(This is set about a month after part one...)
I stand and I gaze at her still form.
That's all I seem to do these days. Even though there are far more pressing matters to deal with, I can never bear to tear myself away. My eyes are fixed upon her - like a hungry orphan staring wide-eyed at a feast that is just out of reach.
This past month has been most troubling. My search for Tsunami is not going well. Even Ryoko's signature has disappeared from my scopes. Never have the answers seemed further out of my grasp than now. I stare up at the Professor and sigh. If she were not encased in there - locked away like some kind of dangerous beast - then she would be here. Stood at my side, giving me words of encouragement.
I shake off the thought and close my eyes. The more I fail, the more I am drawn to this place. Almost unconsciously I come here without fail, as if I am following some innate ritual that has been imprinted deep in my mind. In the past, I would always go to her for support. It was almost impossible not to. She was so reassuring, even when she didn't agree with what I was doing. Whenever I knew that I was failing, then she would calm me and give me help.
And so now... Even when she cannot speak. I still come here, like some kind of slave. I am drawn to her and I can never tear myself away.
I have often wondered long about the reason. Why do I continue to come here to watch her - the woman who would be my most hated enemy were she not imprisoned. I have no further use for her. I do not require her to be alive and yet I cannot hurt her. Why am I unable to kill her? Me - the Eternally Wanted Criminal. Others have died at my hands, others who woldn't even dream of doing what she did. If anyone else were troubling me, then I would waste no time in wiping them from existance - especially if they were so dangerous to me.
But the Professor. I catch one glimpse of her and I stop. All my hatred disappears and I am like her student again.
Could it be regret? Could that be why I am unable to destroy her? I pause, reopening my eyes and gazing at her peaceful, still face.
No. It's much deeper than regret. It's something so powerful that not even I can conquer it. Could it be... love?
Love...
That word burns through my mind, echoing around me as if I had screamed it out loud. The sound awakes me from my trance, causing me to blink forcibly. How could I have been thinking that? I shake my head.
'Love... Hah...' I say - though my voice has lost it's confident tone for the moment. I am a scientist. Emotions are of no use to me. They never were and they never will be. Emotions are what makes a person weak. I will not allow myself to degrade into some being that relies on it's feelings to survive.
I know I am just trying to convince myself. I have already weakened because of her.
I turn my back on her and prepare to phase out of the room. I cannot bear to be in the same room as her any longer. I must escape this vicious grip that she has over me.
'Even when frozen... You must prove that you are stronger,' I mutter, gritting my teeth. I will not fail again. I will not allow my weak emotions to bring me here anymore. I will not return here, to wallow in my regrets of the past. I have matters to prepare for - my next destination is not far off. Life will go on, whether the Professor is part of it or not.
I try not to think of the Professor - trapped alone in her glass prison - as I phase out of the room. I try not to imagine her voice calling out to me - begging me not to do what I am about to do. I sigh quietly. Even though I vowed never to return to this place, I know that my emotions will drag me back here sooner than I hope.
(Author note: Next chapter is the flashback... My theory as to why and how Kagato imprisoned Washu... Keep tuned in, and let people know about this eh? Thanks a lot!!)
I stand and I gaze at her still form.
That's all I seem to do these days. Even though there are far more pressing matters to deal with, I can never bear to tear myself away. My eyes are fixed upon her - like a hungry orphan staring wide-eyed at a feast that is just out of reach.
This past month has been most troubling. My search for Tsunami is not going well. Even Ryoko's signature has disappeared from my scopes. Never have the answers seemed further out of my grasp than now. I stare up at the Professor and sigh. If she were not encased in there - locked away like some kind of dangerous beast - then she would be here. Stood at my side, giving me words of encouragement.
I shake off the thought and close my eyes. The more I fail, the more I am drawn to this place. Almost unconsciously I come here without fail, as if I am following some innate ritual that has been imprinted deep in my mind. In the past, I would always go to her for support. It was almost impossible not to. She was so reassuring, even when she didn't agree with what I was doing. Whenever I knew that I was failing, then she would calm me and give me help.
And so now... Even when she cannot speak. I still come here, like some kind of slave. I am drawn to her and I can never tear myself away.
I have often wondered long about the reason. Why do I continue to come here to watch her - the woman who would be my most hated enemy were she not imprisoned. I have no further use for her. I do not require her to be alive and yet I cannot hurt her. Why am I unable to kill her? Me - the Eternally Wanted Criminal. Others have died at my hands, others who woldn't even dream of doing what she did. If anyone else were troubling me, then I would waste no time in wiping them from existance - especially if they were so dangerous to me.
But the Professor. I catch one glimpse of her and I stop. All my hatred disappears and I am like her student again.
Could it be regret? Could that be why I am unable to destroy her? I pause, reopening my eyes and gazing at her peaceful, still face.
No. It's much deeper than regret. It's something so powerful that not even I can conquer it. Could it be... love?
Love...
That word burns through my mind, echoing around me as if I had screamed it out loud. The sound awakes me from my trance, causing me to blink forcibly. How could I have been thinking that? I shake my head.
'Love... Hah...' I say - though my voice has lost it's confident tone for the moment. I am a scientist. Emotions are of no use to me. They never were and they never will be. Emotions are what makes a person weak. I will not allow myself to degrade into some being that relies on it's feelings to survive.
I know I am just trying to convince myself. I have already weakened because of her.
I turn my back on her and prepare to phase out of the room. I cannot bear to be in the same room as her any longer. I must escape this vicious grip that she has over me.
'Even when frozen... You must prove that you are stronger,' I mutter, gritting my teeth. I will not fail again. I will not allow my weak emotions to bring me here anymore. I will not return here, to wallow in my regrets of the past. I have matters to prepare for - my next destination is not far off. Life will go on, whether the Professor is part of it or not.
I try not to think of the Professor - trapped alone in her glass prison - as I phase out of the room. I try not to imagine her voice calling out to me - begging me not to do what I am about to do. I sigh quietly. Even though I vowed never to return to this place, I know that my emotions will drag me back here sooner than I hope.
(Author note: Next chapter is the flashback... My theory as to why and how Kagato imprisoned Washu... Keep tuned in, and let people know about this eh? Thanks a lot!!)