Amber tried to let out a groan but her voice was currently silenced as her senses returned to her. She could feel though. She could feel the throbbing pain that was coursing up her face. She could also feel something cold biting into her wrists and ankles. With great effort, she curled her fingers into fists and tested her wrists, jerking them slightly. What she received in return was a metallic thud and her arms stopping short from dropping to her sides.

"Herr Doctor, I think she is waking up."

She huffed softly before prying her heavy eyelids open, thankful that her vision focused immediately. The room was semi-dark, lit only by the flickering fluorescent lights in the middle of the ceiling, but she could make out her surroundings. A low, fold-away cot was pushed up against one wall, complete with a ragged blanket and dust covered pillow. Against the right wall was a small metal table and chair set up, looking as if it was welded together half-heartedly and ready to fall apart. She took in the dank smell of decay that wafted through the bars of her cell and grimaced, watching as a shadow moved behind the parallel lines that blocked her vision of the room beyond her own.

"Miss Steadman? Are you finally awake?" The figure stepped forward and Amber bit the inside of her cheek to keep a surprised look from crossing her face. Standing before her, in the white lab coat with bloodstains soaking it, was Avondale, the doctor who had taken care of her two weeks ago. The huntress flicked her head to one side, removing her hair from her eyes as she stared at the doctor quietly. "Are you going to respond, Miss Steadman?"

Amber's face melted into an obvious 'Go to Hell' look that made the German doctor groan softly. The huntress knew not to speak in these situations. If she spoke even one word then she knew it would be easier for her to cave and delve out information that she needed to keep to herself. Avondale neared her with a small smirk forming under his six-lensed spectacles. "Would you like to know why you are here exactly?" Amber raised a single eyebrow at him, curious as to what he was about to say. "The Major and I have been watching you for some time, Miss Steadman. No, not when you started working for Hellsing…It was long before that…you fascinated us for many years now. A human who could see any vampire for what they truly were. Even one of my own creations. You see, we have known about you…since you were five years old."

Amber felt all color drain from her face. How could they have known about her since she was five? It was impossible. Unless… Avondale grinned as he watched recognition wash over the huntress features. "Correct. Your childhood doctor's appointment. I had sent that doctor there to find any worthy humans who would join our cause. How interested did you think I was when he called, blubbering about how a mere child had figured out what he was and had proceeded to scream out that he was a monster? I told him to follow your family and give me any information on you that he could find out. And what he told me about you was incredible. A young girl, at only the age of six, killed three ghouls and two vampires with a silver knife. The girl had incredible strength that she could only tap into when near any undead. I lost my intelligence agent, though, when you killed him in a city alleyway with a blessed silver crucifix at the age of eight. So, we waited. Waited until your sixteenth birthday. The plan was to storm your house and capture you while your guard was down, then bring you in for testing. But when the vampire came to your house, he found that your family sent you to the mall as a gift. Under the Major's orders, he slaughtered your family and turned them into ghouls, ready to use them as an ambush against you. But it was to no avail, as your skills, power, and instinct kicked in and you destroyed them all, including the vampire. We tried capturing you several times over the years since, but you evaded us each and every time. Then we saw you flip and hurt yourself on your skateboard and knew we may had finally found our chance. It was Warrant Officer Schrodinger who gave me the idea to gain your trust, first. I had no idea how well that would succeed until you invited us to the ball. What a foolish girl you are. Now look at where you are." The doctor chuckled as he walked closer to her, scalpel in hand. "Now you are mine, and I am going to figure out what makes you tick."

Amber was in too much shock to struggle or respond as the doctor neared. Why had she not realized that he was a Nazi? It was the only clue that she had clung to for years. The scraps of material she found on the FREAKs each time she brought one down. The swastika arm bands. Why hadn't it clicked? His accent. It had been so obvious, and yet she had missed it all. She watch as Avondale took the scalpel and pressed it to her side. "This may hurt a bit, but then again…you are used to the pain, aren't you?"

The huntress let out a bloodcurdling scream as the doctor jerked his wrist.

