Level Seven: Transition

Level Fifty One: Midpoint Village Tavern

"I'm not saying that they can't be all lovey dovey." Mabashi sighed. "I'm saying I just don't wanna see them being like that." He mumbled, averting his gaze.

"Mabashi, they're MARRIED. Let them be lovey-dovey." Trinidad slapped his back, her face coated in a liquor-induced blush. "Besiiiides, they're adorable together!" she stated cheerfully. Mabashi sighed, shaking his head at Trinidad's drunken behavior.

"Um… are they okay?" Kirito asked, hearing little bits and pieces of their conversation from where he and Black Fox sat.

"I heard Trinidad was a mean drunk, but… man… I didn't think she'd be this crazy…" she stated, seeing Trinidad getting up on the table and start doing toasts to the people in the room, even if she didn't really know them. "But… I suppose she's happy, is all…" she just sighed, laying her head down on the table.

"Is something bothering you?" Kirito asked, seeing as she seemed a little bothered by everything ever since they got into this level. He glanced at her energy meter and noticed it was still recovering. "… do you need to sleep? Or to take a serum?" he asked, trying not to be obvious about what he could see. She just shook her head, glancing over to him. "Are you sure?"

"I'm a little tired… is all." She said, smiling at him weakly, taking his hand. "It's not such a big deal… I'll be alright soon…" some of the others in the room looked like they wanted to come over and check, but Versais, who seemed to be the best at reading the atmosphere, stopped them from approaching the new couple. He just looked at her, finding himself smiling back, even if only a little bit. Was she just being strong? Or was she really okay? He couldn't tell.

Level Fifty: Central Village

Later that night, he'd taken Black Fox back to their house on level 50, knowing that she was too exhausted to stay on the front lines. She had passed out the instant she was in the bed, but somehow still holding Kirito's hand. He just sat back against the head board, remembering some of the incidents that had brought him closer to Black Fox… to Akemi.

Level Five: Forest of Crows Dungeon Final Room

Having defeated the Level Five Boss, Kirito and Black Fox decided to stop off in the Final Room to take a break. It was essentially a hot spring room that was clear of all monsters and whatnot. But apparently it was co-ed, something that made both of them a little wary. "I see why not many people come here." Black Fox said, glancing at other customers. "It must be weird… to be in a co-ed bath at our ages… It's no problem for kids but…"

"Yeah, I get what you mean." Kirito stated, nodding his head. But all the same, they got into the spring. Kirito was sticking close to Black Fox because there were some slightly weird people across the way. Before either one could talk, Kirito noticed a bunch of women coming over to them.

"Awww how cute. Are you two here together?"

"Cause if not, we were hoping your friend could spend some time with us."

"We promise to be nice. And we'll return him by the morning."

"Don't press your luck." Black Fox said, glaring at them from behind her mask. "He's staying with me. So go find someone else to play your stupid games." She stated, ready to defend Kirito if necessary. He glanced at her, seeing that she was rather annoyed with these women.

"What, seriously? We even asked nicely."

"Yeah, what's your deal?"

"I don't like girls who try and steal the partners of other players." She stated. "Or boys for that matter." She added, loud enough to make the others in the spring look over. "He isn't leaving." Kirito nodded his head a little in agreement with her words. "So stay away. Got it?"

"…" the girls looked bothered but they backed off. Black Fox, however, still seemed irritated. She got up and left the spring, mumbling to herself. Kirito got up and followed, having never seen her so upset over him being talked to, albeit this was the first time anyone had been so rude…

"Hey, wait up." He said, having caught up with her after leaving the changing room, wearing the hot-spring kimono and heading to their room. She stopped, taking a breath before she turned to him. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I'll be fine… I don't like those girls, though…" she rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry about that… I'm not usually that temperamental."

"Don't worry about it. Thanks for defending me." He said, patting her shoulder, walking with her. "What was it that put you off?"

"Oh… I think it was just their attitude… they were flirting with you… that bothers me." She looped her arm around his shoulder. "I should be the only one who should be flirting with you…" she said with a teasing tone, showing that she was better already. Kirito's cheeks went bright red, feeling her let go before wandering into the room. "Well, it's bed time for me…" she laid down on the futon, looking over at him. She turned to be on her stomach, looking a little provocative as she lay there, grinning. "Would you like to come and sleep with me, Kirito?" she asked, chuckling. He shook his head, blushing more and laying down on his own futon.

"Q-quit joking about that stuff…" he said, turning away from her.

"Aww… okay." She said, laying down on her back before she looked over at him. "I'll behave… So long as you don't let other girls approach you like that, okay?"

"I-I can't help it… They just approach on their own…"

"Well then…" all of a sudden, Kirito felt a hand on his hip, Black Fox right behind him. "I'll just have to keep them away from you, won't I?" He tried to form a sentence, but his body wouldn't move. He just stayed there, his face still bright red.

"Wh-why are you suddenly-?"

