Eyes shot wide open as the sun set, mind subliminally programmed, automatically, to wake upon it's fall. Feeling out of sorts, head turning from left to right, looking overhead; taking in the blackness which greeted her, anxiety swooped in, bringing with it a sense of apprehension and loneliness. Instantly seized by fear and confusion Seras' palms thrust upwards, searching for the source which obliterated any and all forms of light. Muffled sounds echoed outside her confines: dripping water, footsteps pacing the floor, beating hearts, and multiple voices speaking in varied noise levels, unaware of the creature in the basement unintentionally eavesdropping on them.
Blackness encompassed her, her sight, nothing but empty shadows greeted her. Scared by the thought of being entombed completely slapped her and she shot upright, banging her head on something hard and cold. And she immediately fell back to the cushioned lining on which she lay. "Ow! What the-?" Brief pain struck in her forehead, her hand immediately went to the sore area, rubbing it, soothing it. "What was that?" That hadn't been there before...
Uncertain, she reached up, hands hesitant, slightly trembling as they ran abruptly into an hard surface, smacking against the offending barrier which her head had previously met.
Flesh hit solidarity. Firm. Unyielding at first touch. Worriedly her hands moved from the top of her enclosure to the sides as she began to panic. Someone had placed the coffin cover over her. Knowing full well it wasn't there when she'd gone to sleep she knew someone had to have placed it there and the urge to know who was very strong. Frankly, Seras believed Alucard had done it as the lid would've been too much for Walter or any of the other soldiers to lift. But why?
'Because I knew you'd rest better.' Came his reply sent along their familiar mental path.
His voice reassured her for the moment, but her enclosed status returned to haunt. Claustrophobia. Fear of tight places, small places, gripped her since a young age. The exact moment or memory which caused it she couldn't say, yet she knew it was there. Feeling like she couldn't breathe, her chest rose and fell rapidly trying to recover her precious oxygen. Wait...did she really need it? She was dead, for crying out loud! Dead people don't require long function to move, or exist. Right?
Anxiety clawed at her chest; gave the petite fledgling an even greater burst of strength and with one hand she shoved the heavy lid from her coffin bed, and it hit the stone floor with a heavy thud. Scrambling from the coffin she looked at it trying to reason out her unexpected, paralyzing fear of something so natural, but not.
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Seras' head spun as the numerous faces swam before her. Walter had been kind enough, or shall we say ordered, to supervise her current training as Alucard was otherwise occupied and couldn't be bothered with such a mundane task. So said Integra.
"You remember Pip and his men, The Wild Geese, or more commonly known as The Geese", the retainer stated, gesturing in their direction.
The men looked up from their hot and heavy poker game, cigars lit, smoke wafting upwards toward the metal rafters in the barracks, and a beer at their sides, to wave and smile. Several of the men sat or knelt at the makeshift wooden crate being used for a table. Typical soldier activities reminiscent of a movie. Tossing cards and money, along with the many an expletive, down to the wooden surface, they each looked at Seras, smiling as if in on a secret. Greeting her at once, they cheerily echoed each other's hellos. Pip doing so rather outrageously, flirted shamelessly with the beautiful blond.
"Care to go a round with me, Seras?" Merriment twinkled in his eye, a corner of his perfect mouth turned up into a smirk, giving her a lascivious grin.
His gaze made her uncomfortable, searing her from head to toe.
Determined to get him back for his remark she fired back, "No thanks. Doubt you could handle my speed. Besides, I'm taken and I'm not the kind to move around on the sly." Head held high, hands on hip, she shared a glance with Walter and addressed the mercenary's leader again, "You strike me as the type that is like lightning...you strike once and you move on, never in the same place twice." Crimson eyes stared at him intently. "You're looking for nothing more than a good time, an easy score and I won't be either."
"Damn, Pip, she tagged your ass", a thinly built man drawled, cigarette dangling precariously from his smiling lips, beer in hand, cards held in the other. "She's got you pegged already." He laughed and the others echoed his sentiments, having a good laugh at their leader while they could.
Rolling his eyes with as much dignity as could be mustered in such a situation, Walter calmly reminded Pip, "It would do you well to remember, Pip, that Miss Seras is not a woman of low standards. She is an employee of Hellsing and also has a mate." Tilting his head down to glare at the French flirt, he added with a gleeful, evil tone, "Her mate just so happens to be Alucard. So I'd keep that in mind the next time you want to attempt a play up her skirts."
