Asuna had only seen someone move like Zero Two once before and that was in VR. Even with her strange bodysuit on, which essentially had heels instead of any practical footwear, Zero Two was animalistically graceful. She always stepped exactly where she meant to and never once had to adjust her hold on Hiro in her arms. Had Asuna not seen the display of love the two had put on, she might've been cautious of them, but as it stood, they only reminded her of herself and Kirito.

Looking back, she saw Shino lagging behind and Kirito slowing down to keep pace with her.

"What are… you doing… idiot!" Shino weakly slapped his arm, "Go, I'll… be right behind… you."

"Do I have to pull your tail again?!" Kirito as he ran just ahead of her, out of swiping distance.

Shino expectedly turned red and went to yell at him again, but Zero Two's overly excited tone interrupted her thoughts.

"You guys have tails?!"

"Why isn't she winded…" Sugu asked, "...It's not fair…"

"I'm serious," Shino insisted, "We don't… even know for sure if… anyone's coming for them… I doubt… they care about some random girl."

"No," Zero Two responded as everyone slowed, "There is someone coming, I can smell them." As everyone's heads whipped towards her she sniffed again, "They don't smell sweet."

"They're coming up the path?!"

"Mmhmm," Zero Two nodded nonchalantly.

"Why the hell didn't you say anything?!"

"The only way to eliminate the enemy is to meet them first." At that very moment, the heavy thudding of boots filled the air.

Klein immediately wrapped his hands around Asuna and Sugu and yanked them into the trees to the right of the path, meanwhile Kirito grabbed Shino and dove to the left, taking cover in some bushes.

Meanwhile, Zero Two gently rested Hiro against the trunk of a tree and leapt straight up, easily reaching for a branch and sneaking through the foliage up above.

Shino leaned over to whisper into Kirito's ear as she desperately attempted to control her breathing, "Is she just gonna leave him behind?"

Kirito shook his head, "No way."

As his eyes scanned the surrounding area through the shady brush, he finally spotted Klein helping the girls into taller trees to help them hide. Then a boot slammed down right next to Kirito and Shino's body.

Shino slapped a hand over her mouth as terror suddenly overtook her. The adrenaline from their flight down the mountain and the lack of knowledge about any assailants had kept her cool-headed so far, but now… things were serious, things were real. This wasn't just some game where she could pull Hecate from inventory and shoot someone, she was weak, vulnerable.

Thankfully, the person attached to the boot didn't seem to notice anyone, other than Hiro that is.

"Iris checking in," The voice was slightly muffled by what Kirito assumed to be a mask, but it sounded male, "I've come across a subject. Looks like a teenage boy with- Ugh!"

An impact and groan announced Zero Two's attack as she came crashing down on top of him from the tree tops, likely breaking a few bones and knocking him out in the process.

"No one is allowed to touch my Darling!"

"Open fire!"

The shouts caused the group to realize that it hadn't just been one man, but a squad standing nearby.

They opened fire, obscuring Sugu's small shout from the tree with their hail of bullets.

Zero Two danced through the trees, leaping between them like Tarzan. Using one as a foothold, she vaulted straight towards the black-armored goon, driving her fist into his chin and knocking him out as she snatched up his weapon.

"She's got a weapon, lethal measures!"

Shino heard the click from semi-auto to automatic and looked up from her hiding spot, seeing a man aiming his rifle at Zero Two as she freed her stolen weapon from around her victim's throat.

Knowing the girl was in trouble, Shino defied all of her rational instincts and reached out, wrapping her hand around the man's ankle and tripping him up.

"What the hell?!" The man pulled his gun out from under him and aimed for the bushes, but was interrupted as Zero Two's own bullet punctured his skull, bouncing around his brain matter and killing him.

Kirito gave Shino a wide-eyed gaze of shock before rolling out from the bush, exiting on the opposite side of the trail in an attempt to get a better look at the action. Just as his messy black-haired head peeked over the leaves, the mountain went quiet.

Zero Two discarded her spent rifle and examined her handy work.

"Did… Are they all dead?"

"Hmm?" Zero Two looked over to Shino, who had crawled out behind Kirito, "No. Only the one who tried to hurt you is dead."

Looking around, Kirito noted at least five other of the armed assailants on the ground and bleeding from gunshot wounds.

"Don't worry." Zero Two suddenly got up in Shino's face, her smile almost seductive, "I made sure to only hit non-vitals." Like a viper, her tongue lashed out and traced itself against Shino's cheek, causing her to eek out a yelp.

"W-What was that for?!"

Kirito shook his head, "I think we're worrying about the wrong thing again."

"You taste… dangerous."

Shino began to pale, the bleeding bodies and gunshots still echoing in her ears causing her to suddenly panic. "No… No…" Just like that, she was a child again, in that post office, gun in hand.

And then, a calming presence enveloped her. Looking down, she realized that she didn't see a gun in her hand, rather, she saw Kirito's hand wrapped around her own. "Sinon, we're safe… uh… ya know for now…" Kirito scratched his cheek awkwardly with his free hand, "So we need to get going."

Asuna, Sugu, and Klein were all giving her concerned glances as Zero Two hefted Hiro back into her arms.

"H-How long was I…?"

"Doesn't matter," Asuna assured as she took the girl by the shoulders and guided her away from the groaning and twitching bodies.

Klein held no such reservations and crouched down over the dead man, examining his gear with interest. "I know this gun," He said, doing his best not to get his fingerprints all over the crime scene, "I saw it in GGO. Heckler and Koch G36."

Shino, still with her back turned, nodded, "That's JDF special forces equipment."

"Oh… we are so screwed."

Much to the surprise of all, they made it back to Klein's car without incident, pilling in, practically on top of each other in order to fit.

"Sorry, you two!" Klein shouted as he peeled out of the mountain's hiking trail parking lot, determined to not get barricaded in by the JDF. "We're gonna have to wait to patch you up!"

Zero Two, with Hiro resting unconscious on her lap, shook her head, "Me and Darling are fine. We don't bleed that easily."

Sugu wanted to question that assessment as she looked over the girl's blood-soaked bodysuit, but held her tongue.

"Uh… so… where are we going?" Kirito asked, "Our mom probably won't welcome two, horned kids with open arms."

Asuna sighed, "My house is a no-go as well."

Shino shrugged, "I live alone, but it's pretty small for all of us."

"Same with me," Klein agreed, "Which is why… we're heading for the bar."

Kirito smiled in spite of himself, "Agil won't be happy with that."

Sorry for the short chapter, but I was too busy to work out something bigger, so I decided to go with something smaller to hold you over! As always, I gladly accept any feedback and would love to hear your thoughts! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!