Finally! A chapter that's on time! I want to say thank you to the people you reviewed,so thanks to:

shypuppylover19

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And thank you to my 52 favoriters and 73 followers!(As well as the 20 reviewers!) This only has 4 chapters! So thank you to everyone!

(Disclaimer: I don't own SAO. All rights go to whoever made it.)

Chapter Four:

Explorations and Agreements

Kirito looked through his inventory, bored. He saw new things he assumed were Asuna's, items that she was collecting and using. He'd gotten into the habit of checking his inventory, not to see what was there but to make sure she was alive. He'd write down the things every morning on pieces of paper and the next he'd cross out the ones that had been used and add new items to the list. Then he'd go on for the day.

But as of now, it was past noon and here was Kirito looking through the inventory, a scowl threatening to appear. For the past week and a half, Kayaba had given him deal upon deal, attempting to get him to do what he wanted. Kirito wasn't taking it and just as it was frustrating Kayaba, it was annoying Kirito. But it also gave Kirito pleasure to see Kayaba frustrated and annoyed to a point where the man's temper had given out. Now you're probably wondering how Kirito was doing it. Surely just saying no wouldn't annoy the man so quickly, right? Of course not, but it was the way Kirito refused the deals that put Kayaba in a bad mood. Sometimes he'd just plain say no, sometimes he'd be polite, and more recently he'd just walk right out. Kirito grinned as he remembered Kayaba's face when he first did that.

A lick shook him out of his thoughts, or more accurately made him jump up from surprise. A loud meow of annoyance came from the kitten.

"Sorry there kitty. You scared me." Kirito said, picking up the kitten and petting it. It began purring and lifted a paw to his face, gently laying there. He smiled and put it back on the ground. The kitten began trying to climb up his pants making Kirito yelp in pain as the kitten's claws dug into his skin. Finally he got the gist that it wanted to go outside. Prying the kitten off his leg, he put it down and opened the door. It purred loudly and walked down the hall. Kirito sighed and followed the kitten, opening his map in hope that he might find more things to explore.

In the past week and a half, he'd practically mapped every part of the Ruby Palace. Today was the only day where he'd gone out twice, this being the second time, to map it. This was the reason behind his boredom. The only place he didn't go during this time was near the throne room and this was because he didn't want to hear more details on the deals Kayaba offered. Now, in desperation to do something, he was going to look around. He took the winding path through the castle to the throne room and stopped at the door. He really loved the door but right now he had an area to explore and map.

Groaning in defeat after an hour of looking and searching and mapping, he'd found two empty rooms and an empty hallway. No secret doors, no interesting items, nothing. Kirito plopped down onto the ground and rested his head against the wall next to the throne room doors.

"Great. Now what Kirito?" He muttered to himself.

"We could talk." Kirito hit his head in surprise and snapped his eyes open.

"About what Kayaba?"

"Oh, I have another deal in mind although I want to know what you would like in the deal and maybe compromise. So?" Kayaba answered, waiting patiently

Kirito almost instantly said no but the word compromise made him hesitate. Was Kayaba really allowing him a say? Kirito nodded and got up. Kayaba gestured for him to follow before turning around, pushing the throne room doors open, and walking in.

"So…. What do you need?" Kirito asked awkwardly as they approached the end of the room.

"For what?" Kayaba sat on his throne.

Kirito groaned.

"Oh. The compromise, yes." Kayaba said nonchalantly.

"Yes, that. So what information do I need to give you?"

"Well, this past week you've constantly said no, sometimes in more….unrespectful ways," Kayaba paused, glaring at Kirito, before continuing, "but you've never given me the reasons as to why." Kayaba stressed the last word to emphasize the point.

Kirito was silent for a couple minutes thinking. Finally he started answering.

"I would rather not be a tool of yours, I want my free mind, I want to be able to interact with other players. And not just fight with them but talk, help, and actually do stuff!" Kirito would've continued if not for Kayaba stopping him by holding up his hand.

"I believe I understand Kirito. Let's say you have it your way. You become a player again with the same right as the others, just as you used to be. Essentially you are saying this to get out of the Ruby Palace and away from my presence, correct?"

Kirito went to answer before Kayaba began speaking again.

"Now let's say I get it my way. You are back in the world but only doing things for me with no real interaction between other players. Or you stay here and become a boss on a floor or an extra quest."

"I'd rather not."

Kayaba chuckled. "Of course not. So for a compromise-"

Kirito cut into his sentence. "As long as I'm not being used, I might listen. If it sounds like I'm being used, don't expect me to stay."

"This is my last offer Kirito. And please try not to interrupt me."

Kirito muttered under his breath about Commanders and gamemasters as Kayaba went on.

"Anyway, for a compromise, you'll get to be a player again." Kirito snapped his head towards Kayaba. "With your conditions, although I have things to add. They can not be able to know that you are you and if I need you to do an errand then you do it unless you can find a reason that makes it violate these terms."

Kirito thought it over. It really didn't sound that bad. It mostly favored him and not Kayaba.

"Remember Kirito that this is my last offer."

Doesn't mean I can't make an offer, Kirito thought but focused on the task at hand.

In one hand he had freedom, he wasn't a tool, and he could be a player. In the other hand, his friends wouldn't that it was him and he'd still be doing a few errands for Kayaba. What did he want? To never risk it and instead stay in the Ruby Palace cooped up in the room until the game is defeated? Or to risk it and play until the game is defeated?

"I'll risk it." Kirito said as his final answer. Kayaba smiled, catching on his train of thought.

"Well then, time to figure out a new name, eh Kirito?"

So I still need a gender and a name for the kitten and I won't update until I have at least 7 more options. So far:

Gender:

Female-4

Male-0

Names(So far):

Poof

Tora

Flare

Blaze

Zeal

So you all still have a chance to give some names and pick a gender. Remember I won't update until I get more!

Hope you enjoyed!

Next chapter:

Chapter 5:

A New Identity