Disclaimer: I don't own anyone.

"Halt!" Integra called as her foil hit Danny's torso. She pulled off her mask at the same time Danny did.

"Cheater!" Danny cried. Integra laughed.

"I didn't cheat. The student has just surpassed the teacher and you feel threatened."

"Hell no! Cheater-Cheater Pants!" Danny poked Integra with her foil.

"Hey!" Integra struck back. They chased each other around the dojo, poking and teasing unprofessionally.

It was so easy and nice to just hang out with Danny, practice their fencing or whatever else they came up with. She didn't have to think about her job. She didn't have to think about how nerdy she was, just about ready to get her diploma. She didn't have to think about how unusually distant Alucard was being, or why he was. She could be a normal teenager, for once, around Danny.

She glanced up at the clock and sighed.

"No. No, no, no, Cinderella. Ignore the clock," Danny forced her to look away, "You are a slave, you know that? A slave!"

"I'm already late. Walter's probably waiting in the parking lot."

"Screw Walter!" Integra pulled off her suit, "Why are you always in such a hurry to be home on time? It's not the way of the teenager to be so flippin' responsible all the time."

"I just can't be irresponsible, that's all," Danny pursed her lips as she peeled off her suit.

"We've been best friends for how long?"

"Two years, about."

"Since you pounded the crap out of Stacy. I've never been to your house, you've never told me anything about your family besides the fact your parents passed away, and I have no idea what responsibility is always calling you away. Don't you think that's a little weird?"

"I'm protecting you."

"From what?" Integra moved towards the door. Danny cut her off, "You can tell me anything, Teggie. I won't freak out," Integra just shook her head. Danny sighed and followed her out of the dojo.

Integra knew she could tell Danny anything, but what if she heard vampires really existed? Would she go looking for them? Integra cringed at the thought of her being torn apart by a blood-sucking monster. Danny didn't understand the danger; all she cared about was the mystery, the beauty of the darkness.

"I've told you about me, about how Randy takes care of me 'cause our dad's in prison and Mom drunk herself to death. I've told you how hard it is to survive on Randy's paycheck," she glared at a group of obviously well-off girls, "Hate them," she muttered, "Hate them and all their wealthy parents and perfect lives and money and material things."

Integra was silent.

&&&

"Good evening Christopher, Urbain, Leland, and, of course, Tyson," she cooed, stroking Tyson's face. She smiled at the lifesize poster on the wall of her favorite, and the hottest thing right now, band.

She knew everything a fan could know about them; who had a girlfriend, what pets they had, their family, their favorite activities. Tyson stood at the far right, nearly overshadowed by the glorious and outgoing curly blonde Leland. Christopher and Leland were brothers, and had the same hair style. It was easy to tell them apart; Christopher towered over his year younger brother and his hair was less curly. Urbain had chocolate brown hair and in every picture Integra had seen of the band, he looked bored out of his mind. Tyson had thick black curly hair, and he always looked so sad. They all had peridot green eyes. She sighed contentedly and leaned her cheek against Tyson's face. If only...

"C.U.L.T?" She opened her eyes. If only Alucard didn't have the worst timing in the history of the world. Integra turned to him.

"Its all their initials. Christopher, Urbain, Leland, and Tyson," she said, pointing to them each in turn.

"Why do you have a poster of them?" He asked. Integra snorted.

"Because they're hot. This one," she pointed at Tyson, "Is going to be the father of my children," Alucard smirked.

"Really? Is that so?" Integra looked uncertainly at Tyson.

"We do have to meet first, I suppose," she admitted. Alucard's smirk faded when he looked at the poster.

"It's just not right."

"What isn't?"

"This...idolizing. You'd think they were gods," his smirk returned, "Then again, who am I to say this?" Integra grinned.

"Popular with the ladies?" She teased.

"It was the power, my dear Integra. It draws vampires and humans in like moths to flames," he leaned against the wall, looking like he had walked out of the line-up, "How do I compare?" Integra giggled.

"There's no comparison." And there really wasn't. Alucard was a refined, sophisticated gentleman. They were...just hot! She then remembered what she needed him for, "Alucard, it seems there's been some trouble in the downtown area. I want you to check it out," Alucard tipped his fadora slightly forward.

"Then I will be off," he turned to leave, but paused as though Integra had spoken. Integra shook her head.

