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 NINETEEN

Rebirth

Saturday Afternoon, December 13, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Days off were great, especially when you were already preparing to relax for the upcoming holidays. In the last few days, people within Hellsing's employ had taken the effort to decorate the mansion. In the front lobby, there was a large tree that was roughly about twelve feet tall. Integra had become quite boisterous as well despite her old age. For the twentieth, there was a mansion-wide feast being planned. Everything seemed so incredibly different, and Alex had planned to use her Sunday off to go to the city to go shopping. Van offered to accompany her of course, since she had to have an escort anyway. In the meantime, she was spending her Saturday off reading.

With Integra's vast library, Alex wanted to learn everything she could about vampires, whether they be fact or fiction. She'd already finished Dracula by Bram Stoker, and couldn't help but wonder what was considered the truth. Dracula seemed so completely different from Alucard. Wanting to know more about him, she looked through the library's index to look for anything in relation to him. It eventually brought her to study about Vlad the Impaler. She still had yet to ask him if he and Vlad were one and the same, but if Integra had them both under the same reference, then perhaps they were the same.

"Born some time in November or December in 1431. Died December nineteenth (approximate date), 1476 at the age of forty-five."

She blinked. Alucard did not look forty-five. Maybe he was in his thirties, physically, but he certainly didn't look that old. Maybe they weren't the same after all. Could vampires change their physical appearance? Alex thought back to when Gabriel had revealed himself, and how Alucard's hair length changed dramatically. Deciding that, yes, vampires could change their appearance at will, she read on.

"Vlad II Dracul sent two of his sons, Vlad III, and Radu III, to the Ottomans to maintain the peace. In 1447, Vlad II Dracul was killed due to a rebellion by the Hungarian Regent known as John Hunyadi. His eldest son and heir to the Wallachia throne, Mircea, was also killed, having been blinded and then buried alive. Later, Vlad III had gone to live with his uncle Bogdan II of Moldavia before Bogdan was assassinated in 1451." Alex sighed.

What a terrible history for someone who was only a couple decades old. She read on and the history only got more gory, and it was then she began to see Alucard amongst the bloodshed. She had hardly seen him in battle, only having bore witness to the time he rescued her. The question as to whether she would see him in more action, now that she was a part of Hellsing, arose. Looking at the dates of his birth and his death, she realized she probably just missed Alucard's birthday. Did he even celebrate such things? Shaking her head, she doubted it. Still, looking at his death day... Was that the day he became a vampire?

"Alucard..." Suddenly getting an idea, she closed the book, putting it aside and leaving the library.

Sunday Morning, December 14, 2031, London...

Mornings. Van hated them. Thankfully, the sun wasn't out, and he wasn't the only one suffering. Beside him, Seras was yawning. Not far from them, an invigorated Alex marched, looking over her list. Vampire escorts during the day wasn't exactly smart, as they would both be weak, and it wasn't likely that anybody would try to make a grab for her at this time. Then Van's thought's reverted back to the church massacre. It had happened in broad daylight, and perhaps vampires for bodyguards were necessary.

Seras came up beside Alex, looking over her list. "What's the first stop then?"

"I need to buy some stuff before I head back to Canada for the holidays, so I need a couple gifts for my parents and for a friend."

"That's nice," the Draculina said with a smile. "Maybe you and I can do a little girl shopping as well, just for ourselves, you know?"

Alex smiled at that idea. "Actually, there is something I've been wanting to do, and a little girl shopping was just what I was planning."

"Do we have to?" Van whined. A man did not want to be dragged along for such things.

Unfortunately for him, he got dragged along anyway, being forced to wait in a woman's clothing parlour while Seras and Alex rummaged through the selection excitedly. Thankfully, as any man would hope for, there was seats. He supposed women were used to men being bored out of their minds, always looking for a seat. Sadly, it was usually the case for lovers or spouses. He was neither to either woman, so it seemed completely unfair for him to be subjected to such torture. Right now, he greatly envied Alucard, being allowed to stay back at home, sleeping during the day.

After grabbing everything of interest, Seras and Alex went to the change rooms. Much to Seras' surprise, Alex dragged the Draculina into the same change room as her. "Huh?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Alex explained, locking the door.

"Well, alright. What is it?

"I wanted to ask what you knew about Alucard." Seras blinked, listening intently to the cadet. "Is he, you know, Vlad the Impaler? Or is that just what Bram Stoker supposedly claimed to have based Dracula off of?"

"It's him." Alex tensed in surprise. "Why do you ask?"

