His red coat fluttered as he put it on the throne of his lair. His orange tinted sunglasses lay forgotten on the stand, his red, wide-brimmed hat sitting on top of it. He sighed uncharacteristically, his sunset red eyes glowing in the darkness. His old friend was waiting, and that would not do.
He walked out of his dungeon, passing many soldiers, who quickly got out of his way. The halls of the mansion sang to him and the shadows licked at his boots. He smelled of blood and gunpowder, leaving the smell behind as he walked out if Hellsing's doors. He smelled of war, something his master had pointed out.
He walked to the edge of the forest, stopping at the very edge. An odd feeling swished over him, the smell of death and fear circling him. He let the swirling energy look over him, and he slowly rubbed his own energy against it, telling it he was a friend.
The feeling left, and Alucard took that as a sign to enter. He only gave his respect to a select few, and this being has been his long-time friend. Normally, he would use the shadows to travel, let the darkness take him where he wanted to go, but not now.
No, not for this meeting. He found it a form of disrespect, and that did not sit well with him. If he startled him, Alucard thought, he would kill him.
Approaching a clearing, Alucard looked around finding him in the same place he always did. In the middle of the clearing was a large, flat rock. Sitting on the large rock, looking at the stars that shone through the trillions of miles that separated this planet from them, was Death.
Death was an odd being. He had orange hair, so bright you could blend it with the sunrise. His eyes were a deep, knowing, flat amber. He had on a large, black cloak, the hood laying, unused, on his shoulders. Next to him was a katana of sorts. Alucard avoided the blade, even his demons screaming to be wary.
Death turned his head, only slightly, to acknowledge his presence, letting Alucard come closer. It was an odd relationship, the two death bringers, but no one questioned. It was on nights like this that his master never called, knowing subconsciously that he was to be left alone.
Alucard sat to the left of his old friend. Though Alucard could say they were friends, he had never once heard him speak. They never truly spoke, only basked in each other's presence, reading each other in an unnatural way.
The No-Life King stared at the stars, simply gazing. His years and tiredness rolled off him, and he felt an aura wrap around him, almost comfortingly. No, that was wrong. Understanding, that was it. The Reaper knew his strife, and he didn't mind the aura surrounding him. Then it turned harsh, cold, and threatening.
Alucard spread his senses, only to find his master at the beginning of the forest. He quickly asked for forgiveness, trying to sooth the angry man. Death rolled his amber eyes toward him lazily, as if asking.
"My master seems to have become curious," Alucard's baratone rumbled. Slowly, the aura turned into more of a curious and analyzing feeling. 'Please, Master, stay still.'
0oo00oo0
Integra Hellsing stayed perfectly still. She was at the edge of the forest behind her home, following Alucard. He had been wandering around every waxing-crescent moon, and her curiosity got the better of her.
The feeling of dread and death soared throughout her body, like she was being preyed on. She waited, then the aura turned curious, lapping at her interestedly. It lulled her, pulling her into the forest, telling her it was safe.
She the felt a familiar energy, the one of her resident vampire, confirming the safety. She followed the feeling, arriving at a clearing. On the flat rock in the middle was her vampire, missing his red accessories. His long, black hair flowed freely, his red eyes unveiled. A man sat next to him, gazing up at the stars much like Alucard was.
He pulled her to him, an unseeable force nudging her. Alucard did nothing to stop it, so she let it guide her to the man. He was old, his aura speaking volumes. 'Vampire?' Integra thought, but the word didn't fit the man. No, he was more than that.
The stranger turned to her, his eyes shining in curiosity. Their depth only added to his age, though his face proclaimed an age closer to his early twenties at most.
"Master," Alucard acknowledged. She looked at him, then stood in front of the otherworldly being in his company. He summoned her closer with a finger, and she took two steps forward, getting into touching range of the man. She knelt, looking up at him. He slowly rose his hands to her face, as if not to startle her, and cupped her face with his hands.
They were smooth, yet they felt ruff and weathered at the same time. His tanned skin was cold, sending a chill through her.
'What an amazing creature,' Integra awed. The man flicked his eyes at the vampire next to him, who was staring at them, as if waiting for something. The look must have been his que, for the vampire spoke.
"Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing," Alucard explained. The being tipped his head at her last name. "Yes, Van Hellsing is her ancestor."