"Forget it," she said, used to him responding to her thoughts.

"This shouldn't take long. If you'll wait up for me, I will. We want you to be pretty for Danny's surprise, don't we?" Integra groaned, leaning her head on Tyson for support.

"Don't remind me."

"Keep a brave face for the horrors of your belated Sweet 16," he reminded her, and then vanished into a black swirl.

There was something comforting in Alucard's chore of braiding her hair. Something solid and unchanging in her turmulous life. She knew it didn't mean anything to him, that he hated it. But she was thankful he did it.

&&&

Why did people have to be so difficult? Integra wondered as she shifted through her never ending paperwork. She had been on the phone all morning with the Vatican discussing border issues. Couldn't they just admit Badrick belonged to the Hellsing Organization and go on with their lives? She glanced at her computer background, Tyson shyly smiling back at her beside a grinning Leland.

"I guess I'm going to be missing your concert," she told him, "Walter would never let me go to a rock concert. He freaked out when he heard your album. It's not that bad. I mean, you hardly swear," she sighed. She was giving her argument to a picture on her computer.

The intercom crackled to life.

"Miss Integra, someone's here to see you," Integra pressed down on the "speak" button.

"Send them up," she instructed. She sighed and turned her monitor off. Tyson would just have to wait.

There was a knock at her door.

"Come in," she said. She wished she hadn't when a wide-eyed Danny walked through the door.

"Oh. My. Gosh," Danny laughed, "Oh my gosh!"

"Danny! What are you doing here?" Integra stood up. Danny turned to her incredulously.

"You're loaded. You're absolutely loaded with cash," Integra flushed crimson.

"I can't help it! I was just born into it!" She defended. Danny looked her up and down.

"What's with the suit?!"

"It's my job."

"Holy crap! What do you do?!" Integra sighed.

"I run an...organization."

"Oh, like FBI stuff, I gotcha. Well, you should probably change out of that; I doubt Tyson likes the working girl look."

"What do you mean?" Danny pulled out two tickets from her pocket.

"Front row, C.U.L.T., tonight, you and me."

"NO WAY!" Integra squealed.

"YES WAY!" The two girls then spent a good minute or two squealing, jumping up and down, and saying "ohmygosh" without pause (except for the squealing).

"Wait... I can't," Integra realized.

"Why not?"

"I have to get these reports done, and Walter would never let me go, besides," Integra said.

"Do the reports later. We'll be there and back before Walter ever notices," Danny grabbed her arm, "Come on. We're changing."

Danny, as an additional gift, had gotten Integra a new outfit. It was a t-shirt with all of the C.U.L.T. members on it (they didn't have one of just Tyson, Danny explained) and a chain-link black pair of pants with red accents. Danny herself had a shirt of Leland on and the same pair of pants. Integra left a note saying that her and Danny were going to have dinner downtown and look at some shops and left it on her desk. Danny and her grabbed coats, purses, and slipped downstairs. Integra started to ease as she saw no sign of Walter.

A shiver went up Integra's spine. Oh great.

"Should've guessed. You're drawn to disobedience," Integra muttered.

"But of course. Miss Do-Right sneaking out? I'm downright intrigued," Danny turned around. Her mouth fell open in shock at the sight of Alucard. Alucard was grinning at Integra, "What are you two up to?" He purred.

"Nothing for you to be worried about," Integra growled coldly. Alucard chuckled.

"Really? If it's nothing to worry about, then I'll just tell Walter that you're going out to do nothing for him to be worried about..."

"Alucard!" She hated it when he blackmailed her. She sighed, "We're going to a concert, all right? Don't tell Walter; that's an order."

"For the people on your chest?"

"Yes," she hissed. His playful grin vanished.

"I'm going."

"No, Alucard!"

"Integra, I'm not letting you go to this with two young humans being your only protection."

"It's a concert, Alucard, not a speak easy," she insisted. Alucard walked past her.

"I'll be in the car."

"Alucard!" She screeched. He ignored her, actually remembering to use the door in another human's presence. What was she, a child?! She could very well take care of herself. She turned to Danny for support. Danny had a delighted grin on her face as she turned to Integra.

"Who was that?" She asked. Integra huffed.

"It's a long story," she muttered, following after Alucard. Danny laughed.

