A Simple Memory III Epilogue

by Luna Silvereyes

The battle is over, but the fight is not. Moving into the future came with a price and the residents of Hellsing are paying for it. How long does it take for days to regain even a smidgen of normality? For the women of Hellsing, an eternity. The future now looks grim as the world is becoming a place that rejects their existence. Their choices are few, their numbers fewer.

1. One Year

A/N: This is the start of the three part (estimation) epilogue to my A Simple Memory series. I'm truly sorry to see it end, but all good things have to at some point. This series describes the seventy years following the end of the Hellsing manga. I integrated Wynter into the storyline so readers can assume that she took part in the manga itself from my own perspective and thus, will have mention of events that took place as if she were there to see them firsthand. However, to those who have not yet finished the manga, please don't read this yet. This story is comprised of almost nothing but spoilers. Oh, and by the way, I'm working Heinkel's new (ahem) er, dialect in as well. I'm not really sure what you'd label this speech impairment as. Since it's increasingly hard to understand her and I'm working with a manga sitting next to me, I'll translate her lines into parenthesis beside the sentence if that helps anyone.

This goes out to Catsvsdogscatswin, without whose support this story would have never seen the light of day outside the flash drive I wear around my neck.

SPOILER ALERT!

One Year

One year passed.

London was still recovering. The city was still in shambles and even so many months later, corroded bodies were still turning up amidst the rubble. Most of London's citizenship had been slaughtered in the attack by the vampiric Third Reich. Outsiders from the surrounding countryside that had survived the blaze made it their missions to move to the ruined city to take part in its reconstruction and to care for the traumatized survivors. Thanks to the major, the world now knew the existence of vampires. Mass public opinion was that they all be eradicated. Vampires everywhere were forced into hiding and the Hellsing organization's role temporarily switched from killing them to defending them. A few survivors recognized Seras Victoria as one of the vampires who took part in the battle. Most of the survivors demanded she be killed. Fortunately for her, three survivors in particular, an elderly woman and her husband and a young woman all vouched for the female vampire as one who had openly defended London against the attack. While the people were skeptical, the appearance of Seras risking her safety to assist in the clearing helped ease their panic ever-so-slightly.

However, during this, Wynter strangely disappeared soon after the battle itself.

A year after the battle and the Hellsing mansion, along with the city of London, was still undergoing reconstruction. Integra, donning an eye-patch where her eye had been until her face-off with the major, oversaw the work with a careful and ever-so-realistic outlook. The bodies of the fallen Wild Geese, discovered amidst the wreckage, along with almost every member of Hellsing, were all given proper burials. Seras hadn't been present at Pip Bernadotte's funeral. Her reasoning was that he was a part of her from then on forward and there was no reason to see his shell enter the earth. Integra had been slightly disturbed at Seras' logic. It was almost too morbid to fit the once cheery, naïve Police-Girl Alucard had brought home so long ago. Seras was changed. Drinking blood had decimated whatever physical humanity she'd managed to retain. Her left arm had taken three months to completely regenerate, but she was now pure vampire, a fate she was still having difficulty accepting. The disappearances of Wynter and Alucard and the death of Walter left a gray void hovering over the ruined estate. Alucard had been erased from existence, but both Integra and Seras counted the days until his return. Integra hadn't bothered to celebrate her twenty-third birthday that year. She'd completely forgotten it, so preoccupied was she with running the organization entirely by her lonesome, now. Seras often heard her crying herself to sleep at night, thinking of her beloved lost family. Seras knew that Integra knew Alucard would eventually return, but they had no idea of when. Seras had all of eternity to wait. Integra didn't.

And of course, there was the matter with Wynter.

During the end stages of the battle, when Seras flew herself and Integra out of the inferno that had been London, the Draculina happened to glance off to the right and in the distance, spotted a cloaked figure standing atop a blazing building, wings outstretched and hair billowing against the draft from the flames as she stared into the Hell that was the city. Seras had attempted to call out to her, but Integra stopped her; "No, Seras, leave her be. She has just lost two more people who were very important to her. The difference is that one of them will come back. The other won't,"

Seras knew what Integra meant. She was speaking of Anderson. He'd fought to the death against Alucard, eventually succumbing to the power of a holy relic, the Nail of Helena, impaling his own heart and transforming himself into a horrible monster comprised of thorns and writhing vines. Alucard, infuriated by this display, with Seras' help, overcame his enemy at long last and ripped his heart out of his chest, crushing it in its finality. Anderson's body crumbled away as he uttered his final words and it had seemed to Seras that he'd seen something in the sky as he lay dying, for his eyes had gone slightly wide and almost...sad, for just a moment, just a moment before he disappeared completely. Seras assumed that Wynter had been nearby, watching helplessly as he was torn asunder before her eyes. Seras had known of their feelings for each other and knew that as much as he might have cared for Wynter, his hatred of Alucard was just too great. He departed from this world and Wynter was left behind, vanishing from Seras' world. Her last glimpse of the female vampire was that final moment as she and Integra escaped. Wynter had stood motionless and from her vantage point Seras was able to see red tears streaming from her eyes. An explosion of flame had flashed into her vision seconds later, obscuring Wynter from view. When it had cleared again, from their vantage in the sky, Seras and Integra searched the blaze for her, but they never saw her again. They both knew she'd survived, but there was no sign of her.

Wynter had been missing ever since. The cabal, miraculously still hidden despite all of the hype about vampires going on through the world, arrived in London to help clean up. Even Simon was able to maintain his secrecy, despite his sadness over Wynter's disappearance. Louis Von Brunswick, also amazingly still incognito, came up from France with three other original vampires, all come to assist Hellsing in covering up their kind's existence. Helene came to assist with medical treatment to the survivors, never once questioning her sister's whereabouts. Once Seras explained what had happened to her, Helene seemed to understand.

The year after the battle had been a flurry of activity for Seras. She barely remembered the details of the aftermath. All she could grasp was how alone she was, now. She still had Integra, but the woman was so tired nowadays that she slept during all of her free time, too fatigued to do anything else. Seras knew it was a strain on her and she knew that she worried constantly whether or not Alucard would return in time. It was inevitable that he would, but whether it would be while Integra still lived was questionable. Wynter was the same way. Seras knew that she likely would still be upset when she returned, but there was nothing to be done for it. Wynter was just gone from her life. In the meantime, they had enough issues to deal with.

"Ah, Hi hought hyou migh be here. Hi see she vas hright," (Ah, I thought you might be here. I see she was right,)

Seras bristled at the familiar, unwanted voice approaching. She sighed and turned to see Heinkel Wolfe, former ward of the late Alexander Anderson and current Iscariot Regenerative Solider. The only surviving specimen, to be exact, following in the footsteps of her mentor. Several months following his death, Heinkel had demanded to be put through the process of transformation into the same super-human creature Anderson had been. The only difference is that while he seemingly took years to adjust, Heinkel had taken only months. A mere eight months after she'd begun the process, she was in top fighting form and truly a force to be reckoned with where her rival, Seras Victoria was concerned. However, Seras was also a force to be reckoned with and even Heinkel dared not take her lightly.

"What do you want?" Seras grumbled. Since the battle, Iscariot had been coming by frequently. Heinkel was often among them. The deaths of Yumie and Anderson had seemingly driven her cool, collected previous persona into the deepest depths of her psyche. Now, she seemed to have adopted traits from both of her fallen comrades. Yumie's berserk nature combined with the same fighting styles and slightly manic personality Anderson had employed made her a potent weapon.

Heinkel grinned through the bandages, "Oh, home how, his rhat hreally any vay to address he?" (Oh come now, is that really any way to address me?)

Seras turned fully, glaring at her, "I don't know why you keep coming around, especially since you're barely comprehensible these days. If you're going to go anywhere Heinkel, it should be a speech therapist,"

Heinkel chuckled darkly, "Houch. Heh heh. So mein speech hist not herfect hanyhore. Hi han still halk, und hat's henough," (Ouch, heh heh. So myspeech is not perfect anymore. I can still talk andthat's enough,)

"What do you want? You and your bunch are always showing up here since Alucard's gone. And Wynter's gone too, so there's no one here who's interested in fighting you,"

Heinkel just shrugged slowly. Since her face had been so disfigured the year before, she had immense difficulty speaking, much less speaking coherently. Most people who saw her face usually cringed away in fear and didn't bother hearing what she sounded like. This left her with her only acquaintances as older members of Iscariot who were used to it. In truth, Seras actually felt kind of sorry for her.