Raucous laughter followed the butler's statements. The Geese couldn't help but tease their leader, currently smiling, even after receiving Walter's and Seras' dress down. Go figure. Some men couldn't be bothered to summon up any emotion other than being carefree, preferring to stay on the happy side of life, despite their job. Pip was damned good at it, too. With his long hair braided, the plaited hair falling past his shoulders, black eye patch covering his left eye, cigarette and cards in one hand and a beer in another, he reminded Seras of a corrupted hero. One who'd fallen but rises when the occasion calls for it. One who wouldn't let his fellow man down, or woman either, if he had that in mind, which more often than not...he did.
Smirking he said, "Nice to see you again, too, Seras. I have one question for you."
"Don't answer", Walter warned knowing exactly what the Frenchman was about.
"O-okay", she replied hesitantly unsure if she really wanted to hear his question or not. The newly inducted fledgling had a rather creepy feeling about the inquisition he had in mind. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad. And maybe his question wouldn't cause her to blush like mad, embarrassing herself in front of all the men.
"Are those real", he asked pointing at her breasts.
And maybe jackasses could fly.
Hearty laughter rang out, the sound harsh in her sensitive ears. Angrily, she kicked out with her boot nailing the inebriated captain in the chin, the blow sending him flat on his back where he stared at the ceiling, eyes crinkled in agony; beer and cigarette, however, still firmly in hand.
Her figure suddenly stood over him blocking the overhead light. "Well, don't worry about it seeing as you'll never know. You can look but not touch." Her pale face twisted into a mirthful expression, "I bet it burns like hell being so close to something yet never able to touch it, grasp it. Poor, poor Pip!" Reaching down to ruffle the top of his hair, she teased him mercilessly, "Go back to your cards, beer and cancer sticks and get my tits and ass out of your mental gutter!"
Seras stood to her feet and glanced at Walter who so happened to find the ceiling above very interesting at that particular moment. Running a hand through her hair she said exasperatedly, "Walter, I'm ready to continue with my training before I kill some soused idiot in this room."
Nodding his assent, the former assassin gestured for her to precede him. "Shall we then?"
Taking the arm that the retainer offered she replied, "We shall."
Alucard narrowly avoided a blow aimed at his shoulder as the black werewolf faced him, saliva dripping from his toothy jaws to pool underneath his hunches. Red eyes glared hatefully at the vampire as maniacal laughter fell from Alucard's pale, cruel lips. "That's not enough to kill me, you overgrown puppy!" The laughter continued, harshly billowing out into the night, feeding into the No Life King's ego; making him seem extremely arrogant and invincible.
Calling upon his shadows Alucard used them to shoot forward piercing the creature's left side; tearing a chunk of fur, flesh, muscle and blood, leaving a gaping wound, blood freely flowing and matting the dark hair along it's skin.
The supernatural wolf howled in agony, it's cries echoing to the moon above, pain evident in the mournful sound. Reacting from the fury in it's mind the creature dropped to all fours, it's paws silently padding along the leaves and grass. Slinking closer to the vampire, it watched with angry eyes and Alucard drew his pistols from his red duster, cocking them and aiming for the heart and head, metallic clicks assuring him of their readiness, he fired.
Both bullets missed. The werewolf's muscular legs propelled it beyond the trajectory of the bullets, leaving it safe for the moment. Springing forward, strong legs sending the creature soaring through the air, the wind separating strands of fur as the currents divided each strand as physics worked its magic.
Thoroughly enjoying this fight, Alucard released his restrictions to level two. Shoulder length ebony hair elongated, it's length flowing down his back, his form seemed to grow in stature as his power increased, red insignia's on white gloves glowing fiercely.
Growling, snarling, the werewolf fell back into the shadows momentarily before launching another attack; bringing it close enough to Alucard for teeth to sink into the pale flesh of his shoulder. The creature increased pressure to the bite, attempting to crush bone and tear the muscle underneath the light- colored, cold flesh.
Front paws held on to the vampire, back paws supporting it's weight, the massive jaws clamped tighter, swinging it's adversary back and forth, Alucard akin to a rag doll in the ever- tightening deadly, powerful grip. Determined to stand his ground Alucard grabbed hold of the huge monster's shoulders, dug his feet in and prepared for one hell of a tug-of-war.