"I could tell by the fangs," Integra's heart jolted. God, please don't let Alucard reveal to my best friend he's a vampire. If You have any mercy, do not let Alucard be Alucard.

She held onto the brief hope that Randy would, for one reason or another, object to Alucard going with them. But then she realized it wouldn't take much effort for him to take over Randy's mind. Sure enough, Alucard was slouched in the shotgun seat. Integra and Danny got into the backseat. Randy turned around.

"Hey, Teggie. What's up?" He gave a meaningful glance at Alucard, as if to say what's up with bringing him along? Integra rolled her eyes in an it's a long story way.

"Not much, other than your sister kidnapping me," Danny smirked satisfactorily.

"Is this your dad?" He asked, motioning at Alucard. Alucard stared at him, "Stepdad? Uncle? Cousin?" Randy fished.

"Guardian," Alucard said.

"Oh," Randy murmured meekly. He glanced in the rearview mirror, "You girls ready?" They gave eager squeals. Randy jokingly clutched his ears, "All right, all right," he said, putting the car in drive.

Danny chatted animatedly, but Integra's mind was on Alucard. He was silent for once, staring blankly through the windshield. What's wrong? She asked him telepathically. I have a bad feeling about this band, he replied. Integra began to get nervous. Very, very few things got Alucard uneasy.

A hand was waved in front of her face.

"Earth to Teggie…" Danny said slowly. Integra shook her head and laughed.

"Sorry, zoned out for a minute there. What were you saying?"

Randy had to circle the parking lot several times before finally finding a decent spot. Integra felt her heart race as they got out of the car, her favorite celebrities so close she could scream. She exchanged looks with Danny and knew that she was just as excited. Alucard magically produced a ticket next to their seats, and no one questioned him.

The strobe lights and effects were blinding and disorienting. No one really minded, though, as they excitedly chattered. Integra tried to listen to Danny's list of songs she hoped they would play, but she could see Alucard out of the corner of her eye, trying to adjust to the bright lights.

Fog drifted over the stage as the sound of a heartbeat came through the speakers. There was an eruption of screaming through the audience and slowly, dark forms became visible. The heart beat faded as it was joined with a screaming guitar and a military like drum beat, and there was the sharp noise of a flat line.

"Dry your eyes, my undead love. Take my bloody hand in yours. Life means nothing, after all. Step by step, unto our grave. Step by step, unto our… grave."

In a flash, the stage illuminated. The audience screamed harder and Leland smiled confidently down at them. Christopher was pouring his heart and soul into the guitar solo and then Urbain seemed to be just going through the motions on his extremely difficult drum solo. Integra looked eagerly for Tyson and finally saw him, behind and off to the right of Leland. Integra screamed excitedly upon seeing him.

The rest of "Descent" continued, but Integra was too worried about Alucard to pay much attention to the lyrics. His extremely acute senses were in agony from the bright lights and blaring noise. His lips were pulled back a little in distaste, his body drawn in.

"Alucard, please. Go wait outside," Integra telepathed to him.

"I'm fine," his mind growled, his lips frowning a little at the suggestion.

"Nothing's going to happen to me; I'll manage to stay out of trouble for a few hours."

"I don't trust them."

"Alucard, go. That's an order," she pulled out the "master" card. Alucard glared at her and then disappeared in a veil of smoke.

"Happy belated birthday," Integra sighed. Really, she didn't need to be babysat every time she left the mansion.

Danny's face was questioning, her look pointed at the now vacant seat. Integra mouthed "bathroom" and she accepted the excuse.

Halfway through the concert, they began one of Integra's favorite songs, the hardcore love ballad "Forsake the Light (For You)". Integra smiled, feeling the passion behind the words. She was afraid that they might not have played it; it was one of their lesser known songs.

"I'd take my last breath to tell you I love you. I would risk it all for your briefest touch. I'd give up everything to have you call me your own," Leland moved towards their section of the audience. Danny dug her nails into Integra's forearm and squealed excitedly. Integra grinned towards her friend, glad at her excitement.

When she glanced back up at the stage, she realized that Leland was staring right at her. Intensely, as though he was singing just to her.

"I don't care what they say. Don't care 'bout bein' saved. Heaven is hollow without you, anyway."

Integra found it hard to breathe. Every time she gasped for air, the squeeze in her lungs got stronger. She felt lightheaded. Danny gently shook her.