"Is he using telepathy?" Integra asked, her own eyes still on the man before her.
"No. He has never spoken to me."
Those few words stuned her. He knew what this powerful being wanted without speech. How long had they known each other?
"A very long time, Countess."
When he was the count?
"For this being is Death."
Integra shuttered. The man touching her with ice-cold hands was Death. He wrapped a consoling energy around her, informing her that he was no threat as of yet. It wasn't her time. He rubbed his thumbs over her cheekbones, going in soothing circles.
She sighed, and the tenseness slowly easing out of her. She straitened her shoulders and back, sitting tall. He smiled, ever so slightly, a mere tug of the lips.
He uncupped her right cheek, motioning Alucard forward. Said vampire stood and the knelt by Integra. His cheek cupped much like his master's, he leaned into it slightly. A low rumbling came from his throat, sounding much like a cat.
The hand on Integra's face left, finding a new place in Alucard's inky locks. He pet the vampire, almost lovingly. Alucard continued to purr, leaning into the hands.
"Your days seem endless, don't they, Count Vladimir?" a soft tenor left Death's lips, surprising the both of them. "For only man can kill a monster such as us."
"Your words are sadly true, Death. You find men in no plenty numbers. There is but one worthy of my head, to let you claim my immortal soul and send it to the pits of Hell," Alucard sighed.
"Claim your soul, old friend? What of the thousands you have kept out of my reach?" Death asked, his voice a bit warmer. "And what of your countess? Do you offer her as willingly as yourself?"
Integra watched, wanting to truly to know the answer. "I will keep my Iron Maiden as far away from your clutches as possible," Alucard almost growled.
Death's face lit up.
"Take good care of him, Countess Hellsing. I want my friend in one piece when I come for him."
-1 Month-
The moon was beautiful, she couldn't help but think. It reminded her oddly of the being her had met not a month ago.
"What is on your mind, Sir?"
She turned to her most trusted friend, her butler, her stone when it was needed.
He had black hair, though the gray on either side spoke his age, pulled back in a low ponytail. He had a wrinkled face, weathered by the years. He had on a monocle, finishing off his butler attire of a black vest and slacks, white undershirt, and black, polished shoes and tie. White gloves stood in substitution of the black, finger-less gloves of old.
"Simply the circle of life, Walter. Pacifically the end of it," she sighed. He looked at her questioningly, thinking it had something to do with the hellish creature beneath their feet. She swished him away, wanting a word in private, which he bowed and granted. She whispered his name, though she knew he would hear. He swept into the room, no sound warning mortals of the danger he posed.
His orange glasses were not on his nose, though she rarely seen them when it was only the two of them. His wide brimmed hat was sitting on his head, shadowing his face. His large, red coat hung over a black vest and slacks, his white undershirt collared by a loosely tied red ribbon. His large boots were silent as he walked through the wall to her.
"You called, Master?" his deep baritone echoed.
"Alucard, when will he be back?" Integra asked brashly, boldly even.
"Do not get caught by his snares, Master. The beauty of Death is what lures the soul to him," Alucard warned. His words were true. She felt almost insnared by this being, and she loved and hated it. Had the Iron Maiden cracked? No, her soul was simply confused. "He will come tomorrow, when the waxing-crescent is at its brightest."
"Do you ever see him during you missions?" Sir Hellsing asked, truly curious. Is that how they met, on a death ridden battlefield?
"He hides himself from human sight, but he's there, waiting, the Moon Slayer strapped to his hip."
"Moon Slayer? The sword that was sitting on the rock?" Integra asked, getting a nod and a shiver from the great vampire king. Was the blade that deadly to even him who had escaped death oh so many times? "Something much like his scythe, then."
"Its name was only a whisper on the wind, but if you listen, you will hear it speak soothing words to the soul," Alucard recited, as if he had said it a thousand times.
"If your visit is tomorrow, you will have to hurry now and go to Cheddar and solve a vampire problem at the local church," Integra ordered, her voice firm. As soon as the order was given, he bowed and evaporated.
0oo00oo0
He slowly closed his eyes, letting the familiar feeling of a predator on the hunt tug at his chest. Alucard was on another of his midnight strolls. Slowly getting to his feet from the roof he had perched on, Death silently disappeared.
