Integra shifted to her side as Oni set her down on the bed. Her shoulder had been bothering her all day, but she hadn't said a word. She pulled her knees up, dreaming about before her father got sick. She was walking through the corridors, light pouring in from the side windows.. It seemed to be a wonderful day. She reached for the doors and pulled them open, seeing her father sitting at a table in a throne chair.. His back to her. "Morning, Father.." He turned, his gray hair falling into his eyes as he gave a smile of understanding. "Good Morning, Integra. You're late. Well, why don't we start today's lesson..?" She stood before him, and things grew dark into the medical bay. Her uncle, Walter and a few others were standing there as she held her fathers hand. "Be Glorious.. Integra.."
His hand slipped away, and she knew right then he was dead.. She shifted again and those dreams just seemed to disappear into nothingness.. "Be.. Glorious.." She gave a small smile and continued to sleep, hoping not to have such a dream again. But she knew she would, and she knew why she was having it.
Walter had finally gotten back. It had taken the cleanup team a good hour and he was tired. He knew he was getting older and nights like this reminded him of it. When he got back and found Integra asleep. He went into the offices where the agents worked, most of them were back now they had taken Arthur's death hard and some had hit the bottle, but now it was back to business, no matter what, tomorrow Integra would meet them, hand out assignments and things would really start. But for tonight, tonight was the pause before the storm and he hated it as much as he enjoyed it.
Integra opened her eyes slowly, the light from the window landing upon her face. She pushed herself up and looked to the mirror. Her face was still a bit pale, but that was reasonable. She fixed her hair and walked towards the closet, fitting herself in a true black that gave away sadness and regret. She reached over and grabbed her glasses, and looked into the mirror one last time. She forced a smile. She thought she knew what Oni had done, but she wasn't angry.. Just so he didn't do it again, that's all. She wouldn't tell Walter, because he might have gotten angry at him and she didn't want that. Other than that one dream, she had a good night's sleep.. For once since her father died. She would have to thank him.
She closed the door to her room softly behind her and made her way through the corridors. Things would feel so strange today, but she would just have to handle it.. She would try not to cry, because strong people.. never cried, right? She walked into the lobby and sat in one of the chairs, waiting for either Walter or Oni to come down. She didn't know if Oni was going to go to the funeral, but it would be inside.. so, he wouldn't have to worry about daylight if he did.
Oni woke when he felt Integra wake. He instantly changed into a formal black Japanese funeral garb and changed his swords sheath and handle into a very ornate one. No battles would come today.
The handle was now that of a japanese dragon, and it was studded with gems, as black as the night. The sheath was made of a fine black marble that matched the color of the gems. He walked upstairs to find Integra, he could tell what she was thinking and said, "strong people cry same as anyone else. The people who don't cry, do so anyway but behind closed doors. Today is a day as much for you as it is a day for remembrance of your father. and no one, absolutely no one would fault you if you had to cry, besides, if they did, I would instantly behead them." He said that last part in a completely deadpan.
She looked up to Oni, her eyes already showing some sorrow behind her glasses. "I have never, not once, in my whole life seen my father cry.." She looked back down. "..Except when he told me he was going to die.." She smiled at his last statement. "..Only if I let you." She gave a smile and stood beside him. "..I wasn't sure if you were coming, today.." She looked up.
Oni smiled and nodded, "of course Integra, as I said I will not lie to you on the important things. I have no great love for your father, but he raised you and for that I can respect and honor him." He nodded and looked to his dress. "Is this acceptable to you? I know its not proper english attire but it is what I am accustomed to wearing in these situations. I am japanese after all."
She looked over him and nodded. "Yes.. It is very acceptable. I am glad that you have chosen to come, but I do suggest you get a hat.. or.. a jacket or something.. We leave soon, and though it is inside.. The sun is out right now.. and I really do not wish to have you burnt at the funeral." She gave a small smile. "They can only park so close to the mansion." She looked out from the window. "..Now we must wait for Walter.."
Oni nodded and a pair of black gloves, and a sleeveless robe appeared on his shoulders, and a pair of black sunglasses on his eyes. "There we go, and Walter approaches."
