Hey there, I've received a lot of positive responses despite this being quite short. You guys are great! Sorry that this is being updated so slowly though.
In this chapter a little time her passed and I'm switching back viewpoints again. Suguha is getting her to the idea of her brother being back so she may seem calmer, getting slightly used to things. Hope you enjoy it.
Her house felt rather tranquil with her parents both out and her brother practically non-existent. Now that he was no longer imprisoned in his hospital bed, his absence was barely noticeable. It was strange really, how much she had missed him and now that he had returned to the realm of the living, she didn't miss him even if she still didn't see him.
No, the hollowness had completely gone. All those times she had imagined herself playing together with him one last time. She could recall dreaming about walking outside with him in the open air and talking to him and basically appreciating his existence like she hadn't before the 'event'. But he was fine now, so the dreams had vanished.
There was more than one reason for the silence being so welcome. Suguha clutched the sleek metal Amusphere close to her chest, conducting considering putting it on again. She hadn't visited her secret world of Alfheim in more than two weeks, not since her brother had recovered. But maybe with the silence signifying that everything was normal she could return.
It was strange to think that Kazuto's coma had begun with a device so like this one. It had trapped him in his mind and nothing anyone could do was able to break such a tight hold. Nothing but death. In comparison her little device was a gentle one that kept her aware of the outside through sounds - it was a connection that could be so easily lost at any time and yet was still very precious.
Suguha put on the Amusphere, content in the knowledge that for once everything was fine and would be when she returned. Soon her mind was a full array of colours as she was pushed into the body of Leafa, her beautiful fairy avatar.
A couple hours later, Suguha took the chance to leave her game when she heard the distinctive sound of her front door being opened. In truth, she hadn't ended up having the energy to do more than sort out her affairs and then do some flying. Nothing was quite like flying. Still the frustrating game mechanic of having to take ten minute breaks reminded her of the patience required to properly enjoy herself. Who designed that feature anyway?
Exiting her room, she was surprised to see her brother carefully climbing the stairs. Well, not surprised that he was attempting it, but surprised that he wasn't losing momentum. His stamina had improved faster than she'd expected it seemed. Realising that he would soon catch sight of her, she considered retreating to her room to avoid trying to converse with him, as she was practically obliged to do.
"W-where have you been?" She asked timidly, not meeting his eyes even as he reached the top of the staircase.
"The hospital," was his short reply. Kazuto was leaning slightly on his crutch though he tried not to.
She didn't know how to respond. Was there any chance he wasn't there to visit the sleeping girl? Perhaps she had been too relaxed about his absence in the morning.
He barely waited for her to respond before considering the short exchange over, turning stiffly to enter his own room. She couldn't help but notice that he was breathing rather heavily and she wanted to remind him not to overexert himself while he was still so frail but she didn't know how to say so. So she said nothing.
The Kendo tournament was fast approaching. Such a normal thing for her and she had no distractions to stop herself from doing her best. Kendo was a pure experience that could not be tainted by others.
That's what she's thought until she entered her training room.
Her brother was there. Standing upright, balanced without his crutch. He didn't see her come in given that he was facing the opposite wall, deep in thought. She quietly observed him.
Her kendo sword was held steadily with a two-handed grip. His arms seemed surprisingly relaxed and his form was less rigid and awkward than she would have expected. Did he know what he was doing?
And why was he here? This place could not possibly hold good memories for him yet he had come of his own accord. She had noticed these little changes in him over the past few weeks and she could only wonder at his recent thoughtful demeanour but this was more than she would have expected.
Optionally, maybe he had been searching for her for some reason and had gotten distracted? She wanted that to be true even if it was a little unlikely. It would be best to announce her presence just in case though.
"I didn't know you remembered this place," she broke into the silence, trying to be a little teasing to avoid a serious mood.
He turned around rapidly and she found her own sword pointed directly at her chest. Kazuto blinked and lowered the weapon until it touched the floor and no longer burdened his arms. She was pleased he didn't drop it carelessly as she really didn't want it damaged.
"Was this supposed to be your secret hideout?" He asked cheekily.
She allowed herself to smile. "This is just the decoy secret hideout, you'll never find the true one," she retorted.
"Is that a challenge?"
"Only the decoy challenge," she replied swiftly. It had been a long time since she'd spoken so easily with him, without the awkwardness.
"Are you suggesting that you have a secret challenge for me?" Kazuto was leaning slightly on her kendo blade, but hardly seemed aware of it.
"Um... are you interested?" Suguha replied slowly.
"That's why I'm asking." His tone a challenge in itself, asking for a good reply.
"Well would the challenge of cutting your hair be beyond you?" She asked, raising an eye at the somewhat limp shoulder-length hair that he hadn't gotten around to cutting off.
"Suddenly I'm beyond caring," he said in a deadpan voice.
"Maybe next time then?" She said with a shrug.
"We'll see," he said, walking past her to grab his crutch. It seemed that he was preparing to leave.
"Hey, Kazuto?" She asked in a more serious tone.
He stopped, cane in one hand. "Yeah?" An equally sober tone.
"Did you... come here because you were interested in Kendo?" She asked, feeling awkward asking suddenly.
He glanced away, silently handing her sword over to her. "Something like that," he admitted vaguely.
She gave him a bright smile, even if he wasn't looking at her. "Thanks, it really means a lot to me."
"Yeah."
Two days later, when he appeared for lunch, Suguha noted that he had finally cut his hair, restoring it to its old style. It was weird how similar he now looked to the him of nearly 3 years ago. It wasn't just the hair either, the somewhat baggy clothes he wore downplayed his frail features. But just how different was he now?
She didn't say anything aloud but did catch his eye long enough to shoot him an amused look. He just rolled his eyes at her.
An hour later, Kazuto left the house, mentioning that he was going to visit the hospital yet again to stare at the dead girl. Well the words he'd used were technically 'visit Asuna' but either way it sounded unhealthy and draining. Once he was gone, Suguha realised that she was really missing him again. That emptiness that refused to go away.
What was so special about Asuna? Suguha was supposed to be able to understand her brother, she'd been making a bit of an effort and yet he didn't make sense to her. Did Asuna know him in a way she didn't? Was that why she seemed to matter more than her?
But why did she miss him now? Things had been improving between them, more than she had hoped for. He was recovering quickly. The house ought to have been calm not lonely, not when those she cared for were all alive and well.
She sighed. Many times she had felt lonely in the last year and so far the best escape was her world, Alfheim. Maybe it was just a temporary distraction but it was refreshing. It was the place to retreat to. She climbed the stairs to her room, making a note to listen for his return, whenever that would be.
That's it for now. I want to write at least another chapter or two but after that I'll probably consider it complete. Reflecting on it, I don't really consider it a story that needs to diverge from Canon. Anyway, please do leave a review, hope you liked it so far.