"Teggie…Teggie!"

"I'd forsake it all for your lethal love. I'd forsake the light for-" Integra's knees buckled and she passed out.

&&&

She kept her eyes closed as she regained consciousness. It wasn't the loud concert she had fainted in; she was on a soft couch. How had she gotten here? Had Danny taken her to her house? Or, more likely, had Alucard taken her home? She took a deep breath. What had happened? They had been playing, Leland had stared at her, she couldn't breathe…

She heard the door open and close gently, as though afraid to wake her. Well, it sure wasn't Danny, then. She opened her eyes and nearly had a nervous breakdown. Looking down at her, in all of his perfection, was Tyson. She shot up into a sitting position and he took a couple nervous steps back. Integra reigned in her emotions, though that didn't stop her fluttering heart.

"What happened?" She asked. He smiled.

"You tell me," he rubbed the back of his neck, "You fainted," she glanced around the room.

"Where am I?"

"My dressing room," Integra reminded herself to breathe. He smirked at her reaction, "Leland didn't want to make a big deal. Show must go on and all that jazz. He thinks you're just another one of those fan girls," Integra opened her mouth to object, but closed it. He laughed. Oh, his laugh! It warmed her entire body, making her grin like an idiot.

Tyson glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Concert should be over soon. Then you can see the rest of the band."

"I don't really want to meet the others," she said. He looked at her in disbelief. She uncrossed and then recrossed her legs, glancing away sheepishly, "You're kind of my favorite."

"Really? That's a new one," he said, a huge grin on his face. She felt like she was going to become nothing more than a spineless blob on the sofa. He tilted his head, "I don't believe I caught the name of the girl who flatters me so."

"Integra. Integra Hellsing."

"Tyson."

"I know," She wanted to slap herself for the stuck-up reply. He actually looked surprised. She decided to change the subject, "You write all the lyrics for the band." If he had looked surprised before, he was downright shocked now.

"You knew that?"

"Yeah. You're amazing," His eyes took on a sort of sad tint to them.

"Thanks."

They looked away as there was a knock at the door.

"'Sup?"

"Autographs. Bring the girl."

"Integra," Tyson corrected.

"Doesn't matter," Whoever called as they walked away. Tyson rolled his eyes.

"Don't mind Chris. He's just upset that he had to be torn away from his adoring fans," he stood up and extended a hand towards her. Shaking a bit, she accepted it.

Integra couldn't concentrate on the small talk he offered. She was too wrapped up in the fact that she was actually with the boy she had idolized for so long, one on one, backstage! Oh, she could just die happy! As they approached the public, he gently draped an arm around her waist. She nearly went into a seizure.

"Hope you don't think I'm being too forward," he apologized.

"No, be my guest, be as forward…as you like," she breathed.

They moved through the outskirts of the crowd without a single person or camera noticing them, though this was pure tabloid gold. She knew Tyson was underappreciated, but this was nonsense.

"Are you really so invisible?" She asked. He smirked.

"No one remembers the backup singer," he remarked.

He guided her towards the front of the disorganized line, where the other three members were signing autographs. Leland was the first to notice and glanced meaningfully at Tyson. Tyson gave a small nod. Leland gave a wide smile.

"Hey, sleeping beauty, come back to the land of the living?" Integra felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Leland leaned forward, staring at her intently. She glanced away, unnerved by his gaze. She was also aware of the fact that a thousand fan girls were watching her with envy.

"'Scuse me, let me through, best friend with the girl on Tyson's arm," Integra laughed as Danny forced her way to the front. A silent scream was frozen on her face as she watched Integra with Tyson beside her talking to Leland. Integra grinned.

"So, this must be the friend you came with?" Leland said, standing up. Urbain and Christopher glanced at him curiously. Danny nodded mutely, "She's a keeper. Was right there when you collapsed, doing everything she could," Leland said with a bright smile.

Danny muttered some thankful noise, grabbing onto Integra for support as her knees gave way. Integra clutched her in an "I know how you feel" way. Leland walked towards them, his eyes only for Integra. Danny gave a fluttering gasp, and Tyson's grip on her tightened a little. Integra tensed up as he leaned into her ear.

