Yay, we hit 10 chapters and it couldn't have been reached without your support readers! I'm really grateful. So we got a bit of a long sided chapter and I hope you all enjoy :)

Every Full Moon

Chapter 10: Forbearance

Year: 1927

The sun seemed to be brighter in this area or perhaps there was just so much peace and happiness residing in the Dornez household. It was a little chateau that was located more on the country side, it did have a familiar air to it. There were many wild flowers in the area, Arminta had been in charge of making that happen. The front garden was vast and it had an assortment of many kinds of flowers ranging from chrysanthemums to dandelions.

This humble household was where Evangeline needed to be, it was a place she could feel at ease, somewhere that no one would exceeded anything from her at least, for the time being. Especially after the events of the proposal fiasco which had caused the current discord at the Hellsing estate. Not to mention it was rumored Varrick had gone missing the same night that the proposal had taken place. The police had searched for him high and low but they couldn't find any trace of him, it was almost as if the very ground had swallowed him.

She shook those thoughts aside and began to pick some vegetables in the back garden for tonight's supper that she was preparing. She had been living here for a while now and the weariness she had once felt was washed away by the modest family. After picking a variety of vegetables for a stew she walked back inside, into the kitchen where she found Arminta feeding her son Walter.

Evangeline smiled upon the two, she had arrived a month or two before Walter was born and was happy to help her friend with anything thing she needed which included taking care of the little boy. They had his christening a week ago and Evangeline was dubbed his godmother. He was a little over a month old but he was already very bright. "I'll be here to help in a moment just let me put him in his crib." Arminta whispered.

Arminta looked at her best friend and she did seem to be doing better than when she had first arrived. She had been quite surprised that night when Evangeline had arrived on horseback looking very distressed, it was not in her friend's character to just run away from something. The matter had to be quite serious for her to just uproot and not say a word about it. She had waited for Evangeline to speak to her about what happened but she never did.

Dinner was always very pleasant, tonight was no exception. Arminta and William would have thought their friend being who she was, had no idea what she was doing in the kitchen but she proved them wrong. Skillfully preparing a warm stew for them. She was acting a little more serious than usual but before they could ask Evangeline spoke, "I appreciate all that you both have done for me but, I must return."

Arminta and William looked at each other with surprise, they had grown accustom to Evangeline living with them, it almost felt like she had always been there. Though there was no more doubt in Evangeline's eyes, she had made up her mind and there was no persuading her out of it.

"There is nothing to thank us for Eva, now let's enjoy our supper as we usually do." William smiled.

"With the cheerful conversations you always provide us with." Arminta added.

This wouldn't be the last supper they shared, so dinner was just as animated as usual.

Alas moments like these don't last forever, something that had been a constant phrase in Evangeline's life. She had better stiff upper lip sooner rather than later, not to mention her right of passage was upon her: The Hunter trial each future Hellsing leader had to face.

Early the next morning Evangeline gathered her things into a small bag for she hadn't brought much with her to begin with and Arminta could do what she pleased with the remaining items she left behind. All that was left now were the farewells, which no matter if they would see each other again seemed to pull at her heartstrings. "Arminta, William I really can't express in words what you two did for me, thank you for letting me stay. I didn't mean to impose."

"Really Eva I'm happy you came to stay with us and on the contrary I thought Walter would bother you, being a new born and all that is implied." Evangeline had been great help with the newborn, Walter was fortunate to have woman like Evangeline to care for him.

"Not at all, I am going to miss all of you." Evangeline began to get teary-eyed, Arminta offered a one armed hug considering Walter was still in her other arm.

William joined into the hug as well, "come stay with us again, you are always welcome. Think of us first when you're in a bind."

"I will, thank you William." Evangeline let go of them and took a step back and wiped a few tears that escaped her eyes.

"You did enough for us when young Evangeline there is no need to thank us." She had been the one to help him get the love letters to Arminta in a sense she helped bring them together and William felt he owed Evangeline for her unconditional kindness.

"You better visit soon," Arminta scolded in a teasing manner, "Walter will miss his godmother." Walter turned to look at Evangeline with big, wondering blue eyes.