"Hi shee,"(I see) Heinkel muttered, "Hit's a shame. Hyour vampires har shtill hissing, heven ha hyear later. Shtill havol," (It's a shame. Your vampires are still missing, even a year later. Still awol)

"Awol is not the proper term for their disappearance, Heinkel," Seras spat angrily, "Alucard is...well...b-but Wynter is...um..." she muttered, trailing off as she realized that Heinkel was right. No matter what the circumstances were, Wynter and Alucard were still—

"Habshent vithout permission," (Absent without permission)

"Just shut up. What the hell do you want?" Seras demanded. Heinkel didn't move, just staring at her, blinking slowly through the bandages. Seras watched her expectantly, growing more and more frustrated with each passing second until finally, "Well? Say something! What do you want?!"

"Hyou hold he to shut hup," (You told me to shut up) Heinkel said sarcastically. Seras groaned and slapped a hand over her eyes, "You're a dork! Just tell me what you want!'

Heinkel chuckled bemusedly and turned away, "Hi hame here hoping to hind the vampire Vynter," (I came here hoping to find the vampire Wynter)

Seras blinked in surprise, "H-Huh? But what for? Wynter's been missing for a year now,"

Heinkel glanced back, eyes narrowed and her hands in her pockets. A slight breeze caused her hair and bandages to wave slightly, sweeping an ominous air through the already tense atmosphere, "Hi vas hulhilling ha wewest. Hi shee Hi'll have to home hack hanother hime. This his ha matter oh great himportance. Please hinform Vynter Hi vas here vhen und hif she returns," (I was fulfilling a request. I see I'll have to come back another time. This is a matter of grave importance. Please inform Wynter I was here when and if she returns,)

She turned, slowly making her way back across the still ruined estate. Seras watched her go, feelings of anxiety and worry welling up inside her. To the best of her knowledge, Wynter had never done anything to aggravate Heinkel. So why would Heinkel be searching for her? And what did she mean by 'fulfilling a request'? A request by whom? And why?

/ooo/

"So, the Iscariots are still coming by," Integra mumbled, "Bunch of oddballs, honestly,"

"Yes," Seras said after she explained Heinkel's appearance to Integra, "But you have to admit, it's rather refreshing seeing that they've changed so little. Besides, when they're not encroaching on our turf and trying to kill us, they're kind of neat people,"

"You sound like Alucard,"

Seras grinned, chuckling.

War brings misery and destruction, despair and separation. But it can also bring unity and humanity. War torn and barely clinging to survival, London, still in shambles, was in dire need of help. So who came to its rescue, or more to the rescue of Hellsing? None other than Section XIII of the Vatican, the Iscariot Organization. Several months after the battle, Integra received a letter in the mail from Father Reynaldo, whose physical limitations had kept him out of the fight one year prior. It stated that the grievous losses on all accounts by that miserable major had finally caused him to stop and think. He'd come to the conclusion that humans would always squabble and religion, while fought over, would never become a peaceful topic. Their war for dominance would still go on. However, humans would always be humans to the very end and to that end, they needed to help each other in times of need. With this letter, one day following, five dozen survivors of that most enigmatic and eccentric section of the Vatican arrived at Hellsing with tools, supplies and, most surprisingly, hospitable attitudes. They greeted Integra humbly, saying that the Vatican had decided to assist funding for London's reconstruction, but that they refused to fund Hellsing's repairs. So at Father Reynaldo and surprisingly, Heinkel's requests, they'd acted on their own and organized the journey themselves.

Integra had been shocked and utterly opposed to the idea of accepting pity, but two young Iscariot members, Arnold Harris and Douglas McDowell, stepped forward. Arnold cleared his throat; "We are aware you dislike us and were these normal times, we too would dislike you, probably. However, these are not normal times and during this state of unrest in the world, there's no such thing as ostracism or needless, condescending pity. At the end of the day, we're all still human,"

In the end, Integra backed down from the matter and accepted their help, especially considering she was still recovering from the loss of her eye, an injury that had almost cost her her life. The visitors immediately set to work and as it turns out, were quite versatile in their talents.

Seras and Sasha were both curious and it seemed to them that some of the Iscariots appeared to be more than what they let on. Eventually, Sasha worked up the nerve to ask them how they were able to perform this odd job so easily. The man she asked actually gave her a cordial answer, that many of them had led ordinary and sometimes questionable previous lives before joining Iscariot.

One man lost his entire family to a terrible blaze fueled by arson. To ease the pain, he made many poor choices that nearly cost him his life. He was walking in a daze one day when he saw a small girl about to be hit by a car. Without a thought to his own safety, he lunged forward and shoved her out of the way, taking the brunt of the collision himself. Later, lying in a hospital bed, he reflected on his poor lot in life and realized that he didn't need to continuously wallow in the past, that the choices he made in the present guaranteed him to see his family again in the future. So he made the choice to fight in the name of God for the Iscariots.

Another man had grown up in America in an abusive family and ran away at the age of thirteen. After making many poor choices, getting arrested multiple times and winding up in home after home with no real safety to be found, he eventually wound up in juvenile court for another costly mistake, awaiting the final sentencing. Now seventeen, he'd given up all hope that someone would ever come to help him. While sitting outside the courtroom, he was joined by an elderly woman carrying a paper bag who sat down beside him. She commented on how sad it was that such a young man as he had to endure such a rough life. She handed him a doughnut from the bag and then a little piece of paper with an address on it. She smiled and explained that that was the address of her church. She said she knew that he'd likely have to face a sentence for his crime and that when he got out, to visit that church. He'd find the help he desired there. When his time came to go in, she wished him luck and left. She was right in her prediction of a sentence and for four years, he kept that piece of paper safe as if it were the most precious treasure on earth. When he was finally freed again, he immediately went to that church, holding out all his hope that the old woman had been telling him the truth. When he arrived, he was greeted by an old priest and told him what the old woman had said. It turned out that the woman had died just a year before his release, but that the priest had been a good friend of hers. In the end, he did indeed find help at that church, just as she'd predicted.

Sasha and Seras were amazed. Each of the Iscariots had a story to tell and each one came from different backgrounds. But looking beyond their insane zealousness and somewhat warped senses of morality, it was easy to see that each one was just another ordinary human with an extraordinary reason for fighting.

Two of their number, Arnold Harris and Douglas McDowell approached Sasha somewhat sheepishly and apologized for setting the bakery on fire over a year ago, even though Sasha hadn't known much about it at all. Needless to say, she'd been astonished; "So that was you!? But Wynter told me it was a boiler explosion!"

Arnold grinned nervously, "Er, n-no, actually, that was us. We didn't mean to! Honest! We were only trying to find out what was going on, I swear! But things...sort of...well, got out of control," he said finally. But to his surprise, Sasha smiled, "Hey, it's all good. The place was insured and completely rebuilt. It's better than ever! So if you think about it, you really did us a favor,"

Arnold and Douglas exchanged bewildered glances, "Really?" they both said.

"Sure. I can't say I'm too happy knowing that it wasn't a mechanical failure, but stuff happens. Stop by sometime for some of Marjorie's famous shortbread,"

Arnold and Douglas both nodded, clearly relieved that they weren't hated to death for that little incident.

"Thanks," Arnold said, "We will,"

"What's shortbread?"

Integra wasn't sure what had caused this little bout of kindness, but in the deepest, darkest part of her soul, she found she appreciated the help. Most of her people were dead, her organization hanging on the fringes of survival and her two fondest people gone, one of them forever. Even though the Iscariots were hated enemies, they had a point. At the end of the day, they were all still human beings. Take away the power, the religion, the country, loyalties, ranks and organizations and that's all they were. Human beings.