"There's going to be an after party over on the Thames River, by the Tower of London. I do hope you'll come," he stepped back and gave a nonchalant shrug, "Bring your friend if you want."

"Um, thanks," Integra stuttered. Leland grinned as he sat back down, giving her a wink. She met Tyson's eyes. He glanced away.

Integra regretfully pulled away from Tyson.

"Will you be there?" She asks quietly. He nodded, "I might come, then," she murmurs shyly, then ducks away, still holding onto Danny.

They were quite a distance away before Danny got her independence back. She straightened.

"What did he tell you?" She said breathlessly.

"He invited us to an after party," Danny let out a squeal that caused a 13 on the Richter scale.

"ARE YOU FRICKIN' SERIOUS!?!?!?!" She screamed, shaking Integra.

"Shhhh!!!!" Integra demanded, sure that it wasn't an invitation that was given to everyone. Danny danced around in circles.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

"Hold on. Don't you think we should consult Randy and Alucard first before deciding?" Danny gave a wide-eyed stare at Integra.

"You would really throw away the chance of a lifetime; pass up quality time with Tyson, because you asked for approval."

"Alucard has a bad feeling about them."

"Do you always listen to your nanny?" She sneered.

"He's never been wrong."

"There's always a first."

"I can't lie to him."

"We'll just take a peek, get a couple of autographs, and get back before they even know. Just say that you were out longer than you thought."

Integra took a deep breath. Alucard was being a worrywart, and none of his feelings were based in fact. If he wasn't paying attention to her thoughts, he would never know. She grabbed her hand and they ran for the car.

&&&

It was obvious where the party was. A lavish mansion was lit up like a Christmas tree, cars congesting the limited parking. They parked and walked in.

The party was no different from the concert; blaring music, multicolored strobe lights and smoke. A sense of confusion swept over Integra immediately as her heart beat in time to the base. Danny grabbed her hand and led her into the midst of the chaos. Integra glanced around, trying to gain her bearings. Teenagers were all moving, swaying to and fro, humping each other like animals. The smell of sweat and the heat of so many bodies freaked Integra out. Danny didn't look the least bit concerned. Were these kinds of outrageous parties typical?

She noticed Leland's bright smile walking towards them, two drinks in his hands. He handed them to her and Danny. Integra looked down, trying to figure out what it was, while Danny began drinking it immediately. She watched half-dazed as they began to dance, their bodies impossibly close. In between flashes, Integra saw that the cup had dark brown color. It appeared to be only soda. She took a tentative sip. Root beer. She continued to drink.

Leland tore himself away from an excited Danny and began to move beside her, rubbing their bodies together. She pushed him away, and he tried it again.

"NO!" She screamed over the music. He didn't look shocked. He didn't look angry. He laughed.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Danny sway. She went to her friend.

"ARE YOU OKAY?!" She yelled. Danny shook her head. "Tired" was all she could lip-read.

With one arm around her shoulders, Integra half-dragged, half-carried Danny towards a back room. She was beginning to feel a little tired herself, her vision slightly blurring.

"Danny!" she said, her voice a lot louder than she thought due to the blaring music making her deaf.

"Teggie… Call them… I feel like crap…" She moaned. Integra grabbed the purse and rifled through it, searching for the cell phone. Her sudden weakness and increasingly worse eyesight make the task difficult, and then altogether impossible.

She tries to fight it, but it seems inevitable. What was going on? She attempts to focus on Danny, to see if she's still conscious. She can't. A dark voice enters her head. Leland's. You're mine, little Hellsing. She feels something grip her, and then fades to black.

&&&

Her eyelids fluttered open and she finds she's in a stretcher, in the back of what appeared to be an ambulance. An IV tube is sticking out of her arm, and she can hear the sirens vaguely. A dark silhouette is hovering by her side.

"Alucard, status report," Integra slurs, the order a knee-jerk reaction.

"You left me at the concert and went to a party," he growled. She sighed.

"Tell me what I don't already know."

"Why didn't you have me go?!" He snarled.

"You wouldn't have let me," he snorted.

"Oh gee, and you would have so missed being drugged and driven away in a screaming ambulance," he seethed, "What were you thinking, Integra?! What could have possibly been going through your mind that would tell you it was okay to accept an open drink from a stranger?!" He sighed, "They found rohyphnol in your blood. Do you know what that is?"