Just then Walter walked into the room wearing a black suit and looked to Integra. "Are you ready?" He then looked to Oni and he looked rather shocked, but then quickly regained his composure.
Walter and Oni walked out behind her and Walter had the misfortune to say. "So I see you're wearing a dress today, how brave of you." Walter couldn't help but snicker for a moment, he was trying to lighten the mood but Oni didn't find it so funny.
"Say it again old man. I dare you." walter guessed that the better part of valor was to shut up for the moment. They all got into the car and they rode on in silence. It would be a fairly simple funeral just as Arthur had wanted it but anything could happen. He just hoped it would be simple and as easy as possible today.
Integra looked to Walter and smiled after a few moments. She smiled to Oni as well. She looked back down to her hands in her lap. She just had a feeling that something was going to happen.. and she was afraid that something would happen. Her father, even the family, wasn't a well-liked family, even among some humans. She closed her eyes and awaited to arrive.
Oni looked around as the car came to a hault at the cemetary. He stood up and opened the door for Integra. He looked to her, "if you need anything, you let me know, even if its just." He tapped his head, "up here, I'll know." He walked in after her and he hoped that this would go okay. He kept his hand near his sword just incase.
Walter got out and followed after, he was tired and very sad. He would miss his friend, but today... He had to be strong. He would have a drink tonight but for now he would be strong for her.
Integra nodded and walked into the church. A lot of people were there, more than she had expected. They parted as they turned to see her. They're eyes were wide as they seen Oni next to her, but said nothing.. At least what she heard. She could hear their voices though, talking about how ridiculous it was for the Organization to be given to a child. All well, they would just have to deal with it.
She walked silently, her head down. She sat in the first pew of the church and waited for the Priest to start talking again. She didn't want to look up at the coffin. There were a lot of thoughts in her head, none of them really made sense.. but they were still there. She sighed heavily. It would soon be her time to speak, and she really didn't know what to say..
Oni heard their thoughts and their words, though muffed they were.He wanted to tell them all to be silent but he couldn't. He kept his seals hidden and tried not to look around. He had never liked churches when he was alive and that was doubly so now but that's how it was. He looked to the priest as he approached the podium and began to speak, "we come here to honor Arthur Hellsing, as he has passed beyond unto the kingdom of heaven, may he find his way swiftly and be greeted well." With that he started the prayers. He didn't join in but to not stand out did his own version.
Walter looked to Integra off and on and made sure she was alright.
After the prayer, it was Integra's turn. She sat for a moment, everyone started to look at her. She sighed and made her way up to the podium that was beside the coffin. She looked over and cringed at the thoughts and images in her head.. Images of her father jumping from the coffin, attacking her from complete bloodlust.. She looked away quickly and down to the mike on the podium. "Arthur Hellsing, my father.." Her voice was shrouded with sorrow. "..My father was the best man I have ever knew.. He did his best to raise me after my mother died, with others.." She looked to Walter and Oni.
"He did whatever possible to benefit this country, the Church of England, and the Queen, her Majesty and he has given that responsibility solely to me.. I accept this responsibility, not only because I must.. But because he believed in me.. If he did, I should start believing in myself. He saw something in me that no one else ever could.." Her eyes grew teary. "He will never be forgotten, always remembered. The last two words my father told me, will stick with me for my whole life.. I think I should share them with you as well.. Be glorious." She turned away and sat down without another word, her head hanging low from her shoulders.
The people were rather stunned after Integra's speech. The priest asked if anyone else wished to speak and a few did but no one of importance. The man then said, "then may you come forth and pay your final respects. " Everyone stood and began to file one by one to say something or give something to Arthur and eventually it was their turn and Walter got up as did Oni and approached the coffin, but the priest stepped in front of Oni.
"You should return to your seat, one such as you shouldn't be allowed in this house." He said, and everyone hung on what he would do next. He looked to the priest, and he said. "You come here and disrespect gods house by shaming this place with your presence demon, you shall not be allowed any closer." Oni looked to him and then merely turned around and sat back down.