Seras stood in Integra's office, watching out the still-cracked window, "I suppose we can trust them," she said ponderously, "But I'm rather surprised. Heinkel is here, too,"

"Yes, I'm surprised as well," Integra said, turning to sit back down and knocking her shin against the leg of her chair. She hissed and ground her teeth together, "Damn!" she snapped, "Will I ever get used to this?"

Seras sighed, "Well, you no longer have any depth perception, Sir Integra," she said quietly, "You'll get used to it, but it will probably take a while,"

Integra sat down and placed her hand over the bandage covering her left eye. Even a year later and it was still giving her problems. The doctors all said that it would be a long time before it healed completely. The major had truly been a terrible shot. If his aim had been even a fraction of an inch further to the left, the bullet would have struck her brain rather than slicing directly across her eyeball and exiting past her temple. He hadn't actually shot her eye out, but it had been so badly damaged that there had been no other choice but to remove it. Now, everything was one-dimensional to Integra. She reached out to pick up her pen and discovered that it wasn't as close to her as she thought it was. She placed her hand on empty air and discovered her pen to be lying a half-inch further from her than she'd originally believed. She sighed heavily, "This is going to take some getting used to," she mumbled.

Seras smiled sadly, "By the way, do you miss Alucard at all? He's still out there wandering about, and it's been a year, now,"

Integra looked at her strangely, "Miss him? Why should I? He'll be back. He's just out goofing off somewhere without my permission, but he's earned a holiday. He'll be back any day, now," she said, shuffling through her papers.

The way Integra spoke, Seras almost believed it.

"In the meantime," Integra muttered, "I'd like to know how long the Iscariots plan to be here,"

"They're helping rebuild the place," Seras pointed out.

"I never trusted them. I don't understand their reasoning at all. Especially Heinkel. It seems that the battle changed her, somewhat,"

"I don't know," Seras murmured, "The whole of London is in pretty bad shape right now. The majority of our people are dead. It's going to take us years to get back on our feet. We can use all the help we can get. Besides, I believe that the Iscariots have an example to follow,"

Integra glanced at Seras strangely, "Example?"

The former police-girl nodded, still gazing outside, "Yes. Wynter and Anderson," she said quietly, "It wasn't fairly obvious, but you and I both know that they were different,"

Integra's eye narrowed, "Yes, I remember. Who would've thought that anyone could get to him, much less a vampire,"

"Also, it proved that peaceful existence is possible. Sasha and I spoke with the Iscariots. Once you get to know them a little, they don't seem as bad,"

"Hm," Integra mumbled, lighting a cigar. But she immediately put it out again. She was considering giving it up and testing her tolerance for such a feat. So far, she wasn't doing too badly, but it was only the first day.

Her thoughts trailed to their current situation. London and its populace were in dire straits with a total of fifty-seven survivors, all of whom had been in the subway tunnels during the attack, escaping the blaze and the bombs, as well as the vampires. Oddly enough, the Nazi vampires had missed three whole trains filled with people. While the blasts caused the tunnels to implode, the people miraculously survived and were discovered four days after the battle ended, dehydrated, starving, and terrified, but alive. Now, these survivors, plus outsiders from around the country, were working together to rebuild the city. They, and Hellsing, had suffered horrendous losses in comparison to Iscariot. Thanks to Anderson's intervention at the last minute, Iscariot had actually lost very few of their total number, though they were still nearly crushed in the process. However, not long after that, Anderson met his death at the hands of Alucard and Wynter disappeared from their world. Seras was able to sense her presence, but she was only reminded of that cat-boy, Schrodinger. For to Seras, it felt as if Wynter was 'everywhere and nowhere'.

"So," Integra said, "You're fine with the Iscariots skulking about,"

"I wouldn't say they're skulking," Seras said mirthfully, "But I'm all right with it. After all, we probably don't give them enough credit,"

Crash!

Seras and Integra whirled in alarm as what appeared to be a hammer came sailing through the door to the crumbling office. Seras flew forward and snatched it out of the air before it struck Integra as the door flew open and Heinkel stepped in, glancing down at the jagged hole she'd created in the door.

"What the hell, Heinkel!?" Seras shrieked, "Are you trying to kill us!?"

Heinkel looked up curiously, "Hyou think Hi did hish hon purpose?" (You think I did this on purpose?)

She started to laugh, "Vell, hor an haccident, hit vas pretty vell-haimed," (Well, for an accident, it was pretty well-aimed,)

Seras let out a yell as she lunged forward, hurling the hammer at her while Heinkel ducked out of the way and took off down the hall, Seras close behind her with her left arm bleeding shadow matter as she went. Integra sighed and shook her head, turning to the window.

"Alucard, your apprentice has gained a rival all her own, now, the former ward of your rival. I've often heard that history repeats itself. Tell me, what do you think of this little development?"

But of course, she got no answer, as much as she would have liked to have received one.

/ooo/

Seras, tired from chasing Heinkel all over the place and eventually giving up, sat on the front steps, gazing out at the pink horizon from the setting sun. One year exactly had passed and Wynter was still gone. She wondered if she'd ever come back. All she could think about was how depressed she must be feeling. Seras didn't imagine it was easy watching someone you loved be torn to shreds before your eyes. Of course, she was speaking from experience. But recalling unwanted memories did her no good whatsoever, so she ignored it.

"Meditating?"

"Yeah," Seras mumbled as Sasha approached slowly and sat down beside her. She folded her knees up with a sigh. Seras was surprised to see her wearing her long hair down for a change. It reached almost down to her knees.

"Your hair wasn't that long, before," she commented. Sasha smiled, "Well, it grows quickly. I'm considering cutting it short. Maybe a wedge; that might look nice,"

"I think you look a little too similar to Wynter with long hair," Seras said, not really meaning anything by it. But Sasha seemed downcast and ran a hand across her hair absently, "You...think so?" she murmured, looking away.

"I didn't mean that in a bad way," Seras said, "You have nice hair. I don't, so I kept it short,"

"I like your hair,"

"Yeah, well I don't. Never did. I let it grow long when I was little, but my mother always said that it looked better short. I'm a bit tomboyish," she said with a lopsided smirk.

"Aw, you're not tomboyish, you're pretty," Sasha said, "I wish I were more like you or Integra. The both of you are so beautiful and not afraid of anything. I was never suited to the life of a vampire hunter. I only became one on an impulse when my parents died. I talked our local priest into telling me the truth and how to kill them, but we both knew I wasn't suited for it. I about had a heart attack every time I entered a cemetery by myself to kill one,"

"Come on, I still have a hard time entering cemeteries even in broad daylight!" Seras exclaimed. Sasha giggled, "So you're chicken?"

Seras feigned indifference, "You're mean," she grumbled.

They both fell silent for a moment. Seras broke it with a simple question; "Do you miss Wynter?" she asked.

"Of course I do. Understanding now why she protected me so fiercely, it's weird, yes, but I do miss her a lot,"

"Yeah. Finding out that you were the reincarnation of Bianca's daughter, Saara and that Wynter was obviously Bianca's reincarnation. It makes sense why she subconsciously defended you like that,"

"And I never knew," Sasha mumbled, "And now she's gone and Hellsing's vampires are missing, sans you, of course,"

"Yeah, I'm not going anywhere. I can't leave Integra all alone," Seras said, "But I'm only three years old. I have an eternity ahead of me,"

"Sounds like fun," Sasha said whimsically. Seras nudged her, "Now don't go wishing to become a vampire, Sasha Pevensy," she said, "It's not all it's cracked up to be. Wynter was right. It's a curse and a blessing. Becoming vampires is what saved our lives, but we paid a hefty price for it,"

Sasha hummed, "Don't worry, I've lost all desire to become a vampire. It seems like an awful lot of trouble, as well as being something you can only do if you've got nothing to lose, or you just don't care anymore,"

"I certainly had nothing to lose and everything to gain," Seras said, "And Wynter doesn't even remember what she lost. But she lost so much more,"

Sasha sighed and nodded, "I know. I stayed here after you killed Zorin, so I don't know all the details of what happened. All I know is that I saw the commotion as the dirigible exploded and you and Integra landing on the ruined estate,"

"Right. The first thing you asked was where Wynter was. We couldn't and still can't tell you," Seras said quietly, "As much as we'd like to. But I imagine that wherever she is, she's heartbroken, and not likely to heal anytime soon,"

" When you told me what happened, I was admittedly shocked. I didn't like it, but I knew how she felt about him. It was painfully obvious during their fight, how he refused to kill her. I was against it, but I didn't say anything. But that doesn't mean I wanted him to die, and to die like that. I'm sure she'll heal at some point though," Sasha said, "She told me herself that she's a strong vampire. She's not bragging; it's just the truth. I could never have defeated her and I don't ever plan to try. She's just too powerful. But looking at her, you wouldn't think so," she said with a chuckle.

