Hey there, here's a little Suguha centric story that I wrote for fun. I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with the results but I'd thought I'd post it anyway.

Suguha is completely unaware of anything that happened in Sword Art Online, by the way, and she's not about to ask her brother about it.

Hope you enjoy it!

Five days had passed since the end of her brother's long coma, where he had been trapped inside a virtual reality. Since waking up he'd had some important interviews with high up figures about the game but mostly it had been physical examinations.

Her brother was strong though and while he couldn't move without support it didn't matter, because he was finally awake and at home. Even their father had appeared so that they could eat lunch together as a family. Kazuto was extremely weakened but Suguha was certain that he was recovering.

"So have you had a rough week?" Her mother asked tentatively, now that they were seeing each other for the first time, she wasn't quite sure what to say.

They'd visited him in the hospital after he'd woken up of course and had already said how relieved they were at his recovery and how they'd missed him and Kazuto had replied in kind. It had been a most heartfelt reunion, never had they felt so lucky or thankful.

Now though, they weren't sure whether to discuss his coma or simply avoid the situation entirely. But there wasn't much else to talk about as his dire situation had practically defined the last two years. And they didn't yet know how much he'd changed from the experience.

"It's strange being so weak," Kazuto answered evenly, delicately gripping his chopsticks in his right hand.

Her brother looked incredibly fragile every time he made even the slightest of movements. They had accepted that it would be the result if he would ever recover and it had seemed like such a small concern compared to his revival. That was still true but his movements were rather pathetic.

Plus there was the long, limp hair proving that he'd physically grown older while in the coma which somehow managed to give him a fairly feminine look. Or it was the weight he'd lost, giving his features the more delicate and less masculine look.

Her mother nodded in agreement though not understanding. She could not imagine what Kazuto would be going through even if she was very sympathetic. "I'm sure you'll be able to walk without support soon," she replied gently.

He glanced down at the pair of crutches next to him with distaste for it was clear he hated being so dependent on them. That was probably why he'd insisted on not having a wheelchair. He didn't want to feel crippled though Suguha didn't think he should be so embarrassed. He'd been through a traumatic experience after all.

"But how long until I'll be able to run and fight?" Kazuto asked, frustrated.

Both mother and father paused at the strange way he'd phrased that. He was asking how long it would be to regain his fitness, until he was as strong as he'd been before the coma, but fight? Why would her dear brother ever want to fight anyone? Or even think about it while still so weakened. He'd never been very aggressive before.

"Within a year hopefully," her mother replied before the momentary silence could become too awkward.

Kazuto sighed, nibbling on some rice. They continued to eat in a somewhat relaxed silence but Suguha kept shooting worried glanced at her brother and noticed her parents doing the same. She couldn't imagine what he was going through and wanted to help him yet he was so distant.

"Suguha?" Kazuto said her name quietly.

"Yes?" She was surprised to be addressed. He wasn't very talkative, especially around her or the rest of her family.

"Do you still practice Kendo?"

Suguha blinked in confusion at the question. Kazuto had dropped out of Kendo when he was seven and he had never held much love for the subject. Even stranger for him to ask things about her! Maybe he was trying to figure out what he'd in missed in the last few years.

"I'm hoping to be in the regionals soon actually, it's going well though I'm a little worried," she replied eagerly, hoping it would sound like a normal conversation. Maybe he wanted to pretend the coma never happened.

"Nonsense, your form is excellent," her father spoke proudly. Suguha smiled sincerely for it was rare to receive any compliments from her father. Rare to see him at all actually.

"Maybe..." Kazuto started but broke off.

"Yes?" Her mother prodded.

He seemed a bit uncomfortable. "I wanted to pick it up again," he admitted shyly.

Another long pause. Such a strange thing for him to say even ignoring his current physical condition. Suguha wished they could immediately encourage him but it would be impossible for him to participate in any sorts of sports for a while.

"That's something to consider," her mother said in a comprising tone. She couldn't agree but it'd be wrong to crush his spirits.

Kazuto nodded as if he had expected that answer. "Then may I visit this hospital?" Kazuto then explained that there was a friend stuck in a relatively nearby hospital and that he had to visit her.

"Wait so you met this girl online?" Her mother asked him cautiously.

"She's quite important to me," he replied defensively.

Mother obviously wished to lecture him about the dangers of online friends but was tactfully hesitating as it concerned the death game. Anything concerning the death game was dangerous to discuss - it could upset her dear brother. And discussing the dangers of an online game would feel like a bad joke.

"Very well but be careful, maybe your sister should come with you just in case," her mother eventually replied, giving her a sharp glance. It wasn't necessary; Suguha would've wanted to help and care of him.

"And I'd like to meet this girl at some point," her distant father chimed into the conversation with some severity in his voice.