Laughing, Alucard punched the wolf's muzzle. "Is that all you have? Such a disappointment..." his words faded. Not wanting to spend much more time scrapping with this unworthy maggot of a werewolf, Alucard thrust his long, thin arm into the wolf's throat, ripping vocal chords and muscle before jerking his large hand from the animal's neck. Holding the expanse of muscle which made speech possible, Alucard taunted the creature, red tinted fluid dripping down the prize in his hand, laughter, dark and loud surrounded them, gaining volume with every minute.
"Exactly who are you, werewolf? By who's bidding are you here?"
Of course the creature couldn't answer with his vocal chords dangling carelessly in Alucard's large white-colored encased hand. Smirking he hissed, "I will discover the identity of your master...before I destroy you."
Crimson eyes widened as Alucard allowed his consciousness to enter the wolf's mind, a thin, fragile thread connected them briefly. "Damn", he swore. This didn't look good. He had to get this information back to Integra and man was she gonna be pissed!
Deciding to be merciful after reading his mind, Alucard swiftly plunged his hand into the monster's chest cavity removing his heart and crushing it literally in his hand. He watched as the supernatural transformation reversed leaving behind a male, human, twitching body. He knelt over the body, speaking lowly, "This is the only peace I could give you, Adam. Had it not been for you being acquainted with Seras I would've given you the most violent death I could derive. Rest in peace, young priest."
The body ceased jerking. The young man drew his last breath and died, blood streaming down his skin, a once fluid stream, now congealing in the night air.
Viewing the moon in all it's bright beauty Alucard stated, "A beautiful night for a drink. A beautiful night indeed." Tipping his oversized, red hat back with a gloved thumb and forefinger, the battle confident Alucard took a moment to admire the dark beauty and majesty of the night, his night. Or so he considered it. Then he abruptly faded from the scene leaving behind a rapidly cooling corpse in his wake.
"So you see, Miss Seras, our purpose is to destroy vampires, but not only vampires. Our orders include their ghoul servants and other supernatural creatures as well. Alucard, our main hunter takes on the Class A vampires, of which there are very few. Their power ranks fairly high, and on occasion, some of them fight with the same maniacal gusto and strength that Alucard possesses. The soldiers handle the rest, which are low ranking and usually are classed below a B category." And now, Seras is responsible for aiding Hellsing's men, Walter instructed.
The retainer and fledgling had made their rounds meeting everyone. Finally he'd taken her to the shooting range, the gym and the training areas. Her eyes wide, every single detail absorbed into her brain, amazing her at the size and capabilities of the Hellsing organization. Now come full circle, the duo strolled slowly down the hall leading to Integra's office.
"Are vampires killed in the same way as on television and in books? I don't want to have any misconceptions or false impressions about this, Walter."
"Generally so. If you're as skilled as Alucard, you can run your fist through their chest,therefore penetrating their heart and effectively killing them. Special bullets work as well... beheading, removal of their heart, burning... basically it's as you read, Miss Seras."
Stopping there, Walter inquired if she was alright as she appeared to have adopted a sickly expression about her face. "It's not as bad as it seems. Usually there's not as much blood to deal with as you'd think. And if you're like Alucard you won't waste a drop of it, unless the vampire is nothing but trash as Alucard refers to them."
"You mean I'll actually have to kill them?" Incredulous, Seras was uncertain if she could do it. On the police force she'd never had to pull her trigger. She'd hoped she'd never have to, but now...that, too, apparently flew out the window. Her new life was nothing like she expected. Nothing at all.
"Yes. Every mission you're sent on will require an elimination of sorts. But don't worry. Integra won't order you to kill a human unless they've been deemed dangerous and above man's laws. If judged guilty then you would be dispatched to carry out their execution", he concluded.
Seeing the worried and hesitant expression on her face he replied reassuringly, "It'll be sometime before that happens, Miss Seras, seeing as you're not ready and being new to our kind of work." Standing outside his employer's door, he raised his hand to knock, pausing as voices, mainly Integra's irritated one, reached his ears. "I guess now's not the time for your talk with Integra. We'll come back later." His blue eyes pierced into her crimson orbs, "But first, we must get you fed and teach you to keep your bloodlust under control, among other things. Now if you'll follow me we've got some training to do."
