Disclaimer: I own nothing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, nor Hellsing.

Chapter Ten: ...and a fighting we will go…

The red colored, and black striped haired young woman shot out her arm towards the nearest blue skinned, seven-foot demon standing in her way. Her gaze flashed silver for a second with the rise of her power, just as she let loose another fireball. Her aim was true, and the fiend burst into flames. She turned sharply to her left and the enemy behind missed her head from a swipe of his claws by mere inches. She rolled, until her body came to rest on one knee. Her arm came up, and her magic took another casualty. Her free hand reached back, and pulled a ceremonial knife from its clip on her belt. Murmuring a few words under her breath, she then threw the now enchanted blade towards one of the warlocks ten feet away.

Willow had no hopes of hitting the man, but her purpose was to dissolve the warlock's magical shield, which surrounded him and his comrade. The knife hit its target, and the green force field pulsed for a moment, before disappearing completely. She smiled with grim satisfaction at the deed; before she took the rapier from its place on her back. She did not have time to spare. There were still more then twenty Dzolion demons to deal with, before she could face off with the two male witches. She held up a hand, and intoned in a deep husky voice, "Thicken!"

The warlocks froze in place, their eyes widening in horror when they found they could not move. The witch laughed in glee at their predicament. She pointed the tip of her sword in their direction, and called out to them, "I'll be back for you two later! Now, don't be rude and leave like some bad guests I know…the party's just starting!"

The sound of bitten back laughter filled the clearing. Willow glanced up at the noise; and her jaw fell at the sight which meet her eyes. There stood Alucard, arm out stretched as he calmly shot the nearest Dzolion demon between the eyes. She cringed as grey matter fell out of the back of the monster's head, just before the dead body fell back to the ground. "Yucky…"

Alucard's grin grew as he heard her. "Witch, you have been setting them aflame, taking at least five of them out, and now you are skirmish about brain matter?" He skipped to the right, avoiding an axe aimed at his back, and aimed his Jackal at the enemy again.

She glared up at him, just before swinging her sword up in a perfect arch to behead the demon looming above her. She kicked out at the chest, sending the decapitated body to the ground. She jumped to her feet, facing the next wave of demons. "It's grey…and yucky, Okay! Anyone would think so…just don't get any of it on me, all right? Just the thought of cleaning it out of my cloths, gives me the shivers."

Alucard turned away with another snort, red eyes wide with amusement. "As you say Red." He released the clip of his gun, reaching into his coat pocket for another one. He watched as his new opponent raced towards him; sword at the ready.

"Demons like you make me sick…what are you anyways?" He asked conversationally, as he calmly reloaded his Jackal.

"Maggot…I am of the Dzolion Clan." Roared the blue-skinned demon. He was angered from the hit against his people's pride. "You should show more respect when addressing your betters!"

"My better?" the vampire repeated with a raised brow, lips twisting to one side. "I have no betters, you little worm, but tell me, I thought those of the Dzolion Clans were neutral? Why are you, and those of your clan members here tonight?"

"Why do you care? Soon you will die here, silenced by my hand." Declared the clueless demon in a booming voice.

"Me? Die tonight? Well…no, that's not going to happen…but you on the other hand, are in my way." Alucard remarked with a cool air as he cocked the Jackal. "All I wanted was some information…but no matter. Since you, and your fellow Clan members let the wolfs go, your target must be the woman…So, tell me, what is the going rate for the capture of a witch?" The vampire did not wait for a reply, as he just reached out with inhuman speed, and with a loud bang, shot the offending Dzolion out of existence.

"Do you always converse during the heat of the moment?" Willow's voice was thick with suppressed laughter.

"…but of course little tree, otherwise there is no fun."

"Whatever, you crazed vamp!" the red head yelled back, the color of her eyes swirling black and silver as she reached out to block another swing at her head. It had been awhile since she had enjoyed herself on a hunt like this, not since the old days, back when her friends and she use to patrol Sunnydale's cemeteries. Alucard was proving to be a great companion to have for the hunt.

In no time at all, the witch and the vampire had disposed of the small army of Dzolions. Dead bodies, split blood and gore covered the ground, and the smell…

"Oh man, what a mess." Willow moaned aloud, and then wiped her forehead of sweat. She took inventory of her person, and was pleased. She had a cut a inch thick on her back, and one longer on her left arm; but these wounds were already healing…overall, not too bad. She glanced around, and then with arms outstretched, she murmured a few choice words under her breath. A blue cleansing flames burst out of the palms of her hands, covering the ground. Soon the field was clear of the dead, decaying bodies. It was as if they had never been there.

"Convenient…" Alucard spoke softly as he looked around,. and a whistle of appreciation for the girl's obvious power past his lips. The red head was full of surprises…he frowned as thoughts in his head mingled. There was so much potential in Willow's slight frame…she was wasted at the Slayers Council.

"Neat, yeah?" Willow commented as she strode past, her eyes glued to the two warlocks trapped into place. "You should see what I can do at a Star Trek Convention…it's a blast."

"I'm sure…" Alucard replied dryly with a tone full of enjoyment, falling into step behind her.

