A/N: Hello everyone! Here is the second chapter and as you can see, it is longer than the previous one! Following chapters will be longer too~~

Thank you all so much for the follows, favourites and reviiiewwws! X3

YourChariotAwaits: Ooooh it's you! :D Thanks so much for the review! I will definitely be careful, I hate when OCs are over-powered and overly dramatic. XD Thanks again!

Catsvrsdogscatsw: It is completely overdone and can be tiresome when pursued in the wrong way entirely! I am trying to not turn Willow into the powerful, human girl. I don't want that for her. She will be a simple woman with a tremendously pressuring gift and has to deal with the fact that she is developing feelings for the King of Vampires. X3 From reading Dracula, I gathered that the character is a very sexual man. He lusted for Mina Harker immediately, which led to his downfall. Alucard's immediate lust is definitely similar to that; he just can't control himself around a beautiful woman. XD Thank you so much for the review and kind words!

Guest: I am so happy you're enjoying it! Thank you for the review!

Miree3D2Y: THANK YOU. X3 I will!

Darkangelynn5: Thank you so much!

Now, it is time for the chapter!

(())

"W-Will, how many more of these do you have to do? This is the third time this month."

Willow rolled her eyes fondly as she wrapped a tourniquet around Jim Munroe's upper arm; he was one of the soldiers working for the Hellsing Organisation. She dutifully made sure that enough pressure was placed around the area, for it was imperative the vein filled with enough blood. Extracting a sample would be far easier this way. Willow then plucked an antiseptic wipe from the plastic pouch beside her on the work table; she began cleaning the section of skin in which the blood sample would be taken from.

"Don't be such a baby, Jimmy. It's only a tiny needle." She assured the man and gave him a playful smirk. "If you weren't so prone to over-intoxicating yourself on the weekends, this wouldn't have to be done."

Jim looked utterly flabbergasted- and not to mention a tad embarrassed. "Sir Integra's under the impression that I'm a drunk!? Cor, you never told me that!" He squeaked, running a shaky hand through his peppered hair. "You said you were worried about my blood-sugar levels and-"

"Calm down, Jim!" Willow gingerly picked up the needle and gave the point a flick. "I was joking, this is because of your blood-sugar levels." She smiled at him. "I am concerned for your health, I need to know if I should prescribe more insulin to you."

Jim sagged in the chair and heaved a drawn-out sigh. Sweat was beginning to bead at his brow and Willow tried to stifle her laughter; Jim glared at her through narrowed eyes. "You scared me, you codger."

She just snickered, "That's what you get for complaining. Honestly, a man of your age should know better...and should be used to injections like this too!"

"I have never liked 'em." Jim huffed as Willow carefully inserted the needle into his vein, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Ohhhh...Ohhhh no…" He groaned and averted his eyes.

Willow rolled her hazel-coloured ones again, "Baby…" She extracted the small amount of blood. Jim was still groaning every now and then, especially when she removed the needle. The young woman dabbed the bruising spot again with a wipe before bandaging it. The soldier was such a big child; most of them here were. Willow still adored them though, in all their childlike glory. They made her laugh and she got along with them splendidly. All of them referred to her as 'Will' instead of her full name; a fact of which she found incredibly endearing. And Jim was like an uncle-figure really; he was too old to be a brother and far too juvenile to be a father to her.

"You're all finished, Jimmy. You can stop looking away now." She cleared her supplies, placing them all back in their correct places; being mindful of the precious sample in her hand. Willow abhorred an untidy workspace. Such a thing was the bane of her existence really. Nurses and doctors especially had to have an organised, unsullied work station; they were in the near constant presence of potentially ill patients after all. The couldn't risk endangering the people further with dirt and filth.

Jim flew from the chair and had a complete expression of relief on his face when he turned to her. "Thanks a mill', Will." He threw her a toothy grin, amusement swirling in his green eyes for his own corny line and Willow chuckled. The man was too cheesy for his own good.

"But blimey, never again. I couldn't hack another needle in me." Jim shook his head, locks of dark hair flowing.

"No promises there, Jim." Willow crossed her arms over her generous chest. "Now get going, you're leaving for the mission at 19:00."

