A/N: ~Posiden666: Hey guys, it's been ... still a really long time, darn. i wrote the first 2k words of this like three days after posting Ch 11, and then wrote like only 400 a week… sorry.
Anyways, I'm finishing this as a birthday present to myself, and decided to share it with all of you.
This chapter may be on the boring side, it's going to focus on all the main characters, and develop the setting and details, as well as give you an idea of what's going on outside of Sinon and Kirito's little personal universe. Again, sorry. But do not fear, cute will occur.
Reviews:
Vault166: No, I wouldn't do that... But that would've been funny. Thanks... I guess.
Salaeren: Wow, that was beautiful, and inspirational. Thank you.
Are all the names used: Glad you like it... I guess.
AlexCaffri: Awwe, thanks.
(guest)MysticBlackLynx: Glad you liked it. OMG IKR I LLOOVVEEEE this pairing. Thank you, i guess.
(guest)TheForsakenOne: Yes, she is. I don't know i guess you'll have to wait and see ^_^
Pyrohellgunner: I'm just not as good of a writer as you guys seem to think I am.
Symbiote2254: Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Hobbysaurus: This romance has exponential growth. Dont worry.
(guest)SexySinon: For a guest you sure do review more than most Users. Good for you. I'll try!
(guest)Hh…: Umm… … … … … … … … … … ^_^
(guest)Sexy: Yes, I know. I assure you: I will never abandon this story. I try. I really do. I've had eight papers due in the past three weeks, and a bunch of personal things that I won't bore you with going on recently. I will try to update with 3k every 1.5 weeks from now on. But knowing me… It probably won't.
(guest)MOARROMANCEPLZ: Thank you. I know, I know… Its just… Life. Are you saying i write like a girl? I'll try.
(guest)Unknown: It is many things, but perfect is not one. I will, I swear. It's because Sinon is 100% better than Asuna. And i will be writing one.
(guest)secretsinotofan: Poseidon is a god, ~Posiden666 is not, I'm just a lousy writer. I will, don't worry. Thank you, I appreciate the support.
(guest)Kinon: Hmm… i've never heard any of those, I just made up the word Sinoto, and started using it. (If i'm not the first to use this name, i'm sorry i'm not ripping you off, I just thought I made it up because I'd never heard it before)
(guest)Guest: I've been over this before, Sinon still never used the mirror. Thanks.
Anonymos112: Thanks! I'll try.
Stormagedon69: Okay…
(guest)Ayo: I'll try. Yeah… sorry about the wait. Thanks!
: Magnificent may be a little bit of an overstatement
Hey, you like what I do here, and you like what other people do as well, consider following [Sinoto], it's where all the good Sinon x Kirito fics are.
One last thing, Zoë is pronounced Zoëy. It's just supposed to look german… for plot reasons.
Now on to the important stuff.
And hey, thanks.
Warning: I'm pretty sure this is T rated.
The Archery Skill
Chapter 12: The Guild
Two weeks after helping Silica resurrect Pina, Kirito and Sinon have succeeded in not letting anyone find out they are together. The two now stand, clutching each other's hand, at the back of the largest raid party ever assembled, before the doors to the boss room in the fiftieth floor boss room.
"Today's battle marks the halfway point in this struggle to free ourselves from this virtual prison that Akihiko Kayaba has imprisoned us in." Zoë said to the party, "Today, we must show him our strength, we must show him our will, and we must show him that we are determined to beat this game. We must fight; for if we do not, we have already lost." She continued, her charisma flowing over every player in the room. Her [Leadership] skill was also probably granting everyone minor assorted buffs. "Many have already died. And more still will continue to die." She said somberly, "But if we don't fight, if we don't win, the toll shall be far greater. This will not be an easy battle. It is likely that not all of you will survive. But those who die shall not do so in vain; it is the noblest of sacrifices." She glared around at all of them, sweeping them with a gaze. "But it will not be sacrifice if I force you to fight. This must be your own battle, your own rage fuelling the swing of your sword on the field. You must choose now, for the choice to stay is not a light one. I will not begrudge you the right to your life." Nobody moved. Zoë's mouth curved up a little, her eyes widening as she turned to face the door, "Then for those who have fallen," She pushed on the door with the flat of her palm, the thin heat of her hand seeming to awaken a great storm, thunder (or the growl of a deadly beast) that pulsed menacingly through the thick door. Kirito gave Sinon's hand one last squeeze before releasing it and drawing his sword, clenching his jaw unconsciously. Zoë pushed on the metal with a grunt, her lips drawing back from her teeth in a snarl as it swung open slowly. The players hushed in anticipation, staring down the thick void for a second. Zoë let out a breath sharply, the raised her shield in front of her, her voice piercing the still air like a valkyrie's cry. "WE. SHALL. FIGHT!"