0oo00oo0
He sat on the rooftop of a church, watching the slaughter of the brainless, zombie-like creatures bellow him. There was a soft whisper was in his ear, his lifelong friend cooing in his head. Death watched the man in red blow holes in each of their heads with never-failing accuracy.
He watched as the souls thanked him, thought the vampire could not hear them. They thank the wrong person, truly. Slowly, the breathy words in his ears became a bit louder. Zangetsu drew the souls to him and Death only watched as they disappeared in pale, blue sparks.
Deep topaz met a bright, malicious red. The subtle meeting was graced with simple nods, then the two headed into the church, the orange haired man invisible to all others. What made them so special as they stalked?
The smell of war and death that floated all around them, warding all those with sense and not to run.
A priest stood in front of the alter, a woman in his hold. Her blond hair short and framing her round face. Large, startling blue eyes were wide with fright, her emotions spreading across them. She had on a navy blue police uniform, her holster empty and her radio absent, leaving her with nothing.
The vampire behind her smirking arrogantly. The 'priest' started to ramble, causing Alucard's infamous boredom. Death almost laughed at him, but he just shook his head.
"Police Girl, are you a virgin?"
The question caught everyone of guard. Death looked at him, narrowing his eyes. A smirk appeared on Alucard's face.
"I'll be taking another from you, old friend," Alucard chuckled. Death held his glare, but turned it to the priest. Alucard raised his silver pistol, Casull, putting a hole the size of his head into both the young woman and the vampire.
Shaking his head, Death approached. Slowly, he floated over to the girl, watching silently as her heart slowed. He sliced the throat of the priest, his soul turning red and chains wrapping him as he screamed, when he passed him. Even Alucard flinched as the soul was dragged to Hell.
Alucard had another plan for the girl. Of course, he was going to be snark-y about it.
"Well, that should just about wrap things up here," Alucard chuckled. The pitiful girl gagged on her own blood, as if trying get his attention. Alucard laughed. "I'm sure you'll find it your heart... which is currently all over that tree, to forgive me."
Death shook his head, absolutely done with his friend antics.
"Fine, fine, I'll help, but only because you've got nice tits."
0oo00oo0
A slightly confused and highly annoyed Integra stared at Alucard. He had something wrapped in his red duster coat, a young woman by the look of it. Integra sighed, rubbed her temples to ease her headache, and looked back at Alucard.
A blimp of orange caught her attention, and she nodded respectfully to the Reaper. He shook his head, and sighed. He glared at Alucard, and Integra almost smiled... almost.
"Just get in the damn car, I want to go home."
0oo00oo0
"So, Death came, huh?" Integra asked, taking a long drag of her cigar, and continued to walk toward Police Girl's room. Alucard chuckled, amused beyond words. She had been waiting for him. Death's lull worked on even the Iron Maiden.
He ghosted to the woman's room, feeling contentiousness grip her. Sitting on her bed, the ravenette laughed manically as she screamed.
"Please, Police Girl, your British, show some manners," Integra quipped as she walked in, Walter not far behind her. Seras blinked, not sure how to respond to the scolding.
"Um... where am I?" Seras asked, not sure exactly were she was. She knew she was in some kind of basement, if the cement walls were anything to go by.
"Your in the Hellsing Organization. We hunt monsters and serve God, Queen, and country. That's the quick summery," Integra shrugged. Seras looked at her oddly, but didn't question. Suddenly, chills went down her back. Something was there, something she couldn't see, and was glaring at her. It's anger and disapproval pouring out of unseen eyes.
"I'm sorry..." Alucard drawled. Seras looked at him, confused. "I like her, and I had to kill the vampire somehow." Oddly, she felt the eyes narrowed accusingly.
"Um, who are you talking to?" Seras asked.
"Death, Police Girl, Death. He is angry with me because I took you from him," Alucard explained. Seras blinked again, wondering if he was telling the truth. A blur flew past everyone. Soon, Alucard was being held by his tie, an angry scowl marring the handsome face. His eyes was a hard caramel, glaring at the No-Life King. "I said sorry. I can't undo was has been done, unless, of course, I kill her, but what fun would that be?"
