Chapter XII

Once Integra had been assured of Elizabeth's health, they immediately jetted back to England to disrupt any other threats from coming into effect. Elizabeth herself slept in a seat by the window, away from Integra, who was questioning Alucard.

"I see." She sighed. "They were after us because of our history. But I doubt that was all. How did they get that blood? It certainly wasn't artificial."

"Indeed." Alucard replied. "And there is more than one thumb being plunged into this bloody pie."

Integra nodded, and looked around at Elizabeth, who was stirring in her sleep.

"Poor girl." She said sympathetically. "After only a few months, someone is out to hurt her again."

Alucard shook his head. Not in disagreement, though. He knew the two vampires had been after her as much as the rest of them.

"Supposedly it was a fire that had killed her parents, wasn't it?" He asked. Something about this seemed familiar.

"That's right." Integra replied. "Though I doubt that was the cause, only the cover-up."

--

Elizabeth woke in her room in Hellsing Manor. At first, she didn't recognize her surroundings, and became panicked. Outside, it was dark, but some light from the moon shown through, and she began to relax, remembering what had happened.

Questions bombarded her, and she got up, noticing in passing that she had been changed into a white nightgown. Out the door she went, almost racing down the stairs. Something was coming back to her. Almost like a dream, but she couldn't be sure. She would ask someone.

"Alucard!" she called when she reached the cellar room where she knew he would be.

"No need to shout, Lady." Alucard answered, materializing next to her.

"How did my parents die?" She asked immediately, hoping suddenness would startle and answer out of him.

Alucard remained silent, thinking.

"When I find that out, I will tell you." he said at last. "I don't know all the details."

Elizabeth looked at her feet, which were bare once more.

"Someone killed them, didn't they." She whispered. "They were murdered."

"Yes."

Elizabeth looked up at him defiantly, anger flaring in her eyes again.

"I want to be there when you find them." She said quietly.

He knelt beside her, turned her to face him. He removed his glasses and looked into her eyes. She looked back, doing her best to show him how serious she was. Somehow, if he treated her like a child without a clue, she knew it would scar her. he didn't, though.

"Of course, Lady." He whispered, grasping her shoulders. "But I think it would do more justice if you found them."He turned her around and led her farther into the room. "I have a present for you."

"A present?" she asked, curious once more. Alucard nodded, and a few torches lit along the walls. They illuminated what seemed to be a series of jungle-gyms, a wall of various weaponry, and what seemed to be a small laboratory.

"Today, I begin your training." He said. "This will be your training ground for the first year, and I alone will be teaching you. If you have questions, ask myself or Integra."

Elizabeth looked around in wonder. Each contraption was state-of-the-art, made of sold wood and firm ropes and stones. She turned around, a genuine smile spreading across her face.

"What is scheduled for today, my teacher?"

End of Book I

Thank you so much for reading! Be looking for Book II, Chapter I soon! And keep an eye out for short stories, as they will be on their way as well! Please Review!