Author's Note: Now, I'm back again with another new one-shot! With Spartan719's blessing, here is a backstory and my take about how Kaito and Asuna knew each other and how they met in SAO. Now, here's chapter 4.

Kamen Rider Gaim is the property of Toei, Ishimori Productions, Gen Urobuchi, Jin Haganeya, and Nitroplus.

Sword Art Online is the property of Aniplex, A-1 Pictures, ASCII Media Works, and Reki Kawahara.

Chapter 4: Strength

(Team Baron's mansion)

Kaito is sitting on the couch while the others are practicing their dance moves. Good thing is that he recovered from those wounds after his battle with Shino and the rest of Team Gaim and the backstabbing scheme made by both Hase and Jonouchi against him.

"Those mongrels…" Kaito bitterly mumbled. Moments later, Zack approached him as he also sat on the other couch.

"Well, you took much of a beating there, Kaito." Zack commented.

"Indeed." The leader of Team Baron noted.

As he leaned on his couch, Zack wondered, "When you put up this alliance, did you really have second thought before doing it?"

"What makes you say that?" Kaito turned on Zack.

"I'm talking about the risks. Ups and downs, you know. Especially that you get… backstabbed by those two…"

Kaito remembered both Hase and Jonouchi, who became Kurokage and Gridon respectively, the two new Kamen Riders on the fray. He snorted about it anyway.

"I knew that would happen." Kaito said. "I just want to know how it feels to be like a ruler."

"Eh?"

"And I realized… it's just nothing but pure nonsense." Kaito commented.

"But if that is the case-?"

"I'm sure you're going to ask 'Why did you just go and play along with it?'. Am I right?" Kaito looked back at

As Kaito waits for Zack's answer, the former stood up from his couch went to the table as he began to re-shuffle his cards.

"Being a leader of a team is natural, but since I'm considered as one of the strong… I want to know the difference between someone who leads, and someone who rules." Kaito noted.

"And your point is…?"

"They're indeed… different. When you see a person who considers himself strong and even showed them his or her own strength, those people will look up to that him or her and will work hard for themselves, and even acknowledge them and will have their respect. But in case of a ruler, he will just order the weak to do his bidding."

Zack startled as Kaito continued. "Regarding the former, it reminds me of someone…"

"And who that might be?"

After taking a deep breath, Kaito response was…

"Do you remember the incident 3 years ago? And this is all because of one game?"

Zack's eyes widened upon hearing that. "You mean… Sword Art Online? The first VRMMO?"

Kaito nodded. "Yes. Did you even play that?"

"No." Zack shook his head. "I never had the chance to play SAO. But at the time that incident happened, it's a good thing that I stay away from that game." He leaned in the couch he was sitting. "ALFheim is better since it's safer."

When Kaito heard his second-in-command's comment, he huffed. "I don't care. Those two years trapped in that game… has changed my life."

Then Zack replied. "Of course you would say that, Kaito. You know, I wonder what it feels like if someone is stuck in a death game for 2 years…"

"To make this clear for you: being a survivor is a sign of being strong." Kaito told Zack. He remembered the day where 10,000 players trapped in a game like Sword Art Online. What's worse is that if you die in-game, you also die for real due to the NerveGear. Most of them felt fear, regret, sadness, and hopelessness. But Kaito is one of the few who had in mind: to be strong and to survive.

"And no wonder why you're so good at fighting." Zack said. "Especially the time you become a Kamen Rider."

Then Kaito suddenly remembered the time where he faced Team Gaim and even their Riders. But the one thing that etched in his mind is none other than Asuna Yuuki. Not just that she's a fellow SAO survivor but also a member of Team Gaim and goes the mantle of the raspberry-themed Kamen Rider Aura. But aside from that…

She is the one who saved him.

But before that, he even berated the brownish chesnut-haired girl for being so 'soft'. And that is from the Inves Games. But back at SAO, she was hailed one of the most powerful players in the game and at the same level of the Black Swordsman, Kirito, earning the moniker of 'Flash'. Asuna was even a member of the most powerful guild named "Knights of the Blood Oath" with Heathcliff as its leader and her as Sub-Commander. Not only Kirito became one of its members one-time but also Kaito himself, being one of the strongest and most prominent members of the guild.

