Little Christmas-themed Sword Art Online story by me. Hope it's okay. ^^;

Disclaimer: I don't own Sword Art Online.

With wide eyes, Kirito read over the holographic message that was being presented before him. He had gone over it five times already. He was giving it a sixth read, wanting to be abseloutly certain that what it was telling him was true. There could be no doubts that what it was giving him was false information.

Kirito

You have proven yourself to be a player like no others here in Sword Art Online. You have faced the dangers which have been thrown your way, putting your life on the line for the sake of protecting and rescuing others. It is clear that you have been guided through the journey you have been on by none other than your great heart.

Your noble deeds have not gone unnoticed. It is high time you were rewarded. You are to receive a prize which no player of SAO has ever had the ability to achieve.

Kirito's heart raced as his eyes ran over the last paragraph - which just so happened to be the most vital section of the message.

As a Christmas gift, you have been granted the ability to revive one deceased player of your choice. You have proved yourself deserving of bringing back anyone dear to you that you have lost during this treacherous journey. All you have to do is say this fallen player's name aloud. They shall be instantly be brought back to life within SAO and in the real world - all thanks to you.

Merry Christmas, Kirito.

"I can…bring someone…back to life?"

Kirito was so stunned over learning what he was able to do, he could hardly find his voice. He had always assumed that those who die within Sword Art Online not only stay dead within the game, but also lose their lives in the real world. That was what every player had been warned of upon starting.

And yet this online message which had just been presented to him was telling him that he could bring one deceased player back. He had left so powerless to see others die at the mercy of the lethal threats of this game. Now he was being granted the ability to bring one of them back?

Could it be true?

There was only one way to find out.

Kirito placed a hand onto his heart. He didn't need to think for a minute over he was going to choose to bring back to life. It was someone who he had always held in his heart since witnessing her losing her life. He had felt so guilty and torn up over failing to protect her from her untimely death.

Now he could make up for that. He could retrieve this person from the dark pits of death. All he had to do was say their name - and he would be able to save them.

Closing his eyes, Kirito took a deep breath, then said aloud the name of the person he wished to bring back to life.

Right at that moment, there was a zap as the holographic message disappeared. Kirito opened his eyes - and gasped over what he saw.

A bright white light flashed in front of the Black Swordsman. His watched with his mouth hanging open as it took on the shape of a young human. It flowed for a moment, then the light faded away to reveal the several features on this person - which Kirito hadn't seen since the moment they had died before him.

Here this player was, right before him. Never had he thought he would see her again. She looked exactly the same with her short black hair, her twinkling blue eyes - and her soft, sweet smile.

"Kirito…"

"S…S…Sachi!"

Unable to help himself, Kirito threw himself at the girl he had brought back to life. He embraced her tightly in his arms with no desire at all to let her go. Bringing her back made her so determined not to lose her again. He hugged her protectively as his tears of elation escaped his eyes.

"You're back!" he cried. "You're back, Sachi!"

"I am, thanks to you, Kirito…" Tears leaked out of Sachi's own eyes as she hugged the boy in return. "You were true to your word…"

Kirito pulled away, gazing at her with his face filled with confusion as well as tears. "My word?"

"You said that you wouldn't let me die… That you'd help me get back to the real world…"

Kirito frowned as the memories of what he assured Sachi during their time along together was brought back to him. Feeling angry with himself, he lowered his head. He was tortured by the horrifying image of the innocent young girl being brutally slaughtered within the trap set on the 27th Floor Labyrinth, along with the rest of the Black Cats.

"I'm…" he whimpered in a broken voice. "I'm sorry, Sachi…"

"Sorry?" Sachi repeated, surprised.

"I couldn't keep my promise to you… I failed to protect you… I couldn't keep you from getting killed… I… I…"

"Do you remember what I told you in that message I left you?"

Kirito lifted his gaze up. Sachi's words had triggered the memory of the recording she had made and left for him to listen to over Christmas.

"Your…voice message?"

"Uh huh." Sachi smiled gently. "I told you not to blame yourself for what would inevitably happen to me. I did not - and I still do not."

The girl reached out with a hand to place it onto the boy's face. She tenderly caresses his cheek, her thumb brushing his tears away.

"Besides, as far as I'm concerned, you have kept your word, Kirito. It's because of you I'm back now. You're the one who has just retrieved me from death. You've just saved me."

Sachi wound her arms around her young rescuer to hug him again. Her heart raced in her chest, overflowing with how grateful she was towards the Black Swordsman. She knew he could be relied on. It was thanks to him that she had gotten her life back. She would still be dead if it wasn't for him.

"Thank you, Kirito…"

With a smile managing to find its way onto his face at last, Kirito embraced Sachi once again. He held her close to him, relishing the feeling of having her in his arms. Never had he thought he would see the sweet girl again. To have her back was a truly special present he highly appreciated.

"I'm never gonna let anything happen to you again, Sachi," he promised. "There is no way I'm gonna lose you again."

Sachi's smile softened. She relaxed in the warmth of Kirito's arms. For the first time since she had entered Sword Art Online, she felt perfectly safe, due to having him around. No longer would she fear death within the game, for she had the best bodyguard to protect her.

As the reunited players held onto one another, tiny flakes fell from the sky all around them. They settled on the pair's surroundings to cover everything in a pure white blanket of snow.

"Welcome back, Sachi," Kirito murmured, running his fingers through her hair and down her back.

"Thank you…" Sachi pulled away slightly, her eyes sparkling at Kirito as she sent her smile directly towards him. "Oh, and by the way…"

The boy smiled warmly in return with a tilt of his head. "Yes?"

"Merry Christmas, Kirito!"

Thanks for reading. Sorry if this wasn't any good. ^^;