"Christ, you're right!" He scooped up his military jacket bearing the Hellsing insignia and gave the woman a salute. "Be seeing ya, Will!" Jim then tore open the door, nearly taking it from its hinges, and raced out of the room.

"Honestly, they treat my office like a barracks sometimes." Willow muttered in mild agitation and went over to close the door that Jim had left swinging open. When she was safely secured in her room, she collapsed in her rotating chair. The woman smoothed her hands over her thighs, creasing the blue trousers of her uniform. Today was already tiring and it had barely begun. Sure, it was coming close to the evening; but her work never truly began until long after the sun went down. Who knew how many soldiers would come staggering in here with injuries of some sort; she hated when that happened, hated seeing them in pain. They risked their lives battling Freaks and many of them come close to certain death. Many were lost along the way too.

"Hopefully all goes well tonight…" Willow whispered in a somber voice and glanced out the window, watching the sinking sun through the gap in the white, translucent curtains. The sky was a showcase of pinks and oranges, mingling together in an exotic display.

The night was fast approaching and Willow knew she had to meet with Alucard again. Alucard, the vampire from her visions and dreams. His loneliness and centuries-long sadness awakened her practically every night for the last ten years or so; tear tracks always stained her red cheeks after every dream. She came to work for the Hellsing Organisation two years ago, after hearing the whispers of the name in her visions; Alucard's voice had spoken of it many times and she wanted to know why, along with who he was. Seras and Integra believed that the visions only began two years ago, but that wasn't the case. Ten years was a staggeringly long time and she wasn't ready to tell them the truth. From working for Integra, Willow managed to gain answers to her questions about the No-Life King. Alucard was someone she was curious about, he constantly played the major part in her dreams.

And she not only dreamt of the future, flashes from the past were also an aspect to her clairvoyance. Scenes and events centering around a young, lost boy betrayed by his father, along with the dastardly inflictions dealt on him by a cruel Sultan; then him growing into a vengeful man fueled by rage and a violent loyalty to God. Willow didn't know the entirety of Alucard's story, having only seen the short glimpses, but knew he had suffered a great deal in his lifetime.

Alucard would want an explanation for all this, of that she was certain. The devilish vampire was used to getting his way and Willow knew for a fact that he rarely ever took 'no' for an answer. Sir Integra was the sole exception to the rule.

Alucard, Count Dracula, would undoubtedly be an odd character to deal with.

But Willow was up for the challenge.

(())

"And remember to take it easy on that leg, Michael. It's still recovering from that fall you took last week." Willow ordered and rested her hands on her full hips, giving the man a look of warning; the playfulness could be seen in her eyes though. "Be careful and good luck!"

"Yes, ma'am! Cheers!" Michael saluted, in the same cheerful manner that Jim had earlier, and scampered off to join the soldiers that were climbing into one of the Land Rovers. His gun was slung over his shoulder and Willow eyed the slight limp in his leg worriedly; Michael would soon forget the order, the silly blighter. These men, they would be the death of her. Willow always waved them off when they ventured out of the estate to fight vampires, she had to; she constantly worried about them. Also, the men here hardly ever saw their families, so a cheerful send off was just the thing they craved and needed. Willow granted such a desire to them. Perhaps that was why they got along so well with her.

"Sir Integra is waiting in her office for you, Willow." Willow was startled by the sudden voice, jumping a little. She then turned and found a grinning Seras behind her. "Master should be up shortly too." The vampire looked far too giddy for Willow's liking. Something was up with her, the human woman knew Seras too well.

Willow's hands twitched at the mention of Alucard, "I see...I'll head up as soon as the boys leave. I can't have them thinking that seeing Dracula is more important than them, can I?" She chuckled softly.

Seras shook her head as her toothy grin grew, blonde hair brushing her shoulders. "They don't know he is back yet. Sir Integra wants to tell them herself, break the news to them easy, you know?"

"I can understand why she would want to do that. Many of them believed he was gone, most of them were children during the Millennium incident." Willow replied and felt a stab of guilt when Seras flinched; even after thirty years, that terrible event still affected the lovely Draculina.

