Level Fourteen: Quarrel

Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture: January 30th – 4pm

"Today's the day." The newscaster on the television stated. "The day that the game-makers of Rise of the Autumn Moon open up the official public server that allows players to enter the game without the restrictions of the test-run version they released with the software on the 18th of this month! Today, the official public server is online and everyone's wondering how the game is! But aside from that, everyone's also keeping a watchful eye on the players, after the incident with Ryuuko that played out for over two years has finally come to-" Click. The t.v. was turned off, a man with a slightly disturbing grin sat in his dark little room.

"Today is the day…" he laughed. "Isn't that the truth…" he stood up and went to his computer. "Now… I can finally find you…" he mumbled, staring at the screensaver on his desktop. "I can finally see you again…" he whispered, running his fingers across the screen, over the jaw line of the person he wanted to see.

Kazuto sighed, looking at his Amusphere. He looked over at the computer, then back at the device again, placing it on after another minute of silence. He hadn't seen Akemi in a while, and today they planned on meeting in the Rise of the Autumn Moon VMMORPG. He lay down on his bed, staring at his ceiling before initiating the Full Dive.

Country of Fallen Leaves: First City

Kirito, sporting his beginner uniform, arrived in First City's town square. He was dressed in black, glancing around as he began walking to see if he noticed anyone familiar. "Kirito-kun!" He turned his head to see a girl with orangey hair, a girl with pink hair, and a girl with brown hair.

"Asuna." He said, waiting for them. "Glad to see you made it."

"Of course." Asuna smiled cheerfully. "Have you seen Akemi or the others yet?" she asked, the girl with brown hair tied in pigtails looked nervous, the girl with pink hair eyeing Kirito from behind her friend a little. "I bet you miss her." She stated, making Kirito blush. He tried to put on a cool façade, not wanting to show her that she'd been right.

"Sh-shut up…" he mumbled, seeing Asuna grin before feeling a pair of hands around his waist and someone standing behind him, practically pressed right up against him. The girl with brown hair blushed and turned away, the one with pink hair making a face before turning her head a little too.

"Does that mean I don't get a hug, Kirito?" His face colored more as he turned his head, blushing as he felt a pair of lips on his forehead. "I really missed you… I was hoping you felt the same…" she chuckled, those familiar lavender orbs staring right into his soul. "But if you don't…"

"Akemi." He hugged her back, blushing. "D-don't look at me like that…" he stated simply, obviously glad to see her, despite his embarrassment about the whole "reunion" thing that was happening. "Of course I missed you…" he added, feeling her pull him just a little bit closer. Then, someone cleared their throat.

"I hate to interrupt." Asuna said, making both of them let go and blush even more. "Can I introduce my friends?" she asked, still grinning at the pair, knowing their lovey dovey behavior had been on hold for a while, since she went to school with Kazuto.

"R-right, sorry." Akemi rubbed the back of her neck. "My bad, Asuna…" her black hair fell over her eye and she tried to hide her blush from the younger girls. The girl with brown hair looked fascinated as she stared at Akemi, catching herself before trying to pretend like she hadn't been staring.

"No problem." She replied, turning to the girl with pink hair first, who stepped forward and offered her hand in a friendly gesture, despite the cold look in her eyes.

"I'm Lisbeth. Nice to meet you. I'm planning on being a sword-smith from the Artisan class." She stated, shaking both of their hands. Kirito introduced his name and class, Akemi just giving her name and wishing Lisbeth luck in her profession choice. As that happened, Asuna had the other girl step forward too.

"I-I'm Silica. It's nice to meet you both." She bowed before shaking their hands as well. Akemi smiled a little more. "I-is something wrong…?" she asked nervously.

"Not at all. You're planning on being a summoner class." She stated, making Silica jump for a moment. "Don't worry, I can see your summoner emblem." She stated, pointing to Silica's hand that was bandaged up like Akemi's shoulder. "You're planning on specializing in imp-types and fairy-types for healing and navigation."

