The Path Unknown

19. A Slight Introduction

      Kage came back to his senses. That last memory was a tragic one, but he held the memory of his reunion the closest. She pulled off a maneuver that not even he thought was possible. Now, two years later, she was alive, well, and even more committed to him than before. He could call her, his and him, her's. It was a different feeling but one that brought great joy to him. He was thankful for what had happened, but desperately missed the time with her.
    
She was sleeping on his arm so he couldn't move. It wasn't that he disliked it, just that he wanted to make food. He moved her just a bit up to move his arm out from her, setting her down on the couch afterwards. Yui was in the chair by the fireplace, sound asleep. She looked cute and innocent like any other child, but she knew more about the game than Kage did. It was odd that Kayaba even thought to implement programs like Yui, the prototype caretaker. On top of that, she was too human to be solely a program. He had to have pulled brain data from scans or likewise to build the program. That would explain the number of younger gamers in the beta. About 550 of the thousand players in the beta were ten years old or younger. The data from them could have given Kayaba his algorithms and information to create a humanoid program. Pretty impressive to say the least.
      He got up and went to the kitchen, starting the food prep. The skill he had was too under-leveled for even the simplest of foods listed. They were to, most likely, come out burnt or undercooked. Michiko did well with her cooking, though. Her's came out perfect every time, tasting better than it did the previous time. Now, with the help of Asuna, she started to make food reminiscent of that from the real world. It could bring back memories that seemed miles away. She liked it herself, as she could make her own comfort food if she ever felt the need for it. The best he could do was prepare the ingredients for her, which only leveled his stat just a few points per dish. It wasn't much, but, if they were going to stay here more than a year, the points would eventually add up to a level or two.
    
Yui moved in her sleep, seemingly dreaming about things unknown to players. It was different, in a sense, because you couldn't see into an AI's thoughts. Kage would have to get the thought of "Artificial Intelligence" out of his mind, she was more of a virtual person than a programmed entity. She was the exception to the rule and he treated her as if she was a real person. That's what Kirito and Asuna did while taking care of her, they didn't look at the facts. They ignored it not because of their own selfishness, but because it made Yui feel better about herself. She was truly a digital masterpiece.
    
Without notice, Michiko came up behind Kage as quietly as possible for the sake of Yui's nap. She kissed Kage on the cheek as to say "good morning", without actual words, and started to gather the ingredients. She knew what he wanted by what he gathered, always a simple dish. It was good that it was easy to make, but even she could get tired of a food in a game.
    
She started to put the ingredients together to make the meals, making sure to add extra for Yui. They blended like they should've and started to create the dish. Her thoughts focused on many ideas, mainly with Kage, though. There was something about him that was different from the rest. She couldn't forget how they met and it seems like he didn't either. He seemed happier and more open to people with her around. Before she met him, he was closed and very self-centered as she saw during previous encounters. She had met him before, but not in a fashion that she would remember him for the rest of her life. That fateful day at the tree was the one she couldn't forget for many reasons, one of which was that she was so ashamed of herself. Like Kage keeps mentioning, she had hit the only obstacle in the clearest and flattest square mile in the game. There were no mobs, rocks, hills, bodies of water, or anything else that could be called a flaw, just that one lone tree and she just so happened to hit it and the player resting underneath it. The second thing was that, even though she tried to kill him in thirty seconds, he still liked her. He was someone very odd and different from everyone else in the game, but that didn't stop her from liking him back. They finished the food prep as Michiko put the pot on the stove. Yui started to wake from her slumber, rubbing her eyes as she sat up in the chair.
    
"Uncle?" Yui said, sleepily.
    
Kage laughed, "Are you talking about me Yui?"
    
"Yes, you're like an uncle to me! Uncle Kage and Aunty Michiko." She looked at them, confused. "Is that not alright with you?"
    
"It's fine, Yui. Uncle just hasn't had someone call him that in a while." Michiko snickered and nudged Kage.
    
"Well, you're not wrong. Are you ready for breakfast Yui?"
    
"Yes!!!" She smiled.
    
The sat and ate, talking about everything they could think of. Yui could talk in it as well because of her being able to see all players. The three bonded in a way like no other, feeling just like an extended family. Michiko loved Yui like a little sister or cousin. She always rustled her hair, tickled her feet, or just sat and played games with her. It was so odd, yet so satisfying to see Michiko like that. If she had someone that she cared about, she opened up; but not many people were worth caring about in her eye.
    