"And I will miss him too." Evangeline leaned forward to place a light kiss his forehead, "my strong, little gentleman," Walter giggled in response.

Evangeline gave them a last smile and turned around to get on her horse. "Farewell and thank you once again." She waved at them and as she gripped the reigns on Avel he reared up as if also giving them a salute.

"Take care of yourself." Arminta called out. The Dornez family waved goodbye and watched her speed away on the road until she was far from their view.

Evangeline felt much more at ease than she was when she arrived but she held onto a fear of what was to come. She feared her resolution to do her duty would waver with this trial. All the long way back to the Hellsing estate she prayed that her decision would not falter.

She arrived to the Hellsing estate just as the sun set. The guards let her in and a maid came to inform Lysander of her arrival. He was taken aback and quickly made his way out of the office and went outside to greet her.

His pace slowed as he opened the main door to find her seated on the first stair on the porch, her back to him. Lysander had feared his daughter would never return after the ordeal and the sudden pressure he knew this life style lived side by side with. "If I would have known you were returning tonight, I would have sent the car for you."

She stood up and turned to face him, "I came on horseback because it would be easy to turn back at any time but now you see I'm here of my own will." She kept her expression serious.

He sighed in response, "I was very worried about you. You are a young woman who needed space and time, that much as your father and mentor I can respect." This was his daughter after all, he wished he could have avoided this outcome but fate had an interesting way of choosing, it selected her for a reason. He nodded as he pondered his next words, even the look on his face took a gradual change into seriousness. Even his tone took the same turn, "I have taken care of most matters while you were away but I stress this cannot repeat itself in the future."

"It won't happen again father, I can assure you." She would fulfill her duty now without second guessing it.

"I know." He smiled, "come inside." He opened his arms to her and she took it. He guided her back inside where she was met with familiar faces.

"Evangeline you've returned." Erin exclaimed, he came to hug his sister. She was sorely missed in the estate; she was the sun that accompanied each of them. Alma had also come to greet her sister-in-law, expressing the need for her conversation partner. Her nephews Arthur and Richard came to say hello in a respectful manner.

"I'm glad to see you're all doing well, I am sorry for my lack of presence." She gave a short bow in apology and gave them a light smile.

"There will be time to speak but for now we have much to discuss. Evangeline come along." He gestured her to climb ahead of him. Erin glared towards his father all too aware of what it was he wished to speak about.

As they reached the office he closed the door. Evangeline noticed things were quite messy, books and documents were scattered on his desk and there were some even piled on the floor. "This next mission is a rite of passage in order to be considered a true Hunter. Of course I shall come along just as a precaution and to see you succeed."

"I see." Her hands trembled slightly but she quickly hid them behind her back to avoid an unnecessary comment from her father.

"I believe you are much more than ready and I have no doubt this will be done effortlessly." He smiled, his faith in her was more than she deserved.

"So what's the report?" She questioned, she sat down to see if it would calm her nerves.

"In summary there have been sightings of a man looming around the streets of the Wrexham, Wales; around 30 people have gone missing in just three days." He scattered through some files on his desk and after a few minutes was able to locate the documents on the case and handed it to her.

"Why was nothing done sooner?" She skimmed through the pages, 30 people was far too many, they let things get way out of hand.

Her father nodded agreeing but he shrugged, "the police officials said they required no aid but now the matter has become too much to handle and the queen approved of us intervening."

"We leave now then I suspect, to be there by midday if the weather is nice." She said, remembering how he liked to work.

"Yes, just get the equipment ready. We'll leave in an hour at most."

She wanted to be left alone, why else? Mother patronized her at every moment and father demanded her to follow in the legacy set out for us Hellsing descendants. How did it all fall upon us? Erin pondered as he waited at the bottom of the staircase.

"I don't like this one bit." He said as Evangeline came down the stairs. Her lips were pressed in a thin line but she said nothing to him.