Kirito sighed, brushing his sweaty hair out his eyes, and glanced at Zoë, who was standing in the middle of the room, her eyes closed and her hands clasped resting on her shield, her health at a little above half, despite only switching out to drink a health potion once. He had never seen her HP go into the yellow zone before. He would not like to have to fight her. She yawned, and her blue eyes flicked open, little slits of sky in her sooty face, and glanced back towards him as if she could feel him looking at her, and smiled. Kirito grinned back, then looked up at the sound of Sinon yawning. Kirito stared at her, calmed by the sight of her face, screwed up in a yawn as it was, her nose wrinkled and her eyes tight shut. She let out a breath, and looked over at him, at his searching eyes.
"Hey Kirito?" Sinon asked quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Lets go see what the next floor is like, and open up the gate."
"Okay." He replied getting to his feet.
Floor 51, Zahnradwerk, the City of Brass
They stood at the exit of the of the staircase leading to the fifty-first floor, mouths agape. Before them was a sprawling metropolis. It was, from what they could see, easily the size of the town of beginnings. There were skyscrapers that almost reached the ceiling, and everything seemed to glow in the sunset as though it were made of gold. Still higher, they saw what appeared to be zeppelins and other, smaller, airships flying above the huge cityscape. It was beautiful.
Sinon tugged on Kirito's hand, "Kirito… We should buy a house here, so we don't have to keep using inns."
"Sure," He said, shrugging, "What house were you thinking?"
"A zeppelin!" She exclaimed. "Lets get a zeppelin! They're so cool."
"Yeah, that would be pretty awesome." He said, not really listening, basking in the glow of his surroundings. Sinon looked at him sharply, then softened, watching his face as he gazed transfixed over the cityscape.
"Let me check how much col we have…" She muttered, opening her inventory, "15.3 mil! That boss was worth a lot."
`"Wait, what?" Kirito blinked out of his reverie, looking over at Sinon like she had just turned into a flamingo. "What are we buying?" Sinon grabbed his hand and smiled her grin again,
"WOW!" Sinon exclaimed, pressing her face against the window of her new bedroom. "This view is amazing! Kirito come... Why are you smiling like that?"
"What?" He said, quickly looking away, "I don't know what you're talking about..." He stopped, making both of them look away and turn red with a simultaneous embarrassment. Sinon reached over and touched his forearm. "Stay here for a second."
Kirito watched the girl flip a switch on the wall, illuminating the room, though he couldn't find the light's source. Looking down, he realized the entire floor had become transparent, giving them an incredible view of the sunset-lit city of brass that made Sinon's face glow with a sudden clarity, her marble skin reflecting the gold of the landscape, smudged with a sort of modesty that made her in the image of a statue, frozen in metal. Kirito stood paralyzed, barely registering the view. "Beautiful," he muttered unconsciously, his brow furrowed above his dark eyes.
"Isn't it though..." She sighed, then looked over at him sharply when she felt his gaze. "What? Why are you looking at me like that."
"I was just-" he started, seeing her face twist into a frown.
"I'm fine, really. Stop looking at me like you're looking for a mortal wound," she said, scowling, her eyes narrowed. Kirito blushed, but refused to look away.
"I'm not looking for a wound, it's just…I..." he hesitated, rather unable to convey the sort of immense feeling that had slammed him.
He sighed, letting it go.
"I just think you might hide one from me," he moved closer to her, his brow wrinkling more when she put her hand on his cheek.
"Like anyone would get close enough to give me more than a bruise," she scoffed, not noticing his hesitation in agreeing with her, and put her hand on her hip. Kirito grinned in what he hoped was a roguish way, and moved even closer, poking the side of her abdomen.
"I think I'm close enough to get a knife in….here!" he exclaimed, and tickled her side. She stared stone-faced back at him until he stopped awkwardly, his hand falling away, his face bemused. "You're...not ticklish…?" he asked redundantly.
She tilted her head like a puppy, fake innocence oozing from her like acid. "No. Why... are you?" She grinned, her fingers threatening to press into his belly. He squeaked and danced backwards, his face paling.
