Disclaimer: All of Hellsing and its characters are copyright to Kouta Hirano. Any original characters belong to the author of this fanfiction.

HELLSING

EREBUS

Here standeth the Bird of Hermes,

Eating my own wings to make me tame...

CHAPTER SEVEN

Blood and Chocolate

Sunday Afternoon, November 9, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

A hiss was heard, a syringe pulling out blood from Alex's arm. The man in the lab coat placed a cotton ball at the puncture before pulling out the needle, having the girl hold it there before he went to bottle and label the sample. Alex sat on a cold table, shivering at the thought of a dead body upon it then coming to life as a ghoul. Integra had asked Alex to provide her doctors some of the blood these vampires wanted. Wanting to know just as much as Integra, Alex agreed.

"Hold out your arm, please?" he asked, coming over. Her brows furrowed but did so. "The other arm," he instructed. Blinking, her right arm came up and he examined where two puncture marks had been, now only scars. "Well, everything seems normal. You may go, Ms. Rows."

Dismissed after being given a plastic bandage, she walked out. The head of Hellsing had mentioned that she was permitted to go wherever, except for a few rooms that she had listed. One was other bedrooms, including someone's who's name happened to be Seras Victoria, though she had yet to meet this woman. Integra had informed her that Captain Victoria was in fact a vampire, and Alucard's only fledgling. Speaking of which, she had yet to see Alucard since she arrived. Shrugging, she wandered the fancy corridors, observing each painting. She wasn't into classical art that much. She preferred abstract grunge.

Finally, she came up to a mirror that reached from the floor to three feet above her head, a metre wide. She stared and stared at it, feeling a sense of coldness from the thing. Noticing that a lock of her hair had gone astray, she flipped it over and then proceeded to flatten it with her palm atop her head. The strand proved stubborn, still erect.

"God damn hair," she muttered, trying every which way to make it behave.

"Would you like some help?" said a soft voice.

Alex turned to the source to find a young woman slightly taller than her, with a short sleeved, high collared, mini-skirted Hellsing uniform of blood red. She also wore matching thigh high socks and simple black boots and gloves. The skin was incredibly pale, her hair mid-length, bangs layered over her forehead, and the hair at the base of her neck spiked out. This blonde woman stared at her with crimson eyes, a deeper shade of red than Alucard's, a smile on her face that could have reminded Alex of Alucard, only it was much friendlier. What really caught her eye was the fact that this woman's breasts seemed to be the size of balloons. Trying to make it seem like she wasn't staring at them in shock, she looked to the name tag.

"You're..."

"Seras Victoria, Captain of Sir Integra Hellsing's Armed Forces."

The Draculina held out one of her hands in a polite gesture, which Alex reluctantly grasped in return. She was getting used to being around vampires, but was still wary of them. "Alex Rows. It's nice to meet you, er, Captain."

Seras smiled. "Just call me Seras."

The girl relaxed some. "Just Alex."

The vampire then pointed with a knowing and understanding smile at the renegade strand of hair atop Alex's head. "Would you like some assistance?" Alex blinked, trying to look up, but then shrugged, not even bothered when Seras drew closer and successfully arranged the hair to lay flat again. "So, I hear you're from Canada," she said conversationally.

"Yeah."

"I've never been there, but I hear it's quite nice."

"It has its ups and downs like everybody else."

Seras stood back, observing her work. Seemingly satisfied, she regarded Alex. "Would you like a tour of the manor? I know it's quite easy to get lost in here if you're not used to it."

Alex returned her smile. "That would be great, thank you."

Sunday Evening, November 9, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Integra shuffled through her reports, reading them over and scrawling notes of keywords of interest. Some of the attacks seemed so random and pointless. It's not as busy as it used to be, due to the dwindling population of the vampires. Were they that close to wiping them all out? More often than not, they had to deal with ghouls instead of real vampires. The vampires always seemed to have fled before the main forces had arrived to secure a perimeter around the infested areas. Even Seras could not sense any of the enemy vampires within the areas. What was the point?

Nothing was making sense. And now this, with vampires after a specific human. For what? What was the connection? For some reason, Alucard seemed to look as though he knew something Integra did not, but she was convinced that he was just as baffled as her as to the reason why her blood was the key. The key to what?

"A new age for vampires..." she murmured. There was a knock. "Come in." She looked up to see the doctor. "Dr. Dacie, you have results?" Dacie came up to the desk and handed over a folder to the older woman. She flipped it open and frowned. "What exactly am I to understand, doctor?"

