Unending - a Sword Art Online Fanfic (being rewritten)

Chapter 8: Secret Ceremony

Ok, I know what the title says. Just bear with me. It will make sense after you read it. Granted you might need the next couple of chapters as well to be totally sure. Just wait long enough for me to write the rest. Otherwise, Enjoy!

Kirito's POV:

Kirito and the others had brought the rescued captives back to Last Good Hope the next day. (next day being when Asuna is seeing the palace for the first time) He had watched as Elena and John had reunited and John himself declared a day of celebration, which ended with a magnificent feast and performances from the various NPCs.

Kirito had gone off on his own towards the end. Naturally, he was thinking about Asuna. Then he heard footsteps behind him and whirled around; drawing his sword as he did. He held his sword level and ready to attack when he recognized who it was.

"Sorry John." Kirito said as he sheathed his sword.

"It's alright. You never put your guard down do you?" John replied with a chuckle.

"No."

John watched as Kirito's face became distant, as if he was searching for something far away.

"Look Kirito." John said. Kirito turned around and looked at him. "I know what your thinking. You want to ride off and save Asuna. Heck, I bet you were planning on leaving this very minute."

Kirito tensed up as John called him out. "Your right. I was going to go save her. How could I bring back everyone except her?"

"Relax Kirito. You've won us a great victory today."

"I know, but still."

"Still nothing. You can go and get her now, and go alone. Or, you can wait and celebrate what you've achieved with the people who care about you tonight, and then ride out with them to get her back in the morning."

"Kirito looked at him in surprise. "You don't mean-"

"You bet I do." John interrupted. "Come first light tomorrow, me and every able bodied man who will go will saddle up and ride with you to go and save Asuna."

Kirito stood dumbfounded. "John... I... Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." John said. "I still have to see who's willing to go with us. However, know that If nothing else, I will have your back." John put one hand on Kirito's shoulder and started to guide him back to the festivities. "Now, let's have a party!"

Kirito smiled as he and John rejoined the others. He was right. Tomorrow they would save Asuna, he had no doubts about that. "Hang on Asuna, We're coming." He said to the night sky as he

Asuna's POV:

Asuna was horrified. All day servants had been measuring her for her wedding attire and commenting on how she was so lucky as to steal his majesty's heart. Asuna numbly nodded her thanks for their compliments as they came, but didn't react otherwise. How could she. She was married to Kirito. Heck! She could feel her wedding ring on her finger now. So why didn't she say anything. She vaguely remembered telling the swordsman last night that she didn't want to marry him. But then he had brushed it aside, saying that she would change her mind when the time came.

After the measurements were done, Asuna was left alone with a small plate of fruits and some bread, and her thoughts. What was she doing? She knew she loved Kirito. She also knew she would never betray him, but something was tugging at her. Every time she saw the swordsman, she couldn't stop blushing and got all nervous and shy. That wasn't like her at all, so why did she have these feelings that she didn't understand? What was it about him that made her feel this way?