:year seven - age twenty:

I was bruised and battered and I couldn't tell
what I felt
I was unrecognizable to myself
Saw my reflection in a window I didn't know
my own face

- Streets of Philadelphia; Bruce Springsteen

The Winchester rifle is famous for its rugged construction and lever-action breech mechanism that allows the rifleman to fire a number of shots before having to reload - Hence the term repeating rifle. The first model was named 'Yellow Boy' after its brass receiver, and is an American favorite. Many English rifleman were reluctant to use them as they were associated with a certain lack of class, but they used them anyway because what class it did not have it made up with capability.

Integral weighed the rifle in one hand, studying the barrels and mechanics. She balanced the piece gingerly with moist palms, aiming at floor and appreciating its handle. Placing the firearm in Walter's arms, she gingerly collected another favorite weapon.

Walther PPK is often confused for the Walther P99, a Hollywood pistol carried by James Bond. Since then, the very mention of Walther is synonymous with Secret Agents. The weapon is a double action type, capable of loading four different calibers of ammunition. It is small, light weight, and easy to conceal. Designed by Germans, the PPK and the PP are the world's first double action autos. Originals are rare, but the type is still copied and in production by firearm companies.

Integral loaded and locked the weapon, concealing it against her flesh. She scanned Walter's collection and picked out one more gun to add to her person. The weight was incredible. The Hellsing Director was forced to handle the firearm with both hands, her biceps flexing she balanced the thick weapon. She studied its heavier handle and custom appearance. "What's this one?" Integral inquired "It doesn't seem to be complete."

"That, Master Hellsing, is a prototype." Walter smiled, collecting the gun back from her and placing it on the table. "Alucard has requested a companion firearm for the Casull at least seven years now. It's taking longer than I expected, but I assume he will be satisfied if he learns to be a bit more patient."

"Ah... Well, then, I suppose I'll just take another Walther PPK in that case," Integral replied coolly.

"Excellent choice," Walter commended, selecting one of his customized Walthers and supplying a strap with extra ammunition. Integral collected the weapon and tied it against her ankle, concealing the ammunition alongside the gun.

"Well, Walter. Your opinion?"

The butler stood back as he drank Integral's appearance. The woman was wearing a simple black tuxedo, the steamed fabric betraying her feminine curves. Her makeup was simple and undetected, hair pulled back out of decency with a band to reveal very androgynous features. Integral looked very much like clean cut, handsome man. The fact she chose cologne over perfume merely added depth to her asexuality.

"I must admit, Master Hellsing," Walter began, uncertain of how to put his words.. "While you do look sharp, are you sure your choice of dress is proper for this occasion?"

"I don't see why not." Integral replied coolly, adjusting her shoulder strap and searching the armory for a proper sheath.

"Well... Won't you be the only one dressed... in that.. err.. manner?"

"Well, I pray not. I hope the knights of the round don't arrive in evening gowns, dear say. Wouldn't that be rotten?"

Walter cleared his throat, pressing a finger to the corner of his lips. "Yes, but. Won't you be the only lady dressed in a tuxedo tonight?"

Integral chewed her lip thoughtfully. "Perhaps. We won't know until we arrive, now will we?"

"..I suppose not," The butler sighed in resignation, preferring not to argue his point. His traditional natured contrasted his accepting personality, which won him nothing.

Integral returned brandishing a Dutch designed sheath, the black wood designed in gold and silver trimmings. She tied the threads around her waist, tucking it under the lapels of her silk vest and overcoat. One hand flicked over her family's rapier, gloved hands weighing the blade before slipping the sword into her selected sheath. Integral turned and raised her arms as Walter unfolded her long coat, gingerly slipping her left limb into the arm of the coat. She turned to face him, watching Walter's careful attendance of her appearance.

"Walter?"

"Yes, Sir?"

Integral leaned in too quickly, Walter's fingers caught off guard and snapping the second button down with the wrong hole. Pressing a formal kiss into the corner of his mouth, Integral could feel his dry tissue wasted by time under tender lips. He blushed a deep purple, eyes shifting between the two pools of silver enlarged by a pair of glasses before him.