"I never got the chance to ask him, and it seems inappropriate to ask a six-hundred old vampire about his past." Seras angled her head, and both girls began to try on their clothes in silence. "Also, I think we missed his birthday, but I think his death day is coming up. I...kind of feel like doing something for him."

The Draculina stared in surprise at this. "Master's death day...wow. I honestly don't know much about my master, other than the fact he's Dracula, the impaling prince of darkness and father of all vampires. I don't even think about it. Master is master." Alex shrugged, trying on a shirt. "What did you want to do for him?"

Sunday Evening, December 14, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

Strange... So Strange. Things have been quiet since Alexandra had returned with the Police Girl and Bat Boy. Alucard had sensed their return from the shopping trip awhile ago, but didn't bother to wake up. Getting up in the middle of the day was exhausting. He almost felt bad for Van, having been dragged along by two young women. Almost. He held no pity for the vampire, as he had volunteered to escort Alex. Alucard hated this time of year. Christmas proved to be too cheerful and it was full of a kind of chaos that he'd rather go through his undead life without ever seeing it again. People fretted over the most trivial things, like presents. Christmas was a time he hated. People were far too happy. As if that wasn't enough, there was the grating sound of carols and blinding flash of decorations.

If he had his way, he'd spend the entire holidays in his coffin. But, something nagged at him as he roused from sleep. He knew Seras and Alex were in the brunette's room, doing something. He didn't like it. Girls plotting together was never a comforting sign. Not that it mattered. For all he knew, they were probably just wrapping gifts. What else did one do besides shop and wrap before the holidays? Oh yes, there was also the Hellsing Holiday Feast coming up. His master did it every year, much to his displeasure.

The Count wasn't required to attend, thankfully, as he didn't eat human food, but perhaps this year, he'd observe. Alexandra would be there. Briefly, he wondered if she would wear something for the occasion. Alex's uniform had already delighted him, as it suited her perfectly, but he wanted to see her in a proper dress again, like the one she wore during the day on Halloween.

Finally opening his eyes, his curiosity was starting to get the better of him. The lid was flipped open and he emerged. No dreams this time. Good. Getting up, the lid closed itself as he stalked towards his chair with the intention to sit in it like normal. He stopped, narrowing his eyes at it. What were they up to? Deciding, to hell with it, he disappeared, reappearing in Alex's room. What he saw was pretty much what he expected, with rolls of colourful wrapping paper and tape dispensers on the coffee table. What he wasn't expecting was the sight of his fledgling and his beloved sitting together on the sofa, speaking in hushed, up-to-no-good voices.

"I don't know, red seems cliche, doesn't it?" Alex said.

Thoughtfully, Seras said, "Maybe you're right. Seems a bit too sexual as well. Don't want to give the wrong impression."

Alucard grinned. "And what are you two up to this evening?"

Both girls screamed in shock and went to jump to their feet, but their surprise had crippled their sense of balance, making them fall off the sofa instead. Seras' head was the first to pop back up into view as she replied feebly, "M-master!"

"Police Girl, illuminate me as to why you are in Alexandra's room." He wasn't scolding her, he just loved to put the young vampire on the spot.

Alex finally climbed up from the floor, glaring at the Count. "You know, I thought vampires weren't permitted to enter a place unless invited."

"That's poppycock," he replied. "Some superstitions are complete nonsense made up by delusional religious fools." He grinned once more. "Even if it was true, it would mean nothing against me, as I am everywhere and nowhere. I'm also not your average vampire."

The girl groaned at this. "That explains a lot." With a sigh, she asked, "Why are you here?"

"I came to find out what you two were plotting." Both girls tensed, making similar nervous expressions. So, they were up to something. Smirking, now would be a good time as any to screw with them. "Are you hiding something?" Both shook their heads frantically. "Police Girl," he said in a commanding voice.

Her body went completely rigid and straight. "M-Master!"

"What are you two planning?" he asked silkily.

"W-wrapping presents, s-sir!"

He chuckled. "You're lying, Seras. What nerve coming from my own fledgling."

Seras gaped in horror, sweating profusely. "But, I..."

"Relax Seras, he's being an ass." Alucard turned his smile towards Alex, who was giving him an unimpressed look. "What we're doing is none of your business. So, please leave, or we will subject you to the horrors of girl talk."

"Oh? And what exactly does that entail?" Alex suddenly looked nervous like Seras. "Let me guess," he started, voice sultry. "Could it involve clothes? Makeup? Men? Romance? Sex?" Both girls turned red immediately. "Ah... So, you were talking about that, or something leading up to it."