He sighed, as if resigned. "There's nothing to indicate that Ms. Rows' blood is any different from any regular human being. There's no disease or anything. I'm stumped, and I see no reason why they would target this poor girl."

"After all that, and nothing? There must be a reason that she's special." Integra gritted her teeth, clenching the paper tightly. "Alucard!"

The physician jumped when Alucard emerged through the floor, slithering through the tiles and stepping forward to bow before the director. "You called?"

"You know something. Dr. Dacie has informed me that there's nothing to indicate any significance to Alexandra's blood. Explain yourself!" she demanded.

Alucard's expression was unreadable for a moment. "Why would I know anything about it?"

"For one, you blatantly neglected to drink in the memories of at least one of the vampires to learn their motives. For another, if Miss Rows was indeed bitten and bleeding, someone must have patched her up, and knowing you, you would never allow such blood to go to waste." She pointed at him accusingly. "I'm warning you, vampire, even though you're a friend to the family, I will not tolerate insolence from my own servant!"

He frowned, almost with a glint of defiance in his eyes, but he soon conceded. "Yes, my master," he bit out. Satisfied with that, Integra leaned back and waited. Alucard almost gritted his teeth, but said smoothly, "Her blood is different. That much I am certain of. There's a certain difference in the taste of it, almost like..." The vampire trailed off, searching for the proper description.

Integra frowned, puzzled by his struggle for the right word. "Perhaps an analogy would be helpful," she suggested quietly.

His features softened, as if her suggestion had helped with an idea instantly forming. "Blood is to vampires, as chocolate is to humans. There are many flavours."

"Chocolate?" she repeated. The fact that Alucard was comparing blood to such a thing was unexpected. "What are the flavours?"

"Ghouls are the failed products of vampire reproduction. They are similar to that of the cheapest of all chocolate. Like those Halloween candies wrapped in tinfoil." Integra's eyes narrowed, able to see the comparison. "Non-virgins are milk chocolate. They may still be sweet, but the real flavour has been diluted, and it's common." Alucard raised his hands in a weighing gesture. "Vampires could be something like white chocolate. Due to the fact that they were virgins, their blood gains an extra sweetness, even if the true flavour has also been weakened and turned into something else entirely."

"And virgins?" she urged.

"Easily the dark chocolate. It is the purest form, and even carries health benefits."

There was an uneasy silence as Integra took all this into consideration. Opening a box close by, she took out one cigar, cutting the tip with a considering expression. The rolled leaf was then put between her teeth as she wondered whether to light it. Taking a zippo from her right side drawer, she flicked open a flame, raising it, but stopped just before lighting it. She flipped it closed, taking the cigar between her fingers, regarding her servant.

"What kind of chocolate is Alexandra, Alucard? You would be the expert in these matters. You're the only one alive that knows the difference between her blood and everyone else. Tell me, what is her flavour?"

Alucard grinned then, eyes gleaming brightly in the dark as he raised his hands again, hair flowing madly around his face. "The rarest in all the world. It's even more pure than a virgin's blood. I can only imagine its potency when she was still a maiden!"

A blue eye narrowed at this, ignoring his gleeful laughter. "That still doesn't explain what these vampires want with her. What does it have to do with this so-called New Age?"

The vampire sobered immensely, having no definite answer to that. "I couldn't tell you."

With a deep inhale, she picked up the phone, dialling a number. After a few rings where Alucard and Dr. Dacie just stood there watching her, she heard the other end pick up. "Van Drake."

"How soon can you come to London?" she asked swiftly, not beating around the bush.

There was a pause, and then an uncomfortable sigh. "Is it important?"

"I need your expertise. Alex's blood has proven to be...complicated. More so than anticipated," she explained bitterly.

"I will arrange to arrive within the next couple of days."

"Thank you. Please let me know before taking off for London so I can arrange transportation."

As she went to hang up, Van's voice picked up, interrupting her movements, "Integra..." Slowly, she brought the phone back to her ear. "This doesn't mean anything. I do not work for you." And then he was gone, the line going off.

The woman sighed, gently putting down the phone. Even after all this time, Van was still bitter. "Mr. Drake will arrive in a couple of days to provide his assistance, Dr. Dacie. His knowledge on the matter of blood may help get the answers we seek. Being a vampire himself may also contribute." The man nodded in acknowledgement. "Until then, keep at it. Make all the necessary tests possible." She waited until he left before regarding Alucard again with her good eye. "Alucard."

"Yes?" he replied, angling his head, a sobered grin on his face.