"Those two years trapped in SAO made me who I am now." Kaito continued. "And then I met her. And she acknowledges me because of my determination and my strength."

"Her?"

"I'm talking about Asuna Yuuki." Kaito replied.

Zack widened his eyes as like something hit him. "You mean… Asuna of Team Gaim!?" Kaito nodded.

"So… you mean that you have known each other back then?" Zack asked.

"Indeed." Kaito replied. "And I'll tell you how…"

(Wolf Plains, 28th Floor of Aincrad)

"Hrraaaaagh!"

Kaito Kumon, who goes by the name of Marloe, slashed a wolf monster before it shatters, defeating it.

Marloe keeps up his stance as he keeps on fighting a group of Blood Wolves, along with the Blood Wolf Leader. Five of them. One Blood Wolf made the first moved as it lunged towards its prey. Marloe dodged and hits the monster's back, killing it. As the second Blood Wolf makes the second move yet he kicked it away then the remaining Blood Wolves growled as both tried to attack the red-clad swordsman. Marloe evades the wolves by jumping away from them and as he immediately puts up his stance, he dash forward to do one powerful strike.

As he noticed the other Blood Wolf growling then rushed to attack him, Marloe picks up a small weapon from his pocket and it was a dagger. He threw it and as it hits the monster in the forehead it induces an electric shock, damaging the monster. But it wasn't just an ordinary shock; it's a throwing dagger with a lightning elemental attack, killing the Blood Wolf as it shatters.

Now he sets his sights on the only monster that is left: the Blood Wolf Leader. Unlike the lesser Blood Wolves, this one is stronger. It has two tails and spinal spikes on its back. And its eyes are glowing red, eyeing its prey with a growl.

Marloe, still on his stance, readies himself for any attack the Blood Wolf Leader will have against him. As the monster charged in a dashing state, Marloe also charged as well. And with quick finesse and precision, he stabbed the Blood Wolf Leader in the chest. As it shatters, the red-clad swordsman sheathed his sword, signifying the battle is over. While he took on a deep breath as he prepares to leave…

"That's quite impressive."

Marloe turned to find out where that voice comes from and it was none other from a girl, standing on a hill. She has long orange-brownish chestnut hair and hazel eyes. She even wears a uniform clad in red and white, where it was dominantly white with red streaks. And she holds a rapier, which it is sheathed on the left side of her waist.

Marloe narrowed his eyes. "You're watching me, aren't you? You're challenging me to a duel?"

The girl shook her head as she walked into Marloe from the hill. "No, I'm here just to find new members for our guild."

"I'm not interested. I only work alone." He replied.

But the girl doesn't stop there. "How about we duel now… to find out what you are capable of…" she said with a smirk.

After he thought about it, Marloe made up his mind. "Alright, I won't back down." He began to sheath his sword.

"Ready when you are." She nodded as she draws her rapier.

(Moments later)

Marloe tried to catch his breath due to exhaustion; holding on to his sword stabbed on the ground. He looked at his HP bar, which is now in low levels. As he saw the rapier pointed at him, he looked up to the girl.

"Had enough?" the girl with the rapier asked.

"N-Not… yet…" said Marloe, who struggles to get up. When he stood up, he wobbled yet the girl catches him by hooking his left arm over her neck.

"W-What?" Marloe said in surprise.

"Hey, don't push yourself." The girl told the swordsman as she gently helped him to his feet.

"Why did you help me?" Marloe asked, staring at the girl.

"You have proved your strength to me." She replied.

But Marloe scoffed. "That's utter nonsense. I didn't even beat you in our duel." He snarled about his fear of belonging to the weak.

"There's no need for that." She replied.

"What?"

"I like the way you beat those monsters and even you handle them all by yourself. That's how strong you are." She commented.

Marloe continued to stare at her. Then he looked down and said, "That's not enough."

