AN: I'm back with another chapter! Just to clarify, Ari was a bit more in the spotlight last chapter so you could get a feel for her character. She will NOT be taking over or staying for long, at least I don't think she'll be staying. Now to answer some reviews before we get on to the chapter!

FF-Rules: So far, I haven't planned a meeting between Jin and the rest of the gang, but he might just show up a bit later without being there in person. Other than that, my lips are sealed! And about Ari being talkative, well... she has a bit of a chatter problem and she doesn't like to be slowed down, which is why she interrupts so much.

Little Vili: I know, I didn't want to make the scavenger hunt thing very long, but I wanted to develop Ari a bit more. She has a strong personality and I wanted that to show in the last chapter.

Thank you all for the well-wishes concerning my scholarship! I should know sometime later this month, maybe! And now, without further ado... the next chapter! Read, review, and enjoy!

Yumi tiptoed out the cabin a few minutes before midnight, fully dressed and carrying her shoes. Once she was out of the cabin, she put on her shoes and mixed emotions tumbled through her as she walked toward the forest. Some of her was afraid, a bit was excited, but most was curious. Theo had said it was a surprise, so Yumi tried to only assume the best. Maybe he was finally making up for... for what happened before. After a short wait, Theo arrived.

"Hey, Yumi."

"Hello."

"I have a surprise for you." Theo took her hand and pulled her around the edge of the forest and alongside a few of the cabins. As they were passing one, Yumi tripped over a fallen tree branch and fell to the ground.

"Come on." Theo pulled her to her feet and the two continued until they had reached the back edges of the camp. Once they had stopped, Theo wrapped his arms around Yumi. "Ready for your surprise?" Yumi tried to wiggle out of his embrace, but he held her tightly. As he leaned down to kiss her, she was able to put her hands on his chest, and she push away with all her might, succeeding in separating them.

"Theo, we need to talk." Yumi's voice shook, but she stood firmly.

"About what?" Theo asked, his voice so quiet that it sent a shiver down Yumi's spine.

"I - I think we need to go our separate ways."

"No." Theo's answer was firm.

The bushes rustled to their left, and Yumi's head turned toward the sound. Already jumpy, the rustling had made her heartbeat skyrocket. Seeing nothing, she looked back at Theo and crossed her arms over her stomach as if anticipating her punishment.

Unbeknownst to the two, shadowed eyes watched from behind the shrubs as madness set into the young man.

"You're lucky to have me. I've watched over the past week as you've walked home with Ulrich, invited him home, and God knows what else. You ignored me and went to him. Every time I turn my back you go to him! I love you and this is the thanks I get!" The clouds obscured the pale moonlight from the full moon for a moment, casting even darker shadows along the border of the woods. When the orb came back into view, its glow reflected from the boy's eyes, giving his dilated pupils a feral look.

Yumi knew this was the time to be submissive, but something inside her snapped, the old Yumi came back, and she couldn't hold back what came next.

"Maybe if you were a little nicer to me things would be different, she retorted bitterly, her hands balling into fists at her sides. Then she sealed her fate by adding, "At least Ulrich doesn't hurt me."

She instantly regretted her brashness as a searing pain in her stomach brought her to her knees, gasping for air. While she tried to recover from the blow, an infuriated Theo grabbed her by the hair and roughly pulled her head back until she was looking him in the eye.

"Never - never say that name in my presence again," Theo said through clenched teeth. To emphasize his point, his free right hand balled into a fist and flew at Yumi's left cheek. Closing her eyes, Yumi awaited the impact. When it came, tears of pain welled up in her eyes, and she fought to keep them in. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Never.

With his left hand still clenching her hair, Theo shook her. "I gave you a break before because everyone was watching you so close, but now you're going to be by me all the time outside of class. Do I make myself clear?" he asked icily. When she failed to answer him, he cursed himself for letting her be so independent. His father would have never let his mother get this far. Angry at himself for falling so short of his father's ideal, his father for not being there for him, and Yumi for being the cause of the guilt he would feel afterward, he searched for a way to vent his feelings. Unfortunately for Yumi, it was focused on her, his own personal punching bag. This time, his right foot lashed out, connecting solidly with her left side as he released his grip on her hair. The added force knocked Yumi to the side and she ended in the dirt.

"Well, what do you say?" Theo sneered at the fallen girl.

"I say this has gone far enough," a calm voice answered. Surprised by the intrusion, Theo turned toward the sound and saw a slight figure walking toward him.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Theo snarled contemptuously.

"Who I am doesn't matter," the girl said. "What does matter is what's going on here." By now, the girl had come close enough to be recognized.

She's Ari, the creative writing teacher, Theo thought, then calculated how much of a threat she posed. She'll be just as easy to take down as Yumi, Theo thought ruthlessly.

"You have a problem with how I manage my life?" Theo asked darkly.

"Not how you manage your life, but rather how you control hers."

"Control? I only do this because I love her," Theo replied.

The smaller girl had now reached the pair and stopped when she was between the two.

"You're going to leave now and never touch her again," Ari said slowly, an uncharacteristic fire burning in her eyes.

Theo was taken aback by the intensity of this seemingly insignificant person, then his eyes narrowed.

"I will do as I please," he spat. During this time, Yumi had maneuvered her aching body into a sitting position. Though it hurt, the slightly raised position gave her a better view of Theo and her would-be hero. As Yumi tried to push herself to her feet, Theo's hand lashed out angrily and connected solidly with Ari's left cheek. The girl did not turn away, however; she merely locked her acrid gaze on her aggressor. Infuriated by her lack of submissiveness, Theo struck out at her again, this time his fist driving home a punch on her abdomen. This brought a slight reaction from Ari as she nearly doubled over, clutching her stomach. Eyes narrowed in anger, Theo brought his right elbow down forcefully on the girl's exposed back, sending her to the ground. Still, no sound was elicited from the brunette. After a few kicks at the fallen girl, Theo stopped, satisfied he had beaten her into submission. He was contemplating his next move when Ari sat up slowly, then stood. Once again, she leveled her gaze on him and he began to grow unnerved.

"You will leave her alone from now on," Ari said evenly, her anger barely contained. Though her stance suggested self-assurance, her trembling hands betrayed her and she clenched them into fists.

"She's mine and I'll do as I please," Theo repeated through clenched teeth. "And, if you tell anyone about this, you'll both suffer, understood?" To emphasize his point, Theo's open hand raced at Ari's face, but this time it did not make contact. Instead, Theo was surprised to find his wrist in the firm grasp of the small writer.

"You're wrong," Ari said firmly, "She's mine." Dropping Theo's wrist, she grabbed Yumi's arm gently and pulled her to her feet. Still holding onto the dazed black-haired girl, Ari turned her back on Theo and he watched the two disappear into the forest, still stunned that anyone - especially a girl - had stood up to him.

His jaw clenched and hatred burned anew in him. Slipping his hand into his left pocket, his fingers touched the cold steel, and he vowed revenge.

AN: There! I finally got it done! Lessa-13-2004 stole my notebook, so once she finishes with it I'll work on typing up the next chapter. I know Ari is very prominent in this chapter, and it was intended this way. The reason for this is she has found a friend in a place foreign to her so she's going to latch on, even if it means protecting another with her life. And... is there something else that's driving her? No, not love for Yumi, I don't mean that... Anyway, I hope you liked it! Review before you leave, thanks!