Dracula raised an eyebrow at Natasha. "Why do you want to go to London, my dear?"
Natasha was heading for the door when she replied, "To get as far away from here as possible."

It took Natasha three nights to reach London. All the while she was cautious about letting people see her bat form and staying out until dawn. During the journey Natasha hid from the sun in barns or old abandoned houses.

When she finally reached London it was quiet with hardly anyone on the streets. Natasha began to feel lonely as she walked the streets of London looking for a place to hide when the sun came up. She had already begun to miss home, but her mind was dead set on staying as far away from Dracula as she could. Of course Natasha would have to return to the castle eventually or Dracula would come looking for her and that would not end pleasantly. Natasha finally came across the decision to stay in an abandoned house.

It had been a little more than a week, now, since Natasha left the castle and she had been enjoying herself as well. One night while Natasha was taking a walk around the city a man, who seemed to look afraid over something, grabbed her and dragged her into an alley.

"You really shouldn't take random people hostage." Natasha whispered to the man as he turned her to face the entrance of the alley.

"Shut up…he'll hear you." The man replied, wrapping an arm around her neck making sure she couldn't run off.

Natasha frowned and just as she was about to question the man's statement she noticed something. A dark figure had appeared in the entrance of the alley. From what Natasha could tell from the dim light he was standing in the man wore a black trench coat and a hat.

"You're going to have to kill her to kill me!" The man holding Natasha said. As every second went by she could hear the man's heart beat increase, he was scared but of what?

"Let her go, this woman has done nothing to you." The mysterious man replied.

"Why so you can kill me? I don't think so…" the man replied. He threw Natasha aside and she watched in horror as the man began to transform.

He screamed in pain as two horns grew out of his forehead. The hair on his body thickened into a black coat. His legs were becoming hooves of what seemed to be a horse. The man's face was also transforming into a bull. The creature got down on its hooves and hands and began to charge at the mysterious man.

The mysterious man pulled out two guns and began to shoot the creature, which only made it furious. When the creature approached the man it stood up on its hind legs and the swatted the man, thus making him hit a wall while dropping both guns. He then got up and pulled out two tojo blades and sliced at the creature as it ran toward him. The creature howled in pain as the mysterious man made several gashes across its torso. The creature tried to slash at him with his claws, but the man was able to dodge it while slashing the creature's legs. Once more the creature howled in pain and in its fury grabbed the man by the throat while lifting him off the ground.

"I didn't ask to become this beast." The creature stated angrily.

"The people you murdered didn't ask for their fate either." The man replied barely above a whisper.

The creature growled at him and began to strangle the man. The man took one of the tojo blades and cut the beasts hand off. It stumbled back in pain whimpering and howling in agony. Natasha was surprised all of London was not awaken by the creatures screams.

"Now to finish this…" The man said and pulled out a dagger, which he plunged into the beast's heart. The creature began to change back into a man and fell onto the stone street. He began shaking, but was then completely still and Natasha could smell the scent of death on him.

The man then turned to Natasha. "Are you hurt?" he asked curiously.

"No, thank you…"

"You shouldn't be wandering the streets at night, don't you know they're dangerous?" The man said approaching her.

"I only arrived in London a few days ago." She replied

"Well from now stay inside."

"May I ask your name?" Natasha asked curiously

"Van Helsing…" Natasha was surprised to be standing in front of her lover's killer.

The man frowned at her and said, "You look familiar to me. Do I know you?"

Natasha frowned a bit confused by his reaction. "You mean you don't remember?"

"No, I don't remember anything…I do remember small fragments of my past life, but not everything." Van Helsing replied sadly.

"My name is Natasha I traveled here from Transylvania. I believe you met my father sometime ago, Charles Krasimir was his name." She replied

Van Helsing thought for a moment trying to remember a face or a name. "We made some type of deal?"

Natasha nodded. "Yes, you both made a deal to save my life from the wolf man. You see according to my father, my family is cursed by the wolf man either to die by them or become one."

"Your father asked me to protect you in exchange for something, but I can't remember."