"Where is Pip by the way? Harassing the maids again?" Willow giggled, trying to lighten the mood that was threatening to spiral downward. Pip was obviously the wrong person to bring up though, she thought to herself when Seras's face grew irritated.

"Probably." Seras groaned and gave the Hellsing Manor a filthy glare, as if she were trying to skewer the ghostly mercenary with eyes alone through the walls. "He has his sights set on the new girl. Kathy, I believe her name is."

"He never changes." Willow tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. The mass of brown locks was tied back in a low-ponytail that trailed down to the small of her back; messy bangs concealed her forehead, partially her eyes, from view and framed her heart-shaped face. She desperately needed a haircut but the young woman was so fond of her unruly mane; she wasn't in a rush to see it go.

"Even after three decades and the fact that he is dead. None of it deters him in the slightest." The Draculina huffed, her mouth twitching in distaste.

Willow smiled sympathetically at Seras, she was aware of the strong feels the vampire carried for the French captain- and knew of the feelings he had in turn. They were both equally as stubborn though and neither one would admit it to the other. Willow assumed they thought they had all the time in the world to confess to the each other. Well, they actually did. They had all eternity. Still, Willow grumbled in her mind, the sooner they ceased being so thickheaded the better.

A beeping horn roused her from her thoughts and Willow spun around to give the departing vehicles a wave. She grinned when she heard the men yelling their goodbyes. Happiness bubbled in her chest and she couldn't wait to see them come back safe and sound. She faced Seras again after a moment and watched the vampire slide her arm through the strap of the Harkonnen.

"I'll see you later, Willow." Seras's smirk was cocky and outright demonic; it matched that of her Master's. "Can't have the men killing all the Freaks before I get a crack at them~" The thought of bloodshed and battle had immediately shifted the vampire from her disheartened mood.

"Yeah, see you when you get back." Willow responded with a smile. "Be careful!"

Seras's shadowy limb spread and morphed into a pair of misty, tenebrous wings. They were beautiful and billowed around the Draculina's curvaceous form, protectively shielding her from any potential dangers. Kicking off the ground with a booted foot, Seras took to the night sky; the demonic wings stretched to their full length. The vampire appeared like that of an ominous, predatory bird that spent its days prowling the celestial sphere. She was truly a sight to behold. Utterly marvelous and bewitching. Willow watched on then as the vampiric shadows wrapped around Seras and she disappeared in a flashing red line, darting across the skies towards London.

Willow's features softened and she pivoted around to head back inside. The lights in the hallways were being switched on by scurrying maids and she nodded to each one in greeting when she passed. Most gave her kind smiles in return, while others merely nodded absentmindedly; completely focused on their tasks. Willow made her way to the main foyer and ascended the staircase, her hand running along the smooth mahogany banister. As she reached the top, she came face-to-face with the head butler of the household, Jonathan Reynolds. He was a tall man, perhaps a few inches shorter than Alucard. Also, he was around her age, twenty-six from what she could recall. A constant expression of stoicism perpetually adorned his face, but Willow always managed to bring forth a smile from him. He was an attractive man too, what with his slicked back brown hair and sculpted facial features; and his eyes were the brightest of green.

"Good evening, Miss Willow." Jonathan greeted in a quiet tone, his English accent velvety and deep as he dipped in a respectful bow.

"Hey, Jonathan." Willow smiled sweetly at him, to which he gave a brief one in response. "How are you today?"

"I am well, young miss. I was just on my way to fetch Sir Integra her chamomile tea." He was carrying a silver platter in his hand and gestured to the empty teacup sitting on it. "She is having a rather stressful evening and requested more. You know how it soothes her mind and relaxes her."

"Of course, I am the one who recommended it after all." The woman's smile enlarged into a content grin.

"Indeed, miss." His own smile was curt and short-lived. "Now then, I must be off. Sir Integra is awaiting you in her study." Jonathan then passed her to descend the stairs, glancing over his shoulder one last time to give her a parting nod.

