A/N: Finally, an update after like a century of inactivity! Well, that's what it feels like to me. I've been busy, but I rewrote parts that weren't satisfactory, as well as updating previous chapters to fix some minor mistakes.
Also, it has come to my awareness that some people thought Asuna's boyfriend was Kirito, but no, it's not. In case some people have misread, her boyfriend is TALL and BLOND and most definitely not Kirito.
Yuuki lay awake for hours after she'd left Asuna's apartment, cool blankets gradually warming with the heat of her slim arms. Thoughts of the past swirled around in her head. Asuna's situation was uncomfortably familiar to her. While the purplette had long ago dealt with her fear, it wasn't something she liked to revisit often, especially when she was in this state, still finding a foothold for herself in society and school. This really was happening too often; Her being reminded of such unhappy events.
Hoping it would erase the ghostly scars inside of her and ease the pressure she still felt compressing her lungs, Yuuki let out a heavy sigh. It didn't change anything drastically (the whispers of her past were still there), but the feeling of breathing - of living - was enough to settle her nerves. Quietly, Yuuki shifted in bed, the smooth feel of the barely warm sheets against her legs providing a slight comfort. Suddenly, her room felt too empty.
I guess maybe I'm still just nursing old wounds, after all…
A few days had passed before the younger girl would speak with Asuna again, outside of the brief but comfortable interactions they had when they passed each other in the bustling, white hallways of the high school, or the traded glances from opposite sides of the room when the math teacher droned on too long. In fact, it was through pure coincidence that they would next meet. Yuuki had just surfaced, reaching to hang off the side of the dock, when a clear voice sounded above her
"You're really fast. How come you aren't on the school's swim team?"
Startled, the pale girl jerked her head up to meet the gaze of the speaker. Long brown hair with two small braids tied back around her head and a fading discoloration on a smooth cheek; Asuna.
Yuuki pulled herself up onto the dock in one swift movement. Asuna kneeled beside her, waiting patiently as she grabbed a dry towel to wrap around herself, shielding her skin from the bite of the chilly air. It would be Winter soon, and Yuuki knew this was probably the last time she would swim outdoors until the weather warmed in Spring.
"Well? I'm curious," Asuna prompted, encouraging the other girl to speak.
"Actually, I used to be on the swim team. I was one of the best, actually. Coach loved putting me in the 500 free to see the looks on the other school's faces."
The smaller girl rested her chin on her knees nonchalantly, grinning a bit at the memory.
"Wow, that's amazing! But you left the team. Why?"
Simply, she stated, "It was a lot of pressure on me, and it took up too much time. Not to mention this way it's easier to take care of my mom."
Asuna nodded silently in understanding. A gust of wind swept past, tugging at their long hair and the edges of their clothes. Yuuki instinctively leaned toward the teenager beside her, seeking shelter from a source that was willing to accommodate.
Concerned, aforementioned teen asked, "Are you cold?"
"A little bit, yeah," came a mumble in reply.
The chestnut haired girl wrapped a sleeved arm around the other's shoulders. Yuuki couldn't help but think that it was a warm and pleasant feeling. A few moments passed, and she wondered if it would be a wise idea to confide in Asuna with what she had been thinking of since their last real talk. They were friends, right? She deserved to know.
"Hey, Asuna," Yuuki started, "Do you want to know why I joined in the first place?"
Faint surprise shone in the girl's hazel eyes. "Yes! That is, if you're comfortable with telling me."
The violet haired girl took a breath, steeling herself, but also indirectly stalling.
"I had a sister, actually. Her name was Aiko. She...passed away the summer before freshman year. Drowned, actually. It was part of a series of unfortunate events, but I guess it could've been preventable." Together, the two girls gazed out over the dark surface of the water as Yuuki continued, "I was in a bad place for a while. Looking at or thinking about the ocean, or water in general made me feel sick. I really missed Aiko. We were closer than most siblings, I think. When school started up, I joined the swim team. Thought that by getting better I was proving myself stronger than the force that took her, you know?"
