Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko, inspiration for this fic is thanks to Mewberries her site is advertised on my profile. Thank you for your time and attention! A BIG thanks to Mewberries for inspiration! I hope you all are enjoying the fic.

Chapter 10

Healing the wounds of battle

Soon Yumi entered the cave with Ulrich on her back covered with a blanket and a green scarf around his neck. Yumi carefully set Ulrich down, she then grabbed the backpack and pulled out the First Aid Kit.

" Aelita could you start a fire, we need to warm him up." Yumi asked

" Sure thing Yumi." Aelita replied

Aelita did as she was told starting a good size fire that instantly warmed the cave, she laid down next to Jeremie once the fire got going. Odd had fallen asleep in a comfortable spot some time ago so no one really had to worry about him. Yumi dried Ulrich's fur with the blanket as he laid by the fire, she didn't want him to get sick, they had much to do before going back home.

Yumi smiled when she noticed that Ulrich was no longer shaking and shivering, the male was not resting peacefully. She then uncovered Ulrich and began taking care of his wounds, William had done real damage to Ulrich, Yumi couldn't believe that Ulrich put his life on the line yet again. The male seemed to always doing that, no matter if it was Jeremie or Odd even Aelita, Ulrich was there to protect them.

Once Yumi was done taking care of Ulrich wounds she covered Ulrich back up and laid down next to him. She crawled under the blanket to share her body heat., she smiled as she cuddled close to the male.

" You think he'll be okay?" Aelita asked

" He'll be just fine Aelita." Jeremie replied

" There's nothing to worry about, he'll be okay as long he's kept warm." Yumi said

Aelita put her head on her paws, Jeremie began nuzzling her lovingly. Aelita smiled as she nuzzled back purring softly, Yumi couldn't help but smile as she watched from her spot, she put her head on her paws. Ulrich's calm breathing seemed to lull her to sleep after listening for a few minutes.

Odd got up a few hours after everyone fell asleep, he put some more sticks on the fire, he smiled when he saw that Jeremie and Aelita were sleeping soundly as Yumi slept peacefully with her head by Ulrich's. The male laid down as the cave warmed up again, he was glad that his friends were happy, but now he was the lonely one.

Jeremie awoke early when the sun bounced off the snow that laid outside cave, the male yawned loudly. He saw that the fire was still burning brightly in the middle of the cave, he smiled when he found Aelita sleeping soundly next to him.

" Morning Einstein." Odd greeted

" Morning Odd." Jeremie replied

Odd stretched cracking a few joints in the process, the male let out a loud yawn as he shook off. He then put a few more sticks on the fire, he looked out the cave seeing nothing but white snow everywhere he looked.

" Man, how are we going to find Zerno in this white wasteland?" Odd asked

" Don't worry we will." Jeremie replied

Soon Aelita moved a bit which caused Jeremie to turn his attention, Aelita lifted her head and yawned.

" Good morning Princess." Jeremie greeted

" Morning." Aelita replied

Jeremie nuzzled Aelita, the female purred as she snuggled back. Jeremie smiled, he had never felt so happy, sure he was really happy when Aelita was first materialized, but he was much happier now. He loved Aelita dearly and didn't want her to get hurt, but he let her have her space.

Aelita stood and existed the cave, Jeremie stood up and stretched, the sound of his cracking joints greeted his furry ears. Soon Aelita came back into the cave shaking snow off her paws, she smiled as she sat by the warm fire.

" Where'd you go Princess?" Odd asked

" Get a drink, it's quite cold but it's very refreshing." Aelita replied

" See anything?" Jeremie asked

" Snow, snow and oh yes more snow." Aelita replied

" Very funny." Jeremie stated

Aelita giggled as Jeremie nipped at her ear, the female playfully pawed at Jeremie's muzzle.

" That's enough flirting you two." Odd stated

Aelita and Jeremie blushed at Odd's comment, Aelita sat down, her tail swished back and forth.

" Do you think will be well enough to fight?" Odd asked

" Hard to say Odd, he took quite a beating let alone he fell through the ice." Aelita replied

" It really depends on how he heals Odd." Jeremie added

Yumi moved a bit, she could hear the others quite clearly. Yumi snuggled closer to Ulrich, she hoped that he would be alright and would be able to fight Zerno. She lifted her head and let out a yawn, she saw that Aelita was playfully pawing Jeremie's muzzle again.

" Morning guys." Yumi greeted

" Morning Yumi." Aelita replied

Yumi sat up and stretched another escaped yawn her mouth, she looked at Ulrich, the male was fast asleep.

" Should we wake him up?" Odd asked

" Let him rest, he's been through a tough fight, he deserves the rest." Yumi asked

" Did something happen that we should know about." Odd asked

Yumi blushed as she sat by Ulrich's resting form, the female looked down at her paws for a moment.

" Let's just say Ulrich told me something special." Yumi replied

Jeremie and Aelita smiled as they sat by each other, Odd thought for a moment, he then shook his head.

" But I thought you said that you two were just friends." Odd stated

" Things change Odd, I have no feeling for William anymore, plus Ulrich has been more of an influence to me. Plus he's the only guy that didn't judge me when he first met me." Yumi replied

" I'll never understand you Yumi, you are so complex... you share that with Ulrich." Odd stated

" How so?" Aelita asked

" You don't know as much we do so I'll tell you. You see Ulrich's parent's are very hard to please, they expect him to be perfect so his self-confidence has never been great. He's always pushing himself to the limit even if it means certain death, trust me he's done it." Odd replied

" I see." Aelita said

" When Yumi joined the group Ulrich's self-confidence seemed to get better everyday, but his parents are always on his case, it seems like no matter what he does, it's not good enough." Odd added

Aelita nodded as Yumi laid down next to Ulrich, the male only groaned as he moved his head slightly.