thank you to all those that Reviewed this my first fan fiction. I will be continuing this but I will say this now what happens in this chapter is to set up the highs and lows of what will happen to Shino and Kazuto and you may need a tissue or two. the story will be compatible to established cannon up until Calibre then after that is all of my own making. if you have any questions then review or PM I do try to reply to them all

I do not own Sword art online and its sequels or characters this is a fan fiction and is free.


Snow Storm

Chapter 2

Kazuto twisted the throttle fully open, dumping more fuel in to his black and red Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorbike, feeding the hungry hot engine. He was trying to build up more momentum, as the bike screamed telling him to change gear. He waved through the late evening traffic as fast as he could. All the time hopping not to be seen by some traffic cop looking to give out a ticket. He wanted to get Shino's apartment as fast as he could, to see her face to face.

When he had finally logged out he ripped the AmuSphere form his head and darted out to find her. It was still January, and the cold wind bit through his jacket and jeans. But it was worth the discomfort just to see her in real life. As he made his way through the traffic he thought back to what happened after that second kiss.

The room was cold… but the warmth from the girl sat on his lap was inviting, too inviting her warm legs wrapped around him, giving him the feeling of a comforter form his youth and if he was honest with himself he wanted to be nowhere else.

Moments before he had decided to dedicate himself to Shino, Unsure of how to tell the one girl he was dreading of letting down. He despised himself for what he would have to do soon and had no answer as to how to tell her, or how she would take it. It is defiantly something I have to do to in real life as in the VR world or phone is just cowardly. He thought. and I can't do anything more with Shino until that has settled.

Placing his forehead against hers he spoke softly to her "Shino I… I… I can't."

Stopping stroking his hair for a moment she questioned him "What can't you do?"

"I can't cheat on Asuna… so you have to wait until it's over before we can do any more." If there was anything that he had learned over the last few years, it was loyalty. He felt that he had not just crossed the line, but smashed it. So he would go no further for now, he was not about to destroy the one principal he lived to.

"I understand." Shino said as she pressed her face into his chest. "So long as you know I will always wait for you." Shino sighed as she pushed herself upright on his lap, guiding his head to her bust and held him tight. "Do you want to quit this quest?" She did not feel like continuing on for now. Considering what had just transpired between them, carrying on with this game, just seamed pointless to her.

All Kazuto could do was nod his head into her breasts as he mumbled a reply. "Would you mind… if I come round to see you after?"

"No… you are allowed to come to my apartment any time you like… you know that." She was surprised that he would want to see her so soon. After all she had just announced and hopefully won the battle for his heart.

Getting off him, Shino Pulled out her map and started to plot a route to somewhere to log out. Tracing the route with her finger she gave her information. "The nearest safe log out is about one kilometre south of here in the small outpost of New Haven."

"That far." it was further than he thought but considering the Agility they both had they should be no more than a five minute jog to get there.

The trip to New Haven had been quiet, nether said anything to the other. The only sound was the steady crunch of the fresh snow fall as they half jogged half walked to their destination. Once the quest was quit the blizzard lifted and in no time the outskirts of the settlement appeared out of the mist.

New haven was set up as an outpost styled on a military Forward Operating Base (FOB) surrounded by high hesco bastion walls with watch towers set every hundred metres for the NPC guards to keep their everlasting vigil. walking into the outpost all weapons had to be cleared, shouldered and holstered, before the NPC's would allow entry, given them both a reminder that no weapons may be fired in the base.

After passing through the checkpoint, Shino and Kazuto made their way to the outpost operations room to gain some accommodation for the next few weeks. the operations room (OP's room) looked thriving as NPC's and some players toiled over maps and planning charts. The ops room was normal the nerve centre of any outpost, the place that most quests would start from, with player in the role of mercenary's and the NPC as a local militia or the army looking to hire a gun for a job.

"What do you want?" an NPC dressed in Multi terrain pattern camouflage battle dress (MTP BDU) inquired.

Shino looked at the rather rude NPC with a squint "The quartermasters… we need some accommodation for a few weeks."

Looking them both up and down the rude NPC grind. "More mercs for the meat grinder eh hahaha. I'm the QM accommodation is 100 credits per week for a single 150 for a double."

A menu opened in front of Shino asking how long she wanted to stay. Taping to the menu she paid the required amount for one double room for five weeks. "Five weeks will do for now." Not that I will be logging in for a few days I think. Shino contemplated, realising that the next few days are going to be very trying, for both Kazuto and her as they begin their relationship.

