Ok I realises the last chapter was very depressing but after several attempts of trying to come up with a way that Shino could get Kazuto that would be believable this was the only option because;
If Shino just took him it would show the bond that Kirito has with Asuna is not as deep as it is depicted in the light novels or Anime.
Next would be the level of alienation that Shino would receive from the other character because of her stealing him. She already struggles a lot with the lack of and betrayal of friends as it is. I also don't want to lose interactions with other characters keeping. Liz, Silica, Yui, etc. on side and not too bitchy.
Last there is Asuna herself. She would probably never give up fighting for him and would probably end up kicking Shino's ass, making Asuna look bad.
So I was left with one option write Asuna out in blissful ignorance.
The Challenge to this is now Sinon can't just sweep straight in there as it will just look like grave robing
Anyway this is going to be a love story not a fluff-a-thon and that means ups and downs. There is nothing wrong with fluff I just find it too predictable and everything is too perfect and writhing something realistic is far more challenging.
So expect: fluff, loving moments, arguments, sadness, anger, awkward moments, I will also go through that extremely difficult moment in all teenage relationships Sex.
Anyway I promise it will not be as depressing from here.
Finally thank you for those of you that have reviewed both positive and negative.
Apart from. SIAUFUNGYIN not that I mind your flame because If I did I would of deleted it. But when you don't have the decency to at least show your pen name so we can see your own work then how can you issue a challenge to someone's writing skill.
Snow Storm
Chapter 3
Sat in her favourite place in her apartment, was Shino. Holding a hot cup of tea close to her chest and looking out of the window to the snow covered world. She was watching as some children started having a snow ball fight, laughing quietly at the kids, as they ducked, dived and ran around the play park. She also giggled at some of their successes as the hit each other with the snow. I wonder if I will ever have children of my own. She mused as yet another child was pelted with some snow.
It had been four days since the funeral and Kazuto had probably spent less than 8 hours from her side. He was in what she could see a deep depression he hardly spoke. Unless she left his side, then he would almost beg her not to go.
After the wake he had asked if he could stay with her for a bit. His Aunt looked shocked at his request, preferring that he was home. But after she witnesses how much he looked to Shino for support, she gave her blessing, for no more than the week he had off of school.
A sudden noise from the bathroom disturbed her thoughts. She turned around just in time to see Kazuto dart into the bedroom wrapped in only a towel.
With a small smile that crossed her lips she thought. Maybe I should walk in there and catch him in his underwear, after all he was sneaky enough to see me in mine well Sinon in hers.
The day had started well, with him not waking up crying or kicking her in his sleep.
But what was really irking her, was that he had turned into a bit of a hermit. Kazuto had not gone outside once since he had arrived. With a sigh she began to think. I need to get him to go out today if it's the last thing I do. But where to? The city will be too crowded, so the shopping mall is out and it need to be fun. But then his idea of fun and mine do somewhat differ.
Giving it another few minutes she walked over to the bedroom, just as he was getting his t-shirt ready to put on. Blushing a little as she looked at his body. It was nothing special he was only sixteen the same as her, but still she liked what she had seen. He was not muscular, if any word could be used to describe him it would be normal. But she liked normal and could not help but admire him.
"Kauzto … what would you like to do today?"
sitting down on the bed to put on his socks, he looked up at her. He felt tribal he had not been the best house guest, even if he practically did invite himself to stay. But he could not go back to his room just yet, as it was still full of things that would remind him of her… his Asuna. He groaned a little before he gave his reply to her question. "I don't know right now and, it's early yet."
Keeping her cool Shino stared at him a bit more trying to decide if she should force the issue. "Kazuto-kun as much as I like living in my apartment, I think it is time we went out and got some air. That and it eleven o'clock already so get ready we are going out for lunch.
"Is it that time already?"
"Yes now hurry up. I want out of here I'm going crazy looking at these walls."
Twenty minutes later both Kazuto and Shino stood next to his motorbike. Shino loved getting on the back of the bike, as he confidently weved through the cars and trucks, taking her to where they were going. The feel of the wind as it raced by, the warmth of his body, as she pressed against him locking her arms around his waist and the odd sensation she would get from the vibration of the bike, that made her tingle all over. "So where are you taking us Kazuto?"
Kazuto was thinking just that and trying to decide if the roads were safe enough to ride on. Huffing as he noticed the ice and fresh snow, he decided that the bike would be a bad idea. "The Roads may not be safe for the bike, so we can walk or get the bus."
Feeling a little let down, as she was looking forward to getting on the bike. Shino shrugged her shoulders. "I know a place that doses good ramen not far from here." Waking back over to the small Bike shed that she kept her pushbike in, they placed their helmets in to lock them away. Then set off to towards the local Shopping precinct.
The walk was mostly in silence, with only the occasional glance given to each other. Shino was deciding if she should hold his hand, still unsure if he still liked her enough. But considering Asuna had not long died, she felt that it was inappropriate to approach him now. I should give him the time and space he need just now and when he is ready then make my advance.
The thing that was odd to her though, was they had been sharing the same bed for the last two nights. That came about during the second night of his Stay; she woke to some strange noises and cries for help. Getting out of bed to investigate she found Kazuto, having a nightmare as he slept, calling out and mumbling names. He was soaked in his own sweat tossing and turning his arms reaching out to someone as if trying to reach someone.
To Shino It was heart breaking to see him like this. He was normally so confidant and strong. Quietly she walked over to him and lay down next to him in the futon. Once she was comfortable she began gently stroking his hair, as she hummed a soothing tune. His reaction was almost instant as he turned in his sleep resting his head on her chest calming into a peaceful sleep.
