Yay! Another chapter. By the way. for the one reviewer, TornadoReviewer, I wouldn't mind hearing more of your thoughts if it's ok! - I DO add reviewers to messengers if they are all right with it. I like getting more of their ideas and criticizing. lol!- E-mails in my profile. X3 I will be gone this weekend in Chicago and to an Insane Clown Posse concert! BOOYA! And maybe see Saw II. -shall takes notes.- I will try my best to write another chapter, but you'll be lucky if I can. Until next chapter, see ya! And as always, please be kind enough to review. Danke und Auf Wiedersehen!

P.S.

CONGRATULATE ME DAMN IT! I GOT ACCEPTED TO A BUSINESS COLLEGE FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN!


Order 43: Perspective

Abandoned Apartment Basement. 7:00 P.M.

The old apartment basement was cold and humid from the rain. The covens were beginning to stir from the sleep. Yawns came out as hisses as they crawled out of their corners, their tables and rafters, coming together to jest, commute and tell of their plans once they get on Vatican soil. The pale, dead faces with ruby stones grinned; the skin stretching over the cold muscles like plastic wrap. Their laughter resounded like that of harpies and demons. Malakai was approaching the end of the hallway that would reveal the demons to Skey. He could see flickering of candlight within the room they all hid in. This would be the first time Skey would be able to see exactly what the Vatican was up against. The mixture of so many voices only suggested a huge horde of the creatures. Something deep within her conscience told her that living here would be no different than from the Vatican. These vampires knew her and the agency she worked for, and knew them as their enemy. The agency had slaughtered thousands of vampires and with no doubt some that were close to these very ones she was about to meet. Malakai sensed her delaying.

" Skey love, don't worry about them. They will come to accept you. I promise you."

The couple presented themselves through the stone doorway. the other vampires stopped and quieted down, looking over the human before them. A few grinned, showing their fangs, thinking of her as nothing but simple food. Hisses of high and loq frequencies moved through the crowd. Malakai stood defiantly, face hard and his eyes challenging them. All got the gist and bowed their heads in respect, not wishing to rouse his anger.

" My friends, this is Skey...You're new queen. You are to treat her with respect! Anyone who dares to show her any kind or form of disrespect shall be punished severely for their actions. Do I make myself clear?"

A unison yell of submission shook the concrete walls. Skey looked over the pale mass of vampires. Women, men and even children. A cool wind washed over her palm. When Skey looked, Malakai was holding her hand and pulling her gently, gesturing to follow him. She did to a secluded room awa from the coven. Once their presence was gone, the sound of chatter and hissing continued. Dark halls enveloped them both. It was cold here, chilling Skey's skin. They came into a candlelit room. This was Malakai's place. There were no windows nor other doors besides the one they entered. Hundreds of candles, large to small, burnt cleanly. A large coffin was in the middle of the room, open to reveal the gorgeous red silk lining. The fire reflected off the polished wood and golden handles of the coffin. Even though this was always the meaning of death, this particular coffin was exquisite. A chuckle was felt through her back as Malakai held her against himself.

" Don't be frightened by it, love. I know in your world, this is a meaning for death...for final rest. But to us vampires, this is like a place for rejuvenation."

Skey could feel his cold breath on her neck. It felt like death was whispering ripened words into her ear, seducing her to follow him into the darkness. Malakai snuck an arm around her waist, holding her against him. Skey's knees weakened. Those cold yet soft, plush lips made the hairs on her neck stand up straight. Then something colder was felt. Skey's eyes widened as she felt the flatness of his tongue run up her neck to her hairline.

" Skey...stay with me tonight. Keep me company."

Who was she to object now? Skey consented to stay with him in this gothic styled room. Malakai's fingers wrapped into the collar of her dreaded coat and pulled it off, letting it go once it started sliding down her arms. Now more warm, delicious skin was revealed to him. His cold hand laid against her warm, naked stomach, relishing to feel her shiver.

" This warm skin tempts me in so many ways, darling Skey."

skey leaned against him but remained as silent as a mouse. There were no words she wished to say to Malakai. The actions he bestowed upon her quavering skin were wished not by him. In her memory, she remembered that one night when she saw two stars fell.

" Darling, is something the matter?"

