So, sorry for those who didn't like that last chapter. Like I said, within a few hours of posting it I lost a few followers.
Shawn- I know I'm a tease with my chapters and cliffhangers. XD Sorry, but you'll have to put up with it. Hopefully I'll update fast enough to satisfy you. :D
Anyway, I'm trying to make my updates faster. I was recently caught up in a realllly good teen titans FF, Coincidence and Misunderstandings. If you're a fan check it out.
Also I'm going on a trip Thursday so my plan is to get one chapter out on each story by then. Hopefully
Anyway- enjoy, I hope
Still stunned, I stared at the trees that Kirito had disappeared through. Well that was… unexpected. I must have really bothered him with that.
Slumping backwards against the edge of the pool, I sighed, resting my head on the bank. I was the one who forced him in that situation. Should I have just let him…? Snapping back up, I realized the implications of my own thoughts. Of course not! That… I… He… NO! Shaking my head vigorously to dispel the thoughts, I decided being alone in the water wasn't nearly as relaxing as when he was with me.
I got out, reestablished the ethics code, and put on my sleepwear. Heading back towards the camp, I looked down at myself and laughed lightly. It's kind of awkward to be in the woods in this. Oh well.
In the darkness of the forest, I tried to take my time walking back to give Kirito ample time to calm down and get back to normal, but there was an eerie feeling surrounding me. Like I'm being watched. In the end, I too ended up running towards the faint light of the campfire.
Stopping suddenly at the clearing, I blushed as Kirito eyed me amused. Maybe I should have worn something else… You realize what happened five minutes ago, right? Yes… And you remember what he saw this morning, right? My blush deepened at the embarrassing memory. Yes… And him seeing your 'nighties' bothers you?
I frowned at my inner voice. Sadly, it was as annoying as often as it was right, which was most of the time. "ca-chan?"
"Huh? What?" Apparently I spent a lot of time lost in my own head; Kirito must have called my name numerous times.
Chuckling at my lack of composure, he spoke "I was just saying that now is a good a time as any to bring Pina back to life. With the length of your orange status, it'll be too late by the time we reach town." PINA! I totally…forgot. I was so focused on Kirito-kun that I forgot my best friend… I'm sorry Pina.
Smiling brightly to hide my inner lacerations, I conjured up my menu and retrieved both PINA's HEART and the PNEUMA FLOWER. Reading the flower's instructions, I looked at the feather in my hand, grinning genuinely now. Oh Pina. Things are going to change, but you will always be my friend. Rereading the flower's description to be sure, I tipped it, the petal releasing a single drop, landing on the feather. Watching the feather become engulfed in a swirling white light, I felt the flower dissipate from my hand. Soon the moving light became more violent, letting of a strong stream of wind. Covering my eyes, I felt the gust gradually die down, and before my eyes lay a beautiful blue dragon. Raising its head, Pina appeared to be coming out of a deep slumber. Eyeing me, the feathery dragon let out a loud, "Kyuuu!" and jumped into my arms. [I can't find if Pina has a gender anywhere. Ug]
Oh Pina… Holding the softness close, I buried my face into the plush feathers as I felt a small tongue licking the side of my head. "I missed you Pina." I received soft 'Kyuuu''s in my ear as response, something I forgot I was so attached to. Still holding my friend in my arms, I turned to a smiling Kirito and felt a few tears fall on Pina's tiny head. She shook them off with a strong wag and continued to purr. [Yes, I'm calling it a purr. Get over it. XD]
"Thank you, Kirito. You've made me happier than you realize." He kept me alive to see my friend again. After the turmoil over the last day, I still remember what he did for me.
"I'm sorry that I let your little friend die in the first place."
Walking over to him, I held Pina up to him in greetings. "Pina, this is Kirito, the one who saved us. Kirito, this is my best friend in SAO, Pina." Giving him a curious look, I saw the dragon raise up and fly a circle around his head, landing on his hair. Reaching its long head down, it looked at an upside down Kirito from very close, and let out a small, "Kyuuu?"
In response, Kirito reached a finger up and scratched its head. Pina licked his forehead a few times in approval and then flew off again, this time landing on my shoulder.
"Well I'm glad you two get along." Stifling a yawn, I looked up at the time. "So, I guess we should get to sleep then…" I used to sleep with Pina. But now I want to be close to Kirito… That won't be weird right? I could have both… maybe.
As if to resolve my conflict, Kirito spoke up, "Actually, I'm going to stay up. You take the sleeping bag." He motioned to the dark brown bedding slightly behind him. "Someone should keep watch. I don't know much about this floor and I want to make sure we're safe. Next time I'll make sure to have a tent and more sleeping bags so it will be safer. You get some sleep."
"But… Kirito." I wanted to sleep with you… Not sure I could even pronounce those words without freaking out at their connotation, I simply nodded and climbed into the bag.
Holding Pina close, I eyed Kirito's back, stiff and straight, as he sat cross-legged with his sword flat on his lap. Watching his slow breathing as he watched the world, I allowed the heat and crackle of the fire, as well as the purring of my dearest friend, lull me to sleep.
I felt myself jolted awake, my ability to breathe compromised by a tickling sensation. Shooting up I took deep gasps of air and surveyed my surroundings, thinking something terrible had happened. Looking up at me, Pina let out a questioning, "kyu?" Closing my mouth as my breathing steadied, I felt again the sensation. Reaching up my face, I pulled a long blue feather out of my nose and held it in front of me. A feather… in my nose. I couldn't help but giggle at the situation and I calmed down.
