A/N: here it is guys! one more chapter for this book, then it's on to volume two! i really have to ask you that at the end of this, each person who read, please send me something on it, and tell me what you thought of it. this is important, as your reaction will determine how this next book will go. THANK YOU!

Chapter XI

Integra peered into the coffin as the dust cleared. A young man with sandy hair lay inside, eyes closed. But when the dust cleared completely, his eyes opened, and he surged forward. Integra moved backward to avoid being caught by his fangs or claws, but didn't move fast enough. She hissed in pain when his claws scored her arm. He landed in a crouch on the floor next to the coffin, and laughed.

"So this is the great Hellsing Director." He said. "I must say, I'm impressed. You're prettier than I gave you credit for."

"I knew this was a setup." Integra snarled. "You're the little kidnapper. I'm going to break you into pieces."

"Big words for such a little girl." He chided. "But I wonder how well you'll hold up in a battle against me."

Integra laughed. Then she pointed her gun at the man, and fired. The bullets hit him in the chest, forcing him backwards. He stumbled for a moment, then began to laugh as well.

"Silver bullets?" he asked. "What kind of halfwit do you think I am?"

Integra stopped for a moment, then drew her saber.

"Then it seems I will have to do this the old fashioned way." She said, then settled herself in anticipation for his move. She didn't have to wait long, because he rushed her. She moved to one side, arching her blade downwards to cut across his shoulder. His momentum forced him into the wall behind her, knocking loose a shower of dust from the impact. He spun around with a roar of outrage and looked down at his arm, which was hanging by a thread at the shoulder. Glaring at her, he vanished into the wall he had hit.

She stopped, knowing he hadn't left. A push from behind her confirmed that as she stumbled into the coffin lid. The chuckle that followed, however, turned into a gasp of pain, and she whirled around in time to see him reappear, a look of agony twisting his features.

She stabbed him in the chest, not waiting to see if this was a ruse or not. He sank to his knees, his eyes looking up at her pleadingly. She wrenched the blade from his chest, and swung it at his neck.

"Brother…." He whispered, then his head came clean off his neck.

--

Lucy straightened, turning around. Then she spotted Elizabeth.

"Mina!" she cried in delight, recognition lighting her features. Her voice, though Elizabeth could tell she was almost yelling, sounded distant, almost like what wind might sound like if it had a voice. "My dear Mina! How glad I am to see you!"

She drifted over to Elizabeth, and she could see that Lucy's eyes were misted, as though she wasn't seeing everything clearly. Seeing her close up, Elizabeth felt an overwhelming sadness, because Lucy held the look someone insane might were they happy. They had the look of happiness, but didn't quite exactly know why, as though they were seeing something different from everyone else.

"Yes, Lucy." Elizabeth whispered, unable to help herself. In horror she realized she was beginning to cry. "It's Mina. But I'm afraid I can't stay long, dear."

Lucy laughed.

"Oh, yes. That's right!" she exclaimed, one hand coming to her face in a feminine gesture of exuberance. "You're marrying Harker soon! I'm sorry, I haven't helped you at all! My illness has been getting the better of me, I'm afraid."

"It's alright, Lucy." Elizabeth replied, crying in earnest now. "I just want you to be well. You should go rest. I'll take care of everything."

Lucy's wistful smile widened.

"Oh, Mina," she sighed, standing up. "You always were a wonderfully kind friend."

She began to glide away, and as she did so, she vanished.

--

Alucard watch Elizabeth cry. It wrenched his heart. Had he known Lucy's presence would affect her so, he would not have summoned her. He walked over to her and knelt in front of her, removing his glasses. He would never hide what he was from her.

He took her head in his hands, wiping the tears away carefully. She looked at him, more tears brimming in her eyes.

"How can you do that?" she asked. "Let her exist as a shadow? She doesn't even know who I am!"

Alucard smiled.

"Oh, but she does, Elizabeth." He sighed. He began undoing her chains, hissing in anger and hunger when the spikes came out of her wrists, making them bleed afresh. "She knows exactly who you are. But yes, she sees you as how you used to be."

She looked up at him, confused.

"I- I don't understand." She whispered.

"You don't need to right now." Alucard assured her. "It's not important at the moment."

He bit his tongue then, making sure it was a deep enough cut that it wouldn't heal right away.

"I'm going to heal your wounds now, Elizabeth." He whispered to her. "It might feel strange, but it will pass."

He began to lick her wounds, spreading his blood over them. He could taste hers, a sweet and spicy taste he fell in love with. She shuddered against him, feeling the effects like a drug. He wanted more, but refrained as he closed the last of the wounds.

"Come on, dear." He sighed, picking her up and cradling her close. "Integra will be waiting for you."