"We may have a clue about Asuna." Argo announced, before anyone else had a chance to say anything.

"w-what?" kirito had a flabbergast expression, before turning serious.

"Explain!"

The former Information Broker sent a pointed look at the Samurai.

Klein looked conflicted, before grimacing, and passed to Kirito a photo. An examination of it showed a very familiar looking pointy eared individual, in a birdcage. And while it was not a close up, it was clear enough.

"Asuna". She looks so sad, sitting there in those ridiculous clothes- we will meet again, in the real world- I WILL free you, Asuna!

"What does this mean?" he questioned the others, desperation and fear and hope leaking into his voice.

Argo answered.

"This is a Screenshot taken from the Virtual Reality game Alfheim Online, a successor to Aincrad that was popular because players had the ability to fly for a limited time in it. Nine races of fairies try to reach the top of the World Tree.

A group of players decided to be clever- they gave each other a piggyback ride, each on the shoulders of another and the guy down would fly as much as he could, until the flight needs recharging. The he would drop, and the one that was riding on his shoulder would fly until exhausting the flight, and the one riding on his shoulders would jump upwards and continue-they didn't reach even the lowest branches, though they were really close, but they did take this screenshot."

"What?" Kazuto wasn't sure he heard right. Asuna, trapped in another game? He felt numb.

And then angry. "Argo-san, are there any other picture, or hints-of anyone else that hasn't made it back from SAO?"

"No, I've looked. Not a single one of the other sleepers is shown in any way."

"How did you say that game is called?"

"Alfheim, here is a copy". She pulled a still sealed, new looking copy of the game from some pocket.

"Are you really going to go? After SAO?" A somewhat surprised Yulier asked.

"Yeah. I have to see it with my own eyes. Wouldn't you want to go, if it was Thinker still in there somewhere, and on the Screenshot?"

She didn't reply.

"Well, I, for one, command your courage and persistence- I'll try contacting other players from the Army and see if anyone else will join the search. Our fight's not over until Asuna and the others are saved as well."

"Yeah. We've all gotta meet up here offline."

"That's a promise-sa" the Rat exclaimed in a voice more like she was in Aincrad then during the entire meeting- the reminder bringing a faint smile to the Black Swordsman. And getting his attention.

"Thank you, Argo, you… I really owe you-how much do you want for all that info? For the copy of the Game? I don't have much right now, but I will pay my tab, I promise."

"Don't say such nonsense! You saved me, all of us, from Aincrad. Beside, Asuna is my friend too."

"Thank you Argo!" Kirito smiled, "is there anything else? If not, I think I best be on my way- it's pretty late by now."

He stood, his untouched tea long forgotten, and hearing no protests, went to the door. "Say bye to Agil for me".

Shortly after Klein addressed the girl.

"You better not make me regret allowing you to use him as bait."

"You gave him the picture yourself."

"He needs Asuna! It tears him apart! I couldn't hide information about her from my bro. listen, RAT", he practically snarled the next words, "you better be genuine about this all-consider the Kid an adopted pack member of mine-if he gets hurt, I will make you regret it. Same to you two, whatever you really are- "

"Then you better hurry after him now and escort him home, Furball, it really is late, and who knows what trouble he might stumble on. And make sure he is fine, or I will make a Rug out of you." Argo pointedly replied.

Ryotaro threw the other three one last warning look, and hurried outside, yelling as he opened the door. "Hey Kirito! Wait for me, I got a buddy nearby, I'll ask him to come and give the two of us a ride…"

The girl who was nicknamed Argo glanced at the door after Klein long after the sounds of him running disappeared, and turned her attention to the two remaining SAO survivors.

"The samurai wannabe may be annoying and undisciplined, but he is right, Kirito is a friend, and whoever is behind that incident is likely to be up to no good by the standards of all four of us. That wronged not just all of us, but our friends as well. The ones who got us out of there. Also I would prefer you two to do your part seriously- I would be displeased to be forced to deal with you, should you let our own personal politics get in the way,if you would seek to harm him, or influence the plan into ruin-even your magic tricks won't save you then. Not to mention that should you seek conflict against me, or Klein, I will join him against you, so be wary of attacking either one of us."

With these parting words, she turned and nodded to the European at the other end of the café, who nodded back, and as she went the way she came-through the back exit-followed her behind and a bit to the left, keeping three or four steps behind her.

Soon after a large black man, whom the remaining two recognized as Agil, greeted them, and seemed disappointed that he missed the meeting, and insistent on the details of it.

Thinker ended up, a bit reluctantly, sharing the edited version that was given to the Black Swordsman. After that he and Yulier hurriedly left.

I planned to include some after meeting scenes, but ended up changing my mind-said scenes-the POV's of the departing people after the meeting, will shad some light on the way the meeting went, and why. they will be in the next chapter.

Also thanks to skywiseskychan whose advice and reviews influenced this chapter, and the next one, and whose criticism help shape this fic (it would have been a bit worse otherwise).

If you like it, review.