"Thank you."

"...Your welcome, Master Hellsing."

An infectious smile played over Walter's lips, memories of rapture tugging then. Integral left, her coat trailing after her as she called back to her comrade, "Prepare the helicopter. I will be at the landing in half past."

"Yes, Sir Hellsing."

Departing with those words, Walter returned to his weapons. An overwhelming sense of duty and protection flooded over his mind like endorphins, and he began to select his own choice of firearms should anything go awry.

"How terrible it must be to age, become ill, and die."

The words slipped from the darkness, interlaced with cruelty and mockery. Walter pressed his lips together and continued to work, ignoring the impression forced by the otherworldly presence as he focused on his duty.

Alucard stepped out of darkness, the tongues of liquid black caressing his figure and pulling long threads of hair back. He watched Walter with a predatorial gaze, treasuring an old friend while - at the same breath - damning his existence.

"Remember? This is where you retort. This is where you say that even aging can be enjoyed for what it is," The vampire hummed, his voice suggesting security in an uncomfortable situation.

"Times change. Opinions change. People change."

"A simple answer for a complicated man," Alucard replied gently, treading towards Walter as he observed the pieces and parts of firearms that were yet to be created. "I promised myself that I would break her. I would free her from the reign of human emotion and desire. In some ways, I am successful."

"Successful in dehumanizing her?" Walter inquired, a brow raised as he selected the Berrata 93R and an accompanying shoulder strap.

"Yes."

"Just what would make you think that?"

"Her apathy. Her passion. Her apathetic passion," Alucard smiled at the twisted poetry, glaring at his old friend through disks of gold.

"Ah," Walter replied, his voice hinting at disagreement but too old to dispute with the vampire.

"Still.." Alucard hummed, supporting his chin with a hand. "She has a long way to go before she is... 'completed'. She is, still, just a child. Don't you admire that, Walter? That despite what I've put her through, what they've put her through, what god has put her through... she still is able to retain her sense of... innocence. Ignorance. Love."

"That, Alucard, is what I pray you never take away from her," Walter rasped, slipping twine into his pockets accompanied by titanium rings.

"Ah... I don't know if I want to. Walter, I've grown attached to her."

"I know."

"As have you."

"I know."

"Walter. We are assassins. We are killers. We are breaking our creed as killers."

"I know."

Alucard grew bitter with this thought. He certainly did not want to be ruled by this connection to a human. The vampire was so used to being under the authority of leaders he distantly served and never felt connected to. They were means to an end. It made his servitude almost livable, knowing he was not attached.. But to be stuck in a situation where he not only enjoyed the company he kept but didn't want it to end... it bothered him.

"Walter, you will have to forgive what I am forced to do," The monotone of Alucard's voice maintained that rasped flow, as he raised his eyes to meet an old friend and bury those pools of red into the aged man's eyes.

Walter sighed, shaking his head, "She will never accept the offer. She is a woman of great honor."

"I know." Alucard merely shook his head, sending that unattached, black substance that was his hair into a faint disarray over his features. Hellsing's servant walked towards the shadows, wanting a solitary moment to himself given his unease and discomfort of the situation he has been forced into. Words slip from his lips as he passed Walter, hushed but clear, "I will see you at the palace."

"Indeed."

"I felt strange."

"Why?"

"..At the time, I didn't really think the ceremony was required. All this time, I felt like a knight."

"I recall the Queen's expression when you approached her throne, dressed in a Tuxedo."

"Ah..."

"She didn't know whether to designate you as Sir Hellsing or Lady Hellsing at that point. I remember after several minutes of deliberation, she finally agreed to take the hint and honor you with Sir."

"Yes. I admit. I do chuckle once in a while when I think back on that day."

Author's Notes: Damn. I'm just going all over the board. Well, if you are a faithful WxI Then I guess this was the chapter for you. Integral has a tendency to touch many lives. The fact she is a woman has a tendency to add sexual tension in whatever situation she may be in, regardless of how androgynous she may attempt to be. That's simply human nature.