"I have a better idea." The girl voiced her thoughts. "You can join in our guild. And not just that, you can train all you want, in order to get stronger. That is because; you belong to our ranks from now on, Marloe."

Then Marloe looked at the girl for a second. As he analyzed the girl's clothing, he widened his eyes in surprise. "Wait, don't tell me you're-!"

"I'm glad that you finally found out." The girl said smiling. "Yes, I'm a member of the Knights of the Blood Oath. And my name is Asuna." She crosser her arms and stated, "I am the guild's Sub-Commander."

"Sub-Commander!?" this have surprised Marloe. He never knew that the girl in front of him is none other one of the leaders of one of the most prominent guilds in the virtual game itself.

"Uh, I'm s-sorry. I didn't even know it was you. My apologies…" he tried to bow down in apology.

"Hey, there's no need for that. It's fine." Asuna chuckled. Then she offered her hand to Marlowe.

"Come."

Instead of taking it, he scoffed and walked past Asuna. That made her irritated a bit.

"Hey! You don't just walk past me like that!"

"Don't get me wrong." Marloe noted. "I don't need to offer your hand or anything, your strength is enough to convince me. Now, my sword is yours…"

Then he looked back at Asuna and he said with a smirk.

"…Sub-Commander."

When Asuna heard his answer, she sighed since she can't help about his cockiness. She smiled instead.

"Alright, let's go."

And both went on their way; back to the 1st floor of Aincrad. Marloe, although cocky, had a good heart a little bit with a sense of honor. But it's an honor for him to join a guild like the Knights of the Blood Oath.

(Back in the present)

"And… as they say, the rest is history." Kaito concluded his story.

"Woah, I can't believe what I'm hearing." Zack stated in bewilderment. "Now I know why you knew each other. You're some sort of a… 'knight' to her, right?"

"You can say that." Kaito nodded. "She had gone 'soft' along with Kirigaya during the Inves Games, especially after the arrival of the Sengoku Drivers in Kawagoe. But I was wrong."

"Wrong? About what?" Zack asked.

Then Kaito answered, "I find their ideals foolish, but I have to admit: they never have lost their touch. All I can say is that… if that is their reason to fight, then good for them." After this, Kaito prepares to leave.

"Kaito." As Zack called him out, the latter stopped for a moment.

"You said that playing the ruler is utter nonsense for you, right?"

"What of it?" Kaito inquired.

"Playing the leader makes sense. But playing the hero… is much interesting, don't you think?" Zack concluded.

Kaito snickered as he chuckled. "Don't be ridiculous, Zack." Kaito opened the door and went out.

Zack leaned back and sighed in relief. "That Kaito. Uncertain as always."

As he went outside the mansion, the words Zack told him still ingrained on his mind.

"A hero, huh? Hmph, I'm no hero. I'm a warrior."

Then he went off his way… to train once again. For Kaito, the only way to become strong… is to fight.

This is the end of chapter 4.

And for other news: 2015 will also be a great year for Kamen Rider. Not just because of the recently announced Super Hero Taisen 2015, which it will feature the onscreen appearance of Shotaro Ishinomori's Kamen Rider #3, but more Gaim! Yes, no joke. Toei announced a V-Cinema entitled "Kamen Rider Gaim Gaiden: Zangetsu/Baron", which it will feature a side story of the two Riders. This will be the second Kamen Rider V-Cinema home video release since "Kamen Rider W Returns". But instead of 2 separate one-hour films just like Accel and Eternal, it will be 2 side stories in one film, more like it's 2 episodes. But this is also great since the side story film will feature new forms and a new Rider. More announcements will come this December 26. Sooooo excited, man! :)

And here are my other plans as well: I'm also planning a crossover with Akame ga Kill. Yeah, yeah we all know how popular it was but I have to admit: the anime is mediocre at best, not to mention the last episodes. Furthermore, the manga is better in a sense. Let's see what I can do. My choice which Rider series I will use? It's two, though: Drive and Eternal. But that's just me.

Just read and review! BTW, I'll see you and Merry Christmas!