The close of breakfast came with the three of them going for Asuna and Kirito's cabin across the lake. Michiko picked Yui up on her shoulders as they started to make the mile journey. They ran ahead, entertaining Yui very much as Kage kept his pace. He laughed at her display to make their "niece" laugh as much as she could. Their laughs were equally as cute to Kage. Yui had the sweet, childish laugh that brightens up a day. His partner, Michiko, had a smooth, sweet laughter that felt like velvet on his ears. Both of them made him warm up on the cold, winter morning. Unfortunately, there was no snow yet.
    
The cabin was now in sight, the three walking at a quick pace. Yui was excited to be home, but she loved her uncle and aunty very much as well. There seemed to be lights on as well as glasses being toasted, something was definitely happening within the cabin. Michiko didn't notice and just went through the open door going to greet Asuna and Kirito, until she saw the amount of people. She stood awkwardly in the doorway, staring at all the people. Yui went past her and hugged her parents, leaving Michiko in the doorway. Kage stepped behind her, calling out to Kirito.
    
"Hey man, sorry to intrude. We're just bringing back Yui."
    
"No problem, you want to come in with us?"
    
Michiko violently shook her head, "mmm mmm, I don't wanna..."
    
"Sure, we'd love to!" Kage grabbed Michiko by the hand, dragging her inside.
    
Kirito rose his voice, announcing to everyone, "Everyone, this is Kage and Michiko. Kage, Michiko, meet Agil, Silica, Lizbeth, and Klein."
    
"Hey, it's nice to meet you! Nice swords too girl, those are from the crystal quest, weren't they?" Liz asked.
    
"Hi, I heard you're a beast tamer too! I got so excited when I heard that you were actually here!" Silica said with gleaming eyes.
    
"Hey, I'm Agil, nice to meet the two of you."
    
Klein came up to Michiko, "Hi, I'm Klein. 23, sin-"
    
Kage jabbed his fist into Klein's abdomen, "Just stop ok? She's mine. I don't wanna make a bad impression but are you seriously doing that?"
   
"Don't worry, he's about as desperate as a fish out of water." Liz laughed.
   
"Hey, you might as well try right?" He tried to defend himself.
   
"When the two of them walked in together?" Agil seemed disappointed, "Man, you got some issues."
   
The rest laughed as Klein put his head down, going back to his seat. Michiko wasn't any better, though, she didn't talk but rather hid herself behind Kage. She tried to avoid people and get Kage to leave, but he wouldn't budge. He enjoyed the company and conversation a lot. He held her hand so she couldn't leave, it felt like utter torture to her. He knew that she didn't like company, but making he sit through this was unbearable. Just then, Silica came up to her.
    
"Michiko, are you ok?" She looked confused.
    
"Yeah," Michiko laughed uneasily, "everything's alright."
    
"Then why are you always hiding behind Kage?"
    
She broke free and put her hands to the side, "Behind Kage? I don't know what you are-"
    
"You don't have to be shy, besides, I want to talk to you about your pets too! They are so awesome!!!" Silica's eyes began to sparkle.
    
"They are, aren't they? Yours is cute too! What kind of a dragon is he?" Michiko asked, finally relaxing.
    
"He's a water-type. Anything that deals with water helps him a lot! Rain, a lake, melting ice, all helps him and his abilities."
    
"Wow, I guessing you like to play in the water a lot, don't you?"
    
"Yes! I love to! How did you guess that?"
    
"Oh, I'm just lucky at guesses."
    
"Then you should try the lottery some time." Kage put his hand on her shoulder, "Maybe we can 'luck' out and finish the game early?"
    
"Stop it, babe, you know I don't like when you do that."
    
"And you also don't like it when I keep you in a place too long, but when have I ever listened?" He laughed, "Come on, we got stuff to do today, remember?"
    
"Aww, you guys are going already?" Silica pleaded. "Please, just five minutes."
    
"I'm sorry, Silica, we'll meet up again soon ok?" Kage assured.
    
She nodded and smiled, "Alright then, take care you two!"
    
They said their last goodbyes and left, taking Shika and Zagu. Michiko didn't like the fact that Kage mad her stay and talk to people like that. He knew she was shy, maybe even a bit anti-social, but that was rude to keep her there. If he'd let her go she could have gone outside. She would have wait for him if he'd just do that. I can't believe you would do that. You're so damn lucky I'm in love with you... She looked at him, he had his smirk of victory on his face - she could see it. He hid it pretty well, but not well enough to where she couldn't notice it; it was part of his character.
    
Pushing each other off of the path, they started to laugh. They enjoyed every second they had together, weather it was fighting a boss, relaxing by a lake, or even just talking to each other. The "fights" they had were very entertaining to the two. It couldn't be helped, their relationship was made from it. Without the sarcastic banter and playfulness, it would be nothing more than the two repeatedly saying, "I love you" to each other. They both knew each other's likes and dislikes and they would use it to their advantage. It was odd and very different from others, but fun nonetheless.