Hey everyone, sorry for the uber huge wait. I'm not even sure if yuo guys remember this story. I know I can make excusses all day long about why I wasn't writing but thats not fair to you guys. So I figured the best why to apologies would be to do an update. I really hope you like it... and well... thanks for reading

Chapter 4: The Search

It was a bright and sun shiny day at Kadic High School. Of course it was a Sunday in April, so sunny days were a rarity to find. It was 6:30 in the morning and the students were just getting up to start the morning routines. Of course Odd was up early to get first picks in the breakfast line, it was Pancake Day.

Of course, like any good friend would do, he checked on Ulrich. Seeing as though he was not there he figured that he was just out practicing his soccer skills like he was before the Xana attack. It was strange how he was not in the showers when odd entered the room, but of course he brushed it off. ' prolly not hungry today. Well duh, after that kind of situation Xana put him in I wouldn't be hungry either, but this is me were talking about.' Odd thought as he entered the cafeteria.

"Hey Odd!" Jeremy greeted "Uh, where's Ulrich?"

"Probably practicing there Einstein. By the way, why are you here so early" Odd questioned

"Well Odd," Jeremy fixed his glasses "I was hoping to go over the battle with everyone."

Odd gave Jeremy an inquisitive glance. "Why?"

"Odd, tell me, what was Xana's motives on this attack?" Jeremy kept a stern look on his face.

"Probably just to take over or destroy the world just like always" Odd shrugged in boredom.

"Listen Odd, this is really important!" Jeremy was starting to get angry "We have to figure this out. Xana has ALWAYS had a motive to an attack, and the fact he used SO many of his minions must have meant that he really needed to accomplish this goal."

"Chill Jeremy," Odd said while placing a reassuring hand on Jeremy's left shoulder "We won yesterday Jer, we deactivated the tower, its all ok."

"I just hope your right Odd" Jeremy sighed.

It was at this moment that a hyperventilating Yumi entered the Cafeteria. Her heart dropped when she didn't see Ulrich at the table with Jeremy and Odd, but of course she hid her anxiety and played it cool as she approached her friends.

"Hey guys, looks like we get a second chance to enjoy our Sunday." She tried to give a real smile

"Yumi, I'm sure Ulrich is fine. He is probably just outside playing soccer." Odd said coolly

"Ya, Yumi just go get breakfast and have a seat." Jeremy added

"But guys, that's the whole problem. He's not on the soccer field. I was hoping he was just with you guys but well, he isn't." Yumi spurted in a slight panic.

"Damn it I knew Xana was trying something. Odd you go with Yumi, I'll get Aelita." Jeremy commanded

"Right Einstein, we'll check the outside, you and Aelita check the school." Odd stated while running out the door.

Jeremy ran as fast as his legs could possibly carry him to Aelita's room. He was in such a hurry he didn't even knock on her door. Luckily for her, she just got done dressing so Jeremy would still have to keep his fantasies to himself. "Jeremy!" Aelita Shouted in surprise.

"No time to explain Aelita, we have to find Ulrich." Jeremy gave a rushed explanation on what he thought happened while they searched the building.

"So why do think Xana is Targeting Ulrich?" Aelita questioned.

"I don't know Aelita but it can't be good." Jeremy replied.

-With Odd and Yumi-

"ULRICH! ULRICH!" Yumi shouted hoping for a response.

"ULRICH, COME BUDDY WE ARE YOU!" Odd yelled. " Yumi this isn't good. We need to find him and fast."

"I just hope he is ok Odd." Yumi replied

" Hey Yumi lets split up you check the east side and I'll take the west." Odd suggested.

" Ok, let me know if you find him, please." Yumi begged sorrowfully.

Yumi frantically ran through the woods searching around every tree and behind every shrub to try and find her love, but everywhere she search she found only grass and dead leaves. For every second the past felt like a stab in the heart and for every minute a tear left her eye, for she was the embodiment of a broken women never to be saved from drowning in her own sorrow.

-Jeremy and Aelita-

There was no room left uncheck, no desk left unturned. I was pretty much safe to say that Ulrich Stern was not in the school, but Jeremy and Aelita kept looking with the fading hope of finding him.

"I don't know Aelita. I ran all the data through my computer. Ulrich would have a better chance of being on mars the in this building." Jeremy stated

"We have to keep looking am sure one of us will find him." Aelita tried to reassure him even though her own faith was faded.

" We need to call Yumi or Odd. One of them might know something." Jeremy stated as he reached for his cell phone, and right before he pushed a number his phone got a text message.

" Hey its from Yumi." Jeremy yelped with glee.

"What does it say Jeremy?" Aelita gazed at the digital text.

"…call 911."