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The Rain Washes Away All Guilt

AN: This is it. The moment of truth. The final chapter. Personally...I don't care too much for the ending...but...hey...I tried. And it is my first chapter story. Well...please read this final chapter!

Chapter 19: Two Steps Away

Previously
-"I bet that he stays the night but they don't do anything."
-"Oh yeah...I'll see that five claiming they stay on her doorstep snogging before he comes back."
-"I've got ten bucks on both happening."
-"I don't know. I think Ulrich's got some sense of class. I think a good night kiss, a quick goodbye, and a trip home ought to do it."
-"Hey...uh...you...want to...uh...come in?"
-"Sure." He said shrugging a shoulder.
-Yumi couldn't help but smile as she unlocked and opened her door.
-Yumi rose up off the couch and walked up the stairs. Ulrich followed behind her.
-She looked up at Ulrich after tossing her shoes to the side. Again they met in a distraction-free kiss.
-Yumi delicately leaned into Ulrich, giving him the message to lay down, which he did
-They pulled away when they heard Yumi's cell phone ringing from her dresser where she'd placed it upon entering her room.
-"I could always just, listen for the voice message on speaker. If it's not important, I won't have wasted my time."
-He leaned over and responded a soft whisper within her ear, "Generally better for everyone."

He began gently caressing Yumi's neck below his lips. The phone rang for a third time. Ulrich made his way up to Yumi's lips, which gratefully took his into possession. The phone rang for a fifth time. They heard Yumi's voicemail message come out across the room from the phone. Then the caller responded to the machine.

-----3:16am Sunday + With Odd, Sam, Jeremie, and Aelita-----
"Someone should call. Something could be wrong."

"Or...they could be busy." Odd replied to the worried girl at his side.

"Maybe Ulrich's gone missing again."

"Oh...right...wouldn't Yumi've called if that'd happened though?"

"Maybe she's too worried."

"Alright...I'll call." Odd pulled out his purple and black cell phone and flipped through his contacts, hitting the send button as he reached Yumi's information.

-----3:17am Sunday + With Ulrich and Yumi-----
They laid in each others arms as they listened to Odd speak into the phone.

"Hello? Anybody there? Answer the phone. I guess you're busy. Just wanted to be sure everything was alright and Ulrich didn't run off again. Talk to you tomorrow. Bye."

Yumi looked into Ulrich's eyes. They'd been replaced. The love and care she'd seen just seconds before Odd's voice rang out across the room was transformed into sorrow. He rose up off the bed and slowly made his way to the door where he stood with his back to Yumi.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, Ulrich. Come here." Yumi had herself up on her knees on her bed and gestured for Ulrich to sit down. He sat where he was indicated, in front of Yumi. He felt her warm hands rest on his shoulders and gently attempt to massage away his depression. Ulrich could soon feel Yumi's breath at his ear.

"He just cares about you. He was worried about you, is all."

Ulrich pulled himself away from Yumi and walked to the door again. He placed his hand on the knob and turned his head to the side to speak back to her. "Yumi, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"Ulrich...wait..." He went out the door. She sat in shock. Regaining her composure she followed after him. He was already half way down the stairs.

"ULRICH...PLEASE..." He continued on. He'd made his way to her front door.

"ULRICH...I-" The door was shut before Yumi could even finish. "-need you." She finished quietly to the empty house. He was gone. She knew she had to go after him.

Yumi turned and ran back up her stairs doing the first thing that came to mind. She slid those annoying high-heeled boots back on and grabbed her cell phone before making her way down the stairs and out the front door herself.

-----3:49am Sunday----
Ulrich stood staring up at the sky threatening it to strike him with it's bolts of power. He dropped his head once again. The rain began to fall from the dark sky above. It seemed to be the last strand of it for Ulrich. He broke down and began to sob. He leaned against the tree before him to keep from falling to his knees.