"Murders of girls in their twenties, random vampire attacks where the vampire has already left the scene before the arrival of the forces, and then Alex. They're all connected somehow. I will not pretend that I am not baffled, Alucard. Perhaps old age is getting to me."

He scoffed, amused at such a claim. "A year ago, on the night of my return, you said you were an old woman. Did I not say that it was fine?" Integra looked up at him then. "Even now, you continue to fight. As the head of Hellsing, you should continue to fight on proudly. You will never back down from what needs to be done. That day when Walter betrayed us, your orders proved once and for all that you are worthy to be called an adversary to all. Age has nothing to do with it. You are my master, Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing!"

The pride in his statement brought a smile to Integra's face, one that she thought was incapable of for many years. She scoffed, closing her eye as the cigar was put back between her teeth. There was a resounding click as the end was lit in flame. The zippo now lied upon the desk under her gloved hand, smoke billowing through her teeth.

"Then I shall give you, my servant, a reward for such loyalty. Seek out the ones behind these attacks. Destroy any that desire to bring harm to this organization. Take away everything from them as you grind them into dust. Search and destroy! I want to know their motives, and now! They cannot hide from Hellsing! We do not forget, and we do not forgive! They will learn to fear us once and for all!"

The room seemed to darken as Alucard bared his teeth, the corners of his mouth lifted high, the reddish-pink of his eyes growing more fiery, his face shadowed over, hair flailing wildly. There was a soft chuckle that seemed to grow louder and darker, turning into full blown laughter that showed his madness. His body shook with each cackle. Integra waited patiently until he began to calm down, the vampire quite pleased.

"Yes! Yes, my master! My master, Integra Hellsing! I will not stop until every target has been rendered silent! I will shoot them down and use their blood to stain the very grave reserved for them! And before I send them to the very lowest pits of hell, they will know true fear!"

"Then go, my servant," Integra silently applauded, pleased by his enthusiasm and loyalty. "Show them what Hellsing does best." Alucard's grin had only grown larger as he bowed in obedience.

Monday After-Midnight, November 10, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Alex lied in bed, staring at the high ceiling. The tour from Seras had exhausted her somewhat, as the mansion was bloody huge, but she couldn't sleep. To pass the time into exhaustion, she weighed the options between being a maid or cook. Alex had to do something! She couldn't sit around and be lazy! Slumber still avoiding her, she groaned in frustration, getting out of bed. Integra never forbade her from leaving her room at night, so perhaps a trip to the library Seras had shown her would be illuminating.

Grabbing a thin, white robe, she left. It took a bit of navigating to remember how to get there, but eventually, she found it, opening the double doors. Inside, there were two levels. The upper levels could be reached by means of one of the spiral staircases, and right in front of the doors was a living room area of sorts, with comfortable sofas and chairs. Nearby was a few desks with computers. No doubt, she would find a good selection on vampire lore, but wondered if there was anything beyond that subject. Looking around, she found an assortment of topics such as werewolves, witches, warlocks, weaponry, medicine, science, alchemy, sorcery in general, and religion.

Frowning at all her choices, she carefully pulled out a first edition copy of Dracula. She'd never actually read the book, but maybe now would be a good educational experience. Sitting down on a sofa, legs outstretched on the seat cushions, she began to read it. It wasn't written typically like other stories. It was like a collection of diary entries. Intrigued, she read on, but began to read the same sentence a few times when she was suddenly distracted by the feeling of being watched.

Closing the book gently, brown orbs darted around the room. "Hello?" Nothing, but the feeling never went away. "...Alucard?"

"Very good," came his sultry voice from behind her, startling the girl. "How did you know it was me?"

She swallowed, waiting for her hammering heart to slow down. Sighing, she reopened the book. "I can sense creepy from a mile away," she remarked.

He chortled. "Quite an impressive feat for a human."

The vampire walked into view and stared at her feet. Seeing that she had no intention of moving them, he leaned over and raised her legs high enough for him to sit down, placing her legs comfortably over his lap. Alex thought nothing of it, trying to ignore him like before. Then there were fingers playing over her bare feet, his gloves lightly brushing over her skin in a slightly distracted manner. There was suddenly an urge to kick him as he continued, her one foot twitching.

Trying to ignore it, but failing, she distracted herself by talking conversationally. "I met Seras."

"Mm?"

"She seems cool. A lot nicer than you," she jested.

"Hm." His eyes were closed, which she could see since he lacked a hat.

His hands were starting to become distracting, and she bit her lower lip, hiding her face behind the book. "Did anybody figure out what's wrong with my blood?"

