DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SAO, ANYTHING SAO RELATED, OR ANYTHING AS COOL AS SAO BESIDES MY SMALL PLOT ADJUSTED IDEAS

Hey everyone. I needed a break from my current story endeavor to let my thoughts flow. I'll write the next chapter within a day or most likely. For now, I am writing this story. It is another of the 7 story lines I have planned thus far.

This is a KiritoXSilica story. I know she is younger and that probably bothers many. If you don't like it or my writing style, feel free to try another story/author. There are very, very few SilicaXKirito's though.

This will be following the path of the first few days they met with some alterations, some by me and some by the fact that I use both light novel and anime. Anyway, enough talking, Enjoy

How could I be so stubborn? So high and mighty? I looked up at the gleaming red club as it arced towards me. Feeling a dull thud and a weight above my strength parameters, I was thrown to the ground, watching my HP bar take a dive into the orange. Death here, was real. I had left my group in a huff and gotten myself lost, so sure that I could fight alone until I found my way back to town. So stupid. In my peripheral I saw another red light and closed my eyes. So this is how I go, alone, a fitting end for the town mascot.

Awaiting the final blow that would end my life, I waited, not even raising my arms to protect myself.

*CRUNCH*

What the… I opened my eyes and looked at my beloved friend, Pina, as she fell out to the ground and her already tiny HP bar hit zero in an instant, disappearing. With a final weak cry, she looked in my eyes and exploded to infinite polygons of color, signaling her death. Wide eyed, I reached my hand out and in it floated her only remains, a small white feather, taunting me.

I looked at the feather in disbelief, tears forming, and then up at the Ape withdrawing his club. You,,, you,, YOU KILLED PINA! Jolting up, I sprinted and buried my dagger deep in its chest. YOU KILLED MY BEST FRIEND! I withdrew the dagger and spun around facing the other two. YOU KILLED MY ONLY REASON FOR LIVING. Charging blindly, I ran towards the nearest Ape though it had higher health than the others. As I ran I saw the monster charge another Sword Skill, one that would surely finish off my HP. I HAVE NOTHING LEFT.

"KILL MEEEEEEEE," I shouted, surprised by my own words. This didn't bother me though. Neither did the tears streaming down my face obscuring my vision. Neither did the fact that I was willing to die for a program that I loved.

Watching the red glow, I found my hands releasing my dagger entirely, my feet halt their movement, and myself mouthing the words, "goodbye."

Focused only on the red streaking club, I dropped to my knees to receive the blow full on, a blow that would never come.

In an instant, the remaining Drunken Apes exploded in a burst of white light and I found myself being caught in the arms of another player as I let myself fall face first in to the ground, the only noise left was the *clink* as I heard a weapon cast aside. Bawling, I couldn't even look my savior in the eye as I buried my face into his shoulder. Had it been possible to really dirty anything in SAO, his black cloak would have been stained in my tears and snot. I'm so stupid.

He held me there, letting me cry all over him, not even asking for my name. He wrapped his arms around me and one hand was brought up to my head, slowly stroking my hair. "I'm sorry that I was not in time. I'm sorry I could not save your friend." Pina… His words brought a whole other bout of sobbing as I thought of my lost friend. He sounded sincere and I would be grateful for that later.

Minutes passed with no more words, just his gentle caressing and my weeping becoming more dormant.

Taking a few deep breaths, I clutched his chest and couldn't bear to face him as I whispered, "I'm sorry…"

He pulled me from his shirt and looked into my eyes with a puzzled look, "for…?" Being forced, I looked into his eyes; I saw how caring, deep, and penetrating they were.

Really? Was it not obvious? I wiped my nose crudely."Well you were basically forced to save me… and now here I am getting gross all over your clothing. Not to mention you didn't even know my name."

Chuckling, he looked at me and smiled. "But you are alive, and that's all that matters. Plus, my clothing will be fine. Besides, it's been a while…" His smile faltered with his last cryptic statement. Been a while? Have we met before? He looks a few years older. Were we in a party once? I looked at him in confusion but he shook it off and looked at me with a deadly serious expression. Suddenly I felt much younger, having already been young for this death game in general. "Don't you ever try to kill yourself again. Understood? "

I pulled away from him and looked at the ground in shame. Feeling significantly smaller, I nodded. I'm such an idiot.

