A/N: Thanks for the tips Kiyuu-chan! I changed her voice in the first chapter and let's see how well I can keep with her character. Thanks everyone for reading!

Tromp Through the Village

Seras followed the girl known to her as Rip as they made their way through the dense forests to the nearest house, shaking her head as she thought of what they were about to do. She could not for the life of her understand where the vampire leading her had decided to steal a wagon from what she considered a neighbor, but knew the was not going to bo welcome by the unknowing participant.

Seras grew nervous in the silence between them, fidgeting slightly as she peered at their surroundings. The quiet woods echoed with the sounds of night's creatures, nocturnal predators on the hunt and prey scurrying about for escape. Though she was herself a child of the darkness, she still wasn't accustomed to the gloomy atmosphere settled around her. Rather than keeping her attention on the cool night, she looked to her companion with some apprehension. The young woman by her side didn't appear to be of the talkative type, her eyes staring straight forward as they marched on.

"Is there, um, any particular kind of coffin you like?" Seras asked, failing miserably with her topic of conversation. The only answered she received was a swift shake of the head and a quickening of steps, apparently showing the little liking to the broken silence. However, the young vampire didn't wish to be left with such a mute and unknown companion, and decided to switch conversations.

"Did you want to be my...companion?" Seras asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer. She inwardly grimaced as the vampire visibly stiffened for a moment before returning to her usual posture.

"I go where I am ordered" Rip simply replied, pushing up the bridge of her glasses as a sign of nervousness.

"Ordered?" Seras repeated with confusion. Then her face lit up as she realized whom had commanded her, her surprised eyes turning to the dark-haired vampire. "Michael is your master, isn't he?" Receiving an affirmative nod she continued with her inquiry, hoping to at least prod some knowledge of her companion. "How long have you been a vampire?"

"A long time" was the blunt and vague reply, as they had finally come within view of a dwelling.

Seras grimaced as a hungry look appeared in Rip's eyes, her teeth being bared in an insane grin. She watched with horror as she slowly began to approach the lit house, a wagon with a steed beside the structure and voices floating out through an open window. Apparently guests had arrived and were staying within the structure, enjoying merriment and the company of their host.

"Don't kill anyone" Seras pleadingly whispered, jumping as the vampire abruptly stopped and turned to her.

"Why?" Rip asked, a slightly puzzled expression on her face.

Seras sighed quietly and crossed her arms, attempting to think of a valid reason the inhuman creature before her would agree with. After a long pause filled with tense silence in which she chose her words wisely, she finally spoke.

"Because we'll attract attention" she happily chirped, glad to have found a reason they could both adhere to. "Too many bodies at once might cause the villagers to wreck the castle" she reasoned, nodding her head as the phrase made sense even in her own mind.

Rip looked between Seras and the shining cottage for a moment before slowly nodding her head, now cautiously approaching the building as a hunter would their prey. Slipping under the open window and creeping toward the horse, her eyes locking with the steed's own as she silently sidled up beside the stirring beast. For one horrible moment the blond vampire thought the horse would whinny and alert the occupants to its capture but Rip took handle of the situation, calming the horse by whispering soothing words and stroking the muzzle.

After a short moment Rip gestured for Seras to come over, carefully grabbing the reins and climbing onto the box. The young vampire followed, walking out of sight line of the window and seating herself beside the dark-haired vampire. With a soft whip of the reins and a sharp turn the two headed for the lights twinkling in the distance, both intent on finishing their journey before the owners of the horse and wagon, or any villager, happened to notice.

Needless to say, the casket maker of the village had been busy over the years with the number of victims appearing around the countryside thanks to Alucard's feedings. Therefore, the two vampires had little difficulty finding the establishment, the low, wide building jutting out prominently from the smaller structures. Rip settled the vehicle along the door behind the shop, jumping off the box and comforting the still uneasy horse before stepping up to the door.

Seras watched with curiosity as the young vampire knocked on the door, the noise loud enough to alert the proprietor but not enough to attract attention from elsewhere. Slowly she heard footsteps along the floor, followed by muttered curses and finally a bolt was thrown back. The door cautiously opened, two bright eyes looking to the small figures of the two women with mild suspicion.

"What do you want?" a gruff, scratchy voice asked.

"A coffin" Rip replied bluntly before slamming open the door and effectively trapping the human between the portal and the wall. She strode over to a few dark shapes piled in a corner, moving them around and opening the lids of the caskets. "Do you have one with a soft pad?" she asked absently, as if she were looking for a suitable dress in a normal store.