"Wrong?" he murmured. "No, you're perfectly healthy. Perfect, even." Now he became aware of what he was doing, but didn't stop, a smirk playing over his lips. "But no, the doctor didn't find anything peculiar."

"Being a vampire, I guess you'd know better," she mumbled.

"Indeed. Your blood certainly has an edge." He grinned when her foot twitched again. Oh? This was interesting. "Are you ticklish?" he asked suddenly.

Alex nearly dropped the book, her face flush behind the hardcover. "N-no," she lied.

He didn't buy it. "That book must be very engrossing for you to have your nose pressed against its pages." A thumb brushed down the bottom of her foot.

She nearly squeaked out her response, "I'm nearsighted!"

"That's some pretty bad eye sight for someone who can easily navigate without contacts or spectacles." He flicked lightly over the skin of the arch.

Alex knew that she would be done for any minute. It wasn't that bad yet, but if Alucard suddenly lost patience for mercy, her resistance would shatter. Right now, all she could do was endure and hide her face, chanting some kind of mantra in her head about how Alucard was a insufferable prick! One day, she'd get him back for all the laughing at her expense, and this bloody torture he was putting her through. His deft digits soon became merciless, as she had feared, drawing out the inevitable laughter. Dropping the book on the floor, she began trying to scramble away, kicking at him. Hands remained firm around her one foot, gripping the ankle as he continued, grinning.

"N-No! S-stop! Please! No! No! NO!" she pleaded helplessly, twisting on the couch into interesting positions as she laughed. The vampire would not relent, and she reared her free leg back, kicking him in the face! "Let go!"

He finally did release her foot, only to grab the other, much to her horror. Instead of using his fingers like she expected, he stuck out his tongue to lick up the bottom. Cringing with a weird sensation going through her body, she screamed with a mix of shock and disgust, kicking away from him. The Count laughed heartily as she curled into the corner of the sofa, far away from him.

"That's nasty! Why would you do that?!" she demanded, flushed and panting.

"Because I knew it would disturb you," he replied, his teeth bared in a smirk.

Alex proceeded to vigorously wipe the bottom of her foot with the sleeve of her robe, a comical look of outrage that said, ewww! "Why are you bugging me so late at night?! Don't you have other things to do, like sleep?!" He arched a brow and waited for realization to hit. "Oh right, vampire. Never mind. Still, why are you here?"

"I can't have a friendly chat with you? And after all the time we spent together," he teased.

"If you call that a friendly chat, I don't want to know what you consider an argument," she said, hugging her legs defensively.

"Actually, since you were up, I thought I should tell you that I'll be leaving for a little while."

The news surprised her, but her face showed little. "You came to me to tell me that? Why?" He shrugged, his own face betraying nothing. "Where are you going then?"

"Oh, so you will miss me after all," he jested knowingly.

Heat covered her cheeks. "No I won't! Don't be so full of yourself. It'll be nice to be away from you for once!"

His smile faded, and Alex suddenly felt dread. "Is that right?"

Great, now she was feeling guilty, at least until he was suddenly upon her, one arm resting on the back of the couch, and the other hand placed on the arm rest, his one knee pressed against the seat cushion. Alex felt trapped, and leaned away from him as he leaned forward, with that grin on his face. She turned her hot face away, consequently baring her neck. Alucard stopped to stare at the tempting artery, his expression unreadable. Though he was initially playing, there was suddenly a tension in the air. He longed to taste her blood again, his eyes darkening with the lust for it. Now no other blood seemed good enough compared to hers.

"Alucard?" he heard, but ignored.

He swallowed hard, the vampire leaning closer, wanting so badly to sink teeth into her flesh. His nose was barely a millimetre away, mouth hanging slightly ajar over her neck. Alex could sense something off, but she couldn't move. It was her own body rejecting the mobility her brain commanded and not some kind of hypnotism on Alucard's part. It was even more strange that she didn't fear him, but that thought disappeared the moment his mouth went to her neck and she was about to force a scream from her throat.

The scream died before it even left. The bite she expected never came. All she felt was a strange moistness on her neck. Alucard's mouth was latched over her skin, his tongue licking at a vein in a caressing motion. His mouth released her but he didn't move away. Perhaps this man had some self control after all. Alex just sat there in her rigid position as his tongue continued the motions. A gloved hand came up from the arm rest to cup the side of her face, surprising her. He stopped using his tongue and kissed her neck instead, but in a sensual gesture that seemed oddly...sweet.

