Unending - a Sword Art Online Fanfic (being rewritten)

Chapter 17: A Different World than I Remember

And we're back. I want to shout out those of you who are taking the time to comment and vote on my story. I really appreciate it. Please leave a comment down below, and if you read any chapters you really liked, leave a vote for'em. It really helps motivate me to write quicker. Anyway, back to the chapter at hand, enjoy!

Kirito's POV:

One month later...

"Waaaaaah!" Akari's cry sounded out through the night. Kirito sat up and looked at Asuna. She was so exhausted that the crying couldn't wake her up. Kirito sighed and slowly made his way over to the Akira's crib. He gently picked her up and began rocking her back to sleep. Kirito soon got her to quiet down and placed her back in the crib. But the moment he walked away, she started crying again. Kirito sighed again and picked Akari back up, then he took her with him over to the bed and lay down with her right beside him. Soon she was asleep, though Kirito had no idea why she slept now and not before. He decided not to try and guess and simply went to sleep himself, for whatever time was left to sleep.

That morning...

Kirito woke up to see Asuna breastfeeding their daughter. He slowly sat up and put his arms around Asuna. "Morning love." He whispered in her ear.

Asuna startled, but then quickly relaxed so as to not wake the baby. "Kirito." She said. "You startled me. Don't sneak up on me like that when I'm feeding her."

"Sorry, I just couldn't resist." Kirito said with a smirk.

Asuna smiled back at him and gave him a kiss on the lips. "Alright you. It's time to get ready."

Kirito nodded. "Got it."

<Timeskip>

Asuna and Kirito teleported to floor 55. They made their way towards the Knights of the Blood Oath headquarters. Soon they reached the gate and were escorted in by several guild members. The guild had asked them to present the child to all the major guild leaders, who would be made present for the presentation. As Asuna and Kirito entered the guild's audience hall, they saw that indeed the leaders of all the major guilds were there.

The guilds had lost significant power in SAO after the Skull Reaper encounter, but they were still the closest thing to any form of government. And they would be able to spread the word to their guild members about this turn of events, hence why Asuna and Kirito are summoned before them now.

Asuna and Kirito both stood in the middle of the hall, looking at all the guild leaders seated around the perimeter.

"So, you have an announcement for us." One of the leaders said. The new leader of the Knights of the Blood oath nodded. "Indeed." He rose and addressed the gathered players.

"As you all know, there have been some strange and unprecedented changes to SAO in the last nine months. Including such changes as to the increased intelligence of CPUs and there personification into what appears to be a sentient state. There is also the reduction of the pain absorber levels, meaning that players that get hit are suffering real pain, and let's not forget that now players are getting wounds from when they are getting hit by mobs and such. But I am here because this couple has encountered something that is beyond imagination." He turned and gestured for Asuna and Kirito to step towards him. "May I?" He asked, holding out his hands. Asuna gently transferred the bundle in her arms to his. Then he turned back round and addressed the gathered leaders.

"This is what they have found. That now couples can have get pregnant and give birth to biological children." He pulled the blankets away to reveal Akari's face and held her up for all to see. The entire room burst into chaos as everyone tried to take in what they were seeing.