes." Naruto asserted. "I have fighting experience. Of everyone I'm one of the most qualified. The beta testers are out there right now, putting their lives on the line to get stronger."

"Well, if want me to forgive you, here is my deal. You will include me in everything that you do. If you decide to fight, I will fight with you. If you decide not to, then we will do something else, together."

"S-Sachi…"

"I'm not finished yet." Sachi interrupted, breathing hard. "I want to be your girlfriend as well."

Mouth agape, Naruto only stared at the slowly reddening girl. Taking a breath, Naruto was forced to really examine his feelings for once. He'd been avoiding this moment for over a week. Since he'd called her to help him set up his Nerve Gear. It certainly wasn't the first time he'd been asked out. But it was the first time from someone he was so close too. Although there was her… Naruto thought idly, thoughts straying from the topic at hand.

"Well?"

The demand and vulnerability really put Naruto on the spot. It wasn't that he was opposed to dating her… it was the circumstances. Thrown into basically another world, risking their lives to obtain freedom. On top of her using it as a condition in a deal… Worrisome, is the word Naruto decided on. "Why didn't you just ask me out?"

The quiet question heard, Sachi blushed even deeper. "W-well I guess I never thought I was good enough for you…"

"So, your trying to force me to date you? To do what? Ensure I don't leave you?"

Sachi worked her mouth as she tried to come up with an answer. The problem was that Naruto had hit the nail on the head. If he was her boyfriend, he wouldn't leave. She could offer him her body to ensure he didn't; at least she told herself she could. Sachi still had nightmares about those boys trying to touch her, but every time, memories of Kazuto's warm embrace had driven them away. This time, there had been no warm embrace, only the cold floor to keep her company. She wanted, no needed, that warmth to keep her sane.

Truth was, Sachi had always been a coward. The bravest thing she had done in her life was kissing Naruto two days ago. She wasn't adventurous. Sachi liked sitting at home and analyzing plots. Games or books, Sachi liked to experience adventure wrapped in her blanket. Learning from a distance, safe from strife. She didn't want to be the heroine, she was fine being the damsel in distress. She had a hero, one who had never failed her, until recently. Suddenly, she wasn't the priority, her hero had people in trouble to save. Her whining was no longer the most important thing.

Hanging her head, Sachi cried. She had no right to him. She realized that now. When he went out to risk his life, she cried and thought about killing herself.

"Huh?" Sachi wondered why she was warming up. The warmth she had sought was finally returning. Raising her head, Sachi gasped. Naruto's arms were wrapped around her. "Why? I'm pathetic…"

"No, you're my friend." Naruto corrected. "And, I was thinking, maybe we could try being a little more."

"Really?" Sachi asked, a vulnerable hope in her voice.

"Really, really," Naruto confirmed with a smile. "I was just sad that you didn't feel comfortable asking me. Although I suppose part of that is my fault…"

"This could be awkward." Sachi laughed, pulling herself further into Naruto's embrace.

"Hmm," Naruto replied, enjoying Sachi's warmth. "Well, I could get used to this part."

"Same," Sachi agreed with a yawn. "Can I make my first request as almost your girlfriend?"

"Of course," Naruto agreed.

"Can I sleep on your lap?" Sachi asked quickly, Bravery peaking at the change in events.

"Uh… Can we do it on the couch?" Naruto compromised, not ready for the bed.

"Sure," Sachi acquiesced, already half asleep.

Naruto sat on the couch in discomfort. The hard back and seat made it unpleasant to merely rest there for a couple minutes. Prolonged sitting was a sort of torture. However, the head of the sleeping girl in his lap made his discomfort seem far away. Despite the warmth, guilt continued to eat at Naruto. He'd accepted to try and take things with Sachi to the next level without telling her everything. How could he possibly bring up Argo now?

Argo had kissed him. If he swung it that way, Naruto was sure Sachi would forgive him if he didn't do it again. But Naruto didn't want to lose Argo either. He had saved his friendship with Sachi, so why did he feel like he had failed? Naruto was forced to wonder if he and Argo could survive as just friends. Their relationship had been built on teasing and flirting. How could he treat Argo the same now that he was with Sachi? Groaning, Naruto stroked Sachi's hair hoping to distract himself.

A few hours later, Sachi stretched, slowly starting to wake up. Looking up, Sachi graced Naruto with a beatific smile making the hours of discomfort worth it.

"Hey," Naruto greeted her. The concept of potentially dating her feeling both strange yet right at the same time. Staring at her, Naruto could already see a semblance of health returning. Her baggy eyes were severely reduced and the gaunt, haunted expression she had worn had drastically receded.

