Yeah, it's bad, I know TAT I'm making Tetsuya so simular to Kirito, I'm sorry QAQ

But Kirito is too fabulous to just forget about, so I think that's why I'm them simular. I'm sorry, you can scold meh TAT

Any who, enjoy~

Kuroko waited in the next town, just as he planned. Though he decided to explore as he waited for Akashi and the group, and see if the town was the same as the beta. He knew they couldn't stay as a group for long, not when people were calling him a 'Beater'. Plus their group was big and stood out.

Though he was going to stay with them for as long as he could, to protect them. They were his friends in real life, so he was going to protect them with his own life.

Kuroko glanced around, wondering if the news of the 'Beater' already spread. Probably not, as the people he fought the first boss with were kind of slow. But in time, he knew he was going to be noticed.

'Should I change my clothes? But this is the best armor I have... Plus it gives me a low presence, even for people who trained their eyes...' Kuroko hummed as he thought, trying to find out what to do.

He said he would become a Beater, not because it stands for 'Beta Cheater', but because he promised he would beat the game.

He wasn't strong enough to beat the game, nor did he even want to become the hero. He just wanted to keep his friends and everyone around him from dying. He should just let Akashi beat the game, he seemed like he wanted to be the hero.

Too deep in thought, Kuroko didn't notice he accidentally bumped into someone. "Sorry, I wasn't looking." He immediately said, not wanting to anger any players.

"Kuroko?" A voice asked, and Kuroko blinked. He looked up, and was surprised to see Kagami's 'brother'. Kuroko pulled down his mask that was over his mouth, nodding.

"Himuro-san... You play SAO?" Kuroko asked, surprised to see an old friend in a town on the second floor.

"Yes. I played as soon as it was released." Himuro explained. "I tried finding Taiga all this time, but I couldn't, so I gave up and hoped to find him. He's already in the higher levels, isn't he?"

Kuroko shook his head. "No, he is in our party. We just defeated the first boss."

"Ah, finding that dungeon was tricky." Himuro said, before beginning to walk. "Come on, I know a place with good food."

"We don't really need to eat in this game." Kuroko said, raising his mask again as he followed Himuro.

"I know, but I still like tasting food, don't you?" Himuro asked and Kuroko didn't answer. "That's a mask and armor you got there. Where'd you get it?"

"That boss drop." Kuroko said, touching the ninja mask over his mouth. "This is apart of the hoodie I wear, which actually has light strong armor underneath."

"Oh, that's rare." Himuro said, smiling a little. "Very lucky." Kuroko just nodded again as Himuro continued leading him through the town.

Soon they made it to a small food house and Himuro lead him inside. It was nice and cozy inside, and Kuroko finally noticed it was getting colder outside as each day goes by. "I think winter's approaching." Kuroko said as Himuro sat them down at a table.

"I think you're right. It's almost December after all." Himuro said, and a waitress came to take their order. Something about this reminded Kuroko of the real life, and he ordered a simple sandwich half heartedly. Would they ever go back to their real life? Would he ever taste a vanilla milkshake again?

Though he knew he couldn't think like that.

They would make it out one day, he knew it. And he would take as many of his friends as he could with him. He wasn't going to have any one else die in front of him again.

"Kuroko? You okay?" Himuro asked, seeing the blue haired player space out.

Kuroko shook his head, before nodding. "Yes, I'm okay. Just thinking."

"About your party? Who's in it anyway?" Himuro asked, sitting back.

"Everyone. My old team from Teiko, and Kagami-kun." Kuroko said, but left out the part of possibly having to leave.

"I see. That's a big group. I went with a group to the dungeon, but other then that, I've been Solo." Himuro said, and Kuroko tilted his head.

"What's being Solo like?" He couldn't help but ask.

"Great. No one to slow you down or to push you around." Himuro explained, and Kuroko sat back. "But a Solo can only get so far in this game."

Kuroko nodded in agreement, and soon, their food arrived. They both began eating quietly, as Kuroko thought to himself. If he stayed with the group, he risked getting them caught of being Betas too. But if he left... Would they die?

'They have Akashi-kun...' Kuroko reassured himself, and closed his eyes. Could he even leave his friends to become a loner? What would be the right choice?

"Kuroko, your friends are here." Himuro suddenly said, and Kuroko turned around. Sure enough, his whole party had entered the food house and began walking towards him. Kuroko sighed, knowing his peace and quiet with Himuro was no more.

"Tatsuya!" Kagami waved, and Himuro slowly waved back. "Taiga, I tried finding you but I couldn't tell where you were."

Kagami sat next to Himuro and Akashi sat next to Kuroko. "Tetsuya," Akashi started and Kuroko sighed. "Why would you do that? You charged at that boss alone, you were lucky you weren't killed."

