Disclaimer- I still don't own code Lyoko.
Claimer- I still own Evin & this story though.
Ch. 7—Return Trip & New Emotions
Jeremy was seated in his room. Aelita had gone out with Yumi for one last visit to her house before Aelita had to be virtualized again. Odd and Ulrich were downstairs playing a few games of basketball. (the court is outside the building)
He sat there, quiet, still, gazing at the computer's screen, looking for answers.
He still believed there was an attack by Xana...but...how?
Outside, the sky had turned to coal, flaunting its ever-glimmering collection of white diamonds to the world.
The stars are beautiful tonight. Jeremy thought.
Jeremy's POV
If there really was an attack, why didn't anything happen in the real world? Maybe what happened to Odd was a clue, but, Aelita...she didn't pick up anything...nothing...(sigh) I guess this is all going to my head.
Normal POV
There was a distinguished 'pitter patter' at the window.
"Ah yes, the rain. Ulrich and Odd should be coming back in soon."
With that, he kicked back his chair, threw his feet up on the desk, and silently observed the falling rain...
.....
Meanwhile at the basketball court...
Ulrich had slammed dunk the ball right into the hoop.
"Nice shot! At this rate, you'll be a pro in no time." Odd exclaimed.
"Yeah, right." Ulrich said back nonchalantly.
"Hey Ulrich, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
Odd took the ball and kneeled down on it.
"What's on your mind? Care to share?"
Ulrich turned around. He solemnly looked at Odd and thought, Why not? He told me about Evin, and he already knows about Yumi.
"Alright Odd, you win."
Ulrich sat down on the ground near Odd.
Ulrich: As you would guess, I'm thinking about Yumi.
Odd: Well duh, I figured that much!
Ulrich: It seems to me that she just doesn't care...at all...I mean, what if I did tell her one day...everything...would she really feel the same way about me?
Odd: You never know how deep the water is until you actually take the plunge.
Ulrich: But how? How was it so easy for you to let Evin know how you felt, and how did you receive the same feelings back? If Yumi didn't feel the same, I'd go crazy the very next day.
Odd: Look pal, I'll tell you this. I didn't know how Evin felt till two days after I told her. She said 'I'll think about it', and left me hanging! Oh man, it seemed like ages. I guess she finally came around and felt like it was worth a try. Funny thing is, the moment we were comfortable with each other, she had to move. She left me.
Ulrich: I'm sorry Odd. I really am.
Odd: Don't be, Ulrich. I'm not. Now that there's a gap between me and her, she might miss me more often, maybe even develop deeper feelings.
Ulrich: Aren't you afraid that someone else might take your place?
Odd: I sure am. But that's a chance I'm willing to take.
Ulrich thought about Theo taking his place. Oh man, if he dared to go near Yumi...well at the rate I'm going, he'll probably step right in.
Ulrich: No, no that won't happen. I won't let it.
Odd: Won't let what, Ulrich?
Ulrich: Theo will never take my place. You'll see. I'm going to tell Yumi how I really feel, how I've loved her all these years, once and for all.
'plop' -A droplet of water had fallen on Ulrich's cheek. He looked up. Lightning struck, and the rain had begun its steady pace.
Ulrich: Bring it on.
...
A little while later, at the factory...
The rain had subdued, and the gang decided it was high-time for Aelita to transfer back. Slipping past Jim, they made it to the lab.
"Well Aelita," Jeremy began, "it's been great having you here with us."
Aelita smiled. "It's been great being here with you guys. I'm going to miss you all so much."
"Aw, we can still see each other via the computer, cant we?" Yumi said.
"Of course, Yumi. Thanks for everything. Bye Jeremy, bye Yumi, bye Ulrich, bye Odd!!"
"Bye Aelita!" they hollered back.
Aelita stepped into the scanner, then faced them. The scanner doors slowly closed, and then the blue light flashed from behind it.
"Virtualization!"
Aelita had been safely transferred back.
A visual of a girl with pink girl and a sweet smile had popped up on the screen.
"I'm logging off now. Goodbye Jeremy."
"Goodbye, sweet princess."
After a few pushes of keys, the computer went in standby mode, and the kids slowly filed out.
....
In Lyoko...
Aelita looked around in her tower, her eyes returning to that vicious red. Xana's sign had reappeared. Glancing at the digital display, she relaxed on the platform.
