THE CUBBARDS ARE BARE

It had been two weeks since the queen publicly denounced Integra. She had stripped her of everything, but the house. Integra was now on her own, COMPLETELY on her own. Of course, nothing changed there. As of late, since learning that the children were Alucard's and not those of Sir James Wellington; the Knights had become bolder in their attacks upon her.

First, they had her water turned off. They wanted to see her come begging to them for her water to be turned back on. But she hadn't. Six days later, they turned off her electricity as well. But they still had not heard from her. At this thought, Alucard smiled as he ascended the basement stairs. They would never break her and they didn't know about Mouse's Ricotans. Mouse's Ricotans had dug a well for Integra, equipped it with the latest in filtering systems and now Integra had her own private water supply; fed by the Atlantic Ocean. The Ricotans had also created an underground grid which siphoned electricity from every power grid in England. A little from each added up to a lot for Integra. But even if Mouse's Ricotans hadn't come to Integra's aid, Alucard knew Integra would rather die of thirst and live in darkness than to beg the Knights for help. In this, her pride was as great as his own.

As Alucard opened the fridge to extract his nightly meal, he came face to face with another problem.

"Hm," said Alucard, closing the fridge.

Then he went off to find the others. He found them in the TV room. Walter and Seras were watching TV. Integra was reading a book and Mouse was napping on the sofa by the window.

"We're out of food." he announced.

Walter and Seras turned towards him and stared.

"What?" asked Seras, cause he just had to be kidding.

"We're out of food. There are no more blood packets." he said, sitting down beside Integra.

Walter and Seras looked to Alucard.

"So what now?" asked Walter, hoping for permission to hunt. "Do we raid blood banks or what?"

"Integra?" asked Alucard.

Integra looked up from her book. She saw three of her vampires looking at her for answers. Mouse, on the other hand, slept on.

"Your grown vampires." she said, returning to her book. "I trust you can all hunt WITHOUT killing your prey."

Alucard and Walter smiled. Integra had finally given consent to hunt. The elation they felt was like the freedom a wild dog felt after being caged its whole life. Walter leapt from the sofa and donned his overcoat. Seras just watched as he prepared to leave. Alucard noticed her hesitation.

"Not even a child; still a baby looking to be fed." thought Alucard, rising off the couch in one swift movement.

Alucard looked to Integra and said.

"Be right back."

Seras finally rose off the couch and started to follow Alucard.

"You stay." he ordered. "Protect Integra. I will bring you dinner."

Seras frowned, but obeyed. She knew Alucard was displeased with her over her inability to feed herself. It's just that she could never take an innocent human's life. She'd rather starve than become a murder.

Walter and Alucard disappeared. They reappeared on the streets of London. They just appeared out of thin air and yet no one seemed to notice. Alucard scanned the streets; but it was Walter that spoke first, as he sniffed the evening air.

"Alright, secretary pool."

Alucard looked in the direction Walter walked off in. He watched as he spoke to the two women that had just gotten off work. Alucard walked up to them. The women turned as Alucard appeared before them.

"Is this your friend?" asked the brunette.

"Yes, ladies. Allow me to introduce Count Vladimir Wingates." smiled Walter with an evil grin.

Alucard just raised an eyebrow at Walter and spoke to him mentally.

"Wingates?"

"I don't know your last name so I gave you Integra's." answered Walter, in like manner.

"Oh, a count." said the blonde, stepping closer to Alucard. "Tell me, what business are you in."

Alucard returned his attention to her, as she was clearly coming on to him. However, he did not wish to waste time talking to her. He stared at both women, capturing their gazes in his eyes.

"Follow." he commanded.

Both women followed him as he led the way to a nearby alley. Walter brought up the rear. As Walter past him, Alucard used his shadow powers to create a wall at the alley's entrance; thus ensuring that they would not be disturbed. Walter took the blonde and led her to a private spot behind the industrial garbage bin. He placed her back against the wall, lifted up her dress, and pulled off her panties. While his left hand was busy, his right undid the buttons of her shirt. Her shirt open, Walter now had full access to her neck. She groaned her pleasure and pulled him closer. Burying his face in her neck; Walter harshly scraped his teeth across her neck causing it to bleed. Fueled by her blood and his lust Walter began to suck her blood.

Alucard held the brunette in his arms. He removed her coat and let it fall to the ground. He unbuttoned her shirt and it too fell to the ground. Alucard turned her neck to the left and cut open a small slit in her jugular. He lapped at the blood that dripped from her and then he kissed her throat. He heard an erotic sigh escape her as he deepened his vampiric kiss. Reflexively, she clung to him as he fed. Alucard's own desire for blood grew greater and greater as her fresh, warm, sweet blood flowed over his tongue and down his throat. It had been way too long, since he had last tasted of FRESH human blood. Chilled, donated or even warm cloned blood was nothing compared to its original source. Alucard drained her slowly, enjoying every drop of his meal.

