Three days ago Xana released himself from Lyoko. For three days we have waited for his next strike. For those three days I have been thinking, and I have decided to take the biggest gamble of my life. A single word will decide whether I shall succeed or fail, it is all or nothing.

    "Hey Yumi!" I called, running to catch up with her.

    She turned around and smiled. It was an amazing smile, whenever it apeared I was stunned. "What's up?" she asked, begining to walk again, now that I had caught up with her.

    "Well I was wondering, um, if you had anything, um, any plans for tonight?" I asked, mentaly kicking myself. I had been practicing all morning, and as soon as I try talking to her I start studdering.

    "Well, I might have to watch Hiroki tonight. My dad has been in a lot of meetings lately. But other than that, no." she said, then stopped, and gave me a curious look, "Why?"

    "Well, um, I was wondering if you, um, would like to, um," I studdered, trying desperately to untie my tounge. "I've heard that Erato Park is real nice this season, and, um, I was wondering if, um, you'd join me this afternoon?"

    She leaned foreward a bit, "Ulrich, are you asking me out?" she asked, her tone unrecognizable. At this point all ability to form coherant speech had evaporated, so I just nodded. She smiled and put a hand on my shoulder, "Ulrich, how could I say no?" 

            I was shocked; he’d finally asked me out! I had half given up on him, and her he was asking me out. I told him that I would call him if I had to watch Hiroki then rushed home. “Mom?” I called, dropping my bag by the door.

            “In here!” she responded from the kitchen. I instantly went in and sat down at the table. My mom took one look at me and sat down, smiling. “Who is it?”

            “What?” I asked. Was I that obvious?
            “I’ve never seen you so dreamy eyed before,” she said, “So who’s the guy?”
            I felt my face turn pink. “It’s Ulrich,” I mumbled.

            “’Bout time!” she said, smiling wider, “Every time you were talking about him your eyes would light up.”

            “MOM!” I moaned, embarrassed.

            “So when is the date?” she asked, serious now.

            “Tonight,” I answered, “He’s taking me to Erato Park!”

            Mom blinked “Tonight? Did you forget that your dad and I have a business meeting tonight?”

            “I don’t care. I’m not babysitting Hiroki.” I said stubbornly.

            Mom sighed, “I hope that I can convince your father of this.” She said, then smiled, “You go get ready, I’ll see what I can do.”

            “Thanks Mom!” I said as I bounded out of the room.

            I decided to take a shower and put on a nicer outfit, after all how many first dates have I had before, one, maybe two? Ulrich was the first guy that I had realy liked in a long time. After all those times he had saved my during Xana’s attacks I know that he felt the same way. What if he doesn’t? the thought came, unbidden into my mind. You might like him but what if he only wants you for sex? I shook my head and stepped into the shower, letting the steaming water wash the thoughts away. Ulrich would NEVER do that to me! When I got out of the shower and put I decided to put on a black and red plaid mini-skirt and a black midriff bearing sweater with red embroideries around the cuffs. I then froze, looking at the bottle of perfume that my uncle had gotten me for Christmas, and then smiled.

            When I reached the bottom of the stairs I heard a low whistle. I turned to see my dad standing there, looking absolutely shocked. “Wow, you’re really going all out for this kid!” he said, then frowned, “I’m guessing that you won’t be willing to baby-sit tonight.”

            “That’s right.” I said, grabbing my good shoes.

            “Would you be willing to put it off tonight if I paid you triple allowance this week?” he asked, looking me in the eye.

            I was surprised, triple allowance on the first bribe? That was Two hundred Fifty franks!  I shrugged “Sorry, no sale!” I said.

            “Triple and a raise to ninety five a week!” I shook my head and his jaw dropped. “Please Yumi! This meeting is extremely important. Is there anything, anything at all, that would make you stay?”

            “Sorry Dad, but I’ve waited far too long for this just to give it up!” I said and then walked out the door.

“So you finally asked her?” Aelita asked.

“Yeah, I’m broke so I thought that I would take her to Erato Park.” I said.

“I guess that I’m bunking in Jeremie’s room tonight! I actually want to get some sleep without getting sick.” Odd said. I whirled; about to deck him, but Aelita beat me to it.

“How dare you say something like that? Ulrich has been waiting for a chance like this for a long time!” she snarled, kicking the prostrate Odd.