"But I wasn't, and no one else died afterward, so it's okay." Kuroko argued quietly, making Akashi narrow his eyes.

"If you die, I don't know what the whole group or I would do. We don't want anyone to die, Tetsuya, and I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen. So, I can't have you Charing at bosses alone." Akashi explained.

"But people would have died if I stood and did nothing.." Kuroko said quietly.

"We could have thought of a plan." Akashi said.

"We were in the midst of battle." Kuroko countered.

"That's not the point Tetsuya." Akashi replied while frowning again. "And why did you say you were a Beta tester alone? Rumors will spread about you being a 'Beater', and-"

"And you don't want any negative attention to fall onto you either, do you?" Kuroko suddenly asked, looking at Akashi hard. "You want to become the hero, don't you?"

"Tetsuya, I just want to keep everyone safe." Akashi replied slowly, and Kuroko looked away.

"I want to go Solo. Just for a little while." Kuroko said, and Akashi's eyes widened. "Tetsuya, you won't survive on your own. Solo players won't survive on their own, especially how the game has changed."

Kuroko looked down, knowing Himuro said something simular. "Plus, you're a shadow. You won't survive long without-"

"This isn't basketball!" Kuroko exclaimed, almost silent. "And don't underestimate me, Akashi-kun. I only said for a little while. If you want me to stay then I will. But when I want to leave, you can't make me stay."

Akashi looked at Kuroko in surprise, before sighing and nodded. "Fine. But what I'm saying is true. If you become a Solo Player, then you won't get far."

Kuroko didn't push it, just looking away. If he became Solo, he would show Akashi that he could do it alone if he wanted.

The group moved on, Himuro now with them. With agreements from everyone, the raven haired player decided to join them until they found the next dungeon. After that, he would leave the group.

"We should level up as much as we can." Akashi said, and Midorima nodded. "It would be best to level up before the next boss. It would only be wise."

"We know that, we don't to repeat Akashi." Aomine said, looking at Midorima boredly.

"I am just explaining." Midorima said, adjusting his glasses.

Kuroko ignored them, though he wondered what he would feel if his friends died. Would they die? They were strong, but... This game was unfair, and some players could be dangerous.

As they walked, Kuroko's focused hearing heard some chatter across the walkway. It was a group of guys gathered in front of a market, talking.

"Did you hear about that one beta tester who let someone in their group die in the first dungeon?"

They couldn't be talking about Kuroko, right? He slowed down so he could stay in hearing range.

"Yeah, they called him a Beater, didn't they?"

They were... But he didn't let that man die! He tried helping!

"Beater, exactly. A Beta Tester Cheater. If there is anything I hate in video games is cheaters." The man replied, grumbling.

"What did he look like? Is he even strong?"

"If he's a Beta, I'm sure he has cheated. He's called a Beater after all." Another man replied.

"He has armor that looks like a black hoodie, ya know? And a mask over his mouth."

"Like a Ninja!?"

"Shut up you idiot! There are no ninjas in this game."

"Plus when he put it on, they said he kind of wavered, as if he was turning invisible. And before he left, he disappeared completely."

"A ghost?!"

"That's ridiculous. Not unless that armor had something to do with it."

"It must be a rare drop."

"..So...Is he like a ghost then?"

"Or a phantom."

"Shadow?"

"Yeah, a Shadow would make more sense."

"We should tell people about this Shadow Beater then." The man finished, standing up straight.

Kuroko heard enough.

He began walking again, noticing the team was ahead, looking at a weapons store. He felt a bit of dread, hearing those men talk. He knew they didn't know his side of the story, but it still...

Kuroko shook his head, walking after the group. "See anything you like, Tetsuya?" Akashi asked when he approached.

Kuroko looked inside, shrugging. "Why don't we look inside?" Kuroko asked, and Akashi shook his head. "Not with how rowdy they are."

It was true, as they were always loud and gaining attention. It was too much sometimes. Though if he went solo, he wouldn't have to deal with it. But then who would watch his back, and who would watch his friend's backs?

"I'll take him inside." Himuro said, and Akashi hesitated before nodding in agreement. "I'll take them to the center of town, at the water fountain."

Both boys nodded and Akashi began leading the group away from the store towards the center of town. Himuro took Kuroko inside and the blue haired player looked around. It looked like a Smith forged most of the swords and shields, and some armor here and there.

"Ah, welcome!" A tall but young boy said with a smile. He had short brown hair, and beside him was someone who was way taller. He had long black hair and smiled a little. "Welcome to mine and Mitobe's shop!"

"It's good to meet you." Himuro said with a small bow, and Kuroko copied him. "I didn't know you guys played SAO too." Kuroko said, and Mitobe shrugged.

