Hi there! Sorry I haven't updated in a long, long, long time~ Thanks for the lovely birthday wishes : ) I had a great time. I'm 16! Yeah buddy!

~Aright so a few pointers, this chapter takes place 5 months after the last chapter. Why? Because Mikan and Natsume have done nothing but live together, break up, join different guilds and then ... yeah this chapter. I apologize if it isn't to your liking, but the first character death is coming up in the next chapter so beware.

HAAAAAAPPPPYYYY LLLLLAAAATTTTEEE BBBBIIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TTTOOO:

DEVIlishAngel00

I shall sing you a song (shield your ears if you must):

Happy Birthday To Ya...

To Ya ,To Ya, To Ya

Happy Birthday To Ya...

To Ya, To Ya, To Ya

Happy Birthday To Ya, Devi!

Happy Birthday To Ya!

Dedication : , because starfishes can be very peachy.

PandaBear8799 : no problem! I always try to dedicate a chapter to one of my readers and I choose the review that stood out the most so yeah! AHAHAHA, wipes away a tear from immense laughter, I wouldn't mind being a guy. I mean us women suffer a lot more! I shall take your advice, sure Tsubasa can be Egil. And I added a lot more characters in this chapter. Although they don't say or do much. Yesh, if I need OC's you will be the first person and only person I shall ask for assistance. Haha, you never fail to make the technical difficulties feel bad for being difficult- if that makes sense. xD

K-chan's Kisses : Ugh I'm getting sluggish on updating, but I will try my best and thank you so so much! : )

blueabyss16 : I HAVE A FEELING YOU'LL LOVE THIS CHAPTER, BECAUSE THERE A LOT OF HUMOROUS PARTS THANKS TO KOKO! yesh, I finally brought in koko! ;P

Guest : I don't like it either, but hey, ya got's ta do wat ya got's ta do. Thanks for reading! And GA deserves some change. :)

Yeepiyaya : Thank you! Aww, I've never gotten such a high praise before. Well, I try to explain as much as possible and provide insight for those who don't watch SAO. I don't think they know each other but I'll MAKE them know each other. Soon. But they are really close friends in this chapter. Sure. In up coming chapters I will be sure to do bits of every character's past. LET IT RUN FREE I SAY LET IT RUN FREE~ Yesh it does brighten up my day! Thank you, returns hugs and kisses. ^.^

fralala-chan : Thank you! And I promise I will update more!

DEVIlishAngel00 : I appreciate that! Well I tried to convey their feelings as much as possible! Glad you liked it! Thank you : )

nix: Gaaaaah! I am so sorry, I didn't clarify that! Its Ruka's cottage. Well if it were to be Natsume's (or Ruka's since the circumstances are the same) Mikan would've commanded him to go there because he is still her slave. Again, my apologies. Feel free to keep asking question, I enjoy answering them : ) Well, nobody likes a cliché Ruka, sometime they do, but its time for a change :p Things are different in this chapter so I hope you'll still like, thank you so much!

Aira-Chama : I KNOW ITS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, Hahaha I LOVE YOU TOO... no it 'that' way, of course... or is it?! (jk jk) ;P I have been burnt to crisps every single time a 'jealous-natsume' part is written in this story. *applies burn medicine* hahaha, I try to do the unexpected and wipe the readers off their feet, so I'm glad it working. Aww, thanks for making my day! : )

: Nahh my birthday was on the 29th of April. Thhhaaannnkk YYoouu! Awww stop making me blush, your too nice. That really means a lot getting so much praise : ) I admire you writing as well, you should update your story! I advice you to watch its really good, you won't regret! Yes of course, I'll take your advice and I'll be sure to go in depth will the characters' feelings. Thanks so much ^.^ I shall await your new chapters as well!

NATSUME HYUUGA

I was running, no actually, I was walking at a pace faster than lightning. I clenched my fists and all I could think about was her. Please be there, please, I repeated under my breath. I crashed through the door that led into Mikan's room and to my displeasure, I found the place deserted. Among all the contents inside the room there lay a white piece of paper, neatly folded and placed on top of her nightstand. Its a matter or seconds before I fumble with the note in my hand attempting to undo its folds and feast my eyes upon what the writer- most likely Mikan- wrote.