"Hehe, watching her lash out at Father Anderson was always hilarious," Seras laughed as she looked out at the horizon, "But they'll be back. She and Alucard will both be back soon. I'm sure of it,"

"Heck," Sasha said, "Even Alucard would be a sight for sore eyes right now. But Wynter had better come back, soon. I have some interesting news for her,"

Seras glanced at her strangely, "News? What kind of news?" she asked. Sasha blushed and shuffled her feet, staring at the ground, "W-Well, you know Wally?" she mumbled.

"Yeah. You work with him, right?" Seras ventured. Wally Copperfield was a captain of Hellsing. His body was among the first to be discovered during the cleanup and he was still clinging to life somehow. He was hospitalized for a little over four months with third degree burns, concussion and fractured and broken bones and internal injuries. The entire time he was incapacitated, Sasha went to visit him every day at the hospital to help him. By the time he was released six months ago, he and Sasha had become very good friends, whereas before, they were rather stiff commander and assistant.

"Well, see," Sasha mumbled, "We've actually been kinda...well, dating for the last several months, even while he was hospitalized and...he's asked me to marry him,"

During all that time that Sasha had spent with Wally, Seras had never suspected a spark of any kind to have developed. Now, as she tackled Sasha with a happy squeal, hugging her for all she was worth, she realized how wrong she was; "That's so cute!" she shrieked, "You're getting married! When? When!?"

"It's planned for the summer," Sasha choked as she squirmed out of Seras' iron grip, "But I wanted to wait until Wynter returned. I wanted her to be in it,"

Seras grinned, "I'm sure she'd be happy to be in it," she said. But for some reason, Sasha seemed a little unsure. She sighed, "I don't know. Since she left, I always feel like something is missing. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm doing the right thing. The last thing I want to do is to bind her,"

"What do you mean?"

"She said that she'll spend her days looking after my descendants. I've told you this story; she said she'll become the vampire I'll tell my kids about, who hides just out of sight, always watching over them. But the way she talks, it feels like I'm tying her down,"

"You're not, though," Seras said encouragingly, "Wynter does what she wants, when she wants, how she wants. There's not a soul alive or dead who can tell her what to do, including Alucard. If watching over your family is what she wants to do, then she'll do it until she gets bored,"

"Boy, that didn't sound cruel," Sasha grumbled. She laughed and sighed, "But I know it's the truth. And you're right. It'll take her a while to get over Anderson's death, if she ever does. But when she does, she'll return and I'll tell her the good news,"

Seras nodded with a small smile and gazed out over the darkening sky. At this time of day, it was possible to catch a glimpse of the curvature of the earth in the atmosphere, but just barely.

It was enough to look at for them.

/ooo/

Integra watched the smoke curling from her cigar as she gazed solemnly at the portrait of her father hanging in her office. She'd had it redone, since the other one had been incinerated by the flames that consumed the building in Zorin's attack the year before. She was actually having all the paintings restored. Seras had suggested that she have a portrait of herself added to the collection of Hellsing members adorning the walls, but she'd declined. She said that she didn't believe that Hellsing needed another reminder of the member who'd instigated and stirred up a war by releasing Alucard and consequently destroying their sacred house indirectly. No amount of persuasion on Seras' part could change her mind.

She sighed, eye narrowing as her mind began to travel back to her days as a girl, to the one day in particular when Arthur Hellsing had given her some rather unusual advice;

"Integra, tell me, what do you think of your lot in life?"

Integra looked up from her textbook, looking quizzically at her father, "My lot in life? I was born to one day take control of Hellsing, wasn't I?"

Her father nodded slowly, signaling to Integra that he was somewhat disappointed with her answer. He sighed, "That isn't what I was implying, Integral," he said, addressing her by her full first name, which was unusual, "Do you understand the meaning of your name?"

"My name? Integral as a word is often used to describe an important mathematical function in calculus," she said.

"This is true, however, I gave you the name Integral for a reason. This brings me to my first point as to your opinion on your lot in life,"

Integra pondered this a moment, "Well father, I don't believe that I had a choice as per my 'lot in life'. I was born yours and my mother's daughter, raised solely by you to become the future head of our sacred bloodline,"

"This is true. However, truth be told, you could have been born anyone and I would have loved you all the same. But then again, you could have been born someone else entirely, to an entirely different family and different life. Your existence was a gamble that won out to what it is today, Integra,"

"But how is that possible if who I am is determined by genes before I was even born?" she asked. Arthur chuckled and shook his head, "You're thinking far too literally, my dear. I'm speaking of a different concept altogether. Did you ever stop to wonder if you were born for a purpose? To accomplish something that others could not?"

Integra frowned, "No, father, I haven't. Since I could walk, you taught me that my purpose was to continue to defend England from the monsters that prowl the night world, and so I shall,"

But her voice wavered slightly, confirming Arthur's suspicions. He leaned forward in his chair with a hefty sigh, " 'Integral'," he said, " 'The central part of a whole, the entirety, the necessary schematic'. All of these things define what I wished for you. I want you to be the great, but humble universal working part of this family. However, as with all working parts, replacements are available. This brings me to my second point. Integra, are you happy with your lot in life?"

He stared hard at his daughter, awaiting her response. Integra was a bit unnerved by his odd way of speaking, though she was long since used to it. Arthur Hellsing spoke in a very eloquent and refined archaic style that most people just didn't use in the modern age.

Integra flinched slightly, but didn't reply. Arthur leaned back again and bade her to approach. She did so quietly, standing before him and awaiting his word. He gently embraced her, pulling her into his arms so she sat on his lap as she'd done as a small child years before. Slightly startled, Integra protested; "Father, I'm eleven years old. I'm too old to be coddled like a baby," she said.

"Ah, you're quite right, my grown up little Integra," he said with a chuckle as he stroked her hair fondly, "You are grown up and will soon no longer have any need of an ancient old man like me. But are you saying that now, you are too old to accept a hug from your wrinkled old father?" he said with a particular twinkle of amusement in his eyes. Integra hummed and fell silent, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes halfway as he continued to run his hand down her hair.

"Integra," he said, "I feel guilty everyday. I have committed a terrible crime, a crime for which I resolved to raise you alone when your mother departed. She did not agree with my planned customs, but her earthly will had no say in the matter as to her fate,"

"You have committed no crimes, father," Integra said quietly.

"Oh, but I have, child. Many, many unforgivable acts. Some of them, even my dear brother has no knowledge of. But the most heinous crime of all was how I deigned to raise you when you became my sole successor. Looking about, seeing the happy young children attending school, making friends and growing up without any cares in the world, and then coming home to find you in tears because you could not grasp the assignment given you by your strict tutor. You would run to me, attach to my leg and refuse to let go. I would then hold you, as I do now, and do my best to comfort you, knowing anything I say I will inevitably go back on when I send you again to your lessons,"

Integra felt very small listening to him, "I do not resent you for my education, father," she said softly, "I have read that many children my age have difficulty with many concepts I have been taught since I could speak,"

"Doesn't it strike you as odd, Integra?" he asked, "That you know so many advanced things that others your age do not? The few times I allowed you interaction with your peers, you were made sport of due to your advanced intellect,"

"They were all simply uneducated dolts," Integra said childishly, "They wouldn't know the difference between a vampire and a ghoul if they flicked them in the face,"

Arthur chuckled mirthfully, "And that, my child, is exactly how it should be. The reason they made sport of you is because you brought up what must never be brought up. Those children grow up believing that vampires are nothing but legends; grisly, stereotypical caped creatures that wait in the darkness in their bedrooms to suck their blood at night and who cringe at the scent of garlic and the sting of holy water. They believe these creatures cannot go out in day, that they always look scary with pointed fangs, pale faces and jagged claws. I must say that Lugosi fellow did a rather impressive job of impersonating Dracula, but his performance as per the real thing leaves much to be desired. The vampire is much, much more fearsome and complex in nature than that,"

"Is their power that great?" Integra asked. Arthur nodded slowly, "Very much so, Integra. The vampire is truly the most terrifying creature to ever walk this earth, not because they are monsters, but because they are so incredibly human,"

Integra frowned in confusion, "Human? But they're monsters," she protested.