Starting that very night Walter and Seras began her rigorous training program. The gun range, extended sessions of martial arts and his instruction of controlling the blood lust when it erupts. Not an easy lesson to learn. Never for a beginner.
"Why isn't Alucard training me, Walter? I don't mean to be rude- and not that you're a bad teacher or anything, but shouldn't a vampire train a vampire?"
"Usually so, but he's been swamped with mission after mission and doesn't have the spare time...so you're stuck with me." Walter stated his answer with a smile. "And let me reiterate some points with you before we call it a night, or should I say day?" Slightly chuckling at his own joke, Walter seemed vastly amused whereas Seras just stared at the man wondering about his sanity. Sensing the awkwardness of the situation, Walter ceased his small laughter, raised a gloved fist to his mouth and coughed delicately.
"Alright", she answered hesitantly, resigning herself into the older, more experienced, man's hands.
"How did it go?"
Cynical, icy eyes watched him from over the metallic wire of her glasses. "It went well, my master. The enemy was disposed of with little difficulty."
"Well done. Damage report."
"I'm well. Everything healed rather nicely. Same as always." Hands palm down on her desk, leaning over its surface he flashed her his well-known smirk, eyes laughing behind the orange tinted lenses covering his sadistic, glaring orbs.
His flippant attitude really pissed her off at times! And the speed with which he'd ran through his report was unbelievable and unprecedented. And he hadn't even bothered with the blood, guts and orther gory details that he usually revelled in telling. So what was wrong with this picture? Integra was willing to bet that her servant was in a great hurry to see a certain female, blond fledgling. She was willing to bet anything on it.
"Alucard", she began, eyes staring him down, "something's bothering you. I sense it. There's more to the mission than you're telling me", she stated matter of factly. He seemed almost subdued by his thoughts, which was never a good thing. "Tell me", she ordered.
Meanwhile, in a dwelling built deep underground, a man sat under a dim desk lamp. Half of his body illuminated while the other half remained shadowed. Tiredly rubbing his eyes and temples, a burgeoning headache approaching he sighed heavily, reports covering his desk; waiting for his approval. The blow dealt them at their main facility had been difficult, yet they were bouncing back rather nicely.
Despite the recent hardship their many backup resources had already fallen into line, taking up the slack and producing very promising results. He could only hope that they could keep up the excellent work as he wanted revenge against the Hellsing organization and the bitch that ran it! She'd been so cold, so callous! Where was her concern for her fellow man?
A knock sounded at the door interrupting his introspection and questioning. "Come", he called out.
A young man entered and slightly inclined his head out of respect. "Sir, the next test subject has been prepared and is ready."
"Excellent work!" Green eyes glowed happily. Thoughts of revenge returned. Smirking he urged the young man out the door questioning him about the newest in a long line of their experiments. Their voices faded as they traversed the long hallway, stepping into an elevator and disappearing from sight.
"The creature I fought tonight...wasn't just an ordinary werewolf. His name was Adam. And before I destroyed him, he was a priest belonging to the Vatican."
Eyes narrowed Integra asked him, "Are you certain of this?" Her Hellsing blood boiled at the mere mention of that group, Maxwell and Anderson in particular. They were the literal and proverbial thorns in her side, always waiting for their opportunity to draw blood; eliminating her and her devoted soldiers.
Alucard solemly nodded. "I searched his memories very thoroughly and found it to be true. Apparently, he had befriended Seras during her imprisonment at the Vatican and even aided her escape."
The vampire's eyes lit in recognition, recalling a previous memory. "In fact, if you remember, Integra, the night we rescued her there was a young priest whom she'd attacked while in her lycan form. That was him." Suddenly shifting his form to relax in one of the high backed chairs in her office, he spoke again, "It also seems that the Vatican and Section XIII are recovering quicker and more efficient than they'd have us believe."
"Why do you assume that", she questioned her servant. "Their orzanization was decimated, Alucard, and they have no resources left."
"Not true", he returned gleefully. "They've hidden several smaller bases around the world, supposing an event like this transpired. They have one in the United States, Ireland, Brazil and several others scattered over various plains and oceans."
"Those bastards! And they dared come to me, to my organization, for help?!" The pen held firmly in her grip snapped; dark black ink streamed down the broken, metallic surface staining her glove and the paper underneath her trembling hand.