"My work here is done."
..
Outside the factory
Yumi, Ulrich, Odd & Jeremy had resumed their usual pace on the usual path. The night sky had cleared up. A cool breeze now drifted through the surrounding woodland. You could hear the crackling footsteps of shoes trotting on the dried leaves.
After going a few steps further, Yumi took a quick glance at the time on her cell phone.
"Uh, hey, you guys? I think I'm just gonna leave for home now. It's already kinda late."
"Sure thing Yumi." Odd replied.
"See-ya tomorrow!" Jeremy yelled after her.
She changed direction and started for home. For a seconds she stopped in her tracks and turned on her heel. Wasn't Ulrich going to say goodbye? Yumi pondered. She mentally shrugged and turned back to her own path.
Ulrich placed one hand on Odd's shoulder and whispered something into his ear. Odd nodded and smiled. He walked on with Jeremy, while Ulrich stayed behind.
Searching for his cell phone, Ulrich wondered if he was doing the right thing. His fingers waited for the 'ok' to dial the number. Ulrich stared into space.
Go with your heart.
He finally dialed the number and took a deep, slow breath while the tone rang.
....
Yumi's cell started to ring. She frowned.
Who's calling at this time?
She pulled out her cell. Her heartbeat quickened. Ulrich's number was on the I.D. screen. Slowly, Yumi pressed 'ok' on the phone.
"...hello?"
.....
Ulrich's heart was beating abnormally fast, although he was talking abnormally slow. You could barely see his lips moving in the darkness. His dark green over- shirt ruffled in the wind. His brown hair wavered this way and that. Ulrich continued his slow conversing.
.....
Yumi listened intensely.
Are my ears deceiving me?
Yumi's luscious jet-black hair blew in wind. Her mysterious eyes seemed to be searching for a hidden answer, as if the answer itself was to be found somewhere in the woods. Yumi's finely curved lips were in the position of saying something, but no words came out. She remained silent, her hands trembling.
.....
Ulrich paused. He wondered why there had been no reply from the other end. He waited.
"Yumi?..."
Silence.
A bead of sweat trickled down Ulrich's forehead and lingered near his temple. This, followed by 3 simple words.
.....
Yumi's eyes had stopped wandering and all movements had frozen.
She dropped the phone...and ran...
......
That was all it took.
Ulrich knew he had lost. He had lost everything. Everything he had ever known, everything that had ever happened; it all stood before him, blurred, out of focus. What was happening? Why did he feel this way? Why did he care? He felt his knees weakening and wanted to fall; into the darkness; where no one could ever find him. Ulrich felt dizzy, everything was spinning. A tear now came through one of his eyes. She didn't love him. He had lost.
Ulrich turned to see the world behind him through eyes of water. Almost immediately after, he was lying on the ground, pinned down by an unknown force.
Soft, black hair hovered above his face. Cold, gentle fingers were now lingering on his face. Slowly, but surely, he made out who it was that had pushed him to the ground.
...Yumi!
A droplet of a tear filled with pure love fell onto Ulrich.
"Ulrich...Ulrich I..."
Ulrich smiled. He cupped his hands on Yumi's face, steadily moving closer to her. They closed their eyes, and their lips had touched. A sensation of new feelings now arose between them. They opened their mouths to lead each other into a whole new world.
He felt like he had just entered heaven. Yumi was there, with him, all his, and his alone. No one would steal her away, no one could come between them. They were inseparable.
Yumi felt his tender mouth. It was cool, refreshing, and had made her lose her mind. Ulrich was there, for her, and her only her. His presence put her at ease, it relaxed her. She was in love, pure love. She would love Ulrich for the rest of her life, and even after death. Yumi didn't want to let go of him.
They shared their deep kiss for a good 30 seconds or more. Ulrich moved his hands from her face to her waist, latching onto Yumi as if she would drift away if he didn't hold onto her. They were still on the ground; Ulrich on the bottom, and Yumi lying on top of him. Even after they had stopped kissing, Ulrich held onto her. Neither would let go.
Yumi looked at him passionately. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck and rested her head in the crevice between his neck line and shoulder. She could feel most of his muscles through his shirt.
Ulrich left one hand of his on her waist and placed his right hand on the back of her head. He would protect her forever.
He swore to that.