Chapter 3

~From Whence You Came~

Haseo approached the casual looking inn door, completely identical to so many others in the City of Beginners, but completely different all the same. This door led to his comrades, his brothers in arms, those who fought and lived beside him and who he could call, if not friends…then not enemies. It felt nice to know you had somewhere to go where you wouldn't be turned away, people to go to who wouldn't judge you, well, at least not too harshly Haseo thought with a grin. This door was the closest thing he had to a home now, and for that he found himself extremely grateful. With a sense of bliss and belonging Haseo bore his smile wide and his heart on his sleeve, he reached out towards the door, towards his home.

"Hey! You almost hit me with…quit it you crazy, ow! If this wasn't a safe zone you could have killed me! Hey, lets not get hasty now…put down the…no…no, no, no…GAHHH!"

Haseo paused dumbfounded as the door he had just called home and thought so highly of flung itself open and a red haired man with a five o'clock shadow and a bandana threw himself to the ground followed quickly by a kitchen knife and unintelligible screaming. After seeing the knife fly safely over his prone figure the red haired man looked up just long enough to kick the door shut behind him and take a deep breath while leaning against the wall opposite the door. Looking up the man noticed Haseo and a wide honest grin spread over his face as he waved as enthusiastically as he could for a man in his current position.

"Hey there, Haseo. Alice sure can throw a tantrum when she wants to can't she?"

The red haired man laughed whole heartedly as though the comment explained everything that had just taken place to the stricken Haseo…It didn't.

"Klein…exactly, what happened just now?"

Klein laughed a little louder and a little more nervously as he glanced to the side, clearly recalling the events that lead to the adventures of the flying cookware.

"You were flirting with her again, weren't you Klein?"

Klein stopped laughing and merely sat grinning like a child who knew he had done something he had been told not to, but who at the same time knew he wasn't in deep enough trouble to get down about having to be sorry. Given, he was a very hard man to stay mad at…there was just something so honest about him.

"Help a brother out?"

Klein held a hand out from his position on the ground. Haseo gripped it quickly enough and helped pull the man to his feet.

"Your tenacity truly amazes me sometimes you know that? Most men would have quit after the ordeal with the plates. Then there was that time with the pots and pans…now she's moved on to cutlery. I hate to imagine what comes after that."

Both men laughed at the joke they held between them; each of them knowing that it was just a way to keep the stress down, a friendly charade they all put on. One where Klein would tease Alice and then Alice would overreact, Haseo would scold them both and they would be sent to their rooms by 'Dad' and everybody would be smiling all throughout the whole ordeal.

"I figure she's going to run out of things to throw eventually…she's getting desperate man, don't tell her I saw but there was definitely a spoon mixed in with those knives."

Haseo smiled at the comment and couldn't help but feel glad he had happened upon his old friend.

"Alright, well let's head back inside and disarm this situation. I've got some good news for the two of you."

"Actually man…I've kind of got my own thing going on right now and I need to get going. Besides, if it's what I think it is I'm fairly sure I'll just be the third wheel."

Haseo blushed a little at the comment and glanced downward awkwardly. Klein just grinned at the reaction, content for now with being right in his assumption and putting the boy in the spotlight for a few seconds.

"Hey Haseo, don't suppose you would want to come with me this time would you? You still haven't met the other guys yet…we got a pretty good lead on where Ducker might be staying too, we were going to try and hit him up tonight…"

Haseo sobered immediately at the comment and the tone of Klein's voice as he trailed off at the end. He already knew the answer, and Haseo suspected he knew the reason why as well. He was a good man, and an even better friend for having not pushed for an answer after all this time. World knows he deserved one, but for some reason he couldn't trust himself, he couldn't divulge his reasons. He didn't want to hurt Klein, didn't want to tell him the truth…that he'd heard what they had said that day. He didn't want to lose one of the few people that could tolerate him, he didn't want to get pushed away again…it was better this way. Haseo threw on the usual smile and tried to look at Klein. It was too much though and Haseo barely managed to glance in his direction before he answered his usual reply.

"Sorry, not tonight. I'm bushed and besides, I never really was one of the group so it's not like they're going to miss me or anything, maybe another time."

They both knew though, that time would never come. And Klein put on his best smile as well, and he couldn't help but wonder if this whole charade was for Haseo, or for himself?

"It's cool man, yeah…another time then. Definitely…"

Klein turned and started walking down the stairs of the inn and into the lobby before pausing at the door leading outside. He looked back up to where he had come. Why won't he just tell me? It's not like I'm going to abandon him or something…then again, after the life he's had and then this ordeal with the beta testers, I don't like where this is going, not one bit…and poor choice of words Klein, my man. A series of beeps took Klein's attention off of Haseo long enough for him to read the message he had received.

"Yeah, yeah…I'm on my way already. Keep your pants on."

