"Alucard..." Integra called quietly, knowing he would hear her.
"You called Master?" He emerged out of the shadows, but his usual smirk was missing.
He seemed tired lately, miserable.
"Alucard, what's wrong?"
He stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
"You're not acting like you usually do. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Integra looked sternly at him and he sighed.
"It doesn't matter. I can deal with it."
"Everyone needs someone to rely on Alucard."
"I'm not everyone. I'm a monster remember? Nobody can change that."
"You need someone to rely on too Alucard." Integra said as she stood up and walked towards him.
His face was shrouded in his hair, hiding his emotions.
"Look at me."
He hesitated a moment before looking at her.
His usually bright and mischievous eyes were dim and sad. His smirk was gone.
"I'm never going to break away from this am I?" Alucard sighed. He bowed his head again.
"What?"
"The war, the violence, everything. I'm always going to be like this."
"It's part of being a vampire isn't it?"
"I didn't...choose to be like this. I didn't want to destroy others. Your grandfather turned me into that and I can't go back. I'm just a monster"
She took his gloved hands gently in hers.
"Maybe we can change that."