"Alucard?" His gaze never wavered from the angry tones in her voice. "Did you gather all this information from the deceased priest?"
"I did", he confirmed. "These secret bases are also continuing experiments they'd begun while at Section XIII. Experiments like the ones carried out on Seras, only in smaller increments. Apparently they didn't want anymore situations like that reoccurring. Not to say that I blame them", he added with a smug grin, red eyes twinkling gleefully.
The cigar dangling in Integra's fingers snapped from the increased pressure accompanying her fiery temper. "Those damned fools! Will they never learn?" Her jaw clenched so tightly the muscles clearly showed her exasperation.
A male form lay still and quiet, nervously awaiting the scientist to begin the test. Bare from the waist up, black cargo pants adorning his skin from the waist down; feet as bare as his chest, he tensed as one of the doctors injected him with a green phosphorescent liquid which flowed smoothly from the syringe, through the needle and into the vein contained within the subject's muscled arm. He flinched as the needle was withdrawn, and the first of the side effects hit him with a bang.
His skin, pale, flushed and then the color receded, leaving him pale once more. Brown eyes rolled back into his head as nausea assailed him and his stomach's contents wanted to erupt violently in order to ease the pain, cramping and sick feeling. Dizziness swamped over him, confusion, visual distortions and a sudden surge in strength swept through him before losing consciousness.
Two men observed from the main window. One, tall and blond, fiery green eyes. The other, a brunette, shorter than the first, eyes as blue as the sea watched with keen interest. "Micheal, when will the results be ready from the first battery of tests?"
"They should be ready within the hour, Sir", he claimed, hands clasped together behind his back. "They should be promising."
A pair of intense eyes narrowed, his voice growling, "They'd better be! We've already lost too much to lose everything now."
A third voice chimed in, "Well, if it hadn't of been for Anderson's damned niece we wouldn't be in this mess!" Another brunette strode into the room, his height rivaling the blond, he said, "It's Seras' fault that we've been reduced to such a piteous state. She deserves to die." His voice cold and angry with green colored eyes to match.
Micheal's face froze, eyes wide, lips pressed firmly shut as the newcomer's words sank deep. Head turning to his right, his blond companion's fists clenched tight, jaw clenched tighter, his posture spoke of the emotional displeasure he was currently experiencing. The rude, ignorant man had no idea what was about to be unleashed. But Micheal did. Feeling awkward, Micheal whispered, "Here it comes..."
Micheal's cohort quickly spun on his heel, ramming the other guy into the wall. Not once but several times did the insensitive man's back greet the stone wall. "If I were you, Aaron, I'd watch my mouth! Don't you ever, EVER say anything derogatory about my niece again! Do you understand?"
Fists wadded up in his uniform, feet dangling a few inches off the floor Aaron muttered his agreement while glaring at the older man. "Whatever you say, Anderson. Why does it matter to you so much anyway? It's not like she's your daughter or anything!"
Riled by the young man's attitude, Anderson growled, "She may not be my daughter, but I practically helped raise her!" Fire kindling in his eyes Anderson lifted Aaron a little higher off the floor, alpha male dominance showing through his strength and temper, "Listen, boy, you don't want to go a round with me. Trust me. I'll deliver your liver and spleen to you by my blade if you don't watch your mouth and your step. I won't hesitate, nor will I show mercy. Keep that in mind whenever you think about me or my niece. They'll be the last thoughts that cross your mind, I promise."
"Anderson."
The younger man's voice interrupted, pleased at something. "What, Micheal?"
He looked perturbed at his subordinate's interruption. "I think you need to take a look at this," he gestured with a nod of his head towards the observation room, "the subject's awakening."
With a swirl of material Alex released his hold, but not before tossing Aaron across the room, his head smacking against the far concrete wall; stunning him into silence. Then crossing back to Micheal they watched as one of their own awoke into a whole new world. A world that Seras, herself, had been inducted to; without knowledge of the consequences.
The subject, confused, glanced around at his surroundings, testing the metal bands that held him down, shackling his wrists, thighs and ankles. Releasing a shout he broke them easily, first bending them as if plastic, their substance giving way to his power easily. Shoving the annoying restrictive devices aside, he leaped from the table and stood cautiously on his feet, watching the two men staring back down at him. Eyes narrowing in a questioning glance he wondered what would be next.
