AN; If the fight goes well, then I should also be able to include the deal with Ichigo's contractors in this same chapter. This way I should be able to finish writing about Kaine and Hoven in two more chapters. Afterward there will be a change in scenery from this jungle themed floor to the 25th floor.

Disclaimer; I don't own Bleach or SAO

Chapter 12: Brother in Arms

"You just won't let that go, will you?"

"Not until you give me the dagger. Until then I will keep reminding you of that." Hoven just starred at Kaine with a stern look. The later simply answered with a mocking grin.

"And I said that if you want it you'll have to pay me."

"Hey," shouted Mugetsu, "did you two just come here to argue with each other, or do you actually plan on helping me!?"

"He's right," said Kaine. "We can settle this little issue later. For now lets focus on rescuing this poor damsel in distress." Just as he finished saying that, Mugetsu's fist landed a solid blow to his face. No sooner did a bolt of lightning strike right were Kaine's head had been a second ago.

"If you don't shut up soon, you're going to have bigger problems than that tiger."

"Save your breath, this guy never learns to do as you just said," explained Hoven with an exasperated sigh.

"Great, now I have to deal with another sarcastic idiot." Ducking under another burst of electricity, the three made their way behind another stone wall. "So what do you have in mind? From what I've seen, that thing has to recharge after each blast. Surrounding it won't be much help thanks to the large outbursts it can use."

"Well," said Kaine, "this is actually the second time we face an enemy like this." Mugetsu just looked at them with a questioning expression. "The difference is, last time it was a fire breathing dragon. Not to mention it was around a rocky riverbank. Though our plan should workout fine, if you listen closely."

"No offense but, how do I know you won't stab me in the back?"

"You don't," responded Hoven. "But at this point, you have no other choice." Looking at each other in the eye, the two came to some sort of mutual understanding.

"Fine, what's this plan then?"

"Oh, it's quite simple," said Kaine with a grin. "All you have to do is..."

"I can't believe I agreed to this."

"If it makes you feel better, last time he was forced to do it on his own."

"Y'know, it kind of does. Thanks, Hoven." Both were standing at opposite ends of the wall. The plan was as follows, the two of them would charge at the tiger from both sides and wait for it to fire and avoid its shot. Afterwards they would strike and lure it to the cliff side. While they were doing this, Kaine would make his way to the top and wait to drop one of the boulders on it.

"On three, ready?" Mugetsu nodded his head in confirmation. "One... Two..." Another blast hit the wall they were behind, forcing them to cover their eyes from the dust. "Go!" Without wasting a second both ran towards their target, switching sides whenever the tiger shot a bolt of lightning. With a quick and solid swing, the duo made similar cuts down its sides. It let out a roar before pouncing on Hoven, who had been thrown off balance by the tiger's rear. Another wave of pain suddenly came as Mugetsu's zanpakutō stabbing his right shoulder, causing him to release Hoven.

"Thanks for that."

"Don't worry about it, I promised myself that I would never allow anyone else die before me as long as I was around."

"Well then, I hope you don't die while we're working together, wouldn't want this to be any harder than it already is." Both took a defensive stance, waiting as they stared their opponent dead in the eyes. Neither showing any intention of backing down.

"Hey!" All three sets of eyes turned to look at Kaine standing near the trap's meant location. "Aren't you two forgetting something," he said, signaling to a dead end path with multiple rocks waiting to fall on any unsuspecting target. Unfortunately, the only way leading there was being blocked by a three meter tall jungle cat.

"Change of plans," yelled Hoven. "We'll be talking him on the old fashioned way." For what seemed like hours, which were actually seconds, both sides waited. In a battle of wills, were if a single opening showed could lead to death, not a single one of them flinched. In this moment frozen in time, Mugetsu and Hoven saw something that all of them had ignored this entire time, their foe's name.

"So you're «The Guardian of Blue Thunder»." It's eyes widened momentarily, to fast for the others to notice. In response it crouched, letting out a growl and nodding its head towards the two. Not sure what to do, both simply decided to state their names. "Mugetsu."

"Hoven. I must say, I never expected to be talking and giving my name to someone trying to kill me. Especially not in the middle of a fight with them."

"Yeah, well get used to it." Curious, he glanced at his current companion. "I'll... tell you later. For now, we have more important things to worry about." Refocusing on the thunder guardian, they watched as it stood straight on all four legs and closed its eyes. When they reopened, blue sparks flew out from them, the claws on its front paws doubled in size size with lightning surrounding them. To make matters worse, the blue stripes covering him began to glow, energy traveled from them to its tail before solidifying at the end in the shape of a pale, blue, broadsword. 'That's it, after I'm done here, this is the last time I work as a mercenary.'

"H-hey," whispered Hoven,"what are the chances it can us that sword as well as us?" As if to answer, the guardian let out what seemed to be a smirk.

"That answer your question?" With that both charged at each other one last time. In the end, one side would be standing triumphant, the other, dead at their feet.

The first hit was landed by the Guardian, a shallow but long slash across Hoven's chest. Numbness soon started spreading across his body as he watched blood come from the wound. He began to have difficulty moving his arms. "Careful, his attacks seem to be faster than before! I can still keep up, but if this drags on an can stack up, then we might have a problem."

"Well in that case, lets wrap this up!" Thinking of a way to immobilize or restrict the guardian's movements Mugetsu recalled his first experience with a boss battle. Specifically, how Asuna had managed to pin Ilfang's tail, allowing him and Kirito to finish the job. 'That's it!' "Hoven, when I give the signal hit him with everything you got, and I mean everything! If this is going to work we will have to finish this in one final assault."

"Are you crazy! If this doesn't work both of us will end up dead!"

"Then don't mess it up, I still plan to see my family on the other side." This caused Hoven's eyes to widen. Mugetsu had no intention of dying in this mad world, there were people expecting him back in the real world. "So don't even think of saying that this won't work, it has to! Don't you have someone worth fighting back home, too?"

'Mom... I had almost forgotten.' Shaking any doubt he might have had, he raises his sword in a fighting stance. "You're right, there's still someone waiting for me."

"Good to hear," said Mugetsu with a smirk. "Then let's get this over with!" He charged straight at the great beast as it swiped at him. Without hesitating, he jumped and used its leg as a springboard, deflected the tail blade in midair and impaled his zanpakutō through his tail and into the ground. "Now!"

'You were right, I can't die. Not here, not yet.' He hacked and slashed at his foe with unrelenting furry, who in turn did the same. Though his was much slower than a moment ago. 'As long as I still draw breath...' With one final thrust, Hoven plunged his sword into its mouth, with it exiting through the top of the great tiger's head. 'I will not give up!' Unfortunately their victory was short lived, as the head slammed shut, crushing his arm.

I hope all of you enjoyed the fight's conclusion. I decided to add it afterwards since, I agree, this chapter was shorter than the previous ones.