"No!" he said ruefully, regretting every moment that had ever led up to this as he eyed the girl's feral grin and her dangerous fingers. He backed up until he bumped into the wall, laughing hollowly at the sight of Sinon's wiggling fingers.
She pounced forward on to the helpless boy, her fingers aimed squarely at his stomach.
Kirito closed his eyes, awaiting his demise. He had had a good run, but it was all over now. But the tickling never came, instead he heard only the sound of Sinon laughing hysterically.
"That face, it's simply ADORABLE!" She giggled, "Who knew, the 'Black Swordsman' had a weakness to tickling?"
"Shut up! It's PTSD, from my sister-" at this he heard another bout of laughter from the blue-haired girl.
"PTSD?" She asked in between stifled giggles, "From your sister?"
"Sinon," Kirito commanded, quieting the girl immediately, "You mustn't let anyone know of this… It would ruin my image."
"Kirito," she said flatly, "When did you start caring about your image."
"When I became one of the coolest players in the game."
"Wow, I mean I'm not saying you're wrong, you are probably the second highest level player in the game… but that seems a bit egotistical."
"What are you talking about," he said, looking at the girl quite confused, "I was talking about the zeppelin. Thats what really makes me the super coolest player."
"Oh," she said, a bit embarrassed, "Yup, I bet no one else has a zeppelin yet." She said, nuzzling his neck. "And it only cost 10 mil, before the furnishings."
"Uh-huh, let's go to sleep now. That boss wore me out." Kirito sighed, starting to get off the bed.
"Where are you going?" Sinon pouted.
"To the couch..." He answered, not quite sure of why she was asking.
"Nope," She said, pulling them both into the middle of the bed and rolling on top of him, "You're staying right here. I might have bad dreams... And you make me feel safe."
"But..." He tried to argue, before being rudely interrupted by the soft warmth of Sinon's lips on his. After a few seconds she pulled away, looking at him expectantly. "I mean, I guess it would be okay if I slept here tonight..."
"Good, I'm going to change now so don't look yet," She said, slipping under the covers and opening her menu.
"Oh... Yeah... Sure..." He replied, while turning away and awkwardly waiting for the girl to finish. He sat on the bed staring at the wall, wanting so badly to look. But then he scolded himself for how dishonest and perverted that would be, particularly given how shy-
"Kirito?," came a tentative voice from behind him. He turned around to find Sinon, kneeling on the bed, wearing an oversized light blue t-shirt, the hem lightly brushing her thighs. She tucked her hair behind her ears, looking resolutely away, her cheeks flushed. "Well…"
Kirito stood stupidly, staring at the blue-haired girl. Kirito opened his mouth, but was speechless.
Giggling slightly, the girl crawled over to him and draped her arms around his shoulders, "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" She asked, mockingly, but before he could reply, she had her lips pressed against his. "We've gotta meet with Zoë in the morning, so we should sleep," she said, pulling him under the covers with her and into another kiss, this one much deeper.
He heard a faint beeping sound, the volume of which was steadily growing louder. It was his alarm. It must be morning already. He started to lift his arms to rub his eyes, but found one of them stuck under something. Opening his eyes, he found one of the most adorable things he'd ever seen. Sinon was curled up next to him, her mouth slightly agape, drooling very slightly, and her hand lay loosely on the pillow beside her head, her thumb just inside her mouth. Kirito sat up slightly and brushed a lock of snowy blue hair away from her face. Yup, he thought, she's adorable. Her mouth closed and her lips curved into a smile. She nuzzled his side before sitting up. She brought her hands over her head and stretched, letting out a cute little yawn, and rubbed her eyes. Then she proceeded to straddle his hips and lay back down, on top of him, propping her chin up with her forearms, gazing into the boy's eyes, who was completely transfixed. "Sleep well... Onii-chan?" He stared at her stunned for several seconds before rubbing his eyes and staring back, "You're too cute, you know. It should be illegal to be so adorable. But please don't call me that," His face took on a sadder expression, "It reminds me of my little sister."
"Mmm, thank you," She said, before stretching forward and pressing her lips against his briefly. "Ok, I won't."
He pulled her head back down into a deeper kiss. After several minutes of kissing, Kirito glanced at the clock in his HUD. "Sinon," He said, pulling away from the pouting girl, "If we're going to make it to the guild meeting, we need to start getting ready to leave now. Sorry."
"No… You're right, but we will finish this," she said firmly, rolling off of him, and opening her menu, "Now turn around."