"No, Integra," Arthur said, "The vampire would put any serious actor to shame. The vampire can wear the shady mask of a store clerk, the heartbreaking mask of a new widow, the murderous mask of a vicious killer, and the innocent mask of a child. They are cunning, devious, and ruthless. They are wise, evasive and clever. And, most importantly, they are all different,"

"So they aren't all the same?" Integra ventured. Arthur nodded, his chin brushing against her forehead, "Exactly, child. Just like humans, some vampires are strong, others weak. Some vampires have talent in gentle seduction, whereas others harbor skill in brute strength. Some kill quickly and mercifully, others agonizingly slow and painfully. Some vampires pass the time by sleeping, others by reading, and some even take to traveling and seeing the world. They all vary and no two vampires are identical. This is mostly what makes them so frightening, because there is no one sure-fire way to kill them. There are many ways and some may work, while others serve only to irritate the creature in question. However, Integra, I must warn you. There is one creature out there that is even more dangerous than the vampire and it threatens to destroy the entire world if left unchecked,"

Integra felt her blood chill in fear at this. She swallowed nervously, "What creature is that, father?" she asked.

"Man," he said, startling her, "Humans are the single most deadly creature on this planet. They are weak in body, easily succumbing to cold, heat, starvation and war. However, where they are weak, they make up for it with their extraordinary ability to adapt and their remarkable intelligence. They are capable of destroying the vampire and this is why they are hunted by the vampire. The vampire is a solitary creature that feeds on blood. Perhaps if humans left it alone, it would not feed off of them. It seeks self-preservation, Integra. And this is why Hellsing exists,"

Integra was greatly confused at this, "To protect vampires!?" she exclaimed incredulously. Arthur chuckled, "No, no, child, we exist to protect Her Majesty from vampires. However, we do not discriminate against all vampires. Have you noticed that many vampires we have hunted were horrible, brutish louts with no control?"

"I thought all vampires were like that," Integra said.

"Heavens no. Only bored vampires become this way. The majority spend their time hidden away from the human world. This is their curse, as they were once human, so now must avoid humans. In the last several decades, vampires have been on the rise, but so many of them have been taught to avoid humans except when hungry. We hunt vampires because of what they do, not because of what they are. Our organization is fundamental to England's protection. This is why I inherited it and this is why, if you so choose, so shall you inherit it,"

"If I so choose?" Integra exclaimed. Arthur nodded, "Yes, Integra. I cannot and will not force you to take over the role as head of the family. How could I do such a thing when I myself was forced to take on the role and despised it for the longest time? I simply couldn't. Integra, I love you dearly. You're all I have left anymore besides your uncle Richard and Walter. My only wish in life is for you to be safe and happy. Of course, I know that this cannot be so if you take over as head of the Hellsing organization. Our mission is what's taking its toll on me, Integra, as you well know," he mumbled sadly. Integra looked away, feeling her eyes burning. Her father had become increasingly sick for a long time, now. They all knew it was likely he didn't have much time left to him.

"The work we do is taxing and strenuous on the human psyche. Hunting our natural enemies just isn't natural at all, Integra. Our bodies aren't designed to put up with this kind of stress. But this is what we do, this is why we exist as the Hellsing Organization. And, if you choose to, this is what you will do for yourself, Integra, one day. This is what I have been training you to do,"

"But you're saying I have a choice, father," Integra said in confusion, "That doesn't make sense; I've been tutored rigorously for years in preparation to one day take over the position as head of the family,"

"True, but you may or may not decide that this path is right for you. Should you choose not to take my place, I promise I will support you. Granted, I cannot say I won't be disappointed, but I will always support your decision and know that Richard may still wish to take my place in your stead. Please always keep this in mind, my little Integra, that I will support you, no matter what your decision," he said, hugging her.

Integra never forgot that advice and even though she was eventually forced to take over the organization when she killed her uncle after freeing Alucard by mistake, she found that she might have taken her father's place anyhow, pressure or no.

Her father had been dead for over a decade, now. She hoped that he was still watching over her. After all, she still had much left to learn about running the organization alone, now. God, she missed Walter.

She froze suddenly. That familiar feeling of being watched, watched by something not quite human. She steadied her breathing and deftly reached around to open her desk drawer where she kept a small storage of weapons handy.

"You know, you can stop hiding," she said into the darkness, "I've already long since sensed your presence. If you're going to attack me, you might as well give it a go and try your luck. Or you can face me head on like a proper vampire,"

She heard a faint rustling of wind behind her and slowly stood up, turning around. If her left eye had still been there, it would have taken her less time to see what was really there. She stood to the side, a slight glimpse of something tall and black standing at her window, swinging open in the breeze. It had previously been locked. She turned fully, the figure coming into better view. Entirely black with black hair trailing with shadow matter as red eyes blazed in the darkness at her.

"Alucard?" she whispered faintly, her heart beginning to pound. But the creature shifted more into the light and she frowned, "No, it seems I was mistaken,"

"You thought I was someone else?" it said bemusedly, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I have always been me,"

"Do you make it a habit of sneaking up on people unawares?" Integra asked.

"Oh, but you're special. You tolerate our kind and we can sense that. Most of us won't harm you,"

"And the ones who would gladly do so, I shall take great pleasure in their disposal," Integra sneered.

"Sir Integral Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, the woman of steel who commands the greatest vampire hunting legacy ever founded. The master of the King of Vampires...and his successors,"

Integra folded her arms and smirked, "You've certainly taken your time coming back," she said with an air of curiosity, "We'd almost given up hope of ever seeing you again,"

"Come now, it's not like I can die. It's as Alucard said of himself, 'I'll live until my expansive future shatters my expansive past'. The only difference is that for me, there is no past to shatter,"

"So what were you off doing this whole time?"

"I was off seeking reassurance and killing my frustration,"

"Such a ridiculous answer,"

"You call me ridiculous and here you are, contemplating the past, which cannot be changed. You need to look to the future, human,"

"In the very least, I have a future," Integra countered somewhat viciously. The creature fell silent, stepping more into the light, great feathered wings sagging behind her as she knelt before Integra, "You best me," she declared, "And I willingly submit once again,"

"You needn't act so humble, Wynter. Don't forget, you do not belong to me,"

"Then may I pretend?"

Integra was tempted to laugh, "Yes, you may pretend," she said, "It's good to have you back,"

"It's good to be back, my lady,"

/ooo/

Word travels fast, especially when that word concerns a female vampire returning at long last from who knows where to the Hellsing estate. Seras and Sasha were, of course, the last to be informed and immediately rushed to the sub-levels where they found Integra sitting on the chair in Wynter's room, talking with her as she sat on her bed with...a little girl?

Wynter looked up as they barged in and smiled, "Nice to see you, too," she chimed. Seras and Sasha just stared, disbelievingly at her before hurrying forward and embracing her old friend, "You're back!" she exclaimed.

"I missed you too, Sasha," Wynter said, smiling. Sasha sat down beside her and glanced down at the child Wynter held fast asleep in her lap.

"Uh," Sasha said, "So who's the girl?"

Wynter gently stroked the child's hair and smiled, "Shh," she said, "She's exhausted and we've had a rough journey,"

As she spoke, the child stirred slightly, but didn't awaken. Wynter shrugged at them.

Seras grinned and made her way over, "Wynter, where have you been? It's been forever!"

"It's only been a year, Seras," Wynter said quietly.

"So?"

Wynter chuckled, "I apologize for taking so long. I was a bit preoccupied,"

Seras fell silent and looked away. She knew it. Wynter had been off somewhere, dealing with her present situation, "Sorry. I know you're still upset," she mumbled.