"…no."

"It's a date rape drug," Integra heard the crunch of metal and glanced down to see the railings of her stretcher crumpled up like paper, "I don't know what they were planning to do with you, and I don't care. I'll hunt them down like the dogs they are and-"

"Danny?" He stopped in his rant's tracks at the question.

"The girl you were with? I didn't see her."

"Did you even look?"

"No, I was too concentrated on getting the drug out of your system."

"What happened to everyone there? The other party-goers?" Alucard shrugged.

"I suppose they left after the cops came in. I don't care."

"But I do," Integra insisted. Alucard shrugged.

"The police will come up with a story sure enough. If she disappears, then that's that."

"How can you be so cold?" She hissed. He chuckled.

"You call it cold. I call it having my priorities in order."

Integra spent the night in the hospital to make sure she was alright, being released the next night into Alucard's care.

"Why are you here?" She asked, changing into her normal suit instead of the thin nightgown that exposed her backside.

"I didn't think you'd want Walter. Not only did you lie to him about where you were going; you also went to a band he doesn't approve of, slipped past my guard to an after party where there was, without a doubt, drinking and sex," she came out of the bathroom, patting her hair down and leaving her nightgown behind. Alucard floated up from his sitting position on her hospital bed and followed her out.

"Have you found anything out about the events?"

"Not much, Master. The ones responsible have left and none of the missing have been found."

"Danny?" Integra asks hopefully. He shook his head. Integra's stomach churned.

Why oh why didn't Alucard stop her from going to that party?! If he had, then she would probably be seeing Danny off after a fun day of relaxation to recuperate from the concert instead of being in this god awful hospital.

&&&

"Integra, you aren't in bed yet?" Walter asked, amazed. Integra tore her eyes away from the computer screen, rubbing them.

"Can't sleep," she responded.

"Becoming a bit of an insomniac, are you?" He asked. He notices the police reports on her desk, "Still trying to find out what happened to Danny?"

"Yes," she admitted. He patted her hand.

"Don't worry too much; Alucard's gone after her," Integra looked up at him.

"He has?" He nodded.

"If you don't mind, Miss Integra, I think I'll call it a night, as I think you should too."

"Alright, Walter," she gave in, shutting down her computer. He smiled.

"Goodnight, Miss Integra."

"'Night, Walter."

She dressed for bed and brushed her teeth. She turned off her bedside lamp, took off her glasses and set them on her nightstand. She slipped into her nice safe blankets and closed her eyes.

For a few hours, Integra drifted in that odd state between conscious and unconscious, unable to sleep yet unable to do anything else but try. She almost had gotten to that point when she felt a definite shift of weight on her bed, and she wasn't the one who moved. She sighed.

"I didn't want to wait up for you," she muttered.

"I would've been here sooner, but traffic was dreadful," Integra shot up, sure she was hallucinating.

But even with her awful vision, she could tell it wasn't Alucard at the foot of her bed. She reached for her glasses and set them on her face. Grinning broadly watching her was none other than the cause of trouble herself.

"Danny!" Integra exclaimed. She chuckled.

"The one and only," Integra shot across the bed and wrapped her in a tight hug.

She gave a squeak as Danny practically snapped her back.

"Oh, oops. I don't know my own strength yet, I guess," Integra pulled back and looked into her eyes. Her glowing red eyes.

Integra rocketed back.

"Danny! Oh, Danny…"

"What is it, Teggie?" She touched her face self-consciously and then laughed, "Oh, the red eyes. Yeah, guess what I am now?"

"Danny, how could you?!" Integra shouted, her stomach churning in disgust. Danny cocked her head to the side.

"How could I do what?"

"Become this!" She motioned harshly at Danny. She jerked back.

"This? Teggie, this is what we love, what we've bonded over for the past two years. The prince of darkness, or princess in my case; the vampire," Integra shook her head.

"You, you have me all wrong. I, I never said I loved vampires, I, I… Get out of here," she commanded.

"Why?"

"I never thought it would come to this…" Integra murmured.

"What the heck are you talking about?"

"Yeah. What are you exactly not telling your best friend?"

Through the wall, Leland morphed in, his true eyes shining through. Behind him came Christopher, Urbain, and a reluctant Tyson. Their green eyes had only been contacts, Integra thought with a heavy stomach. Leland laughed hard.

