Chappie eleven! Yeah, there's going to be about a week in which I won't be updating, so sorry. I'm going away on a trip and I won't have much time for anything really. So enjoy this chapter and be patient please.
Oh and thank you all for reviewing or merely reading. I'm honoured that you spend your time in my humble fic! Like my wise sister would say, you warm the cookies of my heart. I think she took it from Snoopy. Great philosopher, Snoopy. 00
The closure… or is it the beginning?
There was something different about him. Walter couldn't tell exactly what but he knew there was a change in him. The curve of his shoulders, the light in his red eyes, his smile… he didn't know. But he was changed.
The butler remained looking at the vampire absently a second. Walter stood next to the door, remaining outside the conversation between Sir Integra, the Lt. and Kazuhiko. Alucard was still and quiet too, in the dark corner behind Integra's desk, far from the window. He seemed… absent. Like he was thinking about something else.
Kazuhiko shifted and looked at him, one eyebrow arched. Walter smiled at him gently but gained a sarcastic gaze as a result. Kazuhiko was evidently sharper than what he looked like. Walter felt a bit of a cold breeze and Niko stood beside him. Walter's eyes lingered on her a second longer than they should and she looked at him.
Niko smiled very kindly at the elderly butler. She was dressed in a lovely pink kimono with little Cherry flowers stitched marvellously in its silky fabric, in a softer pink and pale blue. Her long hair was arranged at the Geisha way and she had a soft layer of make up on her beautiful face. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
"I'm giving Vlad a memories night tonight Walter." He heard her voice in his mind. "Do you think he'll like that?"
"If he doesn't it's because he's dumb." Came the honest reply. She chuckled mentally.
"My my, the old dog certainly can pull up a compliment." She said smirking. Walter chuckled and returned his green gaze to Integra.
"Very well then Lt. Take Walter with you and go investigate." Integra finished the matter. Gingetsu and Kazuhiko looked at each other.
"I believe we can lack Walter's help tonight Sir Hellsing."
"It wasn't an offer Lt." was the cold answer. Gingetsu nodded and Kazuhiko looked away arching his eyebrows.
+break+
Kazuhiko walked calmly beside Walter. Where Gingetsu was only God knew. He wasn't answering Kazuhiko's messages.
The two of them had eliminated quite a few ghouls already. Gingetsu had separated earlier after giving them both very clear orders. It was a search-and-capture mission.
Walter liked having Kazuhiko for a partner. He was light-hearted and simple, with an overtaking practical logic that slashed everything apart. He demonstrated more than once that night that he had earned the right to be Gingetsu's partner, being as sharp and fast as the Lt. and quite as merciless. And he was injured…
"Gingetsu answer the God damn visor or I'll hunt you down…" Kazuhiko grunted to his microphone as shot off a few ghouls with his small laser.
"I'm here." Came finally the answer. Kazuhiko groaned.
"Where exactly is here for you? 'Cause I don't see you fighting here with us, which casually happened to be your duty."
"Like you needed me."
"Oh but Gingetsu I always need you!" Kazuhiko smiled wickedly and Walter smiled himself. Kazuhiko loved to taunt his cold friend. The Captain took off the earplug, squeaking. Walter stared surprised.
Kazuhiko grunted. "That certainly means 'shut it'". He commented putting it in his pocket. His eyes widened. "Watch it!" he yelled hitting Walter squarely in the chest with his shoulder and shoving him against the wall.
Next there was a blast of light. Walter finally regained his breath and saw Kazuhiko kneeling on the ground. He went to him and looked at the ashes in the ground.
"Yeah" Kazuhiko said. "the laser heat and good aiming always do the trick… ouch." He added touching his left arm. Walter noticed immediately.
"You were hurt?" he asked.
"No, not really…" Kazuhiko brought up his sleeve to show a big cut on his biomechanical left hand. Walter could see wires and steel shining under the fake skin. "If one is going to get scratched, I suppose a fake arm is the best place. Ow. Now to shut off the damned pain sensors in this thing." Walter smiled dimly.
Kazuhiko went to his feet and moved all five fingers. Great. Everything still functional. He would have Gingetsu fix the scratch later.