Lysander was right behind her and heard what he had to say. "It's not a question of whether you like the idea, it is what must be done." He turned to face Erin and noticed he was suited up in his hunting attire. "Will you be coming along?" Lysander asked quite astonished. Erin and him had been in disagreement since Evangeline left though today had been the day where they had reached a sorts of amiable conversation.

"Of course, I'll protect my sister from anything be it vampire or man." He was willing to risk his life so his sister could come back safe and sound. Although, Erin had a bad feeling. Perhaps it was because he had failed this very same trial, hopefully it didn't end bad for his sister.

The trip had been long and they were able to arrive at the hour they had hoped. Evangeline was able to quickly gain on the vampire's trail which led to the outskirts of the city. As they continued to follow the trace, it was apparent why the officials hadn't found sign or hair of the creature. It was residing deep inside the fauna surrounding the town.

"It's especially dark right now." Erin muttered. The horses were becoming skittish; they could feel the anomaly looming in these grounds.

There was definitely something more going on, "silence everyone." She urged her horse to slow down, her eyes narrowed as she skimmed through the area. Evangeline could suddenly feel multiple auras in the air and they were making their way here at transcendent speed. "It's a trap, there's more than one!" She moved her horse out of the way as she heard a snapping noise come from above. "MOVE!" She yelled to her father and brother.

The tree nearest to them had been cleanly lifted from its roots and was leaning towards them upon dissent. As it came crashing down, it shook the entire forest and separated her from Lysander and Erin.

Her horse in the hassle of the moment bucked high, she lost her balance and fell clean on her back. Disoriented for a moment she failed to see the vampire making its way towards her. Her vision still blurry but she could hear the hissing of the monster, she took out her gun and fired continuously. It tore the gun away from her and took seize of her neck and started to drag her away.

At a disadvantage of strength and lacking air at the moment she could only struggle. "Agh! Let me go!" She wheezed, losing her breath in the powerful grasp. Suddenly she felt the ground cease to be and from the corner of her tearing eye noticed that she was hanging at the edge of the cliff. He looked at her hungrily but he was more intent to cause a painful death.

"So you want me to let you go?" His head bobbed to one side.

"Yes but," she realized she had brought a spare pistol and was finally able to reach it, inside her jacket.

"But?" The monster questioned.

"You're coming with me." She quickly swiped the gun out of her coat and aimed for the creature and fired. The bullet had pierced its leg, blowing it clean off. The vampire cried out in agony and lost its balance. With her in its now loser clutches, they fell off the cliff.

It continued to cry out no longer taking an interest in her, she grabbed it by the shoulders switching their positions, she now was on top of him and her gun pointed at his heart. "In the name of God die!" She fired and the vampire, instantly it turned to ash and it scattered into the air. As the beast disappeared before her she noticed how much closer to the ground she was, there was nothing to impede the fall.

"EVANGELINE!" She heard someone yell. Feeling there was no escape from this imminent doom she closed her eyes already too light headed to speak or see. The altitude had bested her yet again so she braced for the fall. As soon as she closed her eyes she ceased to feel the wind in her ear as something cold wraps around her like a blanket. At that moment she hears a heavy breaking noise and then she feels a solid surface underneath her.

Evangeline's heart was still pounding. It took a minute for her to get a hold of a normal breathing pattern and collect herself before she decided to open her eyes. There was a white light shining above her, the moon was now even further away, it seemed she had broken through the ground. The fall would have been enough to kill her yet there was no pain nor injury. Her eyes now took to her surroundings; it was all an infinite darkness.

Quickly she reached inside her coat pocket for a box of matches, she lit one and noticed that she was inside a cave. She took out another match and lit it and looked for a stick of sorts. She found one nearby and tore a piece of her trousers to make a suitable torch. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light, the cavern was very spacious. The opening was too well carved for it to have been a natural phenomenon.

Evangeline looked up once more at the opening above her, she decided that she better start walking and trying to find a way out as soon as she could. This cavern was so quiet and as she concentrated she could sense that a darkness was looming, the air reeked of death and despair.

"Alright time to get a move on." She pushed forward trying not to get too distracted with the smells and uncomfortable feelings racing inside of her. She was still very preoccupied with what befell her father and brother when they were separated, hopefully they were both alright and all the more reason to find a way out of here and quick.

