Equis Art Online II

Asuna combed her hair, watching herself in the mirror. Today was the big day. She would have a sister today. Asuna smiled and began to imagine how or what they would do in ALO.

"Stop getting ahead of yourself. She's not even here." Asuna said to herself, while she finished combing. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she smiled. Her school blazer and skirt, impeccably clean, was her garment of choice. She picked up her phone, and walked downstairs. Kyouko was writing on her laptop, Shouzou was pacing by the door. He noticed Asuna coming downstairs and he smiled.

"Dressed for the occasion, I see." he said, and Asuna chuckled.

"You could say." Asuna replied.

"She should be here any minute now." Kyouko said, shutting her laptop and walking over. As they stood outside, waiting, they saw a car drive up. Asuna smiled as it stopped, and the door slid open to reveal a girl, about twelve years old, with silvery-black hair, and a kind face, slip out and walk up.

"Hey." She said quietly, and a bit timidly.

"Hello. I'm Asuna. Your new sister." Asuna said, hugging her. Harushi flinched, but she hugged back and tears started to flow. Shouzou and Kyouko smiled.

"Glad to see she'll be well loved."

Kyouko turned to see her friend Kanata walk up, with a large manila envelope.

"The papers are inside. If you need anything, call. Again, thanks so much." Kanata said.

"It was our pleasure." Kyouko replied.

"I should get going. Goodbye, Harushi."

"Bye." she replied, a little louder this time. As they helped unload her suitcase and sidebag, Shouzou smiled.

"Asuna, take Harushi up to her room. We'll bring her things up."

"Okay, dad." Asuna said, gently tugging Harushi upstairs, as she was still taking in the sights of her new home. When they arrived, Harushi gasped. The room was modestly furnished, with a large bed and desk, dresser, table, mirror, walk-in closet, and a bookcase. Harushi walked over and sat herself down on the bed.

"We didn't know how to furnish it or how you'd like it, so we just went with the flow." Asuna said.

"It doesn't matter. Most of the time at the foster home, I slept on the couch. There weren't enough beds or cots for everyone." Harushi said.

"That's sad." Asuna said. "Did you have any friends?"

"A few. Most of them got adopted or left, though. I lost my parents in a fire when I was eight or so. I was an only child." Harushi said. " I still miss them."

Asuna smiled and placed her arm on Harushi's shoulder.

"We're not going away anytime soon. And besides, if you ever need anyone to talk to..."

Asuna hugged Harushi tight.

"talk to me."

"Okay." Harushi said, crying. "Sister?"

"Sister." Asuna replied, hugging tighter. Eventually, Harushi pulled away, and Asuna smiled.

"By the way, we have a little...event we planned for you for after when you get settled. We're going a little place I like going to often, and a lot of my friends will be there." Asuna said. "We kinda wanted to welcome you."

"That sounds nice." Harushi said.

"Asuna! Mind giving me a hand with this?" Shouzou called from downstairs.

"Be right there!" Asuna said, walking out. Soon after, the suitcase and sidebag were dragged in, and as they unpacked and set things around, Harushi sighed.

I have a family now...I have a real family...a real sister...

"Harushi?" Shouzou asked.

"Yeah?"

"You were staring off into space. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

As the last few things were unpacked, and the suitcase put under the bed, Harushi sighed.

"Are you ready to go?" Asuna asked, and Harushi nodded. As they walked downstairs and into the car, Harushi smiled to herself.

I'm Home...

=======================================================

As they drove up to their stop and got out, Asuna took Harushi's hand, and led the way. When they stopped, Harushi looked up at the sign on the door.

Dicey Cafe'

"This is where you like to go?"

"Yeah. It's a nice place, trust me."

As they opened the door and walked in, Harushi dropped her jaw at the amount of people.

A girl with two ponytails, who was helping pass out drinks.

Another girl with short, curly hair, who was at the bar.

A third girl with black hair and glasses.

A fourth girl, with short black hair and a kind smile.

A fifth girl with honey blonde hair and a ready face.

A girl in a wheelchair with a worn, and pale face.

A girl with hair so black, it was almost purple. She had a regal pose.

A man with flaming red hair and a bandanna.

A boy with almond hair, and a small smile.

A colossal African man with a small goatee and a kind face.

And finally, a boy of about Asuna's age, with black hair and an enchanting face. As they all looked at her with smiles, Harushi smiled back confidently.

"Hey there."

The black-haired boy walked over, shook hands with Shouzou and Kyouko, kissed Asuna on the cheek, and dropped to one knee. As he looked at Harushi, he smiled. Harushi looked away slightly, but she kept up her smile.

"I'm Kazuto. Allow me to introduce you to everyone. That's Keiko, the tripped-up beast tamer..."

"Hey!" Keiko said, though she blushed as well.

"Rika, the rip-off blacksmith..."

"I outta rip you apart!" Rika yelled, though she couldn't contain giggling.

"Asada, the semi-precise sniper..."

"Semi?" Asada replied incredulously, though she smiled slightly.

"Sugu, the best assistant ever..."

"Uh...Assistant?" Sugu asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Alice, the somewhat-human..."

"Somewhat?" Alice said, crossing her arms.

"Yuuki, the best swordswoman ever..."

"Umm...that's a bit much..." Yuuki said, though she giggled.

"Twilight, the always a student, never a teacher kind of girl..."

"Really?" Twilight said, rolling her eyes.

"You remembering all this?" Kazuto asked Harushi, who nodded. By this time, Shozou and Kyouko were talking with Agil at the bar, and Asuna, Kazuto, and Harushi were sitting down as well.

"Now for the guys. Ryotaro, the semi-perverted fire-head..."

"Hey!" Ryotaro said, putting his hands on his hips.

"Andrew, called "the Wall", though he's a bit softer than a real wall..."

"What did ya just say?" Andrew said, before sighing and going back to talking with Shouzou and Kyouko.

"Hyoma's so old he needs walkers..pun intendend."

"What was that for?" Hyoma said, crossing his arms.

Kazuto sighed and turned back to Asuna and Harushi.

"Well, That's pretty much everyone, so, wanna get something to eat or drink?" Kazuto offered, and Harushi nodded. As the lively party began, Harushi finally began to feel at peace.