Trouble in Paradise

They sat on their favorite bench as they waited. Odd leaned against the side, writing in a small notebook while he listened to his headphones. Yumi sat next to Ulrich, holding his uninjured left hand. Her boyfriend—she still couldn't believe that she could call him that now—boyfriend—sat uncomfortably next to her. But his discomfort came only from his injures.

"What rhymes with half?" Odd asked, tapping his temple thoughtfully with his pencil.

"Laugh," Yumi said, annoyed.

"Thanks," he piped up. "That's perfect!"

The school doors swung open to reveal Sissi. Walking forward with a sadistic smile, she approached the friends. Odd didn't even notice her presence as she stopped in front of them.

"What do you want?" Yumi asked.

"Ulrich," Sissi said staring at him. "Can we talk?"

"No," he said.

"Well, you're gonna!" she snapped. Reaching forward, she snatched his bandaged hand and hauled him to his feet. Yumi was on her feet instantly.

"Leave him alone!" she said. "You're hurting him!"

"He can handle it," she said almost indifferently. "I'm going to talk to you, Ulrich, with or without her. " A wicked grin spread her face as she continued, "But I think you'll not appreciate her hearing this."

Ulrich motioned for her to stay. That was the only reason she stayed by the bench. Ignoring his obvious pain, Sissi marched him away from the bench and Yumi. Stopping when they were out of hearing, Sissi grinned wickedly over his shoulder. Yumi could only seethe in anger.

For several moments, Sissi just talked to him. He didn't move or say anything. Yumi could tell that she was beating around the bush. Then, after a pause, Sissi cut to the chase. Ulrich tensed up almost immediately. If Yumi hadn't grown to see through his disguises, she wouldn't have noticed it.

Sissi's grin said more than any words could. She knew that she had Ulrich cornered for some reason. Though his back was to her, Yumi got the distinct impression that he was fighting to remain expressionless.

"Hey, everyone," Aelita called sweetly as she and Jeremy walked out of the school. "We're ready… Where's Ulrich?"

"There," Yumi said pointing. She hadn't moved from her standing position. "Sissi's up to something again."

"What now?"

"I don't know!"

Suddenly Sissi swaggered away from the group, tugging on Ulrich's arm. He very reluctantly followed, looking over his shoulder with a solemn expression. Yumi was running instantly, sprinting in front of the pair before they'd gone very far. Fighting to control herself, she managed to growl out, "Where are you going with Ulrich?"

"We are going on a date," Sissi said proudly. "He's mine now, Yumi."

"What!"

"You heard me," Sissi said. "So you can go running back to Theo. I hear he's very heartbroken."

"Ulrich?" Yumi demanded. "What's happened?"

"I—"

"Sorry," Sissi said, her sneer growing with each syllable. "He can't talk to you anymore."

Before Yumi could reply, Sissi yanked Ulrich away. Despite her fury, she couldn't bring herself to chase after them. It was like something was holding her back. Then, she felt it. Something was holding her back, or rather, someone.

"Don't do it, Yumi," Jeremy managed to gasp out. He was surprised by her strength; she was much stronger than she looked. "Let me or Odd or Aelita talk them."

Yanking herself free from Jeremy's clutches, she glared menacingly at him. He fell onto his butt and groaned slightly. Aelita was at his side instantly, helping him to his feet. Odd walked forward and watched as Sissi dragged Ulrich from their line of sight.

"I'll find out what just happened here," he said in a strangely serious tone.

Too bad Odd didn't realize how difficult that would be.

-

Sissi now dominated all of Ulrich's time, activities, and especially his social life. Whenever Ulrich would try to get a moment's peace, she was there. Whenever Odd, Jeremy, or even Aelita tried to talk to him, Sissi would answer for Ulrich and all he could do was stare and glare. It was an ordeal unlike anything that any of them had ever experienced.

Monday classes started without a care to the dilemmas of the small group of kids. Mrs. Hertz droned on and on about past and present tenses. Odd slipped in and out of consciousness. The hours kept by like millenniums as he waited for the bell to ring for them to leave. He occasionally glanced over at Ulrich who seemed more of a wreck than anyone else. Go figure.

Shifting his weight in his seat, Odd felt his head slipping from his hands. Drowsiness was ever present with him in these classes. So much so that he could never tell when he was asleep or awake anymore, except when he got occasional reminders. This time, as his head rested gently against the hard surface of his desktop, he didn't try to fight it. Until, a ball of paper hit his leg.

Sitting up instantly, he brushed his sleep from his eyes. Suppressing a yawn, Odd looked down at the floor. There it was, the paper ball that hit him. He glanced at Ulrich, who was seated unwillingly next to Sissi. His friend had his attention on Mrs. Hertz.

Picking up the paper, Odd unwrapped it. It was a note written with a familiar handwriting, Ulrich's handwriting.

Tell everyone that I have to fix this myself. It is much more personal that a simple diary this time. Please, don't try to help me.

Ulrich

"Okay," Odd said quietly to himself. "This is really getting old."

(A/N)Now, I'm sure I've reacquired several of your attentions again. I must say that I'm very angry with myself in a way. I'm angry that I couldn't think of a way to keep the 'awakened' Sissi of Severed! for the rest of the story. But then, we wouldn't be getting the final questions of this story answered. :)

Next Chapter: The Next Journey