"… No reason." She said, removing herself from him and turning to face away. "Goodnight, Kirito…" she said. He looked over his shoulder to look at her, seeing that she was asleep already. He sighed, putting a hand to his heart.

'Why… was I so embarrassed?' he thought to himself as he tried to calm down enough to fall asleep.

Level Fifty: Central Village

Kirito sighed to himself, remembering how forward she'd been on that level… he assumed she'd just been protective, but now he realized it had been jealousy. She really hated how flirty some girls got with him when life and death were on the line… He felt her roll closer, nuzzling against his side as she slept. He pet her head gently, smiling as he saw her curl up a little more against him. She was much more innocent when she slept… almost child-like, really. He began remembering when she had first really and truly blushed around him, suppressing a chuckle.

Level Twenty One: Cavern of Ice Dungeon

Kirito was walking with Black Fox as they were clearing the dungeon. So far they'd been doing well… but something was bothering them. "Where is that door, anyway?" Black Fox finally broke the silence. Kirito looked up at her.

"I wish I knew…" he said, looking around. "We can't find it right now… we should go back." He said, but when he turned around, Black Fox was gone. "H-hey! Where did you go?" he exclaimed. "Black Fox?" he wandered around, looking for her, but found nothing. But then, as he walked by a door, he heard something. He paused, drawing his sword and opening the door… and there he saw Black Fox, lying on her back, looking like she'd taken a fall. "A-are you okay?" he asked, jumping down to where she was. "What happened?" he asked. She looked up at him, looking a little disoriented before she sat up.

"My head hurts…" she mumbled, rubbing the back of her head. "Where am I?"

"We're still in the dungeon…" he said, wondering how she'd gotten down here in the first place. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah… I'm sure…" she said, turning to him, a red mark on her forehead indicating that she'd also hit herself there. He sighed, and not really understanding why, he reached up and kissed the red mark, pulling away to see her blushing bright red. As red as he'd ever seen her. "Wh-wh-wh-wh-?" she didn't seem able to speak

"S-sorry." He said. "It looked like it hurt… I thought that would help… my bad." He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassing. But she just sat there, blushing. "A-anyway, we'll head back… and try again tomorrow." He added, offering to help her up. She managed to pull herself together, but she was silent the whole way out of the dungeon. He'd never seen her blush so much, but he didn't mind and let her remain silent. She was actually kind of cute when she blushed that much… he found himself thinking about it too much on the way back and tried to shake the thought. But he couldn't seem to get the image out of his head for the rest of the day.

Level Fifty: Central Village

'You were so cute when you made that face.' He thought, still petting her head. 'I wonder what it would take to get you to panic like that now?' he just stared at her as she slept, leaning over a little and kissing her cheek, blushing a little himself. "Akemi… wake up…" he whispered, kissing her a little more. But she just hid her face, burying herself against his side. He just smiled a little. "Guess you're too heavy a sleeper…" he said, petting her hair again. "Oh well… maybe in the morning…"

"Kazutoooo… why are you talking?" she asked in a drowsy voice, clinging to his side. "It's late… go to sleep…" she mumbled. He blushed, blinking a few times as he took in the fact that she'd just used his real name. He sighed, leaning over to her and kissing her cheek, making her groan a little.

"But you're tempting me…" he said teasingly, laying down next to her. "I'm remembering all the cute things you did on the past levels…"

"Don't call me cute." She mumbled, pouting at him. "Or I'll make you all melty and blushy." He chuckled at her, knowing that she was just tired so her vocabulary wasn't all that great. But he knew if she REALLY wanted to, she probably could fulfill her threats. But he just wanted to see her embarrassed, so he got closer to her, ending up less than an inch from her face.

"And if I refuse…?" he asked, smiling at her, noticing her blushing at the sudden change in proximity. "Aww, you're making that face… how cute…" he began to do a little more every time he got a good reaction out her, and eventually he got her face bright red. "Are you this easy to embarrass in real life, too?" he asked her, letting her have a break. She just pouted more, hiding under the blankets, which he pulled away from her face. "I just want to know…"

"I-it's not the place… it's the sudden onslaught…" she mumbled. "Wh-why are you suddenly being all romantic?" she asked, tugging on his shirt. "It's not fair… when I'm this tired…" Kirito just smiled, taking her hand.

"I just want you to make a cute face…" he said softly. "And… maybe give me a kiss…?" he leaned in so they were almost contacting each other's lips. Black Fox just blushed more, but she leaned into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his waist. They broke apart, Kirito blushing. "I-I wasn't expecting you to like it that much…"

"Sh-shush… you asked…" she said, hiding her face against his torso now, obviously trying not to hyperventilate. "N-now go back to sleep… please…"

"Alright… I will." He said, realizing that she wasn't letting go of his waist. "Are you enjoying being this close to me?" he asked, smiling at him. She nodded against his torso, not wanting to speak. "Mmkay… then I want you to promise me something… for when we get back to the real world."

"What's that…?" she asked him. He leaned over and kissed her once more.