And once again, Alucard was delighted to see that endearing expression on Alex's face. Her face scrunched up in the most adorable way. "And what if we were?!"

Lips curled, making him look more flirty than usual. "I could provide some insight to your sex-talk. After all, I am the one with the most experience...in the world."

Alucard wasn't entirely exaggerating. He'd had his share of women, both human and not, within the six centuries of his life. For all he knew, he was probably the oldest creature alive in existence. Well, alive was kind of stretching the fact a bit, but that wasn't the point. He probably should have toned his boasting down a little, as he was well aware that Seras, despite being fifty years old, was still a damn virgin. If Pip Bernadotte had lived through the siege thirty years ago, he imagined it would have been gone by now. But because he died, Seras finally became a true undead, accepting her nature as a vampire. All she had left to do was drink his blood, and then she could be free to do whatever she wished.

That thought brought him to Alexandra, as she wasn't a virgin, so technically, he could never turn her into the bride he could walk eternity with. Alucard cursed this setback. To him, age did not matter, and she would undoubtedly, like most humans, grow more beautiful with age. Still, her life was short, and he would only get to have her until she passed on, leaving him alone again. No, he wouldn't think about that now. He had decades to prepare for her death this time. The death of his beloved had already struck him once before, maybe this time it will hurt less.

"M-Master! Why would you say that?!" Seras cried, blushing like a tomato.

The vampire grinned at his servant. "What's wrong Seras? Haven't found anyone to shag yet?"

Alex sighed, though she was blushing too, she was taking his comment far more calmly than Seras. "Alucard...would you PLEASE leave? This is a private conversation, so I would appreciate it if you could respect that."

The Count turned to the brunette, searching her strange expression. Smiling more warmly, he gave her a small bow. "As you wish, my dear." And much to the girls' relief, he left.

Friday Morning, December 19, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

This was it. Today was the day their plans would come to fruition. All Alex and Seras had to do was convince Integra to join in. Both girls in their uniforms stood before Integra's bedroom door. Sneakily, Alex watched Seras use her shadowy powers to unlock the door and open it, silencing any creaks by smothering the hinges. Both tiptoed inside, the Draculina closing the door behind them. Alex looked around the room. It was too large for just one person to sleep in. It also had minimal furniture. The bed was currently occupied by their boss, glasses and eye patch off. Getting closer, Alex saw for the first time, the gunshot wound that had ruined Integra's left eye.

All they had to do now was wait, and both girls just stood at the foot of the bed. Integra would be woken up soon by the alarm clock, as even the head of Hellsing had to get up at a certain time each day. Seras had informed Alex that Alucard had woken up Integra once, and his master had subsequently shot him in the face. The brunette couldn't help but laugh at the image. That vampire was sure a handy target to vent frustration, since he couldn't die from simple bullets. It made Alex wonder if he could die. Her thoughts were interrupted when the clock went off, and much like how Alex woke up in the mornings, Integra felt around for the offending object, smacking it to the floor, which surprisingly shut it off.

With a sigh, the old woman reached around for her glasses, sitting them on her nose before struggling to open her good eye, the sunlight blinding her. Looking up, she spotted two figures in front of her, but couldn't quite make them out. Instincts kicking in, she pulled out a pistol from under her pillow, quickly firing at the figures. Both girls shrieked, leaning out of the way. So much for the gentle awakening!

"Sir, Integra! It's us!" cried Seras.

Integra blinked blearily at them, gun lowered some. "Seras? Alex? What are you doing in my room at this time?"

The threat over, with Alex's heart still rushing wildly, she stood straight. "We wanted to discuss something with you." The woman arched a brow at this, indicating she was listening. "Well, you see, last Saturday, I was looking up stuff about Alucard's past, out of curiosity, and the records say he was born sometime in November or December, but he supposedly died...er, today."

"And?"

Seras chipped in, "Well sir, we want to do something special for master, and we've been kind of planning something for him since Sunday. So, we waited here til you woke up to see if you wanted to take part."

The woman stared at the pair for some time before letting out a sigh. "I see." Pushing aside the blankets, she sat over the edge of her bed, staring at the windows. "I'm sure you two only meant well, but I don't believe you should go through with any sort of celebration for Alucard."

"Huh? Why not?" Seras enquired, looking disappointed.

The director stood, walking over to the windows, pocketing her hands as she stared out. "Alucard hates this time of year." The girls just stared, listening intently. Their boss seemed so serious. "It's not a day he wishes to be reminded of, as it was the same day he became a vampire, having abandoned his humanity before being executed. It's a choice he's lived with for centuries." Integra turned to them. "Therefore, I must insist that you cease any plans you have for him. He will not take kindly to them."