"I am, but it's all right. I'm fine,"

"So where were you, exactly?" Integra asked, "You didn't give me a straight answer before,"

"I was in the sky," Wynter replied, "I spent six months flying aimlessly over England, unable to bring myself to land. For the longest time, I couldn't forget, and I couldn't stop crying. I just stayed there, day after day, night after night, staring down at the earth and watching London's reconstruction. I wanted to go down and scavenge. But I knew I couldn't, or I'd let everyone know I was a vampire,"

"Scavenging is a human trait," Integra pointed out dryly.

"It's also a hobby of mine, thank you," Wynter said curtly, "In any case, once I finally felt able to stop crying, I landed at long last, but I didn't want to come home just yet. Six months had passed, I decided instead to take him up on his offer to go and visit a friend of mine in Rome, who had been asking about me for a while, now,"

"Do you mean that little girl?" Sasha asked. Wynter nodded, "Yes. I met her at Ferdinand St. Luke's,"

"Wait," Integra said, "That's the orphanage where Anderson worked,"

"Yes," Wynter replied, "And this little girl was formerly an orphan in residence there, that is, until I adopted her,"

"Adopted!?" Seras exclaimed. Here, Wynter's expression grew wistful and sad, "Her name is Lia. Her parents were killed in an accident some time ago, so she wound up in the care of the orphan's home. This is the same home where I brought Sasha when she was injured. That's when I met Lia. Once she overcame her initial fear of me, she was a very bright and talkative little girl. Anderson later told me that she'd been asking about me and that I should visit her once in a while. So when I finally landed, I did just that. However, the moment I saw her again, everything came flooding back to me in an instant and I broke down. The sister who greeted me, Maria Laskey, she and Lia did their best to console me and find out what was wrong, but I couldn't be comforted. I found reassurance when I spoke with Lia once I'd finally calmed down. I realized that she was what I'd been searching for for six months following the battle. I spoke with Sister Laskey later and asked her how I'd go about adopting her,"

"I'm surprised they allowed it, given what you are," Integra said quietly.

"Iscariot recognized me instantly. Only the presence of Lia and Maria kept them from attacking me on the spot. They were against the idea from the get go. I used every ounce of wit I had to convince them that my intentions were good. I explained the situation to them, how I could care for Lia, give her the life of an ordinary human child, despite her knowledge of what I truly was. They were understandably skeptical. I mentioned everything, saying that yes, she'd grow up around vampires, but that that would ultimately make her safer from them, because she would carry secret knowledge of how to defend herself from them if she were raised around them. It was a long and arduous process that lasted several months, but they finally consented under the condition that I submit monthly progress reports signed by a human third party who would be aware of my status. The point is that I needed purpose in my life and I found it in this child," Wynter said quietly, gazing down at her 'daughter'. She sighed and shook her head, "But there's something I don't understand. I've been through this once before, so how come it hurts even more now than it did then? I can't seem to figure that out,"

No one in the room really understood what she meant, save one.

/ooo/

"You never really loved him,"

Wynter glanced at Integra curiously as she stood gazing out the window of the newly refurbished drawing room while Integra sat by the fire, her cigar held limply in her hand. Wynter frowned, "What do you mean?" she asked.

"It's simple. You never loved Tobias, Wynter. That's why the pain of losing Anderson is so much more pronounced than it was then,"

"I still don't understand what you mean," Wynter muttered darkly. Integra breathed deeply the fragrance of the cigar and exhaled slowly, filling the room with the lavender smoke. She rested her head against her hand leaning on the armrest of the chair, gazing into the flames, "Tobias freed you from a horrendous situation and you were grateful to him. He took you with him into the outside world and protected you, gave you the clothes you needed and told you all about the world you hadn't seen in over two decades. When the time came, he offered to give up his humanity in order to be with you forever. He was clearly enamored of you, and perhaps you reciprocated his feelings, but once you'd turned him, those feelings changed. He became your servant, your fledgling, essentially your child. Whatever love you may have held for him transformed into parental concern. The pain you felt at his passing was very different from what you're feeling now,"

Wynter's eyes narrowed to slits, "But you've never experienced anything of this sort, so how would you understand?" she asked dryly.

"I lost my father, my father-figure, and Alucard, all within ten years of each other. I also lost a close friend in Sir Penwood. In that sense, I have never lost a lover or a child, but I can distantly relate,"

Wynter hummed and turned to the window with a sigh, her wings sagging, "I haven't felt this alone in a long time, Integra," she said, "I feel like my world has come crashing down around me and I'm now trying to pick up the pieces,"

"Lia, I assume?"

"Yes. I didn't adopt her on a whim, Integra. I felt we could help each other to survive in a difficult world. She needed a family and I needed closure. With Alucard gone too, Seras and I have to learn to live without our master's constant presence. It is something even I have yet to experience fully, old as I am,"

Integra glanced at her curiously, "Something's different with you," she said, "There's something wrong,"

Wynter turned around fully and Integra noticed that her wings appeared rather limp. She wasn't moving them at all. Wynter noticed Integra staring, "You guessed right. I'm very weak, now, having had nothing to drink in almost a year," she said, "I can no longer fly. I can barely lift my wings. It took me two weeks to get to Rome to find Lia again because I had to travel the human way, something I don't handle well. I had to walk most of the way there and it took its toll,"

"You drank nothing," Integra muttered. Wynter looked away and Integra sighed and shook her head, "Wynter, you're as bad as Seras was sometimes. Honestly, you're older; you should know better. Would you care for some of mine?" she asked, offering as nonchalantly as if she were offering her some water.

"Tempting as that is, I'm afraid I must decline. Only one vampire exists that is worthy of drinking your blood, sacred virgin of Hellsing," she said with a slight bow. Integra turned back to the fire and closed her eye, "Fine. It's your body, Wynter. Do what you will. But you know what will happen if you refuse to drink,"

"I know. I thank you for the offer, though,"

Wynter sighed and then her head shot up, "Oh, I almost forgot. Integra, I have something for you," she said, leaving the window and approaching the woman. Integra glanced at her warily as Wynter pulled an object wrapped in purple cloth from within her cloak. She handed it to Integra. It was a box of some sort. Integra took it and set it on her lap. It was pretty heavy. Wynter moved to stand before her, watching her as she examined it, "I went scavenging anyway, just before I took to the sky. I found these while I was in the city,"

Integra pulled the cloth away from the object, revealing a plain cardboard box beneath. She opened the flaps and peered inside, her eye widening in disbelief. She reached into the box and pulled out the first of two objects, one being a block of chalky concrete with the Hellsing pentagram fixated to its surface. Integra instantly recognized this as the piece of cement that had been in the vicinity where Alucard vanished. She stared at it in shock as she looked at the other object, the Casull, intact still inside the box. Hands shaking, she looked up at Wynter in disbelief, "But these...these were lost after the battle, both of them," she exclaimed, "How in the world did you find them?"

Wynter smiled sadly, "Among many other things, I found those lying below the rubble. You might not have known, but a spirit dwells inside everything. Alucard left a small piece of his own spirit within those objects, the gun mostly, and this is how I sensed them. Unfortunately, the Jackal was destroyed in the fight, and its pieces lost. The block of concrete, I found by accident. It was about to be thrown away and I managed to save it,"

Integra bowed her head, resisting the tears stinging her eyes. She cleared her throat, "What else did you find?" she asked.

"Playing cards, a rifle barrel, a katana, a monocle, a garrotte wire, a few dozen bayonets, and of course, these," she said, revealing a pair of orange tinted sunglasses in her hand. These, she put on and smirked, causing Integra to chuckle slightly, "You look ridiculous," she commented, "Those don't suit you at all,"

Wynter shrugged, "Someone has to carry on the tradition and when Seras is ready, I'll give them to her until he returns. I need no material possessions, but I brought a few things back to give to people as tokens of memory. I brought back six of the bayonets I found, as well as his glasses frames and when I see Heinkel, I'll give them, plus Yumie's katana to her. As for you, here, these too," she said, handing her the familiar black, now tattered, gloves and monocle. Integra took these as well and turned away from Wynter, refusing to cry in front of her, "Thank you," she whispered, "You didn't find yourself any memories?"

