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 EIGHT

The Purest Blood

Tuesday Morning, November 11, 2031, Heathrow Airport...

Integra waited in the car as a couple of duffel bags were loaded into the trunk. The back passenger door opened, and Van Drake climbed in, black shades on, similar to Alucard's own glasses. Once the driver got in the car, they were off, heading back to her mansion. They didn't speak for several moments, and Integra could feel the tension, as well as Van's anger. It was always like this between them, ever since they met. It had been twenty years prior to Alucard's return when they came face to face.

Resigned, Integra said firmly, "I truly appreciate you coming on such short notice, Mr. Drake. Your services is always considered invaluable." He grunted, something that was uncharacteristic of him when he was being polite.

"I'm not interested in your gratitude, Ms. Hellsing. I only came because I do care for humans. I'm just as puzzled about Alex's blood as you are, even if it costs me years of work."

"You mean about the White Chapel Murders?" she said. Van didn't answer, staring out the window as they reached the more rural areas. "Aside from what you already know, I wish to commission some weaponry from you."

"Why can't you ask Sir Penwood? He can provide you all the military supplies you could need."

"Because this isn't a usual case. Miss Rows is to be trained to hunt vampires."

The vampire went rigid, startled by this information. "I beg your pardon? Why?"

"Because she asked to be trained. Apparently, housework seems too tame for our little Alexandra," she explained. "I'm guessing Alucard is behind it."

A sigh came out as Van ran gloved fingers through his black mass of hair. "What does she need?"

"Something with kick, but nothing above what she can handle. She's still human after all."

"Yes. Of course. When does she start?"

"Immediately this morning. I imagine she's already begun with Seras."

Tuesday Morning, November 11, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Alex stood in an empty room, wearing gym clothes provided for her, being grey sweat pants and a matching tank top that was a little less than snug. Her hair was a tad too short to put into a ponytail, so she managed to smooth it back with a headband and a few bobby pins. Seras remained in her red uniform, standing before the rookie with an air of smugness about her.

"Have you had previous training of any kind before?" the Draculina asked.

Alex shook her head. "No, except for random times during gym class where they taught self defence for the one period and that was it. Always wanted to get into martial arts though."

"Well, I'm going to begin by teaching you how to fall."

"What?" Alex blinked. "Fall?"

Seras smiled, and before Alex could receive so much as a warning, the wind was suddenly knocked right out of her, skidding across the floor. She wheezed, gaping at Seras. Catching her breath, she got up, already feeling a bruise coming on. Seras only knocked her down again. Suddenly annoyed and determined, and feeling unnaturally competitive, wanting to win despite the fact this was training, she got up again. This time, she had prepared for Seras' attack, falling backwards, awkwardly rolling over her head, but her shoes didn't quite plant themselves and so she slipped, lying on her front.

"That's very good for your first try," Seras commended brightly. "Some practice, and you'll be falling gracefully in no time."

"The whole point was to be graceful?" Alex asked, incredulous.

The vampire squatted near the girl as she explained, "Before learning to fly, one must first learn to walk, but in order to walk, you must learn to fall. Falling is a big step in self defence. Falling may actually buy you a crucial second that will decide whether you live or die. It is the same with vampires. You must first learn to avoid death, before you can dish it out yourself. The whole point to survival is that you live. But, simply put, learning to fall gracefully may actually prevent an injury, like a sprained ankle."

"Oh, I get it now," Alex said, nodding.

"We'll continue til lunch, and then after, I'll bring you out to meet the boys. They'll teach you the basics of firearms."

"I thought you were overseeing my entire training."

"Only in the mornings and the early evenings. I usually sleep at this time."

Suddenly, Alex felt ashamed. "Sorry," she said feebly.

Seras laughed. "Don't worry about it. Maybe my master can teach you a little when he gets back from his mission."

Alucard... The thought of his mouth on her neck brought a blush to her face, and before Seras could question it, the girl turned her face away. "What's this mission he was sent on?"

Seras replied thoughtfully, "I'm not sure, per se, but I think it has something to do with all these vampire attacks we've been having. While he was away in Canada, they suddenly just started and every time we reach the infested areas, the vampires are already gone, leaving behind a bunch of ghouls for us."

"Wouldn't you get there before the armed forces?"

The vampire frowned, brows furrowing. "I've been going ahead of the main troops, but it's like the vampire is gone at least an hour before either of our arrival. There's never a trace of them. It's very peculiar."