Dear Natsume,

I know your probably going to be upset but I just thought it was right to let you know that I'm going to be leaving today. I will be joining a guild, a guild that fights on the front lines because I want to escape this world. I came to the realization that I don't like it here. I want my life back. So I'm leaving. I'm leaving you. I know you must have thought we could live happily in this virtual world, but I'm not happy. Goodbye, for being my virtual boyfriend.

If we make it back to the real world, I'll find you again and fall in love with you again.

Your Polka Dots.

I ripped the note she had left me into shreds. I could feel my whole body burning, either rage or hurt, I don't know. My heavy gasps become wheezy coughs as I try to stop. I was baffled by what I had just read. I couldn't think straight, all I could think was why? I clenched my fists in so tight, it was as if my nails were biting my palms. Weaker than a newborn infant was how I describe myself. "I don't get it." I say to the utter darkness. Suddenly, I felt a hand clamp over my shoulder. A very sincere act, only one that a true friend could pull off. Ruka.

"Forgive me, but I read that note before you."

My eyes widened, not in shock of his actions but in shock of what he might have thought about the note. Obviously, Ruka still didn't get over Mikan. Ever since that day in town and our little brawl, he was never able to forget those feelings. Ever since she became mine.

"I don't blame her."

"Too many people have been living their fantasies here. Crimes, murders, love, marriage, all of it is possible here now. People have lost the real sight. Living here isn't paradise, its fake." He spit out his words like venom.

"Natsume, this needs to stop. We are trapped here and we need to escape. Are you with me?"

He extended out his hand as if making a deal. From the start I had always been unconfident about my place in both worlds. I liked this world, despite everyone else's complaints, but was it right to keep the players hostage here?

I had grown up with a life where I have been born at the top. The crème de la crème. Hard to believe? A life of sophisticated clothing, fine cuisine, extravagant luxuries. Even now, as I mention it, you are probably envious of this kind of lifestyle that you may never have. A perfect delusion you indulge now and then. Everything comes easy, there are no limitations, no hesitations. But that is all it is. A fantasy. Something to strive for, an impossible goal and fascination. That is all it is. In reality it's not quite so perfect. Even my own mother and father scorn my nature, that to strive for excellence when there is none left to be gained. Is it any surprise then, when I left this world for another? To forsake my old life and begin anew? No, I don't think it's that god damn big of a deal.

No.

It'd be wrong of me to make such a selfish decision. Escaping reality is an act of cowardice, letting go of your dreams is being brave. Coming to this world to cry about my disadvantages in the real world is stupid. Dreaming is stupid, period. I was stupid. So even if this will become another one of my stupid decisions, it won't hurt to make another.

I clamped my hand over Ruka's extended one and engaged myself into a promise that I'd have to give my life in order to keep.

I scrolled over the appearance tab in my settings and tapped the Clothing tab. In seconds my old clothes exploded into diamond pixels and I was clad in all black with a leather jacket, shirt, jeans and belt. The chances are that I along with many others were all going to die today so mind as well wear black, funeral appropriate right?

"You're doing the right thing."

Those assuring words echoed through my ears as soon as they had escaped Ruka's mouth. His hand rested on my shoulder with an unusual look of sympathy I'd never thought I'd see on his face. It felt like just yesterday Mikan and I spent the night at Ruka's cottage and bombarded each other with pillows. Only, that was what happened five months ago. I failed miserably to retrain from getting caught up in those moments, caught up in her smile.

Mikan and I had walked separate paths since then. She accepted her place as the vice president of The Guardians of the Real while I made my pact with Ruka and fought against their guild, defending their victims.

"She's our enemy, Natsume."

I knew that very well. I had known since the day she picked a fight with me and captivated me with those big brown eyes. Even with that appearance of an angel, Mikan Sakura had always been my enemy.

"Attention, everyone. We will now discuss our game plan for our battle against the notorious guild, The guardians of the Real," said Ruka.

"THEY RATCHET!" screamed a grinning boy with dirty blond hair standing a table. Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you the definition of stupid, Koko. Laughter ensued at his remark. I looked at him raising an eyebrow given that my expression read 'what-the-hell-you're-using-stupid-words-at-a-time -like-this?!'