Willow continued on her journey down the hallway, brushing her slim hands over her uniform and smoothing out any creases or ruffles. She then made sure her hair was proper and not in too much of a disarray. The nerves were eating away at her and her stomach churned with anxiety; she was so apprehensive, and grew more so the closer she got to Sir Integra's office. She diverted her attention to the paintings decorating the walls of the hallway, eying each one closely in hopes of distracting herself. Integra's home was magnificent and Willow did wonder who it was that designed it. She was skeptical that Van Helsing, a Dutch physician, had articulated the appearance and layout of the manor….though she was sure he formulated the plans for the sub-levels. The dungeon that Alucard was formerly housed in before Integra released him forty years ago. The thought made Willow shiver. Van Helsing must have forced Alucard to endure endless torture to restrict the Nosferatu's unimaginable power. A strong chain had to be holding the vampire to this place, he was too strong a force to not be.

Great. She was thinking of Alucard again. So much for distracting herself.

Willow came to a stop a few feet from Integra's office door and wrung her hands nervously, her fingers shaky and fidgeting. She wasn't afraid of Alucard, oh Lord no, she was merely anxious for the impending conversation between them; she would be telling him that she had been dreaming about him. That would give him a definite ego boost, Willow thought wryly to herself and was completely unaware of the mass of black tendrils emerging from the wall behind her.

"You certainly are a sight, standing like a silent gargoyle in the middle of the hallway." A deep, rough voice rasped with amusement and Willow shot three feet in the air, releasing an alarmed yelp.

Whirling around, the young woman's hand clutched at her chest; over her frantically beating heart. "God! Don't do that! You nearly gave me a bloody heart attack!"

Alucard's wicked grin grew, his large fangs gleaming in the light of the hallway. "You should be more aware of your surroundings, my dear." He purred and stepped closer to tower over her, his 6'1" hulk of a body easily shadowing her 5'5" form. "I could have been a man hoping to initiate dastardly things…"

Willows huffed and crossed her arms under her chest, noticing the vampire's magenta eyes slipping down to her breasts; she steadily ignored that and marched on. "No one here would do such a thing, except you apparently." She narrowed her hazel gaze at him and the demonic man heaved a dark, growling chuckle.

"Oh, my lady, I assure you that I am a sincere gentleman." Alucard bowed his head in a low nod, his piercing gaze riddled with mockery and cynical humour.

Willow cocked a slim eyebrow, jutting her hip haughtily and resting the majority of her weight on her left leg. She never had such a conversation with a man before; though, Alucard was more than just a simple man. Standing so close to him, his dominance was palpable. His presence demanded respect and submission. There was a superiority in his eyes, he expected those in his company to fear him. To submit to him. Well, she wouldn't be one of those cowering people. She would meet him head on, respecting him and looking for respect in return.

"Is that so? Well, that remains to be seen." Willow threw him a smug smirk, effectively hiding her apprehension. "Oh and I'm not your lady." She spun around and sauntered right up the the door, opening it and walking inside.

"Hello, Sir Integra. I hope you're having a delightful evening!"

"It could be better. Thank you for coming, Willow."

(())

This woman was so delectable. So enticing. Alucard's eyes darkened and traced the movements of Willow, watching her stride into Integra's office. The tantalising sway of her rounded hips was evident and Alucard presumed that she wasn't even aware of how delicious she was. Willow possessed a spitfire beneath her innocence and gentle smile; Alucard was unbelievably pleased. The No-Life King desired this woman on an outworldly level. There was a lust building within him that he hadn't felt in centuries. He hungered for her bountiful body and the touch of her hands, knowing that they would feel like silk upon his skin. He wished to devour her. Consume her. The thought had taken over his mind since he first laid eyes on her. It had kept him awake in his coffin for the collectiveness of the day. His ponderings were that loud and that quaking in his mind, even the damnable cat had awoken from its slumber and questioned him. He ignored the boy as always. The Chesire cat that wrought him his thirty year absence was now the only soul dwelling within him; the only one he needed in order to be truly immortal. He had now earned his immortality from the Millennium incident, and protecting those he had grown to care about. Integra, his beloved Master, and Seras, his loyal servant. Schrödinger often mocked him within the corners of his mind as the Count wiped out the souls inside him, telling the vampire that he would never return to his master and fledgling. Well, he obviously had proven the nonsensical cat wrong. Now, however, the boy pestered him on the matter of Alucard's newfound interest in Willow Rhodes. He had ignored the queries, choosing to focus solely on thoughts of the woman.

