Duo (A Sword Art Online Fanfic) ✔

Chapter Six

"So, Leefa left her party and now she's coming with us. We are meeting up with her just after lunch today." I finished, looking down at his still face.

Rikimaru didn't react to the story, obviously, but it felt nice telling him what had been going on since I left him a couple of days ago.

"Kuro and Gurē miss you. It's sweet really. They keep expecting for me to log in with you." I told him, reaching out to hold his hand.

It was cold.

I sighed, bowing over his hand to rest my head against his stomach. I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of him breathing. If I tried hard enough, I could almost pretend he was just taking a nap before lunch.

"I'm sorry, am I interupting?"

I whipped my head up to look at the doorway. A tall, lean man was standing there, awkwardly. He was quite handsome, with dark hair and bright green eyes.

I looked down at Rikimaru, the similarities stunning me. I looked back up at the man, confusion in my eyes. He chuckled softly, seeing my expression.

"I am Rikimaru's brother, Tetsuji." He introduced, coming into the room.

"I'm Harumi." I replied. I paused, "I didn't know Rikimaru had a brother."

"He tries not to talk to me much. We aren't on good terms." Tetsuji explained, letting out a sigh as he sunk into a chair across from me.

"May I ask what happened?"

Tetsuji didn't answer at first, and I was mentally cursing myself for asking, but he finally answered after a minute.

"We got into a disagreement over how the family business should be run."

"Family business?"

"He didn't tell you?" He asked, looking up at me in shock.

I could only shrug, looking down at my hands, a blush growing on my face.

"Oil." He finally said, realizing I wasn't going to say anything. "We run the biggest oil company here. We were partners. Well, we were until the cursed game."

I gasped in surprise. Rikimaru was one of the richest families in the country! I wasn't sure whether to be surprised or injured that he never told me something this big.

"If I may ask," Tetsuji spoke up, grabbing my attention, "How do you know Rikimaru? I mean, it seems like you barely know him at all."

I frowned, the truth of that statement dawning on me. I barely knew Rikimaru at all.

No, that's not true. I know he can't sleep with socks on, and that he ambidextrous. I know his favorite type of cheese, and his favorite sleep position. That means something.

"I was a player in Sword Art Online." I admitted, squeezing Rikimaru's hand tighter, "We were...partners."

Tetsuji watched me for a second, before looking down at his brother. I couldn't read his expression, but I felt as if I was intruding.

"I better get going." I said, standing up.

"You don't have to."

"I have some errands I need to get done." I lied, looking away.

He didn't respond, so I took the opportunity to give Rikimaru's hand one last squeeze before racing out of the room. I closed the door behind me, finding it easier to breathe.

Rikimaru had some intimidating family members.

I shook my head, sighed, and stared down the hall. I hadn't been able to come as often, since I was so preoccupied with ALO, but I comforted myself in the fact that I soon wouldn't have to visit the hospital if I wanted to see him.

Kirito, Leefa, and I had gone back into town after I got back Kuro and Gurē, where Leefa visited the party she had been a part of and informed them that she was leaving them to help us in our quest.

I wasn't sure how I felt about an outsider helping us, but she had proved herself useful so far, and I had no reason to complain.

I quickened my step, eager to get home and start the game. We had planned to meet up today after lunch to finally start our way to the tree.

My whole body buzzed with the thrill of being able to see Rikimaru soon.

I was about a block away from home when I ran into Katsu. He was glaring at me, his hands on his hips.

"You joined ALO?" He asked, his voice low.

I watched him carefully, confused as to why he was so mad. "Yeah?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, his brow furrowed.

"All you seem to want to do is forget about gaming. I didn't want to push you into something you didn't want to do."

"This is me we are talking about!" He yelled, throwing his hands up into the air, "I don't care how I feel about games, I care about you guys! It may be nothing like SAO, but I still worry you are going to go into a game and never wake up!"

I felt my face soften, and I walked forward to hug him. He was scared for me.

"I'm okay. I'm awake. But I need to find Rikimaru." I whispered into his chest.

He sighed, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, holding me to him. He sighed again before saying, "I know. That's why I joined the game."

I pulled away, surprise coating my face. He was grinning down at me sheepishly.

"You what?!"

"I joined ALfheim Online. I'm an Imp." He informed me, "I'm currently in their territory."

I gaped at him, still surprised he would join another game for my sake.

"I'd like to meet up with you guys soon though. There's this small Imp boy following me around and he's starting to freak me out."

I giggled, finally snapping out of whatever reverie I was in before. I raced forward, throwing my arms around his neck. Relief choked me, making me speechless.

"So, where are you guys...?" He prompted, nudging me slightly.

"We are just outside the Slyph capital. We will be there until after lunch, when we are supposed to meet up and head for the world tree." I told him, pulling away, "So that gives you about 2 or 3 hours to reach us."

He nodded, hugged me one last time before racing off. I watched him go, until he was just a speck, my heart warming with affection.

Katsu was just another thing I had to thank SAO for.