They heard a noise coming from a corner of the warehouse they were in. They both became tense and prepared for another engagement.
A shadow fell to the ground in front of them coming out from a door. By his heavy breathing and the panic in his face they realised he was being pursued by something really bad. Kazuhiko started walking forward to him to help him. Walter tensed his wires.
Another tall shape appeared in the doorway. Kazuhiko's eyes lifted quickly but Walter fortunately was faster than him. Nobody reacted until the wires were already in the air.
The figure saw them in time to shift and get off the way. One of the micro-wires cut deep in his neck drawing blood and a soft grunt. Kazuhiko stood in a rush.
"Walter WAIT!" he yelled going for the door. The butler stared confused… he too had recognised the grunt… it couldn't be. He couldn't have made such a big mistake…
Walter walked to the doorway. Gingetsu stormed right passed him lifting the man on the floor with his left arm, as he had passed the sword to his right hand. He was bleeding a lot in the left side of his neck. Walter gasped and closed his eyes strongly.
He felt a soft hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes slowly and Kazuhiko smiled sympathetically.
"He's not as mad as he seems, I promise." He whispered. "The cut is not that bad anyway."
"I don't understand how I could be so careless…" Walter murmured. "This had never happened before."
"It's alright Walter seriously. He always takes on people surprisingly; it's understandable that you reacted like that. Besides the way he was treating the man implied danger… don't torture yourself over it." He squeezed the butler's shoulder encouragingly and then walked away following Gingetsu. "Come on Walter, let's not get him angrier by being late." He added pretty laid-back.
Walter sighed and trailed behind him.
At least they had a prisoner to interrogate.
+break+
Niko had been more than glad to find a Japanese Tea House of her liking on the centre of London. It was beautiful, obviously designed by a Japanese architect, and that had given her the idea of taking Alucard to a Tea Ceremony in it. She had made reservations and now there they were waiting.
In the Japanese Tea Ceremony everything has a meaning. Every cup, every utensil used means one particular thing. The Host usually spends days making sure everything is right for the Ceremony, and it implies a lot of care and devotion. Those invited to a Tea Ceremony must be honoured deeply by the gesture. And Alucard was.
No words were spoken while Niko attended to him silently and politely, never looking into his eyes. Alucard was much familiarized with the steps he had to follow, because he had lived in Japan many years and was introduced to the ancient traditions. Well when he lived in Japan they weren't actually ancient yet, but…
For Japanese people the Tea means something more than just an infusion, it's a whole spiritual world that involves it. In the Tea Room everyone is equal; there are no higher seats or hierarchy. As Alucard entered the room the last, for he was the only guest besides Niko, who was acting Host, and her assistant, he closed the sixty-inch high door. The door is that high so that everyone that enters the Tea Room has to bow his head and crouch. It is another symbolism of the equality on that room.
The complicated and strict ceremony took place silently and elegantly as Niko served her guest the meals and sweets and prepared him the tea. There are served two meals; Niko could have eaten in the first but she decided not to. In the second though the Host eats and is served by her guest. Alucard politely served her the tea, avoiding her eyes. He remembered what he had been taught: the position of the one who serves the tea is the highest, so everyone has to serve it, if only momentarily.
Alucard felt very touched by the Ceremony as it took place. If the object of it was to induce to thinking and concentrating Alucard definitely was doing what he was supposed to. That's why he had gone to Japan in the first place; they were so loyal, so correct there. It was an honour to have a Tea ceremony devoted to him… all that preparation and concentration, all that love in every gesture just for him… one last time.
After the Ceremony ended Alucard cleaned the utensils he had used, as the rules of behaviour said, and he went to the garden. Niko joined him shortly after.
Alucard hugged her tightly from behind.
"Thank you." He whispered in her hair. She smiled. The mere fact that she had prepared the Ceremony just for him made him fuzzy inside. Or maybe it was the sake. But not likely.
"It was the least I could do for you." She said. "We took separate ways many years ago but I still see you as my first lover and my father.
"What a sick mixture…"
"I'm serious Vlad."
"I know you are." He said serious himself. "I know what this was, too. This was our closure. The thing you couldn't give me before leaving me, am I correct?"
