The Captive Swordsman

Chapter 12— Situations Abound

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Original Title: Sword Art Online(ソードアート・オンライン)

Original Concept by: Kawahara Reki

written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: Irregular update schedule. Sorry!

Thank you, bowpurity for the beta!

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Leafa could not help but stare at the older girl in front of her, the person who was in love with her Onii-chan, the person who was also responsible for breaking and dashing her hopes and chance to confess to her Onii-chan.

She knew it was wrong for her to do so, but she couldn't stop lying to herself after spending such a long time apart from him.

Leafa, no, Kirigaya Suguha had always looked up to her onii-chan, Kirigaya Kazuto for as long as she could remember. That feeling however changed to something else after her mother, Kirigaya Midori revealed that Kazuto Onii-chan was her adopted older brother, and that they were non-blood related cousins.

It was wrong for her to feel that way when her Onii-chan, or cousin was stuck in Sword Art Online without her knowing what was going on inside. But it was during that time that Suguha realized how important her Onii-chan was to her.

Perhaps she had already sensed something was wrong when a few years ago, Kazuto Onii-chan started to keep her distance from her. It wasn't really ostracising, nor was it really an estranged relationship, it was akin to him keeping them at arms bay while still coexisting with them. Suguha didn't want to think that it was something she did that made her Onii-chan behave that way, but since there wasn't any alternative, Suguha was at her wits end at what to do. Making the matter worse was how she was too afraid to ask him what went wrong between the two of them as well.

Perhaps that was when it had started, perhaps her feelings and expectations of wanting to become the best little sister she could to Kazuto Onii-chan started changing to something different then.

She didn't want to ask him as she was embarrassed, and since she kept thinking about that, perhaps her own feelings for her Onii-chan had already started to take root at that particular point without her knowing?

After all, wasn't love all about always thinking about a particular person, always wanting the best for that person, to always want to be with them, to give them all that she has?

Suguha certainly felt that way when she found out that her onii-chan was one of those ten thousand who was stuck in Sword Art Online, and those feelings had came to light after her mother revealed to her that her Onii-chan was actually adopted, and that her love for him could be real and was allowed. That was the trigger that had turned everything around, and perhaps that was also the reason that she had taken a few days to calm herself down from the shock, depression as well as her own conflicted feelings about the feelings of affection that were shifting towards love for her onii-chan.

It was wrong at first, so Suguha had suppressed it, but now that it was... okay, that it was allowed, that it was possible now, did Suguha find herself in a position where she might lose her Onii-chan before she could express her feelings for him.

Even if it might never be, Suguha had told herself that if her Onii-chan wakes up, she'll definitely tell him about what she felt for him no matter what.

..

At least, that was the plan, till Yuuki Asuna popped out of nowhere with her outrageous claim that totally ruined all of her chances. Suguha wouldn't say that she was a person who was easily jealous, but perhaps it was jealousy that did make her feel so much hostility for Asuna-san at the start.

This was a person who had came out of nowhere, who had no apparent relation to her Onii-chan at all, and yet had the cheek to claim that she was his Onii-chan's lover and wife. That was simply, outrageous, and Suguha couldn't and wouldn't accept it no matter what.

So even when Asuna-san had explained exactly what had happened between the two of them, some of the events causing her to shudder in fear at how close they had been to death, Suguha wasn't totally convinced or won over.

Her mother was won over though, a fact that made Suguha more than hesitant enough when she approached her last night. But right now, what Asuna-san was saying and telling her was enough to rock Suguha's entire world again.

She had to admit that she had decided to help Asuna-san in this mission because she could save Onii-chan. Although Asuna-san never said so explicitly, Suguha knew that her onii-chan got into this mess because of Asuna-san. She did not know why Asuna-san was keeping that fact from her, or why she had deigned it not important enough to at least apologize to her about it, she was more or less appeased after seeing the length that Asuna-san was willing to go through to save her onii-chan.

