Duo (A Sword Art Online Fanfic) ✔

Chapter Four

"You chose Cait Sith? Really?"

"Don't be racist."

Kirito sighed, rolling his eyes. He groaned, dropping his head onto his arms. He seemed tired.

"At least I'm not a Spriggan." I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest.

He looked up to send me a glare, making me burst into giggles. Agil chuckled from across the room, where he stood behind the bar, making a drink.

"So what happened yesterday?" He finally asked.

I told him about Tenma and how he explained everything to me, even teaching me how to fly. Then I explained how all of my SAO stats were converted over to ALO.

"Yeah, the same happened to me." He said, nodding, "Yui said it was because ALO has the same programming as SAO, or something like that."

"You could wake up Yui?!" I exclaimed.

Yui had been Asuna and Kirito's adopted daughter. They had cared for her until they realized she was a part of the program and they had to give her up. They converted her into a crystal, much like what Katsu did to my wolves, that last time I knew was hanging around Asuna's neck.

"Yeah!" He replied, looking happier than I've seen him in awhile, "She was configured as a navigation pixie to fit the game, but she's there!"

I leaned forward eagerly, "Do you think you could do the same for Kuro and Gurē?"

"Probably, but they wouldn't be able to be wolves any longer."

"What do you mean? What would they have to be?" I asked, frowning slightly.

"Well, they would need to be able to fly, so they'd probably be configured into dragons like Silica's." He explained.

"But it would still be them?" I asked, "Yes, same personalities, just different looks."

I bit my lip, but nodded. I wanted my boys back, even if they didn't look like wolves.

"But first, we have to meet up someplace." He pointed out.

"Where are you?"

"I'm in Slyph territory." He told me, resting his head down again.

"Why the hell are you in Slyph territory?!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up.

"I saved this girl, Leefa, and she's going to help us get to the World Tree." He explained.

I nodded, scrunching my face up. All of this was so mind blowing.

I mean, I'm searching for my comatose boyfriend as a weird cat - human hybrid in a new MMO after the last one trapped us and 100,000 other players in a massive death arena expanding over 100 floors.

It was hard to wrap your mind around. Yet, here I was, discussing how to best reach the World Tree. Suddenly my head hurt too, and I lowered it down next to Kirito's.

"How are we going to manage this, Kirito?" I asked softly, closing my eyes.

I could hear him sigh, but he didn't bother answering. He didn't know himself.

We agreed to both go home and meet up in the Slyph capital in an hour.

As I was walking home alone, I found myself humming the lullaby Rikimaru used to sing when he thought I wasn't listening. I wasn't sure what had made it so special to him, but I never pushed him to tell. I just listened.

And now, when I couldn't hear him sing, I found myself wondering about it. I wanted to know where it had come from and why he sung it constantly.

All of this, just made me more eager to get to the top of that damn tree.

I jogged the rest of the way home, eager to log on. Kirito said he would give me an hour to get to Slyph territory before he logged on, and I didn't want to waste even a second of it.

Surprisingly enough, nobody was home.

I sighed in relief, racing up to my room and throwing on the NerveGear.

When I opened my eyes, I was laying in a bed, staring up at a ceiling with a couple of holes in it, exactly where I logged off. I climbed out of the bed, stretching to touch my toes.

Without wasting anytime, I bolted out of the inn, eager to get started. However, when I reached the bright sunlight, I was pulled to a stop by a hand grabbing my arm.

I whirled around, hissing when I saw it was Tenma. Where the hell did he come from? And what exactly was he thinking he was going to get by following me?

I ripped my arm out of his grip, moving to prop my hands on my hips.

"What?"

"Down, kitten." He said, smirking. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't need anymore help."

I frowned, caught in between guilt for my attitude and the strong urge to flee the scene. I sighed, knowing I was being a little bit unfair to him. He hadn't done anything to me that deserved my attitude.

"No, I'm okay." I finally said, "I'm sorry."

He didn't respond. He just kept on watching me with that stupid little smirk on his face. I clenched my fists, sepressing the urge to yell at him.

What is it about him that puts me so on edge?

I shook my head, clearing myself of my thoughts.

"I need to get going." I told him after a couple seconds of uncomfortable silence.

"Where are you heading?" He asked, leaning towards me.

"I'm meeting a friend."

I found myself being unintentionally vague. I didn't want to share any more than necessary with anyone, let alone him.

"Your boyfriend?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

I instinctively started playing with the ring on my finger as thoughts of Rikimaru invaded my mind. Tenma noticed the movement, looking down to examine my finger.

"Married then?"

I bit my lip, nodding once. His eyes darkened in an unknown emotion and I did my best to ignore it. It was probably just a trick of the light.

"I really must go."

He nodded, bowing and sweeping his hand to the side as if guiding me in the direction of the forest. I quickly said goodbye and raced to leave him, leaping into the air right before I hit the trees.

My wings appeared at my back, carrying me up into the air. I couldn't help but smile. Up in the air, everything felt so much more materialistic and simple.

Maybe things were finally coming together.

I was going to meet Kirito who was with a girl who could help us get to the top of the tree.

Rikimaru could wake up soon.

I grinned, enjoying the blast of wind on my face as I turned in the direction of Slyph territory.

I'm on my way, Rikimaru.