Haseo heard the inn door open finally and then close again. He let go of the breath he had been holding so that he could hear better and slumped against the same wall Klein had just been leaning against. Klein was the one person that he'd known in the real world who hadn't cared about how he looked. It's not his fault he had blonde hair, his father was a foreigner and he was born this way. Either people knew that and that made him a freak or they didn't and thought he bleached it, and that made him a punk, a troublemaker. They judged him before they even knew him and several times before he even got to introduce himself in class rumors were already going around campus about the new thug at school. He couldn't even be proud of it, of being different or unique. He hated his hair, he hated his father, and he hated the fact that he didn't even know his father to tell him he hated him and what he gave him! What he was forced to live with, what he was forced to go through because of him!

His father had left him and his mother before he was even born, moving back to America and disappearing from his wife and her families lives altogether. Not that she really even had a family afterwards; his mother had gone against her parents when she married his father. Her family disowned her…and wanted nothing to do with the child of a foreigner. Still, his mother always spoke highly of them. They were a very traditional family she had said, very strict, very proper…but they were very loving and supportive in their own way. Even now she refused to hate them, she refused even to hate the man who had left her without a family and her child without a father or a dime to raise him with! If she wouldn't hate them, then he would…he had to, for her sake.

Every time someone called him out on his blonde hair he saw red, he did his best to hold it in. to control himself and to make his mother proud. She always told him to stay out of trouble and he tried damn it…but they always started it. He just finished it was all, but nobody ever believed him. Why would they? Why should they believe a punk, a troublemaker like him? He started to believe them too, he thought he might as well start wearing the shoes if he's going to be taking the blame for tracking the mud regardless. That was when they had met, wasn't it? It was mostly a blur, there was a lot of running, a lot of screaming, his heart was racing so fast and his mind couldn't keep up. He remembered hanging onto a portable heater like his life depended on it and running until his lungs burned. They were poor but not needy, he didn't have to steal but he started anyway. It was stupid, it was desperate, it was the end of his rope and until the store owner started chasing him he couldn't see how things could have gotten any worse…but they could if he got caught. That was when he ran into Klein, literally.

The heater fell to the ground in the alleyway and Klein was knocked off of his feet, forced to a standstill Haseo made eye contact with the red haired man. He saw anger at first, and got angry himself but then only felt confused as the eyes softened upon looking at him. He could only imagine how ragged he looked, but it wasn't pity he saw in the strangers eyes, it was understanding. He told himself to pick up the heater and run but he was rooted in place despite the screams of the shop owner getting closer. The stranger got to his feet and walked towards Haseo, putting his hands on his shoulders and then walking past him towards the quickly approaching shop owner.

"It's alright."

Haseo must have said something then, or at least acknowledged the comment in some way because Klein looked back at him then and smiled and repeated himself.

"Whatever you did, whatever you had to do up until now…it's fine, don't worry about it man."

Haseo stood still, completely at a loss for what was going on as this stranger talked to the store owner while being berated verbally by the angry older man. He couldn't blame him either, he had every right to be angry, to yell and to be upset, to be furious and unforgiving…but he walked away calmly after awhile. Haseo saw the stranger putting away a wallet and the store owner counting an amount of money that must have been for the heater. The stranger bent over picked up the heater from the ground, checking it over to make sure it wasn't damaged before holding it out in front of him. His lips moved then, he must have been saying something but who could he have been talking to? The shop owner had left so why was this man still here? Why hasn't he left yet? Why…why didn't this man just go away already? Abandon me already, hurry up and lecture me then leave like everyone. Or take me to the police and tell them you saw everything…

"HEY!"

Startled at the outburst Haseo started backpedalling and ended up tripping over his own feet, falling to the ground and landing halfway in a puddle. Reality began moving around him again and only the sudden sound of the traffic and people in the street outside the alleyway let him know that he'd been blocking it out. He blinked his eyes hard and pushed back something wet. Could he have been…no way, not in public like this. Especially not in front of….realizing where he was and that his hand was in a puddle Haseo quickly picked himself up and took off the jacket he wore since the sleeve was wet, tying it around his waist.

"So are you going to take this or what? I've got to look pretty weird just standing here holding a heater out to you like this, ya know?"

Haseo noticed the man still holding the heater out towards him and hesitated only slightly before reaching out and tucking it under one of his arms. The stranger smiling and laughing like this was all perfectly normal…and it pissed him off.

"I didn't need your help…"

"Hey now, no need for hostilities. I'm Klein, 24 years old and sing…er…sorry, old habit."

The carefree laugh just made Haseo angrier for some reason and he quickly started along his way down the alley. Trying to leave today behind him…but today followed him.

"Hey, you know it's rude not to give your name to someone after they've introduced themselves."