"I need no physical tokens," Wynter repeated, "I'll keep those sunglasses until the time is right. Whatever I have picked up will pass on to other people eventually. I'm just a rest stop on those objects' journeys to new hands,"

Integra smiled slightly and examined the remnants of the people she'd known as she held them in the box, "I believe I'll put these away for safe-keeping," she said, setting them in the chair beside her. Wynter watched quietly as Integra stared into the fire in the hearth, eyes glazed, "I'm surprised you do not keep something for yourself, despite your proclamation," she said.

Wynter didn't reply, but turned away, "My memories are vivid. It's like I'm watching a play and I'm the only one in the audience. Every memory I ever had in the last century and a half, I retain, both good...and bad," she mumbled.

"You speak of his death?"

Wynter closed her eyes, "I knew what he was going to do, Integra," she said, "I knew. You were aware that I'd refused to take part in the battle. I am merely a spectator of the human world. I don't involve myself in your struggles if I can help it. I watched from atop a broken building as Enrico Maxwell was impaled by Alucard's familiars and as Anderson ordered the remnants of Iscariot to pull back to Rome and defend the pope. I flew down before him as he prepared to go. I warned him what would invariably happen if he went through with it,"

Wynter paused and it seemed to Integra that she was holding back slightly. Wynter continued, "I told him that should he go, that he would meet his death. I did my best, but...but he brushed aside my warning. He paid me no heed at all. He bade me farewell, but he never once looked back. By the time I'd found all of you again, it was too late. I got there just in time to see Alucard tear his heart out. Standing on my vantage point, I know that he saw me. I called him a liar. Whether or not he heard me, I regret saying it,"

She turned away, facing out the window, "Seeing everyone here perish, watching someone I love be killed by my own sire, seeing Alucard drink the poisoned blood and vanishing, seeing Walter betraying us, and finally, seeing London burning to the ground. When I chose to become a vampire, hazy as those memories are, this isn't what I wanted,"

Integra watched her a moment and sighed, "I doubt this is what anyone wanted, Wynter, save for the major, of course. And in the end, the one who truly died happy was him. Justice doesn't always win in the end," she said, staring into the fire, "Sometimes, evil wins out just as often as good does,"

Wynter smiled slightly, "No earthly repairs can ever truly fix what's broken now, my lady," she mumbled, "I wonder...is God laughing at us now?"

Integra crushed out her cigar, "It certainly seems that way, Wynter,"

They fell silent for a short while, Integra gazing into the fire, fully aware of the vampire standing motionless beside her, like a stoic guard. Integra was slightly confused to admit how much she appreciated Wynter's presence. It wasn't the same as Alucard, but it was as if she carried the same gentle nature he often hid away in favor of his maniacal nature. She remembered that Alucard had had his moments when he could be very kind, though those moments were few and far between.

"I am no replacement for him," Wynter said slowly, as if she were reading her thoughts, "However, I am like him, in that I am undead and bearer of his blood which keeps me alive. There have been only three who truly accepted Alucard's essence within themselves upon their turning, but only two completed the transformation,"

Integra frowned in confusion, "Do you speak of Laura and Madeline?" she asked in reference to Wynter and Seras' two sisters who perished long ago, one of whom by Wynter's own hands.

"No," Wynter answered, "I speak of another, far more unfortunate girl than myself and Seras. However, she never accepted her role and so she remained incomplete, even more so than I am, for I have managed to drink blood of my own will even without freeing myself from Alucard. But she and I are very different. I am very proud of what I am and will always remain thus. And I hold you in great esteem, Integra. I will stay with you, my lady. You can be assured of that,"

Integra nodded once with a slight hum. Her gaze shifted off to the side toward the piano sitting forgotten about. It had, among other things, miraculously survived the destruction with only minor damage. It still played beautifully.

"Wynter," she said, "Play me something,"

Wynter blinked, but bowed slightly in acknowledgment and turned, moving to sit down at the piano and opening the lid. She blew the dust off the keys and aligned her hands in place, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She began to play. The song that filled the room was the slow, hypnotic rhythm of Pachelbel's canon in D. The first melodies started out sluggishly, gradually melding into each other as the melodic repetition began, each line growing more and more beautiful as new layers were added to the song. Integra listened to the song created by the vampire-girl, the fledgling—no, daughter—of her beloved servant. She glanced over at Wynter, whose eyes were closed, head nodding occasionally to the tune as it grew more intricate and beautiful beneath her fingertips.

Outside the door, a dark pair of red eyes watched in silent approval, a small smile gracing the undead lips belonging to the younger vampire. Listening to the music as it reached its pinnacle of beauty under the simple ivory keys, time seemingly stood still, with only the human woman and her two surviving servants to give testimony to its halt.

/ooo/

Wynter had traded in her old motorboat in Bristol, selling it and surprisingly, making enough to buy a used Vespa. It was turquoise in color and ran smoothly enough. A few paint touch-ups and it was ready to go. Wynter now used it as her main transportation since she was no longer capable of powered flight. With her wings so weak, the most she could do was glide over short distances. Not an effective way to travel, so she'd had to turn to mortal standards, much to Integra's amusement. But Wynter ended up liking the Vespa, so it didn't matter to anyone as long as she kept her identity a secret. Needless warning as far as Wynter was concerned. Going to and from the school Lia attended was simpler with the bike than it would have been without it, Wynter came to realize. And Lia adored riding on it.

True to her word, Wynter spent most of her time arranging as ordinary a life for Lia as she could, having convinced Integra to be the human third party to sign the monthly reports she was supposed to send back on Lia's progress. Most importantly, Lia seemed happy. Sure, she couldn't invite her friends over for obvious reasons, but she was essentially living an ordinary human life. With the exception of one little thing.

She was being raised by a vampire, living in the mansion of a family of vampire hunters. To Lia, who'd long since gotten over her fear of vampires, this was perfectly normal. So normal in fact, that she began to wonder if her friends had similar family members and relatives. It was this that first made Integra hesitant to allow Wynter to enroll the girl in public schooling. Wynter had set Lia down and explained to her in depth why she must never, ever tell anyone at school that her mother, aunt, and uncle Louis (who still visited Hellsing) were vampires and that her other aunt was a vampire hunter of elite quality. Much to her relief, Lia seemed to understand that her living conditions were far from the norm. Wynter gave her a simple story to tell if she were ever asked about her family. Lia was to tell people that her family was a bit on the weird side, and that her aunt Seras held a nighttime job, explaining why she was rarely around during the day. For Wynter, she'd had to explain to the teacher that she had a strange condition in her eyes resulting from an illness years before that removed the green pigment that had been there previously. In this manner, she always wore contact lenses whenever she had to attend meetings with the teacher who, while appearing to suspect something else was going on, chose not to say anything.

Louis ended up falling more in love with his 'niece' than he had with Wynter, in a sense, always scouring the internet for new tricks to show Lia when she came home. Lia knew full well that most of the tricks Louis did were impossible to humans, such as forcing Seras to pull a literal saw-'em-in-half trick with Seras regenerating at the last second and then proceeding to beat Louis into next week. Wynter was concerned at first that Lia might grow too accustomed to this wacky make-shift violence, but soon realized that it was all in fun as long as they kept it clean. Louis eventually resorted to teaching Lia all about the 18th century as a tribute to her mother's aristocratic heritage. Of course, this didn't help at all when Lia found an old portrait of Genevieve Du Beaumont in her history book and pointed it out to the entire class that the girl in the book looked just like her mother, to which she was laughed out of the classroom. It was then that Wynter remembered a few portraits of her old family, including herself, that still existed, but didn't consider it a problem. She left that explanation to Louis.