"Really?" He asked, yet turning anyways, beginning to change as well.
"Yes."
After using the teleporter that came in their Zeppelin, and walking a short distance, they came to what appeared to be the tallest building in the metropolis. In front of the tower stood Zoë, dressed in new red armor with white accents. Beside her stood Arekkusu, in a similar red and black cloak. Zoë motioned for them to come over.
"Welcome to… The Spire of the Crimson Cross, also known as the new KoB headquarters." She beamed, "We have uniforms now too. See!" She exclaimed, holding up two black cloaks.
Sinon looked between the uniforms Zoë was holding, and the ones she and Alex were wearing. "Why are yours red?"
"Oh, I figured black was more you and Kirito's style. We aren't the army, we encourage individuality."
"Cool, a new coat!" Kirito exclaimed, taking his from Zoë and throwing Sinon her' 'armor' it seemed to offer little in the way of protection, save the fact that it had a strip of dragon skin covering from her collarbone to her neck, and a somewhat unnecessary amount of shoulder armor, and a sleeve on the the left arm that seemed to act as a bracer so her bowstring wouldn't cut her arm. It was all black except the straps, and there were many of them, attached in what seemed a random pattern all over it, outlined in white. Included was also a black hooded cloak with a bright white cross outline on the back. She poked the armor, and gawked at the stats, it was more than twice as good as her current set.
She looked over at Kirito who was already wearing his. It wasn't much different than the one he had on before, except this one had more straps, and the accents were a brighter crimson. Of course there was also a large crimson cross outline on the back.
"Okay," Zoë said,"We should get going, Asuna and Diabel are already waiting at the top, oh and Sinon, you can change inside."
The penthouse was a large circular room, with a large semi circle desk dominating half of the room. The walls were entirely made of glass, giving a beautiful 360 degree view of the surrounding city. Inside, slumped Asuna, dressed in white and red, and Diabel in white and black, instead of his usual blue armor. They had both gotten back from the LC raid yesterday afternoon, and neither Kirito or Sinon had gotten a chance to ask them how it went; all they knew was that all the party members had returned alive.
"So, how did it go?" Sinon started, "Did you get those depraved sons of bitches?"
Diabel sighed, his eyes glazed over and sightless. After a pause he finally said, "They were expecting us… Someone must've told them we were coming," he straightened up a little and shifted his gaze to Zoë, his gaze moving from Kirito as if he had not existed, his jaw set grimly. "Commander, I believe we have a traitor in our ranks."
Zoë nodded, her face grave, "I've suspected as such for a while, but I never had proof." she stopped and looked at each of them, "You are the only people i can trust. We have to find this traitor, but we mustn't spook them, so we can find out who they're working for."
"Sounds like a good idea," said Kirito, "Do we have any leads?"
"Yes," Zoë swiped her menu over to Kirito, Sinon looking over his shoulder. The display showed the guild roster, on it were marked several names, including [Kurdeel] the LC member Kirito had killed previously. Behind him he heard Sinon breathed sharply, probably at the guildmate/disguised murderer's name. The man who had just recently almost killed her. The others on the list were [Heinrich], [Sterben], and [Temperance]. "Alex and I will investigate Temperance, you four may divide as you choose. There's no rush to complete this investigation, so as to not alert the real spy, take your time investigating, and be careful, you are dismissed."
They walked in silence, neither Asuna nor Diabel wishing to break it. The group had decided on which player each pair was to trail. Since they were the ones who recruited all the members, they remembered this one well: he was strong, almost as strong as them, he was smart, and cunning, and on paper he could be one of the top ten players in the game, but he had an aura that made you fear him, it felt like he was always staring at you when he was near. He never talked. His actions spoke for him. Yet there was also no evidence to suggest that he was the slightest bit evil, only his unnerving presence. His name: Death.
A/N: Ok, first off, i hope you liked the chapter. (Must maintain positive attitude)
Secondly, I'd like to thank my beta testers: ~Mauriot for essentially co-writing this chapter, and ~Salaeren and ~Furrballnerd for their mass amounts of beta input.
Remember to check out the [Sinoto] community, and show your love for this adorable pairing by reading the fanfics there (Except this one, it deserves no love), this is also a good place to realise I'm a terrible writer. (Nope, can't do it)
Please R&R: It helps, really. (Great job, so many reviews, keep it up)
Anyways, see you next time. Peace Off ^_^
Next time: "The Cold"
