A/N:I tried to make everyone into character for this chapter. As always, thanks to every one of my readers and reviewers!
A clashing of pride
Brings respect.
After making arrangements to meet the following night, Alucard and Seras left quickly. Alucard could sense Seras' weakening state of mind around so much fresh blood and knew he couldn't risk her losing control. She would have to wait till tomorrow for nourishment.
As they headed toward their hotel, there were many questions Seras wanted to ask her master. Unfortunately, she knew he would not answer any of them until he saw fit to. His secretive ways were starting to bother her. Being left in the dark for so long was a feeling she had never experienced.
Thankfully, their current room had two bedrooms, so Seras would not be forced to sleep on the couch. Looking around the suite, Seras suddenly noticed just how thorough Alucard had been in providing for their stay. The windows had large, heavy curtains covering all of the windows, which allowed no light to shine through. Alucard had also arranged for their room to be cleaned only during the night, so they would not be disturbed.
Seras lay down to sleep, but her body would not let her. The need for blood was overpowering the effects of day, keeping her eyes open. Her body began to shake, showing her struggle to control her vampire instincts. So there she lay, wide awake and the hunger increasing with each passing moment.
Finally, her instincts won over her better judgement and she arose from her bed.
Alucard had been psychically observing Seras' battle, curious as to how long she could resist the hunger. Sensing her movements from the adjoining room, he knew the battle was over. Also rising from his bed, he walked to the doorway to his bedroom and watched his fledgling silently move through their suite. She appeared to be inspecting the heavy curtains which covered the windows, blocking the risen sun from entering the room.
Alucard knew the vampire in Seras would know her body's limits better than Seras herself. The sun would prevent the young vampire from leaving the hotel, so she would be forced to hunt humans already residing in the building. He argued with himself between allowing Seras her first attempt at hunting or stopping her before people began to disappear. Of course, there was also the agreement he had made with Hellsing. Though remembering their exact discussion with Integra, she had only mentioned for them to leave her troops alone.
However, once more they could not risk attracting attention to themselves. Quickly striding into the living room, Alucard caught hold of one of Seras' wrists and began pulling her back into her room. He would somehow have to trap her in the bedroom until night fell, when she would be in control of herself once more. The fledgling would also remember nothing from her bloodlust episode, all the better for what she was trying to do to her master.
The young vampire struggled in his grasp, not recognizing who was holding her. She was too deep in the blood thirst to distinguish between friend and foe, and would have killed Alucard had she been able to. Her fangs were longer than usual and she repeatedly tried to bite into Alucard's wrist in an attempt to free herself. Her master easily kept her mouth out of range from his body, considering their difference in speed.
Entering Seras' room, Alucard flung her on the bed and disappeared. Seras dashed to the doorway in the hopes of escaping, but was stopped when Alucard reappeared and again grabbed her wrist. Now carrying the ropes which had bound their coffin shut, her master literally dragged the snarling vampire toward the bed. Deftly catching Seras' other wrist, he began to wind the cord around her arms and legs.
Completing the job in a matter of seconds, Alucard threw her on the bed and sat himself down in one of the room's chairs. Seras struggled for several minutes, finally exhausting herself and falling to sleep. He watched over her the entire day to ensure she would make no trouble for the hotel.
The following night they again journeyed to the Hellsing mansion. Walking into Integra's office, Alucard's grin grew larger at the sight of an elderly gentleman standing before the large desk.
"It's been a long time, Angel of Death."
Walter spun around in surprise at hearing his old nickname. His eyes widened at the sight of Alucard, but quickly returned to their normal size.
"My, my, I never expected we would meet again. How did you ever manage to survive the explosion?"
"Explosion?" Seras asked, barely able to follow the conversation.
"Yes, Police Girl. Our previous meeting was rather exciting. Hellsing was on a mission on the continent and we crossed paths. He actually tried to kill me by collapsing a church while I was in the structure. I see you've grown old, Angel."
"We may have to see if my age has caught up to me" Walter replied, grinning at his former adversary.
"If you two are done reminiscing" Integra interrupted, "then Walter will show you to the firing range. I have some papers to finish and will meet you down there shortly."