Well, he did have a point. The Guardians of the Real, was what they had called themselves. Guardians, my ass. Try fucked up Alice stealers instead.

"Foul-mouth alert!"

Shut up Koko. And stay out of my thoughts. I mentally glared daggers at him.

"No can do, I'm- okayokaynatsumedon'tkillme!"

I extinguished the flame that I had momentarily used and a gave a nod to Ruka signaling him to continue his before battle speech. Koko was one of the many players I had met after I had made the pact with Ruka. Koko had the Mind Reading Alice and I had met him after burning a section of his hair when he revealed my dream about - ahem, you don't need to know.

"The Guardians of the Real is not just a guild that battles in the front lines, their true intentions are to steal Alices, murder gamers and control AAO and not escape it. We will not be bystanders to this issue, our mission is to annihilate them and carry out the original goal of this game. To conquer all 100 Floors and achieve our freedom!

The army of players cheered with the end of Ruka's speech. As Ruka stepped down from the stage the cheers died down and we all proceeded to say our goodbyes before our departure.

Ruka and Koko pulled up a chair at the table where I sat along with a couple other gamers I was pretty close with. There was Kistu who was the beholder of the Levitation Alice and also Koko's partner in crime. Youichi, my kouhai that takes after me, with the Spirit Controlling Alice. The infamous Hotaru Imai with the Invention Alice, she hates that stupid Guardian guild as much as I do. Yuu, he's not much of a fighter but his Illusion Alice comes benefits us every time.

"Nice speech Ruka! I heard you say some very challenging words! Annihilate, really? Way to go all Star Wars on us." Koko said going at his usual antics.

"Funny you should mention that. Ratchet, really?

I was expecting something in a language both of us could understand."

"What! It's what you call someone that's

who is either 1. a whore 2. dirty/nasty 3. ghetto as HELL 4. being annoying 5. busted."

We all laughed and shrugged it off seeing that it might be our last night like this. The moment was nice, until Koko had to ruin it by opening his amazing singer voice that he doesn't have,

"I WEAR YOUR GRANDAD'S CLOTHES! I LOOK IN-CRED-A-BLE! I'M IN THIS BIG ASS COAT! FROM THAT THRIFT SHOP DOWN THE - smack!"

I will idolize you Hotaru from now on for that bitch slap on Koko and for the additional picture of the red mark that he now has on his cheek.

To say that I was ready would be an understatement. I was beyond ready. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I had no clue of what was to come. Would I leave this day regretting my decisions? I wasn't afraid of death, I was afraid of bestowing it on someone else. With Ruka's signal, we all reached in for our teleport crystals and set them off. In a flash, I was in a room with guardians dressed in red and white suffocating capes and cloaks. How do they breathe in those things?

Our plan was to ambush them so that they wouldn't know what hit them. Some how our plans had to alter since they were aware of the fact that we were coming.

They were ready and to my horror, their leader was none other than my ex-girlfriend. God, Natsume, way to go. Your POV is starting to sound like a Spanish soap opera. All we needed now was for Koko to go, "Dun-dun-dun!"

"Surprised? We thought we'd welcome you." She exclaimed in voice that I guessed was her attempt of being badass.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden change of the atmosphere. The tom foolery before battle had ended, this was the real deal. Intense glares we passed from both parties, you could thaw a block of ice with these fiery looks of "I-will-kick-your-ass."

In the spur of a moment, the glaring was no more and it was time for our actions to speak louder words and fight. Battle cries were heard accompanying the frequent, "Hi-yah!" and "Umph." So far, nobody had exploded into tiny pixel diamonds shreds.

I toss a ball of fire established from the heat in my hands at an enemy soldier, who's gotten in too close for comfort, but she is expecting it and dives onto the floor before my fire-ball can meet its mark. However he isn't so swift at aiming from the floor so all his attacks miss me by a long shot. I'm able to hit him in the calf and end his existence in this world. In both worlds, sadly.