After traversing for a while she was met with two paths, "which is the right one?" The air was foul on both ends but it was lighter on one side perhaps were the exit was and the smell could possibly escape, "okay left it is then."

She continued to walk in silence trying to keep her guard up even if she was weary, she had to be able to hear any sound the cave might emit.

The walk felt endless, the anxiety was increasing as the path seemed to stretch on for an eternity and the smell was making her dizzy, she coughed. Something's very wrong. Her pace slowed as she heard many moans becoming louder. Whatever was making it was just up ahead so she got her pistol ready. Holding onto the torch firmly she walked forward and found piles of bodies on the floor except they were moving. "Ghouls?" She whispered horrified. Their bodies were withering; the stench was coming from then. They wouldn't be too hard to dispatch; they couldn't even run for if they tried pieces of their bodies were sure to fall off. She had to be smart with her ammunition as she only had a few rounds left to spare, that and her sword but she felt she didn't want to be close enough to one of them to use it. Though, she felt pity on the creatures, but only shot at the ones who were truly blocking her way.

The air was even clearer now and she could see a dim light, no doubt the entrance to this cave. She began to race forward when something pushed her back with an incredible force, her back knocking into the solid wall. She coughed feeling completely winded and felt blood accumulate in her mouth. The torch had fallen next to her and as she looked up it enabled her to see the figure towering over her.

Pale with glowing red eyes, it leaned closer to her so they could see eye to eye, "you pesky Hunter's ruined everything, most of my subjects are dead."

"I do apologize, I meant to kill all of them." She spat, she tried to grab a hold of her gun but he had seen through her intentions. In a flash he had both of her arms in his grip, pinned above her.

He pulled her up, out of her seated position so she could stand to face him "no one will hear your cry in the darkness." His hand began to slowly trace over her body. Her breathing hitched as she thought this was how she was going to die; she had been too carless.

"Are you giving up? That's very unlike you." The voice echoed in her head. The vampire ripped her shirt open exposing her, his sharp nails outlining her skin but stopped over her drumming heart.

"I can have a little fun with you first." The monster licked his lips now eyeing her with much more lust than he had initially.

"Who's that?" She groaned.

"Fight back." The all too familiar voice urged. The monster began to lean in bearing his fangs.

"Vlad?" She mumbled, out of all the times to hear his voice it had been now.

"Precisely." The vampire gave out a loud scream, his grip on her loosening. The monster took a step back and was staring at the hand protruding from his chest. From what Evangeline could see, a dark coated figure had killed the vampire. The shriek the monster let out was excruciating till the very end until it turned to dust.

"Get out of here!" The shadow figure ordered.

She hesitated for a moment but the figures ruby eyes narrowed and she had no choice but to oblige. She grabbed the torch, got to her feet quicker than she would have expected and began to run. There were still a couple of ghouls standing mindlessly in the way of her escape. She reached for her sword and sliced through the last of them. She had reached the opening with much relief.

She heard a couple of voices and the galloping of horses near her. "Evangeline!?" The voices were unmistakable, her brother and father.

"Erin! Father!" She screamed, her voice trembled as she continued to call for them. They reached her within a few minutes from her call.

Her father got off the horse to meet her, he was startled by her tattered appearance, she was shaking but other than that she was okay, "Evangeline thank-"

"Help me destroy it!" She pointed at the cave. Erin came to meet up with them, they wanted to ask her what had happened but she was hell-bent on destroying that cave.

They listened without questioning her further, Erin had brought along a few hand grenades just as a precaution. They tried to throw them as far inside the cave as they could. Soon it was engulfed in flames and heavy crashing noises. It was successfully brought down, it collapsed and the entrance was now caved in.

Evangeline was staring at the wreckage when her father asked again, "what happened inside of there?"

"I'll explain everything later." Her eyes didn't waver as she stared at the remnants of the cave, the ground was dark and heated, she began to sweat profusely even as the air became frozen.