Alex mirrored the blonde's frown. Was this connected to what was happening to her? Seras soon suggested that they continue. Alex fell again and again, trying each time to roll in a way that lessened injury. She'd only been successful once or twice, but every other time was a massive fail, or a half-successful attempt. The girl wondered where Alucard had gotten to. For now, she'd focus on the task at hand, even if her body was already begging for mercy.

Tuesday Evening, November 11, 2031, Somewhere in England...

The air was thick with smog. Alucard's nose twitched at the scent of alcohol, lust, and sweat. Humans could be so disgusting, he mused. This town had a reputation for being the stingiest place anywhere. There had also been rumours of children disappearing in these parts. Integra had suspected vampires, as children would be a good place to start to look for virgin blood. The vampire tsked at the notion, thinking how far his race had fallen. Sometimes he wondered if it would have been completely different had he not been defeated by Van Helsing. Doubting it, vampires nowadays were comparable to moody teenagers rebelling foolishly against their parents.

The man had not bothered to disguise himself as he walked the dingy streets, garbage littered everywhere. He ignored the hopeful looks of prostitutes, not even sparing those women a glance. It was so quiet, if one ignored the screams of petty arguments between unhappily married couples inside their shoddy homes. According to Integra's reports, desperate children were always led away by some dark stranger, according to witnesses anyway. Each report had one detail in common, so Alucard went to the alley where the disappearances took place.

The alley was narrow and led to a dead end. Alucard could smell a faint hint of blood in the area—a child's blood. When he went to move even deeper into the alley, he stopped when he felt a sharp point in his back. Looking over his shoulder, he spotted three men. One was short and skinny with no hair, hands wringing together. The second wasn't as thin, and he was taller, with greasy hair in his face. The third that was threatening him with a knife was nearly as tall as himself, bulkier, and had a mean look about him.

"What's a city boy in a fancy suit doing in these here parts?" asked the knife-wielder.

"Take his money, take his money, take his money!" the short one said, very jittery. "Spill his blood! Spill, spill, SPILL! Me wants to see rubies!"

Alucard just watched them, not moving. In all honesty, he had sensed them following him ever since he arrived. He planned to ignore them, at least until they decided to foolishly confront, what was unbeknownst to them, a vampire. They'd find out soon enough. Humans did foolish things when they were desperate. For now, he'd play along in the role of a defenceless victim.

"Give us all your cash and any shinies on ya!" demanded the large one.

"As you wish," Alucard said, voice pretty even. He reached into his coat and paused. "There's something in my possession though, and I'm not sure of its value. So," he began, swinging around, aiming his .454 Casull directly at the man's head, "does this seem valuable to you?" The grin following his question grew large as he bore his teeth.

The man backed up a few steps, shock on his features before that fear turned into anger and he charged the vampire head on, much to Alucard's surprised delight. The Count took a step back just before he was body slammed into the wall at the end of the alley. He grunted merely for effect, just as the man began to stab him repeatedly. Alucard gritted his teeth, but inside, he was laughing. When the burly man's hysteria dissipated, Alucard's body slumped to the ground, bleeding out profusely.

The greasy one stepped forward, standing beside the hulking man, staring at the corpse. "Jesus, Burke! You really done that damned fuck in, didn't ya?" There was erratic mumbling behind them. "Twitch! Shut yer yap! Let's have a look see at what he's got on his self!"

Twitch scrambled over, looking at the Casull and picking it up, though with difficulty. "Silver heavy, silver heavy, silver heavy!"

"Gimme that!" cried out the greasy one, taking the gun. "Pretty nice piece. I do wonder how much it's worth. Then again, I think I'll keep it!"

"Oi, what we do with the body, Ernie?" asked Burke.

"Let it rot! Those coppers don't come 'round here no more! Just take what's on him and let's go!"

As Twitch went to rummage through Alucard's coat and pockets, he squeaked when a gloved hand shot towards his neck and began crushing his windpipe. Twitch choked and struggled as his two comrades turned around in shock. With a simple flick of his thumb, the scrap of a man's neck was snapped, body dropping over as Burke and Ernie stared in horror. The blood that had spilled began to backtrack towards its owner, a dark chuckle surrounding their senses.

