Now... You've probably been wondering why do all my chapter titles start with 'All'... I'll tell you! The very first chapter I thought about when I started this story is this chapter right here! 24 chapters in and I'm finally posting the chapter I've been wanting to write down the most! I'm also a bit in a situation here because I'm actually torn as how I want to pursue the next chapter. But I'll ask you after you finish this chapter.

Anyway, I thought of this chapter when I was listening to the song Say (All I need) by OneRepublic. I loooooove OneRepublic! Probably one of my favourite bands to listen to! So naturally after listening to that song, I listened to their entire album and I gotta say, a lot of their songs has the word 'All' in it. By that time I started jotting them down and then eventually they became my chapter titles. Most of them don't coincide with the chapters but that's okay. I just really like them! Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this chapter! It's what made me want to write this whole story!

I sit in my room listening to the rain fall against my window as thunder rolls in the distance. On my lap sits the inactive AmuSphere reminding me what I've done. It's been a couple days since I've last seen Kirito and the group. Part of me wonders if I'm avoiding them because I'm angry with them, but I'm certain I'm angry with myself. All I can see is the hurt look on Kirito's face and it makes my heart ache. The pain in his voice when he confessed echoes in my ears like a haunting memory. I don't think I thought carefully about what would happen after I confronted him. But right now, I feel nothing but shame. I thought about going into the SAO and perhaps talking it out with all of them, but I can't find the words to start, and not just with them, but also with my mother. I have not yet confronted her about knowing that she made Kazuto and my friends leave. I wish I could understand her, I wish I could see the problem she sees about them. But I can't, and the fact that I haven't confronted her yet makes me even more upset with myself.

"Asuna"

There's a light tap on the door and I hear my mother's voice calling for me on the other side. These past couple days she's been quite patient with me. She's even postponed my mock exam and I've been appreciating her concern over me which is probably why I've been holding off on confronting her but at the same time, I most certainly cannot let her get away with this.

Slowly I make my way towards the door and pull it open. My mother is still looking at her phone, tapping away with her thumb, composing what looks to be a lengthy message.

"Your father and Kouichirou will be arriving late for dinner, but I would like to know how you are feeling in regards to the mock exam." My mother says and finally looks up from her phone and but her eyes look passed me and onto my bed.

It takes me a moment to realize what she's looking at and in that instant, I remember that I haven't hidden away my AmuSphere and as soon as my mother's eyes scan over it realizing what it is, her pupils turn to points and for the very first time, she looks speechless.

There's a mixture of confusion, denial, and anger forming on her face and I break away from her and grab onto the AmuSphere, hugging it close to my chest as though I were trying to hide a diary.

"I-I can explain," I start nervously although I have no idea how I'm going to follow through.

"Ever after I had Sada dispose of that wretched thing, and had ordered you to stay away from it, you still insist on disobeying me?" Her voice is quiet, almost like she's in disbelief. She waits for me to respond but I fall silent then she explodes.

"How on earth could you be so reckless? Using that toy—especially in your condition?!" Her eyes switch from me to the AmuSphere like she's trying to decide which she's disgusted with more and eventually she settles on me. "I don't understand you! After all your father and I have done to secure a future for you, you insist on being a reckless and ungrateful daughter!"

"Ungrateful?" I repeat in shock, suddenly feeling anger bubble up inside me. Before I would cower at her words, but now, it's like they don't affect me. "You made Kazuto and my friends leave! Even after what Hideki did to me you still don't approve of them!"

"If it weren't for them none of this would have happened!"

"No, if it weren't for you!" I snap back so angrily its taken my mother aback and the anger in my voice transfers to my grip on the AmuSphere where it squeaks from the pressure. Realizing that any more pressure can damage it I toss it back onto my bed then point at my mother accusingly. "You're the reason why this all started! You're the one who let Hideki walk into this house! It's your fault I'm like this!"

My mother closes her mouth and looks away, seemingly shocked at my pent-up rage. But she doesn't look guilty, she just looks like she's out of words.

"You don't think you're to blame for all of this." I state quietly as the words fall into place. "You don't think any of this is your fault."

She pauses for a moment then glares at me coldly. "I don't want to hear this. That's enough, Asuna."

I press on, knowing that I've hit a nerve, and I close in on her, feeling like I've got the upper hand. "Not once did you ever consider my own happiness! You just want me to follow after you! Marry into a successful family!"

"Enough."

"You hate that I'm nothing like this family and you wish so badly that you can change me but you can't!" My voice gets louder and louder as I corner her against the door frame, she suddenly looks small and afraid but I push on relentlessly. "You've always hated grandma's and grandpa's simple life and you've pushed them away and forced me to follow you! But I don't want the life you've planned for me! I don't want any part of it! Because I don't want to be anything like you! A cold, and heartless daughter!"

"I said enough!"

A sharp pain whips me across the face and I trip back on my feet. I wince as I press my hand to my cheek feeling an instant sting and I have to pull away. My eyes widen in fear and I look to my mother who reveals an equally shocked face.

Her shoulders tremble and she looks at her hand like it doesn't belong to her. Her lips quiver but nothing comes through. Without a word, she takes a step away from me, then once more and then another until she starts to walk completely out of my sight and down the stairs towards her office.

