oOo
Integra rubbed her weary eyes as she sat behind her desk. She put down the pen she had been writing with and took a brief break to rest her head in her hands. It had been a long night. Arthur had been in pain ever since his new growth of fangs. By the time he had finally fell asleep, it was time for her to begin work. She reluctantly left his side, but only after making sure Walter would stay with him. She sighed and turned around in her chair to stare absently out the windows behind her.
What had happened? In all his years of life he was normal, displaying no signs of the vampire blood in his veins. He ate normal food, slept at night, and showed no affliction towards the sun. Why was this happening now?
"Sir Integra."
Integra's thoughts were disturbed by the voice calling from the intercom. She turned in her chair and answered the call.
"Yes, Walter?"
"You said you wished to be notified if Arthur awoke again."
Integra's weary eyes suddenly became alert. "I'm on my way." She said and rushed to her door.
oOo
When Integra arrived in Arthur's room he was once again squirming on his bed. However, instead of screaming, he was groaning. She looked over at Walter curiously.
Walter answered her silent question. "It does not appear it is his fangs bothering him this time."
Her brows furrowed. "What is it then?"
Arthur's stomach suddenly growled loudly. Integra looked over at him.
"It would appear that another trait has appeared."
Integra looked back at Walter and saw him holding up a bleeding hand. Her eyes widened.
Walter's face grew grim. "I went to inspect his mouth for any more injuries…and he bit me."
Integra's face fell with dismay. Her eyes moved from Walter's hand back to Arthur, and repeated the movement again and again as she assessed the situation. Fangs could be concealed, but a craving for blood she could not handle. She sighed and rested her eyes on Arthur's struggling form, eyes clenched shut and brows twisted in pain. She reached out and placed a hand on his forehead. The gesture did little, but whatever relief she could provide she would give.
"I have no idea how to control this." She admitted. Walter remained silent. She rested her hand at her side and turned to leave the room. "Stay with him. Do not disturb me for a while. I will be back shortly." She commanded as she walked from the room. Walter merely bowed at her departure then went back to Arthur, taking care to keep his hands far from his fangs.
oOo
Integra made her way down the Hellsing manor hallways. She descended to the first floor and continued down the long hallways. Stopping only when she heard her name called.
"Integra!"
She turned to see William rushing towards her.
"Integra, I've been looking for you." He said as he approached her.
"You can report to me later, William. I am a bit preoccupied at the moment." She spoke calmly, and turned to walk away again.
"Wait, damn it." He growled.
She stopped and looked over her shoulder to give him a warning glare. "Watch your tone with me."
He ignored the look in her eyes. "I just wanted to know how Arthur is doing."
Her brows knitted together. "Why don't you take the time and go check on him yourself."
William's body relaxed a bit, as if he had given up on something, and looked away. "I…didn't know if I would only torment him more if I were there. I'm sure I'm just something to add to his confusion. I thought I should stay away."
Integra hadn't expected that answer. She chose to ignore it at the moment. "He isn't better." She stated simply. "I'm going to get him some help."
William looked back at her. "From where?"
"None of your concern." She replied quickly.
"I'm coming with you." He said determinedly.
"No. You'll only be in my way."
"Integra, let me help." His tone was not as sharp as before, more of a need was within it.
She sighed. "I don't have time for this. Do whatever you like." With that, she continued walking down the halls and William followed behind her.
oOo
Moments later, when Integra and William arrived at the heavy door that led to the dungeons, William began to understand her idea. His face paled.
"You're not really going where I think you are?" He asked her. Integra ignored him and pulled out a large key from her pocket and opened the large door. William paused a moment before following her once more.
William looked at the surroundings a moment. "Integra, you can't be serious."
"Be quiet." She snapped at him, turning sharply to confront him. "You can follow me if you wish, but do not disturb me, and do not question me." She hissed, then turned sharply once more and went on.
William was taken back by her outburst. After seeing her determination, however, he let it go. Yet, that did not stop him from withdrawing his pistol as he saw them approaching the door that held the monster within. Integra did not hesitate. She opened the cell door and marched in. William followed with his pistol drawn.
The cell was dark, but the figure in the corner was lit by the lights from the hallway. His hair was long, but still dark, as it flowed down his face and confined body. Integra reached the bottom steps of the cell, and placed a hand on her hip. William remained at the top of the steps, gun aimed at the prisoner.
Integra's face grew firm, and she spoke out coldly. "Alucard, look at me. I know you have not gone into your slumber so soon."
A gust of wind flowed from the hall and into the dank cell. It wound its way around Integra's body and onto Alucard's, causing his hair to split and reveal his face. His bloody eyes looked up slowly to the woman standing before him. Observing her a moment.
"What is it my Master wishes?" He asked her, his voice soft and purring. Soothing, as a snake would sooth it's prey with a soft hiss.
Integra looked down at him, eyes hard, and unrevealing of any emotion. "What did you do you bastard?" Her teeth clenched on her words, emotion finally showing from her. Anger seeping from her soul and into the air.
A smirk appeared on his face. "I do not know what you speak of, Master." He replied innocently.
"You know damn well of what I speak!" She shouted, unable to control her anger as it turned into rage. She stormed over to him and lowered herself to eye level so that she could glare into his. She grasped onto his constraining suit and shook him slightly. He only continued to grin at her. "Tell me! What did you do to my son?! How did you make him change?!"
