A/N: Well excluding that I have come to terms of this...obsession. I realize that it is no longer a mere fever Like I thought. Thanks for all the reviews and encouragement! Mpreg fic O-o sometimes I wonder about some people...but if ya want I'll try to wing it XP And since you people don't like VAN I'll use Gabriel ; But that's a special name only Dracula gets to call him! Even the book rarely used Gabriel...

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

Pairing: Dracula/ Van Helsing

Vanquishing Sorrow

Chapter Five

Gabriel raised his head to look up at the sky, thankfully glad that he always wore a hat. The sun was murder by mid afternoon, scorching his back with rays of anger and bemusement. Making the journey, that much harder difficulty. Packed with only what was needed, he considered going back to drag Carl with him. Because he was rather lonely. And the expertise of someone like the friar would have been more than welcomed. But no, not this time. He was going to Dracula and deep down he knew Carl would only get in the way.

Regarding the later thoughts the hunter knew he was too far away to go back. And by then he would lose all of the walking done within the past few hours. And the thought of going back and forth made his skin crawl. Since night would be upon him, he wanted to be as far away as possible form civilization.

Pausing he exhaled loudly and turned his head around. He was completely lost not to mention without a horse, or water, hell even food. If he'd known it was this barren and snowy. 'Well, snow can be water but...' He rolled his eyes in distaste. Who knows what's been around here. Being quite silent Gabriel couldn't help but think about the whole mating thing. Vampire babies.... that was scary thought. And even more if he was the logical human for Dracula.

A shudder spread throughout his body. 'I'd rather be damned and stabbed a billion times before that happens!' picking up the pace a bit more he stomped through the snow. Angry thoughts plagued his mind and by the next hour he collapsed to the ground and sat, praising the lord that there were no cold winds. Mixing wind with heat wasn't very appealing to the monster hunter.

"Wish I at least had some sense to bring some supplies. I'm traveling in snow! What the hell's wrong with me?" Berating himself did nothing to help the situation, but it made him feel a bit better. Though there was truth in his words. Night was going to get cold, and wearing only his regular clothes it was bound to be freezing. Growling silently he got back up and continued to walk, kicking up mounds of snow and spreading it everywhere.

Mating...

Was that a vampire's word for having babies? 'Why couldn't they be more practical and just say sex...' Snorting he stopped, looking up at the sky once again and grew grim. The sun was going down faster than he predicted and if he didn't find some sort of shelter, he'd surely freeze to death! With that glued into his mind he walked east instead, jogging to keep up a good pace. He was no good dead to the order or to Dracula. Besides he had at least a thousand questions to ask.

Slowing down to another walk Gabriel almost cried in happiness for his luck when he caught sight of a cave not a mile away. With renewed hope he ignored the rest of the sunrays and sped up, making good progress for the first half of that single mile. Until the ground began to rumble, and his senses became alert. Instinct of hunting and of past training instantly put him on guard raising the revolvers close to his face, pointing upright.

Something in his mind told him that he'd been followed the moment he left the place, leaving Carl and virtually everything that he could have brought, if his mind had been working properly. Looking down at the ground he caught sight of something burrowing toward him. Preparing for close ranged battle as the ground lifted up with every moment that the thing underneath dug closer, he held the Tojo blades. Putting the revolvers back in the holsters prior to that.

Problem was he didn't know what to expect. It could be a huge monster, a small one, or maybe a monster that belonged to Dracula to send for him since he was sick of waiting. But it was still sunny. That meant the vampire king ("That should be dead" Gabriel quoted) was still lying in his coffin, asleep and completely vulnerable. Stepping back as the monster head emerged he was completely thrown away when a pair of ears stuck out from the ground.

With difficulty it seemed, the monster hobbled out of the small hole it created and shook the dirt marring its fur away and looked at the monster hunter with the cutest, most adorable eyes ever.

'It's a rabbit.' Gabriel felt the hold loosen completely on the Tojo blades as he chided himself 'it a RABBIT! Why did I need to protect myself from a small little...cute adorable fur ball...' The said animal looked curiously at the monster hunter, ears twitching. Until it walked over, sniffing his pants. "Shoo! Stupid rabbit...go away!" he nudged the animal with the end of his boots. That did little as the furry animal stood on its hind legs, a piece of paper between its teeth. The tail wagged back and forth as it just...sat there. Waiting.

Crouching down Gabriel sniffed, feeling a cold coming and inspected the critter. There was evidence all over that it was evil, but it looked so harmless....so adorable. Yanking the note he stuffed it in his pocket and glared at the animal. Something was odd about it. Placing one Tojo blade in his jacket he placed a hand on the rabbits head and grimaced as the body began to decay and change shape.

"Wonderful! A Doppelganger! I always wanted to see one..." Gabriel said, laced with as much sarcasm as he could muster as the rabbit changed into a scary looking version of himself, complete with all weapons. Only difference was wisps of shadow smoke escaping the being. Gabriel had heard stories about these things. They took on the form of anything that came in contact with it, or whatever they set their eyes on. Taking form, they mastered everything that the individual did. With all accessories they wore. Mastering combat.

Stepping back Gabriel raised his revolvers. The doppelganger did the same. It was like watching a reflective mirror show everything you did. But there were always flaws in these types of monsters. Rare and strong as they were. There were many ways to defeat them. One way was to do something you've never done before.