Listening to this, Alex expressed some disappointment, but understood Integra's reasoning. Bloody hell, why didn't she consider this before? It wasn't like they were going to do anything large. All she and Seras wanted to do was dress up a little and give him a few presents. Maybe ask him for a dance. Both women left the room, and Alex bid Seras good night as the Draculina went off to bed. The brunette sighed, feeling somewhat discouraged by what Integra had said. For now, she just headed off outside to the field.

Friday Evening, December 19, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

All day, she had felt bothered, truly bothered. Though she and Seras had agreed not to go through with their little plans after all, Alex really felt the need to do something. After her afternoon training, Alex had gone to her room to bathe, shower it off, and get dressed. On the coffee table was something she planned to give Alucard, wrapped up in a white cloth instead of wrapping paper. Once her hair was dry, she combed it out, waiting until just before the sun would set. Seras would expect her this evening for her hand-to-hand lesson, but Alex had gone off to leave a note, saying she would make up for it tomorrow. Twice as hard if necessary.

The trip to Alucard's room had become a sort of routine to her, although she had seen a lot less of him thanks to her training schedule. Down through the mirror and the stairs, she walked slowly along the corridor that lead to the dank chambers of Count Dracula. It always felt weird to think of him as the infamous Count. Thinking back to her studies on Vlad the Impaler...wasn't he actually a prince? The girl shivered at the thought, not sure what to think of that.

As usual, the door scraped along the floor, and Alucard wasn't in his chair. Closing the door behind her with great effort, Alex went to place the covered object on the small table. Looking over at the coffin, she walked over, kneeling down to press her ear against the cover. And as she had hoped, his heartbeat resounded through, instantly calming her nerves. The vampire had claimed she could listen to it whenever she liked. But why? Alucard played and teased at her, but he also seemed to show her a strange sign of respect and kindness. It was almost the same respect he showed Integra, but this seemed different somehow. Removing herself from the coffin's side, she waited.

A half hour had passed before Alucard began to rouse from his slumber. The first thing he noticed was the fact that he knew there was a presence in his chambers. The second thing was the scent. Was that...perfume? No, it wasn't as strong, but it smelled nice either way. The subtlety of the scent made it more alluring, and it was mixed with the signature smell of his Alexandra. Alexandra was in his room. Curious, he rose from his coffin, the hand that was supporting him nearly slipping as he went to stand, his crimson orbs landing on an unexpected sight.

Alex was standing with her back turned to him, merely looking around the room, mumbling to herself as if lost in thought. Her hair was as shimmery as ever, and she was wearing a fitting black lacy spaghetti-strapped dress, shoulders practically bare. It was made of a stretchy material that accommodated her movements as she paced, reaching her knees. Taking a closer look at her front, the bodice of the dress seemed to hug her breasts. Around her neck was a simple short silver necklace, a single small black stone hanging from it, which dangled teasingly just above her cleavage. His eyes finally settled on her feet, upon which she wore two-inch black heel sandals with a wide strap around her ankles.

The swallow he made was nearly audible, his gloved fingers gripping the edge of his box tightly. Forcing himself to relax, he stood up from his resting place, the box closing with a snap, startling the girl out of her thoughts. The moment she turned around, he smirked with a pleasantly surprised expression. He noted that she hadn't bothered with makeup. Good, she didn't need it. Her natural beauty, even if she doubted it, was more than enough.

"Good evening, Alexandra. To what do I owe the pleasure of you in a dress?"

Suddenly, she felt like this was a big mistake, her cheeks heating up. "I, um...well, you see...er."

He tilted his head slightly, amused by her bashfulness. "Well?"

Here goes, she thought. She found it odd that he wasn't wearing his red trench, just his suit. Maybe he slept with it off. "I wanted to do something for you, even though Integra said to not bother." The vampire arched a brow, wondering what on earth she was talking about. "You see, I was...looking you up, and I noticed that the recorded day of your...um, you know, was today, so I felt like maybe we could do something together."

Ah. After remembering the date, he knew then what she spoke of. Yes, the day he had died and then returned as the father of vampires. He remembered that day vividly like it was yesterday. It wasn't exactly a fond memory. Still, he was curious to what Alexandra had planned, seeing as how she was dressed up deliciously. Alucard showed no emotion, and Alex immediately thought he was angry, getting nervous.

"And what exactly did you have in mind?" he said coolly.