"Dogs," the vampire said hoarsely. "You're nothing but scraggly mutts, running around, attacking anything that moves regardless of the consequences." Slowly, Alucard's wounds healed, and he seemed to glide back on his feet, his crimson orbs and teeth gleaming from his shadowed face. "You're desperate and pathetic. You're even less than human." Ernie gaped, petrified, with Burke gritting his teeth, brandishing his knife threateningly. Alucard regarded Burke with an odd look of curiosity. "You would still think of killing me? Even now? I admire you for such bravery, but you're also very foolish. After all," he began, shadows slithering along the walls and ground, engulfing the area, "even a dog will continue to snap their jaws when they're cornered."

The grin widened, teeth all jagged points as he moved forward, jaws wide as both men screamed, moving too fast for a human to keep up with. Ernie watched in horror as Alucard latched onto Burke's thick neck, blood spewing, spilling and gushing. Burke clutched at Alucard's face after dropping the knife, trying to push the monster off of him as he screamed and choked, feeling the life being drained out of him. Ernie then screamed, scrambling away to get out of this place. Stopping cold, a wall of black in front of him, Ernie trembled as he stared into a thousand gleaming red eyes, twitching every which way. A sound from behind caused him to turn around, eyes widening as he stared at Alucard, Burke hanging by his throat, dead, from Alucard's mouth. With a satisfied hiss, Alucard dropped the body at his feet, simply stepping over the corpse.

"What will you do? Now that you're trapped, what will you do?" Alucard's sobered smile still summoned fear in this less-than-human creature, Ernie gaping more and more in terror as the vampire drew closer. "Answer me, dog."

Ernie screamed, shakily raising the Casull, the firearm trembling in his sweaty hand. "Go to hell, you monster!" With a resounding sound, the gun was fired, a thousand cracks sounding in Alucard's ears, and then the gun was dropped, a scream of agony renting the air. "Oh, god! Me arm!"

Alucard just stared at the man as he cradled his own arm. "Well, that was foolish of you." The pain too much, Ernie keeled over, his insides evacuating. "Using a weapon that doesn't belong to you. Serves you right for taking things that weren't yours to begin with." With a stretch of his arm, Alucard reached for the weapon, his arm shrinking back to normal, frowning at the bits of vomit on his gun. "And you went and got it filthy." He flicked his weapon, flinging off the excess. He'd give a more thorough cleaning later. "You're a nasty little man, aren't you?"

"W-what? How are you...how are you still standing?!" Ernie demanded hysterically. "I shot you!"

Alucard scoffed. "Even point blank, you're a terrible shot. You didn't even scratch me. The recoil must have been too much for you, and so the shot missed, and the bones in your arm shattered for nothing." Alucard held up the gun with a grin. "This weapon was made for vampires against vampires. It's far too unwieldy for a human."

"V-vampire?" the greasy man repeated.

"And now..." The Casull was then placed upon the man's forehead, and he gave one last reverberating cry before his head was blown apart. The body slumping over, Alucard drained the blood in the area. "Pathetic."

Thursday Afternoon, November 13, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bullets whizzed into a silhouette target, hitting outside the silhouette every time. Alex's brown eyes squinted some. Realizing she failed, again, she huffed in frustration. Her body still hurt all over from all the training she was doing with Seras, and with the recoil from the pistol, it didn't help with the pain. Each soldier took turns in instructing her, and some chuckled at her outbursts of creative curses, or turned red because she had such a trucker's mouth.

For the soldiers of Hellsing, it was refreshing to have another woman join their ranks, rookie or not. Especially one that was so rambunctious. It was strange though, that their boss had actually agreed to her recruitment. Civilians weren't hardened soldiers, and the greener someone was, the more likely they were to be killed. Still, they seemed to enjoy her company and her determined mindset, and she wasn't bad to look at either, even if she was a bit on the younger side. Some of the men even dared to flirt with her during their instruction, but she ignored their advances, clearly not interested.

Alex sighed in slight defeat, glaring at the target. "Vampire sight would certainly be nice."

"Nah," said her current instructor, a man with greying brown hair and stubble on his square jaw, amusement in his grey eyes. His name was Lt. Reese. "You're just being too impatient. You don't need to be a vampire to shoot a target."

"I know that, and I'm trying, but this myopic vision is really pissing me off," she exclaimed, rubbing at her eyes a little as if it would clear away the lack of clarity.

He cradled his chin in thought. "Why didn't you get laser surgery? It's apparently becoming the rage these days. Plus you don't have to worry about glasses or contacts being lost, or having them destroyed."