"Well, I can't say I get it entirely, but it makes sense. Did it help you cope?"
Yuuki blew a steady stream of air between her lips. Her still damp bangs fluttered faintly. "Kind of. Even now, I miss her like hell, but swimming with the team became more than a distraction. It was really fun. I couldn't give it up completely."
"That's…" Asuna seemed at lost for words for a moment before speaking, "You're really brave. Braver than you believe. You were able to find a way to keep yourself going, all on your own."
Suddenly, Yuuki's throat constricted painfully, and she could feel fresh tears burning against her eyelids. She turned her head away, so the other girl wouldn't see, and brushed away the tiny crystals before they could fall.
"Thanks. And sorry for getting a bit emotional -"
"No, don't be," interrupted Asuna, shaking her head slightly, "I don't mind a bit."
This elicited a small grin from the crimson eyed girl, who continued, "I just had to get this off my chest because I think it's been building up again. Looks like you were the one to help me this time."
"That's what friends are for, right?"
Yuuki nodded, making a noise of affirmation, before standing to stretch luxuriously. She held out a hand to pull up Asuna, who accepted.
"It's about time we were heading back, huh? That reminds me - How did you find me here, anyway? It's not like," Here, she gestured towards the wide expanse of the river and surrounding structures, "It's not like this is a place most people visit, considering it's almost Winter now."
The chestnut haired teen thought for a moment before speaking. Meanwhile, the other girl quickly threw on a jacket and sweatpants.
"To be honest, I don't really know why I came here, specifically. I just thought it would be nice to walk around and explore for a change. It's been a few months, but I still haven't really familiarized with the area yet, you know?"
"I gotcha. Tough to be in a new place, isn't it?" The two gathered their belongings, setting along the long path back to their apartment building.
"You have no idea. It feels so weird to be here, sometimes." Asuna laughed, but seeing Yuuki frown, quickly added, "Of course, it's been great, too. After all, you're here."
"Well, duh! I'm the best person that you'll ever meet."
Beaming, the purplette ran ahead before twirling around to face the other girl. No, she hadn't said everything that she needed to, but this was enough to ease some of the growing weight on her heart. Everything started with baby steps.
Truth be told, she hadn't been expecting Asuna to be such a willing listener. As the realization that they could both help each other in such significant ways dawned on her, she paused suddenly. After what had happened to her sister, the purple haired girl had broken contact with most of her friends. The open manner that the pair conversed was strange, all things considered, but felt surprisingly nostalgic and comforting. When was the last time she had ever felt this safe?
Yuuki's frame appeared contemplative for a second; lonely. It was times like these when the taller girl would have the urge to hold her and tell her things would be okay, though even now, she hardly knew the girl - she had barely scratched the surface and begun to understand Yuuki's motivations and past..
"Hey...What's wrong?" Inquired Asuna, catching up to the swimmer.
Slowly, Yuuki dragged her gaze up the gentle slope of the other girl's chin and over her bruised cheek before speaking tentatively, in a manner not uncommon for her during the past few days. "Lots of things - though that isn't unusual. I just - just wanted to remind you that we'll be able to get through...whatever that's out there: School, college applications, your family, growing pains, anything! Promise to help me and let me help you, please?"
"Where'd all this come from all of a sudden?" The brown haired girl tilted her head, a puzzled, lopsided grin on her face. "But yeah, I promise."
A/N: Have a little bit of Yuukina relationship development goodness. Or maybe just platonic development at this point, whatever you interpret. Eventually, their romantic relationship will be more prominent, but this is kind of a slow burn, and Asuna and Yuuki have quite a bit of growing to do before they reach that stage. I want their development to be natural. Like when the reader enjoys the plot until one day they look back and realize holy shitthey've cared about each other right from the beginning, even when they weren't acting on any romantic feelings. I can only hope that I've become a good enough writer to convey something like that! For now, see you next chapter, all my patient readers!