The Long Way Home (SAO Kirisuna AU)

The Fight

Asuna POV

I check his credentials, watching as the hologram pulls up the card. I look at the card and step back. This is Kirito. The Kirito. Wondering how he looks, I motion for the hologram to flip the card over. I wonder if he's cute. Or maybe he's just utterly terrifying, I muse, picturing a two-headed sword-wielding berserker.

Instead, I jolt, shocked, and step back holding my head as wave after wave of deja vû run over me. I know I've seen him before, with the onyx eyes and jet-black hair. 

"Ma'am, are you all right?" The hologram tries to pat me on the back, but only ends up passing through me.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for asking though." I manage to get out in between breaths.

"Oh please, call me Sortiliena." I fall to the ground, trying to dig out the memory from within the folds of my brain. I get the image of ... a lak-

*Thump*

I turn around, everything moving in slow motion. I feel my thought exiting as the blood drains from my face.

I see the black swordsman standing in front of me, swords crossed.

The boss running straight at me, blade raised.

The shock on my friend's faces as they realize the impending danger.

My own body, frozen in shock, helpless as the boss gets closer. I try to will my muscles to move, but they will not obey.

I close my eyes, hoping that someone will act.

I remember Kazuto's promise, that he won't let me get hurt, hoping he will somehow save me.

Then suddenly, "ASUNA! MOVE!"

Everything starts moving faster now. Acting on instinct, I jump and roll to the side, drawing my sword. A clash of steel on steel rings through the room. I see Kirito holding his ground, swords crossed with the boss's in-between it.

Watching, a thought strikes me. How did he know my name?

Suddenly, he yells at me. "Switch!" I jolt up, immediately understanding. I rush up, and while the boss is locked in combat, I attack. I get a few hits in before he turns and focuses on me. His health bar is now down to the red zone. I nod at Kirito, telling him to finish the job. After all, we were the ones to barge in on his mission.

As he launches himself at the boss, I start taking him in. Black coat, hair, and onyx eyes. Just like the picture. One sword is black, with a silver accent, while the other is a light fluorescent blue. He attacks with one, blocks, then uses the other to counterattack.

Another pang of nostalgia hit me like a truck. There is no way this could be him. When Kazuto left, he only had one sword, let alone any skill to wield it. To be honest, I think to myself, he's kinda cute.

Immediately, I blush. No! I chastise myself. You need to be sure he is good before feelings. Looking up, I see him finally defeat the boss, as it bursts into blue shards. I get up, and go to greet him.

"Hi! I'm Asuna, as you seem to already know." I say, putting out my hand, still curious as to how he knew my name, having come to the conclusion that I had certainly seen him before. I blush as he shakes it, his hands soft, but firm at the same time.

"I'm Kirito. Nice to meet you." He says. "You can let go of my hand now."

I blush an even deeper shade of red as I yank my hand away. Could this be Kazuto? If it is, he's gotten cold. Very cold.