"Now, about your friend…"I choked at these words, but held back tears this time. Backing away from my unknown guardian angel, I retrieved my dagger and trudged my way towards Pina's remains. I kneeled over and delicately picked up the feather. I'm so sorry. I killed you Pina.

"Does it have an item name?" Looking over my shoulder, the boy startled me with his question. I turned my head in surprise and found myself once again face to face with my knight in unimpressive black armor, When did he get there?

Clicking on it, the words, "Pina's Heart," jumped out at me. No, Pina… Fresh tears formed in my eyes as I blinked them away, I'm getting much too carried away with someone I just met.

"Hey, that's a good thing." I looked at the boy quizzically. Pina is dead. What is good? Reading my lost face, he explained. "You can revive her. On the forty-seventh floor dungeon there is a familiar revival item." My eyes went wide with disbelief. "I'd go for you but the master has to be there for the item to be available."

Floor forty-seven. I would die. Someday though. Someday. I looked at the boy with a renewed smile, "Thank you. I will make sure to travel there once I gain another dozen or so levels."

He frowned, "There's a four day time limit. Then the familiar's data is erased and the Heart turns to Remains."

Oh… no… "I guess that it's a lost cause then… Still, thank you. You have done more for me than you know."

"…nothing yet," I heard him mumble as he shook his head. Raising his hand, he manipulated a menu only he could see. I peered at him in confusion until my own window popped up in front of my face. A trade window? A dozen or so pieces of armor, accessory items, and a new dagger popped up to my face, shocking me.

"This will help you for a few levels." He hit accept on his window and waited for my reply.

Thinking about my monster raids, I did have a decent amount of col, but would it be enough for items I've never even heard of before? "It's not much but…" I started to drastically reduce my currency, adding it to the trade, but he raised his hand to stop me.

"Not necessary, you need them. I don't. Besides, I'm going with you." I was stunned by the last few words, but managed to redact my col offer and accept the trade nonetheless. Before me another window popped up KIRITO WOULD LIKE TO FORM A PARTY WITH YOU. YES NO Kirito, hmm. Never heard of him…

"But.. why?" I asked, perplexed by his kindness on top of being my shoulder to cry on, not to mention saving my life. Does he know who I am? Maybe he's trying to take advantage of me or use my fame to improve his reputation. He could want to get me alone and rob me blind… or worse.

He sighed and covered his face with a gloved hand. "You can't laugh if I tell you" I nodded my reply, still unsure about his motives. "You,,, remind me of my sister." Shocked again, I studied the strange boy. So he's not a creep. He's just... a nice person. Cute too. QUIET YOU! But should looking like his family be a compliment, or an insult? Unable to contain myself, I burst out laughing, all the while covering my mouth and apologizing. First he's astonishingly nice and what do I do? I do the one thing he asked me not to. I accepted the party request with my free hand, still scolding myself mentally.

Sighing again, the boy walked over to me and held his hand out smiling, albeit my making fun of him. Grabbing his hand, he pulled me up and began walking, slowly releasing his grip. With no idea of what compelled me to do so, I held his hand tighter and pulled closer to him. He stiffened at my actions and I let go and backed up. "Sorry. Sorry. I don't know what I was thinking…"

Now was his turn to laugh at me as he grabbed my hand again and tugged me to him, our sides touching. "a longgg while…" he murmured as we walked towards the exit of the woods. Glancing up, he spoke, "Si-li-ca. Silica. Pretty name," and that was the end of it.

During our walk several thoughts ran through my head, though I worked hard on not showing a sign of them on my face. My name is pretty to him? A sister? I know that my fans found me cute as a kid, but am I really just unattractive in general? I mentally frowned at this. I wonder what level he must be to have saved me without my being able to even see him… Is he rich being able to just give valuable armor away? His hand is warm and, soothing? Kind of like being wrapped in a blanket in bed… Thinking of sleeping whilst he wrapped me as a blanket broke through my efforts and my face flooded with heat. Glancing at me, I saw his eyebrow rise, but no questions were asked.

Walking through town we were discussing where we were staying for the night when behind me I heard yells of my name.

I can't stop writing. Expect chapter 2 in a few hours.

Review me even if you hate it. Or even to flame at the pedo-ness of her young age. Danka

Any questions hit me up!