Natasha dared not reveal the rest of her father's deal to Van Helsing incase he decided to go after Dracula, in which she would die if Dracula was killed. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't know the rest of the deal my father made with you." She lied

"Hopefully it will come to me…in the meantime stay off the streets at night it's dangerous. I won't be able to protect you all the time." Van Helsing replied as he began to walk out of the alley.

Natasha smirked as she watched him leave. I wonder what would happen if you could remember. She thought. As she watched him leave Natasha thought she would never see him again. It was only a few days later when Natasha was wandering the streets alone at night when she met him once more. He appeared out of the shadows and would have startled her if she hadn't heard his heartbeat.

"I thought I told you to stay off the streets at night it's dangerous." He said sternly.

"I can take care of myself, Van Helsing." She replied.

"So I've noticed…" He muttered. "I don't want anything to happen to you." He stated softly

"You've known me only for a little while and already you are starting to care for me?" Natasha responded.

"I think it's because of what happen before I lost my memory."

"Perhaps…but trust me I don't need protection."

"Are you sure? I'm leaving for the Vatican soon; perhaps you could come with me. They would surely protect you from the wolf man." Van Helsing offered.

Natasha knew the moment she stepped into the Vatican church she would turn to dust. "No, I'm afraid I can't you see…I'm leaving for Transylvania tomorrow. Thank you for your generous offer though."

"Don't mention it…well then; be careful on your journey home." He said politely.

"I will thank you…"

Natasha left the city of London the next night and reached castle Dracula within three nights. Upon entering the castle she was greeted by Verona and Marishka.

"Natasha you're back…" Marishka replied.

"You were dearly missed…"Verona added.

"Not by Dracula I'm sure…" Natasha muttered.

Verona and Marishka looked at each other, and then Marishka spoke. "I'm afraid we have some bad news to for you."

"It appears that in your absence Dracula has taken another bride." Verona said sadly.

Natasha could feel her anger begin to course through her cold dead veins. "He seeks to replace me?" She questioned venomous.

"We tried to plead with him to not take another bride, but he would not heed our words." Marishka stated.

Without another word Natasha went to find Dracula. He was in his so called lab with a red haired woman Natasha assumed was his new bride.

When he saw Natasha he said, "My love you have returned."

"Yes, I see you have taken a new bride in my absence." Natasha replied trying to conceal the anger in her voice.

"Her name is Aleera…" It angered Natasha more that Dracula seemed oblivious and uncaring toward her feelings.

"How quick you replace me the moment I leave. Tell me how long did it take you to find another bride?" Natasha stated, anger had begun to quietly creep into her voice.

Dracula frowned. "My love, I would never try to replace you. You are too dear to me."

"Am I? You never act like I am." She retaliated.

"Why does this bother you, my love?" He asked curiously.

"Because everything you promised me was a lie." She said dangerously. Natasha left the lab furious. Before she had contemplated telling Dracula about her encounter with Van Helsing, but she would wait until her anger towards him had subsided.

After a while Natasha began to loathe Aleera. She hated that Aleera was so attached to Dracula, but of course Dracula paid no mind to it. She was also very arrogant at times thinking that she was Dracula's prized treasure just because he spent more time with her. Natasha couldn't wait for the day that Dracula would get bored of Aleera and tossed her aside just like he did to Natasha.

She stood in the lab watching Aleera attach herself to Dracula's arm, feeling disgusted at the sight, "My love, I need to speak with you…alone." Natasha added glaring at Aleera.

"Of course my dear, come let us step out on to the balcony." He replied ushering Natasha out to the balcony.

"What was it you wanted to speak to me about?" Dracula questioned when they both were on the balcony.

"While I was in London I met someone…someone we are both familiar with." Natasha stated softly.

Dracula thought for a moment before asking, "Who did you meet?"

"I met Van Helsing…" She replied waiting for his reaction.

"Van Helsing…I'm surprised he did not recognize you then." He replied.

"It appears he has lost his memory and doesn't remember much." Natasha explained.

"How interesting…"

"He did say I looked familiar to him, he remembered my father and part of the deal they made." She stated.

"He did not remember my murder at all?" He asked curiously.

"I'm afraid I didn't mention you."

"Hmm, how interesting…perhaps our paths will cross once more."