Kazuto was nodding reluctantly at mother but turned abruptly to their father at his words. His eyes looked like they were burning, so filled with emotions. It was the most expression she'd seen in him in forever, a big contrast to the dull look he'd been previously wearing.

"She's still in a coma."

The family froze, and Suguha became worried that they'd finally tripped on one of those metaphorical land mines that surrounded her sick brother. This girl that he hadn't even met in real life meant a lot to him for some weird reason.

But then Kazuto relaxed and calmed down. Having finished eating, he was slowly and awkwardly getting up from the table, gripping his clutches to help himself stand up. Suguha could feel his annoyance at relying on them to move. He'd been stuck in a coma for so long though that this was inevitable. Really, he was recovering quickly and being strong in his condition.

"Let's go then, Suguha," Kazuto said, letting out a sigh. He didn't want her to come but was aware that he needed her for purely physical support.

Still she got up, after glancing at both of her parents for permission, and walked next to him, ready to offer her support. He rejected her arm until they had walked through the front door and away from the searching gazes of their parents and then he practically leaned on her for support, even with the crutches. So reluctant to show his weakness.

His muscles were simply unused to working and needed time before they could function. That terrible game had robbed him of more than two years of his life and were still such a huge toll on his strength. Suguha wanted to help him very much.

They walked along in silence, heading over to the bus stop; walking any long distance would be impossible though Kazuto wouldn't admit it. It was a warm, lazy sort of afternoon; perfect for walking at such a gentle pace.

Eventually as they were waiting, her brother broke the silence. Their relationship had always been strained but Suguha hoped that the 'experience' had maybe, possibly made him think about reconsidering that.

"So tell me about your Kendo," he said in a too casual voice, like he'd rehearsed it. And it was certainly a strange topic to choose.

Kendo was something he had bitter memories of and he'd abandoned it. Suguha had taken it up instead of him but it had always been an awkward subject. Maybe he was simply so fragile now that he'd finally started to let go of that bitterness. It was too hard to judge and she was a little reluctant to discuss her Kendo however.

"There's the prelimaries in three weeks, that'll lead to the regionals," she provided, half-hoping he'd drop the subject.

Kazuto nodded. "The preliminaries is where anyone can enter, right? And you're almost certain to get through," he replied, giving her a tentative smile.

She returned it heartily. "That's right - I'm expected to go quite far in it." She hoped that wasn't saying too much, Kazuto's face was unreadable to her.

"You're very hard-working, if I remember correctly," Kazuto replied in agreement. That simple statement showed that he'd missed some of her life too.

"...thanks."

They were at the hospital watching a pretty girl sleep. It wasn't quite what Suguha had been hoping for when going out with her dear brother. It was strange to think this wasn't only the first time she had seen the girl but possibly the first time her brother had seen her in real life as well. Did he truly meet her whilst in the game?

Still, Suguha tentatively held her brother's hand which was warm and soft despite being frail. It wasn't a new thing for her to stare at someone sleeping unusually still in a coma, their senses absolutely dead to the world. She didn't like that Kazuto would willingly do it too though; she didn't want him to spend more time at the hospital than necessary. She had imagined many times what would happen if he recovered and it never ended with him still and silent and unhappy. Why couldn't he be laughing outside, drinking in sunshine to bring colour to his pale, sickly complexion?

She did not say anything out loud though; he almost certainly wouldn't listen to her anyway. She did give his hand a gentle squeeze though, letting him know that she was here for him when he needed it. She loved him after all, even if he didn't understand her and, though it was hard to admit it even to herself, she didn't understand him all that well either. That intent stare he gave the sleeping girl was an absolute mystery, for instance.

This sleeping girl was something Suguha had no answer for. Kazuto was looking at the girl with such care in his eyes that it made her a little envious, almost. But she reassured herself that whatever feelings there appeared to be couldn't be altogether real as they only knew each other from the terrible game. Suguha couldn't trust anything from such a horrible game and therefore wasn't about to trust that girl. How could she? The girl looked innocent enough just lying there but even unconscious she was keeping Kazuto inside the horrible hospital. Kazuto deserved to be outside enjoying himself, not sitting there looking depressed and ill.

Suguha tugged her brother's hand again and shot him a comforting smile when he glanced at her. She'd be here to remind him that he was alive and she was with him. It was real for her and she'd make sure it was real for him too.

Thanks for reading! Currently this is just a one-shot though if you like it I may expand it some more. Still, right now I want to focus on my other story, cursed hero, so I can't say how often I'd update it. I would appreciate any reviews or comments you have though.

The idea here was that Suguha and family didn't properly understand that Kazuto was actually in a game; they imagined him sleeping and couldn't quite realise that he'd met people and learned how to fight monsters and basically have an adventure in a different world. They don't understand him and aren't sure how to act around him. Not sure if I got that across very well.