“We’ll keep him out of your way.” Jeremie said, “Even if we have to tie him up we will.”

            I waited outside Yumi’s house for about fifteen minutes before she emerged. I’d never seen her so beautiful before, or so tempting. She was wearing a black and red skirt that stopped just above the knees and a midriff bearing black sweater. The entire outfit accented her body perfectly, from her long, slender legs to her curvy chest.

            She smiled “I don’t even have to ask if I look good,” she said, closing my mouth with a finger on my jaw. “Come’on, Let’s go before my dad thinks up something to make me stay.”

            Erato Park was amazing. It was ser in a terraced design overlooking the river. In a way the park looked like a solid wall of greenery. Running along the terraces was a stream, creating waterfalls and pools in its wake.

            “Wow,” Yumi whispered, stunned.

            “It’s amazing,” I agreed, taking her hand. She pulled up closer, hugging my arm.

            “And so are you.” I heard her whisper, as a warm sensation crawled up my arm. We ended up roaming around the park two times; admiring the plants and, secretly, each other. After a long while we sat down on one of the benches at the top of the park, watching the sun set. The sky was a blaze of color, spraying like fireworks, over the horizon. Though there was a shocking beauty of nature in front of me, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the beauty next to me.

            “Ulrich?” she asked eventually, “Can I ask a favor of you?”

            “Sure,” I said, “What is it?”

           I moved close to kiss him again, inhaling his scent. It was like cinnamon, sweet with a spicy bite to it. I loved it. Ulrich then closed the distance between us, and once again our lips met. After a few seconds Ulrich’s hands shifted, one settling on the bare skin of my back, one traveling up the back of my shirt. I gasped as a tremor fired through my body then pressed closer to him. The contact made my body flare with a wonderful, addicting warmth. I wanted to stay like that forever, not letting time ever take us apart.

           We stood there for ages, absorbed in the moment, then all too soon Ultich pushed away, "I think you'd better go," he said softly, his face a briliant crimson... Boys!

           "Sure," I said, smiling. "I'll see you tomorow!" I then turned and started home, not even the cold wind could extinquish the burning fire within my chest.

          "How could you do this to us?" I was shocked, Mom yelling? She never yelled, when she was upset she would get extreamly quiet.

          "I'm doing what is best for the family!" That was dad. Great, they were fighting, the last thing that I needed after today. I opened the door as quietly as I could and slipped inside.

           "WHAT IS BEST FOR THE FAMILY?" Mom screached, "What do you know? You aren't here half the time so how could you know ANYTHING? We finally get settled, I finally see Hiroki getting friends, and Yumi truely happy and you CHOOSE to do this?"

           "Do what?" I asked, frightened. This was the first time I'd ever seen my mom this way. "What is going on?"

           My mom turned to me, her face red and tear streaked, "Yumi," she said, using a voice that I knew she only used when she knew it would upset me "We're moving."

           I was shocked. Moving? I must have heard wrong. "What?" I asked my voice cracking.

           "I got a raise." Dad said, "The thing is that we have to move to America. I decided that we should keep the family together, so we're all moving."

           "No! This can't be happening! We can't be moving!" I screamed, "Please tell me he's joking!"

            "I'm sorry Yumi..." Mom started, but I didn't want to hear the rest, i grabbed my coat and was out the door before she finnished the sentance.

            I ran and ran and ran, not caring where I went, as long as I could get away from this nightmare. When I finally looked around I noticed I was back at the park. Crap! I thought, my eyes filling with tears. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, CRAP! I hammered a tree with the side of my fist. This can't be happening! I felt my eyes well over, I needed someone, someone to wake me from this nightmare. Ulrich's face flashed before my eyes, his warm eyes comvorting me. I immediatly pulled out my cell phone and began to dail.

Wow, what a night! I thought, flopping down on the bed, Yumi’s image cemented in my mind. I sighed, the day had been perfect. I lay there, absorbed in the memories for a long time, undisturbed. Thankfully Odd seemed to be considerate enough to leave the room and leave me alone. I lay there in the dark silence, enjoying the lingering feeling of her skin against mine. Now if only she had been a little bit closer. I thought, and suddenly the image of Yumi popped into my mind again, only this time she wasn’t wearing any clothes. NO! I thought, shaking my head to dislodge the image. That’s the last thing that I want on my mind right now or I’ll NEVER get to sleep. I Covered my eyes with the back of my arm, trying to relax. Then my phone started ringing, startling me. Who is calling me at this time of night? I thought, looking at the caller ID, Yumi? Why would she be calling me? “Hello?” I asked.

