It's back! The fic that will not die! Then again, what did I expect with all the vampires and cruzniks?
Me no own, you no sue. Please just read and review!
Okieeday! On with the show!
(six days later, at Hellsing manor)
Yme sighed dejectedly. The last few days had been so boring: training, studies, and homework taking up almost all of her time. She didn't mind as much now that Alucard was in the picture. At least it was more fun when he joined in a training session. But everything else was almost normal. It didn't feel right to her.
Currently, she was in the guest area off the main hall. She had escaped from class early due to her extensive knowledge on the subject. It was nice to relax for a bit, though she knew another class would be starting all too soon.
Movement to the left caught her eyes. The butler, a male named Leon Rothfer, was walking towards the front door. Yme stood and followed him, having nothing better to do. He spotted her before they got to the entrance, and turned to her with a smile.
"Good morning, Miss Yme."
"Morning, Leon. What're you doing?"
"Sir Integra is receiving guests today. Please make yourself scarce, you know how she is about these matters."
"Aw man. Now I'm curious," Yme huffed.
Leon shrugged and continued out the door. Yme stared at the shut door for a few seconds before deciding to take the male's advice. Her mother never liked either of the two girls to be introduced to company.
The child walked through the house and wound up in one of the training rooms. It was one of the shooting ranges. Blue eyes scanned for anyone else, then the girl headed to the gun closet. She opened it and looked over the shiny death-bringers, selecting a silver semi-auto handgun with an above average barrel length.
Yme walked calmly to one of the stalls and set up. She moved the target as far back as it would go, then crouched. Her body angled sideways to the target, an arm coming up and bending so she could rest the barrel on it (1). She sighted down the gun to the target easily, then proceeded to blast away. Though the distance to the target was more than most with scopes could possibly hope to hit, each bullet was shot with deadly accuracy into a single point in the head of the paper body.
Soon the clip for the gun was empty. Yme straightened and turned fully away from the range. She put up the gun and left the room. She'd left the empty cartridge and 'killed' target to be puzzled at by whoever next went in there. It was almost time for her next class, so she headed back the way she'd come.
On the way, she spotted her older sister, Helen. The girl was hidden and peering into the guest area, a smitten look on her face. Not one to pass up chances, Yme snuck up on the other. A small nudge had the older wheeling around with a slight startled look on her face that turned to contempt when she recognized Yme.
Yme didn't mind the look, she was used to it. Helen thought herself better than Yme in everything. Yme had never proven her wrong, she was biding her time until her plan could fully develop.
"What's going on?" Yme whispered.
"Visitors, handsome ones," Helen cooed.
Yme rolled her eyes and decided not to investigate further. She headed up the stairs, intent on getting to class. But it seemed like things were not to be in her favor today. The tutor wasn't there, she had left a note explaining why, but Yme didn't read it. She sighed softly at her luck, then left the room in search for something to do.
"Hey, Miss!"
Then again, something finding her could save time. Yme turned to Seras, smiling at the over-eager vampire.
"What's up, Seras?"
"Your swords, that's what! They're done!"
"Wha?!? Seriously?"
"Yeah! Sir Integra looked at your designs before allowing them off and ordered that they be done perfectly, but as swift as possible."
Yme blinked at the statement. Her mother had seen her drawings? And had pulled strings to get them done quickly? That was unusual. The girl made a mental note to thank her mother later, then had to stop thinking as the female vampire tugged her along.
"So where are we going?" asked Yme.
"The Delta training room. It's time to test out your new weapons."
"Well, I'll see you there!"
With that challenge Yme darted ahead of Seras, taking the older female by surprise. Seras grinned, then sped up to where she was only a few inches behind Yme. They continued down the hall and stairs, the only obstacle a sharp turn. Yme grabbed the post to aid her progress, ignoring her startled sister and continuing the race. Seras skidded into the turn, too tall to grab the post, then continued after Yme.
"Wait for me, Miss!" she called playfully.
An amused laugh met her ears, causing her to smile. The two continued out of sight and towards the training area. Little did they know two pairs of eyes had looked up at the squeal during Seras' turn, one green and the other blue. Those same eyes had only spotted the female vampire, though ears had picked up the exchange.
Alexander Anderson grinned widely, having recognized Seras. Abel caught the look and groaned, starting to wish he hadn't even mentioned this.
"Did yeh hear tha' Father Nightroad? The wee draculina is lookin' after ae child."
"Yes, but what has that to do with our mission?"
"Tha' vampire be made o' Alucard. If he's awake, she'll know."