The being called Death sighed, seemingly giving up. He looked at Integra, who had been watching calmly, and nodded his hello. He looked at Walter, glared, and then turned to the newly made vampire. He walked toward Seras, who was openly frightened. The man she was looking at her had the weight of death around him and was someone she didn't want to cross. From what she had gathered, this man was angry she was alive and not in his clutches.
Seras broke out of her thoughts as he sat on the edge of her bed. Her master's voice broke through he mind in warning.
Let him do as he wishes. I did take you from him.
Death reached out and brushed the back of his fingers softly over her cheek. She sat still and let him, her instincts screaming at her to run. His eyes softened, the hard caramel melting into a liquid amber. A soft smile spread on his face, making her relax a bit. His glare hardened a bit and he glared back at her master. He shrugged, causing the glare to lessen due to amusement.
"I do hope your not to angry with this idiot," Integra quipped, making Death almost chuckle. "I don't think he should have done it either. I know he just did it the lazy way." Death nodded, his lips quirking into a smirk. His eyes were full of mischief, one that Integra had seen in Alucard. "Payback then?"
"Oh-no," Alucard sweated. Integra looked at him, a bit stunned. "You have not been on the receiving end of his jests. They can be... Deadly," Alucard cackled, Death face-palming. Alucard jumped as Death took his face in his hands. Alucard froze, letting this monster's power wash over him. He fell off the bed and onto his knees, the weight of Death's presence suffocating him, crushing him. Death leaned in close, so no one else could hear.
"You take care of her, thief. I hear you mistreat her, it won't be pranking payback you should fear."
With that, the pressure lifted, though not making Alucard's nerves relax. Death smiled at him, a kind smile that he had seem before. Death pulled away from his ear and place a kiss on his forehead. It was a simple brush of the lips, but it sent bolts down Alucard's spine. Then he was gone, the only evidence he was there was their memories.
"So that was Death. Oddly enough, Sir, I couldn't see him," Walter broke the silence.
"I'm heading to my chambers," and Alucard disappeared in a wisp of shadow.
"Well, that was eventful," Integra blinked, a bit stunned. The Iron Maiden shifted her eyes back to Seras. The girl was panting, gasping for air, eyes wide. "Police Girl?"
"You didn't feel it..." Seras breathed. "So much pressure. Like he was crushing my soul." Integra looked at Walter, who shook his head. Only the supernatural, then, Integra guessed.
0oo00oo0
He sat in his place. He breathed in deeply, sighing out an unneeded breath. He gazed at the stars, watching as they twinkled in their spots. How could they twinkle with all this death around him? Alucard walked to the edge, and he let him continue into the forest. Soon, his friend joined him, setting his pistol to his left. He glanced at the stars, then his red eyes landed on him.
"Ichigo."
"What?"
"My name. Before I was proclaimed Death," Ichigo looked at his long-time friend. Alucard stared, then chuckled softly.
"And my name is Count Vladimir the Third of Sighișoara, Romania," Alucard laughed. "It is nice to meet you, Ichigo. Thank you."
"Thank me?"
"If it took you this long to tell me, then it must have been to important and sacred knowledge, yes?" Alucard explained. Ichigo looked at Alucard for a moment. Ichigo smiled and stood, grabbing his katana. Alucard tensed, but relaxed when he simply tied it to his side. He did the same with his pistol, putting it in the blackness of his coat. To Alucard's surprise, Ichigo held out his hand, smiling at him.
"I want to show you how I see," Ichigo stated, easing Alucard's nerves even more. He took his arm, and gasped as they shot into the air. Soon, their assent slowed, and Death- Ichigo, Alucard reminded himself- seemed to stand on the air. Alucard held on, not sure exactly what Ichigo was doing.
As they stood in the sky, Alucard felt Ichigo's power drift over him. He blinked, and his eyes widened as little blue orbs appeared in his vision.
"What...?"
"The dead," Ichigo answered. Alucard let his shadows keep him afloat, Ichigo letting go of him. The No-Life King stiffened as Ichigo drew his blade. The black metal shining in the moonlight, the stars twinkling in the guard.
"Cast aside your fear and pierce through the moon, Zangetsu."
Alucard watched as the orbs gathered around them, swirling and shining like the stars, some of them turned red, and Ichigo frowned.
"The red?" Alucard questioned, watching his friend.