    “Ulrich,” It was Yumi alright, but her voice echoed with pain “I need some help.”

    I jolted up, all senses on alert. “What happened? You hurt?” I asked, hoping she wasn’t.

    “I’m fine,” She said, her voice catching, “I just need some help, can you meet me in back of the dorms?”

    “Sure, what is going on?” I asked, still worried. I had hardly ever heard Yumi like this before, and when I had she was extremely upset. What the hell had riled her up this much?

    “I’ll tell you when I get there,” she said and ended the connection. I was out the door within seconds, only to run smack into Jim.

    “Shit!” I whispered, busted.

    “Hey, back to bed Stern!” he ordered, “It’s past 21:00 , you know the rules.”

    “Sorry Sir,” I said, “Yumi’s in some sort of trouble, she asked me to wait outside for her.”

    “Huh, you think that I am going to fall for that one? Do you think that I am that stupid?” Jim snarled, crossing his arms.

    “I’m serious!” I said, furious. He looked me in the eye, “You know what type of trouble that she is in?” he asked, finally deciding that I was telling the truth.

   I shook my head “No, I don’t. But she sounded really upset about something.”

    Jim stood there for a few seconds, thinking, “Fine, you have ten minutes. If you aren’t back by then you can expect major trouble, got it?”

    “Yes sir,” I said, then started for the back door “Thank you sir!”

   “And no funny business, ya’ here?” Jim called after me.

    When I got to the school I saw Ulrich immediately. I ran up and tackled him with a hug, letting his warmth, his scent surround an enclose me. I felt so much better just having him around; he was my anchor to this world. An anchor that I clung to in this tempest of pain and emotion.

    “Yumi!” he said, startled, “What is going on?”

    Pain welled up again as the memory of that short conversation filled my mind. “I’m…I’m moving!” I managed to say before I collapsed into tears. I gripped his shirt, pulling him close, crying into his shoulder.

    He stood there for a while, silent, hugging me. "Are you sure?" he asked, and I nodded, and he pulled me closer.

    I pressed against him, refusing to let him slip away from me "I don't want to go!" I said, and let the tears take over.

    After a long time of her crying Yumi fell silent. I waited, unusually calm. I should be crying too, but why can't I? I thought, then tapped her shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes bloodshot. "I'd better go in, before Jim gets suspisious." I whispered, she just clung to me tighter. "Come'on. Go home and get some sleep." I said, brushing a loose lock of hair out of her face.

    "I don't want to go home." She said, burying her face into my shoulder again. "I want to be with you."

    "What?" I asked, shocked. Had she just said that?

    "Please," she said, "Don't make me go. I want to be with you!" Suddenly the image of her naked again filled my mind. I quickly stomped it down again. Damn it! I thought, Why can't I keep a clean mind around her? I felt my face turn red. "Ulrich?" she asked, a subtle amount of pressure adding to her embrace.

    "It's fine, you just caught me off gaurd." I said, giving her shoulders a light squease. "Come'on. Let's go."

            “You slept with her?” Jeremie asked, shocked.

            “Shuh!” I said, thankfully no one had heard. The last thing I needed was to have rumors flying around. “But we didn’t do anything.” Jeremie raised an eyebrow, he clearly didn’t believe me. “Jeremie, I swear, we did nothing! I wouldn’t have touched her. ‘Specially after what she went through.”

            “Care to elaborate?” Jeremie asked.

            “He just doesn’t want t’ admit to it!” Odd said an impish look on his face.

            “Shut up Odd!” I snapped.

            Jeremie cocked an eyebrow, and then shook his head. “Fine, I’ll wait for Yumi,” he said as he walked into the cafeteria.

            I had barely started eating when a silence swept through the cafeteria, I turned to see what was happening, and was shocked at what I saw. Yumi was there, dressed in a light green shirt and tight blue jeans.