A selfish part of her reminded Suguha that Asuna-san owed her onii-chan at least that much, for she was at fault in the first place. That might be true, but Suguha didn't really want to hold a grudge against Asuna-san for that. It might be due to other reasons, like how Asuna-san might have thought that she knew what was going on after eavesdropping on the conversation between Asuna-san and that man, or perhaps she was planning to explain in further detail what was going on later.

Suguha found herself finding and creating many new reasons for Asuna-san on her behalf that she didn't want to create in the first place. Or was she creating excuses for herself for not asking Asuna-san instead?

Suguha wasn't sure, perhaps she was never sure when it came to her Onii-chan. But this time, this one time... She wanted to be sure, for if she didn't know what and in what manner did Asuna-san viewed her, Suguha knew she would regret it.

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'Asuna-san, who... how do you view me as... '

'How do I view... you as?'

Leafa asked her softly even as she looked down at her feet again. Her entire body was trembling again, this time not in fear of what might happen if Sigurd wielded his influence to try and get back at them, but this time in frustration and maybe anger.

That was perhaps the last straw for Leafa, it was akin to Asuna stepping on the last vestiges of her pride. She was not a helpless warrior, and she was definitely not accepting of Asuna-san just yet as a suitor, or wife to her Onii-chan.

But Asuna-san was certainly behaving like her future with her Onii-chan was secured and set in stone, that part itself really, really did make Leafa upset.

'Yes... who am I to you, Asuna-san.'

Leafa gritted her teeth to stop herself from grinding them together, rubbing molars as she watched Asuna-san wonder for a moment before smiling happily at her.

'Leafa-chan is my adorable sister-in-law! Kirito-kun and I are married after all, right, Yui? Leafa-chan is your aunt neh~'

'Leafa nee-chan~'

Yui raised her hands in the air childishly while celebrating, Leafa however, didn't find this funny at all. She never did acknowledge Asuna-san and her onii-chan being together, and she thought she never would till she could speak with him about it.

So having Asuna-san treat her like that was a huge blow to her.

'N-No... I-I'm not.'

'Leafa-chan?'

'I'm... I'm not your sister-in-law, Asuna-san...'

Leafa managed to grit out after a while of enforced calm even as she stared at Asuna defiantly, not wanting to back down from her own position, that of someone who was very close and had known Kirigaya Kazuto longer than she had.

'I'm Onii-chan's step-sister! Onii-chan was adopted to the family, so I'm not really your daughter-in-law, Asuna-san! So... So, don't treat me like one!'

Leaf pointed a finger at Asuna even as she declared dramatically. She might be mad, no, she was beyond mad now at being dismissed so easily by Asuna. She might not have told Onii-chan her feelings, but she was not going to back down from this challenge of her feelings that Asuna-san has unwillingly set up between the two of them.

'Leafa-chan?'

..

Asuna was confused, this was not how she wanted her relationship with Leafa/Suguha to become. She had been making steady process, or so she had thought, in winning over Suguha and perhaps making her accept the relationship between the two of them. Winning over her family as well as Kirito-kun's family was always going to be somewhat of a challenge to her, and one of the biggest obstacle for her was Suguha, or Leafa-chan in front of her.

Asuna hoped that it wasn't her, herself who was at fault for Suguha not liking her, and was the circumstances that she had introduced herself to Suguha and her family. Honestly, after looking back, Asuna acknowledge, recognized and was more than a little regretful at how her initial introduction had panned out with the Kirigaya family, but there's no point crying over spilt milk now.

'Asuna-san, I might not have made myself clear before, but please allow me to set a few things straight with you. If I don't, I believe the misunderstandings between the two of us will continue, and I honestly, do not want that to happen.'

Leafa took another breath even as she smiled grimly at Asuna, Asuna had seen similar smiles like that before, most vividly on Kirito's face when he made the decision to challenge the final boss, Kayaba Akihiko when she was paralysed and unable to even stop him.

Leafa started leading Asuna away from the main lobby of the tower to a more secluded side where the two of them could seat down in semi-private booth to speak privately.