The Nosferatu stood in the middle of the gazebo, a clear scowl forming on his face. It had been two days since Amber's disappearance and he still hadn't been able to feel her presence or catch even the slightest glimpse of her smell. Had he not fed her enough blood to keep a psychic connection to her? The Nosferatu growled low. The only smell he could pick up was an overwhelming case of wet dog, and even that trail ended. He let out a sigh as he tugged his crimson fedora down further on his head. Maybe it was a mistake to let his human emotions surface and for him to fall in love with the huntress. Then maybe he wouldn't be feeling this physical pain at the pit of his stomach. Maybe…

"Master?"

Alucard looked over his left shoulder slightly as his thoughts were silenced, taking in his fledging who was walking up the steps towards him. She was still such a naïve vampire, never drinking blood, never unlocking her untapped powers… "What is it, Police Girl?"

"Sir Integra asked me to come and get you, Master. She wants any updates you have received in locating Amber."

"Very well…I will go to her in a moment…" The Draculina nodded then started to turn away for a moment before she stopped herself.

"Master…"

"What is it now, Police Girl?"

"Well…It's just…You seem troubled, Master." Seras stepped closer to the vampire with a concerned look on her face.

"…."The Nosferatu chuckled for a moment as he reached out and placed his hand on top of his fledging's and rubbed it quietly. "I am wondering if letting my human emotions surface was a mistake, Seras. I am currently feeling something at the moment that I cannot understand."

"Well…What does it feel like?"

"It feels as if someone has reached their hand inside my stomach and is squeezing my intestines into a tight ball."

The Draculina pondered this for a moment then frowned, "What you are feeling is fear, Master." Seras jerked her hands up in a surrendering motion as she saw her master's eyes glint dangerously. "No! Not normal fear…It's the fear you have when you know there is a possibility that you may lose someone you care for very dearly."

"I am the King of all Vampires…I am not supposed to feel fear….I gave up all of those feelings up when I became a Child of the Night…" The Nosferatu dropped his hand as a look of disgust crossed his face.

"It seems that all of your human feelings have returned...for her, Master."

Alucard stared out at the garden for a moment in silence as he took in his fledging's words. He didn't feel this way when he thought about anyone else. Nothing else swayed him like Amber did. Her smile that she tried to hide consistently. The looks she would give him when he was trying to be a smartass. The way she looked as she slept when he was near her. So peaceful. Her laugh when he came up with a witty comment to something she said. There was no denying it. He had truly fallen in love with the human girl. My little human… "Maybe you are rig-"

"Master!"

"What now?"

He looked as the Police Girl brought up her hand, pointing at him with a pale and shocked look on her face. The Nosferatu looked down, his eyes widening in wonder as they landed on his side. His coat was torn open and blood was running down his side. He stared in bewilderment. He never felt anything touch him, nor did he hear his shirt being ripped.

"AGAIN! On the side of your face!" The Nosferatu brought his hand to his face and ran his fingers along his cheek before he pulled it away. Crimson stained his alabaster gloves and began running down his fingers slowly. "W-What is happening to you, Master?"

No one was attacking him. He felt no presences around him and Seras besides the Wild Geese along the perimeter. Integra was in her office. Walter was in the laundry room. What could be happening, indeed? When his thoughts couldn't pin down anything that could be happening near him. They kept trailing to his human. She could be in danger and he couldn't help her. She could…She could… "Amber…"

"Amber is doing this to you?" Seras looked appalled at the assumed accusation.

"No, Police Girl…This is happening to Amber…Whoever has her must be torturing her. It's transferring to me."

"How is that possible?"

"In the legends, soul mates could feel each other's pain, sometimes it would even manifest on the other's body if the connection to each other's soul was in perfect sync. This must be the case between Amber and me." Seras watched with a mixture of horror and amazement as another gash formed on her master's left arm. "This…This is good. This means that I may still be able to form some sort of connection with her."

The Nosferatu rolled his shoulders as a wide grin split his face. "Come along, Seras. We have work to do."

Chapter 21! What did you guys think? I'm mainly wondering about your opinions on the Soul-mate thing. I'm worried you guys hate it. Please leave reviews on your true opinions!

GrouchyCurve4 - I told you that I couldn't do that sweetie. And besides, you know that I am not famous either. I still love you though, Cuz! And I'll come see you soon!

Anyways~! I'll see you guys later. My ride is here.

Stay classy, Fan Fiction~! 3