(A/N) For those who are interested (all of you, I know) this is for you. The 'essence' of Ulrich's disappearance will soon be told. The truth will soon follow, but it may be more than the gang can handle.

Can you?

Sad Exchange

Breakfast was a wonderful combination of bacon, pancakes, toast, juice, and milk. At Aelita's insistence, Yumi had come to school early. This was so they could enjoy the meal with their friends.

Jeremy was having a wonderful time introducing her to new foods and flavors. Odd was even showing her his favorite snack: sugar. The two of them were quickly drunk on the sugar as it took effect, Aelita more. Yumi was content at watching the scene while she ate.

Theo sat down next to her unexpectedly. He watched the three of them quietly for a moment with small smile. Nudging Yumi gently he said, "Do you know who the new girl is?"

"She said her name is Aelita Lyoko."

"Is that Japanese or something?" he asked playfully.

"I don't know."

"And just who are you?" demanded an all-too-familiar voice. Turning, they spotted Sissi walking toward their table. Flanked by Herb and Nicholas, her foul attitude knew no limits.

With a kind smile, Aelita stood and said, "I am Aelita Lyoko, nice to meet you. You're Sissi, right? I've heard so much about you."

"Aelita Lyoko?" Herb said with ugly sneer. "What kind of dumb name is that?"

They ignored him as Sissi tried to hide her immediate interest. Had she somehow acquired a reputation much further than she'd thought? Or was this new girl's head full of stories from Yumi's point-of-view? Sissi's suspicious glance at the raven-haired girl sent the gang into fit of giggles. They knew exactly what was going on in her head.

Raising an eyebrow curiously, Sissi said, "Really? And just what have you heard about me?"

"Well," she began. "I've been told—"

"Don't tell her, Aelita," Ulrich said as he walked pass Sissi, heading for a far table. He knew that Sissi would throw herself at him, and he wanted Aelita's first day at Kadic to be better than it had been the previous time.

"Ulrich dear!"

Ulrich's prediction was perfect. Completely disregarding the others, Sissi was at his heels instantly. "Where were you at the theater? I lost track of you." She sat down next to him as her cronies seated themselves on the opposite side of the table.

"Get away from me," he growled.

"But," she said almost sweetly. "You must be feeling really forgotten now that your 'friends' aren't your friends anymore."

Ulrich set his fork down. It had been halfway to his mouth. Despite his hunger, he felt his appetite disappearing. Breathing deeply, he tried to calm his rising temper. He should've been able to control it. But ever since he'd lost it, completely lost it, in Lyoko, he'd found it much harder to contain it now. His pride demanded that he ignore the brat next to him.

Then a smile broke onto his face. Sissi had no idea how much he relished in being 'forgotten.' Taking another breath, he returned to eating.

Hearing his deep breathing, Sissi felt that she was gaining ground. With a smile, she said, "I know you must hate Yumi for slapping you. The grief of being repaid like that after so long must be heartbreaking."

Nicholas tried to laugh at that. However, he'd been drinking. So he unintentionally inhaled his drink. His laughter was changed into a coughing fit before it even left his lips. But no one paid attention to him. Sissi was on a roll now; no way was that idiot's misfortune going to hinder her.

"I wish you'd let me be there for you," she said as innocently as she could. "I know how you feel."

Pride be damned.

"No, you don't," he said. For the first time since she'd begun her monologue, Ulrich looked at her. Sissi immediately wished that he hadn't. Intense, cold eyes bore into her and almost scared her. "You don't have the faintest idea."

Ulrich abruptly stood up. Taking his tray, he walked to the garbage and trashed his mostly uneaten food. Walking out of the cafeteria, the entire lunchroom heard loud cussing and swearing as he retreated.

Everyone in the lunchroom watched the doors until his voice faded. Then, as one, they looked at Sissi. What could she have said that could have affected Ulrich so badly? He was known for always being a calm and quiet person. So this behavior instantly drew their attention.

It took only a moment before Sissi noticed their stares.

"What are you looking at!"

The din of conversation returned instantly. Aelita glanced at each of her friends. She had never seen Ulrich act like that before. Sure, his most recent episode in Lyoko came close. But this was something very different.

"What was that about?"

"Sissi must've struck a nerve," Odd said with smile.

"What?"

"He means he thinks Sissi wouldn't leave him alone long enough for him to keep his temper in control," Jeremy clarified.

"Oh," Aelita said, glancing back at the doors her friend had vanished through. "Shouldn't someone go talk to him about it?"

"He'll be fine," Odd said offhandedly. "This happens all the time."

"Hey," Theo said surprised. "Where'd Yumi go?"