A part of Asuna was nervous, nervous for she had no idea what Leafa was going to tell her, and the other part was impatience, for she had shown her hand to Leafa, or at least she believe she had. So, what was it that Leafa wanted to tell her now?

'So Leafa-chan, is Kirito-kun's step-sister?'

Asuna asked timidly even as Leafa nodded her head. Yui on the other hand had quite a solemn face on as she settled down on the table, exchanging looks between the two of them as they exchanged conversations.

'I... I didn't know that. Does Kirito-kun knows?'

Asuna admitted with a small smile and she lowered her head a little when Leafa said that he does.

'He found out a long time ago. But that's not important, Asuna-san. What's important is why I am helping you, Asuna-san.'

That was a topic that did make Asuna suffer a setback as she just stared at Leafa, dumbstuck and confused at what she was saying. Even Yui was taken aback as she opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Asuna as she spoke out in criticism.

'That's wrong! There shouldn't be a reason to want to help and save Kirito-kun, Leafa-chan! You know that!'

'No, that's wrong, Asuna-san. And... you know it too. Even if our intentions are right, Asuna-san has her own reasons for wanting to save Onii-chan. Even if that isn't the main reason, or what is important, Asuna-san still has reasons to save Onii-chan, just like I do.'

Asuna didn't like the direction that this conversation was heading towards but she had no choice but to nod her head in agreement.

'T-Then... Even so, even so... Helping Kirito-kun is my reason for coming here and asking Leafa-chan for help.'

Asuna persisted but Leafa was having none of that as she pointed a finger at her sternly again.

'That might be true, but you would also want to return to Onii-chan's side, or for Onii-chan to return to your side, Asuna-san. You might want to save Onii-chan, but that's only because you love Onii-chan, right?'

Asuna had no problems answering this, but she added on that wasn't the end of the equation just yet.

'Even so, Leafa-chan, that's not the only reason I'm doing so. My friends, Kirito-kun's friends and all the players of SAO would want to help him, to save Kirito-kun because he saved them. It's not just for me, Leafa-chan... so why are you asking this now? We should be going now, to Kirito-kun!'

'Asuna-san, that just tells me that there is a lot of things that Asuna-san is hiding from me. I... don't know who Onii-chan's friends are, and I definitely don't know everything is going on, all of it... but I'll tell Asuna-san why I want to help you to find Onii-chan. Perhaps... after that, Asuna-can can tell me what is really going on?'

'Leafa-chan?'

Asuna watched as Leafa closed her eyes to steady her own nerves before she declared to Asuna.

'I want to help Onii-chan, Onii-chan is someone important to me... and knowing that he might be here, that I could help him is why I'm helping you, Asuna-san. I... I haven't decided what I feel about you, Asuna-san. I like you, Asuna-san, you are a really nice person, and I can understand why Onii-chan might like you. But in the end... when it comes to Onii-chan, I can't accept Asuna-san so easily after all.'

Leafa paused before she looked up to stare at Asuna, causing Asuna to start as Leafa pressed a hand against her chest while explaining, elaborating that she meant what she said.

'Because I love Onii-chan, Asuna-san. And I want to tell Onii-chan that. Even if I know that Onii-chan might still like Asuna-san and would reject me, and even if it would change our family and our relationship, I still want to tell Onii-chan that.'

Asuna inhaled sharply at Leafa's words, even Yui seemed unable to react properly to her confession as Leafa continued to stare at Asuna, waiting for her response to her words.

But Asuna found herself unable to properly react, she just couldn't. She knew instinctively that she had some love rivals when it comes to Kirito-kun, it was hard for such an amazing person not to have at least a few suitors, but she had never truly considered them to be as such.

Lisbeth was her best friend, and since she had already given her blessings for a long lasting relationship between the two of them, Asuna believe that both Lisbeth and Kirito-kun would simply remain as good friends. Maybe that wasn't true, as Lisbeth had accepted her loss during that last meeting she had with her, together with the younger girl Silica.

That's right, Silica was a love rival too, only not really, because Asuna felt that Silica only viewed Kirito-kun as a very close older brother to her.

