Iron Bars
Disclaimer: Hellsing belongs people who are not me. I am making £0.00 out of this fic, it is written purely because I have a burning need to create. Although I would like to own Alucard . . . then he'd be mine.
Rating: PG
Set: Before the Manga.
Authoress note: When Integra took the reigns of the Hellsing organization
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Chapter Two
{The following day}
(Walter POV)
"How long are you going to take." Walter groaned loudly.
"Patience is a virtue." Alucard's voice had a sing-song tone to it as he mocked his companion from behind the bathroom door.
"You'll go all wrinkly," Walter threatened.
"I have no objections to wrinkles Walter," Alucard replied.
"Just because you're immortal doesn't mean the rest of us are," Walter said, impatient with the immortal. As if in answer the water switched off ."Thank god." Walter said. The door opened of its own accord and steam poured from the room.
"I doubt the jacket can be repaired," Alucard said. "It fell apart when I removed it."
"I doubt I care," Walter muttered under his breath.
"I heard that," Alucard said. "I was making the point that I'm going to be walking around in a towel." Walter smiled to himself, able at last to pat himself on the back for some premeditated action taken twenty years ago. He stared at the steam filled room, but he could not make out the vampire. He walked over to the open door and opened the box the men had placed beside it.
"Your previous master wished to destroy all evidence of your existence, save your files, and even those were well hidden. However, I slipped in and was able to rescue a few bits and pieces." Walter smiled, but it faded fast, " you understand I had to leave some if he found the room empty he would have known."There was silence for a moment before Alucard replied.
"Thank you, Walter," he said slowly. Walter smiled at the vampires tone, it was surprised. "An unexpected kindness,"
"You're welcome old Monster," Walter said before digging through the box. "What clothing I managed to rescue will be old but wearable. I'm sure we can get you something more appropriate soon." A pale arm reached out of the steam to take the offered attire.
"They smell like an attic," Alucard commented mildly.
"Where did you think I hid them?" Walter said. "You'll be pleased to know I managed to rescue your box." Again there was silence from the vampire. Walter leaned down into the box and pulled out a small, heavy wooden box. His thumb ran over the lock remembering the last and only time he had seen it open. The contents of the box were unremarkable, a red hair ribbon that appeared so old if it was touched it would fall apart in your hands, a bracelet adorned with rubies undoubtedly female, a ring, clearly made for a man, the engraving was far to worn to be seen clearly, however, a few coins and a piece of extremely old paper with foreign words.
Alucard had called them "little bits of compassion". The moment had resonated enough with Walter that when Arthur ordered the room be dismantled and the contents destroyed Walter had gone looking for the box, to save it.
"Thank you, Walter," Alucard said as he emerged from the steam. Walter had to admit that some blood packs, sleep, a lot more blood packs, and a shower later and the vampire looked somewhat like his old self again, despite the white hair.
"Feel better?" Walter asked
"I do," Alucard said.
"Glad to hear it, our water bill would suffer if you decided another shower was in order." Walter smiled. The vampire tilted his head and his eyes lost focus, Walter knew that look well, Alucard was listening to another conversation.
"The little master is having trouble with the knights," Alucard said after a few moments. "She is not like her father."
"Her father locked you in the basement for years," Walter said, defensive.
"Her father controlled those around him," Alucard shrugged. "He was starting to lose that control and fear was taking its place. The illness did a lot of damages before it destroyed him."
"He wasn't ill when he put you down there," Walter said. Alucard smirked and tapped the side of his nose. "You can smell cancer?"
"Most animals can Walter, you accept this, why to be surprised to know that I can," Alucard laughed. "When hunting, a vampire will avoid the sick. Sickness in our food means sickness in us. It is only natural we would develop a way to know if our prey was healthy."
"Fascinating," Walter said turning away. "You said Integra was having problems?" Alucard nodded. "You were brought up to serve as a show of strength, if she is struggling I say that is your queue."
"A master who cannot contest with her supposed equals is no master at all," Alucard muttered. Walter rolled his eyes and glanced at his watch.
"They've been in for almost an hour, I would say that calls for a tea break," he walked down to the kitchen leaving the vampire grumbling in the guest bedroom.
Walter arrived in the kitchen to find the house staff preparing lunch. The knights were due to lunch in an hour and a half, plenty of time if he took tea now. He lifted the pre-prepared tray and smiled at one of the young girls chopping vegetables.
"I thought you'd want to do the tea service Sir." her bright smile made Walter a little uncomfortable, but he smiled in return and took the tray. Walking up to the third floor he composed himself, so that when he reached the door he could knock once and enter smoothly.
"This is preposterous!" a knight snapped ."A girl child the leader of Helsing."
"Which offends you more," Integra asked feigning nonchalance, "the fact I am a child or a girl." Walter hid his smile by turning away and putting the tea tray down on the side table. He began lifting off cups and laying them out.
"You realize if not for your uncle's untimely disappearance we would insist on him taking this role." the second speaker was calmer than the first.
"Strange," Integra said. "Her Majesty agreed to me taking the head of this organization when he was still alive." She was holding her own under the onslaught, Walter had no idea what Alucard was talking about.
"Little girls do not run organizations," the first knight snapped standing to tower over the small form of Integra. "They are not capable, physically and mentally weak!" Walter stepped forward.
"I disagree," a calm voice floated from the shadows. Walter saw Integra smile at the expression on the knight's face. Her smile widened when her vampire slipped through the wall. "I think you will find her stronger than her predecessor." Alucard stopped, standing behind Integra's chair. He looked to his diminutive master, who nodded her approval. Alucard reached out to the knight who had been standing over Integra, gripping the man's fragile wrist, tightly causing him to try and jerk away, failing miserably.
"Hiding behind your vampire Integra?" the calmer of the knights spoke up, acting unfazed by the proximity of the vampire.
"Sir Integra!" Integra snapped standing. "And I do not hide!" She took a moment to glare at each of them while the one who had risen to his feet whimpered in her vampires grip. "Those who matter have recognized my right and ability to run this organization. I will rule Hellsing and I will do it with or without your approval." Alucard smiled wider clenching his hand tightly around his captives wrist, forcing the man to his knees with a cry of pain, driving home Integra's point.
"So fragile," Alucard whispered
"That's enough Alucard," Integra said quietly, calmly. Instantly Alucard released the man's wrist with a sigh of disappointment.
"You may leave," Integra instructed. With a nod, the vampire was swallowed by the shadows. Walter continued serving the tea as the meeting went on with a very different tone.
Alucard was waiting for him in the hall as he left the meeting room. He was looking extremely smug.
"It was slightly over dramatic, but I think they got the point" Walter smiled.
End Fic
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My first Novel, Grey Wings has now been released!
GREY WINGS
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However, their journey will be hampered by Fallen Angels, Earth Spirits, and Griffons – and none can say if everyone will make it home.