            “Holy shit!” I heard Jeremie whisper. Holy shit is right! She looks amazing! I really need to thank Aelita for pulling that off! I thought. Yumi was blushing a furious crimson but continued to walk to the line. When she sat down she buried her face into my shoulder.

            “I’m going to die!” she whispered, sounding completely mortified. “Some one kill me!”

            “No you aren’t!” I said, hugging her, “You look wonderful!”

            “It’s true.” I looked up to see William walking toward our table What the fuck does he want? I thought. William stopped “Ulrich, I know we have our differences,” He started, then paused, thinking “I just wanted you to know that even if you are dating Yumi now I will not stop caring for her.”

            I was shocked, ever since William ha come to the school we had been rivals over Yumi. For him to come and say this, to admit defeat was an absolute shock. “Um, okay,” I said, then he turned and walked away. Well, I thought hesitantly That is one less problem that I have to deal with. I went back to my food, trying to make sense of what had happened.

            “What is the meaning of this?” Sissy screeched, “Why are you going out with her?”

            “He never saw me cause you were always fawning over him!” Sissy retorted.

            Yumi shook her head, “Let’s get one thing straight: He’s never liked you! If you would deflate your head a bit you might be able to see that!”

            Sissy stepped back, looking as if Yumi had slapped her. “No.” She stuttered, “YOU’RE LYING!” she then rushed forward, fists flying wildly. Yumi calmly grabbed Sissy’s wrist, and in a single, fluid motion, flung Sissy over her shoulder.

            Yumi looked around to see the whole cafeteria staring at her. “I’m done, you can have the rest Odd!” She said, shoving the tray at Odd, and then walking out the door. I glanced at the group, then followed after Yumi.

            I moved quickly, trying to put the situation behind me. Why was it that whenever I had a grasp on something good someone, or something had to ruin the mood? I sighed, what did I do to deserve this?
            Arms wrapped around my shoulders and gave me a friendly squeeze. “Ignore them. Thy have no idea what they are talking about.” Ulrich said, moving to my side and taking my hand.

            “I know,” I admitted, but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”

            “Yeah, it’s tough,” he said, then game my hand a squeeze, “But that is why I’m here.”

            I smiled, then looked around. We were near the old cottage that Aelta had lived in before she was virtualized. I tugged Ulrich in that direction. “Come’on I know someplace people will leave us alone.

           “Personally I don’t understand it.” Suzanne Hertz said, “Ulrich and Yumi have never really been ones to cause a fuss. They stuck with their group and left most others alone.”

            “We all have known they are good friends,” Michel Rouiller said, “Every morning they would spar just for fun. Heck, I’ve even watched them a couple of times.”

            Jean Pierre nodded, “That’s true, but it still doesn’t justify the incident in the cafeteria, or that they slept together.”

            Suzanne nodded, “It seems out of character for Ulrich. Normally he’s so distant I can hardly get him to focus on his work.” Several other teachers nodded.

            “I think I can explain it.” Hans Klotz said, setting down his coffee.

            “Okay Hans, you have the floor.” Jean Pierre said.

            “We all know the two of them are friends, we have established that. We also know that Miss Ishiyama was informed of the family moving last night.” Suzanne nodded, “And it has come to our attention that Mister Stern and Miss Ishiyama have recently started dating. I believe that when she was told about the move she felt severely betrayed by her parents, and wanted to be with someone that she trusted and understood her. So, that would lead us to someone within that group. I think that she chose Ulrich because she had gained a major bond with him.”

            “That still doesn’t explain why they slept together.” Gilles Fumet said.

            “That’s easy.” Michel piped up. “She had just had a major fight with her parents. I don’t know about anyone else, but when I got into it with my old man the last person I wanted to be around was him. I think the reason she stayed with Ulrich was that she needed a shoulder to cry on.”

            Hans nodded “Exactly.”

            “I see.” Jean Pierre said thoughtfully, “Then the situation this morning must have come about with the combining of stressors.” He turned to the rest of the staff. “I think that minor consequences for those two. My daughter on the other hand I believe should receive two nights detention for provoking a fight, agreed?”

            “Agreed,” Responded the staff.

            “Okay then, this meeting is over.” Jean Pierre said.

            Suzanne stayed sitting while the rest of the staff left. “Jean, I think that we should keep a close eye on those two, just in case.”

            “I understand, and have already taken that into consideration; I’ve instructed Jim to make double sweeps of the boy’s dormitory hallway.”