"Y-yes, I am." She stated, looking at Akemi's bandaged shoulder, almost like she was trying to analyze the tattoo that was hidden under the bandages, a tactic to be able to size up opponents in battle."Uum…." she looked a little confused.

"It's alright." Akemi chuckled. "I'm planning on a battle-classification, and if I'm able to get it I want a partial fairy-type classification for healing." Silica nodded, looking like she wanted to learn more from this new found friend.

"How do you know so much about this already?" Kirito asked, cutting into the conversation, even with girls he got jealous of Akemi not having her attention on him, even if less than with boys.

"Haha, I told you I was studying. I wasn't lying." She said to him. He made a face at her, making her tilt her head. "Why the face, Kirito?"

"I thought you were busy with school stuff… you were just studying the game?" he asked, making her smile a little more, hugging onto him as he kept making that face that she adored so much. "That's not nice… You owe me a date." He mumbled.

"Yes yes, when we get back to the real world, I'll take you on a date." She pet his head.

"What? No. I'm taking you on a date." He stated, Silica giggling at how they interacted with each other. "What's so funny?" he asked, still red-faced.

"It's just funny." She stated. "I've never seen a boy have to argue with a girl about who would pay for the date." She added, Asuna patting her shorter friend's shoulder.

"They're like this all the time IRL. Akemi refuses to let him pay for anything but dessert." She stated. "Always telling him that she's the older one, and she wants to be responsible for paying. But he's always saying that she can't because he'd be a bad boyfriend if he let her pay for everything."

"Aww that's cute." Silica said cheerfully, Lisbeth just watching them. The conversation carried on for a while, ending up with Akemi claiming victory after whispering something that made Kirito go from the confident boy he normally was to an overheated blushing mess.

"Hey now, don't kill your boyfriend with weird comments." They turned to see some familiar faces. "Long time no see." The first one grinned, waving his hand. The other two just stood there.

"Versais! Mabashi!" Akemi went over to greet them, looking cheerful. Kirito was just glad he wasn't the only boy anymore. "Who's your friend…?"

"Hey, you don't recognize me?" he asked, mumbling a little. Akemi's eyes went wide, staring up at the person. He stared back for a minute before Akemi spoke.

"Aya?" Kirito's eyes widened a little as he looked at the person. "You look so different! You look older!" she said cheerfully, her cousin making a face at her and pinching her cheek. "Owwwww." She complained, jabbing at his arm with her finger. "Let goooooo."

"Stop calling me Aya." He mumbled, glaring at her. He looked up at Kirito and let go of his cousin's cheek. "… You're planning on being a swordsman, then?" he asked, obviously still bothered by the fact that his cousin was dating a younger man.

"That's right." He responded, everyone wondering what was going on with these two. "You too, then?" he asked, earning a nod from the boy. "Good. I know I'll have a rival, then."

"Hey, what am I?" Mabashi asked, mumbling disdainfully. "You're not going to get ahead like you did in Ryuuko, kid." The three got into a little argument of sorts, Versais staying out of it since he was planning on being a power-fighter or a multi-weapon wielder.

"Wow… you've got a real following, there." Lisbeth stated. "But why are those two fighting over you? You have a boyfriend." She said, quirking an eyebrow at Akemi, who was still smiling.

"Haha, well… Mabashi's kind of always been a competitor… He doesn't like losing." She stated. "I think he's just trying to make sure Kirito keeps up a good standard… he's more like a brother than anything." She chuckled. "And as for Aya… well… he's just super protective… like… a wolf!"

"I heard that!" Aya shouted to her, making her duck behind Asuna a little.

"Are you two related?" Silica asked her. She nodded, smiling still. "Siblings?"

"No, cousins." She replied as the boys went back about their argument. "Aya's always been protective of me… ever since we were kids, he's been like that." Akemi watched as Versais went to break up the fight. "Let boys work out their fights. That's what my granny used to tell me. If you don't, they feel the need to compete more, because of their pride."

"Pride, huh?" Lisbeth just watched the fight come to a close for the moment as the boys walked over. Mabashi and Kirito stayed more than an arm's length apart, Aya keeping an eye on them both.

