"From The Window"
by: Ellis McDohl
First entry: October 30, 2001
Last entry: October 31, 2001
Disclaimer: They don't belong to me!!

"From The Window"
Chapter One:
Chase


I must admit that the hunter base isn't as boring as it looks... In fact it's even very relaxing. I find myself actually enjoying the place. Forgetting for a moment, that nightmare that rather got stuck in my head for a little while...

But then, it can't help drifting back into my mind. I only look down as we walk through the halls of the hunter base, approaching an intersection.

"How's the boy, Sigma?" Dr. Cain asked.

I raised my head suddenly interested, thinking if 'the boy' he's talking about is his Crimson Hunter. I'm always interested to hear about him. I think Dr. Cain knew of my interest in him. Maybe that's the reason why he's always telling me about him.

The tall hunter gave out a weary sigh. Undoubtedly, I see small sense of irritation or possibly something else that I can't pinpoint. But whatever it was, I don't like the look of it.

If you mean Zero, sir." Sigma began. "He's doing fine."

I raise my head to look at their backs. It's the first time I've heard the Crimson Hunter's name.

"Who's Zero?" I ask just to make sure I got it right.

Dr. Cain turned his head to me, smiling a little. I think he knew but I can't rightly say.

"He's a new hunter here." He replied.

"Oh." That's all I could say for now and I was satisfied because I know he's the one. I smile a little to myself, thinking of how long I've been interested in him and yet I did not know his name...

Rather ironic, don't you think so?

"He's fine, sir." Sigma continued but there is a sense of doubt in his voice. "But then he avoids contact with others. And yet he is a perfect soldier, obeys orders without question..."

I wonder what kind of hunter he is...

"He has an untamable heart..." I said without even realizing it.

They both turned to me with a puzzled expression on their faces. I never really thought it would come out of my mouth like that. I don't know if they'd understand that. In fact I'm not even sure if I understand it myself. But then Dr. Cain smiles at me and nodded in agreement.

"That's right." He agreed. "He has an untamable heart..."

I wonder if I have one like that too. Encouraged by this, I try to find out more about him.

"Tell me," I began. "Tell me more about this fellow 'Zero'..." I pause. "I'm a bit interested..."

Sigma gave out a weary sigh. "If only he was..." He mumbled.

I flinch. "Eh?"

"He's..." He began but then he paused, as if trying to think of some word to describe him. "... a perfect soldier but nothing seems to interest him."

"I see..." I hang my head down, seeing my feet.

"One thing I can say is that he's a fast learner..." he remarked. "He's learned almost everything that's here in the base." I see him grin. "Soon he will be a suitable captain."

I don't like the sound of his voice...


...I never liked it. It's so annoying...

I continue to walk across the hall, holding some of the reports I need to check. It's not good. I hate this. I never liked it but I hide that fact someplace in my mind. This is my duty. I will finish this all...?

Hmm?

I stop when I hear voices. Familiar voices... Then there is someone else.

"I see..." I heard this unfamiliar voice say.

The voice was younger than the first two who spoke. Analyzing the first two patterns, I realize the first two are Dr. Cain and Captain Sigma. That reminds me, I need to drop off a few things first.

Ignoring the voices, I continued to walk, passing the intersection. In the corner of my eyes, I could see that blue figure with sapphire-colored eyes. I could see his eyes widen. I don't know if it's because he saw me.

Then I saw him.

...and for some strange reason, I'm relieved that I did.

But I continue walking...


It's him! My mind frantically shouts at me. The light that had poured in from the open windows touched his armor making it shine and his long, blond hair, swaying behind him as he walked.

I couldn't move. But I wanted to. A sudden urge to follow him came. I open my mouth to call out to him but nothing came out.

Move! I scream at myself.

Miraculously, my feet began moving to that direction where the crimson hunter walked. I ignored Dr. Cain's voice calling out to me from behind me as I ran.


I look down at papers...

...huh?

Someone is following me. I can feel it but I continue walking. There are other hunters who follow me around here. I don't know if I'm just paranoid but sometimes, they look at me with suspicion in their eyes. I don't mind. Maybe they have the right or maybe they don't.

It doesn't interest me.

I turn to a corner and-


-I missed him again! I told myself, in frustration.

No matter how much I run, I can't seem to close the distance between us. All I could see of him was his long blond hair, trailing with the wind as he disappeared. But I must not give up. I must see him.

I must warn him but I don't know what I'm going to say to him... Or how am I going to say it to him.

The heck! I'll just keep running and think-


-about it later.

I enter the central control room and place my report on the desk. The hunters there don't even seem to notice my presence because of the many things they've been doing. I could see them rushing here and there.

But really, this is more peaceful. You've never seen in during a maverick attack. But I think one could guess just how it is.

I leave the room. To go to the transportation area where Captain Sigma asked me to go and check on the facilities there. There are new ride armors that need to be tested. It just came yesterday.