Abel shrugged and sat back in the chair. He was surprised when a second later Anderson stood and headed the way the girls had gone. Winter-blue eyes looked from the retreating priest to the door on the other side of the room a few times before, with a sigh, he got up and followed the blonde. Both males noticed and glanced at a child standing to one side of the door, staring at them as they went.
(back with Yme & Seras)
The two made it safely to the training room. Seras presented Yme with her swords, which were taken and drawn reverently. The two then squared off, and proceeded to train. Yme did even better than previous practices with her blades. Seras was very impressed. But that didn't stop her from pointing out what mistakes she made.
Seras managed to get Yme on defense for awhile. The child suddenly retreated to the wall, obviously preparing to attack. She didn't get the chance. The door beside her burst open, and the tall, grinning form of Alexander Anderson walked in. His eyes were glued to Seras, which is why he didn't see Yme. Seras let out a small shriek, backing away from the priest.
"Now now, don' be afraid. Ah jes' want some information," the blonde chuckled.
"Over my unmoving body," Seras ground out.
"So be it."
Anderson pulled out bayonets and crouched, getting ready for an attack. At this point, Yme had been about to leave. She didn't want to be found out so early. But when she saw how scared Seras was, doubts entered her mind. Friend or contact? After a second the child scoffed. There really wasn't a choice to be made.
When Anderson crouched Yme attacked. She landed on his back, upsetting his balance and making him fall. Her swords buried into the ground on either side of his neck, crossed as to pin him efficiently. Yme shifted to sit indian-style while keeping her grip on the blades.
"Ah! Miss, you shouldn't have done that."
"Whit?!? Yeh mean Ah was brough' down by some kid?" asked Anderson.
"Not just by any kid," came another voice.
Yme turned as best she could while keeping the paladin in place. Her eyes locked with another set of blue. Abel Nightroad stood just inside the entrance to the room, taking in the scene before him. His hands were by his sides, and no weapon was visible. Never the less, Seras moved to block his path to Yme.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" asked Seras.
"I'm Father Abel Nightroad. We're here to meet with Sir Hellsing to get her opinion on a case. Sorry about Father Anderson."
"Oh...uh..... No problem, I guess," Seras shrugged. "You're nice, for a priest."
"Thank you. I try."
"'ello! Still down here! Whit are yeh doin', 'avin tea?"
"Right, right. Do you think you could let my partner up please?"
Yme nudged Seras, who moved away from the fallen priest. The child withdrew her swords from the ground and jumped off the blonde's back, going to stand in front of Seras. Anderson grumbled as he stood, brushing off his cassock before turning to Abel.
"Ae great help yeh were, Father Nightroad," he bit out.
"Well, considering your opponent, I decided to back down."
Anderson blinked, then he scanned the room for said opponent. He paused at Seras, getting a shudder out of her. A flash of silver distracted him, and he looked down. His mouth fell open comically and his green eyes widened. Yme didn't blink or flinch, simply moved her swords to a guard position.
"Lass!" Anderson cried when he found his voice, "Yehr alright. Whit happened to yeh after tha' terrorist nabbed yeh?"
"Nothing worth mentioning," Yme stated coldly.
"We were worried about you, Yme," Abel stated softly.
"Wait..... You three know each other?" asked a confused Seras. "How?"
"That's what I'd like to know," came a new voice.
All eyes snapped to the doorway. Integral Hellsing glared at the two priests from where she stood. Yme noticed movement behind her, and saw Helen peeking at the four in the training room. A sigh escaped her, then she sheathed her swords and bowed to her mother. A curt nod was as she received before the Hellsing leader's attention was back on the priests.
"I allow you into my house, offer you my help, and this is how you repay me? By attacking my servant?"
"Ah well, old habits die hard," grinned Anderson.
"I'm very sorry about this. Please forgive us," Abel said.
"Are you hurt, Seras?" Integra asked.
"No sir. He didn't even get the chance to attack," saluted Seras.
Integra's lips quirked up into a smirk for a moment. Then it was gone, and a single eyebrow raised in question. Seras shook her head and looked down at Yme, who was still standing in front of her, hands on her sword hilts, eyes on the blonde priest. A second eyebrow went up in surprise before a chuckle escaped Integra.
"The great Paladin was bested by a mere child. How quaint."
"She surprised meh," said male muttered.
"How about we move this to my study. Helen, Seras, Yme, you three come too."
