Long time no see. I should have finished this story a long time ago, it's not right to leave it in such an incomplete state. I won't pretend this chapter is worth the wait but I hope you'll enjoy and review it anyway.
Once again, I'm switching to Kazuto's point of view.
He watched. She fought.
Watching felt right, for his eyes were as active as ever. Truthfully, his vision felt stronger outside the game somehow, for the world contained a depth that he'd forgotten was possible. Oh, he'd gotten used to his world in the last few weeks but watching a fight brought it into clarity once again.
He had witnessed countless fights of varying magnitude over the years but seeing his sister fight with no unnecessary flashiness nor exaggerated flourishes seemed refreshing. He was able to follow her subtle movements as she executed a complicated flurry of moves, ending in a resounding clang as her sword met her opponent's head.
He could tell that she was the stronger player, and it was good to know that some of his experiences could be slightly useful. He hadn't kept his strength but his mind remembered Aincrad, recalled the battles and the players. If nothing else, he could watch a fight and appreciate the skills involved.
His dark eyes shifted to the side, where his parents - both of his parents - watched Suguha. It was strange and familiar to have his father so near, for Kazuto had seen him many times in the past few weeks. He suspected it had been his plight that compelled his father to spend more time with their family. Kazuto's lack of presence had brought them closer.
At times, it was easy to hate Kayaba for subjecting him to the cruel game. Yet more and more, as his existence in reality stretched ahead of him with no suggestions of peril, Kazuto could only feel bitterness. He remembered Kayaba's vacant expression as his world faded away and it was difficult to conjure up any fury.
Then he would recall Asuna. Not the smiling but headstrong girl he'd married in a game but the pale, unmoving figure lying on a bed with the nerve gear covering her face. Asuna was trapped it seemed, in the space between spaces, neither in one reality or another. Then there were the deaths, a few thousand of them, as a result of Kayaba's 'game'. Kayaba didn't deserve anyone's sympathy.
His musings lead to one question that he was reluctant to ask himself. Did he regret Sword Art Online? Outside in an open arena, watching his sister deftly finish her opponent, it was easy to forget that it had even occurred at all. It was like a dream, only one that he could actually remember.
But then he would try moving and remember how easily he was exhausted, and almost wish to wake up in Aincrad where he was at least strong and fit. Could he forgive the game for weakening him physically? And mentally too, at least in terms of his education.
Kazuto found himself staring uselessly at an empty field, for his sister had gone to rest, her fight having been won. Suguha was another thing to consider. Their relationship had been silently deteriorating for a long time before the death game. Without it, would he have realised the need for change and would he be trying to mend things with her? Maybe he'd still be pretending that she was just his cousin, as if their blood relation actually mattered.
He sighed. Questioning the past was a useless endeavour; the fact of the matter was that SAO happened and there was no use in trying to deny it or get angry about it. There wasn't really anyone to be angry at anymore given that Kayaba was most certainly dead. He'd just have to be content with how things were now and happy with the few good experiences he'd had even within the game. He would hope that Asuna would wake up and that she still loved him.
He made an effort to stand up. His family wanted to see him fully recovered and he didn't want to disappoint them. He couldn't pretend that he wasn't heavily leaning on his crutches, but he could pretend it didn't bother him.
Suguha looked him in the eyes and he knew she could see how much of a struggle it was for him. At some point in his absence, she had become very perceptive; she had grown up. She shot both her parents bright grins however, which they returned.
Kazuto failed to manage a smile. Suguha had won every one of her fights, securing herself a place in the regionals. It was a good achievement, one she deserved to be proud about. But Kazuto couldn't help but think of his own secret achievements, which inevitably went unacknowledged - his family hardly realised that Aincrad had been a world after all.
As Suguha quietly went to stand beside him, and surreptitiously offered him her arm for gentle support, he knew he couldn't hold it against her. He pressed one stiff hand down on her shoulder, feeling a tinge of embarrassment but also rather relieved.