I looked towards Kirito, seeing his head lolling up and down, attempting to stay awake. Sighing lightly, I crawled towards him. Gently, I stroked his back. "Kirito-kun. Come on. It's time for bed." Glancing at the clock, I realized the sun would be up in a few hours but he needed sleep nonetheless. He responded with short grumbles and nonsensical protests. "You're exhausted. You can't be a watchman like this anyway, just come. Pulling at his arm, I slowly dragged him towards the sleeping bag. He moved with me, though he was basically asleep.
Somehow, I was able to get him to climb in to the bag and curl up. Seeming to relax, he breathed heavily with sleepiness, one eye slightly opened towards me. "Si…ca…chan…" Smiling at how adorable he was when he was this tired, I put my finger over his mouth and shushed him. "oin… me…ease?" Join him? Well since he asked so nicely. Laughing at my own joke, I tentatively climbed in with him, becoming face to face. Readjusting, Pina flew and landed on top of the bag, curling on top of us. Looking Kirito's face deep in his barely conscious eye, I reached forward and gently placed my lips on his. At first, I felt his lips move in reaction, then stop and rest, having finally fallen asleep. Asleep while kissing me. I'll have to get his attention better next time.
Pushing my head against his chest, I reveled in his warmth and closed my own eyes, falling asleep once again.
Mmmm… soft. Steadily becoming more conscious, I heard my alarm for my early morning peace going off in the back of my head. Waving away the noise to signal my being awake, I opened my eyes slowly, being presented by a wall of black. Looking up, I saw Kirito's still peaceful face, his arm draped around my back lightly and his breathing slow. I should let him sleep… But… I want to…
Making sure he wasn't in any position to again rip my clothes to pieces, I raised myself up, resting my palm against his cheek. Leaning forward, I placed a small kiss on his forehead and held it there. Feeling him stir under me, I waited until I head a faint "ica-chan."
Lowering myself again, I peered into his groggy but conscious eyes. "Ohayō Kirito-kun."
"Oha-mmm" I silenced him with my lips, taking advantage of him before he could run away again like last night. Mmm.
Surprising me, I felt his arms hold me close, embracing me tightly. Finally releasing my lips, he chuckled, "Now that's a way to wake up."
Sitting around, Kirito and I 'enjoyed' a small breakfast of the same foods that dinner was comprised of: his barely soup and bread and the rest of my cheesecake. Pina was off to the side, enjoying a small pile of peanuts, his favorite food. [I'm going with boy after one reviewer said Pina was]
"So I wanted to say something." Kirito started, pulling my interest away from the awful 'food.' Noticing my sudden attention, he looked away and continued. "I just wanted to apologize for last night is all." Oh… his leaving so suddenly. "I…um… I just didn't want to do something I'd end up regretting, you know?" His hand reached for the back of his head and scratched nervously. "I just… you know… I'm a teenager and all." He finished, leaving his true meaning unspoken, though he didn't need to say it. He thought he would do something to you out of pure lust, so he forced himself to run… I see.
"Nuhuh. You don't need to apologize. It was kind of my fault anyway. I…asked you to." Situation suddenly becoming tense, we went back to eating in silence.
After a few minutes and the food having long disappeared, Kirito spoke up again. "Oh! So I had something for you." Something else for me? Wasn't the wine, food, and embarrassing amount of clothing enough? Navigating his menu, I watched Kirito pull something out of the air and hold out in his palm to me. "Would you mind wearing this?"
Leaning forward, my face drained at the sight, two small rings adorned with symbols and patterns of swords. Holding my hands up in astonishment I felt my nonexistent heartbeat rise. "Ki.. Ki… KIRITO!? I… We just… I CAN'T WEAR THAT! I mean… I really like you but, still!"
Eyeing me puzzled, Kirito looked down at his hand, then back to me. Suddenly his eyes widened with shock. His surprise broke into a fit of laughter, all the while making me more and more confused. "Aha… Ah...haha… Whew. You thought. I just… wow. No, no, no. I'm not. I just." Struggling for words as his laughter took over again, he tossed one ring to me. "This is an experience ring. Here, put it on."
Still baffled at what was going on, I put it on my finger and watched as he adorned himself with the other. As the rings slipped on our finger, a menu popped up in front of me and in front of my companion. On it listed our names and a percent meter, currently set at 5%.
"What… huh?" I'm so confused.
"Let me explain," Kirito started in a more controlled voice. "When we are in a party, whoever deals the most damage to an enemy gets the most experience. That is only in team fights though. If we were are still in a party but fighting, say, floors away, then the experience would mostly go to the one fighting, with five percent split in to the rest of the party for simply being in a party. With these rings, you can change that." He moved the percent meter on his menu and it simultaneously moved on mine, reaching 100%. "Like this, I can fight the front lines and you will still get all the experience."
Taking all this information in, I sat there looking at him. I'll get ALL the experience? "But what about you? You need to keep top levels right?" He couldn't simply be that selfless, could he?
Pursing his mouth in mock contemplation, he looked at me and answered, "I guess I'll just have to work harder, wont I."
So not the strongest of cliffhangers but I'm glad I got the chapter out. Now to work on that other chapter for my other story. Hope you liked this. I'm getting my plans together for future chapters. Hope you like them.
As usual, I love reviews and PM's about my stories. :D
-Furr