"Is everyone okay to go ahead to the hall, then?" Asuna asked, the boys all mumbling their responses, Versais still smiling and nodding cheerfully. "Good, let's head out!" she stated, the girls all walking ahead except for Akemi.

"You guys go ahead." She said, motioning for the boys to go ahead, taking Kirito's hand. Aya glared at the boy as he was practically forced to walk ahead with Mabashi and Versais. Once they left, Akemi sighed. "Goodness, that was something I didn't expect…"

"I didn't know he played video games." Kirito stated, now calmed down from his argument. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, looking up at her.

"Because. Aya's a solo player most of the time… he doesn't like others knowing." She said, looking at the group that was still walking before turning back to Kirito. "I taught him about video games, but he never likes to play on my team…" she shrugged. "He's always been kind of hard-headed… uncle said it's because our family's first born kids are always super stubborn."

"Like you?" she looked down at him and chuckled, hugging him again. "You won't let me kiss you a lot…" he mumbled. "And you don't let me pay for dates…" he just stood there as she hugged him, obviously enjoying her embrace. "And you don't like to rely on others…"

"I rely on you." She said, making his face tint with blush again. "And we kiss plenty." She pet his head, turning towards the hall and heading to it, hand in hand with her partner. "We can always go farther in his game." She turned to him, that smile getting Kirito's heart racing again, like it always did. "You read the article about it in the magazine, right?" he just focused on the ground, not wanting to talk about it in public.

"N-now I get why your brother was trying to say something at the hospital…" he mumbled, embarrassed that the subject had come up. "You didn't tell me this game had THOSE kinds of features…" he mumbled. She stopped and turned to him again. "Wh-what?"

"You don't want to?" she asked, making his face turn even redder than earlier. "Or you would rather our first time be IRL?" she questioned, making him put a hand up to cover his face, trying to get his blush to subside. "… should I let you think about it?"

"I-i-I don't want to talk about it in public." He stated. "B-besides I can't use those features…" he added, cheeks even redder as he brought it up. "I-I'm not 18…" Akemi just listened as he went on. "A-and doing it IRL would cause problems… W-we can't…" he added, trying to calm down.

"… we don't have to do it right away." She stated, making him look up at her. She looked a little put off. "I didn't mean we had to rush things… I didn't mean to make you think all I wanted when we agreed to play this game was to do stuff like that, Kirito…" she added, dropping his hand and stepping back a little, sounding hurt.

"A-akemi…"

"It's fine." She said, turning back towards the hall. "C-c'mon they're waiting for us…" she said, Kirito following her and trying to talk to her, but she didn't seem to hear him. When they arrived, Versais and the others seemed to notice something wrong, Mabashi and Ayaori both looking at Kirito before going to talk to Akemi, only to have her walk past them. "Silica-san. Come on." She stated. "We have to go talk to the Summoner Classification Leader before we can get our quests."

"R-right!" the girl chased after the black-haired woman, Asuna looking worried.

"Kirito, what happened?" she asked.

"Nothing." He mumbled, heading to the Swordsman Classification line, Mabashi and Ayaori following, but not saying something. They'd never seen Kirito looking so down, and if they made it worse, Akemi was sure to give them hell to pay later on. Asuna sighed, Lisbeth having already gone off to the Artisan Classification line.

"What do you think happened?" Asuna asked Versais as they headed to the Multi-weapon Wielder line. "They both seemed really bothered…" Versais shrugged his shoulders.

"I dunno… but I'd guess it had something to do with the special features of the game… y'know, the age restricted ones…" he said. Asuna's eyes went wide, cheeks tinting pink.

"Y-you think they got into an argument over that?" she asked. "Did Kirito push too far? Or did Akemi say something?" she asked, looking worried. "E-either way, they've never argued over anything that serious."

"But maybe they just need to work it out." Versais stated. "I mean, this is a real test for them… for their relationship, right?" he asked, putting his hands behind his head. "Akemi's older. Kirito's still under age. This is probably the hardest thing either one's ever going to deal with, in terms of their relationship… I've seen stuff like this make or break romances that everyone said were perfect." He sighed. "I just hope they can deal with being partners… once their classifications are done, I'm sure they want to be a couple like they did in Ryuuko… or at very least travel together."

