Sword Art Online: Knights of Aincrad

Chapter 12 - Uncertainty

Kirito materialized in front of Eiji's house and took a deep breath before walking in. Once he walked in Zekken immediately ran over to him. "How'd it go?" the purple haired girl asked the black swordsman, "Don't know, didn't stick around to find out" Kirito said in a low voice while starring at the floor. Asuna noticed the scene and realized that Kirito probably needed to have some space, he did just leave his friends he's had since day one. However, she knew that wasn't going to happen with Zekken glued to his hip. She appreciated Zekken though, if anyone could get to Kirito it would be her so she turned back to Eiji and decided to fill the other two in at a later time.

Kirito walked out towards Eiji's back porch and Zekken followed closely behind. Zekken didn't know what to do, she wanted to comfort him but feared he would push her away. Him watching someone he truly cared for die in front of him was something similar to an experience she had so she was able to help him then, but this was out of her league and settled with just being there with him. "Yuuki, have I changed?" Kirito asked. This made her stomach drop, he never used her real name unless it was super serious. "W-what do you mean Kirito?" she asked, "I just left my friends that I've known my entire life because I was scared of what they would say, I've been lying to them about how and where I've been even though I can fully trust them, hell I've made them cry and still went and did the things I said I wouldn't do, what has this game done to me?" Kirito was on the verge of crying if he wasn't already, Yuuki then grabbed a hold of his shoulders and made him face her. "Kazuto if there's one thing I know is that you're a good person. Ever since I met you all you've done is make decisions that ensure everyone's survival. You lying about this group is one of those decisions. We don't attract the nicest people and if they were with us they'd soon be targeted as well. Asuna and Eiji got removed from their clans for coming back orange, Klein's guild understood but they don't look at him the same, and they're his own friends! We knew starting this group would help everyone but also not appease everyone. You also make sure we don't have to injure or even kill someone every mission-" "I killed someone without even hesitating Yuuki! I could've stalled until someone sneaked up on him, hell I even suggested that we started killing them. I'm a murderer now! What would my own family think of me damn it?!" Kirito was crying at this point, the guilt of killing someone was hitting him hard. Yuuki slowly brought him into a embrace and let him cry, that was all she could think to do.

Yuuki then thought about the rest of the group, who were planning a stealth mission to retrieve Lux. She knew there was no way of it ending peacefully and wondered what lengths they'd have to go to too make the mission a success. Looking at the boy that was still on her shoulder had made her decide that neither of them would be attending that mission. There was no way he'd be able to endure anything like that again for a while. She wouldn't let him either, she cared about him too much to do so. 'Is it care or is it love?' Yuuki thought to herself. She knew which one it was but couldn't bring herself to say it, not to him at least. He just recently lost someone he had deep feelings for there's no way she could tell him.

"Let's get you to a bed Kirito" Yuuki proposed as she slowly started guiding him towards a room. Once he was on the bed and comfortable, Yuuki left to join the others. She was surprised when she saw Eydis in the middle of everyone. "Eydis? Kizmel? What are you guys doing here?" Yuuki asked curiously, "I asked Kizmel to use her stealth abilities to bring Eydis here to see if she would like to join us" Asuna answered, "Eydis prefers to stay with the Knights of Aincrad though, which we respect" Eiji finished while Eydis looked down, "I will take her back and then return to my people, it has been fun seeing you all again." Kizmel said bowing. Kizmel then left with Eydis leaving Yuuki, Asuna, Eiji, Yuna, and Klein. "We're going to go save Lux" Klein said, "my clan and I will serve as a distraction while Eiji sneaks his way in. Asuna and Yuna will also be with me and my clan. We think it is best you stay here with Kirito Yuuki, mentally he's not ready to go on another mission for a while." Yuuki couldn't agree more and simply nodded and turned to go back to the bedroom. "No funny business while we're gone!" Eiji yelled laughing. Yuuki's face got beat red as she now rushed into the room not bothering to turn around at her friends.

As Yuuki walked back into the room she thought about Kirito's words. What has this game done to us? We're too comfortable with the fact we might have to kill people. 'What does that say about us?' Yuuki thought about being very uncertain of her friend's decisions. She then looked to Kirito who was sound asleep which made her feel drowsy herself. 'Surely he wouldn't mind' Yuuki thought as she slowly crept into the same bed as him but also leaving enough space in between them.