Kirito readied himself, waiting for anything that Salem threw his way. He needed to avoid that blade at all costs if he wanted to stay alive.

Salem would be careful not to hit Kirito, but would heal the Bishie if he did get hit. He charged toward the Bishie , ready for anything that might be thrown at him.

(timeskip to after the duel?)

( sure. Sounds good to me. :) )

(alright.)

Kirito panted lightly as he held his two sword out behind him as his last sword technique finished. He didn't put as much power in it as he would have, but he knew that Meteor Storm would be the perfect technique to finish the duel with. Plus the fact that it was a sixteen hit combo brought a small grin to his face. He knew it was a pity compromise to what he had wanted to do, but he did promise not to hurt Salem too badly. He also noticed the few scratches on his body from Salem's sword and knew that the poison would take effect soon if it wasn't negated.

" Let me heal you. I'll need to scratch you again with the sword, but I've set it to the poison that is the antidote. " Salem said feeling the pain from the attack. He was glad that Eve would have a fighting type Bishie , knowing she would be safe.

Kirito nodded quickly, knowing that the more he moved the quicker the poison would spread. After that, he would heal Salem of his wounds with one of the pink healing crystals that he had on his person and then he would let Eve catch him, although he had a feeling Salem was glad that he was a good melee fighter.

Salem lightly scratched Kirito with the antidote. "It will work faster if you move a little. " Salem said, since the antidote was similar to the poison.

"Alright," Kirito said as he moved around a little before placing his sword in the sheathe on his back before reaching into his cloak and pulled out a pink colored crystal. "Heal," he said as the crystal broke and a pink shroud of energy surrounded Salem, healing him of his wounds.

Salem felt his wound healing and smiled." Thank you. I have a feeling you'll get along well with the bishies me and Eve know. We currently are in a safe house with other trainers that have been targeted by both the School and the Scientists. " Salem said.


Micheal was getting desperate . He hadn't found anything that he could send for his superiors. He knew he needed them to intervine soon, since supplies were getting low and The School getting restless.

"Then I will be glad to be of service. Eve, since my business with your boyfriend is done, you can go ahead and capture me, if you wish," he said, curious about the allies that Salem was talking about.

Eve nodded and threw the bishie ball toward Kirito and picked it up. "I promise to let you out when we get back to the safe house." She said and looked around." We better get back, since it is getting dark." She said happy that today had been such a good one.

"That's a good idea actually," Salem replied as he kept his senses open. He didn't want anything to happen to Eve, especially after he confessed to her and got her a Bishie.

Eve held the Bishie ball Kirito was in tighly as they walked. It seemed so quiet and that. Made her nervous. She was glad to see the safe house and was looking forward to introducing her Bishie to everyone.

"Eve...how do you want to tell the others about us?" Salem asked after seeing the safe house in the distance. He was still on his guard though, and wouldn't let it down until both of them were behind the doors of the safe house.

" I don't know. We should tell them together ." Eve said , hoping their friends would be happy for them. She was glad they were at the safe house and she pushed in the code to the gate.

Alex saw Eve and Salem coming towards the safe house and Eve putting the code in. He hoped that Salem was able to confess to Eve, but didn't know.

Eve was glad to be inside and smelled something wonderful cooking. She remembered that it was Taylor's turn to cook tonight. " Ready to come out?" She asked Kirito. She gave a smile to Salem. " Thank you so much for coming with me today. She said.

"Don't mention it," Salem responded. "And I'm pretty sure Kirito would like to come out and meet the others," he added.

Eve smiled and let Kirito out. " So what do you think. Everyone's in the living room like usual. Are you ready to meet them ?" She asked her new friend.

"Thanks Eve," Kirito said as he adjusted himself, bringing his hand down from the hilt of his blade as he was used to doing. "And I think I'm ready to meet everyone, if you don't mind...and then perhaps I could get to know my trainer better?" He asked.

" Sounds good to me. I'd also like to know more about you. " Eve said as she headed toward the living room.

Salem waited with Kirito as Eve went into the other room. "I know it's not my place to ask but...who did my poison kill?" he asked, hoping that The Black Swordsman would answer.

" You killed my friend Yuki Asuna. " Kirito said sadly. He wished he had been able to reach her sooner, but there had been too many Scientists that day that had done what they could to block his way.

(This is just me being curious, and I apologize, but have you started the anime series or Light Novel?)

"I know it's late but...I'm sorry," he said as he saw Eve return.