"Now, what to do with you two?" the witch mumbled as she began to circle the prisoners with a slow tread, her actions causing fear to grow within the two males. "I know…why don't we start with you guys giving us your name, rank, and affiliation?" she said as her gaze flashed.

One of the two warlocks spat on the ground, inches from her feet. She frowned at the insult. "We're not telling you anything bitch!" he snared.

"Come now, no need for name calling, is there?...Besides," she told them with a awry grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "who said you had a choice in the matter?"…and with that, Willow's head cocked to the side, while her gaze darkened. The power released, and the two males began to scream from the magical pressure tearing at their insides. Soon blood began to flow from their ears and their noses. After a few minutes, they were begging…

"Who sent you?" she demanded, voice cold as ice. She missed the quick look of astonishment sent her way by the vampire. If he didn't know better, he'd think he was listening to Integra.

"Who sent you?" Willow asked again, the sharpness in her tone causing the men to swallow nervously. This was starting to annoy her. There was nothing more that she hated then having assholes thinking it was okay to ambush her friends, or herself. Really, it was getting tiresome…

"Wolfram and Hart…"

"Gosh…" the expression on the red head's face cleared. "Guess they're still pissed, yeah?

Alucard's head turned and he stared at the witch with narrowed eyes. "The Wolf, the Ram, and the Hart…you do have strange enemies."

She shrugged. "They went after a few friends of mine…so I sent their demon army back to hell…they didn't take it too well."

The warlocks began to tremble anew at the knowledge of who held them. "You are the Red Witch?" came the shaken words.

"Yep!" the woman replied cheerfully, eyeing the two with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Your bosses sent you…to what? To capture me? To kill me? It doesn't matter, really...I wonder what you two did to piss them off so much? They knew there was no way you were coming back alive?" she taunted them. "This was a suicide mission from the first."

Alucard pulled his hat down over his face, to hide his growing smirk. The scent of the male's fear filled the air, wetting his hunger…The witch was glorious…She knew how to play with her prey so beautifully.

"Hum…what should we do with you?" Willow mused, while tapping her chin with a slender finger. Her head jerked up. "I know…" she reached out and laid her palms on the faces of the two men. After a moment, they dropped to the ground onto their knees, her hands still attached to their skin. She drained them of their magic's, leaving them trembling in the aftermath. Now, they would not be able to hurt anyone again.

"I must tell ya', thanks for the perk-me-up!" she told them with a glowing smile, her gaze steady on their cowering forms. "Now…run along, and let your masters know of what happened tonight…wait, you know what? Maybe you two should just run and hide. There's no telling what Wolferman and Hart will do to you guys for this failure."

The former warlocks jumped to their feet, and ran for their lives, knowing every word spoken by the witch was the truth. They would be lucky to survive the night. The witch and the vampire watched quietly as the men left the forest. "Why did you not kill them?" Alucard questioned with curiosity. "They are scum, lower then the lowest."

"What's the fun in that? They were defenseless…" Willow replied on a sigh. She was suddenly very tired; almost exhausted from using too much magic. Even the recharge of magic from the two warlocks was not going to help for long. She stumbled on her feet, catching herself from falling by grabbing the arm next to her.

She looked up into Alucard's face, her sight going blurry. "They can not hurt me…besides, Wolfman and Hart need to know the outcome of tonight events. They'll think twice before coming after anyone from the Council again."

The vampire wrapped an arm around the girl's waist, and pulling her close to him. He could feel her tremble, but it was not from fear. He frowned down at her. "Witch, what is wrong with you?"

Her head rolled limply on her shoulders, until it came to rest against his chest. "It's been a long day…no, a long few months. If I'd known what this day would bring, I would have taken a nap this afternoon before heading to the Hellsing Manor…" The lids of her eyes came down, and jerked back up as she tried to force herself back awake. She tried to push herself away, but lacked the strength. "Whoa, I have to get home."

Alucard shook his head at her antics; and then with a deep breath of mock annoyance, he reached down to grip her by the back of the knees. He lifted her up, her slender form resting comfortable in his arms. "You are falling asleep standing up young Willow. Rest now, I will take care of you."

"Okay Mister Vamp…" she murmured, already out for the count. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." There came the words he never thought he would say in his undead life. As much as he would like to deny it, this woman-child had shaken the foundations of his world tonight. She was asleep now; alone with him, and needing his protection. By rights, he should not care; but something within compelled him to shelter the witch.

He adjusted his grip on her body, bending his head; his cheek brushing against her cheek, until the lips of his mouth was a breath away from the skin of her throat; the pulse of her heart. Trembling slightly, he held her closer. He was hit with a wave of dizziness…something in him pushed against the binds of the soul, tearing apart restrains centuries old; it awoke…and it hungered, unlike he had ever hungered before…and it was not for the life-blood, nor the power flowing through the girl's veins. He closed his eyes…and just for a time just let himself be in the moment…with his witch-child in his arms under the full moon.

All too soon, Alucard opened his eyes, and turned away with self-mocking laughter falling from his throat. What the hell was he thinking?...nothing of this night could bloom to maturity. He would always be alone…He was truly pathetic. He began to walk towards the tree line. Within seconds, the two of them disappeared into the shadows….

Hope you like,

Magik.