DISCLAIMER - none of the main characters belong to me, they are all characters of hellsing, which i do not own and Seto Sojiro is a character from rurouni kenshin, which i also do not own
"You know your mission servant." The shadowed figure said with a heavy Irish accent. Sojiro stood before the large desk in the large dark office wearing the Hellsing field uniform he had been given. "Infiltrate and eliminate that Hellsing bitch!" the man ordered. Sojiro smiled brightly, his dark brown eyes as emotionless as ever.
"Indeed master." He said in his gentle voice, so innocent it sounded almost child-like.
"I shall be awaiting your return, and remember the price for failure servant." The man replied. Sojiro bowed at the waist before turning and leaving, picking up his solid silver Katana on the way. As he got outside the wind tossed his neatly cut brown hair, his bangs occasionally blocking his vision.
"All right men, mission complete. Let's head home." Seras shouted as they returned to the waiting trucks. As she ran along side them with her Harconnen on her shoulder she noticed a young man she didn't recognise, that's strange. I know most of our recruits are new since the Incognito incident meant the deaths of most of our men, but I trained all the new recruits, I definitely don't remember him. She thought as she made her way over. The young man, probably about nineteen, looked up at her with a bright smile, "Officer. State your name and rank." She ordered as she stopped in front of him, receiving a salute, which she returned, he's foreign…possibly Japanese? I didn't realise we were allowing foreigners into our ranks.
"I am Honda Choshu, a private of unit one." He replied. She suddenly shivered as she looked at him. He was smiling, but it wasn't reflected in his eyes, in fact his eyes looked empty, as if they were devoid of all emotion, but there was a flicker of something…something strangely comforting, but looking deeper she could sense some kind of inner conflict going on,
'I agree…something isn't right about him, but he has masked his thoughts well. I cannot penetrate.' A voice said in her head. It was her master, Alucard's voice. Her red eyes focused on Sojiro, who didn't squirm, flinch or draw back under her scrutiny.
"Very well private. Get in the truck, we're heading back." She said as she climbed into the van in front of him. He climbed in after her, still smiling as if he didn't know how to do anything else. As he sat down there were whispers among the men as they looked at him,
"Was there something wrong?" he asked as he looked around the group. They stopped talking and looked at him before looked at the floor or the wall, but there was one, a young blonde boy who had just transferred from the SAS if Seras remembered correctly, who turned to Sojiro with a sneer,
"Yeah, I got a question for you, what the hell are you smiling about? We just killed a bunch of ghouls, who used to be innocent people, and you seem to be kind of happy about that. Wouldn't you say that that was a bit sick and twisted?" he asked, his sneer turning to a scowl as Sojiro continued to smile and even let out a small chuckle,
"I apologise if I offend you, it's just the way I am." He replied simply as he leaned back on the wall, his eyes widening as a fist flew at his face. Sojiro calculated the speed and distance of the fist, holding his hand up at the last minute to catch it firmly in his hand. The blonde looked at him in astonishment, his fist firmly trapped in Sojiro's grasp. "I do not believe that violence is necessary. I may have offended you, but I did apologise." He said as he released the fist. The blonde sat back down and looked at his fist. The catch hadn't hurt, but it had been firm with a grip that showed he could easily break the hand, but was choosing not to. Sojiro sat back and closed his eyes, his smile still in place as he felt something wash over his mind,
"Isn't it rude to probe peoples minds without their permission?" Sojiro said out loud to the powerful presence that sought entrance to his mind.
'So, you can feel me. How unexpected.' The deep velvety voice replied, still trying to read his thoughts,
"You may keep trying if you wish, but when I say you will not get inside, I assure you, you will not." Sojiro replied politely, seeing the image of the man he was talking to in his head. The man looked to be to be in his late thirties, early forties, but felt so much older and his hair was a sheet of ebony that went to his shoulders while his eyes were the same crimson as Captain Seras's.