Integra accepted her forced role of aunt to Lia rather easily, often enduring long bouts of her chatter in the afternoons when she was attempting to work. Lia loved sitting in her own chair behind Integra's desk with her head resting on her arm, watching her write silently. To Wynter's surprise, whenever she stood on the wall outside the window, she'd often see Integra deigning to look at some childish drawing Lia had brought home or even occasionally helping her with homework. Wynter assumed that because Integra wasn't likely to ever marry and have children of her own, she was allowing herself to experience a motherly instinct she probably kept buried by letting it into the open whenever she believed that no one else was around. It was actually kind of cute. However, she didn't take too kindly to being called 'auntie'. She preferred aunt Integra or really just Integra. She usually tolerated the aunt part.

Nowadays, Wynter spent much of her time outside. Integra had given her permission to plant a garden on the eastern edge of the estate alongside the manor. Wynter figured it might relieve her depression slightly. So she headed into town and purchased some long wooden beams to form the frame for the soil. These, she dragged back to Hellsing two at a time, avoiding all the main roads so as not to block traffic with the Vespa loaded down with wood. It took a couple of hours to get all four pieces back, but once she had them there, she then proceeded to start moving them into place. She only had to account for one little thing when she started to lift a beam up, however.

"Hey! Hey, wait a second! Stop!"

Wynter, surprised, dropped the beam back down, narrowly missing her foot. She glanced up as two members of Iscariot rushed over from a good distance away where they'd been bringing a large pail of nails back in. Wynter still thought it was odd that they were assisting in the repairs. She certainly hadn't expected that when she'd returned.

It was Douglas and Arnold. These two, she remembered well. They hurried over, "Are you nuts!?" Arnold exclaimed, "That thing must weigh sixty pounds at least!"

"Yeah!" Douglas reiterated, bending down to grab an end and clearly straining to even lift it, "Let us get this!"

"Y-Yeah," Arnold said, grabbing the other end and about up-ending his partner, "W-We'll lift this over there for you! Ugh!"

Wynter reached out to grab the beam, "Uh, thanks guys, but seriously, I got this," she said.

"N-No, we have it! Ugh!" Douglas choked.

"P-Piece of cake!" Arnold grunted as they began to lose their footing with the heavy beam. Wynter sighed and reached out, grabbing it from them delicately, lifting it up with ease, "Really guys, I appreciate it, but I have this. Don't forget I'm vampiric, okay?" she said with a smile. She made her way over to the hollows she'd dug in the earth and deftly dropped the first beam in, bending down to fill in the gouge around it. Arnold and Douglas just watched in amazement as she single-handedly moved each beam firmly into place without even breaking a sweat.

"Damn! You're not human!" Arnold exclaimed. Wynter chuckled, "You already knew that," she said, "I do appreciate the gesture, but I can handle this. You guys go help your friends and quit bugging me," she said, smiling. She tossed a pebble at them casually and returned to filling in the gouges in the earth. Arnold and Douglas exchanged glances and moved off, casting occasional glances back at her as they went.

"You know," Arnold mumbled, "She always looks a bit sad these days,"

"Don't tell me you're feeling pity for her. She'd knock you upside the head if she found out," Douglas warned.

"I know, I know. But I wonder, do you think maybe she ever feels...I don't know, heartbroken?"

Douglas paused, staring back at her as she finished filling in the holes and picked up a book on gardening beside her. He frowned, "But why would she feel heartbroken?" he muttered, partly to himself and partly to his friend.

/ooo/

Wynter had finished pouring the soil into the rectangular space and leveled it out. She was now going over a list of plants and vegetables that could be grown in England's muggy climate. She'd decided to go with, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, radishes and a few varieties of herbs to start out. Herbs usually did well in any weather, being that they were really nothing but flavorful weeds.

"And so the weeds complained to God and he gave them immortality to all but the most dedicated gardeners," she joked, "I honestly don't know why I'm growing vegetables since I can't eat anything I grow. Talk about irony,"

"Sho vhat? Hothers han shee vhat hyou hanaged to gwow," (So what? Others can see what you managed to grow)

Wynter's head shot up in surprise. She instantly relaxed slightly, though still on guard when she saw it was Heinkel approaching.

"Oh. Evening Heinkel," she said, "I was told you might come back here. I understand you wanted a word with me,"

"Hi hid," (I did) Heinkel said, sitting down a few feet away. Wynter just studied her silently, eyes narrowing at the grotesque scarring covering much of the girl's face; "I see your face healed," she said quietly, "But you're not entirely human anymore, are you?"

Heinkel nodded once, "Hi ham huhan, but Hi ham now dihherent hrom vhat Hi vas, behore," (I am human, but I am now different from what I was before)

"I can see that. You're just like him now, aren't you? I see the transformation was a success. How are you adjusting?"

"Hit's dihhicult," (It's difficult)

"I apologize Heinkel, but you're barely comprehensible. So please forgive me if it takes me a minute to work out what you're saying," Wynter said after a few extra seconds. Heinkel nodded, seemingly used to this from other people, "Hi've been hold that hy shpeech vill improve oher hime, vonce Hi'm heawed competewy," (I've been told that my speech will improve over time, once I'm healed completely)

"I heard what you said when it happened, or more like I heard your thoughts. I feel I should tell you, Heinkel, the captain wasn't taking pity on you because he thought you were weak, per se. Based on everything I observed that day, it seemed that the captain was different. He had morals as a semi-immortal creature and simply wanted you to avoid getting involved. He didn't want to take any unnecessary lives,"

"Hit hill hugs me," (It still bugs me)

Wynter sighed heavily, "Yes, of course it does," she muttered, turning back to her list, "So, you mind telling me what you want?"

"Oh," Heinkel said, remembering her original mission, "Hat's hwight. Hi hame here hon a rewesht. Hit hirectly hinvolvesh hyou," (That's right. I came here on a request. It directly involves you)

"Me?" Wynter asked, "A request from who?"

Heinkel's eyes narrowed, "Who helse? Hather Anderson," (Who else? Father Anderson) she said quietly. Wynter froze and her eyes widened curiously, "But...how?" she asked.

"Hawhile hago, he pulled me haside some monhs behore he died, (Awhile ago, he pulled me aside some months before he died) she said, "He have me no specihic hreasons vhy, but he said that hi shomehing hould hever happen to him, that Hi should heep an hye hon hyou," (He gave me no specific reasons why, but he said that if something should ever happen to him, that I should keep an eye on you)

Wynter looked back down at her garden, feeling the familiar depression welling back up once again. She sighed, "I see. So now that I've returned, you're carrying out his request," she said quietly.

"Hi ham. Hyou hannot shay hanyhing to hane hy mind," (I am. You cannot say anything to change my mind)

So he had considered his choices then. To some extent, anyway. Wynter folded her hands in her lap, staring at the ground, "I...I see," she said, "Thank you, Heinkel,"

Heinkel didn't reply for several minutes. She looked around aimlessly, somewhat uncomfortable with the silence. She cleared her throat and sighed, "Hi had a heeling that shomehing more might hae been going on, hough Hi don't know vhat. Vhatever his hreashons, hit hist none oh my businessh. Hi han underhand hyour situation," (I had a feeling that something more might have been going on, though I don't know what. Whatever his reasons, it's none of my business. I can understand your situation)

She looked away blankly, eyes dull, "Hafter hall, he vas lihe ha hather to me. He vas veird, hand hoften ha bit ehhentrih, but he vas ha good man and Hi vill miss him," (After all, he was like a father to me. He was weird and often a bit eccentric, but he was a good man and I will miss him)

Wynter chuckled dryly, "Yeah," she muttered, "You're right,"

They both fell silent. Heinkel just watched her quietly. She was staring into her presently empty garden. She sighed, "Well," she said at last, "Since you're going to be hanging around a lot, Heinkel, we might as well find even ground. I can't fly anymore, so I have to stay put from now on. Tell me, do you know anything about gardening?" she said with a smile. Heinkel blinked in surprise, "No, Hi don't," she said.

"Well, I hope you're willing to learn, because that's what I'm going to be spending most of my time doing from now on," Wynter said.

She picked up her little shovel and started digging little holes for the seeds she'd go out later to buy. So she now had a bodyguard, per se. It wasn't so bad having company. Besides, Heinkel might have become Seras' rival, but Wynter knew that she had at least one thing in common with the girl. That in itself was enough for the moment.

A/N: I'm still finishing up the final chapter, as this story was left unfinished. I hope to have it done before too long.