I listen to the sound of her heels clack and echo in the cold foyer then the latch of her door followed by the definitive click signalling she's shut the door. I remain still, letting the last few seconds register as a line of tears stream down my face, stinging me as it passes my sensitive cheek.

My breathing wavers unsteadily and my hands begin to shake. My feet want to move but I don't know where. My mind goes blank as I grab my phone and my wallet and stuff them in my purse. I don't bother putting the AmuSphere away, I let it sit on my bed and leave my bedroom door wide open when I exit. I silently walk down the stairs and into the foyer. I slip on my shoes and open the front door finding a wall of rain as it washes away on the concrete with a cry of thunder telling me to stay. I don't bother turning back and nor do I consider grabbing a jacket or an umbrella. I step out and run.

The heavy rain slaps my skin the faster I run and the wind howls violently nearly pushing me over. Lightning cracks the sky as a crash of thunder immediately follows. Cars are honking at me as I dash through the street and people from indoors are pointing at me as I brave the storm refusing to the find shelter. My legs begin to ache; my feet feel sore and my lungs start to burn. But it's when I start to feel dizzy I finally stop. I pant heavily within the downpour, letting the rain wash away my tears. Now that I've stopped I finally look around, not sure where I am or where is it that I wanted to go. But when I noticed that I'm near Miyanosaka Station, I feel like I've already known. I run towards the station without a moments hesitation and wait for the train that will take me to Southern Saitama. The ride will take roughly an hour, but it will at least give me time to think.

I board the train and take the nearest seat. As I lean against the window I think about what it is I plan on doing. Lately I've been acting based on my emotions and I wonder how much longer will I continue to do so. All my life I've been taught to never act out, only speak when spoken to and do as I am told. Now that I've broken out of these invisible chains I feel vulnerable. My heart is still pounding but it's not from exhaustion, and my body is shaking but it's not from the air-conditioned cabin freezing my soaked clothes. I no longer feel like myself, I almost feel like a stranger. I feel lost.

I just hope that when you do find yourself, it's with me.

Hideki's voice plays in my mind and although he was referring to himself at the time, my mind falls straight to Kazuto and before I can stop myself I pull out my phone and write him a text with trembling fingers.

Kazuto, please meet me at Urawa Station.

After I put my phone away I imagine myself in his arms and just the thought already makes me feel warm and protected. I realize now that it was never his intention to hurt me, but to want to keep me safe from harm. He couldn't hurt me because he didn't want to. That's the kind of person Kazuto is. The kind of person who will always put others before himself. He's seen me when I'm at my worst and he's still here with me. I can let myself fall apart when I'm with him and when I do lose myself, he's not far from finding me.

Kazuto doesn't respond back but something tells me that he will be there. There's this certainty in the air that keeps me lifted. I've found myself, and it's with him.

The closer we get to Urawa Station the harder the rain falls and the more hazardously lit is the sky. Once I see the station zip by the windows I leap from my seat and fidget at the door as the train coasts to a stop. I look through the crowds waiting to enter but nowhere do I see Kazuto. The doors barely open wide enough to fit one person but I push through impatiently. The station is filled with people weaving in and out, practically pushing each other to get where they want to go and I do the same, disregarding stepped toes and shoved backs.

"Kazuto!" I shout out loud but the crash of the thunder drowns me out. I push until I get to a clearing and I swivel around, desperately finding that strange, black haired boy I've become so fond of. With most of the people already boarded the train, the station is noticeably empty that I should've spotted Kazuto right away but he's no where in sight.

"Kazuto!" I call out once more and spin around to see if he's near by, but there's no response.

Lightning cracks the sky once more and it causes the lights in the station to flicker, and the thunder following nearly shakes the ground. I look around once more and my heart sinks. I dig through my purse in search of my phone and when I check to see if there are any missed messages, there are none waiting for me. My shoulders drop with defeat and my head hangs with shame. Feeling like a wasted effort I decide to call it quits and head back. But at this point, to where? Home no longer feels like home to me. I'm now a runaway with no where to go. I scan around for a toll booth and notice a line of them just at the entrance of the station. Dejectedly, I drag my feet towards the entrance and stare at the heavy downpour of the rain. As I pull out my wallet to purchase a ticket to anywhere I look out on to the streets then freeze in place.

Halfway up the stairs, holding an umbrella and dressed in his typical black jacket and jeans, Kazuto stares at me with those shadowy, enchanting eyes.

I had a speech planned for when I'd see him. I was going to tell him how sorry I was and ask if he could ever forgive me but I let go of that idea entirely as I run out into the pouring rain, down the steps until I crash into his body and pull him in until his lips meet mine.

I don't let go of him. Instead I comb my hands through his hair and pull him even closer. There's an intoxicating mix of being cold from the rain and warm from his lips that makes me crave for more. My heart is racing from this sudden adrenaline, my entire body is shaking, and my mind rattles as I fight the nerves that either want to pull him into me until we're one or push away in fear of rejection.

