Chapter 2

Author's note: I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a month. I've been busy attending to personal matters. Not to mention I was distracted by the Star Wars Clone Wars Micro Series.

Well, distractions aside, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

Shonen ai in this chapter. Homophobes beware.

Drip drop, drip drop

It began to pour shortly after Hagi left the convenience store. It was late in the night, and he inconspicuously dashed home in an unseeable blue flash with a bag in hand, but suddenly jolted to a stop.

He'd collided into the back of a fellow pedestrian. The man he'd accidentally slammed into didn't topple over like the norm, but stood sturdily after being hit with full force. The rain must have dampened his usual grace and sharp senses. Although no one was injured, he apologized because it was the proper thing to do, as the first Joel had taught him so many years ago.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright? Are you hurt?" He hurriedly asked the figure he'd crashed into.

The man suddenly turned around and faced Hagi, as if he'd just noticed him for the first time. "Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about it." He answered smoothly.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Hagi found that he couldn't tear his eyes away from the mysterious man. He was impossibly tall with short midnight black hair and wore a long red duster jacket, a matching wide brimmed fedora hat, and a pair of round amber tinted sunglasses. Behind the rounded glasses was a pair of eerie glowing red eyes. His grin was wide and slightly unnerving, with two long and pointed canines poking through his lovely lips. Clearly he was not ordinary, but supernatural and non human, just as Hagi was. Was it that fact alone that made him so alluring? To find someone who was similar to himself?

Hagi mentally shook those thoughts out of his head as he was allowing himself to be distracted from his current task. He bid the stranger a brief and abrupt farewell and was about to continue on his merry way.

"Wait." The deep and satiny voice called out from behind him once more. Hagi stopped in his tracks and turned his head back to show that he was willing to listen to what the red clad gentleman had to say.

"I've lost the way to my hotel. Do you think you can help me find my way back?" He pulled a business card with the hotel's address out of his coat pocket and handed it to Hagi, who hesitantly took it and carefully read it.

Perhaps this stranger somehow knew that he had a good sense of direction. It wouldn't be bad to help someone who was lost, now would it? His mother had often told him (rest her soul) to help others who were in trouble, despite the fact that his family had lived a nomadic lifestyle. His parents had taught him well. The dark brunette looked back to the man in red. "Yes, I know the way to this place.

Please follow me." He politely answered. After living in Koza for over a decade, Hagi knew the streets and roads of Okinawa with the back of his hand.

The walk to the hotel wasn't too far, so it left time for small talk between the two men. Hagi wasn't certain whether he should introduce himself or not as he was shy and reserved by nature. His inner self wasn't cold or aloof, contrary to the image he projected to the world. Neither he nor Alucard had struck up a conversation. A friendly introduction might make the walk a little less awkward, he supposed.

Hagi looked to the fedora wearing individual walking alongside him.

"My name is Hagi by the way."

"I'm sorry, where are my manners? Alucard is the name." He replied, and amiably reached out for a handshake. He had a strong and firm grip.

Alucard; he thought. Wasn't he the Hellsing Organization's missing trump card? What on earth was he doing all the way out in Okinawa?

Hagi remembered that the Red Shield had briefly joined up with Hellsing in London shortly before Saya's final battle with Diva. He also recalled seeing a photo of Alucard on a mantle above the fireplace inside Hellsing's spacious headquarters. Its members were also quite unique and memorable. There was the energetic and bubbly Draculina- Seras Victoria, the youthful new butler, and of course the ever powerful and commanding Sir Integra. Despite his memories, the meeting was short lived before anyone was properly acquainted since rogue vampires and chiropterans were still running rampant around the streets of London during that chaotic time.

Within minutes, Hagi and Alucard had reached their destination. The hotel was large, luxurious, and grand with more than ten stories and a fountain. No one with an average salary could afford to stay at this place.

"Hagi, would you like to join me for a drink? It's the least I can offer to repay your kindness." Alucard asked.

Hagi quickly pulled out his old pocket watch to check the time and saw that it was well past ten. "I'm sorry, but it's late and I have to get home before my family starts to worry. I was only out on an errand." Hagi replied, which was partly true. But for some unknown reason, Alucard had captured his interest. He stood there and thought for a moment and carefully chose his next sentence.

"Actually, would tomorrow evening be a better time? At around seven in the evening?" Hagi asked.

Alucard's wide and toothy grin graced his handsome features once more. "Of course, that would be fine. I'll be waiting here tomorrow at 7. See you then."

Hagi fidgeted slightly under Alucard's intense gaze. Boy was he tall. "Good night. I-I'll see you tomorrow then." He uncharacteristically stammered.

Both men then parted their separate ways for the night.

"gi…. Uncle Hagi! You're burning our breakfast!"

