(A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. Oh, yeah, and curse you people who gave me flames! Laughs Just playing. Thanks for the flames, also. This chapter doesn't have any lemon, but it does have Yumi telling Ulrich about what happened last night. And there's a little Yumi and Ulrich fluff! The next chapter is when Yumi comes to the swimming pool. Here's Chapter 6! Enjoy!)

Chapter 6: Protect Me, Help Me

The next day was a sun-soaked Saturday. It was a perfect day to go hiking or to go sightseeing. But instead of feeling cheerful, Yumi felt pushed down and gloomy.

"Ugh…I'll have to go to the swimming pool later," Yumi reminded herself as she got up. She pulled on a black turtleneck over her bra and slipped her skinny legs into black jeans. She then put her two-piece bikini in a small, black backpack.

"Yes, today is going to be the worst day ever," Yumi muttered to herself as she shouldered the backpack and left the Ishiyama residence.

"Today is going to be the best day in my whole, entire life!" William exclaimed, dancing giddily in his room. He had already packed his red swimming trunks in a backpack and now was dancing like a geek in boxers and a tanktop. He pulled on a black shirt and red pants over scuffed leather boots. William shouldered his backpack on and left the room to go to the boys' bathroom and shower room. There he washed his face and covered his hair in thickening gel.

"I already have my plan," he murmured to himself as groups of boys left him alone, sitting on the bench. "Yumi's going to think that we're gonna have sex in the big swimming pool, but, no, I've thought of something even better. Why not have sex with Yumi in a private Jacuzzi? Besides, the city pool has three Jacuzzis, and they each have a door leading to them. I'll lock the door, and, then step into the steaming water with Yumi, and…THE FUN BEGINS!" He cackled at the thought and left the boys' bathroom/shower room/locker room.

Yumi walked over to her friends. "Hey, guys," she said, trying to sound cheerful. Luckily, Odd, Aelita, and Jeremie didn't notice that hint of sadness in her voice. But Ulrich did. He stared at her with a funny look in his eyes.

"Yumi, you missed it!" Aelita laughed. She was practically crying out of laughter, and so were Jeremie and Odd. "It was France's number one Comedy of the year!"

"What did I miss?" Yumi demanded.

"Sissi…kissed…" Odd began, then burst out laughing.

"Kissed who?"

"Sissi…kissed...Kiwi!" Jeremie managed to say, before bursting into a series of uncontrollable guffaws.

Yumi burst out laughing, her eyes dwelling with tears of laughter. "Oh…my…gosh!" she cried, clutching her stomach. She then stopped laughing and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Oh, look, we have to go," Jeremie, Aelita, and Odd chorused. The three disappeared into Kadic Academy's school building, still guffawing, laughing, and giggling.

"Yumi, are you okay today?" Ulrich said, cocking his head in concern. He held her hands in his and gazed into her deep, chocolate-black eyes. Yumi saw in his eyes that Ulrich cared for her deeply. He treasures me, Yumi thought, a tear forming in her eye, and I treasure him too. I guess…I really can count on Ulrich. Besides, he's my boyfriend, right?

"I don't want to make you angry, confused, or even bewildered, Ulrich," Yumi whispered weakly. She had been feeling all weak lately, thanks to William's raping her. "And it is because…I love you. I treasure you deeply."

For a long time, everything else around the couple blurred to nothingness. The only clear form in Yumi's eyes was Ulrich, sweet, cute, brave Ulrich.

"When I met you, the first thing I thought was 'Is there anyone more beautiful than her?' " Ulrich admitted, turning a shade of pink. "And I still think that now."

"William does too, Ulrich," Yumi began, "and that is why he…raped me last night."

"WHAT?" Ulrich choked in disbelief. His fists clenched tightly.

"William raped me," Yumi sobbed. "He hurt me more than loved me. He…wants me to come later today at the city pool and have sex—in the pool." She let tears fall down her face. "I want you to protect me, Ulrich; I want you by my side always! Don't let William win me over!"

"Don't worry, I will," Ulrich vowed, stroking her hair. Then he his lips to hers gently and they broke apart.

Before they walked away from each other, these were Ulrich's words:

"I'll protect you until I die."

(A/N: Ooh, wasn't that sweet! Next chapter coming soon! Expect reviews as always!)