No! Alucard's mind screamed at him just before the bite could have occurred. Alex's small voice seemed to finally sink in at the last second, cutting through his monstrous urges to drain her dry, completely consuming her. The Count would not dare mar her skin! He had sensed her momentary fear, and it was not something he wanted Alex to feel, least of all towards him. To ease her mind, he rose his hand to caress her face. Silently, he vowed to never to bite her as long as he could help it. One bite and he might as well have ended her.

"Alexandra," he uttered quietly. Slowly, he drew away from her, hiding his eyes beneath his hair as he turned away, back to her. "I'd consider asking my master to be trained in defending yourself against vampires. You don't need to be domestic to be useful. Just food for thought."

Alex stared at him, perplexed by his sudden change of mood. "Oh," she said quietly. "Okay."

Alucard raised his right hand to his left breast, gripping at his chest tightly as he gritted his teeth. "I will return in a few days time. I look forward to your progress, Miss Rows."

Alex watched him leave, wincing when he slammed the doors behind him. What just happened? One minute he was teasing and toying with her, then he was acting like he was going to bite her, only to start kissing her neck instead. His departure was the most puzzling, as he seemed angry. At her? No... She frowned deeply, reaching up to touch the still tingling spot on her neck. Why didn't she feel violated? Thinking back on what he did, she almost felt like she felt...moved by the moment. What on earth was going on in his head?

Monday Morning, November 10, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Alex stood outside Integra's office, debating between knocking on the door and walking away. Alucard's suggestion kind of stuck in her head, and after pondering over it, she decided he was right. In the end, if nobody was around to come to her defence, she would have to fight for her own life. Besides, she hated being useless, and her pride didn't allow her to depend on others. She always hated asking for help and favours. Alex didn't appreciate feeling weak. No one would determine what she could or could not do by herself. If somebody told her she couldn't do something, she would find a way to prove them wrong. All she needed to do was learn and repeat.

Raising a hand, she knocked, hearing, "Come in." She opened the door, closing it behind her to stare at the elder woman. Integra looked up, raising a brow. "Miss Rows, good morning. Please take a seat."

Alex walked over, but didn't sit, standing straight before Integra. The woman watched her curiously. The girl inhaled, thinking, Here goes. "I've decided what I want to do."

"Is that so? Well, what's the verdict?" she asked, intrigued that Alex seemed to be making a big deal out of the whole thing.

Alex hesitated, but stood firm. "I was—no. I wish to fight against vampires. I don't want to be stuck in a house all day, playing it safe. If a vampire is going to smash through a door just to get to me, I want to be able to defend myself."

Integra eyed the girl for a long time, her face unreadable. She scrutinized Alex's features, looking for any hint of doubt. Hunting vampires was practically a vampire's job, as humans were easily swayed and too frail to effectively hunt such creatures. However, her ancestor and his colleagues took down Dracula, the most powerful vampire in existence. If Alex had their will, she would no doubt succeed. Seeing none of the dubiousness, the director sat up straight.

"You realize that such a job comes with extreme hazards?"

"Yes."

"The training will be quite difficult, as it is nothing compared to being out in the field."

"I know that. I just don't want to be unprepared. I hate being useless and taken care of like some sort of sickly child. I'm not an idiot." Alex felt the nervousness leave her with each word, feeling more confident as she spoke. "I'm also sick of housework."

Integra chuckled. "Very well, Miss Rows. I will grant you this, as it would be practical to have you sufficiently prepared for the future. I think it prudent that Seras Victoria be your personal mentor. The best teacher to help you learn how to fight vampires, is a vampire themselves. Understood?"

Alex grinned. She couldn't help it. Realizing she just got a job, she belatedly saluted her new boss. "Yes, sir!"

A/N: And that's 7! Next chapter, I intend to add some action, as this story needs more. Now, before anybody starts asking, no, there's nothing specific going on between Integra and Van. I realize I wrote it that way to give that impression, but no, there's a back story to Van. Speaking of Van, he's like, one of my OLDEST original characters. I've had him since high school all because of an English assignment. I actually based him a bit off of Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII, turning Van into a vampire as a sort of joke that people keep calling Vincent a vampire, but they are also vastly different and I'm changing only certain details of his past to better fit him into this Hellsing fanfic. I've never really got to use Van for any story except in role-plays, and that's rare nowadays, so I thought I'd shove him in here, because I think he's an adorable little bastard that needs some love and attention. His back story will be roughly the same as what I intended for him, but again, minor differences that I will later point out when his past is revealed.

Now, I don't have much to say beyond that, so for now, I'm just gonna bug my mom (it's her birthday), and rant about my missing wallet which I think the ferret stole. So, please leave a review/your thoughts/questions, and thank you for reading!