"I just hope they get this fixed soon…" Asuna sighed. "Kirito wanted to ask Akemi to spend a weekend with him some time later this year… I think he was planning on Golden Week too…" she sighed. "He's been worrying about it for a long time… if this lasts too long, he won't be able to get her to go with him…"

"Whoa, he was planning that already?" Versais asked. "Man… gotta help them out." He said, sounding determined. "Neither one will know what to say… they might be super awkward…" he mumbled. "What should we do?"

"Nothing." They both turned to see Silica and Akemi standing there.

"Y-you two are done already?" Asuna asked.

"Our line was short… there's so much extra to do, that most people didn't want to be in the classification." Akemi stated, staring at the two. "As for what you do about myself and Kirito, you do nothing." She stated.

"H-how much did you hear?" Asuna asked, hoping she didn't blow Kirito's surprise.

"I heard Versais saying he had to help, and everything after." She stated simply. "You don't need to do a thing." She stated. "Versais. I expect that you can keep both Aya and Mabashi out of my way?"

"Y-yes." He said, Silica seeming a little scared of Akemi for the moment.

"Good." She stated. "Silica. You should just wait for the others." She added, the girl nodding as Akemi headed off somewhere. The group kept watching, noticing Kirito walk back from his line and follow her.

"I didn't know she was so bothered by anyone else interfering." Versais mumbled.

"She isn't." Silica stated. "She… was mumbling about how to make amends with Kirito while we were in line… She just wants to make it better… she doesn't want help because she thinks she's at fault…" she stated, Asuna sighing a little.

"I guess… she's worried that if someone else steps in, it'll only get more complicated. She wants to fix things between them, but if it doesn't work out she'll be unable to blame him…" the girl mumbled. "She loves him too much to blame him for anything…"

"They're such a good couple…" Silica said. "I really hope they can get everything sorted out…" Versais nodded in agreement.

"Anyway." He sighed. "The air's way too tense." He stretched. "We should just wish them both luck, and let them work it out. We can worry about it if we don't hear from them for a long time." He said. Asuna and Silica didn't look convinced, but both nodded, knowing that was the best option.

Mountain Trail: Forest of Bamboo

Kirito had followed Akemi all the way from the Great Hall, assuming her task was in the area as well. He was supposed to be searching for a rare stone called the "Chrysanthia", but his mind was always moving right back to Akemi. He stopped walking, sitting down next to a small stream and looking into the water. He picked up a stone and skipped it across the water, feeling like he might be sick. "I didn't mean it that way…"

"But you said it." He whipped around, but he saw no one. That was a voice he didn't know. He stood up, grabbing a piece of bamboo and glancing around. "You made her cry…" he turned to the river this time, seeing an image of Akemi sitting somewhere in the middle of the bamboo, crying. "You don't deserve to love her, if you make her suffer like this…"

"I didn't mean to!"

Akemi had never felt so weak. She sat there, tears falling as she tried to pull herself together. "Damn it, Akemi… stop crying…" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "This is no time for these tears…" she managed to stand up, trying to keep calm. She heard someone yelling, turning towards the direction of the river and following the voice. She arrived at the river and saw Kirito on his knees, a cloaked figure standing over him.

"I didn't mean to!" Kirito yelled, tears in the corners of his eyes. He was holding back tears. Akemi turned to the figure, who didn't notice her yet. "Akemi, I'm sorry… I'm sorry …"

"Kirito, it's okay." She stated, her hand balled up in a fist, the figure looking shocked and perhaps frightened at her sudden appearance. "Kirito…" she walked over to him as the figure backed away. "I'm sorry I got upset at you…" she managed a smile. "So… please… don't be upset…"

"…" he looked up at her, as if just noticing her presence. "A-akemi?"

"Damn…" the cloaked figure mumbled, a little snake-like creature appearing on his shoulder. He vanished into thin air, leaving the pair alone. Kirito looked confused, rubbing his eyes to find tears.