"It's a little too late for that realization, isn't it, Teggie?" He jeered as the foursome moved in towards her bed. Danny laughed.

"Go figure, our favorite band being vampires and all," she said with a light-hearted eye roll.

"The party…" Integra trailed off.

"Nothing more than finding new minions. It's something we do after every show to increase our power," Leland explained. His fangs gleamed in the faint moonlight as he grinned, "We weren't looking for you, to be honest. But hey, a fish this big caught in one's net cannot simply be thrown back. We were worried that Alucard might be a problem-"

"Which is why you knocked me out in the middle of the song," Integra put in dryly. He winked at her.

"Clever girl; no wonder you're the director. Anyway, this little cherub here," he inclined his head towards Danny, "managed to take the variable out, convincing you that there was no way Alucard would let you go. Now, it would have ended at that party, but the No-Life King had to spoil it," he stuck out his lip in a mock pout.

Integra took note of her surroundings and recognized the fact she was trapped by vampires on all sides; Leland and Danny in front, Tyson and Urbain to her left and Christopher to her right.

"You need to pick better allies, Miss Hellsing; she led us right to you."

"What are your motives?" Integra questioned calmly, trying to squelch the pounding of her heart. Losing her head wouldn't help her at all.

"Motives? Well, my dear, what does every vampire want with a Hellsing?" He leaned forward and forcefully cupped her chin, "To tear them limb from limb, to cause a violent, slow, torturous, and not to mention exploitive death. Revenge, and to put you in your place, human," he moved towards her, his body so close she could smell the stale blood on him, "Because, really, what you do is just as bad as what we do."

"You're going to turn her, aren't you?" Danny asked, her tone strangely unsure.

"Idiot," Christopher hissed.

"Now, now, she doesn't know," Leland chided his brother, if they were even brothers. He nuzzled her neck like a lover, "Your friend has deceived you. She doesn't like vampires, she hates them. The Hellsing Organization's, her organization, only goal is to wipe out the undead."

"But, Alucard…"

"A slave forced to work for her," his lips parted and Integra tensed.

He hissed and suddenly, where Leland had been Danny was. She picked up the shocked Integra and charged through the door. Integra glanced over her shoulder. So far, they weren't following.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do," Danny muttered, "But first, where's the best place to stash you?"

"The range," Integra said. Danny didn't need any guidance other than Integra's mental map of the Hellsing mansion.

"Any particular reason why you kept so many secrets from me?" Danny said, a little irked. Integra chuckled.

"I thought you would be safer not knowing."

"Well, look where that's gotten us," she phased through the door into the range, setting Integra down, "So, you're a vampire hunter."

"Yeah."

"The name kind of gives you away, not like I was smart enough to figure it out."

"Could you break this lock?"

"I could," Integra waited a minute. Danny just stood there, a smirk on her face.

"May you please break the lock?"

"That's the ticket," It snapped like a toothpick in her hand. Integra fished out a rather large gun, knocking off the safety.

"Remind me not to piss you off," she murmured.

The four members of C.U.L.T. morphed through the door in a menacing line.

"Why are you running when you know we'll only pursue you?" Christopher said tiredly. Integra aimed her gun.

Before she could blink, Urbain had knocked the weapon from her hands. It went off, shooting the wall. The three of them laughed while Tyson remained silent. Integra scrambled for the gun, but Urbain destroyed it.

"Depending so heavily on weapons. Can't you fight, little Hellsing? Or are you waiting for your dear Alucard to return?" Leland jeered.

"For you pathetic mongrels? Why?" She asked, striking out at Urbain. He danced out of the way.

"I wonder if she can even fight," Christopher remarked, right before Danny knocked him over.

Integra kept battling for a gun, but her advances always ended in one of them breaking it. Danny tore into them like a vicious cougar, spraying blood and appendages everywhere. But they always reformed, while Danny couldn't fix the injuries they gave her. It was looking pretty hopeless for the both of them, with Danny missing an arm and Integra's glasses smashed. They were fading fast after hours and hours of fighting with no hope of reprieve in sight.

She gritted her teeth as she wiped the blood from her eyes. Not tonight, Integra told herself over and over again. She wasn't going to die tonight, and especially not because of a poor judgment. Christopher had her by the shoulders, Leland hovering near her face.

