Chapter Nine:

Alucard's Awakening

Angel stood there in silence as Alucard looked over the dead bodies. She couldn't believe that Shadow would go through so much just to get to her. Alucard looked at her and replied, "He drained them dry before breaking their necks." She looked down at the young man that was beside her feet. She knew the horror on their face was... she looked at Alucard and said, " You're wrong... he didn't drain them before killing them..." Alucard took off his sunglasses and looked at her. "You mean..." She nodded and placed her hand on the guy's chest. "His heart stopped right in the middle of a beat. He snapped their neck before draining them... With the young woman, he, well... let's just say no matter what she did, she would have died anyway." she explained. Alucard sighed roughly and knew that he had to watch over Angel carefully. "We better head back to Hellsing and tell Integra what's going on." she told him, after standing up. ALucard nodded and walked over to her.

Integra looked at Walter, who was holding up a newspaper. "They claim that we're not doing our job." Integra raised an eyebrow and snatched the paper out of his hand. She looked over the front cover, reading the article. "This is-"

"Bullshit?"

They looked at Alucard and Angel, who were standing in the door. "They're only saying that because he has appeared again. Shadow isn't your original drive-a-stake-into-his-black-heart-Vampire. He's more complex then you think. As much as I know that you think you can take him, you can't." Angel stated. Integra stood up, slamming her hnads on her desk. "WHAT? You must be kidding. We have delt with a number of these so called Vampires who think they are invincible! Believe me, those Vampire are in pots at a musem right now!" she snapped. Alucard looked at his Master and then at Angel. Angel stood in a calm presence, but considering she knew exactly what Shadow was capable of, he knew that maybe she was right. "So, how do you kill something like that?" Alucard asked. Integra diverted her glare towards Alucard as Angel answered. "There is only one way you can take a Vampire like Shadow down... you have to find the best there is... but you know good and well that even if Alucard were to beat Shadow... he would only come back." she explained. Alucard looked at her with a slight shocked expression. Angel looked down and replied, "If you'll excuse me." She turned around and headed down the hall. Alucard took off his hat and sighed. "This is something that I wasn't expecting." Integra stated, sitting down in her seat. Alucard looked at his Master and then at Walter. "Alucard, how about you take Miss Angel out to dinner. I do believe Sir Integra wants to be along tonight." Alucard turned around to walk out. "Make sure that it's somewhere far from here. I want to be asleep before she comes back." Integra added. Alucard said nothing, but walked out.

Angel looked out the window in her room and wondered what she was going to do. She knew that Shadow would eventually find her there and only God knew what would happen to Alucard. She looked down as the door opened. "Angel..."

"She wants us to go to dinner, does she not?"

Alucard placed his hat on the table and walked over to her. He then wrapped his arms around her into an embrace. " I know that you're worried about this whole thing. But I'm telling you that I won't let him take you from me..." he whispered, looking out the window at the moon. Angel stood there, feeling that maybe there was a chance... after all, she had did her part in awakening him. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Must we go to dinner else where?" she asked. Alucard kissed her cheek and replied, "Better then being here and hearing my Master talk about you..." he told her. Angel turned around and walked over to the table, picking up his hat. She placed it on her head and smiled. "Alright, where are we going, Mr. Vampire?" she asked, teasing him.

At dinner, Alucard watched as Angel ate. He really couldn't figure out how she could eat when she was a full blooded Vampire. She sipped her wine, which was really blood. She looked over at Alucard and replied, "You haven't touched your drink. Is something wrong?" Alucard blinked a few times and replied, "It's nothing... I... well..." She smiled, realizing that he was interested on how she was able to eat. "Well, my dear Alucard, when you're reborn into a Human body, you have a tendency of feeding the Human part of you. Yes, I am a Full Vampire, but I have a body of a Human... if I don't eat... well, I think you get the picture." She stated. Alucard sat back in his seat and thought about it. "That must suck." he said, finally. Angel wipped her mouth and smiled again. "Yes... it does... but you know how things are. Life is hard... you have to wear a helmet." she joked. Alucard smirked at her joke. He knew that she was worried about Shadow getting to her, but he also knew that she did not want him to know. "Listen, Angel... I wanted to let you know that I won't allow him to take you from me... I'll do everything in my power to protect you... even if it means-" Angel placed her fork down and looked at him. "Well, let's get going... I really need to walk this off." she told him. Alucard nodded and stood up. He pulled out her chair, helped her up and walked behind her to the door.

"Thank you for coming, Miss Angel. I due hope to see you again." the owner stated, handing her the jacket she wore. She smiled and replied, "Believe me, Kyu. I'll be back soon." Alucard looked at her and then at the owner. He thought it was best not to ask.

That morning, Alucard awoke with the sound of rain. He turned over and looked at Angel, who was fast asleep beside him. He brushed back her black hair and smirked. She was something else. He really couldn't explain what had taken over him, but at that moment, he knew if something happened to her, he would never forgive himself. He kissed her forehead and reclosed his eyes. He wouldn't have to wake up for another 13 hours, unless something came along. He felt her move closer to him, placing her head under his chin, her body close to his. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. She was everything at that moment...

KNOCK-KNOCK

His eyes flew opened at the sound. Whoever it was, he only hoped that they would go away. "Master Alucard... Sir Integra wants to see you." Seras stated, behind the closed door. Alucard could hear the door creep open. "If you opened that door, I'll cut your blood supplies!" he yelled. He heard the door shut quickly and thought to himself how he sounded like his Master. He looked down at the sleeping female Vampire in his arms. He sighed and kissed her forehead again. "Sorry, but I have to leave. I'll be back by the time you wake up though." he whispered. He got out of his coffin and pulled on his shirt. He really didn't want to leave her. He looked down at her as he placed his vest on his shoulders. She had gripped the sheet, in the spot he was in. His eyes soften a bit and he knew that if he stayed... well... He grabbed his hat and walked over to the door. This was going to hard on him.

A few hours later, Angel awoke. She sat up and looked around the dark room. She rubbed her eyes and figure that Alucard was called to take on a mission or something. She got dressed, hoping that no one was in the hall. Suddenly, she felt the room move. She raced over to the door and opened it. She stared in shock and fear at the person in front of her. A wicked smirk came to his face as her reaction to affect. "You didn't think I would find you?" he stated. Angel stepped back, trying to figure out how she was going to get out of this.

Alucard walkd behind his Master as they walked down the street. "I figure that the car wouldn't stop." Walter stated. Integra shrugged, only hoping to get home and drink some tea. They all turned the corner and paused. Alucard's eyes widen in shock, looking at the nearing demolished Organization. "MY PALACE!" Integra yelled. Alucard took off first, fearing the worst. He raced into the opened front door and looked around. "Seras!" he yelled looking around. He had left Angel under Seras, knowing that maybe she was in good hands. He had to find her... he just had to. He ran up the stairs (I know, I know...) looking for any sign of Seras or Angel.

"Master Alucard..."

Alucard turned around and looked at Seras, who was struggling to stand. He walked over to her and looked at her. She was in bad shape. Though she was a Vampire herself, her wounds were too deep to even start healing by themselves. "He came and took her. I did everything I could to protect Miss Angel... honest I did..." Seras stated, tears rolling down her scarred cheeks. Alucard made a fist with his left hand, his hat covering his eyes. He couldn't believe it... Shadow had been planning it the whole time. The murders, the other two murders and his leaving Angel alone. It really ticked him off. Seras looked up at Alucard and noticed something completely different. She scooted back, staring in fear. "Ma-Ma-Master?" she breathed. He looked at her, revealing something that was the mark of a new Alucard.