Alex worried her bottom lip, looking away, glancing at what she had placed upon his table. "I got you something. It's nothing special, but...yeah."

Alucard turned his eyes to where she indicated, seeing a white cloth wrapped around something. Curious, he walked over to his chair, sitting down before he grasped the item. Slowly, he loosened the cloth, sliding it away from a wooden box. It was rectangular and only four inches in height, ten by six inches in width. Burn marks had been carved into the wood, giving it an intricate design around the sides and upon the hinged lid. The style of its design seemed familiar, and he opened it, finding it completely empty, lined with red velvet.

"It's from Romania," Alex explained quietly. "Well, that's what the clerk said at the antique store. Like I said, it's nothing special, but maybe you can put special things in it. You don't have a lot in your room, so I just thought..."

"I love it," he murmured. This unexpected gift, though simple, had touched him somehow. Maybe it was the fact that it was from her. He closed the lid, hair obscuring his face. "It wasn't necessary for you to do this."

The young woman stared at the vampire. Alex wasn't sure if he was accepting the gift or not, as what he said after seemed rather...strained. Recalling what Integra had said, she asked, "Do you regret your life?" Alucard looked up then, his face unreadable. "I mean, I know it seems odd of me to say this, but aren't you at least a little glad to be here right now?"

"Glad?" Crimson pools narrowed some. Sighing, he urged her over with a crook of his finger. Blinking, Alex warily did so, shrieking when he suddenly pulled her onto his lap, an arm wrapped around her waist. She struggled some, but when she looked into his eyes, his expression was serious, but not unkind. In fact, it looked sort of sad. "Before I died, I had lost everything. The moment before my death, I made a choice. I chose to turn my back on the very thing I had believed in my entire life. Unable to bear the weight of my human misery, I chose to become a monster. Ever since, I have regretted that decision, because I am unable to die."

For many moments, Alex could say nothing. What did you say to a six-hundred year old vampire that had evidently grown weary of his own existence? Annoyed, she turned her gaze away from his scrutiny. "You're being stupid."

Eyes narrowing again, this was the first time that Alex had induced his impatience. "Stupid, am I?"

Alex wouldn't back down from him, even if his tone sounded dangerous. So she looked him in the eye, surprising the vampire with her fearlessness. "For someone who looks so young, you don't hear so good, old man."

He ground his teeth a bit. "Tch. You listen here—"

"No, you listen!" Alex would not be looked down upon by anybody, no matter who they were! "If you hadn't lived, you would have never met all the people who actually give a damn about you! Hell, I happen to be one of them! If anybody was going to be the father of vampires, I'm at least glad it's you!" The look he gave was one of shock. "Because if someone else was, we'd probably all be dead by now, dammit! So shut the fuck up! I don't have patience for people who want to die, least of all, you!"

A breath shuddered out of him. What was this feeling? The words she spoke had shot through him like a thousand spears. Somehow, it had awoken something inside. Right now, all he could see was the woman he loved so long ago. The pain he felt was sudden, his hands shaking. As he hid his face behind his hair, his teeth gnashed together more firmly. Then he realized that it wasn't pain, but joy. His smile was slow and sad, and his jaw relaxed a little as he began to laugh. This woman had the nerve to demand his respect. Anybody else, save for his master, would have paid dearly for such insolence. Alex just watched him, not knowing what was going through his head right now.

"You," he breathed, "are beautiful." The blush was instant, his comment unexpected. Before she could get away, he pulled her close, just holding her, his long arms enveloping her small frame. "Don't ever change."

Alex didn't know what to do. He was hugging her! "O-Okay, just don't say that stuff anymore. It's depressing." Awkwardly, she slipped her arms around his neck and Alucard resisted the urge to sigh contently. "So...Happy Rebirth Day."

Rebirth Day? Repeating that in his head, he smiled. It had a nicer ring to it than simply calling it the day of his death. "Alexandra...would you honour me with a dance?"

Her body relaxed, knowing he was in a better mood now. Why not? It was his day. "I'd love to," she responded, smiling.

A/N: Semi-fluffy chapter with hints of seriousness and hilarity. Alex is permitted to be a bitch when the occasion calls for it, and Alucard's short emo moment had brought out that bitchiness. Cold love is needed at times. I feel bad for Van though...he got dragged along by girls. I spare guys that misery because I hate shopping with other people. So, next chapter will be the trip back to Canada, and while they're there, MASSIVE FLUFF. Promise. Really. I hope.

So, please leave a review, your thoughts, any questions and thank you for reading!