"Hi," Sachi replied with a smile. "Your lap is really comfortable."

"Thanks," Naruto chuckled at the half-asleep girl. There was no way, Naruto thought, she would have said that when fully awake. "Are you getting up now?"

"Maybe later," Sachi yawned, unwilling to leave her heavenly pillow.

As cute as she was, Naruto's legs were going numb, no doubt they would be in intense pain if it wasn't blocked by the Nerve Gear. Pulling her cheek, Sachi yelped in surprise, flinging herself off the couch.

Covering her cheeks, Sachi assumed a defensive stance, glaring at him. "That was mean."

"Sorry," Naruto replied, not feeling apologetic at all. "You were too cute to resist."

Blushing, Sachi let her defences fall. "I'll forgive you, on one condition."

Sighing, Naruto grabbed the finger stuck in his face. "You can just ask for things, you know? You don't have to try and force me to do them."

"Right," Sachi blushed embarrassed. "Well, uh, I want a date."

"Oh really?" Naruto teased, "I thought the boy was supposed to be the forward one."

"Ugh," Sachi crumpled, embarrassment capping out.

"I'm just teasing," Naruto assured her. "If you can actually look at me, I will gladly fulfill your desire."

"N-nevermind," Sachi retorted, refusing to look at him. "I want something else."

"Oh?" Naruto asked. Confused at this change in direction, he had no idea what the shuffling girl in front of him would ask for.

"We never really finished our previous argument. I want you to teach me how to fight."

Gaping at the nervous girl, Naruto's first instinct was to deny her. Pausing, Naruto reconsidered. Sachi had been fairly skilled at Goblin Slayer. It was possible that she would be good at SAO. Also, who was he to say no to her? How could he justify saying she was too important to risk her life? Sachi had people back home she would miss as well. Clenching his fist, Naruto forced the unpleasant words out. "I can't say no. I would prefer if you didn't fight, but if you are set on fighting, then I will teach you."

"I'm as set on fighting as you are." Eyes locked, Naruto thought how Sachi didn't realize her own strength. She may not be brave by most standards, but when it came to protecting those she loved, Sachi was braver than anyone.

Patting her head, Naruto confirmed his resolve. "Let's go. Either we will help free everyone, or we will fail together."

With mirrored determination, the young couple left the room.

Yawning, Naruto looked on as Sachi continued to peruse the store. "You haven't chosen yet? I'm hungry and it's getting late. Why not just go with the sword you used in Goblin Slayer?"

"Well, you use a sword, right? I was thinking that picking a different weapon would give us more diversity." Sachi commented distractedly, not taking her attention off the weapons rack.

Nodding thoughtfully, Naruto thought about how Arthur's spear had been more effective against the boar monsters than his sword had been. Looking up at where the sky should have been, Naruto saw only grey stone, outlining the bottom of the second floor. In the twilight of the fading day, the bottom of the next floor was painted a brilliant orange, signalling the oncoming night.

"I've chosen! I'm ready for your teachings, Kaz! Er, Naruto." Sachi happily intoned.

"Ah," the sound slipped out when Naruto observed the two-handed spear that Sachi now wielded. The weapon that the other person he had abandoned wielded.

"Is it bad?" Sachi asked downtrodden. "I just wanted something with some range to keep me away from the monsters…"

"No, it's not that," Rubbing Sachi's head absently, Naruto informed her of his pain. "You weren't the only person I abandoned Sachi. Moz came into this game with me."

"Oh no!" Sachi exclaimed, clapping her hands over her mouth. "That's terrible, you know, I was actually going to meet up with…" Trailing off, terror entered Sachi's eyes before strength left her legs and she collapsed to the ground. "Keita, Tetsuo, oh no…"

"Sachi!" Panicking Naruto crouched down and held her. "What's wrong? Talk to me."

"I-I didn't buy this game by myself. I got it with everyone from the computer club. I completely forgot because we had no plans to play together on opening day, but…"

"But they're hardcore gamers and there is no chance they missed the opening day," Naruto finished for her. "Well, it seems like we both have friends to find tonight."

"Um, yeah. I just hope they haven't done anything stupid." Sachi prayed, face still pale from fear.

Author's note:

Well, that's the end of the emotional part for awhile. Next time we get to fight things! I really liked the Anneal blade quest in the books and thought it definitly had to be included. Also, is it just me or does the colour of the Anneal Blade change? People seem to put the black from the elucidator onto the anneal blade.

Anyways, hopefully you enjoyed it, please leave a review on how I did!

Later!

PS. I split chapter 4 into two pieces so hopefully the new chapter 5 is up soon.