From then on she had invited him to sleep with her, each night allowing him to fall asleep holding her, as she hummed the same soothing melody.
"Shino…"
Kazuto called her bring her out of her thoughts. "Yes."
"I have never said sorry and thank you."
Not sure what he is on about, she stopped walking, cocking her head slightly. "About what? You have nothing to apologise for."
Stopping as she did, he turned to face her and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about inviting myself to stay at your flat, about using you as a comforter and not mentioning anything from before the accident."
Holding her composure she stepped close to him "I understand and like I told you that night… I will wait until you are ready."
"I Know and I know you would like me to take the first steps." holding out his hand for her to take he gave her a reassuring smile. "It may take me a while to get over this… But I still have you in mind. Thank you for just being you and being there for me when I needed you most."
Smiling a little as she took his hand she pushed in kissing his cheek. "Come on I'm starving here and Kazuto?"
"Yes."
"You do not need to feel sorry for those things. It feels nice for me to return what you did for me."
xxxx
The Trip out had been met with some success Shino thought as it got Kazuto out of the apartment and talking. "Kazuto have you thought about Yui yet."
Looking a bit angry he stopped dead in his tracks "No. I've not seen her since I told her about the accident. She broke her little heart and I just don't know how to face her yet. So Liz and Sugu have been looking after her since then. I will go see her tomorrow through… but it means going home to my room…"
Feeling a bit of dread she confessed the reason to asking. "It just last night when you were sleeping, I went and seen her. She needs her papa it's all she asked about."
Kazuto's face darkened "uh… is that so…"
"Yes it is."
"What else did you talk about with her?"
Placing her hands on her hips she stood her ground. "What do you think… she sees me as her aunt…? I'm one of the very few girls she will trust near you. We talked about Asuna and what she meant to her. You know for an AI she is very human and she needs her papa." she was becoming angry with him, at his attitude to his daughter.
Kazuto was all for telling Shino to get lost and walk off until he possessed what she was saying. "Look there is just too much at that house in the woods that reminds me of her… I… I just don't think I could face all that just yet."
"So you are not going because of that… you are not seeing your daughter because of painful memory's Kazuto I know you can be mean but in a playful way but …" she pauses as she struggled to find the words to describe him until. "but right now… You are being a bastard to your daughter."
At the sound of her cursing at him, his temper readied to explode but she was right. He was leaving his daughter alone and the realisation made him look down in disgust at his actions. He had become so wrapped up in his own self-pity, that he had abandoned the other person that loved Asuna as much as he did. "You… you… you're right Shino-san" he mumbled to her.
"Well when we get back you can log in using my equipment." Shino offered the now defeated Kazuto.
They continue walking for a bit this time Shino grasping his hand as he moped along. urgh I don't like him like this she thought to herself as they approached the play park that she had seen the children playing in that morning.
As she thought about the kids and their games, she let go of Kazuto's hand and darted off to the park, leaving a very stunned looking boy in her wake.
Watching her run off confused the hell out of him. Just what is she up to? He thought, as he gave chase, he watched her bend down then turn to face him. "Shino what the hel…" Splat his vision filled with stars and his face felt wet and cold. Spluttering as he tried to compute what just happened, he wiped the snow out of his eyes just in time to see Shino laughing, as she sent another snow ball his way again splat dead on target this time knocking him over. "Ok … ok I give… I give." he shouted out only to feel another hit his chest. How the hell is she doing that so fast? He thought as he laid there right she is nit getting away with this.
Fast as he could, Kazuto jumped to his feet darting off for the cover of a low wall. As he ran ball after ball would score hits on his body, or whizzed past him so closes, that he swore he heard the wind whistle. Finding some cover he set to work making his own ammunition. With a deep breath looking over the wall no sooner had his head broke cover, he witnessed yet another snow ball arcing through the air at his head Splat. "Again!" he huffed trying to wipe the snow and ice away.
"You don't stand a chance you know." Shino shouted over to him.
"Tell me about it… You damn sneaky sniper. "
Shino watched as Kauzto hunkered down behind the low wall wondering when he'll make a brake for it she knew it was coming and had readied another five snow balls for him. What she did not know as she was so focused on the spot she that he was. Is that Kauzto had crawled along the bottom of the wall keeping out of her line of sight.
"Just a little further." He groaned, as he slid along the cold ground working his way behind her. That should do it Kazuto thought as he peeked over the low wall to see her back to him.
Getting up he slowly made his way to her as she shouted out. "Come out I'll give you a chance."
Razing her arm she did not notice the boy behind her until he whispered in her ear. "Gotcha."
A shiver passed down her back as she felt her collier pulled back and the Ice cold snow that was stuffed down her back.
The silence of the play park was suddenly shattered as a high pitched scream filled the air followed by the sound of a girl berating someone "what the hell Kazuto? How the hell did you get there?"
unable to contain his laughter the boy answered her "Well I know what you're like when you zone out on a target." he held out a hand to the girl that was trying to get the snow off of her back staring daggers at him "Besides you started this."
Finally after the last of the snow was extracted she looked at him trying not to shiver "I did it because you where moping." she took his hand and he pulled her close into a hug.
Holding her closes he could feel her shiver in the cold. "Shino you are right thank you… Let's get you back and warmed up before you get a cold. I'll even make us some hot Chocolate."
Feeling the warmth of his embrace she began to warm up. "Lead the way."
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Authors note: Sorry for the delay but I am working but I have had a few changes in my life this last week. I am also trying to write a buffer as originally this was to be just a one shot and now I'm looking at up to 15-20 chapters.
