A/N: Chapter Two obviously. Thanks for all the reviews. I'm really grateful for them! : ) poor Van...the ideas that Kagami-kun helped make (through our rps) were just –snorts- In genius. And....I got my AKABANE JACKET! And unless you know Getbackers it's probably not a big thing ee was to me, cost so much too

Disclaimer: Don't own van Helsing. Never will.

Pairing: Dracula/ Van Helsing

Vanquishing Sorrow

Chapter Two

Van stared hard at the figure before him. Sure enough, he didn't disappear. The body, wasn't translucent as before, when it had flickered in the past. It was solid, much to Van's displeasure. Nerve cells and receptors began to work once more, now noticing that his enemy's hand was stroking his cheek in a uncomfortable way. Flinching like he had been burned, the hunter took another step back wondering how it was possible. Van saw Dracula die, slashed by his own hands, he turned to bones and ashes like his brides.

"Surprised my dear old friend?" Dracula continued like it was a summer night, where nothing could go wrong, "That I'm back again?" he inquired, a smile on his face. Looking satisfied at the area where they both stood. Surrounded by trees, far from prying eyes, concealed under the leaves and branches form the sun, and in a nice cold climate. Very gratifying. The count tapped his chin, eyes fixed on the famous monster hunter.

"You didn't say why you aren't dead" Van spoke first, disappointment clear in the tone that he held. But the vampire either didn't notice, or ignored it.

"I didn't? Excuse my poor explanations then my friend, simply put it. You didn't kill me." Although this was apparent long before, Van still felt a pain of guilt. If he didn't kill Dracula then, was Anna death in vain? Was she even passed the gates to the other world to live with her family? An intense look of hate was directed at the undead man, a scowl graced Van's face as he clenched a fist. Then even after all that...

"Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel..." The vampire teased, waving a finger in the others face. A prime look of superiority crossed his face. He could lie or tell the truth to his old friend. But what was the fun in the truth so suddenly? "Anna crossed the gates of course, however. I still live. I would have thought you'd be overjoyed by that kind of news" the count teased, stuffing his hand back in the side pockets of his pants.

Van on the other hand was thankful something had gone right. But that didn't explain how he was still alive. Frankly he didn't care either. No more brides, no more vampires since the king had died once. Meant, no more offspring. 'I'm going out of the job' he thought with a wicked smile, completely throwing Dracula off.

"I am not alive, yet I am not dead if that is what you are thinking"

Van snorted out loud, ignorance making him blind. He didn't need sight for this. "I wouldn't really care. You already died once, I have no other business. Can't make yourself worldly known again, or I may have to come after you once more. That'd be a shame..." Van stepped closer, pretending to look crestfallen "Because you would lose again, and again, and again. Time after time."

With each word, Van drew closer to Dracula's body. So close he could almost feel the icy coldness dripping of his pale skin, mixing with the clean crystal air that swept by like a heartbeat. Never once failing to make a beat, or die like a vessel. But never in spirit. Eyes narrowed at the vampire as Dracula chose to be silent. Watching the eyes of the hunter curiously. Certainly Gabriel was more smarter than that, being so close to a vampire king no less.

"I'm afraid, Killing me will have to wait." Dracula breathed out, his breath hitting vans close face, a confident look spread across him as Van flinched. As if bitten "For I don't have my body. This is merely a hologram, a spirit form you could say." His words chilled Van, making note that he would most likely see the vampire king again. He backed up, rubbing his cheek, a shiver passing down his spine. Why did it feel so real then? Or was that just made up?

"If you say so." He muttered rather grudgingly. Things always had a knack for annoying him, and things that came form out of nowhere when they should be dead rose his temper. Scowling he watched the spirit form fade, a relieved sigh came form his mouth, and for the first time he noticed. His throat was dry like a desert well. Feeling the thirst he looked around, frowning. He couldn't be lost. But with the sudden information he had lost track of which way he came. Having been preoccupied with a certain someone.

"Carl!" He cried out, a gasp hitching in his throat as his body stiffened, hearing a snap of twigs about 90 degrees from him. He prayed that was Carl, and not an unwelcome past friend.

Carl heard his name called a good mile or two away. The wind had died to being no more than a whisper in his ears. The ground was already start to melt as the sun rays streamed through the clouds above, warming little spots at first, before increasing to melt large hectares. Scrambling to his feet he instantly took off like a demon. He let Van run off so suddenly, without even attempting to follow. But it had been almost and hour to two hours since he'd seen the last of Van Helsing. And this was his partner that always seemed to ditch him when the going got tough.

But he knew, that he was proving his worth around the man. Usually with new gadgets, explanation, and old theories. Identifying things in the past. Never could it compare to what eh was the one lone hunter go through with one battle. That man had so many scratches and gashed, you think he swam in a couple of thorn bushes! Just for fun!

Coming underneath all the large trees, covering him with a blanket of snow he hesitated at the entrance. It was dark just under there, but nowhere else. Fear gripped him but the sharp cries, of both monster and man alerted him to take action. With a hard swallow he took a step, then another.

And never looked back.

