Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Hellsing. But if I did, I'm sure there'd be some fellow fangirls planning my murder, so I suppose it's all for the best. I'm not making any profit (obviously) but if you really want my $4.78, then I suppose you can have it...

thoughts

------

Walter was worried.

But then again, he was always worried, especially since the death of Integra's father and the awakening of Alucard. While Walter was happy to see his old brother in arms once again, he also knew what vampires were like. And what their favorite snack was-

Pretty, little girls.

Alucard could have all the medical blood he wanted, but that wouldn't stop him. It hadn't in the past. And Integra wasn't helping the situation either. All she'd ever heard about vampires was from her father, but she'd never seen Alucard fight before, and he never acted violently towards her, so she didn't see him as a threat, more like a brother.

Oh, Walter was very worried.

------ later that night ------

Integra was in the bed reading when Walter came in to make sure everything was alright and to turn off the lights. It was their little nighttime ritual and went the exact same way every night. As Walter walked into her room she placed her book on the nightstand and slid down into her bed. But instead of tucking the blanket between the mattresses, Walter sat down on her bed. Integra was quite confused.

What's he doing? Integra wondered.

There was silence between the two of them. After a minute or so, Walter spoke.

"I must speak with you, Lady Integra."

"..About what, Walter?"

"Alucard."

That struck Integra as being very odd. Walter always got along very well with Alucard, and so did she. So why would he need to talk to her about him? Nothing was wrong... right?

"Did something happen to him?" Integra asked and clutched Walter's sleeve.

"No, no... he's alright."

Integra sighed in relief.

"I simply wanted to warn you and make sure you knew of his true nature."

This caught Integra off guard. Alucard's true nature? Of course I know! Really, Walter!

"Yes, yes, he's a vampire and sucks blood, thus killing people and turning them into ghouls. I know, Walter."

It was Walter's turn to sigh, I shouldn't have expected it to be that simple. She hasn't seen him...out of control...

"Integra, there's more to it than that. Vampires are naturally very violent and unruly creatures. Alucard is the worst, he is a No Life King, after all, Integra. You must realize that you all are that bind him to his life of servitude. Alucard must protect the Hellsing family always. You are all that are left of the Hellsing family, Integra. If you should die, then Alucard would be free and rule the night with his vampire brethren."

Integra couldn't believe what Walter was saying. Alucard... hurt me? He'd never do that!! Alucard was the closest thing Integra had a brother, and while siblings do fight, he'd never do such a thing to Integra!

"Please, Walter! Alucard swore to protect me. Why would he go back on that?"

"For his freedom. If you were trapped in servitude of a being you saw as below you, would you do anything necessary to get out of it?"

Integra wasn't sure she wanted to answer that. Walter continued anyway.

"And what if the only thing that stood between you and your freedom was one little girl."

At the end of the sentence, Walter leaned forward to make sure Integra understood what he was saying. Integra was quite frightened by this point and was shaking slightly. Walter pulled her into a hug and petted her hair, trying to calm her down.

"You shouldn't shun him, Integra, just be cautious. I've sent him on a mission for the night to deal with some out of control vampires. I doubt he'll make it back with much time before dawn. Don't worry."

Walter pushed Integra back, tucked in her blankets, turned off the lights and left the room.

Integra reached for her Teddy Bear and hugged it close.

Thanks, Walter. Just give nightmares for the rest of my life, why don't you...

------ just before dawn ------

Integra hated it when she forgot to close a window all the way. About 10 minutes ago it had finally creaked open all the way and let in the chilly night air. She'd hoped to just ignore it, she did have a lot of blankets on after all, but the wind had just been too cold for Integra. After much debating with herself, she finally got up and closed the window. When she turned around to go back to her bed, she found Alucard holding up her Teddy Bear and staring at it like it would suddenly pop to life and start dancing. Integra prayed that he hadn't seen her, prayed that he thought she was some where else, and most of all, prayed that he hadn't come to go back on his promise.

The praying didn't work. He turned to her, still holding the Teddy Bear.

"What is this?"

Integra was afraid to speak to him after what Walter had said.

"Well?"

If I don't say anything, he won't get mad. If he isn't mad, he won't kill me.

