Hellsing: Amen
by Notan Rappa

Chapter 10: Father/Daughter Chat (a.k.a. Family Values)
Integra's sleep would go undisturbed that night. Alucard would make sure of that. 'Sleep well, master.' Alucard got up and put his hand on the door. A quiet flash, and a small symbol quickly appeared on the door and then disappeared. 'No one will disturb Sir Integra's sleep tonight.' He walked to the room in which Walter lay. He crossed over to the bed. 'You are getting old, friend. But you are still useful. Don't give up. Giving up is what kills people. The moment you refuse to admit defeat, you have the honor of transcending your humanity.' Alucard turned and left the room and headed for Seras' room. He walked in, and was delighted to see Seras sitting on the edge of her bed waiting for him.
"What took you so long?" she asked, having expected him to confront her several minutes earlier than this.
"I was putting a seal on Integra's door to prevent anyone from disturbing her rest." No one spoke for a moment. Then Seras looked down at the floor, a world-weary look crossed her face.
"I didn't mean to kill them. I don't want to hurt any of the men, it's just that I get so hungry, and something inside me sees them as nothing more than cattle..."
"They are nothing more than cattle to us, Seras. But more than that, we must be careful not to kill them off. I meant to tell you this sooner. Now that you are a true no-life queen, you have the power to make ghouls...and vampires. You can only make a vampire by drinking the blood of a virgin of the opposite sex. But you should always use this power with reserve. If we create too many vampires, we would kill them faster than they could reproduce. Then we have nothing left to drink, and then we die. If we create too few, the humans will hunt us and kill us off. It is a very fine balance, Seras Victoria, and being a vampire yourself, it is your responsibility to understand this. Part of that balance is that you should never kill unless you are thirsty. Remember your first kill in the Hellsing Organization?"
Seras thought back to the day she shot and killed a young girl vampire, Jessica. Seras nodded.

Alucard continued speaking. "They slaughtered entire families, drank what they wanted, and then wasted the rest writing childish taunts on the walls. It is vampires like that who deserve to be hunted down. I am not like them. I understand that the balance must be maintained. And so, I hope, will you. Do you understand, Seras Victoria?" Seras nodded. Alucard smiled, and got up to leave.
"Alucard..." said Seras quietly. Alucard paused, and turned to face Seras. "Why, if humans are nothing more than cattle to us, do you allow yourself to be ruled by one? And don't give me that line you give to everyone else about the control art. I've tasted your blood and I know how strong you are and I know that you could break that control art if you wanted to." Seras looked very distraught as the facts were putting themselves in place. "You care for her, don't you?" Alucard stood there for a moment, then turned for the door. Seras stared following his movements.
'Come on, Seras!' thought Alucard as he left her room. 'Show some spine and ask me!'
"ALUCARD!" Seras nearly shouted just as Alucard turned the corner. At first nothing happened, then Alucard walked back into the room, saying nothing, waiting to hear the question. "Uh...Alucard...I..." Her courage began to waver.
"Yes..." said Alucard, smiling, "...police girl!" Seras set her face determinedly.
"Alucard, is it...odd for a vampire to fall in love?"
"HAHAHAHA!" Alucard laughed. 'So, she finally asks it!'
"This isn't funny, I'm serious!" Seras yelled at Alucard. Alucard stopped laughing, but a joyful smile was still on his face.
"No, Seras. It isn't odd for a vampire to fall in love, just a little rare nowadays. However, love for a vampire is...slightly different than humans. It is difficult to explain, it has to be experienced."
"Have you ever loved anyone?" Seras asked.
'Now there is a question I never expected!' Alucard's smile was replaced by a pensive frown. He was quiet for a moment. "I did...once...a long time ago."
And with that, Alucard left the room. Seras lied down on her bed and thought over the conversation that she had just had. Eventually, she pushed the button that lowered the lid. As she began to drift off to sleep she wondered how Walter was doing.

'Maybe...I'll find out...tomorrow.'
End Chapter 10