"Haseo…"

Klein kept pace with Haseo on his way home for the next fifteen minutes, talking about his day and the random things that popped into his head. He seemed to be able to pull a subject out of nowhere consistently; one time even mentioning how he never understood a joke he had heard when he was younger because the name of a drink someone had on the street reminded him of the punch line. The whole way Haseo was in disbelief that someone could be so dense and stupid; didn't he see he clearly wasn't wanted? That he was talking to a thug, a troublemaker…he'd clearly just helped a thief and now he's sitting here trying to make casual conversation? talking about anything that came to mind, laughing like he's having the time of his life…how could he be so ignorant, so socially awkward…so…so…how could he do this, just leave already. Or did he want something in return? Hah, fat chance of that happening.

"You know…what happened back there."

Oh great, and here it comes. The judging and the preaching, the lecture, the lesson I'm supposed to be thankful for. Here comes the hypocrisy, he followed me this far, he tried to act so high and mighty, pretending to be my friend and really…he's just like all the rest. He's more dedicated than most of the older folks though, at least he tried to break me down first…

"I used to be like that too…"

What?

"Except I didn't run into anyone, I dropped the stuff I stole and kept running while hoping the owner would stop and collect his goods. He did, mind you…I got lucky. But because of that I kept doing it. Nobody took me aside and told me the one thing I wanted to hear the whole time I backed myself into my corner, while I isolated myself. Well, not until it was almost too late that is."

What is this? A joke? Why is he so serious now…this isn't funny…

"It's alright. Those words changed my life, and you sort of reminded me of the boy I used to see in the mirror. It was your eyes that told me we used to be the same."

Does he think he knows me now? Just because he used to be a punk too…give me a break, that's a good one.

"I wasn't a thug, not really. I just wanted to be one, it was the only expectation people had and I didn't want to disappoint I guess. Pretty stupid huh?"

No…that's…I don't know if it's stupid, idiot! What are you saying…I'm not like that at all.

"I guess, stay strong. You're meant to do more with your life than get busted for a portable heater and wind up in juvenile."

Damn right I…I am.

"Well, this is my stop. I live around here so see ya man!"

"Wait!"

Klein stopped and looked back to see Haseo with his hand up as if grabbing onto him from ten feet away, the boys face fell awkwardly and his arm lowered with his gaze. It was a good sign Klein thought to himself, he wasn't talking to a brick wall after all, Haseo's reaching out…maybe, this really could make a difference in this kids life. Ha, wouldn't that be something for the records!

"I live up there, I've got some friends coming over tomorrow around noon to hang out. You should come too."

Haseo looked up to see Klein pointing to a balcony on the second story of some apartments. Disbelief flooded his mind as he tried to take in what had just happened. Why did he call out to him like that, and why was he scared of Klein leaving…why was he acting like this? He knew better, he knew not to get attached, he knew not to hope…but, he saw the smile on Klein's face as he invited a total stranger into his house an couldn't help but feel, something. It was hard to put a name to it but every part of his being told him to say yes while his mind reeled back, closing itself off from the pain that would come, the pain that always came.

"No thanks, I…"

"See ya tomorrow then, Haseo!"

Klein turned and ran off towards the steps that lead up to the apartments and disappeared around the corner. Haseo waited until Klein was gone from sight before he could convince his body to move again. His mother had asked him about the heater when he got home, and the more he thought about it, the more apt the description seemed. It fit, and he rather liked the sound of it too.

"It was a gift Mom, from a friend."

Haseo didn't sleep well that night; he stayed up late arguing with himself, nervous about the invitation he had received. He finally fell asleep after deciding that if nothing else, he would show up to thank Klein for the heater at least. Yeah…that was all, just to thank him and then he would leave.

"Isn't that kid like a thug or something? He's sixteen and have you seen how big he is?! Like seriously, does he eat small mammals for breakfast or something?"

"Yeah, and he bleaches his hair so it's not like he's really trying to change public opinion. I heard he was a pretty big delinquent at his school."

"Yeah Klein, you stashed all your valuables already right?"

"C'mon guys! He's not that bad, I mean, at least he didn't seem that bad when I talked to him."

"Yeah, what did he say?"

"I mean, he didn't say much but still!"

"He probably didn't even have a chance to say much knowing you Klein!"

"I'm surprised he didn't throttle you."

"Half the time I'm surprised I don't throttle him!"

"Hey, I'm not that bad am I?"