"A double eh…. couple of love birds is it" the NPC cried out in a deep laugh that echoed around the room causing complete silence to descend around the normally loud and busy OP's room, as all the players stopped to look at them. "Just make sure you clean the sheets after you lea… ghaaaa….."

Sinon had heard enough from the NPC, throwing him a powerful right hook that hit him square on the jaw. She snatched up the key turning to the other players. "Anyone want to say something."

The others in the room suddenly turned around ignoring the knocked out NPC with all sorts of mutters heard from "nope." to "fuck that shit."

Turning around to walk out Kirito grabbed her shoulder. "Remind me never to piss you off."

She looked up at him with the sweetest smile she had given him. "And don't you forget it dear."

Walking along Kazuto grasped Sinon's hand not saying anything, as the passed the rows of small corimec prefabricated building, that passed as the accommodation here. After a short walk they both arrived at their hut unlocking the door so they could both enter. Inside the room that was covered in faded wood panels with a beaten up radiator the only furniture a single worn wingback chair and a surprisingly new looking king size bed.

Hold on a second. they both thought. One bed…? Shino was first to say something. "Well this looks… err… different." She quietly chuckled. "So do you want the chair or the bed?"

With the first smile she had seen since the loft Kazuto replied. "The bed…" He grasped her hand tighter pulling her close "With you." Then with a mischievous grin he threw her on the bed, jumping down beside her.

"Kaaaaaaa Kazuto!" Shino started giggling at his impulsiveness and trying to deciding on if to tell him off only to be met by his face closes to hers.

"I was going to kiss you… But I want the next kiss we have to be in the real world." his eyes shining in the dim light of the room, trying with all his might not to just grab her. He wanted to hold her in his arms. But his real arms not Kirito sounded better.

Calming down her laughter but still grinning Sinon blushed at his closeness and at the words he spoke "That sounds nice."

Rolling onto his back and placing a hand behind his herd he stared up at the celling exhaling hard. Until he felt an arm reach across his chest and a body cuddle up next to his. Turning his head to find that how she was laid her powder blue hair would tickle his nose. "I'll see you in about 40 minutes after I log out."

She pushed herself closer to him locking a leg over his. "Soon… can't come soon enough."

Closing their eyes, they both allowed the auto log out to function to take effect, when they fell asleep, nether wanting to just log out. After ten minutes, a soft chime sounded, followed by a second indicating that they had fallen asleep, allowing them to auto log out. Leaving the avatars of Kirito and Sinon, laid in a loving embrace as the shafts of sunlight bathed the room, the only movement was the dust as it danced slowly in and out the light that broke through the gaps of the single boarded window.

xxxx

Arriving at the apartment complex Kazuto got off his bike, removing the key and his helmet. Taking a deep breath he contemplated his options. It's not too late I could call this off. Shaking that thought off with anther. No my mind is made up. he turned looking up towards her windows taking a deep breath he built up the courage Now or never

He started to walk to Shino's apartment, remembering the last time he was here he had to fight death guns accomplice, that was trying to kill Shino. But this time he felt an urgency for him to hurry, just to see her. He even skipped the elevator, to sprint the eight flights of stairs to her door.

He arrived at the white door to her apartment. It was red the last time he was here, He had kicked it down to save her that time. The more he thought about it the more he wanted to go in. Taking out the card she had given him a few weeks back, so he could come in and check on her, if she was not heard from. She still had a slight fear; that someone may try and finish the job that death gun had started. Pushing the card into the lock Kazuto opened the door.

On walking into the main room, he stopped and his heart skipping a beat as he set eyes on her. She was wearing a large black sweater that came off of one shoulder revelling the line of a single blue bra strap and a pair of tight fitting dark blue shorts. Her back was facing him as she stood looking out the window bathed in the soft light of a single lamp and of the city light that were shining through the window. Taking in the sight He muttered under his breath one word "beautiful."

A smile crept across her face as she saw the bike pulling into the parking lot. Her heart began to race as the moment drew near. After a few minutes that felt like hours of anticipation, the door opened and she herd him enter the room. She knew it was him, her Kazuto, when she heard his voice mutter something. "You came… I thought you would not and that I had hurt you." Shino barley spoke above a whisper.

Both of them stood quietly for a few seconds until he made his way over to her placing am arm over and across her shoulder feeling her fill his arms "Shino I came as soon as I could. You did not hurt me shocked but never hurt."

Turning in his grasp she faced pushing up on her toes so she could be level with his face. She was in real life shorter than him after all.