So I-


-stop and look around. I've completely lost sight of him. However fast I run, I still couldn't catch up. I feel like some unknown force is trying to stop me from seeing him. I wonder if this is fate, that I shouldn't meet up with him.

Why am I running after him? Is it because of my dream? It's only a dream after all. A dream...

...that could come true. The voice in my head snapped at me, making me wince. You want to see him! Go and warn him!

I look around frantically. The others who saw me running around must've thought I was going mad but I'm not, really. I just needed to...

"Sir X?" A voice from behind me spoke.

I turn, briskly at the direction of the voice where I saw a hunter, looking at me with a puzzled expression on his face. I have no doubts it's because of the way I've been standing around here.

"Um... yeah." I said, trying to get myself together.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"Uh..." I said, not knowing how or what to ask.

Do it frankly. The voice in my head said in its matter-of-fact tone. It's not going to hurt now, is it?

I clear my head and take in a deep breath.

"Listen," I said, rather awkwardly. "have you seen a red-armored hunter pass by?"

The hunter stopped for a while and nodded, smiling. "Yes, sir." He replied. "He went to the transportation area to-"

I didn't wait for him to finish. I ran to the transportation area, hoping to see him. The hunter base is huge but I wouldn't get lost in it despite the fact that I've never set my foot in it before.

I've seen the plans for this place. So no matter what I do, I won't get lost. I guess...

I turn to another corner, nearly knocking the huntress holding all the paperwork in her hands. She didn't fall though and I didn't apologize. I ran, nearly slipping as I entered the transportation area and I finally saw him walking a few meters away from me.

After running I realize I've finally found him. But if I don't do something, he'll probably disappear from me. The only thing I thought I could do was take a deep breath and shout-


-"STOP!!"-


-And I did, not quite knowing why-


-I shouted like that. It was a little embarrassing, I know. But that was the only think I could think of at the present. The others who were there-


-stopped working to look at who shouted that. Maybe they thought that whoever it was, shouted for them to stop. I've caught a glimpse of their bewildered faces as they look at figure standing behind me. I'm getting a little curious, something, I really didn't think would happen. But then I am and I-


-see him slowly turning to me. His long, blond hair whirled behind him as he did. His armor shone as the sunlight touched it. I could see his face, pale and his cold emerald eyes but there was gentleness in it. Perhaps others didn't see it.

I know I did.

But then, I've never seen anyone like him at all...

I straightened up, a little tired after all that running I did but I've recovered. I walk a few steps forward, just enough for me to shorten the distance between us...

...just enough-


-for me to see his face clearer. He looks young. In human years I suppose he'd look at least seventeen. He's got big, blue eyes that looked at me, with a queer expression that could be expressed as amusement...

No. I tell myself. It's more like relief...

But why relief? I wonder as I look at him, thinking-


-what could he be thinking now?

His face had regained it's normal cold mask. And suddenly I realized, I didn't know what else to say. I felt a little awkward but I try to talk to him.

"Hey..." I said though not rudely. "I've been trying to catch up with y-!"


"I know." I interrupt him.

Because I do know. I know he's been following me around for quite a while now. Not that's I've anything to complain about, mind you. He interests me...


He looks at me and I could see his cold emerald eyes soften for a moment. Just the tiniest bit then it resumes back to it's normal cold mask. I don't mind... I like him like this... I take a few more steps forward until he's only a meter away from me. I look down at my foot awkwardly.

"I..."


"...Zero." I said.

He whips up his head, as if surprised. I don't think he expected me say my name to him like this.

"...I beg your pardon?" He asked.

"Zero." I repeat once again. "You are Megaman X, I presume?"

He nodded, awkwardly. He looks a little embarrassed though I don't know what is there to be embarrassed about. Vaguely, he reminds me of a child...

"Um... yes..." He replied, blushing a little.

I nod, not knowing what else to say. So I turned to walk away-


-Stop him!

"H-hey, wait!!" I shout once again.

I know, it's rather tiring but I don't know what else to say. At first I thought he would not stop but he did. And I'm relieved.

"Do you... think I could... I mean..." I stuttered.

I think I'm hopeless...


I sigh wearily. He's a little hopeless...

"Well, come on." I said. I don't think it's so bad to have someone like him for company.

"You mean it?" He asked as if he can't believe it.

I turn my head, slowly, just enough to see that blue figure behind me.

"Would I ask if didn't?" I asked back


Obviously, Zero wasn't the kind to dilly-dally. I smile eagerly and ran to his side.

"Thanks..." I said and I feel him smile back at me.

I look at his serious face. I don't think he smiles often. But then, I'm glad for his company. Maybe if I stay with him, I'll see him smile. I know it's odd for me to say such things but I let it trail in my mind as I walk along beside him...

Further notes:

Please tell me if it's confusing... I didn't want to place something like X's POV because it's too short. If You like this, I'm going to bring out the next one. It's just a few chapters really. ^^ And they're pretty short. ^^

Ellis mcdohl