"We should be heading back now; the sun will rise soon." Lysander and Erin had searched hours for her, the sun was beginning to rise and they were simply exhausted. The mission hadn't gone as planned as they were almost overwhelmed by ghouls themselves and they also believed the worst had befallen Evangeline considering she fell from such a height with a vampire dragging her.

They mounted their horses but she didn't move. Not turning to face them she spoke in a serious tone, "I'll catch up with you two later." He was there lingering in the shadows with the intent of speaking to her.

Erin was confused by her words, "Evangeline what-"

She interrupted, "trust me, I'll reach you two at the inn later. I wish to be alone."

Lysander looked around the area, he knew something might be amidst for her to behave so strangely but he couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. It might be something of minor importance if she could handle it by herself, now there was no doubt in his mind: she was an excellent hunter. Granted she did look shaken but they all started this way, she had recuperated her stoic demeanor moments later. "Alright but don't dwell for too long. I expect to hear your report on what happened as soon as you return."

"Right." She tried to fasten her shirt with the remaining buttons, only managing to close three of them.

Lysander waved to her but she didn't respond or turn back to look at them as they rode off. Erin found her behavior much to peculiar to maintain his opinion quiet, "Is it okay to leave her, I'm worried she doesn't look the same." Who knows what she faced in the cave, she was too distant to be considered normal.

Lysander shot him a dismissive glare, "we should respect her wish; you must respect her decision Erin, all future ones to come."

She heard the entire exchange between her father and brother but decided to wait until they were completely out of her hearing reach to speak. There it was again his aura but it felt different now almost tamed and not a confused darkness she had once felt. "I know you're there, come out and face me." She whispered.

"I believed you would send me away." His voice taunt. She couldn't yet see him or even sense from which direction he might appear, he was everywhere. She didn't speak, knowing he would have more to say, "your senses have improved but you haven't honed your abilities just yet." Her shadow began to animate, the darkness rose and began to take shape, she turned around feeling the freezing wind come from behind. There he stood proud, strong and still shrouded in darkness, she could hear the anger in his tone.

"Never mind that, I thought…I thought I spoke clearly to you last time." She had meant not to hesitate or fumble over her words but she did, the impression of seeing him there had almost rendered her completely silent.

"You did and that's why I'm here." There was an undistinguishable air to his expression, he was still cast in shadow before her.

She took a step back and analyzed his words, slowly she began to recall the incident in the cave. He waited patiently and then she realized, "I called out your name." She had known the answer all along but perhaps she didn't want to face the reality of her mistake.

"Yes and the deal was until you needed me. Calling out my name seemed to fall under that rule." He stepped closer finally allowing the now high full moon to illuminate his features. He hadn't changed, of course not, why would he. Evangeline shook her head at the stupidity of her mental comment.

"You tricked me." While nearly being murdered by the enraged vampire she had heard his voice and thus at the recognition that it was him she spoke his name.

His tone was still upset, "I did no such thing, I merely decided to lend you a hand as you were to preoccupied to remember our deal. You accepted it by calling me." He repeated with more enfaces that it was all her doing. His mood began to lighten up as he was pleased she had called his name, it drowned out the thought of another vampire touching her.

She wasn't going to win this argument; he would find any excuse to make her seem responsible for his reappearance. She decided to graciously stand down and offer her thanks. "I thank you for your help." She bowed slightly but her expressions was of everything distasteful.

"I only wish to oblige and see you smile." His hand reached for hers but stopped midway. He turned away from her, "I sensed you were involved in this disorder I could think of nothing else but to keep you from harm's way. I know I have expressed this many times before to you." He was pained so he turned around not wanting her to look upon him when his control was slipping.

She was still upset nonetheless he spoke sincerely, that much she was sure of. She took a step towards him, also coming to another conclusion, "you shielded me from the fall?"

He nodded, "It worked out perfectly since you closed your eyes." The fall that otherwise might have killed her or at least left her broken did nothing, for he had been ready to catch her.

He had nothing but the best intentions for her and he was usually calm around her especially now.

