Railgun Online. Book 2, Fairy's Light

Revelation

"KIRITO WAIT!!!"

Kirito had already fallen down 5 times.. having not been able to achieve enough altitude to reach the top of the World Tree.

Kirito was just about to propel himself up to the tree once more.. but Leafa grabbed his sleeve.. and shook her head. "Listen! Kirito, there's only one way up the tree, and that's from the inside! Stop! You're losing it here!"

Kirito took a deep breath and calmed down. "Sorry.. wasn't thinking."

"HELL YEAH YOU WEREN'T THINKING!!!" Mista punched Kirito in the back of the head, sending him sprawling.

"Don't hit Papa like that!" Yui flew out of Kirito's pocket. "Stop it!"

"Mista!! What's with you!?" Leafa yelled. "Why are you acting like this!?"

"You tell me.." Mista said with a trembling voice as Kirito staggered back up. "Where have you sent Sissy!? What is she REALLY doing!? You can't expect me to have seen that expression on your face when you were talking to her.. back after she defeated Eugene.. and she told you something.. you looked afraid.. she was going to do something dangerous... and you didn't want her to... and yet..."

Mista looked up, tears gushing from her eyes. "YET YOU LET HER!!! I know she can take care of herself.. I've known every time she would interfere with every stupid thing that was Judgement's job to take care of!.. but she hasn't been the same since that stupid Death Game!!  I know her!! TELL ME WHO SHE'S GONE AFTER!!! AND WHY!? WHY DID SHE COME INTO ALO WHEN SHE WAS TRAUMATIZED AT THE SIGHT OF A VR GAME!? What made her so desperate!! AND WHAT IS IT SHE'S DOING NOW, THAT WOULD GET YOU TO MAKE SUCH A FACE!?"

Kirito didn't know what to say... what would Mikoto say to her..?

"AREN'T YOU GOING TO ANSWER ME!?" Mista screamed. "You're her best friend too right!? RIGHT!? Please!! Tell me!"

"She wouldn't want me to tell you.. she didn't even want to tell me.. I could tell.. cause she knew I'd probably come after her.." Kirito whispered. "Even now I'm fighting that urge.. but.."

"BUT WHAT!? WHO IS UP THERE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU NEED TO CLIMB UP THE FREAKING WORLD TREE WITH ONLY 2 SYLPHS, AND ONE CAIT SITH!! WHOSE PROBABLY IN DANGER IRL!!!? Mista screamed. "WHOSE UP THERE!?"

Leafa was trembling like.. well.. a leaf.. she couldn't put together what was going on here at all! Did Kuroko and Kirito know each other!?

"Asuna.. Asuna is up there..." Kirito said.

Both Mista and Leafa stared at Kirito.. just staring at him...

Mista staggered back.. her eyes wide..

Kuroko walked into the hospital room.. accompanied by Mikoto.

Mikoto smiled at Kuroko. "Well.. here she is Kuroko, the second in command of the Knights of the Blood Oath, and one of the people who kept me alive in SAO.. and probably one of the bravest people I know.. Asuna Yuuki.."

Kuroko watched the silently sleeping girl known as Asuna... even in her weakened and malnourished state, Asuna looked beautiful.. so much so, that Kuroko felt sort of jealous, even though she knew her Sissy didn't care for Asuna in that way..

"Well.. I have to say it's about time we met." Said Kuroko, giving Mikoto a wink. "Nice to meet you Asuna."

"She'd be glad that you visited.. I'm sure you'd get along great." Said Mikoto sitting next to Asuna and holding her hand.

"Why do you think she's still in there?" said Kuroko. "Is she dreaming?"

"I don't know.. I've tried hacking that Nerve Gear a billion times.. but something always blocks my power.." said Mikoto. "I-it's tough to watch her like this you know.. Kazuto visits too.. and he suffers a bunch just looking at her.."