" She is? Oh now I remember. We'll soon be going to look for Carly and Deanna's mom won't we? " Kirito said. He hoped that this would be a good journey since he had never been in the mountains before.

Eve nodded at that. "That's right," she said with a grin, wondering if she should ask what was wrong or let Sakura do it herself tomorrow.

" I'm going to head to bed early. I trained hard today and I want to be rested tomorrow. " Kirito said.

"Alright. Sleep well Kirito," Eve replied.

Kirito nodded and went to his room. He knew sleep would help him feel much better.

Eve watched Kirito head off to his own room, hoping that her bishie would be alright. Shaking her head lightly, she went into her own room, having a feeling that tomorrow would be a better day.

Carly went to be and was tense. She hoped that she wouldn't have nightmares anymore since she really enjoyed the sleep for a change.

(here's a thought, what about Sakura meeting Asuna in a dream?)

Sakura got ready for bed, yawning lightly. After all the training she did today with Kirito, she was tired.

(Like that idea! :) )

Thalia had a feeling something might happen tonight but felt it wasn't a bad thing.

(glad to hear it)

Sakura fell asleep soon after she got into her bed, not realizing what was about to happen. Opening her eyes, she saw two things: Thalia and the fact that they were in a white void.

" Hey Sakura-chan. Someone wants to speak with you and I was asked to help her." Thalia said. She was glad to do this since she was told it would help a friend.

"Oh?" Sakura asked. She was curious as to what Thalia meant, plus she wanted to know where they were.

" Asuna is a friend of Kirito's and she wants to talk to you. This is a place between life and death and under special circumstances a spirit can talk to the living." Thalia explained to Sakura. She knew in the morning this might get awkward.

"She does?" Sakura asked, mentally gulping at the sound of it. She never liked spirits, ghosts or anything related to the supernatural.

" She does. She's concerned about Kirito and knows you can help him."Thalia said.

Sakura gulped lightly before nodding lightly to herself, knowing that she could do it. "everything will be alright," she muttered to herself before telling Thalia that she was ready to meet Asuna.

Thalia nodded and went into the background unseen, She knew this was only between Asuna and Sakura.

" Hello Sakura. I'm Asuna." She said with a smile to the girl. She knew something was bothering Kirito and wanted him to be happy.

'wow...she's beautiful' Sakura thought for a few seconds in awe of the female in front of her and wondered if Kirito's sadness had something to do with Asuna.

" I wanted to talk to you about Kirito. I'm glad that he's been training you how to be a good fighter. I want you to tell him that I want him to be happy even if I'm not with him. Also tell him that it's okay to forgive Salem for what he did to me, since Salem has already paid for the deeds of being a scientist. " Asuna said. She wanted Kirito to have a happy life and hoped that he would listen to what Sakura would be telling him. She had wanted to talk directly,but had been told it wouldn't be a good idea.

Sakura listened to what Asuna was telling her, though she wondered what had happened to Asuna in the past. "Um...Asuna-san? Can I ask what happened between you and Salem?" Sakura asked. If the older female didn't want to tell her, then she wouldn't pry but she was curious all the same.

" Salem was the one who killed me. " Asuna said solemnly. She had forgiven Salem for his actions since he had done what he as told and had been a given a second chance.

Sakura was surprised that Asuna had said it so bluntly. "And yet Kirito-sensei doesn't say anything about it...but if that is the case, why is he just now starting to feel so sad?" she asked.

" I don't know. You do look like me a little bit. Maybe that's why. But I'm glad he has you as a friend. " Asuna said with a smile.

"I'm glad he's willing to be my friend, as well as my teacher," Sakura admitted before asking if Asuna was Kirito's girlfriend. That was the only reason she could think of as to why her death affected him so much.

" I'm glad he is too. Does he like having a trainer ? And what is she like?" Asuna asked. She knew her time was short but wanted to know as much as she could." I was his girlfriend. That's why I'm so worried about him. " She added.