He turned her around to see a sad stricken face. It was obvious what was bothering her. He led her across the room and shut his coffin. Both sat down on it and he pulled her close, resting his head atop of hers.

" Father Anderson doesn't care for you, Skey. Look at how he left you, told you off. You would put up with that when you have me to turn to? I am someone who would never deny you the right to come close to me and talk about your troubles or your accomplishments. He is more concerned with his own life in that Vatican than he is about watching over you like he should be doing. He isn't a very caring priest...only a selfish one. I've known Iscariot for quite some time, dear. They've chased many of my friends down and slaughtered them mercilessly. Ancient vampires such as myself feed from time to time. We understand that we cannot have bloodfests as many tend to think we do. If we were to feed carelessly off humans, then we would die out too. We are not so insensible nor short-sighted. Yet...the Vatican, those proud, snobbish Catholics...hunted us down like rabid dogs. We aristocratic vampires do not rampage. And...everyone must remember that we too...were once human."

Skey clutched to the collar of his cloak, pulling herself closer to him. What he said made sense to her. Yet, she couldn't forgive them, nor Malakai himself for killing her parents. But she rather live with her parents' killer than to live alone in the Vatican, surrounded by disgusted faces and ignorant, prejudice people.

Maxwell's Office. 8:00 P.M.

Enrico Maxwell sat in his office chair, rubibng his temples and wishing for the pain to erode away. Yumie stood behind him, hands folded over, her head bowed down. The rain had lightened up with the coming of the night. The grass glistened and the wind sung. It chilled Maxwell to hear that sound.

" Yumie...where is Anderson?"

"...I am not sure if he's back yet, chief."

" (sits back with a sigh) That man...I do not understand him at all. He took that whore in to transform her into a divine agent of God. He didn't do a bad job but then he turns on her and chases her off! The Vatican is very touchy with our regenerator experiments. Skey is only the second regenerator we have! The Cardinals do not know of her disappearance yet but...if they catch wind, we are screwed. I can't believe he is so stupid!"

Yumie couldn't say anything in response. Maxwell was simply blowing off steam.

" Yumie...you don't suppose..."

" What, chief?"

" I've always had this theory that Anderson was in love with Skey. I hated her because I thought she was distracting Anderson from his job as a vampire hunter. I always need my best agents with their heads clear. You know, Skey confessed in the confessional to me...she didn't know it was me but...she told me about the wrath and hate she had towards her foster parents. they did very bad things to her that even I wouldn't forgive them for. I couldn't blame her...actually, I could relate to her. When I found out she was gone, Anderson tried to act as if he didn't care anymore whether she lived or died. I know better than that. Truthfully, though I wouldn't admit to either of them, they make a great team. Look at me...I don't even know what I am saying anymore!"

Vatican's Art Museum. 8:30 P.M.

Sir Integra stood in front of a large painting. Every line, every stroke was simply perfection. She expected no less. For any painting to be hung in any kind of museum, it must first be considered great; flawless. Cynical values plagued her silence. If a painting can be done so well, so perfectly by an artist which was a human being, then why can't human society be just as perfect? It was a question many try to answer. Especially the Vatican. They themselves, down to the lowest rank of Catholics, always have that feeling that they are perfect. But no religion is any different. We want to follow God to prove that we are capable of following his perfect laws. Sometimes, it seemed so pointless to Integra.

" Why master...losing yourself in your thoughts again?"

Half the body of Alucard stuck out of the wall, out of the painting. His little antics didn't startle Integra anymore. By now, she was quite used to him.

" I'm not above such things. Neither is anyone."

" (bows his head) So I see. Where is the Police Girl?"

" I let her roam the Vatican for a while by herself. I don't need you appointing me 'guards', Alucard. That is MY job."

Alucard stepped fully out of the wall with a rumbling shake of his chest, the laughter ringing as jester. Integra continued her way down the halls of art, analyzing any painting that caught her eye. Like a shadow, Alucard followed her silently, saying not a word and enjoying the pleasance of the art around him as well. Humans, when they put their mind to it, could create such beautiful things. It was sad only a few have ever found that out.

" You're unusually silent, Alucard."