"You fought well," their father said to her a hint of pride in his tone.
Suguha shifted, likely getting more comfortable with his weight. "The competition wasn't too fierce at this stage," she replied, but looked pleased with the so scarcely heard praise.
"Oh, I know you fought your friend Nami and she's been fighting almost as long as you have," their mother interjected, because attaining victory had hardly been a walk in the park.
Suguha just nodded as they made their way to the car to back home. Kazuto knew they only took the car for his benefit but he was grateful for it, a long walk was beyond his abilities at the moment though he was hardly used to his limitations.
"Well done," he murmured.
He felt her turn towards him. "I never thought you'd be able to watch." She said it as if it were a confession.
"Sorry I shouldn't mention..." Suguha added, trailing off awkwardly.
He felt like sighing again. Why would he be offended that she missed him? Until he woke up, he hadn't really expected that he'd eventually leave the game. Certainly not when there were still 25 more floors to unlock.
"I missed you too, you know?" He muttered, as he carefully followed her into the car. It was a relief to sit down again, legs unused to walking.
He almost missed her shocked expression. "Really?" She uttered.
"You're my only sister, I'm practically obliged to," he replied with a slight smirk.
"Yeah but..." She broke off. "Sometimes I thought you didn't care."
He frowned, thinking back to how he had avoided her for so long. The stuff that bothered him then hardly mattered to him now. But his cold behaviour then was all she had to remember him by when he'd been trapped in the game. It was obvious that she was still affected by it. He cursed himself for having been such an idiot all those years ago.
"It wasn't ever your fault, and I know that now," he asserted, reaching over to grip her hand.
Her hand felt warm and solid in his frail grasp. He'd held hands with people in SAO and he had always marvelled at how warm and lifelike they could feel but gripping a real hand was better. Sure, her hand was a little sweaty and her nails dug into his skin a bit but holding hands would feel lacking without such sensations.
"Thanks. For being there," Suguha replied quietly, but he could nevertheless detect some genuine emotion.
He nodded, not sure what else to say. She always seemed to look at him with expectations and he could only wonder why. He was hardly ever impressive around his family.
But for now she was happy, partly from her accomplishments but also from their conversation. And he had no idea how he was feeling really. Tired, a little frustrated, somewhat lost but getting better. Kazuto couldn't help but impatiently wish to just be better especially when he knew recovery was supposed to take many long months.
When they arrived home, Suguha swiftly climbed the stairs and retreated into her room. Kazuto, less quickly, also made his way into his own room, practically crawling up the stairs for his muscles ached from all the little movements he'd done. He immediately collapsed on his credibly soft and comfortable bed.
He wondered if his father would insist they eat dinner together as a family. They seemed to relish time spent together now. Kazuto wouldn't be able to deny them his presence as much as he would have liked to just lie on the bed without moving.
It was amazing how serious and difficult life could feel. Sometimes when he'd been in Aincrad, he'd imagined finally getting out, but he'd never really imagined what it would actually be like. It wasn't a dream come true as things hardly felt easy and pleasant and fun. Instead, life remained stressful, merely a different kind of stress to what he'd felt in SAO.
Not that he wasn't glad to be out. It was a relief, but it had it's own challenges. His life wasn't on the line anymore but having good relations with his family was important too. Plus, Asuna remaining trapped was a problem with no solution.
Kazuto vowed that he'd find a way to save her somehow. He also made a promise to make an effort with his sister and a commitment to working to become strong and healthy. It was all he could do.
That's sort of an end. Looking at it now, I hope this little story seems like it could fit between the Aincrad and Alfheim arcs. It was hard to find a good place to end this but stopping here seems okay.
I'm not sure I gave Asuna enough prominence in Kazuto's thoughts but then this story isn't about her, it's about Kazuto and Suguha.
Now I want to just thank all those who reviewed and favourited this story. I feel bad for abandoning this for so long when all your comments were so very encouraging! I know I wouldn't have even got past the first chapter if I didn't receive such a wonderful response. Thank you!