And Gabriel knew what he'd never done in his whole life. Past or present. Bending over he grabbed a handful of snow, a childish gleam entering his eyes. He'd already mastered a way to defeat the Doppelganger though for some reason, he wasn't the bit least worried when he knew he should be a bit more cautious. Patting the snow down the mirroring being watched, Tojo blades in hand unsure of what to do.

That's when Gabriel rose back up and let his hand fly forward as he threw the hand full of matted down snow.

Hitting the Doppelganger Square in the face with it. Ah the joys of snowballs!

Running forward Gabriel leaped over the figure, grabbing the corner of its jacket yanking him back. And kicking the side of his head he sent the thing tumbling down to the ground. Raising the shotgun he loaded it and held onto it, aiming. This seemed...almost too easy. Letting a bullet go off he wasn't surprised when the monster leaped to the side, getting to its feet in a matter of seconds.

What alluded him was when another rabbit popped out of the ground, followed by another, and another. Soon there were at least four rabbits and one mirroring figure of himself. If memory served him right then...there was going to be a war between six monster hunters. Five, which were fake. That was enough to confuse Gabriel as the sole original being there. Tipping the hat up slightly he yanked out his revolvers, took aim. And fired.

He only stopped when two sprung forward, Tojo Blades raised and poised for slicing a limb or two off. Diving toward them he rolled underneath and swiftly shot the Doppelganger coming toward him, putting a few holes in it. Slowing that one down he gritted his teeth as the one that was unscarred so far tackled him to the ground. The hat went flying off Gabriel's head as he landed on his back. Frustrated he kicked his foot out and sent the Doppelganger off, slicing another behind cutting the head off.

One down. Four to go.

They didn't bleed. They merely vanished if cut in certain spots. If a limb was detached, they lost the form completely, unable to maintain the body movement. Grabbing another handful of snowballs Gabriel let them fly. Confusing the rest he continuously shot them down. Granted they weren't much of a threat, Doppelgangers though had their quirks. If they saw anything else, they'd transform into that. The great monster hunter however did not wish to take that chance.

"Come on....this is so easy. I could fight bare handed and still win!" Gabriel boasted and dropped the shotgun, rolling up his sleeves of his coat and shirt. It was rare for him to enjoy a job. But this was too good to pass up!

The Doppelgangers dropped their weapons like robots dropping an order. Mirroring Gabriel's action they raised their fists. But only one took the plunge.

Running forward the Doppelganger aimed a fist for the side of Gabriel's head. Missing he tried again, and again. Switching tactics the fake changed the hand to a metal claw, grazing the side of Gabriel's face, leaving gash marks on his cheek. It was so quick, that Gabriel didn't move. Still trying hard to digest what happened. 'That...that bastard!' Not pausing to wipe the blood off that rolled down his face, he grabbed the Doppelganger by the throat and snapped his wrist back. A metal covering over it and plunged it into its chest.

Another down. Three to go.

Time passed like it was nothing. The third one had its head ripped off. After futile attempts from the second, it met a similar defeat when the leg and arm was sliced off. And finally one stood, shaking in fear as Gabriel raised his shotgun. Well, no one said that he did his job fairly or cleanly. A final shot burst from the shotgun and the other also vanished like the rest. Until at last he was alone. Again. And freezing, yet was also warm from the extra activity (or warm up) from the monsters.

Rubbing his face he seethed. That was a lucky shot, if only he'd been paying attention! Noting that the blood had caked on and the actual wound stung like hell he headed to the cave. All traces of the note vanished from his mind. Nearing the cave, he was suddenly disgusted by his actions in battle. Fighting bare handed. Using Carl's clever invention that was built in his skin to activate whenever he wanted. But he'd abused that and tore his enemies to shreds, fighting bare handed and....

Peering into the cave, he got on his hands and knees and slid in. Inside was quite warm, and roomy. Comfy too when he saw a few leaves all placed like a bed. Raising his eyebrows in suspicion he sat down and covered his face. Regretting the action as it aggravated the mark. Damn monsters! Using one leave he placed it against his cheek and eyed the small berries on the other side of him.

'Herbs?'

Snatching the note from his pocket he read it with distaste and bore his angry eyes at it. This was a mockery...

Dear my Gabriel,

I sent a few friends to watch out for you, to make sure you headed in the right direction. I knew you would leave Carl behind, so I made sure Vasala kept him company. I do hope that you remained unscathed, I wouldn't want my mate to look horrendous when I see you.

The cave is quite warm wouldn't you think? I'm sure that you'll consider twice about coming to kill me for the third time... Because your friar may have some dire consequences. There are berries if you get wounded by chance, and theirs a few bits of food and such. I planned this, yes (Gabriel mentally growled at the note) quite some time ago. You're too easy to play with and predict. But I shall see you soon.

Your love, mate, and master, Vladislaus Dragulia

Gabriel snarled something and tore the notes up to a million pieces and covered his face. Ignoring the berries and everything else, he sat quietly and shook slightly. Not only did he leave Carl behind,

He also left him to the hands of his enemy!

Unable to sleep Gabriel sat there with a blank expression. Worry, fear, and desperation clung to him like clothes as he thought. Knowing Dracula he would make a trade. But could he...give up his freedom to save Carl?

If he did, what was left?

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A/N: Uh, uh...the metal claw IS Van's weapon! It exists! In the cartoon/Anime version! So therefore van can use to XP Battle scenes are so haaaaaaaard. I hope I didn't disappoint you people TT; I was stuck for awhile...