Chapter 6
Alucard sensed the time was right, and quickly transformed. His red coat and fedora faded into shadows, as his dark suit showed, while his hair grew until it was at least waist length. He decided to go in a more human fashion, for nostalgia's sake, and left through his door by opening and closing it. He went for Akiko's room, and knocked on the door. "Who is it?" Seras asked from the other side. Alucard answered, "I am ready for our date, is Miss Itto ready?" Seras answered by opening the door, her shadow-arm forming a barrier, hiding Akiko. "TA-DAAA!" Seras happily said with a flourish, sweeping her shadow-arm away to reveal Akiko Itto. The kitsune's red hair was lightly curled and flowing down past her shoulders, her height augmented with open toed heels, her body tastefully revealed in a splendid black dress that emphasized her body, and her face had only a small amount of makeup, some light blush for her cheeks, bright red lipstick, and green eyeshadow to match her eyes.
"You are a vision of beauty," Alucard complimented her as he bowed at his waist and offered his hand, "May I have the honor of taking you to see the sights of London, Miss Itto?" Seras giggled a little, as did Akiko before she took his hand, "A pleasure, sir." Alucard offered his left arm, and Akiko entwined her arm around his, and Seras put a coat around Akiko's shoulders before they left the dungeons.
Hellsing soldiers saw them leaving as they went by, many of them staring at Akiko as she passed, their lustful thoughts obvious to everyone. Alucard was smiling the entire time, imagining to himself, Look all you want, mortals. This beauty is one none of you shall have.
They met his Master waiting at the front door. She informed them, "The driver knows where to take you, he has been ordered to only take you to the spots you specified, Alucard. If you wish to go anywhere else, then you'll go on your own. Understood?" Alucard bowed to her, "I understand, my Master. If Miss Itto wishes to go anywhere else, I accept full responsibility for returning her back to Hellsing Manor." Integra nodded and walked away as Alucard and Akiko walked out to a waiting limousine and driver. "Where to first, sir?" the driver asked. "The Tower of London," Alucard said, "I've always enjoyed their tours, and a walk should help Miss Itto's appetite."
The driver did as he was instructed, taking the quickest path to the Tower of London. As he drove, Alucard asked Akiko, "Would you like to play a game?" Akiko looked at him, "Depends, will it ruin my makeup? Seras and I worked hard on it after all, and I would hate to ruin it so early into our date." Alucard answered, "No, something simple as we go about our date, get to know each other better. Twenty Questions, only we can ask any question, not just 'yes' or 'no' answers." Akiko snorted at this, "That's an old one… why not. Alright, can I go first?" Alucard nodded, "Be my guest."
Akiko took a moment then asked, "How old are you?" Alucard answered in response, "I will be five-hundred and ninety-nine years old come next July." Akiko asked, "You don't know the actual date?" Alucard shook his head, "We didn't celebrate 'birthdays' that long ago, one was never sure, even among the nobility, if the child would survive long enough for it to matter, and didn't record the exact date or time like this modern era. That's two questions by the way." Akiko nodded and asked a third question, "Were you Count Dracula?" Alucard nodded, "Yes." She took this information well and continued her questions: What was it like in Transylvania? How many wives did he have as a human? As a vampire? These and other general trivia questions really, about ten in all and Alucard answered them before they at last reached the Tower of London.
"Why don't we continue our game while we ride to our destinations?" Alucard suggested as they got out. "I like that idea," Akiko agreed. Alucard walked up to the tour guide and handed him two tickets, and they were immediately allowed in. Alucard and Akiko listened intently as they were led through the exhibits of medieval weapons and torture instruments. At times Alucard would interrupt and talk about the weapons or implements of torture, but the old tour guide took it in good humor, "A bit of an expert in Medieval History, sir?" Alucard smiled and winked, "Something like that." Akiko snickered, but they continued the tour until it was finally concluded. As they left the Tower, Akiko grabbed a comment card and gave their guide, an old man named Reginald, a ten out of ten rating.