The man behind the door did not hear her questioning, his efforts to slide out from behind the heavy portal and the boldness of his 'customer' taking him off balance. The owner of the shop took a moment to right his footing, the blow to the wall having given him a sound knock on the head, and then proceeded to gape at the young woman moving over the merchandise. However, his face soon turned to anger and he strode angrily over to Rip, grabbing her by the shoulder and attempting to whip her around to face him.

Unfortunately for the mortician, before he so much as blinked he found his hand effectively crushed in the strong grip and the red eyes of a devil staring into his own. Rip, remembering for a moment her companions plea to not harm humans, threw the man away from her. The two faced off, the man holding his wrist with his other hand as he glared at the young woman.

Seras, who had climbed down from the wagon after Rip had entered the shop, watched the proceedings with increasing anxiety. When she observed the tense interactions between the two other occupants of the building she realized she would need to take charge of the situation, to avoid attracting attention as much as to save the human.

She only hoped this would work.

Stepping between the angered vampire and the furious, albeit scared, owner, Seras turned to face the glaring man. Her eyes looked directly into his own, locking his gaze as she attempted to enter his mind much the same way she had entered her own to find her darker side. A small smile of triumph crept across her face as she felt his thoughts drift toward her, his face becoming impassive as he lost himself to her control. Now she would see how much action she would be able to create from her bond.

"You will do nothing more to stop us" Seras spoke slowly, marveling at how her voice seemed to echo around the room. "And you will forget about our visit" she said as an afterthought, realizing they would find trouble from the villagers if he were to tell them of the vampires' visit.

Seras grinned when the man obediently nodded his head, turning his back on the two and marching up a flight of stairs which apparently led to the sleeping quarters. With a sigh of relief she returned her eyes to her companion, shaking her head as she noticed the other vampire's attention had shifted back to the coffins.

Stepping up to her, they both looked until they found one most suitable for Rip's tastes; a softly padded pine coffin of her size with a single bronze handle on each end and no engravings upon the sides nor lid. Hefting the light load into the back of the wagon Rip once more took the reins and they set off in a quick trot back to Alucard's keep. The two female vampires arrived at the castle after a short ride along the road, both carrying their cargo through the heavy doors after Rip had ordered the horse to return to its owner.

Seras had to suppress a shudder as the portals opened of their own accord, the effect startling her more sensible side though she realized Alucard merely knew they had returned. Completely turning the coffin over to Rip she stood in the main hall and reached out her senses, feeling the presence of her mate and Michael down the hallway leading to the catacombs. Slowly walking along the long corridor her search led her to stand behind a large portal she had not yet explored, the muffled sounds of voices drifting through the heavy wood.

Grasping the old iron handle Seras opened the door and stepped in, giving the two male occupants of the room a smile as they turned to her. Her pleasantry nearly faltered at the looks the two vampires before her held, serious expressions marking their faces as Michael bowed low to both of them and leaving them alone. The young vampire cautiously approached Alucard, her mouth set in a line of worry as she looked into his quickly emotionless face.

"What's wrong?" she asked, settling a comforting hand on his arm. She pulled back her arm as she felt him flinch, taking a step back as her eyes widened in both surprise and hurt.

Alucard sighed as he watched his little mate shrink from his actions, taking a few unhurried steps toward her before wrapping his arms around her small form. He nuzzled her hair absently, soothing her slightly frayed nerves and feeling her relax within her grasp.

"The boy had news from the east" he replied slowly, watching her with a careful eye.

"What kind of news?" Seras hesitantly asked, looking up into his face with concern in her own ruby orbs.

"The boy has told me the Countess has sent out her minions to trap you" he said calmly, hoping to alleviate any fears on her part. Feeling her hug him tighter for reassurance, he continued. "Your blood is unique, if you are able to have a child, and she apparently wishes to find out how you were able to conceive" he spoke, a hand sliding down to gently stroke her stomach. "You will stay with me if you leave the castle grounds, which I'm sure the child will force you to do" he added with a light smirk.

Seras groaned as she remembered the need to feed off fresh blood, pulling away as she felt her stomach remind her of its hunger. The effort to handle Rip and the ability to control the coffin maker had taken their toll, and she gave an embarrassed smile as Alucard grinned at her. Sliding out of his grip, she walked to the kitchen with her mate following closely behind. Idly she wondered if he would even leave her alone within the confines of the castle as he practically became her shadow, watching as she retrieved a large bottle from the 'winery' and disposed of most of the blood by herself.

Feeling satisfied and knowing she was well protected with her mate close by, Seras opened a portal and promptly deposited herself within their stone coffin. Her mate arrived soon after she, sensing him watch as she settled herself into the comfortable silk. She hadn't lain on the soft cushions for more than a few moments before she felt sleep wash over her, pulled her against his chest as she sighed in contentment and happily wandered into sleep.