Alucard had since finished his meal and was now holding the brunette in his arms. Her shirt and coat were draped over his right arm. His attention was drawn to the back of the alley when he heard a woman's cry of ecstasy. He watched as Walter, who stood with his back to him, roared with delight.

"Nothing like a hot apple pie." he chuckled.

"Must you shag while you feed?" asked Alucard, disappointed in Walter's lack of control.

"It's called multi-tasking." said Walter, zipping his pants.

Alucard looked at the girl. At least she was still alive.

"Take her home." ordered Alucard. "Then meet me at Augustine Prison."

"Yes, sir." obeyed Walter, throwing the girl over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Both men faded into nothingness. The alley was once again empty and silent. Alucard's shadow wall disappeared.

Three hours later, Alucard and Walter returned to Hellsing Manor. Integra was still reading. Seras was watching "Fear Factor" and Mouse was still sleeping.

"We're home." announced Walter. "And were brought take out."

Walter and Alucard dumped their cargo on the floor. Integra didn't look up once.

"Who are they?" she asked.

"Convicts, sentenced by man's law to die." said Alucard.

Seras turned and looked down at them.

"Um, master." she began.

"Choose." demanded Alucard. "Italian or Chinese?"

Seras just stared at the two men lying on the floor. He wants me to …

"I'd take the Italian" urged Walter, with a great toothy grin. "Eat Chinese and you'll be hungry again in an hour."

Seras looked at Walter in shock as he laughed at his own joke. Walter ignored her stare, sat down beside her, took the remote, and changed the channel.

"Choose." insisted Alucard.

Sears just sank back onto the couch.

"I'm not hungry." she lied.

Alucard snorted his disappointment. He then reached down, ripped open the Italian's shirt and thrust his hand into the man's chest. He pulled his hand out and licked the blood of his hands. The smell of fresh blood filled the room.

"Are you sure?" questioned Alucard, waving the Italian's blood under Seras' nose. "You're not the least bit hungry."

A great and powerful hunger gripped Seras and crushed her as she inhaled his blood from Alucard's hand. She started to shake as she tried to resist her need to feed. Oh, but the smell of human blood was so intoxicating. It was warm. It was fresh. It was near. She slowly opened her mouth and stretched her tongue towards Alucard's hand. He quickly pulled it away from her.

"No. I will not feed you anymore." he said, walking away from her.

Seras looked at the Italian hungrily, her eyes growing red.

"Something smells good." said Mouse, sitting up and sniffing the air.

"Dad, brought you Chinese food." snickered Walter.

Mouse looked at Alucard and then down at the floor. Mouse saw the bleeding Italian and the Chinese man lying on the floor. She crossed the room in seconds.

"Mine?" she asked, straddling the Chinese man and sitting in his lap.

"Yes." said Alucard. "Death row inmate."

"That means I get all of him." smiled Mouse, hungrily.

She ripped the man's shirt open, grabbing him by the hair and lifted his neck to her. She growled with hunger as her fangs grew to full length. The Chinese man screamed as she sank her teeth into him. His screams died as she drained his life from him. Seras watched as Mouse fed. Alucard looked at Seras. She would break soon. He could see it in her eyes. He walked over to Integra.

"I didn't forget you, my master." he said, handing her a brown bag.

Integra finally stopped reading and looked up at him. She took the bag and looked inside.

"Fish and chips, two hamburgers, a pack of chicken fingers and three pickles." he said.

Integra smiled, gave him a quick peck and then started eating the fish. Seras gave a low animalistic growl as her need for blood over took her sense of decency. Integra turned and looked at the Italian's body. His blood was threatening to stain her floor.

"Seras." called Integra, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

Seras looked at Integra, but really didn't see her.

"He is a murder and sentenced by man's law to die. Don't let his tainted blood stain my floors." she ordered.

Quick as a flash, Seras leap from the couch and landed on top of the Italian. She licked up all his blood that threatened to fall to the floor. No sooner had his blood touched her lips then Seras lost control. She sank her growing teeth into the Italian and drained all his blood. Alucard's grin grew wider and wider as he watched his dark child drink.

"What are you grinning about?" asked Integra, as she bit into a pickle.

"My baby's finally on solid food." laughed Alucard, as he sat down by Integra.

Integra nearly choked as a laughing fit hit her. She laughed so hard, she felt tears fall.