            “Thank you sir.” Suzanne said, and then left the room.

I woke up again when Ulrich’s phone rang. Why couldn’t people leave us alone? I wanted to tell him to turn the damn thing off. “What is it this time?”
“Your parent’s are asking for you.” He responded
“They can go and fuck themselves for all I care. They don’t give a damn on what I think or feel, so why should I give them the light of day?” I mumbled. This was so unfair, when I finally get something that I like it is snatched from me in the next second. I pulled myself closer to him, unwilling to let him go.
“I’d rather you not be grounded for the next year though. That might make it a little hard for us to be together.” Ulrich said, his fingers lightly brushed my cheek. “Come’on, let’s get you home so we can get them off your back.”
He’s right a part of me said, “Fine,” I said grudgingly “But it is only cause you asked me to.”
Ulrich smiled, “I know.” He said, then stood up and helped me to my feet.

When we got back to my house I was ready to just turn back around and leave. This is absolute bullshit! Why do I have to do this? I asked myself. I sighed then opened the door. “Hello?”
“Yumi!” Mom exclaimed, coming out of the kitchen. “Thank god you’re all right. Where have you been?”
“With Ulrich, where else?” I mumbled, looking away.
Mom flashed a look at Ulrich, then turned back to me, her face furious. “Do you know how much trouble that you are in?” she snapped “You run off and don’t even so much as call? You are to go straight to your room and stay there. Got that?”
“Fine,” I spat, I wanted to say more but knew I was in for it enough as is. I turned to the stairs, finding myself in front of Ulrich. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Don’t be,” he said, then hugged me. A blast of his delicious scent washed over me. I was caught off guard at the sheer power of it, and suddenly wanted to fasten myself to him and never let go.
After a very short time Ulrich pushed away, “You’d better go, he whispered. I wanted to stay with him, and let the wild fantasies flying through my head filter into reality. But my responsible side stomped down on them. “Bye,” I said, giving his hand a squeeze, the hurried up to my room

Before I closed the door to my room I heard my mom start talking to Ulrich. Why is it that she has to snarl at me and Ulrich? He did nothing but help me when I needed it! I wrapped my arms around my chest, enjoying the warmth and scent that lingered like an aura around me. I didn't care what i had to do, I would stay with him.

"So, what's going on?" Aelita asked hesitantly.
I turned to her, "I don't know, Yumi's dad is pissed. Her mom says she understands what we're going through, and is going to try and smooth stuff over." I said, downcast.
"That's good." Odd said, absently.
"No, it's not!" My frustration coming to the surface. "What if her dad says we can't be together anymore and moves even earlier?"
"He wouldn't do that." Aelita said, giving my shoulders a hug. I looked down, avoiding her eyes. "Even if you were told that you would find a way to be together. That's just how you two are, you just never give up on Lyoko, so don't give up now."
"This is so dificult! I finally am able to ask her, and next second I found out she is leaving, maybe for good," I said, "This sucks, this royally sucks."
"At least you asked her before she left, this way you have a chance," Odd said, his voice solemn and eyes distant.
I stared at my shoes, they were right, I just didn't want to admit to it. "Cheer up Ulrich, things'll be fine."
"I hope so," I said.
Odd put a hand on my shoulder "If things get real bad you know you can talk to me, I will help." I shuddered, remembering what he had been through.

"I'm very upset with you. First you run off and not even tell us where you are going, then you spend the entire day with that boy doing god knows what." My dad turned to face me. "I've half a mind to bann you from ever seeing him again..."
"NO!" I cried.
"Now that is just mean!" Mom said, glaring at dad, "She's going to be leaving, and probably will never see her friends again. At least let her have the time she has."
"I don't care what you say," I said, the tension and frustration flowing to the surface "I am not moving, and I am going to be with Ulrich."
Mom glared at dad with a look that said This is your fault, Dad just scowled "Yumi, there will be plenty of other boys that you can be with..." he started.
"Other boys arn't Ulrich." I interupted, thoroughly peeved, "Why are you so intent on making me leave him? It's almost as if you requested this to keep us apart!" I stood up from the table "Why dont you let me live my life instead of trying to live it for me!" Before they could say anything i stormed up to my room and slammed the door, only then did I start to cry.