'You are brave, but also foolish boy, I could eat you for breakfast.' Alucard purred threateningly, but Sojiro merely smiled in his mind,
"You could try." He said simply, receiving a loud laugh in his head from Alucard,
'I like your spirit boy, but I warn you, if you are planning anything to damage this organisation, I will kill you.' Alucard replied, but Sojiro merely allowed a small chuckle,
"As I said, you may try." He said, ignoring the strange and questioning looks that the other officers were giving him. Though she could only hear one half of the conversation Seras knew that Alucard was the one he had been talking to. Sojiro cut off the connection as he felt the truck slow. As they stopped he got to his feet and walked towards the exit, his sword well hidden in the back of his long green coat.
"Private. Is that coat of military issue?" Seras asked as she climbed out behind him. He turned with his bright smile as all the other men lined up,
"I'm afraid not. I am still waiting for some of my uniform to come through." he replied and although she doubted it, Seras let it go,
"Just make sure you don't wear it again." She replied as she walked to the front of the group and dismissed them. Sojiro looked around the car park briefly before stepping into the shadows and entering the firing range. He walked through and opened the door cautiously, seeing no one in the hall of the Hellsing Manor. He used unnatural speed to get to the stairs and up them to the first floor, where he stopped, glad that his speed hadn't damaged the floor as it usually did. Pausing he listened carefully and soon caught the sound of a young woman speaking harshly to someone. He moved in that direction and waited outside the door until he heard a phone slam down. He knocked and patiently, pulling off his long coat and leaving it on a bench outside the door in the dimly lit corridor, part of him hoping she would turn him away.
"Come in." the female voice ordered. Sojiro stepped inside, his sword clearly visible at his waist. The blonde woman looked at him questioningly through her clear glasses, her blue eyes attempting to read him, but she couldn't and this greatly disturbed her, "Yes?" she asked shortly,
"You are Miss. Integra Hellsing?" he asked, smiling at her brightly. She slowly slipped her drawer open and clutched the handle of her gun; something about him was making her very uneasy.
"Yes. What do you want?" she demanded, not knowing why she felt so uneasy, she didn't even get this nervous around Alucard, and he was the most dangerous being she had ever come across.
"I apologise you this, but it is my master's will that you die. If you sit still I promise I'll make it as quick and painless as possible." He said as he drew his katana. Feeling something rushing round his neck he turned his sword up, stopping the sharp wires from slicing his head off. He paused and turned to the old man, who looked mildly surprised, "Touché. You must be the retainer Walter, am I correct?" he asked politely. Walter eyed the boy precariously through his monocle, studying the boy,
"Yes, and you would be?" Walter replied, eying the boy, who took on a look of surprise,
"Honda Choshu." He replied, feeling a tug on the wires, but they were unable to break through his sword to get to him,
"Don't lie boy, I asked your name, not your cover." Walter snapped impatiently,
"Hm, fair enough, though I don't see why it matters since you will soon be dead. I am Seto Sojiro, an assassin from Japan, and judging by your fighting style, you have been fighting dangerous foes for quite some time, correct?" Sojiro asked, still being abnormally polite. "Ah, it seems you have another guest Miss. Hellsing." He added as he felt rather than saw Alucard appear with his gun pressed against Sojiro's temple, "Good evening Alucard. It is nice to meet you face to face." He said as he looked up at the abnormally tall vampire, who smirked down at him,
"Even in your position you can manage to joke, how nice." He mocked, but Sojiro shook his head,
"You misunderstand me. I never joke." He replied, "I admit, your presence will make this extremely difficult, but not impossible. Miss. Hellsing, would you mind waiting for a few moments?" he said politely over his shoulder, hearing Alucard's finger touch the trigger. Sojiro ducked as the bullet went over his head and embedded itself in the wall, "Don't be so careless, you might hit something valuable." Sojiro said as he ducked beneath the wire and ran to the wall, rebounding from it onto Integra's desk where he swung the sword at her neck calmly, his eyebrow rising at Alucard's silver casull blocked his sword.
"You look surprised human." Alucard mocked,
"Indeed, I must calculate better next time." He replied brightly, hopping away from the desk as the thin wires touched the fabric of his uniform sleeve. "Careful, I like this top." He said as he landed on the floor, not a scrape on the tight black turtleneck top.