The limousine was waiting for them, and took them to their next destination, an incredibly fancy French Cuisine restaurant called L'hrondille D'or. As they drove, they continued their game of Twenty Questions on the way, Akiko asked Alucard how many people he killed, how many vampires, how he was captured by Dr. Abraham van Helsing, how he met Integra and Seras, and others. Alucard answered her honestly the entire time, he was open with her the entire time, not hiding anything from her. To her credit, she didn't show much fear of him after learning so much about him. When her questions were asked, Alucard asked his first question, "You seem to not be too fearful of me, even though you know what a monster I am. Why?"
"Well, you're not a bad guy anymore… Mostly," Akiko started, "Plus, I'm pretty sure that Sir Hellsing wouldn't like it if you killed me, since I helped make her computer system about 1000% more secure, and got her on track to finding the people who hired me. And…you're not the only monster I've known in my life." Alucard nodded at her answer and continued with another question, "Why are you in England?" Akiko looked at him and swallowed a little, it was obvious how painfully the memory was for her. "I am a kitsune, my family has lived in Japan since the beginning of the world, or so my Grandfather always told me. I told you about all the powers kitsune are supposed to possess, but, I'm weak, even for my age. You've seen my illusions and pierced them easily, like swatting a fly.
"My Grandparents were the only ones that accepted me, the rest of my family was ashamed of my weakness. Grandfather and Grandmother did what they could to help me, but… One day, three years ago, they were caught in a trap. Yokai hunters are rare in Japan, but there are still some families that hunt for creatures like me, and they caught my Grandparents and killed them. Afterwards, my family drove me out, saying that if they ever saw me again, they would kill me. My Mother told me that I was a disgrace of a kitsune, and that it would have been best if I would kill myself. Luckily, I was smart enough with computers to become a good hacker and used those skills to get a ticket out of Japan, and to England. I've been applying my trade ever since, taking whatever jobs paid well, except for the creeps."
Alucard nodded at this, "I see. I can understand family difficulties, and I know what it feels like to never be able to return home. But I will admit, our circumstances are different." Before Alucard could ask more questions, they arrived at L'hondille D'or. Alucard stepped out of the limousine, and like a perfect gentleman helped Akiko out. They walked arm-in-arm inside, where the Maître d', a tall, bald old man with a large nose, walked up to them. "Welcome, Sir, Madam. May I have your reservations?" "Two for Alphonse Urqhart," Alucard said, and pulled two reservations from his coat. The Maître d' accepted the reservations and led them to their table.
L'hondille D'or was as grand as Akiko had heard, everywhere the walls were decorated with copies of amazing French paintings, and various corners had notable statues in imitation of Renaissance artists, all under a grand chandelier that seemed to be made of golden wires in such an intricate pattern that it seemed impossible to untangle. Their table was made of black oak wood, and their chairs were made of the same, polished so much they nearly shone. A waiter soon arrived and offered them menus, Alucard chose a seven-year old Bourgogne Pinot Noir for them to share while they decided on their food. The meal would be four course, salad, soup, entrée, and dessert. As she looked at the menu, Akiko asked, "Can you even eat normal food? I remember Seras once saying that she can't stomach normal food anymore since becoming a vampire." Alucard nodded, "She is still young, so her body can no longer tolerate it. It's the same for all vampires less than a hundred years old, they can devour only blood or alcoholic beverages. I can tolerate normal food, but the flavor is highly muted, and it gives me no nourishment." Akiko nodded at this, and decided on what she wanted, Alucard saying they would have whatever she decided.
For salad, it was salade niçoise, and a soupe à l'oignon afterwards. For their entrée, Akiko and Alucard dug into a beef bourguignon. Akiko couldn't help but moan as she ate the amazing dishes, helped by the fine wine she and Alucard split between them. When the time finally came for dessert, Akiko decided on a simple chocolate souffle split between her and Alucard. When the bill finally arrived, Akiko nearly screamed at how high the price was, only for Alucard to set her mind at ease by reminding her that it was all on Sir Integra's credit card. Alucard even gave the waiter a generous tip for his service. All seemed to be going very well, until they left. Their driver was waiting, but as soon as they were inside, he informed them, "I'm sorry, sir and ma'am, but something's come up, and Sir Hellsing wants us to return to HQ immediately." Alucard nodded, "Very well, drive on."
Akiko huffed in annoyance, while Alucard smiled and shrugged, "It was fun while it lasted."