Past occurrences couldn't simply be forgotten; her future could not be abandoned either. So as much as she wished, with a heavy heart she replied, "things can't be the same way they were once before." The familiarity they shared could be no more, though she still needed him but this time there had to be boundaries.

"Yes that much I know and I find it unfortunate." Human forgiveness was an oddity once it was shattered it could no longer be obtained and if it was then, there was a price to pay.

"You were right though, every single word." Who was she to judge him, humans had flaws and so could vampires apparently. Perhaps she was being naïve with the way she handled him but this was mostly to make amends to herself for the way she had treated him just a year ago. He didn't deserve that from her especially when all he had done was bring her happiness. He sensed her getting upset again, an inner turmoil she was trying to relieve.

He knew she felt guilty because of him but he wanted nothing more than to be beside her. He could be nothing but the embodiment of loyalty to her. He knew how much pain she had been in last year, partially because of him and what he represented. He turned around to face her and closed the distance between them, he brought his hand up to stroke the side of her cheek, she turned to look up at him, "trust in me again." He urged.

She sighed feeling defeated. He represented something very distinct in her life, something she wouldn't let go just because it was viewed as impossible.

As she had stated their relationship would be very different from what it was once, in those thoughts she remembered an interesting passage she had read in a book about prehistoric civilizations. "In an ancient civilization when a someone would commit a sin; it was permitted to give them a second chance but a ritual was to be performed." He nodded slowly as he began to understand her intentions. "In this ritual, the person who was taking charge of the offender was ready to assume and consume all acts of reprobation so he could start anew. They were destined to share the same fate. In this though, the sinner would be bestowed a new name, his name in reverse was thought also to absolve him from past events."

"You mean to handle me?" She was accepting him once again but there was more to this ideal situation by what her words really meant.

"If that's what it takes then yes." She wasn't openly going to admit she wanted him near her, besides he had proven very useful in the dispute with other vampires. "Do you or do you not accept?"

"Yes, present me with your absolution." He bowed, he was very amused to hear the rest of this ritual.

"You are Vlad Tepes but during these current times you went by the name Dracula." Her grandfather only referred to him as Dracula in the notebook with the honorific of Count always before, "therefore from now on you will be known as Alucard. Rise Alucard as you are now forgiven." It was more than a formality for him, he took this bond much to heart. She was a remarkable human and it would bring him nothing but pleasure to serve her.

"Alucard, very befitting, don't you agree." A bird caws and Evangeline notices a familiar bird make its way down to land on Alucard's shoulder. "She missed you." Evangeline was surprised to see her other faithful companion appear. Mina turns to look at her mistress and Evangeline reaches out for her hesitantly. Evangeline recognized that she had been cruel to her pet but all the same she is happy that Mina permitted the young Huntress to pet her.

"I shall permit you to be my shadow once more but you'll be walking on a very thin line." She looked at him seriously, her eyes reflect the struggle she had been through but also the intensity of her will to overcome any challenge. She whistled for her horse which came quickly.

"I wouldn't even consider stepping out of it." He grinned.

She got on the horse and quickly snapped back to look at him, "and I don't want to hear anything about me being a huntress and what it all entails, are we clear?" She wasn't sure how okay he was with hunting his own kind but if he accepted her terms then he must have some resentment towards vampires and what they represent.

"As clear as the night sky tonight, my master." He would enjoy referring to her this way, she was more than suitable to command him in any way she pleased and he would be eager to comply. The task she would set out for him to do were probably going to be more entertaining than anything else he had done this current century, so with that he became one with her shadow.

Well that's a wrap. As you all see Vlad came back but now he is our Alucard. It was a challenge to come up with an explanation to justify his name being Alucard but all the same I had a blast writing this chapter! Hope the action scenes were not too confusing.

A special thanks to my reviewers speedfanatic05 and AwesomeFangirlOtaku01 for your reviews! And thank you so much to those of you who favorite and follow! It means a lot, I'm so happy there are many of you who are enjoy this story. I hoping waiting for my updates aren't too much of a drag, updating could be a little testing at times.

There was a lot to cover in this chapter and I hope you all enjoyed it! :D

Till next update

-roseimagine