" (chuckles) I am daydreaming about how glorious this battle will be. Finally, ancient vampires, my master. Ones matchable to my status."

Integra continued walking, shivering under her olive green dress jacket. Alucard always talked about apocalyptic battles as if they were nothing but wooden swords and shields; mere child's play. And still, besides that wonderment, she even asked herself again and again why she was even doing here. Her only justification for it was if she was to protect the Vatican and aid the Iscariot Organization, the threat will be mowed down. If not, she risked the army of vampires running over the Vatican then setting their vengeful sights on the Hellsing Organization or any other mediocre anti-vampire organizations.

Vatican Garden. 8:45 P.M.

Seras sat on a marble bench. Sir Integra had relieved her of the duty her Master Alucard assigned her. With nothing to do, Seras had wandered the Vatican looking at paintings, statues and the beauty of the architecture. Outside, the sun had died and the night had inked the sky. It had lured her out to where she was now. withing nothing to stare at but the surging night sky, she theorized and asked questions to the empty air.

" (sighs) I can't see why they do not get along. I mean, they both believe in the same God...they both fight for the same cause. I would think they should be good partners. The only trench between these organizations is their religions. It shouldn't matter! Both look out for their country and wholly all of Europe. I know Sit Integra hates the Vatican cause they think they have the right to everything they do, but she is the same way! Even as they work together now, there is this awkwardness between the different agents and the owners...We have this mass of vampires to fight and they can only argue about who is right about what. And they all call me a child..."

Seras sat and above her, could see a small beam of moonlight poke through the thick, frothy storm. Seeing the light gave her a flicker of a smile. She jumped up and proceeded to walk back in to get some rest. Vampires did wake for the night, but everyone, even Master and herself, had to rest the best they could for the next night.

Anderson's Room. 9:00 P.M.

Alexander Anderson tried shrugging off what Alucard had said to him earlier. He sat up in his bed with a book in hand, reading the fragile pages carefully and steadily. On the nightstand stood a large cup of steaming coffee. Beside it was a hald eaten piece of wheat bread. Anderson flipped the brittle page with as much care as his large, strong hands could provide. The Latin words became jumbled in his mind. A slightly pulsing pain zipped back and forth from one temple to the other. He closed the book and sat it beside him.

" Curse this headache!"

The book was returned to its rightful place on his bookshelf beside the bed. He propped a soft pillow up and sat back against the headboard, his face parallel to the ceiling. It rolled to the side, looking at his nightstand. He fumbled open the drawer and took out a half-filled bottle of aspirin. He tapped two out and closed the clear bottle before slapping it into the drawer and slamming it closed. Familiar anger plagued him once again, as it often as it did. The pills were thrown into the back of his throat and a swallow of the warm coffee washed it down. It had been a very long day. He made the mistake od chasing Skey off. his mind's obsessed idea with having to be heartless and merciless had overruled his kinder conscience. Should it really matter? Anderson sat the coffee down onto the nightstand. The round glasses were removed and neatly placed beside the lamp. A little rest seemed so very sweet. When he woke up, he wished all of this was a dream. Everything, including Skey. Since he had brought her into his life, everything he had thought and felt strongly about had flipped. He didn't quite feel that this more sentimental side of him was right for his identity.

" Laird, Ah pray tae ye...Ah am not happy wi' wha' Ah am anymore. Ah mean...Ah ne'er thought Ah would be so soft afore Skey. Ah think it's wrong tha' Ah am. Ah was made tae kill vampires, tae be yer instrument against thon heathens. Ah desire nae power...But tae be ae hunter like Ah am, Ah cannae hae feelings fae ethers, nor let ma emotions conflict wi' ma intentions and job. Ah executed perfectly many ae vampire, but noo, Ah feel tired fae it. Ah can only blame Skey, Ah fear. Since meeting her, A' Ah've wanted tae dae, is be some kaind O' guardian for her. She hasnae had many tae turn til in the past...Oh God...Ah've really screwed it A' up."

Anderson felt shame for feeling so strongly just for a woman, who by age he could consider a mere child. It shouldn't be this way. Chains that had been fixed onto him long ago grew taut and pulled his strength down deeper, deeper...a killer turned priest. And in reverse, still the priest turned killer. But still no matter, always a man.