"You really are far too confident for your own good human!" Alucard snapped as his patience lessened. Had his master not been in danger he may have taken his time and enjoyed this battle, but as it was, his master was in danger so he had no time to play.
"I apologise. Shall we?" he replied as he settled into a battle stance, ready to charge Alucard and cut him in half. Alucard smirked and aimed his gun. The boy had a look of concentration, but was still smiling the same eerie smile, and his lack of emotion made him impossible to read. For once Alucard was glad that he didn't have to use a sword or hand weapon. Hand to hand combat or weapons required emotion to predict you opponent's moves, but Sojiro masked his emotion so well it would have been impossible. Alucard aimed for the centre of his head and fired, his eyes widening in astonishment as the boy disappeared, reappearing behind Alucard, where he swung his sword and cut the vampire in half. "I suppose I should take care of you before he gets up, unless you are going to allow me to kill my master's target?" he said as he turned to Walter, receiving his answer in the form of a thin wire, which got in close enough to scratch his cheek before he could dodge it. Walter smiled wickedly as the small trickle of blood ran down the boy's cheek. "As you wish, Angel of Death." Sojiro replied as he charged with inhuman speed, his sword going forward and through Walter's chest as his wire caught him round the arm. Sojiro dropped to the ground with the wire and carefully unravelled it so that it didn't cut him or the top. Sojiro looked down at Walter and leaned closer to his ear, "I am sorry." He whispered quietly. As he stood up he looked down at the blood and sighed, "I apologise Miss. Hellsing, it seems I have stained your carpet." He said as he walked to the desk, noting the absence of the vampire. "Come out come out where ever you are." He said as he hopped onto the desk and raised his sword. This is wrong. Even before my master forced me into servitude my targets have always been unholy characters, whether alive or undead. They have all been evil, but this is different! She is a follower of God, protecting her country, just as my master does his, so why does he want me to kill her? This goes against everything I stand for! Sojiro thought as he lifted his blade ready to cut Integra's head off, but he found himself hesitant, I don't have to do this. I could just refuse, master be damned! He thought,
'Are you disobeying me servant? Perhaps I should teach you a lesson.' The Irish voice said as a light pain hit Sojiro's heart. He gasped slightly and looked at Integra apologetically, 'Good boy. You will be rewarded well for this, if you succeed.' The voice said approvingly as he swung the sword, closing his eyes so that he didn't have to watch, but before it reached Integra's neck he felt the blade stick and looked behind her to see Alucard holding the blade,
"Careful what you ask for human." He snarled, having seen what happened to Walter. He pulled the sword out of Sojiro's grasp and gripped his hair, forcing his head to the side as he stepped behind him,
"Alucard." Integra said warningly as she looked up at him. Alucard stopped with his teeth inches from Sojiro's neck, "Not yet. He has yet to inform us of who sent him." she replied calmly to his silent glare. He loosened his hold very slightly so that Sojiro could speak. "Who sent you assassin?" she demanded coldly as she up and put her face inches away from his threateningly,
"Miss. Hellsing, both you and I know I would have to die before I spoke. It is the code of all assassins; if the mission fails you die. Even under the duress of torture, I assure you I will not speak." He replied with the same innocent smile. "But since I am about to die, I will give one gift to you and your servant. The man, Walter, will live for a further three hours. If he is treated before that time I guarantee you he shall live." He added,
"Why are you telling us this?" she demanded suspiciously, to which Sojiro merely smiled,
"Believe it or not, though I am an assassin, I do not kill unnecessarily. Walter was an innocent, therefore I gave him a chance of survival, but I told you simply because Alucard is the first to subdue me single headedly." he replied,
"Surely you don't mean you have never been defeated by anyone?" she asked,
"No, I have not defeated all opponents. I have defeated every opponent up to a grouping of ten experienced fighters who faced me when I was fifteen years old, which was my one and only defeat until now. Only the strongest pass training as assassins, simply because only the strongest survive." He replied with a hint of regret that made Integra shiver,
"Alucard. Take him to the dungeons. I want to know who sent him, do you understand? I leave the methods up to you." She added as she looked up at the gleeful face of her servant.
"Yes master." He replied as he turned the boy to face him, expecting to see a look of fear, or at the very least agitation, but the boy was still smiling, almost as if he were glad to be going to the dungeon.