Then again, perhaps Silica was a rival to Suguha then?

There might be other girls that Asuna didn't know about, but this was honestly the first person who confronted her directly about her love for Kirito-kun. Less confronted and more challenged actually. So Asuna wasn't really sure how she should react to Leafa's challenge.

Asuna snuck a peek down to Yui, only to see her daughter frowning in deep thought as the two of them continued to sit in their seats in silence. There was no help from that avenue, that fact was enough to make Asuna panic just a little. The entire mood was spoiled too for it was awkward and tense due to Leafa's confession while Asuna weighed her own options and replies.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for the two of them, this conversation would have to be continued in another time as Yui suddenly shifted while calling out.

'Mama, Leafa Nee-chan, someone is coming! It's Sigurd-san!'

Yui's warning snapped the two of them out of their thoughts and the two of them turned as one to see that it was indeed Sigurd who was heading their way. But what made Asuna tense even further was how Leafa paled and mumbled that it was 'Sakuya' who was coming.

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'Are we intruding then, Leafa, Asuna-san?'

The older looking woman with long black hair introduced herself as Sakuya, the Lord of the Sylph Race even as Leafa bowed to her respectfully. Asuna followed her example while keeping her face mostly impassive as she did not know what this conversation was heading to.

Sigurd was looking very subdued, none of his cockiness or arrogance showing like how it was earlier on. That was enough to make Asuna feel slightly more at ease even as she shook her head slightly.

'No, it's not, Sakuya-san. It is an honour to meet you. I am Asuna.'

Asuna introduced herself as simply as possible while Leafa just smiled nervously at Sakuya, who was appraising her slowly, probably making her own mind about something even as she told Leafa to be at ease.

'I'm not here to reprimand you, Leafa, or you, Asuna-san. Instead, I came here to apologize to you on behalf of my subordinate, Sigurd.'

Asuna was relieved that it had turned out this way, even if she had her own doubts about how willing or how sincere Sigurd was about this apology.

'Ah... I must apologize for my overzealous actions regarding that matter as well. It's... please, forgive me as well.'

Sigurd obviously knew what Asuna was referring to and his cheek twitched for a moment as Asuna bowed to Sakuya too, making the older woman smile as well before she continued.

'Nonetheless, you did prove your point to all of us, especially Sigurd, about what players should be allowed to do. I sincerely apologize if you have had a very bad impression of how the Sylph race try to train our dedicated players.'

'A-Ah, no... but, yes... I am quite disappointed with it. I know we should all be working together, but before all that, we should be allowed to do things that we want to and because we are obligated to. We are all fellow people here, regardless of our levels or experience in the game itself. That's what... someone very precious to me told me. Ahaha... I was over my head when I challenged Sigurd-san, I offer my sincere apologies as well for going on a head like this...'

Asuna bowed in apology as she tried to explain herself, causing Sakuya to smile even brighter as she nodded in agreement. With a flourish she opened her fan to conceal the fast growing smile she had from Asuna's words.

'Bravo, that was a good speech. I wish we could have a charismatic person like you within our ranks, Asuna-san, it would make our discussions much more fruitful, your words speak the simple truth that everyone have neglected thus far, we are players, with equal rights and choice... Well spoken, well spoken indeed!'

Sakuya shut her fan with an audible snap as she beamed at Asuna. Beside her, Leafa relaxed just a little even as the entourage that had followed Sakuya (which was ignored by her with the exception of Sigurd), shifted slightly at the unusual situation.

'It is also quite surprising to me that I have not seen you before, a person of such skill... is hard to miss after all.'

Asuna caught the slight glint in Sigurd's eyes when Sakuya asked that casually and she swallowed nervously. Since her data was transferred over from SAO, she was very strong despite being new, but if that was discovered, she might be labelled a hacker by others who knew that. Thankfully though, Asuna had already had a discussion with Yui over how several scenarios that she could use to cover that discrepancy.