It was morning the next day and the girls were eagerly waiting for food before leaving for school.

Black smoke billowed from the pan. Hagi suddenly snapped out of his thoughts and quickly turned off the heat to the stove. In his years of cooking at Omoro, he'd never burnt a single morsel of food since today. Tonight's secret meeting with Alucard had been occupying his thoughts since last night.

"Ah, I'm sorry." He mumbled and quickly scraped the charcoal black remains of the eggs into the trash and began making another batch.

"Uncle Hagi, is something bothering you?" Asked the ever perceptive Hibiki.

"No, I…." He began uncertainly, not wanting to reveal his new acquaintance just yet. He was protective by nature and didn't want to tell his loved ones about his meeting, in case he ended up unintentionally endangering them. Luckily, he was saved from his awkward moment when Kai descended from the staircase after his morning routine.

"Girls, hurry up and finish your breakfast or you'll be late. Hagi, are the bentos packed yet?"

"Yes," Hagi answered simply. He'd made them smiling piggy shaped rice balls with a side of beef croquettes, diced fruit, and added a boiled egg to each lunch box as usual.

Kanade and Hibiki quickly shoveled down their food before rushing over to their uncle and taking their respective lunches. "Thanks Uncle Hagi! Bye dad!" They bolted out the door and made their way to school, which was only a short walk away.

Kai and Hagi looked fondly after the girls as they left.

"Well, time to open the restaurant." Said Kai as he stretched his arms over his head and rolled his neck. "Another long day of work, eh Hagi?"

"Yes, another long day." He echoed absently. His thoughts had suddenly drifted back to Alucard when he started grating carrots for a special cake order. Why couldn't he stop thinking about the enigmatic Alucard? Was he attracted to him? He knew that his love and loyalty to Saya was unquestioned and absolute, but why couldn't he stop thinking about him? I'm a man. How could I be attracted to him? Kai's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Um… Hagi? Why are you mixing salt into the cake batter?"

"Huh?" He looked down and realized that he mistook the salt for sugar. He sighed inwardly. It was going to be a long day indeed.

Evening arrived faster than a bullet train as the hours of the day quickly breezed by. Hagi couldn't believe that it was almost night time already.

"Kai, can you close up without me?" He asked Kai that evening.

"Sure, I can handle it. It's slow on weeknights anyway. Are you going somewhere?"

"I have personal matters to attend to…. Just tell the girls that if they ask about my whereabouts."

"So, how long will you be gone?"

Hagi hesitated for another moment. "I'm not certain, but I'll be back by tomorrow for sure." He answered and left Omoro, leaving a confused and dumbstruck Kai behind. Hagi subtly glanced back and watched as Kai scratched his head, no doubt pondering about his unusual behavior tonight before he continued cleaning the tables. He knew without a doubt that the young veteran was more than capable of handling a night and morning taking care of the girls on his own.

The atmosphere outside was warm and humid as usual. It was nearly always this way long after sunset.

It wasn't like Hagi to physically show outward signs of anxiety, but he couldn't stop his hands from fidgeting as he walked down the streets of Koza to the designated hotel. Was he afraid of Alucard on a subconscious level? He sensed something odd about his presence, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. It fed his nearly too human fear of the unknown.

Now he was only a few steps from entering the grandiose building. Alucard had given Hagi his room number, which was helpful in making his trip hassle free. The hallway was regal and spacious, with identical oak doors lining the sides. He couldn't believe that he was already standing in front of Alucard's hotel room. Everything had happened so quickly. Was he dreading this moment?

Well, here goes nothing. The moment of truth- He thought to himself and knocked several times on the door. It clicked open immediately.

"Ah, Hagi. I've been expecting you." Alucard greeted him with his signature Cheshire cat grin. "I apologize for not coming to pick you up, but I would've never been able to navigate my way through this town. I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you."

"No, it wasn't any trouble at all. I-I brought you something." Hagi mumbled and extended the small plastic bag he was carrying to Alucard. He thought it might have seemed rude to show up without a small gift, so he'd packed a leftover slice of cake he'd baked earlier at the restaurant.

"Oh, for me? Thank you very much." Said Alucard graciously, as he gently unwove the bag from Hagi's outstretched fingers. "It smells lovely. How very kind of you."

Hagi wondered in the back of his mind if Alucard even ate sweets. Did he prefer blood? He suddenly reminisced about how human he'd become since living with Kai over the past ten years, as he allowed himself to feel emotions he would've normally repressed for Saya's sake- anxiety and uncertainty. He was beginning to sweat a little.

"Really, there's no need to be so tense. Relax a little. I won't bite." It was as if Alucard had read his mind or sensed his emotions. The red clad gent had lowered his voice to a soft and soothing purr and sounded as if he were a parent soothing a frightened child from a viciously barking dog.