"My apologies, Sir Integra" Walter said, giving her an apologetic bow. "We have also acquired the supply of blood agreed upon" Walter added.
"Good. Both of you are free to use the liquid at your discretion. Walter will show you to the kitchen."
"As you wish, my Lady." Walter then turned to the two vampires. "This way please."
After retrieving their nourishment from the kitchen, Alucard and Seras followed the elderly servant through the back of the mansion and outside. The fledgling vampire did have some internal qualms about drinking the donated blood, but one look from her master made her swallow her hesitation and drain the package.
"I see you've modified my weapon design" Walter said, observing the large gun Alucard held.
"Yes, I wanted something bigger, a gun suitable for only a vampire. Though I'm sure you've noticed that my associate is without a weapon. Are your skills still capable of creating a weapon befitting her?"
"Certainly, I'll see what I can do."
Arriving at the firing range, Seras noticed with apprehension the many armed men practicing. She was nearly paralyzed with fear when they all turned toward the visitors and noticed the two vampires. The glares she received were enough to freeze the blood in her veins.
Walter, apparently unfazed by the staring of the men, began to explain the tactics of the armed military force. Seras heard very little, too preoccupied with the aspect of one of her new 'comrades' 'accidently' shooting her in the heart with one of their silver bullets.
"You will not be placed with the humans, Police Girl. We will be working solo."
"Master, why are these men staring at us with such hatred? We've done nothing to them."
Alucard's chuckle echoed through Seras' mind. "They see us as a threat. No matter how hard you try to make friends with them, they will always see you as the enemy, an abomination to be extinguished."
"Let me introduce you to the commander of Hellsing's troops" Walter said, unknowingly interrupting their telepathic conversation. He gestured toward a tall man walking their way. "Captain Pip Bernadette, this is Alucard and Seras Victoria. I believe Sir Integra has briefed you on them." Pip nodded the affirmative.
Seras looked over the commander, wondering where Integra had found such a character. He wore a heavy overcoat, with the writing 'Light Here Light Now' written on the back. The hat he wore was similar to a cowboy's, though one side of the rim was turned up. His long hair was braided and looped around his neck, while several long strands hung over one of his eyes.
Pip appeared to be having the same doubts as Seras. He was scrutinizing Alucard's outfit with distaste and was staring at Seras' innocent face in disbelief. The two people in front of him surely didn't fit the look of a vampire nor did they resemble any undead he had encountered before.
"You two are really vampires?"
"Are your men truly vampire hunters?" Alucard asked, obviously insulted by Pip's question. Maybe later he'd teach the human whelp the true power of a Nosferatu.
"If you two are truly bloodsuckers, zen prove it."
"Certainly" Alucard said, an insane grin appearing on his face. "You no doubt have silver bullets in the gun you hold. Shoot me."
"Alright zen" Pip said, shrugging at the red-coated stranger's madness. Drawing his gun, the mercenary aimed the barrel at Alucard's leg and shot. The silver bullet squarely hit the vampire's kneecap, shattering the bone and exiting out the back of his leg, leaving a smoking hole. Pip's mouth gaped as he watched the wound quickly sealing itself.
"Zis guy is no ordinary vampire. Glad 'e is on our side" he thought.
Alucard started to chuckle, and also drew his weapon.
"Now, shall we prove if you're truly a vampire hunter?" He carefully aimed the gun at Pip's own knee, expecting the human to start shaking. However, looking into Pip's eyes he saw no fear, only anger and, pity? This human could be interesting to watch.
Just as Alucard was about to pull the trigger, Integra emerged from the building. She noticed their small group and calmly walked toward them.
"There's been a vampire sighting in a small village near London" she announced, unaffected by the glares Pip and Alucard were giving one another. "I want both groups, vampire and human, to investigate."
"Yes, sir" Pip answered, giving Integra a half-hearted salute and turning to his men.
"Master, I don't have a weapon" Seras mentioned, wondering if she should ask the commander for one.
"A perfect opportunity to practice your vampire skills, Police Girl."
"But, what if I'm too slow turning into bats or changing into mist?" she asked, becoming anxious.
"Then you'll be destroyed" Alucard said calmly, becoming mist.
"What?" Seras called to the air, receiving no reply.