"When we get out of here… don't be mad if I want to kiss you." He grinned, making her sigh in exasperated defeat. "So you have to let me."

"Fine fine… I'll let you. So please, just go to sleep… all this is bad for my heart." She mumbled, leaning up a little and kissing his neck. "And don't blame me if I start going further than just kissing…" she said, smirking when he blushed even redder than she had. "Goodnight."

"G-goodnight…" he mumbled, a little bothered that she'd gotten in the last kiss, but letting it go, not wanting to start an all-night war.

Level Fifty Two: Vineyard Fields

Kirito wandered through the Fields, doing some hunting as he waited for Black Fox to return. She had gone on a Chi-User only quest to obtain another skill that she thought she needed, so he decided to make some money and do some leveling up. But as he finished another fight, he heard someone behind him. He whipped around, hoping to see Black Fox, only to find that it was her old partner. He drew his sword, glaring at her. "What do you want, White Fox?" he asked, glaring at her. But he knew she wasn't really there… he saw her image flickering. It was an illusion…? Or something like that, anyway.

"Relax, kid… I'm not here to cause you any harm… I'm sure if I did, Black Fox would be on a warpath and kill me immediately…" she sighed, her voice more sultry than Black Fox's. "Or… should I say… Akemi?" Kirito's eyes went wide. She did know who Black Fox was in real life. "The poor girl… she knows who I am, too… and yet she refuses to tell anyone…" she shrugged. "I suppose… that's the down side of knowing my enemy so well…" White Fox walked closer to Kirito until she was right there. "She really must love you, though…" she grinned wickedly. "To have fallen so hard for a boy 4 years her junior… Even I didn't see that coming."

"Just leave her alone…" he mumbled, glaring at her. "What does our age matter, anyway?" he asked.

"It doesn't…" she chuckled. "In all honesty, her real appearance is cute… Wanna see?" she asked, grinning. But Kirito shook his head. "Aww… no fun." She shrugged. "I'll leave it with you anyway… I've got no use for it." She said, the transfer occurring and Kirito receiving something in his inventory. White Fox vanished and Kirito, though wary, decided to check the item. He pulled it up and when he saw it, his face went bright red, making him stumble and land on his back. The picture was of what looked like a girl with short plum-black hair and lavender eyes, wearing glasses and a towel in what looked like a shower stall. He hoped he wouldn't get a nose bleed, trying to calm down.

"Kirito…?" he jumped, turning around to see Black Fox. "What happened, are you okay?" she asked, worried about him. He nodded, quickly hiding the picture and getting to his feet. She nodded, worrying about him, but not pressing the issue. "Well, I got the skill I needed… shall we go to the next dungeon?" she asked him. He nodded as they went towards the entrance to the next dungeon. But on the way there, they ran into someone familiar. "Suzuka…?"

"Black Fox! Kirito!" the woman ran over to them, smiling. "What are you two doing here?"

"I should be asking you that." Black Fox stated. "When did you get to the front lines?"

"Haha, well, I really wanted to get to this level because of the gunman quest on this level for a rare item." She said, rubbing the back of her neck. Black Fox nodded.

"I see… I remember hearing about that." She said with a smile. "I hope you complete it with flying colors."

"I plan on it." She said. "… For Hibiya."

"… that's good to hear…" Black Fox said, taking Kirito's hand, feeling a little upset. Hibiya had talked about it so much in the beta, but he'd never completed the quest. Kirito, noticing her state of being, decided to change the subject from the former beta-tester and towards something else.

"Why don't we go get some food? We can always go to the dungeon tomorrow." He stated, making Black Fox snap out of her depressed head space and nod to him.

"R-right…"

"Well, you two love birds go on." Suzuka said with a girn. "I have a date with an info broker." She whispered before she headed off, leaving the two younger players standing there.

"… Hey… can I ask you something?" Black Fox turned to him.

"What's up?" he asked her, glancing to her to see her holding the photo from earlier, making him panic a little internally.

"Did White Fox give you this?" she asked in a monotone voice. He nodded as she handed it back to him, blushing still as he put it back in his inventory. "Did she know my real name?"

"Sh-she did." He stated. Black Fox sighed, looking over at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing… I just hope… she isn't hoping for me to kill her, is all…" she said. "Come on, let's just go get something to eat." She lead him towards the restaurants, both feeling an air of tension now. Even she hadn't technically been there… she'd still caught Kirito off guard… would she have been able to beat him if she had decided to go in for a real fight? Could he have died? Neither wanted to contemplate the possibilities. The pair spent the rest of the day in a strangely silent way, not speaking much, even when they headed to bed for the night.

((My brain overloaded a little on this one... I hope it helped those looking for a couple more incidents that helped in the process of making those two all lovey dovey ; u ;''' If it's not good, I apologize...

Anyways, I just want to thank everyone who's reading and whatnot... ; u ;

I hope when I manage to get to the point of getting them back IRL that everyone likes what I do with the story from there.))