Looking around the cafeteria, they glimpsed a raven-haired girl running through the doors. There was little doubt where she was going.

-

She found him sitting on their favorite bench outside the building. His slouched posture and crossed arms only hinted at his mood. The morning light blinded his eyes but he didn't care. Maybe if he stared at it long enough, he would go blind. That way he'd never have to see Sissi's ugly face ever again.

"Hey," Yumi said as she walked around the bench. "Mind if I sit here?"

Slightly surprised, he could only stare at her for a moment. "Uh—yeah, sure. Go ahead."

Taking her seat next to him, Yumi watched him closely. He could feel his anger disappearing as quickly as it came. How could one person have such an effect on him? Not that he was complaining.

"What was that about?" she asked carefully.

"I—uh—I just lost my temper," he said, trying not to look at her. She wasn't his to look at. She was Theo's and he could only admire her from a distance. Then why did she come to sit here?

"What did Sissi say?" Yumi asked.

Despite his stoic expression, she could see a raging storm of emotions behind his mask. Through whether the emotions were positive, negative, or some unknown medium, she couldn't tell.

"She said she knew me," he growled. "…She doesn't know shit about me."

"Neither do I," she said. "Do you know why?"

Not waiting for an answer, she continued, "Because you don't tell anyone anything about yourself. Not even us, your friends."

Now he definitely didn't want to look at her. It was true, he knew. He didn't want to tell them. He hated talking about himself. It didn't matter with whom he was talking to; he just hated it.

Seeing that she wasn't making any ground, Yumi grabbed his shoulders. Her sudden and unexpected movement had the desired effect: he looked at her.

"If you won't even trust your friends—me—with your secrets," she said seriously. "Then who will you trust?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"I think you should," she said.

She was losing him again. Grabbing the sides of his face, she brought his face level with hers. Now she really had his attention. "You once asked me for understanding, remember?"

He nodded slowly.

"Well, I understand now," A smile was dancing in her eyes, but she didn't allow it to escape. "Now let me ask you for something. A true friend tries to help those they care for through the rough times in their life. Help me help you…please."

Slowly reaching up, Ulrich gently pulled her hands from his face. Rather than letting go of her, he held onto her wrists momentarily. He loved the feel of her soft, warm skin against his hands. A smile was trying to force its way out him as well as he said, "I'm glad you understand."

"You just don't and wouldn't understand what it's like to be me," he said quietly. Holding his head in his hands, Ulrich looked at the ground. Slowly he took a deep breath. If she wants the truth… he just hoped that he wouldn't regret this later.

"Tell me."

Sighing, he continued. "I've had to work like a slave… for something that I should've… but didn't have. Have you ever felt what's like to… lied straight to your face? Or stabbed in the back—kicked when your down…? I was lost and cold in the dark… always on the edge of… breaking down and… no one was ever there… to save me… No, you couldn't know what it was like to be me."

The longer he spoke, the harder it became for him to continue. His voice had degenerated to something barely above a whisper when he'd finished. His body was tense with the strain of his suppressed emotions.

Finally gathering his courage, he glanced at her. She looked bewildered but sympathetic. Ulrich knew she didn't understand what he'd just confessed to her. However she did understand the hidden emotions, he was disgusted and bitter at what had happened.

"The truth is," he said looking away again. "I'm not who I was and… only my memories of… you… saved me."

When his words sank in, Yumi felt as though a great weight had lifted from her shoulders. He had been thinking of her. He had and still did trust her. But one question leapt to her mind. Did he love her? She had never been able to answer it until now. Yes, she now realized with certainty. He does love me. Her heart began racing in her chest and she feared that it would burst. A loving heat of happiness quickly made her feel almost uncomfortably warm.

Then his defenses failed. Tears of regret, self-contempt, and misery leapt out. He tried to wipe his eyes, but the tears kept coming. Seeing the distress her friend was in, Yumi pulled him into a hug. Ignoring his tears now, he returned her hug, holding a little tighter than was necessary. She correctly guessed that he feared that she might leave him again.

His tears fell unnoticed down his face, soaking into her shirt. Yumi moved him and cradled his face in her lap. As she lovingly stroked his hair and bandana, her body warmth, fast beating heart, and the gentle rising of her chest lulled him into a peaceful sleep.

(A/N)I hope all you U/Y fans love this chapter. I was writing from the gut and I feel reasonably sure that I got their personalities, actions, and emotions all in-character. This chapter turned out to be a little longer than I had originally planned, but it's that much better I think.

If there is absolutely anything wrong with this chapter, TELL ME! I want this chapter to be perfect!