"You are a worthy opponent, Miss Hellsing. I've never seen a human fight like you. But I think you'll agree with me when I say you'd rather die than become one of us," Integra gave a firm nod, "Guess you'll have to die, then."

Integra turned towards Tyson. He hadn't moved the entire fight, didn't help either side. He just stood there, like a rotting piece of meat.

A furious snarl ripped from Danny as she took what was left of her energy, snatching up Integra and hurrying towards the wall. She phased through, and out into the dawn.

She clung to Danny as she was half-dragged, half-carried away from the mansion, into the woods. Integra pretended she couldn't hear their pursuers so close behind them.

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. Love vampires, hate vampires, heck kill me if you're that determined. I'm just glad I had such a good friend to depend on," Danny stated.

"I think the blood loss has you confused. I'm just glad I have such a good friend as you to depend on," Integra stated. Danny gave a weary smile.

"You know, Teggie, I've been thinking. It's not about the survival of the fittest…"

They came into a break in the thick brush. The sun rose over the crest of the earth, bathing the ground in sun. Screams were heard from behind them.

"…it's the survival of the fit enough."

Integra fell to the ground. She was initially baffled; where had Danny gone? She looked behind and saw that C.U.L.T. was now nothing more than dust. She glanced down and her stomach turned.

Where her best friend had been standing, where she was sitting now, was a pile of ashes that used to be Danny.

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There couldn't possibly be any more tears inside of her. She had been rung dry, her eyes red and swollen. Nothing more spilt from her eyes as she sobbed. Integra had forgotten how much pain someone could feel.

All the CDs, all the t-shirts and posters and memorabilia that could possibly be connected to C.U.L.T., were carried outside in one large box. She could barely stand to look at the contents. Only three of them had died initially; she had found Tyson still rooted to the same spot. Wordlessly, she had shot him dead.

She set the box down and she felt a familiar shiver coarse up her spine. Alucard stood silently beside her as he watched her pull out a box of matches and a cigar.

"She went out in her way; only thinking things halfway through, never examining all of the consequences before diving in. Sure, she killed them, but she got burned as well," Integra said bitterly as she stuck the cigar into her mouth, pulling a match out and striking it against the box, "I don't know what's worse; knowing that she died to save me, or knowing that if we had somehow survived together I would have to face the question of who was higher on my priorities, my friend or my duty."

She lit her cigar and then threw the lit match into the box, right on top of her printed-out picture of Tyson. She tucked the box of matches away and took a long drag on her cigar.

"I don't think hatred is what's wrong with the world anymore; I think it's indifference. To pick a side is better than nothing, and to just ignore something when you know in your gut it's wrong…" She shook her head at Tyson, not believing the boy who wrote such beautiful lyrics, the boy she adored, was little more than a coward.

"I wouldn't suggest having too many of those. You may become addicted," Alucard spoke. She let out a long funnel of smoke.

"I'm grieving," She gave a jerk that looked almost like a sad laugh, turning to Alucard with watery eyes; "It's all your fault. It's all your fault my best friend is dead!" Alucard's understanding eyes suddenly went cold.

"If you are to put blame on anyone for this accident, my master, let it be on yourself."

"No! You let her die! You could've stopped us from going to the party! You could've saved her like you saved me! You could've found her before they turned her! You could've been here when they were attacking! You could've been here and stopped her from running out into the sun!"

The flames licked her once favorite possessions, turning them into soot and black smoke. An acrid smell came from it as her past disintegrated. A few more tears spilled out as she yelled accusingly at him, her scratchy voice climbing higher and higher. Alucard simply stared at her as though unsure what to do. He extended his hand and set it on her shoulder. She jerked away like he had slapped her.

"Don't you dare pretend for even a moment that you care about me!" She snarled, "I know this is just a job for you, that you're only here because my family imprisoned you! No-Life King, you have no compassion. If you had it, you would have saved her!"

Integra turned and stormed away. Part of Alucard wanted to grab her and show her just how cruel he could be. Another part wanted to convince her that he cared for her more than anyone else in the world, master or not. He glanced into the fire, and watched as the poster that had been hanging on her poster, the one they had talked about just a few days ago with light hearts and joking tones, curled up and turned into food for the flames.

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There is no excuse for the months of unupdating. So I made it long-ish. Please review.