The two days went by quickly and Mina dreaded each second that passed. How was she going to defeat him? She had hoped

that she would get just a little more time to train. Alucard did what he could, but with Mina in the condition she was, it did

nothing. He was sure that she would do a fine job and entertain him at the same time, but he knew that she could not win.

Especially not against him as the trap was already set. He couldn't believe how nicely this had all played out in his favor.

"Well, I guess then, you are free should something happen to me. But know now, I am issuing you an ongoing order. You

will do anything and everything in your power to keep me alive during the battles we will face, you understand me?"

That underestimated statement would be his freedom. All he had to do was wait and watch for the right moment to carry out

his master ill planned command. He could hardly wait for that night.

They waited at the meeting place for a half an hour before Mina became restless.

"Where the hell is he?" she asked, irritable. Before Alucard could answer, the man of the hour appeared a full fledged smirk on

his face.

"We meet again darling. And Count, I never thought I would see the day that you where a whipping boy for the humans."

Alucard snarled and took a step forward, but Mina stopped him with a glare and pointed to the bench on the side of the park

way. He understood and felt he battle aurora around her pick up.

"Eager to die then? Well, here we go!"

He watched with mild interests as Derek prepared to strike. He knew that stance as he himself had experienced it before. It

was no big shakes and he was sure that Mina would counter it easily. Derek disappeared and reappeared behind Mina. Being

very familiar with that trick, she side stepped his kick to the back of the head and brought her own leg up. He blocked it and

attempted to throw her across the park, but she flung her leg down and out of his grasp. Ducking to avoid a fatal blow to the

head she rammed his stomach with her fist. He staggered backwards, surprised at how much it hurt. She took the opportunity

to kick him under his chin and send him backwards to the ground. He snarled and did a back flip, landing gracefully on his feet.

"Try this on for size!" He yelled, flinging his arm in a full circle.

The ground began to shake and Mina had to squat to be able to stay on her feet. He began to chant and Mina decided to

invoke her own powers and do the same. As they both chanted, voices overlapping each others, Alucard prepared to defend

himself should the situation get too intense. A huge explosion marked the entrance of two very powerful supernatural beings.

Mina's body screamed at the effort she had to put in to keep her demon battling. It certainly was taking more energy then it

should. The she noticed Derek's smirk. Honing her senses she concentrated on the monster he had created and realized that

it was drawing on her energy to fight! Ah, I wondered when she would notice. Both men thought at the same time. Mina

dispelled her monster, taking his creations down as well.

"You bastard!" she said between pants.

"All's fair in love and war." He retorted before he attacked her again.

Mina was tired and felt like her body was made of lead. She could barley block his assaults, let alone make attacks of her own.

Just as she decided that she would call Alucard to step in, a massive wave of pain shot up her chest and she looked down

stunned to see his hand through her stomach.

"D…damn it." she sputtered, leaping away from him. Stumbling over to where Alucard sat, she muttered

"Your turn." Before passing out.

Alucard had never been more excited in his entire existence. He would be free soon, but first, he had to take care of the little

pest. As he released his restriction levels to level one, he saw, Derek grow fearful.

"What's the matter boy?" he cackled.

Derek snarled and leapt at him roaring. Alucard stopped him in mid air with his shadows and brought him down to the ground

in front of him. Derek shook with fear, knowing that he was no match for his former teacher. He had not anticipated fighting

the Count, only the girl. Why did he protect her? In one more blow, he could be free from Hellsing! He was doing the Count a

favor!

"That right belongs only to me." Alucard said, just before he ended Derek's existence on earth.

He turned to his master's body and kneeled before her. Looking at his gloves, he could see that the Hellsing seal was

flickering in and out. Soon, he would be free, but he still had a choice to make. Let her die? Or give he the gift of eternal life?

Often he had dreamed that he would one day hear a Hellsing call him master. But even beyond this little fantasy of his, he

saw true potential in Mina. She was powerful, beautiful, elegant and quite a contender if truth be know. Mina's eyes flickered

open and she looked at him with glazed eyes.

"You will die," he started, "The doctors will not be able to save you even if I get you there quickly. You commanded me to keep

you alive remember? So here is your choice, life or death?"

Mina could barely hear what he was saying, but she heard the last part of the question. Of course she wanted to live! She

reached out her hand and said on word that sealed her fate.

"Life."

She did not see his grin nor feel when his fangs pierced her as she had already returned to the darkness that was her

salvation from the pain.