~Normal POV~

"But how did you.."

"XANA ran out of power," Ulrich shrugged, "He couldn't go on a long term attack".

"You're lying. I won't fall into your trap again, XANA!" Yumi shoved Ulrich away. Though she was not a hundred percent sure if she's looking at the real Ulrich or the XANAfied Ulrich. Ulrich narrowed his eyes as he advanced towards Yumi. Yumi was taken aback and backed away. He's going to kill me…

But instead of grabbing her neck and choking the life out of her, Ulrich just walked past her and began typing some things into the Super Computer.

"What are you doing?!"

"Saving my friends' life."

"Huh?" Yumi blurted out. She then realized that William, Aelita, Odd, Jeremie and even herself was badly injured. Yumi knew that this was the real Ulrich. Watching him press the 'enter' key on the keyboard, she readied herself for a jump back in time.

"Return to the past now," Ulrich whispered as a huge beam of light exploded from beside him and engulfed them…

"Wake up sleepy heads!" Yumi called out as she laughed, seeing her four friends asleep on Odd's and Ulrich's bed.

"Ngh.. Mummy?" Odd rubbed his eyes as he sat up.

"Pfft.. Odd, I am your father," Ulrich laughed at his joke.

"Oh? Does that mean that you and Yumi are married?" Jeremie asked, winking at Aelita.

"W-what?" Ulrich realized that his joke has backfired and blushed, rubbing his neck and avoiding Yumi's gaze.

After all the Lyoko Warriors had fully woken up, Jeremie spoke.

"You're sure XANA has gotten out of your body?"

"Yes. I saw it with my own eyes,"

"This is the first time someone has been aware of what's happening while XANA controls his body.." Aelita muttered.

"Ulrich's one of the strongest here, both mind and body, so that should explain it," William said.

"Wow! Now that's what you don't hear every day!" Odd exclaimed, playfully punching Ulrich's shoulder.

"Why thank you," Ulrich glared at William, taking what he said as sarcasm.

"Hey. Why don't you-"

"Stop!" Jeremie, Aelita and Yumi demanded at the same time. The two boys stopped glaring at each other and kept quiet. They just can't stop fighting each other, can they? Yumi sighed. Boys.. Aelita shook her head. There was a long silence before Ulrich spoke.

"No, it wasn't because of my strong mind.. It was because all of you helped me."

"Huh?" All of them said at the same time.

"You guys triggered my feelings when XANA had locked them all when he possessed me. It was because of you; I snapped out of my unconsciousness and fought back. But even though I didn't win the fight between me and XANA.." Ulrich looked a little ashamed when he said that, but nonetheless continued, "You guys didn't lose hope in saving me and continued to fight 'me'. I feel so glad to have true friends like you.. You guys are so.." Ulrich paused, wrecking his brain for the perfect word to use.

"Loving?" Odd broke the silence.

"Yeah, that's it," Ulrich smiled as he saw his friend burst into laughter. "I'm not joking! You guys are my second family.. Even more loving then my actual family.."

"Even William?"

"Odd! Shh..!" Jeremie snapped at Odd. Ulrich looked at William and nodded his head.

"Yeah, even William." Ulrich gave William a smirk, "Although a little competitive.. He turned out to be a great person." Yumi blushed a little when she heard 'competitive', she knew that it mean the competition between who will win her heart. Soon, the bell rang at the Lyoko Warrior disbanded.

"We got Gym class, see you!" Aelita waved goodbye at William and Yumi as they went for their respective classes.

Ulrich sat at the usual tree where he always goes to. Looking up at the dark night sky, with only the full moon to light up the forest, he smiled. It felt good to have his own body back; and to know that he has true friends.

"Need company?" Ulrich looked up and saw a familiar face.

"Y-Yumi?! Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at home?" Startled, Ulrich got up to his feet immediately.

"Haha chill, sit down," The two of them sat under the tree and looked at each other.

"You haven't told me why you're here," Ulrich asked, puzzled that Yumi was right beside him. It was already nine at night and she was supposed to be at home, her parents don't allow her to go out at this time of day- unless there's a XANA attack where she has to sneak out of her room.

"I told my parents that I forgotten something," Yumi winked at Ulrich. Blushing heavily, Ulrich chuckled. "And what are you doing here?"

"Thinking about what had happened."

"You.. Don't remember what I said, do you?" Yumi blushed as she recalled what she told to Jeremie during the fight. "Ulrich's more than my best friend.. He's like my brother.. My.. Other half"…

"What did you say?" Ulrich tilted his head to one side as he queried. Yumi heaved a sigh of relief. "Anyways.. I have something to tell you, Yumi.."

"What is it?" Yumi's heart pounded when she heard that.

"I.. I love you.." Ulrich quickly said and looked away, his face as red as a beetroot.

"Oh Ulrich.. You're so kawaii!" Yumi giggled. Suddenly, there was a huge gush of wind and Yumi suddenly lost balance and fell on top of Ulrich. Stunned, the two teenagers looked at each other, breathing heavily.

"Y-Y-Yumi!" Ulrich gasped as he looked into the Japanese's eyes. Their faces were just inches away from each other's. His heart beat rapidly. There was something inside of him that told him to do something. This is your chance.. Do it! Ulrich took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He felt warm lips against his. After their lips had parted, they opened their eyes and blushed once again.

"Uh.. I'm sor-"

"I love you too, Ulrich," Yumi embraced Ulrich in a big hug.. That night was the best night known to both Ulrich and Yumi…

From afar, William stood behind a tree observing the two teenagers. He smiled to himself and closed his eyes.

"I'm glad that the female lead chose the male lead," He whispered...

~The End~