Alucard's mind shot back to the present and he strode into the room, the door sweeping shut behind him with a sharp slam. He came up beside Willow, in front of Integra's desk, and smirking devilishly when the woman glanced up at him with her tremendous, hazel eyes. Her expression had lost its fire from seconds ago and her nervousness was abundantly clear to him. His advanced sense of smell caught the telltale signs of anxiety coming from her and his smirk twitched. He was enjoying the knowledge that his presence was affecting her. He wasn't alone then.

"Alucard, it isn't like you to use the door." Integra raised an eyebrow at him, a cigar hanging loosely between her lips. The smoke was trailing lazily up into the air and the smell travelled throughout the room. He wasn't fond of a cigars' scent and found smoking to be a terrible habit; Alucard often berated his master mockingly for it in the past.

Alucard shrugged his wide shoulders, his arm lightly touching Willows'. He had to suppress a pleasant shiver at the contact. "I had the chance to startle little Willow here, and took it." The woman next to him twitched and he chuckled a little.

Integra's eyes of ice blue grew slightly and she smirked knowingly at him. His own pink orbs narrowed, suspicion churning in him. What...

"I see. Well, since you are both here, we can call this little meeting to order." The woman removed the cigar from her mouth with a wrinkled hand and dabbed it in the ashtray, effectively putting it out. She then rested her elbows on the table and steepled her fingers, her pointed chin coming to sit on them.

"Now then, Alucard, Willow was one of the few here that had the utmost faith in your return." Alucard's brow furrowed at her words, recalling what Seras had said something along similar lines last night. It was confusing though, since he never knew of Willow before last night.

"She knew in the most peculiar and fascinating of ways." The woman finished and gave the younger one across from her an expectant look.

Alucard directed his gaze down to Willow who faced him fully, fluttering her long lashes owlishly.

"Umm…" She wrung her hands nervously and Alucard surmised that this must be a habit. "I don't know if you'll believe this but...I am a clairvoyant." Willow stated and the vampire's expression barely changed, only the marginal widening of his eyes.

"Second sight?" Alucard asked curiously and watched her nod in confirmation.

"For years I have been...dreaming about you. Visions of you have been appearing in my mind." A lovely blush bloomed on her face and a cocky smirk graced Alucard's, his enjoyment of hearing this blatant. "I could hear your voice, you spoke of Hellsing a lot...I saw visions of Integra and Seras with you...among other things." Willow looked away then, a sadness in her hazel eyes and Alucard's smirk disappeared. He scrutinized her, wanting to find out what she meant by that last uttering.

"She came here, searching for answers." Integra's voice broke in and he looked at her. "We were obviously skeptical at first, but as she spoke...well, the truth became clear. So we told her everything and I took her on as a nurse."

"...But why would you be seeing visions of me?" Alucard finally asked and gave Willow a questioning look.

She peered up at him and spoke softly, "I can't control the dreams and visions. I have no control over what I see. So...I don't know."

"I see." His voice was low and guttural; he was now even more confused as to what this woman was, why she tempted him so.

"Her visions have benefitted us though, many times over the last two years." Integra had a small smile on her face as she regarded Willow with a deep respect that Alucard knew she rarely ever felt toward anyone. "She has helped prevent accidents, losses on missions, etcetera."

"Well, isn't that something?" Alucard felt a grin forming, his sharp fangs peeking out over his bottom lip. He looked down at Willow again. "You are certainly something to behold, my dear. Truly, you possess a marvelous gift."

Willow's plump lips parted in shock, her gorgeous orbs enlarging; the flecks of gold within their depths became more vibrant. By the night, she was bewitching. Alucard's features softened in the slightest.

"..Thank you...No one has ever told me something quite like that before!" She breathed and her lips shaped into the brightest smile Alucard had ever seen in all his years of life and unlife.

Integra suddenly cleared her throat, calling for the attention of them both. "Well, if you have any further questions Alucard, you may ask Willow in your own time. That is, if she doesn't mind of course."

