Trio (A Sword Art Online Fanfic) ✔

Chapter Six

I swung my scythe at the girl, slicing her stomach. She let out a scream and unleashed a spray of bullets in my direction, but I was too close and she missed.

I could tell she was getting frustrated as her bullets became more wild and out of control.

I smirked, lunging forward with a laugh to swipe my scythe at her again. This time I hit her arm.

She let out another scream and lunged at me, swinging her gun like a club. I danced out of the way, before folding up my scythe and shooting at her back. She was hit and crumpled to the ground.
I walked over, swinging my gun around and whistling.

"Who are you?

I laughed, snapping my gun into a scythe. I swung it down until it was pressed against her neck.

"Surrender." I ordered, ignoring her question.

She glared up at me, her mouth in a crooked snarl. Her eyes were full of rage, but we both knew she had no other option.

"Who are you?" She repeated, pulling up her menu to surrender.

I just grinned in response. She surrendered without another word, and I was left alone in the arena. I straightened, watching as the Congratulations banner appeared.

I expected to be immediately transported out of the arena, but instead a voice started echoing throughout the dome.

"Congratulations! You are the victor of the E section in the preliminary trials. You will be excepted to participate in the Bullet of Bullets tournament tomorrow at noon."

I couldn't help but grin at this announcement, as I put away my weapon. After a few more details, I was transported out of the arena and into the commons room. I looked around, searching for Rikimaru.

I frowned when I couldn't find him. I started walking to the locker rooms, but I was quickly halted when I accidentally slammed into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, stumbling backwards a couple feet.

The person didn't answer, and I looked up. I gasped when my eyes met the man's silver mask and red eyes. He watched me silently, pulling his hood lower to cover his face in shadows.

"It was all my fault." He said, his voice silky and deep.

I nodded and moved to go around him, but he grabbed my arm in his gloved hand, pulling me to a stop. I whirled to glare at him, a snarl growing on my face.

"Let go of me." I demanded, glaring at him.

"Harumi. It's been awhile."

I jolted in surprise. "Do I know you?"

"No, but you will."

I narrowed my eyes, yanking my arm until I had ripped it out of his grasp. I glared at him, turning to storm away as he started chuckling.

I ignored him, my fists clenching at my side. The last time I felt this uneasy about a guy, he had created the software to enslave hundreds of players, before trying to molest me.

I was so frustrated, I didn't even notice Rikimaru until he had wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to a stop. I looked up at him, meeting his green eyes.

"Hey, babe! You made it! I'm so proud of you! We need to --- Hey? What's wrong?"

"This - This dumbass is being...stupid!" I spluttered, frowning.

He looked amused at my lack of words. I narrowed my eyes at him and he chuckled, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. I couldn't help but relax into him, a little bit of my anger leaving me.

"Well, forget about the dumbass." Rikimaru said, "Let's log out and go celebrate. Kirito and Sinon won as well."

I sighed, looking up at him, a small smile on my face. He brushed my now pink hair back behind my ears. He was bright eyed, obviously happy.

"I don't know..."

"Oh, come on!" He said, not unkindly, "You deserve a celebration! You've worked so hard with both school and gaming! You need to take a break and have some fun!"

"Fine!" I sighed. I lowered my gaze to stare at his chest.

"Good." He said, sounding pleased. "I'll see you back in the hospital."

He logged out without another word. I sighed and pulled up my menu to follow him, but someone slammed into my shoulder. I fell backwards a couple of feet.

"We've got to stop meeting like this."

I tensed at the sound of his voice, whirling to glare at him. The man in the mask started circling around me like a shark.

"What do you want?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes.

"Who was that man you were with?" He asked, ignoring my question, "You two seemed...intimate."

I didn't answer at first, but when he didn't say anything else, I said, "I love him."

If he hadn't been wearing a mask, I bet he would have been grinning evilly.

I shuddered as he stepped closer. He reached a finger out and traced my jaw, which prompted me to slap his hand away. He chuckled.

"That's intriguing." He purred, straightening his jacket.

"Is it?"

Somehow I could sense his grin.

"I'll see you around, Harumi." He told me. It sounded like a promise.

"Not if I have any say about it."

He didn't reply. He only chuckled as he walked away. Dread pooled in my stomach and I quickly logged out.

When I opened my eyes, Rikimaru was hovering over me worried. When he saw my opened eyes, he sighed in relief, immediately ripping the gear off my head.

"What's wrong?"

"I thought you couldn't log out." He sighed, his hands fluttering uselessly at his side, "I thought it was happening again."

I pulled him down into my arms, pulling him close. I knew how he felt, being that worried. He buried his face into my hair, holding me tightly.

"What held you up?" He finally asked, pulling away.

Dread filled my stomach again, as I remembered the man.

"Well, I'm pretty sure I just met Death Gun."