Alex said nothing for a moment and went over to her small sack that she brought out filled with water bottles and small snacks. She took out a spectacle case, opening them to put on rectangular glasses with red frames. "I can't afford something like that." She walked back over to the table with the various guns, picking up the handgun again. "Besides, there's a chance something will go wrong and I'll end up blind. Why fix something that isn't broken? My eyesight is just dysfunctional, that's all." She raised the gun, able to see the target more clearly, then firing, hitting the shoulder. She blinked, then grinned. Her arms shot into the air in victory. "WOO! I got it! I finally hit the damn thing!"

Reese laughed, patting her on the back hard, nearly knocking her over. "Congratulations, you hit the target. You still fail though."

"What?! Why?" she asked on a whine.

"You forget, this is ghouls and vampires we're aiming at. If it was a human you just shot at, you would have successfully made their arm near useless, and possibly have them bleed to death. You need to shoot through the heart or the head, otherwise, they'll keep coming until one of you is dead."

Alex seethed. "Right. Bloody hell."

Reese regarded her for a moment. Since he liked the girl, he grinned, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It's a start though. Keep practising. Tomorrow, you'll be learning to disassemble and reassemble weapons."

His praise seemed to bring a bit of the confidence back, inhaling deeply to calm herself before smiling. "Sounds cool." She turned to see Van Drake walking over, blinking in surprise. "Van? When did you get here?"

The vampire smiled. "I've been here a couple of days. I've been hard at work making something that Sir Hellsing had commissioned."

Ignoring Reese, she walked over to Van after putting down the gun. "Why didn't you at least come to say hello?"

"Well, Integra informs me that you're training to become a vampire hunter, so I left you alone for the time being. However, her urgency is nagging at me and I must steal you away for a bit. If that's alright with the Lieutenant, of course."

Reese smiled. "Go ahead. I'm sure a break would do her some good."

Alex smiled at Reese then turned to Van. "Just let me grab my stuff." Moments later, they were venturing back into the mansion, Alex strolling beside Van as he led her to wherever. "What have you been working on?"

"A weapon," he replied simply. "A weapon for you, actually." Alex gaped, causing him to chuckle at her reaction. "It's something that's common for me to do. Integra pays me to make weapons every now and then, or at least make a working prototype with schematics, which I then have mailed here."

"Did you make those guns for Alucard?" she asked curiously, in awe.

"Unfortunately, no, I have not. They really are a couple of masterpieces, especially that Jackal. Those were made by someone else years ago. Despite my age, my abilities concerning weapon crafting don't even come close to that man's skills."

"Age?" she repeated. "Wait a minute..." Then she gasped, "You're a vampire too?!"

Van blinked. "You didn't know? I thought Alucard would have at least told you by now." Alex shook her head, and much to his surprise, she didn't seem all that bothered. "I'm surprised you didn't realize it til now, actually."

"Well, you act so..." she struggled for the word and frowned. "Don't take any offence to this when I say you seem so human."

Another blink, and then his lips curled into a pleased and flattered smile. "That doesn't offend me at all. Thank you." They walked into the basement and Van brought her past many steel doors before going in one, holding the door open for her. Alex looked around at all the weaponry, mostly archaic, and tools, and on one side, a lab. "Please take a seat."

"What do you need me for?" she asked, sitting on the only chair in the room, being a high stool.

"Integra had asked for me to do some blood tests. Dr. Dacie, being a human, is unable to detect anything different in your blood. Being a vampire, I may be able to extend on what we do know."

"Which is?" she prodded.

"Well, according to what Sir Integra has informed me, Alucard had reported that your blood wasn't like anything he had ever tasted before. More pure than virgin blood, was the description he gave."

An unpleasant jolt went through Alex. More pure? That was impossible...wasn't it? "But I'm not a virgin," she pointed out firmly. "I lost it at eighteen!"

Van came up to the table with all his lab stuff on it, preparing a clean syringe. "We're aware of that, which is why it's so puzzling. I've never heard of blood more pure than a virgin's. If what Alucard describes is true, then it would explain why you're a target. However, just that alone isn't reason enough to hunt down a human. Something is missing from this puzzle, something we're not seeing."

Alex frowned. "Maybe I should see someone who can check my virginity status. What are they called...a gynaecologist?"

"That won't be necessary. It's already confirmed in your medical records, according to your last physical exam, that you are indeed sexually active."