"I have to admit you've piqued my interest, which is why I wanted us to be more acquainted. Hagi, would you care for a brandy or a scotch? Perhaps some tea?"

"Tea would be fine, thank you." Hagi answered, feeling less tense after learning that Alucard had shared his mutual sense of curiosity. Maybe he was just being a trusting and gullible fool, but his words sounded reassuring and sincere. The air in the room suddenly felt a little more warm and comfortable, as if a heavy veil had been lifted. So this was how it felt to establish a new friendship. It'd been so long, he'd almost forgotten that feeling.

The two men hit it off with a long conversation after Hagi finished his first cup of tea. Surprisingly, they both had a lot to talk about. He didn't reveal any personal details about himself, only a short bit on his current life, Kai, and his nieces at Omoro's.

He noticed that Alucard chose to drink from a small flask he'd pulled from his long coat, rather than drinking anything from the hotel. The scent of iron rich blood hit his nose from the flask. Naturally, the cake slice was left on the table untouched. His hunch had been correct. This really was the great vampire Alucard.

"You're originally from Bordeaux are you? That would explain your non native appearance." Alucard winked and wiped his mouth with the back of his gloved hand. "It sounds like you're living a fulfilling life. I'm rather envious."

"There's no reason to be envious. Running a restaurant and taking care of two girls is rather difficult, so I'm often busy." Hagi answered. "Alucard, would you mind if I asked you a personal question if it isn't too bothersome?"

"Certainly not. Ask away."

"What are you doing out here in Okinawa?" The question had been pestering him since the beginning.

Alucard crossed his legs and shifted in his seat, but he didn't look taken aback or evasive. "You've figured out who I was a while ago, haven't you? I suppose I could tell you if you have the time. Have you heard of the London Massacre of 1999?" Hagi nodded and made eye contact with Alucard. During that year, a large part of London was destroyed and millions of innocent civilians were killed. Saya was still in her deep hibernation cycle. Nearly every country he'd visited in Europe had related the story in some form- through newspapers, headlines, the media, and gossip. No one knew what really happened. All of the televisions he'd passed by in shops showed the once glorious streets and buildings of metropolitan London in complete and utter ruin.

"After the fall of London, I simply left since there wasn't much left for me. My master and servant were more than capable of reestablishing the Hellsing Organization, so there wasn't any reason for me to stick around. I'd caused enough damage already, although the Catholic Church and an old comrade were also involved."

There was just a tiny glint of sorrow in Alucard's eyes as he shifted his gaze downwards.

"You haven't had any contact with Hellsing since then?" Hagi asked.

"No, I haven't spoken to Sir Integra over the past 18 years." Alucard answered.

"What have you been doing during the last 20 or so years?" Hagi's voice was filled with curiosity and he genuinely wanted to hear more.

"Soul searching. It isn't as simple as it sounds, but I've been putting my inner demons and the many lives living inside of me to rest, killing them basically. That's my life during the past 20 years in a nutshell. I apologize for not making this easier to comprehend." Alucard chuckled softly.

"Not at all. No need to apologize." Hagi answered. "It must have been difficult for you." He understood how difficult it felt to be restless and conflicted. This was especially true after he'd found out that he no longer required sleep or regular food and had an overwhelming urge to protect Saya after he became her Chevalier. He was ashamed of his need to subsist on blood at first, but he'd grown accustomed to it over time.

Hagi had noticed that he and Alucard shared a few similarities- being subservient to a master or mistress, were vampires with enhanced abilities, and suffered through years and years of intense emotional turmoil during the past. Hagi was hurt in Vietnam by a deranged and not fully awakened Saya, and Alucard was betrayed by his own father as a boy when he was sent to the stronghold of an evil Turkish sultan as a hostage. It might have been a coincidence, but they were similar in certain ways.

Alucard and Hagi's eyes met once more. Both men leaned over the small table simultaneously. Their lips met as they felt a mutual attraction to the other and their shared traumas and scars.

A small electric current ran through Hagi's body when his lip touched Alucard's. It was a short and close mouthed peck, and both he and Alucard drew back.

Hagi blushed shamelessly, as this was his first ever kiss with another man. It felt different from when he kissed Saya, more right somehow. He leaned in again towards a willing Alucard, and pressed his lips against his, wanting to test that feeling again. The small shock returned as he did so.

He thought the kiss was going to be another closed one, but Alucard suddenly grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in further. Hagi gave in, as his attraction to Alucard blossomed. He willingly opened his mouth when he felt a tongue lapping at his lips. The slithery and wet muscle entered his mouth and ran slowly and gently along his own appendage. He responded by moving his tongue across Alucard's in equally slow and measured movements.

What was he getting himself into?