Their gazes matched only a moment longer before Alucard tilted his head back and let out a loud laugh that echoed throughout the room and into the halls beyond. Integra growled. She lifted her hand to slap him, but his words made her stop in mid air.
"He did it to himself." He replied in an amused tone.
Integra's body froze in shock. "…What?" Her voice was still raged, but only in a quiet whisper.
Alucard chuckled. "You did well, my Master, in concealing his true identity from him." He began. "The mind is a funny thing. Do not tell it something, and it will never know of it. Arthur was never told he was half vampire, thus his mind believed he was completely human and developed as such." He paused, his grin leaving his face to look at Integra with a solid composure. "…He knows now. He knows he is half vampire. He will thus develop according to his nature. At his age, this is not a safe thing. He needs help, my Master…Integra, he needs… me."
Integra's eyes widened and she began to violently shake her head. "No. I will not release you. You will not influence my son with any of your-"
"He may die."
The simple statement made Integra freeze all actions. She leaned back onto her heels and ran a hand through her hair.
William, who had remained silent as he watched their exchanges, suddenly spoke up. "Integra, you're not really considering releasing this monster."
Alucard's head snapped over to look at the man in the doorway. His eyes narrowed and he let a small bark of a growl escape his lips. William took a cautious step backwards, and remained silent once more. Integra grew frustrated with too many voices when she was trying to think.
"William. You have done enough. Leave us now." She commanded, her tone demanding obedience. William hesitated, looking as though he wanted to speak, but decided against it. With one last glance at Alucard, he left the cell.
The only thing that broke her from her thoughts was the feel of a cold hand against her cheek. She looked up to see Alucard had removed his arms from his confines and was now kneeling in front of her seated form.
"Master…Why do you not trust me?" His voice was calming, asking softly for an answer.
Integra sighed and leaned into his hand on her cheek. Her hand then covered his, but instead of embracing it, she yanked it away from her face. Her eyes opened, and she glared at him once more.
"I will not let you do this to me again." She growled and stood up abruptly. Alucard's face angered, and he looked up at her coldly. She was immune to him, however, as she spoke to him. "You will be released. You will help Arthur. Once he is well again, you will be confined once more." She turned away from him and walked up the steps. When she reached the top she turned back to him, looking down at his kneeling form. "Do not test me on this Alucard. If I for one moment believe you are up to something I will lock you away immediately."
oOo Walter rinsed the bloody cloth in his hands in a bowl of water. He cleansed it best he could then placed it onto Arthur's forehead. Arthur flinched slightly then slowly opened his eyes to look up at Walter. He noticed the cut on the butlers hands and looked saddened.
"Walter, I'm sorry I bit you." He said in a devastated voice.
Walter only gave him a warm smile. "Don't worry about it lad. Just rest now."
Arthur looked unconvinced but had no chance to think on it as both of their attentions were drawn to the door to the room as it opened. He was relieved to see his mother walking through the door. Walter stood and gave her a bow.
"Mother…" Arthur trailed off when he saw another figure enter behind her. His eyes widened as he recognized the darkened figure, the monster from before. He instantly sat up, despite the pain in his body, and tried backing away but only resulted in pushing himself into the headboard of the bed.
Walter gave both a glance before making a quiet exit out of the room. Integra went and sat next to Arthur on the bed and grasped his shoulders. "Arthur, calm down, he is not going to hurt you." She said to him, trying to calm him, but it did not work. Arthur could not keep his eyes off of the monster. Alucard only at Arthur with a blank face. Integra gave him a firm shake. "Arthur! Look at me."
Arthur still did not take his eyes away from Alucard. He seemed to not of heard Integra's words at all. "Mother, mother, help me." He begged as he continued pushing himself backwards.
A scowl crossed Alucard's face and he walked up to Arthur, causing Arthur to only try backing away more. He stood over Arthur and Integra, then held out his hand and ran it across Arthur's eyes and they instantly closed and all his movement ceased.
Integra became worried and glared up at Alucard. "What did you do to him?" She asked angrily.
"I simply put him to sleep." He replied, ignoring her anger and seeming bored. His scowl then returned as he looked down at Arthur. "He may have his moments, but he is still a fearful child. Nothing like a Hellsing and one of my blood should be."
Integra's eyes narrowed. "He wasn't so fearful until a mad vampire tried to kill his mother in front of him."
Alucard only shrugged. "That should only make him more prepared in my presence."
"Bastard." Integra cursed then stood from the bed and walked to the other side of the room furthest from Arthur. She reached into her jacket and withdrew a cigar and lighter. She quickly lit it and inhaled the smoke, slowly exhaling. When she noticed the silence in the room she turned to see Alucard looking at her with a saddened face. "What?" She asked him bitterly.
He paused a moment before responding to her. "I see you picked up that disgusting habit again."
Her eyes widened before she calmed herself, refusing to let herself remember their past that he was referring to. "I did." She replied simply. She then nodded towards Arthur. "Are you going to be able to help him?"
Alucard looked down at the boy and ran his eyes over him. "He has only started to change. It will not be easy at his age, but I will be able to help."
Integra sighed. That was the best news she had heard in a while.
oOo
…TBC…