"Yes." She murmured. She turned in his arms and pressed her face to his strong chest. "It's time for us to finally move on. I have been mourning us for too long and it's time for you to go to Seras and be with her too. I can't keep you any longer. This is… the end for us Vlad."
"Yes. Kazuhiko waits for you." Vlad smiled the sweetest smile he was able to devote to someone else than Seras and kissed her kindly in the forehead, eyes warm. "You'll still be my little sister thought right?"
"Always and forever." She answered rubbing her nose against his. He hugged her a bit more tightly and then he walked away, still holding her hand, and walked through a portal. Niko took one last look at the bright stars in the sky and followed him across the void.
He was actually a bit drunk… the sake was too strong for him after more than a hundred years of not drinking alcohol, no matter how used to it he was when they were together. They appeared in his room. Niko headed to the door and Alucard let himself fall on the bed, quite tired. She smiled warmly at his yawn and headed upstairs to go see if Kazuhiko and the rest had come back from the mission.
But Alucard just couldn't sleep yet. He was a bit warm and light headed of the sake but he was far from drunk. The smells of the incense and the herbs of the Tea that still lingered in his nostrils weren't making it any better either.
Alucard shook his head and ran a hand through his hair trying to clear his eyes completely to go see how Seras was doing. He knew she had a mission that night. Finally deciding the dizziness was not going to fade any time soon, he got up and headed to Seras's room.
She opened the door quickly. When she saw him she smiled warmly.
"Hi Master how are you? Oh! What's that weird smell on you?" she added after. Alucard chuckled and sat himself on the chair.
"Incense and tea Police Girl."
"Oh right! The Tea Ceremony. Niko told me about it. How did it go?"
"Just perfect Police Girl." He answered looking at her, eyes dreamy. Seras frowned a bit and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Master… is that alcohol I smell?" she asked. Alucard nodded, smooth smile on his lips. "Oh Master don't tell me you're drunk!" she begged getting alarmed.
"Now now Police Girl it takes more than sake to get me drunk. I grew up in Romania remember? Cold winters…"
"Ah, right Master." She said, sighing in relief. Who knew how Alucard was when he was drunk? She certainly didn't want to find out.
"I am dizzy though."
"Oh great… C'mon master let's get you to bed." Seras got up with a look of resignation and walked to him. She took his hand and dragged him off the chair.
"Who's baby-sitting who now, hmm Police Girl? Not a nice thought…"
"Stay out of my head Master I don't need you in there like this." Seras replied sighing.
Alucard chuckled softly and she smiled in spite of herself. She wanted him to know she didn't like him drunk, but she was just so touched by him coming to see her…
Just as they were reaching the door Alucard stopped. Seras turned to him confused. She saw this strange look on him… his eyes were sharp and clever, very bright. He wasn't like that a second ago though… she shivered.
"Master please don't tell me Sir Integra is calling you NOW!" she asked starting to panic. 'God, don't let her see him like this…' she begged in her mind.
But he shook his head lightly. "No Police Girl… it's something else." He said quietly. Then he smiled the most predator-like smile she had seen… and vanished into thin air.
Seras imagined that somehow, no matter how good it had started, that night was going to have a shitty end.
break+
Niko knocked softly on the oak of the heavy door. There came a soft call: "Come in." the Japanese gently pushed the door and entered the large study.
"Good night Sir Hellsing" she said bowing. The Sir raised her eyes form the paperwork to look at her.
"Good night to you Officer Nagisa." She replied. "How can I help you?"
"I wanted to ask you if Kazuhiko and the rest have come back yet or are still at mission."
"They're on their way back here." Integra replied. "There weren't any bad injuries as far as I was informed." She added politely.
Niko smiled at her. "That's always a relief."
Integra nodded and lit up a cigar.
"Those things are almost a plague nowadays." Niko commented lightly. Integra leaned back on her chair looking at her.
"Both the Lt. and captain smoke as well, Officer Nagisa."
"True. But Gingetsu only when he's off duty and he somehow manages to always be on duty. And Kazuhiko had almost stopped. You however…"
"I already have a vampire and a butler scolding me about it I don't need anyone else thank you."