"Well, I did tell you I wouldn't tell, and though I'd much rather not die in physical discomfort, I believe I have no choice, oh well, lead on. Oh, and if I cannot have my sword back, please take care of it. It is rather valuable." He replied as he looked at Integra. Alucard grabbed the back of his top and opened a portal, dragging him through it. Integra sat there for a moment, barely able to believe what had happened as she leaned down and lifted the delicate blood stained silver sword.
"This is where you will stay human." Alucard said as he released the boy, dropping him to the ground where he landed in a crouch. Sojiro got to his feet and looked at the blood stained walls and floor. He wasn't a stranger to torture. He had gone through it many times before he had become an assassin, and he had performed it as an assassin, but the sight of the dried blood made him sigh,
"Very well, but please sterilise the equipment before you use it, it would be most unhygienic otherwise." He replied as he walked t a small chair and sat down, crossing his legs.
"You may act fearless now, but when I am through with you I promise you will be begging me for death!" Alucard threatened as he leaned over the smaller boy, but Sojiro merely smiled in reply,
"Well, that will have to wait until tomorrow, I believe it is almost sunrise." He replied. Alucard pulled him out of the chair and walked to a large sarcophagus leaning on the wall. Opening the door Sojiro saw the long blood stained spikes sticking out, "Ah, an Iron Maiden. I haven't seen one of these in five years." He said,
"I'll see how cooperative you are after standing in here all day." Alucard said as he pushed Sojiro inside, hearing the spikes pierce the skin with a sickening sound. Alucard smiled, his mouth watering as he smelt the fresh blood, but he was rather disappointed that the boy hadn't screamed or even groaned and with a sigh Alucard left.
'Servant…you have failed me.' the Irish voice chimed in his head,
'I apologise master, you were correct. The vampire is strong. I shall attempt escape at the first opportunity and try again.' Sojiro replied,
'See that you do. Your resolve is cracking Sojiro. I want her dead; understand? If you fail I will make you suffer all the way to hell!' The voice said,
'Yes master.' He replied, trying to bury the wave of fear that rose in his chest.
"You are a remarkable fighter boy…just the kind of fighter my organisation is looking for." The Irish man said as he circled Sojiro with two silver swords drawn. Sojiro stayed still with his own sword ready, his smile bright as ever.
"Forgive me, but I have no wish to join such an organisation. I am an assassin of justice from Japan, and the most powerful assassin in the organisation. Do you not think it improper to fight in the place of your lord?" he added as he nodded towards the cross on the church alter. At the alter a man with long hair in a pony tail looked down at him with great interest over his glasses,
"You are right. This boy is strong. He will do well in our battle against Hellsing. Take him," the man ordered. Sojiro dodged as a silver blade swept by his ear where his head had been moments before "Yes, just look at that speed and those reflexes…brothers! Come forth and restrain him!" he shouted. Sojiro looked around to see ten others enter, all of them obviously highly trained. Sojiro looked towards the church doors to see them closed and barred. As the men came he fought, but being helplessly out numbered by men who had been fighting a lot longer than he, the fifteen year old had no chance against them.
"Hold still boy, and this will not hurt." The Irish man said as he knelt beside Sojiro, who fought madly against the five men holding him on his knees, and took a small medical gun of some sort from his coat. He pressed it to the left side of Sojiro's chest and pulled the trigger. Sojiro hissed at the pain as his heart jerked painfully in his chest.
"Test it." The man at the alter ordered. The Irish man looked down at Sojiro and there was a burning pain in his chest. Sojiro writhed on the floor in agony as the pain continued, "Good. Teach him his place and train him well." The man said again. Sojiro looked at the Irish man hatefully and felt the pain in his chest again,
"You will not look upon me with such disrespect servant!" he shouted. Sojiro scowl and spat in his face,
"I am no one's servant!" he replied, feeling the pain again,
"Oh but you are. Do as I say, or I will make you regret it." The Irish man replied. "Now come." He said as he walked towards the church door,
"Yes…master." Sojiro replied, slipping his emotionless mask back into place as if it had never left.