Both their eyes locked onto each other's. "Now holding you like this is definitely better." Shino smiled at him as she spoke, her arms wrapping around his back. "Will you stay with me tonight?" she wanted him to stay with her. She hated that she had to be along always with a night light on afraid of the dark. She was not Sinon, she had no fears, She was Shino and next to guns, her greatest fear was of the night. Perhaps just once I will have someone with me that can calm my fears so I can sleep peacefully. allowing herself to hope.

Kazuto nodded his agreement to her question and she pushed forward a little more urging him to carry on. He accepted her challenge covering the last few inches to clamed her lips for himself. The kiss was better than her thought it would be softer sweeter than her avatar Sinon she still had the slight tremble to her lips there was also a taste of blueberry's from her lip balm that she had then and the warmth of her embrace was just intoxicating to him.

They made their way over to her bed and lay down together, where she cuddled up to his chest. "good night Kazuto." she caringly remarked closing her eyes.

"Good night Shino."

That night, Shino had something that she had not had in as long as she could remember, a sleep that was not filled with nightmares.

xxxx

The next morning Kazuto awoke in a strange room not quite remembering where he was until the fog of sleep cleared from his mind. That and the arm that was draped across his chest he allowed himself a quick peak at the girl in the bed with him as she softly snored next to him not yet awake.

He watched her for a few moment s more before deciding to wake her. Gently he brushed some of her black hair out of her face the gently picked her cheek.

Shino's eyes fluttered open as she woke feeling his fingers on her cheek grateful that he gifted such a peaceful rest. "Morning Kazuto." she purred burying her face into him.

"Morning."

Shino snuggled into his chest, hiding the wide grin on her face, as she took in his sent that smelled of some sort of spicy citrus deodorant. "Are you staying long."

Thinking for a few moments Kazuto sat up "I wish I could… but I'm going to have to call my Mom , letting her know where I was last night. Then go and meet Asuna… I promised I would meet her at the coffee shop near her home at 11 this morning... sorry… but I will call you later tonight."

Feeling a bit disappointed by his answer she sighed a little. "Ok… just thank you… for staying the night." she smiled a little more. "just lay here a bit longer."

pulling her in a bit tighter enjoying the warmth of her body next to his "I will… just let me call home first, they will be worried about me." reaching to his jacket on the chair next to the bed he pulled out his phone flipping it open instantly regretting his rashness as he looked at the several missed calls from home and several text messages of where are you? and call home…

Pressing the speed dial the phone rang once to Sugu picking up the Phone "Onii chan… where are you? What have you been doing? where are you?"

Cutting her off; before she went into a never ending loop of questions Kazuto give his sister a polite answer. "Sugu I'm ok I'm with Shino-san. I went out on my bike and it broke down near her home… So I asked her if she would mind some company until the garage fixes it." it was a lie and he did not enjoy telling it. But he knew if he did not say something, then the rumour mill wound be in full production before the end of the day. "Can you tell mom I'm sorry for not calling I kind of forgot."

"Yes well at least I know where you are now I'll see you later."

"Yeah later." Closing down the phone and looked at the time, it was only about half past eight. "I can stay for another hour then I have to go or I'll be late."

Looking up from his chest Shino grinned at him rolling on top of him so her face was level with his "Then I guess I should do this now." gently she lowered her face to kiss his lips again.

xxxx

Kazuto was sat waiting patiently at the coffee shop, for Asuna. He had gone over and over what he could say to her and yet words abandoned him. He had even thought about giving up on Shino staying with Asuna. How can I do that? to ether of them?

He was deep in thought about it all. How do you tell someone that believed in you so deeply, that you no longer feel the same? That you would rather just be close friends? holding his large coffee just an inch or two from his lips, hoping the smell may give him some sort of inspiration, taking a sip of the bitter liquid as he reasoned with his thoughts. She had died for him and he had died even killed for her. Arghhh what do I do? Should I tell her about the kissing? That I have fallen for another? what of Yui? how do I tell her? He questioned himself, a thousand times over as to why he should do this. The answer was a simple one and it came down to one thing, he was Kazuto, he wanted to be called by his name not by his alter ego.

Looking at his watch, the allotted time for the meeting came and passed. Just as he thought that she may have cancelled. He spotted her in the crowd across the street, as she made her way toward him, Smiling as she walked. If there was something that he adored about Asuna it was that smile. Waving a hand towards her she recognised him walking directly to him. I feel like such a traitor right now.

