The Long Way Home (SAO Kirisuna AU)

Recognition

Kazuto POV

I hate myself.

No. Hate is to strong. I...Despise?

Ok, I'm going too fast. Lemme start over. My name is Kirigaya Kazuto, and I go by Kirito, but I'm known as the Black Swordsman.

Three years ago, I left my friends, my family, and my home behind, because of an emergency call from my guild. The guild was essentially the Aincrad secret service, dealing in multi-floor issues that could not be handled by the local guild.

Only my parents know who I work for, but even then, that was all they knew. They eventually got used to my disappearances, up until three years ago, that is.

Now, I'm on a wild goose chase, pursuing someone by the name off Kuradeel. He enters boss rooms before they reset, and lays down an extra-powerful sword, so that the boss defeats the next players to arrive.

This chase has taken three years, across 50 floors, and not one single contact with the outside world was allowed, unless it was to protect them. That meant I was not allowed to see my family, friends, not even Asuna, who still holds a special place in my heart.

So, naturally, my parents listed me under "Missing Persons."

One party died before we took care off it. We, the guild of the Moonlit Black Cats, or M.B.C. for short. My moderator, Sortiliena, first dragged me into this.

And just at the right time. I think, remembering the night at the lake. All I left her with was a promise. A vague one at that.

"What was that?" I hear in my ear. I curse under my breath, realizing I spoke out loud. How could I be so careless!

"Nothing, Liena." I say to my moderator through the earpiece, right as a I reach the entrance to the dungeon.

"Are you sure? I thought I heard sarcasm." She teased.

I decide to change the subject. "Liena, what's the status of the party booked today?" I ask, hoping they saw my message.

"Still heading toward the room, and at this rate, will be there in 3 minutes." She says, getting serious again.

I walk inside. "Lock the doors." I say. "use manual override if needed."

"Yes sir."

I start walking down the hallway, wondering what weapon it would be this time. In past rooms, there were katanas, maces, even a hammer that once belonged to a certain Norse god, but that's a different story. Now, however, the M.B.C. owns those weapons, partially thanks to my willingness to fight.

I have to admit, it does get boring after awhile, but who doesn't like their name in the #1 spot on the leader board? While on missions for my guild, I go by the name "Kirito", to protect my identity, as well as when in public.

"Liena, send them another message, this time from the guild. They should pay more attention to that." I say, after some consideration.

"Yes sir."

"And Liena?"

"Sir?"

I enter the boss room. "It's Kirito."

Asuna POV

(Previously, in this book: "Does anyone know who Kirito is?")

a/n haha lol i dont know why this is funny. it's like a tv show where they have flashbacks from a previous episode even tho you just watched it... ; )

"Kirito? Isn't he high up on the leaderboard? I bet I could take him." says Eiji in a snarky voice. We all rolled our eyes. "Well, read the message." says Liz. Before I can open it, *DING* This time, all of our phones went off at once.