'I've played in other VMMORPGs before and I'm used to the controls. I just didn't expect it to be so similar that I could replicate what I did in the other games. I'm thinking of trying out other styles too when I get more settled down in ALO.'

Asuna answered with an eager smile that made Sakuya frown even more as she compared her own information with Asuna's explanation.

'So Asuna-san is really a new player to Alfheim Online? So it seems that the rumours were true after all... I had my doubts, even if it was provided by Recon... but I just did not expect, or perhaps hope that there would be one who choose the Sylph race as well... I must have more faith in our player race... Well then! It seems that the balance of power would not swing from us that easily if we have such a powerful addition. I need to correct myself, Asuna-san... it is a huge relief that we've met today, Asuna-san.'

Sakuya gave a very warm smile again even as Leafa asked her about the rumours that she was muttering about a few moments ago.

'Ah, yes. It has came to our attention that there was suddenly an influx of new players in ALO a day ago, and that some of them were labelled as hackers due to the very high stats even though they just entered the game. However since they declared that it might be system error and the GMs left it at that, we thought the information given to us were inaccurate, or at least exaggerated. Seeing one player who fits the bill, in this case Asuna-san, it is definitely something to be happy about.'

Asuna had thought that she would be labelled a hacker, and in the worst case scenario, would be banned out of the game, but it seemed that was not the case as Sakuya-san continued.

'If they were not hackers and are like you, players who migrated from another game, I guess it's the developers' fault to allow you guys to transfer your stats to ALO as well... Well, at least we have one of those players in Sylph race, I guess we still got lucky. There was a majority who appeared in the Salamanders, a few in the Undines, Gnomes and Cait Siths... so to have Asuna-san pick the Sylph race is indeed a blessing for us.'

Sakuya-san nodded her head even as she rubbed her chin, ignoring the sour look on Sigurd's face even as he digested that information. With that news, his lost was expected if he was facing a top-ranked player from another VMMORPG. The sting on his pride was alleviated somewhat, but it still stung to lose so utterly against another player.

'Asuna-san must be a top-ranked player in the earlier VMMORG, that would explain how you were able to defeat Sigurd here. Sigurd is one of the top swordsman in the Sylph race after all.'

Sakuya smiled as Sigurd walked up to stand beside his leader, his facial expressions stiff even as Asuna gave him an apologetic or perhaps awkward smile in return.

'If Sigurd-san wasn't caught off-guard by my initial charge, I'm sure that our battle would ended differently.'

'Hmph... regardless of what happened, I offer my apologies for my behavior earlier to you and Leafa, I was speaking out of place and did not intend any disrespect to Leafa, or you.'

'Ahaha... Well, let's leave it at that...'

'Indeed, it would not be a good thing if the strongest players of the Sylph race were to butt heads together. Sigurd, Asuna, please calm down. The two of you might not have gotten off on the right foot, but from this point onwards, we are allies. And allies, do not, fight, each other.'

Sakuya stressed with a dangerous smile even as she placed a hand on each of their shoulders. The two parties involved immediately quietened down before nodding their heads in agreement. A primal part of Asuna told her that if she did not agree, she would be in danger, and this coming from a player who faced death multiple times in SAO, that was saying something.

Sigurd was cowed too, but he seemed unable to recover from that experience as well as Asuna as he remained stiff even as Sakuya chuckled lightly at the two of them supposedly 'making up' with one another.

'Well then, would you be so kind to have some tea with us, Asuna-san? I'm sure that there is a lot of things you would like to know about ALO, we would do our best to try and get you settled within the game itself. What do you say?'

..

Leafa could tell that neither parties really meant what they were saying, both of their first impression were not exactly ideal.

Oh who was she kidding, they were practically daring the other party to make a move right now. Leafa could feel the tension drain from her body due to the ridiculousness of the situation. She didn't even have the strength to even continue their conversation from earlier and could only be swept together with Asuna by Sakuya-san to a small cafe within the tower complex itself.

Author's Notes: I welcome feedback, so if there's anything you wish to highlight, feel free.

Thank you for your support!