The Breaking Point - Kirisuna

After the Fight...

Asuna's POV:

All I felt was a fire. The slightest twitch would send flames to my nerves. My gear sent a warning to my screen, telling me that any more damage would cause an emergency log out to prevent brain damage. I couldn't even think straight for me to log out on my own.

I felt someone stroking my head. My bangs were being pushed back softly and it was the only thing keeping me sane through the pain. I couldn't open my eyes, the slash over my right eye had done me in. I didn't know who was cradling me in their arms. I'll just rest and enjoy the moment. I couldn't stay awake for long anyways...

Kirito's POV:

I was on the ship back to the cabin to get Asuna healing potions. Liz said I should stay away from her while she's in recovery. Sinon was sitting next to me in the same order as last time. She put a hand on my thigh.

"Are you okay, Kirito?" she whispered.

"How could I be so careless towards Asuna all the time?" I replied as an answer.

"Is that why Asuna's mad at you? She seems to be avoiding you."

"Asuna was mad at me before this but I don't know why".

"Have you ever thought that maybe... you and Asuna might break up one day?" I shot her a glare. "I'm just saying. You guys have been around each other since the ages of 14 and 15. Don't you think that after you guys grew up and found yourselves, you just wouldn't be compatible anymore? I'm not trying to be offensive, just look at things differently." Sinon continued quietly.

I thought about it quickly. "No, I vowed my life to Asuna for a reason".

"Do you love Asuna because you feel obligated to or because you feel feelings of love towards her? If I didn't know any better, it's rare when you act like you love Asuna".

The guilt flowed through my chest. Sinon made a good point and I couldn't answer as to why I wasn't more affectionate toward my girlfriend. "Should we be together?" I asked softly looking at my hands.

Sinon put the hand that was on my thigh onto my interlocked fingers. "Whatever you decide, your best friend will be there with you through anything". She smiled sweetly and our eyes couldn't look away from each other. What if Asada was the one for me? 

Then again, I didn't feel like I liked her. She felt like a reflection of me. I thought about what it would be like to be with Asada. It felt... weird. I know we tease each other sometimes and it felt nice to be loved by other girls, but in the same way, it felt wrong. It felt unnatural.

I look up from my daydream to Asuna passed out. My heart was so torn right now. The fact that I didn't protect her made things worse. Her face was scrunched with pain. Alice had her in her lap playing with her hair. It was a crazy sight to see, Alice had tears in her eyes looking down at Asuna in regret. They had fought, and Asuna still went out of her way to protect her. That was the thing about Asuna. She was merciful and kind and strong. A great show of character I was extremely proud of.

After Asuna was healed, everyone else logged out. Asuna was laying on a couch in the cabin trying to regain her strength after being bandaged by Leafa. I stayed behind to watch her with Yui. I walk up to the redhead.

"How are you feeling?" I questioned softly, I already knew her head was pounding still from hitting the ground. Pain in this world felt extremely realistic.

"Like shit," she said and closed her eyes again. I instinctively reach a hand out to cup her face. She took her hand off her head to push my hand away. I felt sick to my stomach.

"Asuna, are we okay?"

"... You want me to answer that honestly? No."

"What is going on between us, I'm not comprehending why you're pushing me away?"

"You don't understand because you've already pushed me away. I've been at my limit and you don't care, you never cared, and I don't think you will".

" I do care. You gotta tell me what's wrong for me to fix it."

"No... it's okay"

"Why, when it's clearly not okay?"

"It's ok because, after that fight, I don't think there will be much to fix..."

"Asuna. What are you even saying?!" IS SHE BREAKING UP WITH ME?

"I'm saying we talk about this in person" she turns over and stops talking. I was scared out of my mind. So I decided to just leave her there before I heard anything bad. I walk outside and someone grabs my hand.

"Alice! Jeez, you scared me!"

"Is she okay?" her face written with worry all over it.

"She is fine. She's very strong".

"Kirito... there's something we should talk about. I know Asuna and I are clashing personalities. I understand we come from different worlds with different struggles now. I respect her as a formidable foe and I can't thank her enough for what she's done for me... however,"

I was amazed at the prideful Alice admitting this. "However?"

"However, I cannot respect the relationship she claims to have with you. She came out of nowhere. You never spoke of her. I took care of you and trained with you. Grieved Eugeo with you. And when you called my name today and held me in your arms... I can't help but think that maybe you feel the same, that you like me too."

This didn't even feel real. I just froze. My actions led her to this belief and now I understood what Sinon was saying earlier. "Alice- I"

"Kirito, please..." She embraced me. I held her back knowing I was about to break her heart. Alice pulled back from my arms and smashed her lips against mine in a quick peck.

"Alice! I wasn't going to agree with you!"

"Oh. Well then, let me cherish this moment, and let us keep this between us" Asuna can NOT find out, this was for sure going to be a secret.

Alice logged out and I plopped to the grass.

Yui flew out of my pocket. SHIT! I keep forgetting she's in there.

"Daddy... you cheated, you promised no cheating. I thought you loved mommy?"

"Yui, please, I didn't cheat!"

"Daddy..." Yui frowned knowing it was a lie. "You have to tell Mommy".

"Yui, NO!"

"Kirito", Yui never called me by my name unless it was serious. If I tell Asuna, I'll lose her for good. Maybe if I'm honest she'll forgive me? I guess I'll tell her tomorrow when we talk.

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A/N: OOOOH YEAHHHH. Let's see how the talk goes in Chapter 5.