"Anything specific you'd like?" Koganei asked. Kuroko hummed as he looked around, and knew that they must've created these. They were amazing, despite being on the second level.

"Do you upgrade armor?" Kuroko asked and Koganei nodded happily. "Of course! And our prices are low, since we know people fight hard on the front lines."

"Don't you want to make money?" Himuro asked, and Koganei laughed a little. "Well, we aren't staying here for our whole life! I'm sure someone will beat this game. Not anytime soon, but I know it'll happen."

Kuroko stared at Koganei, and he saw Mitobe nod. He then hummed, checking his money in his menu. That boss and experience gave him some money, and if the prices were really low, he could improve his armor and sword.

"No no!" Koganei said as he saw Kuroko check his money. "Kuroko, aren't you on the front lines? I'll upgrade your armor for free."

"You don't have to..." softly, and Koganei shook his head. "Since you're arguing, I'll upgrade your sword too!"

"You really don't need to.." Kuroko said, and Himuro smiled as he saw the light blue player was still so kind.

"Nope! Now you get a new sword too!"

"Double wielding?" Himuro asked, and Koganei smiled. "It's a rare skill, but I'm sure Kuroko can do it."

Kuroko sighed, knowing Koganei was stubborn when it came to his friends. "Okay... Fine." He agreed, and Koganei immediately went to Mitobe, grabbing his arm. "Let's go!"

Kuroko and Himuro followed the two as they went into a lower part of the store, probably where they forged. "Mitobe, please make Kuroko a new sword and upgrade his current one." He said, before looking at Kuroko. "Actually, do you like heavy or light swords?"

"I like small but swords I'm able to handle." Kuroko said, before taking out his own simple black sword. "Maybe a little heavier then this."

Mitobe gently took it, nodding, before going over to a work bench to upgrade it.

"And I'll work on your armor!" Koganei said, and Kuroko sighed. As he removed his armor with his menu, it was replaced with a simple black t-shirt he had in the beginning of the game.

"You should be happy. This is quite the deal, Kuroko." Himuro said with a smile.

"It's stealing." Kuroko said simply, watching as Koganei studied the armor disguised as a hoodie.

"It's free." Himuro said, watching the two work on Kuroko's items. After a few minutes, Koganei finished his armor. Kuroko's eyes widened when it changed. It wasn't a hoodie no more.

It was a black cloak that still had a hood, and it had armor hidden all around it, disguised as straps. It also had holders on the back for two swords. "Wow..."

"Amazing, right? Right?" Koganei asked, handing it to Kuroko. He nodded in agreement, and used his menu to put it on. It fit him perfectly. Koganei pushed him in front of a mirror in the forge room, and Kuroko saw his reflection. He looked... like a real SAO player. All he needed was his swords.

"Mitobe, are those swords done?" Koganei asked, walking over to his friend. Mitobe nodded, holding up Kuroko's upgraded sword.

"It's stronger, a little heavier like you asked. Is it okay?" Koganei asked as Mitobe handed Kuroko the sword. Kuroko stepped back, swinging the sword a couple times to test it. "It's perfect."

Mitobe smiled, glad someone liked his sword that he upgraded. He then picked up another new, designed blue sword, the same color as Kuroko's hair.

Kuroko gently took it and swung it as well. "It's a little light, but it's okay."

"It's made for speed. It boosts your own speed as well. The other boosts your strength." Koganei explained as Mitobe nodded.

"Thank you." Kuroko said, placing his swords on his back. So now he had upgraded armor and swords... Would people see him as a cheater now?

Koganei pushed him into the mirror again, and pulled the hood over his head. He then pulled the mask up for Kuroko, and let the boy see his reflection. Kuroko looked even better now...

"Wow Kuroko. If you level up more, you will be even more useful on the front lines." Himuro said, standing beside Kuroko.

"Thank you, Himuro-san." Kuroko said, before looking at Koganei and Mitobe. "Are you sure it's free?"

"Yes! Now try hard to save everyone, Kuroko." Koganei said, and Mitobe nodded his encouragement.

"Thanks..." He said quietly, still not believing it.

"Well, we should get going. We have to meet our party somewhere." Himuro said, taking Kuroko's hand to lead him out. "Thanks for improving Kuroko's items."

"No problem! Come back any time, we can be your personal smiths!" Koganei said, and Kuroko was so glad they helped him. Now he could protect everyone, if he leveled up more.

"Let's go meet up with everyone." Himuro said when they exited the store. Kuroko nodded, and wondered if they would recognize him. Though now, he hoped he could keep everyone safe.

I would imagine Tetsuya's cloak as like... an Assassins creed cloak, ya know? That's what I was going for ^o^