Willow shook her head and continued to smile at the Count. "Not at all! I'd be more than happy to answer any." Alucard sensed that her apprehension was gone and only a miniscule amount of nervousness remained. Good. Perhaps she could now be comfortable enough to speak more freely to him, like she had earlier. He wanted to see more of the affect he had on her; a part of him also teased that he secretly hoped to get to know the woman, but he dutifully ignored it. It was probably the urgings of that damn cat again.

"Good. Now, that is all I have to say. Thank God that was brief." Integra leaned back in her chair and sighed. "If you would be so kind as to vacate my office, I have work to do and tea on the way."

Alucard smirked as Willow giggled quietly next to him. "Of course, my master. Do have a wonderful evening." He turned to make his way over to the door, choosing to use that as he felt Willow following behind him.

Alucard's shadows littered the floor silently, slithering along the doorframe and the door swung open on his command. He gazed down at Willow with a brash smirk as she gaped at the show of his power.

"After you, my lady~" He bowed elegantly, his tall form practically encasing hers and he swept a long arm out. His earlier 'my lady' remark flashed in his mind and his smirk grew ever the more confident.

He could see Willow trying and failing to stifle her giddy smile and she hurried by him to walk out into the hallway. With one last parting glance at his master, who rolled her eyes at the scene, Alucard swaggered out of the room; his red duster whipped behind him and his black hair flowed around his face as he went.

He joined Willow outside and the door slipped shut behind him. He called his shadows back to him and the seal upon his gloves glowed ominously with the further use of his power. He had yet to experiment with his newly-acquired ability of omnipresence. The power to be everywhere and nowhere. He had to rectify that soon.

"Walk with me, Willow." The order was firm and clear from his lips and he began to walk down the hallway, the lights dimming when he passed under them. His darkness clouded the hallway and travelled along the walls and floor.

"Huh? Alright!" The young woman trotted up next to him, seemingly unaware of the oppressive shadows coating the area.

He tilted his head downward and regarded her with inquiring eyes, his mouth still smirking. "I do happen to have questions."

"I expected as much." Willow chuckled and smiled up at him. "What would you like to know?"

"How long have you had this clairvoyance of yours?" He asked as he led her to a long window located in one of the alcoves of the manor, overlooking the garden outside. Alucard stayed standing while Willow sat herself down on the burgundy cushion of the sill. She brought her legs under her and leaned her shoulder against the glass pane, gazing up at the night sky. The shining light of the moon illuminated Willow's beautiful face, mesmerising Alucard and he gave a slight shake of his head. He shouldn't be bewitched by such an innocent display. This was getting out of hand, the lust for her body was enough.

"As long I can remember really." She spoke gently and played with a stray thread on the sleeve of her uniform. Even such loose clothing failed to hide her curves from his view. "My mother once told me that, when I was little, I would speak of things minutes before they even happened."

"And I assume it became stronger over time?" He crossed his arms and laid his broad shoulder against the wall, his eyes firmly on her.

Willow nodded in response, "Yeah. The visions were clearer and easy to read, I started dreaming about events that wouldn't happen for months. The dreams occurred over and over again until the event passed."

Alucard averted his gaze, his eyes now focusing on the scenery outside. "...How long were you seeing visions of myself?"

He heard her breath hitch and his haunting eyes shot back to her, noticing that she seemed to be struggling with her answer. "...Two years, as Integra said."

He smelled deception. There was a lie in the air. He wouldn't call her out on it now though, he would play this game and see where it led. Besides, he could tease her now with no scolding masters in the background.

"Oh? I see. So, as Integra said, you came here to search for answers...about me~" His voice deepened and had a seductive edge to it. His smirk was slow and sensual; he knew how to charm a woman and from the way Willow frantically drew her eyes away from him, it worked on her too.

"...Yes. I did." She cleared her throat awkwardly. "The need to know was killing me."

Alucard chuckled, "And now you are meeting me in the flesh. How delightful it must be~"

A smile broke out on Willow's face and she rolled her eyes fondly, "I suppose it is." She looked up at him and squinted her eyes. "Though, your eyes were red in my dreams. Not pink." Her lips drew down in something akin to a pout.