"They belong in Hell. They are tainted," Ichigo scowled. He grabbed one, pulling them closer. The soul transformed into the soul of a woman, one that had black hair, green eyes, and a sundress covered in blood. "This one murdered a man who caught her stealing from his home. These are humans, Vladimir. This is the race I judge. What can I do? I must send these souls into Hell for eternal torture, and it pains even my soul. I have never been to Hell, and my only wish is that I never do."
His words were heavy, and Alucard took them all in. The souls continued to slowly circle them, and he picked out all the red ones until five souls stood before him. Calmly, the blue souls were pulled toward Ichigo, and he dismissed them. They flew up in beams of light; Alucard watched them disappear. He gazed back at the five red orbs, all of them awaiting judgement. Ichigo looked at them indifferently, his face neutral. He slit their throats, and then something else happened. White fog came off of his friend, it formed a solid figure, and Alucard's eyes widened.
Standing there, in the mist, was a man that looked a lot like his fellow monster. His hair and skin were pure white, not a single spot of color on him. His jacket was a white replica of Ichigo's, the hood pulled over his head. His long, white hair was sticking out the sides, framing his face. A neutral expression formed on his face, his eyes piercing the soul. They were gold on black, his golden irises shone without help from the moonlight.
"This is your judgement, for sinners such as you," the devil pointed at them, and as he spoke, their real images appeared, "there is only one place you belong. H-e-l-l."
The air became heavy, wind swirling around them. Ichigo watched unfazed as Alucard looked onward in primal fear. Two large doors appeared, skeletal monsters fused into them, holding the door handles. They tugged, and with no effort, the doors slid opened. The five figures were wrapped in chains within seconds, and whatever daze they were in snapped. They struggled and screamed, begging Death to help them.
.
.
.
.
.
But he did nothing to help them.
.
.
.
.
.
He simply turned away and let
Hell drag them through its depths.
.
.
.
.
.
Alucard watched in horror. This will soon be his fate. His unbeating heart twisted at the thought, but then he remembered. He turned, and he was right there. His cold breath that smelled of rot and decay could be tasted on his lips. There stood the white version of his friend, it looking at him with interest.
"You have been spoken of with pride from my king. You live up to the name of No-Life King. You have seen Hell's gates, yet your shadows did not drop you. You still stand, shaking yet steady. You earn my respect and approval," the odd being breathed. He backed away to stand by his master's side, letting Alucard breath in without the smell of death and fear hitting his nose and filling him with dread.
"This is Shirosaki, a half of my blade. My partner and banisher. Shirosaki, Alucard, my long time friend," Ichigo introduced, a smile on his face. Shiro had accepted Alucard, good. He wanted no fights now. "Do you see now? This is what it means to be me. To breathe death and wither those around you. This is what it means to be immortal and to never break from your bonds to servce! This, here, is what I am!"
.
.
.
.
.
"What do you think of me now?"
.
.
.
.
.
"You are much stronger than I."
.
.
.
.
.
"Simply because I am now numb to it."
0oo00oo0
He sat on his throne, thoughts running through his head and never ending. He was supposed to be asleep, the sun long since rose. Despite his exhaustion, his mind reeled, not allowing rest. The smell of death rose, and Alucard's flickered to next to him. Death looked behind him, Alucard knowing that he was staring at his coffin. He had a morbid fascination with it. He had once run his hand over it, sending sparks down Alucard's spine, not all of them unpleasant.
"What ails you, Bird of Hermes?" Ichigo asked. "What is clipping your wings?"
"Myself, keeping me up and grounded, I'm afraid."
"Still thinking? You should be sleeping, Count."
"I have a present for you, now that I think of it. You have always like my chair," Alucard pulled on his shadows, presenting a throne next to his. It had skulls forming bubbles at the end, all of them delicately carved into the ebony wood and almost looking real. Deep, black silk covered the cushions and was soft to the touch. The wood was smooth, not a jagged spot. Ichigo ran his hand over the cushioned arm. He looked at the pure wooden back of it, and seen something inscribed there.
The moon rises and falls with no fear,
except when its slayer is near.
He rides on Death's wings,
wilting all in his passings.
Yet, he is the one protector,
and our executioner.
Cast aside your fear and pierce through the moon, Zangetsu.
