Alucard didn't speak a word to Seras as they walked back to the mansion. The fledgling felt like she could just die from embarrassment. Seras felt like a teenager who had been caught making out with her boyfriend by her father. And Alucard was acting so damn weird about it. Seras could not figure it out. Alucard never gave any indication that he wanted her. Why would he even care if she kissed Walter or anyone else for that matter? Seras gave up thinking about it. Sometimes there was just no figuring out her Master.

Alucard and Seras were still silent when they entered Integral's office. Alucard sat down first and greeted his Master. "Master, we're ready to receive our orders."

Integral grinned at the two. Something wasn't quite right but she would not put her finger on it.
"Hello – Alucard, Seras. Is everything all right? You both seem…different."

"I'm fine, Sir. And ready to hear about the mission." Seras answered and glared at Alucard. It would just be weird if he said anything to Integral.

"Oh, it is nothing Master. Perhaps I'll tell you about it later – but now is not the time." Alucard said with a smirk.

"Whatever --- Alucard. We've had reports of attacks in the East End. It disturbs me because all of those attacked are children – well young teens. There were three children turned this week. I think there is a good chance of you finding the vampire tonight. He didn't attack last night that we're aware of. Tonight he'll be hungry. Any questions?" Integral took a sip of her tea while she waited for them to answer.

"No, Master." Alucard answered.

"Will we be accompanied by any soldiers?" Seras asked

"I almost forgot. Yes, I'll be sending five men. You can ride with them since you haven't mastered other modes of transportation." Integral replied. "The van is out front. You better hurry Seras before they leave."

"Yes, Sir." Seras saluted Integral and rushed out to the van.
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Once they arrived at the mission sight, Seras separated from the men. Sir Integral had told her that they still felt a little uneasy around her so she usually went on missions alone or investigated. Seras hated that the other soldiers would fear her and the idea was simply laughable. Sure she was strong but she would never harm one of her comrades. Never.

They had entered some abandoned houses where the vampires were last seen. Seras heard what sounded like a fight in the one next door. Alucard must have found some vampires. Nothing could have prepared Seras for what she saw when she walked opened the door for the next room.

There were children feeding off of adults and other children. The vampires couldn't have been more then twelve or thirteen. Who would turn children as young as these into vampires? That is just so bloody cruel. She aimed her pistol – the Harconnen wasn't neccessary in this situation. "Move away from the human." She ordered.

The young vampire glared at her with golden eyes before he started laugh. "Like I would listen to a traitor like you." The vampire spoke in a foreign language to a few of the human prey.

Seras couldn't determine what they were speaking – it sounded to her like Gaelic. She placed her hand on the trigger, ready to silence the vampires forever and hesitated just a second too long.

The sound of gunfire roared through house. Seras looked at her gun – she had not fired yet.
Seras heard the sound before she felt the bullet in her back – it had just missed her heart. She slowly turned to see who had shot her, expecting to see the obnoxious vampire.

But, the shooter was human. Seras froze as the human continued to shoot silver bullets into her body. They burned like hell. The other vampires' laughter rang in her ears. Seras aimed her gun at the shooter. She couldn't kill a human – take away their life. The police girl knew she would survive – she was immortal. Finally Seras managed to shoot the human but aimed at a spot that would not inflict mortal damage. The last thing she remembered was Alucard's voice inside her head.

Seras Victoria – what are you doing? Why are you so weak? Fight back at whoever has done this to you. You are stronger then them.

It's too late, Master. I just…can't.

Her voice went silent. Alucard was furious. Why in the hell would someone with power refuse to use it? Now he had to cut his fight short and help her. Integral would never forgive him if he let her die on such an easy mission. Alucard had so wanted to torture his opponent and now he would just have to kill him. Seras will pay for this – I don't even have tme to consume his soul. Alucard filled his opponent with bullets and begrudgingly transported himself to the house where Seras was.
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Alucard was sickened by what he saw. His fledgling was passed out and there were humans filling her with holes. The idiots were helping the other vampires. Letting the vampires drink their blood and now defending them against Seras. Stupid girl. He pried inside her mind and what he suspected was true. Seras had not wanted to kill a human. She finally managed to shoot a few rounds off but that was after they had filled her with holes. Alucard licked his lips, thinking how good fresh human blood would taste. It had been far too long since he had fed from a human – and here was a room full of them.

When Alucard appeared from the mist every being in the room froze and looked at him. They could sense his power. The vampire that seemed to be in charge, a youth no older then 16 years old, addressed him.

"So have you come to eat in our smorgasbord of blood? We have a variety of subjects for you to choose from. Do you prefer male or female?"

"Shut up!" Alucard yelled. "I would not even associate with you. You are not even worthy of being in my presence." Alucard shot the vampire. The look on the vampire's face was priceless. The poor fool actually thought that they were going to be friends. How ridiculous. Alucard laughed insanely as he finished off the rest of the vampires.

Some of the humans stayed and a few tried to run away. He attacked the cowards first. They screamed until he silenced them forever. Their blood felt wonderful dripping down his throat and their fear was delicious. A young kid sat on the other side of the room. Alucard watched in disgust as he put the gun to his head and shot himself. Pathetic. So many humans are so weak – they just give up. Alucard slaughtered the humans that had survived. He didn't have time to drink their blood – Seras needed him.

Seras started to awaken – she felt his presence. A weak smile formed on her lips. "Master..."

"I am very disappointed in you Police Girl. How can you belong to me and yet be so utterly pathetic?" Alucard pulled a blood bag out of his jacket. "Here, drink this."

Seras drank slowly and could feel her energy returning slowly. She was going to be okay.

"Why Seras? Why didn't you attack them. They were shooting at you." Alucard asked.

"But-but-but---Master. I just couldn't at first. They were humans. I've never taken a human life. Then I tried to --- but it was too late. The silver burned so bloody much."

"Of course it does. You are a vampire." Alucard replied sardonically. He was still angry but now wasn't the time to address her mistakes. Alucard would wait until she was strong enough to be punished.

"How am I going to get back? I don't want the other soldiers to see me like this." Seras explained to her Alucard.

"I could call Walter. You're not strong enough to come with me." Alucard answered, remembering the sight of the two of them kissing. He wasn't sure why it disturbed him. It just did.

Seras nodded and continued to sip the blood. Funny, she thought, how drinking the cool substance seemed to warm her insides. Seras heard Alucard calling Walter as she drifted back to sleep. She never even felt her Master placing her in the back of Walter's car.

"Will she be okay, Alucard?" Walter asked, concerned about Seras.

"She'll be fine. Did you forget whose blood she has in her veins? Give her more blood when you get back to Hellsing. By tomorrow she'll be fine." Alucard stated flatly.

"I should be getting back." Walter stated as he shut Seras' door. He studied Alucard for a few moments. He found his lack of emotion disconcerting. Walter knew Alucard was no longer human…still it seemed like he should show more concern for his vampiric child. There were times when Walter simply could not understand Alucard. This was probably the reason why he never took Alucard up the offers he made to him when he was a young man.

Walter was worried about Seras. There was something quite disturbing about Alucard's attitude. He sensed that the Master Vampire was angry at Seras for failing him. Walter had learned the hard way – having Alucard mad at you was never a good thing. It was particularly frustrating to Walter because what could he possibly do now. The butler may be skilled in combat skills but he was no match for Alucard. If Alucard did harm Seras Victoria, he would be more helpless as she.
I'll figure out something, Seras. I'll do whatever I can to protect you. Hopefully, it'll be enough.