Duo (A Sword Art Online Fanfic) ✔

Chapter Twenty-Four

I jerked my head up, looking around the dome with new eyes.

Now that I knew what I was going to do, I needed to figure out how. Unfortunately, I was still chained to the ceiling, unable to move, and with Kirito under the binds of magic, and Rikimaru fighting with himself, there wasn't really any viable options.

So I chose the one that seemed the most likely to work.

My eyes landed on Kirito's crumpled body. He seemed to be struggling, but he appeared to be giving up. He wasn't trying hard enough.

"Kirito!" I called to him. Rikimaru watched me warily, and even Asuna glanced over at me, her eyes panicked.

Kirito, however, didn't move.

"Kirito, turn your damn head to look at me before I snap it off!" I threatened, glaring at his back.

A few seconds passed by, and I was about to yell at him again, when his head turned in my direction. His eyes were full of anguish, unable to help the woman he loved.

"Kirito, you're going to save Asuna." I told him.

He watched me, bewildered. He looked like he wanted to mock my words, but couldn't find the strength to.

"You're going to save her." I repeated, "Because that's what we do."

He watched me, his face blank. Rikimaru started twitching, as if the fight within himself wasn't just mental anymore.

"We fight for each other." I reminded him, my eyes begging him to take action, "Remember? And we need you to fight for us."

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I pulled against the chains, but it was useless. I wouldn't be able to get out of these without help.

"We can't do this without you! Asuna needs you right now!" I said, my voice growing louder with emotion, "I know for sure that you can damn well save all of us with one hand tied behind your back!"

Kirito closed his eyes, his face conflicted.

"You can do it, Kirito! Just fight!"

This seemed to give him the push he needed, and he pulled his arms upward in the push up position. He paused, gritting his teeth, before continuing to go against the gravity magic.

I watched, amazed, as Kirito pulled himself to his feet.

Oberon turned away from Asuna, a shocked look on his face. He started cackling in laughter, before rushing forward, prepared to knock Kirito back down.

Kirito grabbed Oberon's fist in his hand, and glared up at the Slyph. I went limp in relief, exhausted. A cold draft drifted across my stomach, and I couldn't even imagine how Asuna was feeling right around now.

I stared at the floor, my ears ringing and the chains digging into my wrists. When I looked up again, Oberon and Kirito were fighting. I smiled softly, before looking away again.

"How do you find the strength?"

I looked up again at the sound of Rikimaru's voice. He was watching me, his green eyes flashing. His fists were clenched at his side, but his voice didn't waver.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"To 'fight for each other.'" He clarified, "How do you manage to do that when you seem to have a hard enough time taking care of yourself?"

"I tend to cheer from the side." I lied, my tone dry.

Rikimaru rolled his eyes, letting me know he didn't believe that for one bit. I couldn't help the quick, upward quirk of my lips. He noticed the small smile, and his eyes seemed to soften a miniscule amount.

"Who am I?"

I reeled back, confused by his question. I frowned, watching him curiously.

"What do you mean?"

"Who am I?" He repeated, "Who do you think I am, that you would go through all of this to get to me?"

I paused, considering how to answer this. I bit my lip, thoughtfully. Rikimaru watched me, taking a step forward. He moved closer until he was only a foot or two away.

"Who the hell is so important to you, that you would go through hell to get to them?" He asked.

"Don't flatter yourself." I scoffed, "I barely made it past the gates to the underworld."

He rolled his eyes again, seeming more at ease than before. His green eyes stared into my brown ones, waiting patiently for my answer.

I pulled against the chains, squirming underneath his gaze, but unable to go anywhere.

"Well?" He prompted, raising his eyebrows.

"You...are a huge jerk." I finally said.

He was obviously taken aback, shocked at my words. It was obviously not what he was expecting to come out of my mouth.

"Excuse me?!"

"You are a huge jerk." I repeated, "You argue with me too much, you eat all my food, you are constantly yelling at Gurē to -- and I quote -- 'get his crap together,' and you are a blanket hog!"

"What?!" Rikimaru spluttered, staring at me wide eyed.

"Oh yeah!" I nodded enthusiastically, "Jerk moves, if you ask me."

"Then why the hell are you here if you hate me so much?!"

I rolled my eyes, and sighed, "I don't hate you, idiot. I'm in love with you."

His eyes widened again. I could tell flashes of memories were trying to make themselves known.

He was fighting harder.

For me.

Even if he didn't realize it.

"I'm in love with you! Jerk moves and all!" I informed him, tearing up again, "That's who you are."

"Who?" He asked, confused.

"You're the jerk I'm in love with."

He looked as if he had just come to a realization, but Tenma groaned from his spot a few feet away, finally waking up. Terror shot through me, and I guess it was visible on my face, because Rikimaru's expression hardened as he turned to look at his brother.

"What are you going to do?!" I shrieked as he stepped forward.

He turned around to face me, and I couldn't read his expression. He looked up at my chains, and pulled out his sword. With one swing, he broke through them, causing them to disappear in colorful shards.

I collapsed to the ground, landing heavily on my ankle, causing it to pulse with pain. I winced, but was distracted when Rikimaru turned back to Tenma.

"What are you doing?!" I asked again, reaching out an arm.

"Fighting." He told me simply.

I inhaled sharply before taking a risk and asking, "For us?"

He looked over his shoulder at me, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"No. For you."

I gasped slightly, refusing to take my eyes off him. His lips quirked up in a quick smile.

"After all, I couldn't lose such a good fan of mine."

With a wink, he turned around, prepared to battle his own brother.

"...For you."