Back… decided (finally) to put this up… it's been sitting in my comp for weeks now but wasn't sure if I wanted to continue Nostalgia or not. Then again… this isn't exactly the original direction I wanted to take Nostalgia in … but… we'll see how it goes, if it's being read ^^

Once more.. I don't own Hellsing… but I do owe Ken(neth) & Jura

@-`-- passionsmuse  2002

Nostalgia - Requiem

She stared unbelievingly as the cage emerged. Alucard! How could he have captured Alucard!

"You want to know how? Simple my dear." She frowned as Jura shifted into an exact likeness of her.

"Alucard…" even her voice was exactly the same! "Not something he could resist could he? His master in trouble?" Jura shifted back.

She glanced at the silver-shackled vampire in the cage.

"You did not know.."
"The silver dulled my senses…master."

"I have another surprise for you. I found someone you might like to see."

Another cage rose from the floor.

…KEN..! Her heart sank…

"Integra! What is this place? Who is that?"

"Now, you've got a very important choice to make Integra. Do you save your pet? Or do you save the human? You cannot save both. Personally, I think the choice is very clear. But will you do it?"

"You will not get away with this Jura."

"Oh I know I won't. You will get me sooner or later, but … till then, remember this: I made you choose…" Laughing the other vampire vanished. A gun and a single bullet clattered to the ground.

She turned to the frightened human male. Face expressionless.

"Integra…?"

"Do you believe in vampires, Kenneth?"

"n..no…I don't think… I …"

"Jura is one. So is Alucard."

Kenneth glanced at the opposite cage.

"… … the guy… the guy who always picks you up from school…"

"yes. He protects me… when he can."

Alucard chuckled.

"Remember when I said that some people are born into legacies in which there's nothing to smile about?"
"yes…"

"this is my legacy… this is what I do… kill vampires to protect the human race." Slowly, calmly, almost casually, she loaded the bullet… "Ken, touch your neck, and tell me are there two small puncture wounds."

The bewildered teenager did as told. "no…"

Her head shot up, "no?"

"No."

Her shoulders sagged a little. Alucard grinned…feeling his gaze on her, she glanced up sharply at him through narrowed eyes. They stared at each other, silently, for a few moments. His smile never fading.

"Integra…?" she turned back to Kenneth, slowly.

"I can free only one…" She watched his face pale. "I cannot have one whom my enemies can use against me."

"Was his the name you whispered."

She looked steadily at him but did not answer. "…We can turn you."

"No."

"Why?"

He shook his head.

… but of course I know why… how could I even have offered him such an existence? …

Finally she raised her bowed head. "Kenneth, I do not ask you to forgive me." she raised the gun.

The instant the bullet was fired, the other cage opened. Quickly, she ran over to support the weakened vampire.

"Difficult choice, little one…"

"Do not pride youself, vampire."

"no… I dare not, master. But now that I've seen what you are capable of, serving under you would be a great pleasure."

… … …

That night, she burned all the dresses and skirts in her wardrobe.

"Walter, call my tailor tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir."

He looked worriedly at the teenager. She was staring into the flickering flames. For a moment, her eyes looked blood red. A shudder ran through him but when he looked again, they were their normal icy blue.

… … …

"It was a brave decision."

She sat up.

"Are you going soft, Alucard? Complimenting me?"

He smirked. "You think about it, every year, on this night. Humans are weak. Sentimental… you allow your pasts to control you."

"Remembering reminds me what I have to do."

He laughed.

"Don't forget. The…  existence you have now, you owe to me."

"Yes master, I remember…" he bowed slightly before vanishing.

Jura… where are you? I am waiting…