Disclaimer: You know already. I'm not saying it again.

A/N: I planned the chapter to be different but this turned out… alright.

Chapter 3: Running Hard

At that moment Sissi hadn't planned on following but when she heard the two annoying voices of Kadic's young reporters calling her from the Cafeteria doors, thoughts of staying shot away. That moment her feet were carrying her into the woods.

"It seems Sissi has run into the woods for some private time with her boyfriend." The two girls turned their camera away and headed back to the school. They would get their interview later.

Odd was fine with back pressed against the bark of this tree, he wasn't the least bit worried that he lost track of the possessed gardener. No, they had been in worse situations before and it was the risk of it that made it so much fun but not when other people got themselves unknowingly involved.

Those footsteps, this intruder was panting and since XANA never grew tired he couldn't imagine this person had anything to do with the virus. Slowly he crept around the edge of the tree just enough so he could see the girl. Oh… it was just Sissi.

He released a sigh of relief too soon suddenly hearing another pair behind him. He had no choice but to let himself be known as he leapt out of hiding to avoid the rake's powerful ridges. Metal struck the tree with a clang and Sissi jumped as she twirled around to face him.

"ODD? How dare you yell that in front of the whole school!" She grabbed his arm recovering the momentarily shock and keeping him from running away from the lurking threat. She probably thought he was trying to run from her and avoid this subject.

He smiled, "Well Sissi Dear if we are going out now I thought I should share that wonderful news with everyone."

A stretch of emotions crossed her face from confusion to anger. "It's not like we are getting married Scraw-" Her words were cut short when she hit the ground. Odd allowed himself to get distracted and XANA obviously wasn't going to show any mercy for the person he was jokingly conversing with so he pushed her down.

Maybe he wouldn't of done if there wasn't return trips.

Those damn mega tanks.

Ulrich scowled as he entered the lab and took a position standing beside Jeremy, eyeing the screen warily as Yumi lost ten more life points. "Need help with anything?"

Jeremy didn't even look up. "We could use more help you know. Why don't you see what's taking Odd so long?"

"He's probably spending time with Sissi." He spat disgusted by the idea that anyone would want to be with her, she was so clingy and annoying. Nevertheless he slid out his cell phone and dialed the number not understanding why Jeremy couldn't just call. Probably just wanted to keep him busy.

He was… okay.

Yeah, he was… fine.

"ODD!"

There was just this intense pain shooting up his side. Just this tiny problem of the rusty prongs of a rake rammed into his side but… but… Sissi was fine. Maybe he couldn't say he was fine 'cause heck he couldn't even move and his vision had begun to blur but at least she was fine, that was the point wasn't it?

There was a ringing playing at the edges of his fuzzy mind and faintly he wondered what that was. Ah, XANA was smiling and he was still hurting. What was the virus waiting for? It was only the tension that was keeping him up but the moment the gardener ripped the rake back towards him not even that was enough.

Hmmm… it was warm and it was red.

So red…

"He's not answering." Ulrich pushed the end button and stomped back over anger evident on his face as he snapped at Jeremy. "He's to busy with Sissi that he can't even take a moment to answer the phone!"

"I doubt it Ulrich. Call again."

It felt like her heart leapt into her throat, she couldn't breath.

The same tension that was holding him up left her as he hit the ground. It wasn't Ulrich but she couldn't stand the idea of letting him know that she was standing right there when his friend died and didn't anything to try and help him.

His phone was ringing again at least she was certain it was his but she had no idea where he put it and wasn't really comfortable with idea of digging through his pockets. She spared a quick glance sideways? They were just standing there looking rather pleased. It was scaring her…

Odd shifted slightly and the gardener moved.

She freaked out, screamed, and grabbed Odd under the arms and began half carrying him, half dragging him toward a thicker mass of trees. The both of them barely squeezed through the small opening between trunks when the rake smacked bark. Now if they insisted on following they wouldn't able to swing around so madly.

They'd be safer here.

Not that she cared for Odd though! After all he was staining her outfit red and that was unforgivable. The man was still there but wasn't making any sudden movements, just standing. She didn't want to move either but her arms pulled the injured boy closer to herself as she sunk back against the thick trunks.

Idiot… he was bleeding so much. Her hands were already drenched in the stuff and she faintly worried that she might be guarding a body that was no longer even alive. He shouldn't of pushed her out of the way, then he wouldn't be like this and maybe they wouldn't be cowering in a grove of trees. If he wasn't injured like this though- she would have been.

She should be thanking him, she should but…

"He's still not answering!" Ulrich threw down his phone in frustration wondering if he had just gone looking instead but there was no reason to do that now as Jeremy's finger came down on that familiar button.

"Return to the past now."

What was that white light?

Was that coming for Odd?

They were all still there, standing in their line for their first servings when suddenly Odd's tray hit the ground with a clatter. He didn't even seem to notice he was already running out the doors. "Where are you going Odd?" Getting no response the four exchanged glances and Aelita finally agreed to go see what was wrong.

Sometimes Odd was just well… odd.

He couldn't believe he blacked out before! What could have happened in that span of unconscious? It's hard to judge time in darkness but he had hoped among all hopes that Sissi had took the hint and ran. He would love to say that with out a doubt: she had fled the scene as fast as her feet could carry her but he couldn't assume that girl was that bright.

If it had been a long time after the darkness crept in then she should be dead if he wasn't.

His feet carried him faster through the halls ignoring Jim's call for him not to run. It hadn't been that long… had it?

He stopped abruptly, face to face with the girl. "What's the rush Scrawny?" For a moment he didn't speak just lingered in Sissi's presence. Turned out he was worrying for no reason. Of course the principal's daughter would have worried about only herself. He should of never doubted her ability to save her own rear end.

Lightly he shrugged turning around and walking the opposite way passing Aelita in the process.

Sissi stood dumbfound as the two friends left her standing alone without an explanation, once more.

A/N: That could have turned out a lot better.

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