But when Kazuto drops his umbrella and wraps his arms around me all my doubts are washed away. I smile against his lips. They're soft but rough with want. His grip around me is gentle but greedy with need. His umbrella tumbles down the stairs, getting blown away by the winds, as the rain soaks us to the bone but we don't break away. He kisses my lips once more, then the corners of my mouth, and leaving the top of my forehead for last. He holds my head in his hands and rests his forehead against mine with my soaked hair sticking to both our faces. He opens his eyes and gazes deep into mine, I glance down at his shaken lips that look hesitant on speaking.

"I-I'm sorry, Asuna," he starts nervously. "I truly meant it when I said that I didn't want to see you get hurt. I couldn't stand it—

"I know," I press a finger on his lips to keep him from saying anymore, especially if he's going to express guilt that doesn't need to be shed. "I finally understand what you mean. I'm just so happy you're here with me right now."

"I want to be with you, Asuna. I want to be with you, no matter what."

There's so much conviction in his voice that it practically breaks me; my heart swells exponentially it feels like it's about to explode and my smile has become so wide it feels like it's about to extend out of my face. I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes up. I'm all out of words and thought. I look up at him just on the brink of tears and he leans into to kiss me again as he holds me close in the storm.

The storm turns slightly more violent the longer we stay outside and we decide to go to the nearest coffee shop to wait it out. The staff and patrons eyes us curiously the moment we walk in, drenched from the downpour and we glance at each other's soaked clothes and smile with amusement. We take a table by the corner of the shop so we can watch the storm eventually pass us, after the waitress takes our order we fall into silence, every so often taking glances at each other.

It's as though what had just happened came from a dream. But the droplets of water from my hair on the small rounded table provides as a reminder that I'm definitely not dreaming. I lightly nibble at my bottom lip, relishing the feel of Kazuto's lips pressed against it. My body tingles and my heart flutters just at the thought of his hands combing through my hair and then running down to my waist pulling me against him. I feel my entire being craving for his touch and I have to fight myself from reaching over to him from across the table.

As we finish our drinks we watch the storm finally settle while another is noticeably forming from a distance that would most likely hit us within the next hour. I can sense our time together is ending as my fluttering heart has now turned to nervous beats. We haven't spoken much since we met at the train station yet I feel this silence between us is perfect, it feels content and I don't ever want it to end. But with the time nearing towards 8, I know it inevitably must.

"Shall I take you back home?" Kazuto finally suggests quietly as he places his empty cup on the table and watches me with those eyes that make me want to look into them for as long as I can.

I nod wordlessly with attempts of hiding my disheartened face, feeling that the night has come to an end. But as Kazuto rises from his seat, I look up at him in a panic and spill out the first words that come to mind. "I want to stay with you for the night!"

Kazuto's eyes slightly widen in surprise and my face immediately reddens in response at the sudden realization of what I had just said. Is this really what happens when I let my emotions control me? I become some love-struck teenager? I shyly look around to see if someone else has heard me, but based on the amount of chatter and commotion going on around us I feel a sense of security believing that no one has. Although it's not their reaction I'm concerned with.

Kazuto doesn't budge from where he stands and his silence makes me even more nervous and embarrassed of myself. I'm about to retract what I've said until he turns his gaze to look out the floor-to-ceiling windows then back to me as he holds out his hand. "If we leave now, we should be able to miss the storm."

I look at his hand reaching out for me and my face breaks into a wide smile. The affect he has on me is almost terrifying, but in a way, calming. When I'm with him, everything seems to make sense. I don't feel afraid and although I'm no longer alone, I feel independent because being with him is of my choosing.

We walk back to his house hand in hand. His fingers are entwined with mine and the length of our arms stick together like magnets. I lean into him even though it interferes with my walking but our pace is leisurely like we have all the time in the world. But when the sky cracks and the ground rumbles, we're hit with a shower of rain and we break into a run, however, we don't let go. Kazuto's strides are much longer that he's practically pulling me and I must quicken my own pace to catch up. The wind howls against us and the rain whips our faces. Our clothes are completely soaked that I feel running for shelter is useless. As Kazuto turns the corner, he looks back at me then his face morphs into confusion. I wonder what he's looking at until I realize that I'm stilling smile. Despite the condition we're in, despite we still have a long way to go until we reach his house, and despite the weather we're caught in, I'm still smiling. I let out a giggle and then break into laughter. I run faster until I'm ahead of him and I let go of his hand and start leaping into the puddles, splashing the water about. I lift my hands into the air and spin as the rain washes over me. I don't know what's come over me, all I know is that I've become the happiest I've ever been for as long as I've known. I somehow feel like a kid again but this time I no longer hear the disdain or disappointment in my mother's voice. It's been replaced by my own laughter. My own joy.

Asuna wants to spend the night with him. I already have two chapters started following this one but I honestly don't know which one to use so for one time only, I'd like you all to decide for me! Shall we have the two take it next step further and actually spend the night together? Or just as a simple sleepover? My reason being is because Asuna had already gone through a traumatic experience with Hideki, I don't think it would be appropriate, but at the same time, she's with someone she actually truly cares about. Don't worry, I know the rating I've given this story so it's not going to be graphic and highly descriptive.

So what do you think?