Haseo's hand shook as it hovered just a few inches away from the door to Klein's apartment. He shut his eyes and cursed himself for being so stupid. Of course it would turn out this way…why did he think that just because one person treated him normally everything would change? He's still the same person, the same blonde hair, the same big build, the same rumors; the only difference now is he had almost convinced himself that this time would be different. He dropped the envelope with a hand written thank you from his mother and the money for the heater then ran from the apartment door as fast as his feet could carry him and jumped down as many flights of stairs as he could. He ran, closing his eyes hard as wet streams ran down his face and fell to the ground behind him, he ran until his chest heaved and his throat was dry and his lungs burned. He fell to the grass on the river embankment he found himself on when he couldn't move his feet anymore and screamed as loud as he could; burying everything deep inside of himself again. If only…he could start over, if only there was some way he could just be born again as someone else. He clenched his fist and struck the ground in front of him again and again, screaming each time. His chest heaved and his limbs felt weak, he fell to the ground and lay there for hours. Afternoon turned to dusk, and the static noise in the ai died down as people found themselves at home for the day. Home…sounded very good right about now. His mother would be worried about him soon.

Picking himself up Haseo started on his way, the street lights had come on and you could see the first of the night's stars in the sky. He didn't know where he was exactly but he knew he ran straight as hard as he could for as long as his legs would carry him, he knew he could find his way back home if he just kept walking. Along the way ht noticed a large poster outside of an arcade, the poster was brightly colored and had a large, very well illustrated picture of a group of warriors battling monsters with bold characters that spelled out the name of the latest game to hit the market. None of that is what stopped him though, what stopped Haseo were the words promising a new reality. He tore the name of the game off of the poster and pocketed it, telling himself that if this was god's idea of a cruel joke then it was in very poor taste. That was the night he applied for one of the 10,000 copies of Sword Art Online; that was the night it all started for him.

Picking himself up from against the wall Haseo sighed deeply and looked up at the clock on his display. It had only been a few minutes since Klein left but he was sure Alice would be wondering where he was, she'd no doubt heard his voice through the door since they were in a party together. Normally the privacy rules for doors caused a soundproofing effect, though that effect didn't apply to system announcements and party members for conveniences sake. Taking a deep breath and slapping his cheeks he tried to psyche himself out for acting normally after reliving so much of his past. He reached out for the doorknob and his body reflexively drew back, his mind bringing to bear the similarities to his time with Klein's apartment. Taking a deep breath he pushed forward and turned the doorknob, throwing the door open and walking inside.

Haseo's palm almost immediately flew to his faced as he stood in the doorway and for a moment almost debated walking back out. Stuck in the wall was a carving knife…attached to the knife was Alice who currently had both hands gripping the handle and both feet planted firmly on the wall as she tried desperately to remove the knife from it's makeshift holder. Glancing up she noticed Haseo finally come in and dropped, somehow, gracefully to the ground. Fortunately Alice seemed to prefer wearing shorts to dresses or skirts while not in armor, otherwise there may have very well been more flying cutlery. As it were she merely bounded over to Haseo and jumped up to hang from his neck, throwing her arms around his broad shoulders. It was another charade they played, similar to Klein's flirting with Alice, except Haseo didn't overreact, Haseo turned beat red and froze statue still.

"Welcome home Haseo! Hey…can you help me with this knife? Oh, and don't ask why it's stuck in the wall…or that one, or that one either. Haseo, what's wrong?"

Dropping down from his neck Alice circled around Haseo seemingly to check on him but it was part of her tease, she knew exactly what was wrong. Straightening up and coughing into his hand Haseo tried to play off the ordeal nonchalantly but the fact that he had clearly never had any real interaction with a girl let alone physical contact with one was readily apparent and Alice was not above torturing the poor boy every chance she got. Haseo swiftly made his way to the table, plucking the knife from the wall in passing somewhat easily. The benefit of a strength build as apposed to Alice's agility based stat distribution.

"Thanks Haseo! I'll start on dinner soon."

Alice made her way to the makeshift kitchen and started preparing all of the materials necessary to make use of her cooking skill. Looking around the rest of the room Haseo couldn't help but notice the half dozen holes in the walls and the broken window. Placing his elbows on the table and burying his head in his hands he sighed to himself.

"Oh man, room repairs again…guess I'll have to wait to take her out to that nice restaurant across town. Alright, I'll just work twice as hard tomorrow, yeah!"

"You say something Haseo?"

"Uh…er, no! I mean, um…I just sneezed! Yeah, must have been my allergies."

"Haseo…Sword Art Online doesn't simulate allergies."

"Yes sir! Those dang allergies!"

OK, so flashback episode. Yeah, most of these mass updates are going to be character oriented since i didn't have internet access to accuracy check the actually advancement of the storyline. I also wanted to bring some characters from the actually story in to interact with the OC's but as I said, no internet so everything written about them is either from memory or the top of my head. Here's hoping i didn't completely change Klein's past lol. If so, apologies but it is fan fiction and i feel it's believable so i'm going to go with it. Also, let me know what you think about Haseo's past. I liked the concept and wrote it out as best as i could but if it's too cheesy or if there's something that could be changed or added to improve it please let me know. As always, i hope you enjoyed and please review! ^_^