Integra had already turned, which is why she didn't see the death-glare Yme sent at her. The two priests did, however, and it reminded them of the phrase 'If looks could kill.'
The three girls followed Integra, the priests bringing up the rear. Yme had forced Seras ahead of her, making sure that nothing would happen to her friend. Soon they had arrived at Integra's study. Helen and Yme sat on either side of their mother, Seras standing behind them all like a bodyguard. Abel and Anderson sat in the chairs in front of the desk the women were seated at.
"Now that we're settled in, I believe we need to get a few things out of the way," stated Integra. "Introductions, starting with you gentlemen."
"Father Alexander Anderson."
"And I'm Father Abel Nightroad."
"Good. I am Sir Integra Hellsing, and this is Seras Victoria," she said motioning to Seras.
"My name is Helen Serpen," Helen perked up.
"Helen here is the heir to the Hellsing name," Integra stated.
"And whit o' Yme here," asked Anderson.
Yme hadn't moved since she'd sat down. Her remaining quiet during this was worrying Seras.
"Surely you, in fact everyone in the Vatican should know that I had two children," Integra smirked.
"....."
Anderson looked to Yme, his face neutral for the first time since stepping foot on Hellsing property. Yme had closed her eyes, and didn't look to be inclined to open them anytime soon. Seras could see by the way her shoulders were set that Yme wasn't the least bit enthusiastic about this.
Integra observed the interaction (or lack of it) for a bit, then pulled out a folder. In it was the report and pictures of the vampire terrorist's body. She set it on the desk, drawing most everyone's attention to it, then flipped it open. Helen caught sight of the pictures and turned a visible shade of green. Seras looked at the pictures and report indifferently. Yme remained still and kept her eyes closed.
"This is quite the interesting report. I don't really see why you brought it to me, though."
"It has markin's real similar to those uh yer vampire," stated Anderson.
"Ah. But Alucard has not been in contact with anything outside his cell for almost fifteen years now."
"We're just making sure about that, and asking if you knew any other vampire who had such tendencies," Abel interjected.
"Rest assured, Alucard will not be revived for some time to come. And no, any vampire I've come across is no longer among the... animated."
The priests nodded their understanding. The adults discussed a few more things, leaving the two children and Seras out of the conversation. Helen just seemed confused, while Yme had yet to lose her smooth exterior. Soon the topics wound down, and Integra turned her attention to her children briefly.
"You two are dismissed. I'm sure it's time for your lessons, Helen."
"Okay," said Helen.
Yme stood silently and bowed to her mother, then left without a single glance towards the men. Helen hurried out after her, but did not follow her once outside of the room. They each went their own way, Yme went straight to her room. She threw herself onto the bed, buried her face in a pillow, and screamed until she ran out of breath.
After calming down she rolled over, only to see Alucard grinning madly at her a few inches away. She almost screamed again, but her instincts kicked in first. Her hand grabbed the nearest object, a pillow, which she brought around, smacking the vampire dead in the face. There was a stunned silence, followed by Yme bursting into laugher.
"Good to know you find it funny," Alucard grumbled.
"S-sorry," Yme stated as she stopped. "It's been an off day."
"I know. Policegirl was kind enough to allow me to keep tabs on you both via her mind."
"Oooh-kay....... Hey, Alucard?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm going to be leaving here soon. This incident today has forced my hand, but I've been prepared for awhile now. If you want to stay here, I won't object, but I'd very much like it if you would come with me. I haven't decided where exactly I'm going yet, but if I stay here much longer things are going to come apart. I've already lost one of my most valuable contacts today."
"It sounds like it will be dangerous," Alucard commented.
"'Probably will be. But there will be the dull parts, too."
"Oh well, it's more fun then staying here. Besides, you're my master, I have to watch over you."
"Thank you, Alucard."
Yme smiled up at the vampire gratefully. Alucard shifted, uncomfortable on the receiving end of such a look. He got up and excused himself, going to pack what belongings he had. Yme did the same, but she only took the bare essentials. She put her mind to work on the problem of Alucard's coffin while she worked, pondering how to get it out and travel with it indiscreetly.
Soon she was ready, but she slid her suitcase under her bed. It wouldn't be safe until the next day for her to leave. Her mother was on high alert because of the visit from the priests, and would be until she had to work tomorrow. A plan started forming in her mind as she crawled onto her bed, resting from the packing. By the time she dozed off into a nap, the plan had been completed.
Yes, I know. I'm not sticking to the days. But if I had this chapter would be far too long. Next chapter contains the rest of this day and a few after. And some surprise guests!