Title: Crimson Heir

Summary: Unable to have an heir herself, Sir Integra adopts a girl fit for the job. However, things get sticky when Alucard is forced to make his next master like him.

Note: An image of Cora Malandra Hellsing as she grows up (remove spaces): http://i22. photobucket. com/albums/b305 /Suzaku18/Avatars/ Dolls/cora1.png

Chapter One: Cora Malandra Hellsing

Sir Integra Windgates Hellsing waited impatiently by the airport terminal for the 11:55 from Canberra. The flight was an hour late, and the Hellsing organizer detested being kept waiting, especially on such an occasion. The child she had adopted from Australia was due to arrive that day, and she was (dare she admit it?) eager to return to Hellsing Organization Headquarters with her new heir. Alucard and Walter had not been all for the adoption of another Hellsing, but they remained silent and left Integra to her own devices in terms of the Australian child.

"Flight 162 from Canberra, Australia, has arrived at Gate 12."

The announcement couldn't have come as a more welcome sound to Integra. She turned toward the terminal, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Let's get a move-on," she muttered, grinding her teeth together. With an annoyed shake of her blonde head, Integra's piercing blue eyes were cleared of her hair. She saw a young girl, approximately six years in age, walking down the dark passage and dragging a dark red carry-on behind her. Attached to her left hand was a flight attendant, who carried her other bag and a large, worn teddy bear. Integra recognized the child immediately, from the black hair to the shining blue eyes.

"Integra Hellsing?" the flight attendant inquired.

"I am," confirmed the other woman.

"This would be your adoptee. Can you say hello to Miss Hellsing?" the woman asked the child sweetly.

"There will be time for that later," Integra said tersely, taking the girl by the hand. "Thank you for seeing that she made it here safely." She retrieved the larger suitcase and walked toward the exit without a backward glance. She could feel the girl struggling to keep up with her stride.

Once in the car with Walter at the wheel, Integra faced the frightened child in the seat beside her. "Did you have a name before you came here?" she inquired.

With a jump, the girl nodded. "Avis Gorria."

"Red bird," Walter said absently from the front of the car.

"No longer," Integra said, placing an octagonal locket around the young one's neck. "As I have adopted you, it is by my decision that your name will be changed. You are now Cora Malandra Hellsing. You understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," Cora said, hugging her teddy bear.

"You are now the heir of the Hellsing Organization. You will be taught to fight Undead abominations in the name of God and Her Majesty. You will learn to protect yourself and others from these vampiric FREAKs. Is that clear?"

"Yes, ma'am!" whimpered young Cora.

The car pulled up into the courtyard of the Hellsing Headquarters, prompting Integra to exit, Cora behind her. She paused to observe the repairs being made to the old mansion and felt a small hand slide into hers. Cora was staring up in wide-eyed amazement, looking overwhelmed by the change in her life that had taken only a few hours by plane. Integra gave the six-year-old a smile and turned to Walter.

"Walter," Integra said, "take Cora upstairs to my office. I need a word with Fargason."

"Of course, Sir Integra. Right away." Walter held his hand down to the child.

In Integra's office, Cora stood stock still, staring up with wide eyes. It immediately occurred to Walter that Cora may have never seen a room that size before. He watched her for a moment before kneeling beside her. "I hope you are quite comfortable here, Miss Cora. I am Walter Dornez."

Cora nodded and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you."

The aging man smiled at her and shook the offered hand. "As it is to meet you, Miss Cora. I am the Hellsing family butler. If there is anything you require, please do not hesitate to ask."

Cora looked suddenly to the bookshelf and stepped behind Walter, pointing. The butler guided his attention to the area that had startled her and sighed. "Master Alucard, you really must stop coming through the walls like that. Sir Integra has expressed her vexations of your habit before."

The vampire simply grinned at the shaking figure behind his long-time friend. He stepped through the bookshelf, replacing his red, broad-brimmed hat over his shoulder-length black hair. Red eyes leered out at Cora from behind their yellow sunglasses. The massive amount of red he wore was startling to a child who had grown up among light colors in Australia.

"Is this the girl Integra adopted?" the vampire inquired, walking around Walter. This, of course, caused Cora to run around the human shield, playing a sort of one-sided cat-and-mouse.

"Yes," Walter replied, finally picking up the girl to "rescue" her from Alucard. "This is she. Cora, this is a Hellsing agent as well, just as Fargason and I are. This is Alucard. Alucard, this is Cora Malandra Hellsing."

"A pleasure," Alucard said levelly, lowering his head to his younger master.

"H-How do you do?" Cora squeaked.

"Any order Cora gives you," Integra said as she entered the office, "is to be obeyed as if I gave it myself. Understand, Alucard?"

The vampire nodded. "Yes, master."

Cora was placed on the floor in front of her mother and the bear snuggly in her arms. Integra pushed her forward toward Alucard. "You cannot be afraid of him, Cora. He is a vampire, one of the strongest ever produced. We face far weaker ones. He is an ally."

Cora nodded. "Yes, Mother," she responded obediently. She held up a little hand to Alucard, fingers shaking a little. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Alucard," she said, careful to meld her harsh Australian accent into the gentler one of the British.

Alucard smirked, entertained at his younger master's show in spite of her fear. "The pleasure is mine, Master." He bowed, kneeling on the ground in front of her. As he raised his head, he saw her recoil a little at the look in his eyes. Fortunately, Integra knew it was his constant malice at the world around him and not toward her adoptive child.

"Walter," Sir Hellsing instructed, "take Cora to the room I've had prepared for her. See that she is unpacked, then get her a bite to eat."

"Yes, Sir Integra," the butler acquiesced. He took the girl by the hand and led her out of the office.

Alucard chuckled, the sound rumbling in the back of his throat. "She reminds me of someone."

"I do hope you don't mean me," Integra replied tersely as she seated herself behind the desk.

Alucard remained quiet for but a minute. "You chose a female," he noted. "She will not keep the Hellsing name if she marries. You know that."

"I intend to be sure she does."

"How?"

"What can't a parent instill in a child anymore?" Integra inquired. "I will find a way, Alucard. Mark my words."