Van leaped up to evade the ferocious attack from a rather large snake. He had just barely managed to jump over the tail, then roll harmlessly to the side, hitting the burned bark of the tree closest to him. Surprise was written over his face as the hissing started up, louder than before. Fangs glistened, the smell of it making Van cringe as rotting flesh and decay took over his senses. It took all his will power not to puke right then and their. Lifting the small handkerchief from his coat pocket, he wrapped it around his face, knowing very well that precious seconds of retreat and action was being slipped away from his grasp.

It didn't matter to Van, as long as his nose was covered. He'd waste anything. Even the pain that assaulted his shoulder as the beast lunged at him. The blue scales glowing softly , shedding by its own bended will to camouflage with the white snow around it. Dashed hopes soon gave way, and Van raised his crossbow, mentally groaning as the quick action spread a unwilling thread of pain through his body. He didn't need this right now!

'What's a Leviathan doing around here anyway? Were miles away from water!'

He leaned his head to the side, a sudden blur passing just inches form his ear, sticking into the wood. Bracing himself, Van turned hi head. Eyes raising themselves like balloons. There was a fang...no, a fanged tooth imbedded in it. Dripping with a light purple liquid. "That, must be pleasant" he remarked casually, crossbow ready to fire "Do you wonder how many wisdom teeth you have shot out? Need any help counting?" The response form the creature, was so fast that van had trouble just watching it.

At least a dozen of fanged teeth shot out like miniature cannons. Plunging into barks of tree, splintering the wood upon contact and crashing through other trees that were behind it. Some hit the ground, mostly near Van, while others hit the sky. Paling a bit Van spread his legs upon reaction, managing to miss one that landed in between his legs, missing his crotch by a few centimeters. 'I didn't think it would take it so seriously...' His lips twitched to a small smile. Though it was hardly the time to be laughing at anything as serious as this.

'Carl!" He yelled suddenly, noticing the difference dramatically change over the sea serpent as its scales changed color once again. Going form a pure white to a hideous brown, instantly diving underneath the ground. Hearing it dive under Van felt his heartbeat quicken, delivering a horrible feeling to his brain. Only problem of the whole monster was what had it been doing going underground? What did it mean when it changed color? He needed Carl's expertise for that!

Taking cautious steps he felt the ground quake, trembling like the mighty Titan had just touched it, but as fast as it came, the tremendous big bang was soon to come. And come it did. The ground exploded under Vans unpredictable feet, sending the hunter high in the air. The air currents didn't seem to favor him, neither apparently, did his surroundings. Coming back down hurt more than the shock of flying up. Hitting every thick branch possible he groaned as he hit the ground, laying flat on his stomach, the breath taken out of him.

"Van Helsing!" A voice cried from somewhere, that Van couldn't care to predict. If he could, he would warn Carl to move away, and go back to where he was. At least it would have been safer, for the both of them. Lifting his revolvers, he fired off more than a dozen shots, each miraculously hitting the sea serpent that coiled around itself. An intangible hiss erupted form its mouth as it let its eyes dart back form the voice and it's prey. Upon hearing the name, it's eyes softened. Looking less enraged.

"Van, are you alright?" Carl dived over to him and started speaking so fast like a clucking hen, he'd thought for a moment he was speaking chicken language. Managing to get to his knees he clutched his ribs, emitting a heavy sigh. First his shoulder, than his ribs. How much can one guy take? Van actually wondered about that, as he paid half attention to what Carl was saying to him. Days in the church often made him ignore the friar completely, while others he paid attention. He was certain the friar had once talked about the Leviathan....

"....and it is obviously here to bless you!" Carl finished his explanation before Van could detect what was first said.

"Great, how do I kill it?" Van asked, losing hope of whatever was said to him would not be repeated. But once again he was proven wrong, as Carl rose to his feet, looking like the Cardinal then a mere friar.

"The legendary leviathan is a holy spirit! Blessed by eternal life, all who behold it are eternally given good fortune and health. It often a messenger among other things, usually telling that an important event is to come!" Carl ranted on, it was evident he was awed by the fact of seeing something so rare. "It changes it scales, giving it supreme powers, blue would be the water element, brown is ground, and white is the purest. Light. Black would be dark, and the others you can guess. You ...above all, should no you cannot kill a DIVINE creature" By now Carl was bellowing at Van that the hunter was now missing key points, but it didn't matter. Nothing did.

"So, then why did it attack me then?" He asked challengingly, but before Carl could give an answer the serpent hissed again, attracting the attention of the two as it suddenly shrunk to a rather tall middle-aged man. About 10 or so years older than Van in appearance, his eyes told a wiser story.

"To prevent Dracula from mating and bringing his children to life."

That was the last thing Van Helsing needed to hear. It was also when he collapsed, landing backwards again against the ground. Sleep overtaking his mind, body, and soul.

A/N: Uh, Leviathan is a very cool creature (from FF as far as im concerned but –shrugs- BARE WITH ME XD) I made up all this stuff about being holy (but its soooooo cute) and I dunno. I just hope I don't bore you people too much. Im crap at writing fight scenes. And even worse with plot XD