The last line was not simply carved into the wood, but gold was laced in the curves of every word. He looked at the other words, and found the slightest hints of silver to make it readable in the black wood. He smiled,and then noticed decorated hooks on the left side of the throne. He smile widened, taking Zangetsu off his hip, placing him in hooks. He noticed, and was highly amused by, the fact the sword was farthest away from Alucard. He sat in his throne, his own personal sanctuary in this life of his. He set his elbow on his right side to support his head, his left arm draped over his lap.
"I am not of this world, did you know?"
It caught Alucard off guard, but he humored him.
"You are strange, surely."
"No, that is not my meaning. I am of a different world, where there were thousands of people similar to me. We made up an army, to fight of those who threaten all we stand for," Ichigo explained. This caught Alucard's attention and fear. There were thousands? "But I was unique, even among the Death Gods. Zangetsu is actually part of something we call a hollow."
As if his name summoned him, Shirosaki appeared, hood down this time, and sat on the left arm of Ichigo's throne, legs draped over his master's. "Hollows are souls with no heart and are easily identifiable. They have large holes in their chest white mask over there face. As you know, I have been here a long time, and it seems this dimension lacks such creatures. I was the only one dragged here, and I don't know why, even after all this time. Maybe it is simply because of fate, or some god is toying with me. I lost my friends and I am still saddened with their memories. It lessened with time. My power changed when I came here. If it boost your ego, you were the first to meet my blade. It was all instinctual, something telling me to cut your throat. I've had it drilled into me to not ignore such urges, but you denied me. I was oddly happy you didn't die, but angered because something told me you were supposed to be dead.
"You saw me that day... and it surprised me. I had wandered, and no one could see me. This is not unusual, for no one without significant spiritual prowess can see the Death Gods. I was saddened, and the loneliness was eating me. Yes, I have Shiro and Zangetsu, but... talking to yourself can only go so far," Ichigo rambled off. He now had black tears running down his face, the clear, yet black, liquid slid down like a small stream, and Shiro caught it before it could fall any further.
"King, we know you can't go back, but here we are. Immortal, with a single friend to spend our eternity with, and you have us," Shiro consoled. Alucard almost felt as though he shouldn't be watching his weakness, but he knew his friend, so he didn't look away. Another figure appeared, this time slightly behind Shirosaki. His dark brown hair looked black in the small candlelight of the dungeons. He had on sunglasses -making Alucard wonder if he could actually see in the dark much like himself- hiding silver eyes. His black cloak flowed in non-existent wind; he had the air of wisdom to him, something Alucard noted.
"We can't fill his void, Shirosaki, but you might," the figure looked at the No-Life King. "This emptiness in our soul has been filled slightly by your presence, and for that, King of the Undead, I am grateful."
Alucard nodded, then came a thought. Ichigo had said that Shirosaki was part of Zangetsu, not the whole of it.
"By the look on your face, you have figured out who Ossan is. This is the rest of Zangetsu," Ichigo chuckled, wiping away the rest of his memorable tears.
"What gave me away?" Alucard smirked, his sharp teeth shining in the dim light.
"You scrunch you eyebrows together when you think hard. They loosen up when you've figured it out. The Old Man is the only mystery here that you can figure out with just thinkin'," Shirosaki smirked back, his grin just as feral. "Hey, King, how come out speech is always underlined?"
"I don't truly know. I think the author thought it made us a bit mysterious. Though if they have watched Bleach, or read it for that matter, they know who I am," Ichigo explained. Alucard looked at them, truly confused now.
"What do you mean by that?" Alucard asked, perplexed.
"You would fry your brain tryin' ta understand. Breaking the fourth wall is hard work," Shiro shrugged, the Old Man behind him shaking his head before disappearing. "Just know not to piss Author-sama off, yeah?" Alucard nodded dumbly, still confused and now frightened that a being such as the demon before him was frightened by someone he didn't even know about.
"Until next time, my friend. Do get some sleep," Ichigo waved good-bye, and walked out. Alucard questioned why he didn't just teleport out. Then he remembered.
"I had wandered, and no one could see me. This is not unusual, for no one without significant spiritual prowess can see the Death Gods."
He wouldn't be seen anyway. It didn't matter if he wandered the halls.
He had more souls to hunt, after all.