-----3:52am Sunday-----
He was at the park last time, I'll check th-...wait...he knows. He knows I'm going to search for him. He'd never go back there if that's where I found him last. But, what if he thinks that I'll think he won't and does. But, he thinks that I'll think he won't but does so he doesn't. Or...what am I saying. I know Ulrich...I know where he's at.

Yumi turned and headed down the street in the opposite direction from the school.

I hope I'm right about this.

-----4:25am Sunday-----
Ulrich pulled up from the tree, tears still falling freely. He kicked the tree with his frustration.

"Why'd I have to be so stupid?" He began, speaking to himself.

"She doesn't love me. She loves him. He's obviously better for her. I'm useless. Pathetic. She doesn't love me. She can't. I'm nobody. Why'd I even believe her?"

"Because you knew I love you." Ulrich jerked around to see Yumi standing before him.

Much like his shirt, her dress had become more like a second skin. The rain came down hard.

Ulrich hoped that Yumi couldn't see the tears falling against his will. He turned away from her and took a few steps away. He wanted to run from her so she wouldn't worry about him anymore. Yet, something held him back. He stayed. He didn't know why, but he stayed near her. In her sight.

"Yumi, I don't deserve you. I know that now. I'm not good enough for you. On the other hand, I'm sure William is a better man."

"I don't know what you mean, Ulrich. You're perfect." Ulrich scoffed. He'd never been perfect. He was always in danger of failing at least half his classes. He always seemed to be doing something wrong in everything he did.

"Ulrich. Just because your parents may not see it, you're perfect. Who cares about your grades? Who cares what you fail at? You're always doing what you can for everyone else. When I'm with you, I feel safe. I feel like nothing can come between us. I feel loved, Ulrich. Nobody else has ever made me feel the way I do when I'm with you." She took a few steps forward.

The rain poured over Ulrich. He felt like everything he'd ever been sorry about was falling with the drops. Ulrich turned around to face her. She was only two steps away. That was it. Two. And that's all it took.

Ulrich came to Yumi and held her in his arms. She embraced him back.

They stood there for a few long minutes. Ulrich held her out at arms length and looked into her eyes. Those truth seeking eyes. He gently placed his hands on her face and pulled her into a kiss. With this kiss he told her that he was truly sorry, and he truly loved her.

The end.

AN: Thanks for reading guys! Much love! I'm glad you enjoyed...well...those of you who did. If you didn't...I'm sorry. Really. Anyway...for making this story a semi-success...I'd like to thank the following users...in no particular order...

Lyokogal7503 : Thanks for always reviewing my story! I'm happy you liked the story!

azn DREAMER xD : Your reviews helped me to expand in my writing style! Thanks for being honest! Even so...thank you for enjoying most of the story!

Mi ChiIbO : Thanks bunches for always reviewing! Love the randomness!

Amaherst : You reviewed the most...a total of 14 chapters out of 18! ROCK ON! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the story...cliffies and all!

Animation Miscreation : Thanks for reviewing...even if it was two chapters. I'm still glad you liked it all in all!

deadinside72 : Yay! Thanks for reviewing the story! I'm glad so many people could enjoy the story!

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purplelover : I'm running out of big words to use before thanks...uh...BUNCHES of thanks for reviewing the story! Glad you like it!

A Friend Nearby : Even though you may have come 14 chapters in...you still reviewed lots! I'm so glad you could enjoy the story!

Lumiere: First of all...Bonne nom de plume! C'est super cool! Thanks for reading and reviewing the story!

MOPA: Chapter 18 needed a good review from you! Much thanks! Glad you could enjoy the story!

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GirlWithFrogOnHead: Nice pen name! Haha! Froggy! So...all distractions aside...Thanks for reading and reviewing the story!

-misunderstood-tomboy- : Thanks for reading and reviewing! I'm glad you could enjoy the story! At least up to chapter 8!

And because I'm cool this way...

Thanks to my anonymous reviewer "matt".

So...that's my pithetic thank you ceremony! I guess there's nothing to say except...

Peace