Alex blushed at that. "Well, that's...kind of a relief. I don't want to see one anyway." He didn't smile or chuckle, understanding her reasons. The girl stared at her lap, holding out her arm expectantly before he gently took her arm, sticking in the needle after her nod. She hissed, hating needles. "Why didn't you get my blood from Dr. Dacie?"

"He has his own research to do, while I will be doing my own. Besides, it's always best to get a fresh sample," he explained quietly, removing the needle and handing her a disposable cloth.

He poured the blood into a small vial and used an eye dropper to take a little, putting a drop on a slide, and then using a cover slip over top. He then noticed a smear on his now gloved finger, frowning at it. Alex watched him, expecting him to sample it, now that she knew he was a vampire. It felt strange thinking of him that way. Just as she thought he was about to lick the glove clean, he slipped off the gloves with a snap, throwing them out and putting on new ones.

"It wouldn't have bothered me," she said quietly, wondering if that was the right thing to say.

He smiled wryly. "I don't drink directly from humans. It's a morality quirk of mine. Besides, I don't want to be tempted by something that could potentially render a vampire insane with addiction. Anything so pure would be like a drug."

Alex thought of the night that Alucard had nearly bitten her, and the time he licked her hand of every spare drop. She frowned, recalling his behaviour and how it seemed like he was resisting the temptation to have it again. Was her blood really that tasty? Van placed the slide under a microscope, the pupils in his silver eyes shrinking as he stared quietly into it, utterly silent. As a vampire, they could see things the naked human eye could not, so he saw more than just blood cells. Yes... Yes, he could see the difference. Suddenly, he had a theory, but it would require more tests.

"Anything?" she asked, anxious for some answers.

"Yes, but there's nothing definite I can tell you, yet. My apologies, Alex."

She shook her head. "It's alright. When do you think you'll know?"

"Perhaps in a day or so. More tests have to confirm a possible theory of mine. I don't want to say anything without some valid evidence first."

Nodding, Alex inwardly sighed. Well, the fact that he saw something was better than nothing. She hated waiting, but sucked it up for the time being. Looking around, she observed the tools and weaponry curiously. "Can I get a preview?" she asked hopefully.

"Hm?" He lifted his head, following her gaze. "Oh, you mean your weapon." The vampire smiled in that teasingly smug way. "Not yet. I assure you though, you'll love it. I have many adjustments to make, plus you have much room for improvement before you'll be allowed to have them."

She whined pathetically, "Aw, but I wanna see it now. Will I at least get them before Christmas?"

He chuckled. "We'll see." The vampire stood up straight then. "Well, that's all I need from you for now." She smiled, moving off the stool and bidding him farewell to go enjoy the rest of her day off. Van sighed, staring back at the microscope. He then walked to the intercom phone, pressing the button for Integra's office.

"Yes," came her voice.

"I have an idea about Alex's blood."

Van could hear the gears in Integra's mind stopping, even over the phone. There was a shuffling, as if the woman was jumping at the phone when she demanded answers. "Well? What is it? What did you find?"

He waited til the old woman calmed down before answering, "It's just a theory, but there is definitely something different about it. Right now, I need blood samples."

The disappoint could clearly be heard in her voice, "What do you need, specifically?"

"I need Miss Victoria's blood, a female non-virgin's blood, a male non-virgin's blood, and possibly Alucard's blood. I'd use my own, but he's more powerful, and he drinks blood more freely."

"It will be done. Alucard is on a mission though, so you'll have to wait til his return."

"Fine."

"Can you at least tell me your theory?"

Van opened his mouth, but decided against it. "I want to confirm it before I make any claims." He stared at the phone, hoping against hope that he was wrong. So very, very wrong. If he wasn't, then the answer would be make everything clear.

A/N: Okay, I didn't put as much action in this chapter as I had originally intended, but I hope what you did read still gave you some classic Hellsing vibe of violence. There will be a much darker element to the next chapter, which may or may not come up later tonight. Depends on my brain flow and the amount of distractions I get. Damn ADD. Anyway, just a heads up, the big secret about Alex's plasma will come to light either next chapter, or chapter 10, so sit tight. But, now that I think about it, there might even be a new flashback in the next chapter. So you will see more into the memories of Vlad. Been a few chapters since the last memory, so I think it's about time I added another. Also...GIRLYCARD is making an appearance! End of spoilers.

Please leave a review, your thoughts, and any questions. Also, tell me what you think of the new cover... Simple, but I like it. It was going to be a lot more complicated, but less is more in my opinion. Thank you for reading!