Integra sat for a moment, clenching her fists. She grew angry, and hateful. "Shut up, you insolent fool!" She roared. "It doesn't matter who you are, if you come to pay your respects you should be allowed to! How dare you disrespect him? It is like disrespecting me, and disrespecting my father!" Her eyes were full of rage and she turned, heading out of the church. She wanted to yell at him more, to curse him for everything he had said but her voice was choked away from her. She pushed the churches door open and rushed out into the sunlight, back into the car tears running from her eyes.. both angry, and sorrowed.
Oni stood and followed her out but stopped at the door and said in a voice that was clear to everyone. "Two things are very clear to me, one, a young girl has the wisdom that grown adults do, and 2, I will never walk here again, what a pity." He sighed and returned to the car as did Walter.
Oni looked to her, wishing he could do something to help her. "I... thank you." Was all that he could get out, so shocked was he, a young girl had seen true to what many had not, and it startled him. "I don't know what I can do for you but I am here." He looked down to her his eyes held such sorrow because she was in pain and he would have given his left arm if it would help if it would take her pain away.
Walter chimed in and said, "me too. We're both here for you, Integra."
Integra looked up from her palms, lingering tears rushing down her flustered cheeks. She closed her eyes and leaned against Walter, trying to calm herself down, but nothing was really working. "..I know.." She whispered. "Thank you..." She breathed, "too." She hated crying, but she just couldn't help it. Her father was gone, and her own flesh and blood tried to kill her.. now, she is the head of an organization, of vampire killers, and a bastard priest insulted her protector, a part of her family right in front of her... at her father's funeral no less.
Oni sighed and he signaled the driver to drive. There would be no more today. He looked down and spoke in a hushed voice, "from the stars, we came to the stars we go, from now unto eternity."
Walter looked up and simply said, "amen."
He watched as things streamed past outside and then to Integra. She would get better but seeing her in such pain, he wished he could take it away, but the best he could do is protect her from harm. They arrived home and Oni simply waited. They would wait for as long as Integra needed. They would do whatever she wanted today because tomorrow she started her new life.
Integra took a deep breath and looked up as they arrived back at the mansion. She wiped the tears away and slowly stepped from the car as thunder rocked the skies. She looked up just as a small raindrop hit her face and she sighed. She looked back down and made her way into the mansion silently, remembering what both Walter and Oni had said. By the time she got inside, her clothes were wet. Not soaking, but not dry either. She walked back into her bedroom and put on her normal clothes, sitting on the edge of the bed.
I probably freaked out most of the people there. That thought gave her a small smile.
Oni sighed as he stepped inside, the sky was crying just as it was on the day of his fathers death. He had died in battle. He was shook from his reverie by Walter who led him off. They arrived a bit later in a makeshift bar and he poured himself a glass and sat down. Oni looked to it and smiled softly. "God I still wish I could get drunk. I could really use some sake today."
Walter sighed. "Poor sod, I feel for you." He made a quick salute motion before downing the glass and pouring himself another. "Well at least I can monitor Integra from here so I can make sure she is okay, but.…" He paused. "I know we were enemies 20 years ago." Walter smiled, "that's putting it mildly." As he downed another glass. "My point being if you don't mind before getting completely drunk is that I think we should call a truce and work together. We both care a great deal about Integra, I know that. So if we work together we'll make sure she's safe and she learns what she needs to learn." Oni looked to him and stuck out his hand. After a moment, Walter clasped his hand and shook it before slamming another one.
"Deal."
Integra sighed and laid herself back on the bed, closing her eyes tightly. She took a deep breath. "...Ugh.." She looked over towards the cross that was hanging on the wall, and gave another small smile knowing that he was looking over her right about now.. If he was alive, she'd be getting the lecture of her life.. Yelling at a Man of God -- bad, bad, bad.. Tisk, tisk, tisk. She smiled softly and turned to her side, falling asleep to wait for the next day. She hoped it would be better than the days passed, but doubted it. "Goodbye, father.." She whispered.