Integra's actions puzzled him even more than the brown fuzz ball he was currently holding. Integra was always willing to answer his questions and talk and talk and talk.

"Is something wrong, my Master?"

Alucard threw the bear at the bed and started walking towards Integra. She squeaked and ran to the other side of the room.

Alucard couldn't figure out what was wrong. She'd never been scared of him after he'd sworn to protect her. Why would she suddenly be so frightened of me? Alucard disappeared and then materialized behind Integra. He grabbed her and turned her around. All while she was struggling.

"Tell me what happened, Master."

"Let go of me!!" Integra finally shrieked.

"What happened?!!" Alucard yelled back.

Integra was still pushing against Alucard, trying to get free of his grasp, "You're going to kill me!! You're gong to suck my blood and make me into a ghoul!!"

Alucard was shocked. Kill her? Who would tell her that I'd kill her?

Integra finally got out of his hold and ran back to her bed and grabbed her Teddy Bear.

Alucard stood up, "Who told you that, Integra?"

"Why do you care?! Go away!"

Alucard was actually hurt. In all his years of dealing with humans, he'd never been hurt so. Alucard knew that a lot of vampires preferred children as their main course, but he'd always found 20 year old women the most exquisite.

"Integra... I'd never hurt you..."

She didn't anything and just kept glaring at him.

"Have I ever tried to hurt you?"

Still no answer.

"Who told you, Integra."

She finally answered him in a small voice, "Walter."

"Walter?! Walter!?? He thinks I'm crazy!!"

"And you probably are! Vampires are too violent! How do I know you won't turn on me and kill me and run off to do your No Life King stuff?!?"

Alucard could see no easy solution for this problem. She was determined he was out to get her. He was determined to protect her. Alucard looked out the window and could see the suns rays rising over the horizon. He looked back at Integra, still clutching her brown fuzz and glaring at him. Alucard sighed and left the room.

Integra relaxed and leaned back against her bed, "Dammit, Walter..."

------ a few nights later ------

Integra had not seen Alucard for at least 3 days. Walter had decided that Alucard had run off somewhere to seek his solitude. He planned for him to return.

"He knows we can track him." Walter had said, "Alucard's not good at covering up his trail of feeding. It's just him. When he gets tired and hungry, he'll return."

Integra had honestly, felt badly about what she'd said to Alucard. He had sworn to protect her and he'd had many opportunities to kill her when she looked back on her behavior. She knew that Alucard wasn't the most trustworthy person in the world, but he had watched over during the months after her father's death. He respected the fact that she was a Hellsing and was under her control. He even called her "master". Integra sighed and sat up. She reached for her glasses and walked to the window. She'd never admit it, but Integra Wingates Hellsing was worried about the No Life King Alucard.

"How sweet, I didn't know you cared."

Integra turned around and saw Alucard lying on her bed.

Suddenly, she wasn't so worried about him.

"If you want to know why I'm back, it's because there's some unfinished business I had to take care of."

"Then go take care of it." Integra growled.

Alucard smirked and sat up. He took of his hat and glasses before walking over to her.

Integra was starting to get worried again, about herself.

"What... What are you doing, Alucard?"

Alucard leaned in very close and whispered, "Taking care of some unfinished business."

That's it. Integra cried in her mind, He's really going to kill me this time!!

But as a strange twist, Alucard bowed down to Integra on one knee and placed his hand over his heart. Integra was severely confused by Alucard's actions.

He's never this formal... What's he planning?...

"I, Alucard, the No Life King, do swear on the grave of Abraham van Hellsing, that no blood will be drawn from a Hellsing nor harm ever come to a descendant of the Hellsing family unless it is so willed by the family."

While Integra found it inappropriate for Alucard to swear something like that on her ancestor's grave, she was also touched at the lengths that Alucard went to to regain her trust. Of all the things that Integra had read about vampires, something as serious as this was difficult for a vampire. They naturally had a strong dislike of humans, and even Alucard's initial swearing to protect her was not so serious and thoughtful.

Alucard stood up from his place on the floor and retrieved his hat and glasses. He began to disappear into the night, but not before saying "Good night, my Master."