The same routine continues and before we know it we have the upper hand as the enemies are out numbered. "Enough!" A voice is heard through the dark corners of the room. The voice sends a shiver down my spine at how its tone is so familiar. A gruesome tone it is. I glance to my partners in crime, Hotaru gives me a nod inflicting the idea of this guy being the leader or the entire guild. While Ruka is covered in a bead of sweat, makes sense, he fights hand-to-hand combat.

"I shall use my Alice so that this battle can seem, real. I shall inflict pain into this battle," he says with a daunting expression. He looks awfully familiar, dark robe, the color of crimson, reminds me of blood, blood... My thoughts travel back to the very first day of the game but they are interrupted by his next remark.

"Let's makes this a bit more exciting shall we?" Oh great, what's this guy got up his sleeves...

Pain? Impossible, I thought. Only to stand corrected after a wave of pain travels through me and the entire crowd of people. I groan in agonizing affliction, this feeling has grown foreign to my body after living without it for almost a year. I clench my head in the palms of my head, unable to bear the torment of this feeling.

The man erupts into a menacing laughter at our discomfort. With a snap of his fingers the pain ends, groans of relief bounces off the walls of the room. In the blink of an eye the man disappears leaving us to bear with the pain. He won' even stick around to aid his guild?

"We have to keep fighting," Ruka yells and thus the very first bloodbath in AAO begins. A symphony of cries from pain rings around room. Blood covered the floor in an instant, its striking color splattered on the walls of the Guardians of the Real's headquarters, while the glass panes of the windows were cloudy from the thick liquid. Bodies were seemingly frozen on the ground. I still hadn't gotten used to the fact that they wouldn't be exploding into crystals and disintegrating anymore. We've lost a great number of our group and so did they.

From the corners of my eyes I saw a head of chocolately brown curls and proceeded to target my final victim. I walked towards her and with every step I took my heart became a bit heavier. She inched away from me, her chest moved up and down slowly, matching the slow pace of her heart beat. Tears began to overflow in her eyes and before I knew it tears clouded my vision, blurring it and falling down onto my feet.

My whole body numb from the wounds, so piercing I couldn't even recognize the screams and cries echoing throughout the room.

My team lay amongst the numerous puddles of blood, turning the white marble floor into a sea of red.

The fire burning within my hands are the possibly the most powerful they've ever been. High raging flames, immense amount of heat, one blow and the victim won't even get a chance to feel the pain, they'll be dead with the contact of it.

So many thoughts race through my mind and without being giving them much attention I take steps toward her. My eyes locked on her brown ones filled with hurt and sadness. The love I see in them makes me cringe. It won't matter, I'll die too, I think. Accepting that we can never have a life together.

I raise my hands, about to aim for the target. All my action are slow, like the scenes in dramatic movies, because of the disbelief of the situation I'm in.

She does the unexpected, which is ironically expected of her, she smiles at me. A gesture reminding me of our past memories. My heart just wants to stop beat right now and shrivel up like a raisin.

"Go ahead, Natsume. Kill me. You can take my life, for you already have heart. Its your choice whether you choose to stop it."

Just think, ten months ago I was eager to escape my reality and trust the promise of adventure and glory that this game had enforced. I assumed that I was just playing a game. A game. But this was no game. It was a life threatening situation.

I fell in love, made friends, and enjoyed my time here. I did more that I would've achieved in my real life. A world where I wasn't at the top. A life without sophisticated clothing, fine cuisine, extravagant luxuries. But every dream comes to an end. You wake up from your slumber and meet the shining sun peering through your window and the ring of your alarm clock.

For it is my time to wake up,

only I won't be meeting the sun and hearing my alarm clock,

because I will die.

I close my eyes and imagine heat overflowing my body. And within seconds,

I am burning.

Mikan is crying.

Ruka is screaming.

Koko's smile has disappeared permanently.

Hotaru is baffled.

And the entire room has grown silent.

I, Natsume Hyuuga, have just ended my life.

In both worlds.

Don't kill me for killing him! Tell me what you thought of this chapter! I was in a rush to finish this so its probably not the best. Thanks for reading and until next time. REVIEW! Care to guess who's gonna die? No dip, its Natsume... or is it? I won't say, so guess.