Alucard barked a laugh and grinned, "Yes, well, that was something out of my control. The only soul currently residing within me just so happens to have eyes of this colour." He ran a gloved hand through his bangs to slide them away from his forehead, giving her a clear view of his pinkish orbs. A surge of pride shot through the Count when a blush dusted the cheeks of Willow. He knew he was a handsome man, even though outward appearances meant nothing to him. The form he took held no meaning. However, he was immensely satisfied to know she found him attractive.

"Yeah…" She uttered meekly and then she took on a serious expression. "So, do you have any other questions?"

He released his ebony locks and they brushed his cheeks and the bridge of his nose once again. "Hmmm…" Alucard blinked lazily and smirked. "May I ask personal questions? About your family and such." For some odd reason, he was genuinely curious about the details of her life before she came to Hellsing. He wanted to know more about her, which confused him and the little voice in his mind giggled gleefully. It had gotten its way. He nearly snarled but managed to suppress the urge.

"You really want to ask questions like that?" Willow blinked and he hummed affirmatively. She looked bewildered but nodded anyway. "Okay, what would you like to know?"

"Where were you born? You have an English accent but your appearance tells another story." He rumbled and gave her a once-over, eying her tanned complexion and dark hair.

"Oh, I was born here but my mother and her family are from Spain." Willow beamed brightly and he knew then and there that she was happier when speaking of her family.

"Interesting, and you know the language?" He inquired.

"Spanish? Of course I do! I'm not as fluent as my mother's side, but I am very adept at it." She giggled a little and Alucard's smirk minimised into something that could be considered a smile.

"You should speak it sometime." He answered and tilted his head questioningly. "And what of your father?"

Alucard saw the change in her instantly. Her eyes casted down to her hands folded on her thighs, an old sadness in their hazel depths.

"My father…" Willow sighed solemnly. "He passed away when I was sixteen, he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. He was a smoker and...nothing could be done."

Sympathy gleamed in Alucard's eyes but his features were stoic and nonchalant. He would never show outright pity nor empathy for someone. Anderson was the one exception and the vampire had broken down when the man sacrificed the most precious thing a person had; their humanity. In this situation though, it was beneath him and regardless of the fact that he had become more open with those he cared about, he wasn't particularly ready to show weakness in the form of sympathy for a human. Even for this marvelous one before him.

"...My condolences." He answered in an almost inaudible tone.

Willow shrugged and gave him a grateful smile. "It was years ago and...I have learned to deal with it."

Alucard nodded his head and then something roused his curiosity further, "Speaking of years, how old are you?" She was definitely younger than thirty, but she couldn't be too young considering the fact that she had, he assumed, some form of certificate in nursing.

"I'm twenty-four years old." She replied and frowned for a moment before chuckling, as if a thought had just popped into her head. "When Sir Integra took me on, I still had over a year left in my nursing degree. She didn't mind though, the other nurses on staff here at the time helped me through it."

"Hn, I see. Quite interesting."

Willow Rhodes was a human woman of only twenty-four years. Still a blooming, little sapling, Alucard mused with a diabolical smirk. From her delicious scent, he gathered that she was a virgin. His inner demon soared at this revelation; older virgins were in such short supply in this day and age. The enchantress that was Willow, in all her beauty, was still a pure and untainted woman. Something dark and sinister bucked at the reigns of Alucard's subconscious, desiring to ravage the delectable morsel sitting before it. The No-Life King felt a coil in his abdomen, one that was twisted with lust and want; it was ready to spring when given the chance. Alucard knew, however, that he ought to be meticulous when approaching this. He merely wanted the woman's body, nothing more. He merely wanted the woman's essence, nothing more.

It was fundamental that he not allow Willow to develop any sort of romantic affiliation towards him.

Alucard clenched his fists tightly then, teeth gritting behind his close-lipped mouth when another thought broadcasted in his mind's eye.

He, as a Nosferatu, must also not feel anything more than lust for this alluring, fascinating woman.

(())

A/N: There you have it! I sincerely hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

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