"Wh-what's going on?" he asked, looking around. He felt arms around his shoulders and looked up to see Akemi, suddenly feeling his heart racing again. "A-akemi…?"

"Kirito…" she held him close, making him blush even more. "I'm never letting you go… never…" she mumbled, making him sigh a little.

"… I'm sorry about earlier-" he felt her lips against his and he stopped talking immediately, returning her kiss with no hesitation. "I-I didn't mean to-" she kissed him again after the short break. "Akemi…"

"Stop talking…" she mumbled, leaning her forehead against his. "I'm the one who needs to apologize… I got too emotional…" she sighed shakily. "I… I just want to stay at your side…" she said, blushing more. "… I want to stay with you until we fall asleep tonight…"

"… okay." He mumbled, leaning in to kiss her a little more. "So long as… I pay for the next date…" he smiled a little, Akemi laughing a little bit. "Deal?"

"… Deal." She said, smiling at him as they kissed again, the sun already beginning to set. "Shall we head back? We can go on our quests tomorrow…" He nodded, leaning against her a little more. They both stood up, Akemi taking Kirito's hand as they headed back towards First City together to find a place to leave off for the night.

"So… what was that guy in the cloak?"

"I wish I knew." Akemi replied, pulling him to her side. "But… whoever he was… he's a summoner already… meaning he's probably either a hacker, or he was an in-house beta…" she stated. "I just wish I knew what kind of summoner he was… it looked like he was using something to keep you in a sort of hypnotized state with his beast… to keep you from completing your quest."

"… but why me?"

"I dunno…" she tousled his hair, smiling a little. "Maybe he's some creepy old guy looking for an innocent little shota-boy as a pet." She said, hugging him tight before they reached the city. "But you're mine, so he can't have you." She giggled, making him blush again.

"H-hey, I'm not a pet…" he mumbled, feeling her backing him up a little.

"No, but you're innocent." She said, leaning him back against a large grouping of bamboo. "And I love you very, very much…" she kissed him again, letting him wrap his arms around the back of her neck. "I'm never giving you up to anyone…" she rubbed his back in a comforting manner, earning a satisfied sigh from Kirito. "Hm… you know, I think you're kind of like a cat… you attract people to you, and you practically purr when I rub your back like this…" she said, making him look up quizzically at her.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I dunno." She shrugged. "Maybe I want to see you in cat ears." She teased, kissing him a little more lightly across his face. He managed to not make too much noise as she kept up her onslaught of affection. "Or… maybe I have a thing for boys with shota-sex appeal."

"O-oi, don't talk like that." He said, face turning even redder as she laughed, hugging him again. "You sound like a pervert…"

"How do you know I'm not one?" she asked, letting him move away from the bamboo. "The night before we escaped Ryuuko was nothing compared to what I really wanted from you…" she smirked. "But since we were heading into battle, I didn't want to overwhelm you." She shrugged as she headed back towards town, Kirito biting his lip a little before following her, taking her hand as they entered town.

"W-well… the next time I have dinner at your apartment… I want you to show me…" he stated, cheeks still bright red. "Even if we don't go all the way… I… I want to know what you wanted that night…" he stated adamantly.

"Sure. If you think you can handle it." The pair just headed to their lodging before logging off, leaving their characters in bed together so they could enter the game waking up next to each other, like they did before.

Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture:

The man in the dark little room looked bothered, pacing back and forth in front of his computer. "They were fighting… why did she come to his rescue?" he asked himself, looking bothered. "… no matter… I will have my prize soon… the fool who keeps my prize from me will be destroyed…" he laughed to himself, thinking about things as he walked towards the kitchen, hearing a tea kettle boiling.

((So... New villain ; u ; He's kinda creepy... But, who do you think he is? And who is his prize?

This chapter... I kinda rolled with it... ended up being almost 2 pages longer than normal ; u ; I hope you liked it

Also, I'm looking forward to reviews... and I hope to post again next week or the week after... but school's just so busy... So I hope you all look forward to my next chapter, whenever it comes out ; u ;

-Winter Cheshire))