She started to cross the street and Kirito retuned her smile, watching in awe, as her long auburn hair glinted in the winter sun light. Neither of them recognised the sound of the screeching tyres as their world slowed down around them. He watched in what he thought was pure silence. Hearing a distant voice scramming "ASSSSUNAAAA!" As the yellow car hit into her. It was then he had the realisation, it was him that was screaming her name helpless and useless.

The car impacted her legs, throwing her head on to hood and windshield. Cartwheel her body into the ground.

Stunned as he watched her land not moving at first, until Briefly she moved her shattered arm, to try and push herself upright only to immediately fail, with a small cry rolling onto her back.

Sprinting out in to the now halting traffic, their horns blaring as they slid to a stop, Kazuto dove next to her as the first flakes of snow began to fall. "Asuna! Asuna! Can you hear me?" Gently putting his arms around her shoulders, he lifting her head up onto his lap.

Her weak voice was barely audible, over the crowd that had started to gather around them. Asuna looked up at Kirito confused about how she got here. "Kirito-kun. Why can I not get up?" She felt no pain only the cold that started to creep all over her body and the tiredness that made it hard to think straight. "I… I… I'm cold."

Taking off his coat and wrapping her in it Kauzto spoke softly to her. "Its ok... you'll be ok... you just rest here." turning to the gathered crowd he roared at the top of his voice "GET AN AMBULANCE." looking back down at her he brushed some of her hair from her face, wiping the blood that seeped from her nose and grazed cheek, his voice wobbled close to despair. "Please Don't go Asuna... stay here with me... I'm sorry just don't go." His feeling of betrayal and guilt, from what had happen last night and this morning overwhelming him as he remembered what he had come here to do today.

Lifting her other arm, she brushed at the tears that fell down his cheek. "Kirito-kun... I'm tired may I stay here for a bit?"

With a deep twisting of his heart and a heavy feeling that took over him, he recognised the words she spoke. The last time she had said them to him, she died in his arms, during the last fight in Sword Art Online. That she would utter them again meant she knew she did not have long.

"Yes Asuna you rest here as long as you need." He felt lower than low, he had called her here to break up with her and now for the second time, she will die in his arms. Grasping her hand he gently lowered it to her chest keeping it in a frim hold.

The snow had started to gather pace fluttering down in large flakes, as Asuna gently closed her eyes struggling to say in-between laboured breaths. "I…will always….love… you Ki… Ki... kiritooooo" his name hung on her last breath as her strength finally gave out.

Feeling her body finally going limp in his hands, he pulled her head up into his chest. The distant sound of the ambulance siren gradually became louder, mocking him. "No… no… nooo." With a deep rage that built up in him he finally broke the silence of the gathered onlookers a low growl built in to a full roar. "ASUNAAAAA!" as he gently rocked her back and forth screaming her name over and over, in the vain hope it would bring her back, until his voice finally broke becoming too painful to go on. He just clung onto her trying to deny the reaper her soul

xxxx

It was still snowing at the time of the funeral, his eyes stung with painful tears, watching as his Asuna was laid to rest. It was not meant to be like this, was his only thought. Lots of friends and family had come to see him, in those three days in-between the accident and the funeral service. All with words of how sorry they were or how beautiful she was. If only they knew then none of them would even want to see me.

All but the one person he wanted and needed to see Shino. He did not know why she had stayed away or if he would see her again. He feared the worse thinking that she would blame herself. she had not answered any of his attempts to contact her. It's probably for the best he thought everyone I love dies… first Sachi and now Asuna. Girls should just stay away from me.

Stood at the front of the gathered mourners was Kazuto, his sister Sugu clutching his left arm in some attempt to comfort him? Kazuto felt hollow he had betrayed his Asuna. He did not feel he deserved to be here, but yet here he was. He knew that at least she would have died happy. In blissful ignorance as to what he had done and was going to do. That he could not have hurt her as much as he knew what he was going to tell her would have.

The last eulogy was spoken by Rika. She was Asuna's best friend and it was a beautiful speech about friendship, which escaped all meaning on Kazuto. He stood looking down at her coffin and final resting place not even feeling worthy of being here.

He tried to be strong throughout the faunal, but as the pure white casket was lowered; he started to break down dropping to one knee, closing his eyes so as not to witness it happening. The guilt overwhelming him as the tears started to flow down his face.

Suddenly someone gripped onto him hugging him tight his voice weak and trembling "Thanks Sugu…"

A quiet voice answered him lifting his spirit "It's not Sugu… I'm so sorry I was not here for you."


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