Niko smiled widely at her irritancy. "I knew Alucard would have probably told you something. He used to smoke a pipe when younger, but he never liked cigars or cigarettes."
"Yes, he enjoys remarking the fact that they can bring cancer."
"We vampires enjoy remembering diseases we know we'll never have… for Vlad is almost difficult to understand them anymore. He's been immune to them for so long…"
"Vampires are immune to whatever disease they come across, I know."
"Some more than others."
"I'm sorry?" Integra stared surprised.
"Oh, it's not important."
The phone rang and Integra stared a minute longer before picking it up.
"Sir Integra, it's Walter. We're entering the estate now."
"Good Walter. Come report to me immediately."
break+
Niko appeared right next to Kazuhiko making him gulp. She laughed out loud at his curse.
Kazuhiko glared at her. He was moody already because of his left hand and with Gingetsu.
Gingetsu most definitely was not happy. It was obvious even to Walter and he didn't know him… Kazuhiko had calmed the old man but the tension between him and the Lt. was palpable. Gingetsu was kind of scary when he wanted to be…
The cut had been bleeding all the way back too. Finally Kazuhiko sat beside him and put a bandage around his neck so it would stop. That hadn't made Walter any more calm either. Quite frankly Kazuhiko was happy to get off the van and away from both of them.
Niko smiled at Walter who had just come in. The butler gave back a dim and shy smile. Niko arched an eyebrow.
"Something wrong Walter?"
Kazuhiko, that was close, put a hand on Walter's shoulder and smiled. "Ah, Walter here had a bit of an accident with Gingetsu I'm afraid."
"Oh, what happened?"
"Looking at the bright side Walter demonstrated he is as fit to be in field as anyone… he shot off his wires and partially cut through Gingetsu's neck…"
"Oh my…" Niko touched Walter's arm softly. "But come to think about it if you didn't behead him I'm sure he'll forgive you."
"Yeah, right." Kazuhiko said, confident. "Anyway Walter… you seem like a religious man… If I were you I would go to church and thank my God I don't work for him… anyone knows I would get Court Martialed for that little tantrum…" he added playfully. Obviously he was regaining his humour, which he had apparently lost on the trip back.
Walter glared. "I take it you're mocking me now, am I right Kazuhiko?"
"Oh God… you're so sharp…" Kazuhiko widened his eyes and acted surprised. "It's incredible! Oh Walter I hope I'm like you at your age… I mean… wow. Just wow."
"Be like that and you'll never reach it…" Niko sing-songed smiling adorably. Kazuhiko grinned and turned to walk upstairs.
"Nah, I'm not dying any time soon. Anyway Walter if it makes you feel better I still really like you."
"Yes, I am most certainly touched by that." Walter murmured angrily. Niko smiled again. Kazuhiko sure could get under anyone's skin.
Kazuhiko stopped dead in his tracks and turned slightly to them, snapping his glasses away from his face. Niko straightened too. She was hearing something… some kind of interference noise…
Kazuhiko frowned deeply. "Walter you have a cell phone right?"
"Yes…"
"Give it to me now."
Noticing the alarm in his voice Walter took off the phone and handed it to him. Right then the ceiling lights started to flicker and tremble. The interference noise increased into a level even Walter could notice.
Kazuhiko opened the flip of the phone and turned it on. Nothing. It didn't work. Kazuhiko cocked his head to the stairs.
Before anyone could say anything he had tossed the phone back to Walter and lunged to the stairs leading to the basement. Very, very alarmed Walter followed tensing his wires. Niko disappeared from the hall.
They heard six strong gunshots coming from the basement. Walter knew that sound… he had created that gun. His heart started bumping faster.
Kazuhiko stormed through the hallways closely followed by the butler. Then suddenly he came to a halt extending his right arm to stop Walter too.
The image that presented to both of them disturbed them deeply.
Alucard was against the wall, standing but painfully clutching his side. He was bleeding quite badly and seemed weak.
In front of him, half turned Gingetsu remained calm and cold as a stone. He held in his right hand his long, white sword soaked in Alucard's blood. And in his left he had the Casull.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I know what you're thinking and yes! It ends up right there until twelve! Kipping you on your toes…
Namariel out!