Soaring: Hey ya'll! Sorry for not posting a new chapter for so long, but we've been busy!
Sharta: And I thought that we didn't post 'cause there were no reviews *stares at readers pointedly* Anyhoo, this is a filler chapter and the fun stuff will start next chapter *evil laugh*
Soaring: Please, please, with cherries on top give us reviews! *jumps up and down*
Disclaimer: Does it look like we own Hellsing?
Chapter 1
When Integra arrived back in her office, Alucard was still sprawled in front of the fire; he must have thrown a few more logs on the fire because it was much warmer.
She didn't say anything to the vampire, but she smirked, knowing that he was watching her out of the corner of his eye. He scooted closer to the fire and pretended like he didn't notice her presence.
Integra took a cigar out of a drawer in her desk, lit it, and then went to stand by the large window. It was almost pitch black outside, the only things that were illuminated were the lampposts, their faded yellow light shined dimly.
She puffed on her cigar, thinking about recent developments, but then she remembered that Hajna had no idea where anything was. I better give Hajna the tour personally and try to assert the fact that she has nothing to fear from myself or the staff, Integra thought.
"Don't leave this room until I come back, Alucard." she ordered the cat-like vampire, who only grunted in response, before stamping out her cigar and leaving the room.
She walked back to the bathroom and knocked quietly on the wooden door.
"Come in." Hajna whimpered. Integra sighed and opened the door to find the werewolf dressed, but cowering in the corner, wrapping her arms around herself protectively. She wore a peasant style, white, cotton top with black, leather pants.
"What are you doing down there?" Integra asked gently as she crouched beside the shaking girl. She didn't whimper that time, which was an improvement, but she still flinched significantly.
"Waiting," Hajna whispered, eyeing Integra cautiously.
"Waiting for what?"
"For something bad to happen," the girl said, scooting as close to the wall as possible.
She knew what Hajna meant by something. Integra remained silent for a moment, unsure what to say, but she decided and said, as she stood up,
"Come on. Get up, I'm going to give you a tour of the estate and introduce you to all my staff." Hajna looked up at her, uncertain, but Integra gave her a smile, and held out a hand to help her up. Hajna looked at the extended hand as if it was something dangerous and slowly stood up on her own. Integra dropped her hand and acted like nothing happened.
Integra led the werewolf through the Hellsing mansion, introducing her to the main staff. The maids took an instant liking to the shy girl, and Integra hoped that their outgoing personality would rub off on the young werewolf.
Once they made it to the kitchen, they found the cook, hard at work preparing a dinner for the staff. The cook was a plump, kind woman with a stubborn streak. Her long brown hair was bulled up into a bun, but a few loose ends stuck to her face as she bustled around the kitchen.
"Oh, hello, Sir Integra!" the cook called as she continued to rush around the kitchen. She stopped when she saw Hajna hidden behind her master. "Who is this?" she asked kindly. "Would you like a brownie, I can make you some?" the cook asked the shy werewolf.
"No, no, you're busy, I'm not really that hungry!" she was flustered, actually, truly, flustered. Integra couldn't believe it, the quiet, cowering girl was now showing an emotion other than fear; who knew that a simple trip down to the kitchen would turn into such a break through?
"Nonsense! What would you like?" the cook asked, stirring a soup while she waited for a reply.
"No, really, you shouldn't have to make me anything!" Hajna said. She even was waving her hands around in opposition to the thought of the cook making her food.
"Well, if you insist, but I can't have anyone hungry in this house. Come here and you can make your own dinner while I finish making dinner for the staff." the cook said. Hajna rushed over and followed all of the cooks' instructions.
Integra smiled. She found it amusing that all it took was cooking her own dinner to bring Hajna out of her shell. Integra sat down on a chair and watched Hajna rush around the kitchen, making brownies and what looked like a large sandwich. When the werewolf finished, she brought two plates over to the kitchen's bar. Each plate had equal portions of food, and Integra was shocked to find four fudge brownies along with half a turkey sandwich. Integra took a bite of the chocolate goodness, and would have moaned in delight, if there were no staff in her presence. Integra made a mental note to take Hajna to the kitchen more often.
After eating, Integra concluded the tour at her office. All of the staff was friendly and accepting, allowing Hajna to relax slightly.
Alucard had obeyed and was still in the office, lying out in front of the fireplace, and seemed to be dozing, he had been awake for most of the day after all; he must be exhausted. Integra bent down and scratched the sprawled out vampire on the head, causing him start purring. His current position on top of his load purring made him look like a giant cat. Integra snickered.
"So, where would you like your room to be? Would you prefer a light room or a dark one?" Integra asked Hajna, gesturing for her to sit down on the couch that touched the wall next to the window.
Hajna sat down. "A light room, please." She replied, wringing her hands as Integra reached out and pulled her desk chair around and closer to the couch.
"OK, do you know what wing of the house you would like to be in?"
"The wing with the kitchen, please." Hajna answered, staring at her hands.
"You don't have to be nervous; making a request is perfectly fine. I'll send Walter to prepare a room the next time I see him, but for right now, you can stay here." Integra said, smiling at the shy girl, hoping not to seem threatening.
Hajna morphed into her wolf form, which surprised Integra, and sprawled out on the couch. A few minutes later, Walter entered, carrying a tray of tea.
"Walter, I need you to go prepare a room in the kitchen wing for Hajna," Integra said as she took a sip of her tea.
"Yes, Ma'am, but, if I may ask, where did she come from?" Walter bowed slightly but paused listening for the answer.
"You would have to ask Alucard for an in-depth answer, but he brought her back from the mission today as a present for me."She replied as she sat down at her desk to finish the work that never really got started.
"Yes, Ma'am." Walter bowed out, leaving Integra to work.
An hour or so later, Alucard woke from his nap. Hajna was snoring slightly, and Integra was finishing up her paperwork. All my soldiers are male, so why do I keep getting requests for maternity leave?! Integra thought angrily.
Alucard stretched and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Standing to his full height, he walked over to his master and watched her work. When that proved boring, he turned to mess with the sleeping werewolf. Retrieving a feather from Integra's desk, he crept up to the slumbering girl and touched her ear with the feather. When it flicked, Alucard snickered silently and repeated the action. The wolf let out a small growl, and Alucard touched the feather to her nose. With a great sneeze, Alucard was covered in werewolf snot, and Hajna slumbered on. Integra looked up from her work and tried not to laugh, which was proving difficult due to the look on Alucards face.
"Alucard, go take a bath," Integra ordered, allowing humor to lace her voice. The vampire growled and phased out of the room.
Integra stood stiffly and walked over to the snoring wolf. "Hajna, wake up," she whispered. An amber eye opened and peered up at Integra curiously. "How about you go and settle into your room."
"Yes, Master." Hajna said with a great yawn, her tongue curling around her long teeth. This master didn't sound derogatory; she really meant it this time. She quietly loped out of the room, leaving Integra to continue working. Integra wasn't thinking about work anymore, she was thinking about the long road ahead to get Hajna to feel like this is her home; a safe and loving haven.