"Micheal, who is our test subject? He appears familiar, but I can't place his face." Alex thought hard yet nothing came to mind. Hands deep in his pockets he waited for his companion to answer.
Micheal paused before replying. "Ryan Masters. He's been a part of our group for several months, yet he's participated in every major hunt we've been assigned." His eyes slid over to Alex, approval shining deeply, "Let's just say his record is nothing short of stellar."
"Very good. Let's go down and greet our brother." The two men exited the room traversing the stairs down the hallway and entered the experimentation room, the heavy metallic door slammed shut with a loud clang.
Seras, pistol gripped tightly in her hands, fired away at the ghouls surrounding her. Their master was nearby, yet chose not to reveal himself. "Coward", she yelled, "come out and show yourself. Or are you afraid of getting your ass kicked by a girl?"
The monotonous groaning of his puppets ground on her last nerve. As she fired her last bullet her hand autmatically reached for the last clip, only to discover she had none. Empty. "Oh, man!" Quickly reholstering her gun she switched to hand to hand. Quickly she eliminated two of them by punching holes in their chests and puncturing their hearts after which they crumbled, falling into piles of ash and dust.
"Walter, you could help, you know."
Her sarcasm wasn't lost on him at all. "Now, Miss Seras, why would I do that? This is your job and also part of your training. When you're finished with all your training there won't be anyone else to provide support for you, and I'm merely preparing you for that eventuality." Smiling slightly he said, "Besides, I never said being a hunter was easy. I just said it wasn't that difficult."
Even as she continued killing the vampire's mindless, killing creations her mind and heart rebelled against her actions. These ghouls had, at one time, been human, just like her. Once upon a time. Storybook beginnings that rarely had storybook endings. This job was emotionally taxing and conflicting, she thought. To kill a creature that was previously human...did that make her as much of a shell as they? Being that she was every bit of dead as they.
Time and time again, her delicate hands punched through muscle tissue, bone and muscle, her heart aching for these lost souls who'd never asked for their curse. Nevertheless, they all faced the same consequence- death. All punishable by her hands. Hands now tainted with forsaken souls and the image of blood staining her pristine gloves refused to leave her. This was a difficult time indeed.
The last ghoul appeared before her. A young girl about the same age as Seras, before Alucard turned her. Long blond hair hung to her waist, blank blue eyes stared back as her hands waved erratically in front of her stumbling body. Jaw slack and moaning, the girl approached Seras preparing to kill her with her bare hands. But the chance would never be hers.
Crimson eyes blinked. It wasn't possible! The girl had Seras' face...her own former blue eyes stared unblinkingly back at her, eyes pleading for mercy, for leniency. Her lips parted, crying out for help, to be saved.
Blinking again and shaking her head to clear the image, Seras viewed the girl again. The creature was once again wearing her regular face, Seras' had vanished. But she blinked again and her face reappeared on the ghoul. Several times this happened without explanation. Vision wavering, an image that would stick with her for a long time, Seras fought back against the frightening picture before her.
The only thing she knew was that she had to kill the ghoul and now! But at the same time, her heart was breaking knowing this girl would never again have the chance to be out amongst the night, or the day. She'd just be dead. Her potential unrealized. Her life wasted. All because some vampire wanted to play God. And that made Seras extremely angry!
No second thoughts, Seras ran towards the girl and repeated the elimination procedure, the ghoul's form fell to the ground in a heap of dust. Nothing left except the fine particles to bury. Nothing.
Feeling moisture along her forehead, she wiped her brow stunned to find blood smearing from her skin to the clean and soiled places on her glove. She stared at it in puzzlement until Walter explained the mechanics of it all. Then he went on to explain about the ghouls.
"They're dead. Gone. They're only zombies, an empty shell, if you will", he lectured. "No soul remains; therefore by killing them you're performing a great favor, destroying the carnivorous being left in their place. Also, if you didn't destroy them, they'd be free to run rampant, attack others and spread their disease to others", he patiently and calmly explained.
Staring at the heaps of dusty remains left littered on the ground, he grimly smiled while continuing her lesson. "In order to effectively kill them the heart must be penetrated, using either your hand, like Alucard, sharp objects or projectiles made especially for their destruction. Have you understood everything so far?"
"Yes. But Walter...it still doesn't change the fact that I'm killing people that were human. I was human, too, until my master changed all that. I can't see them any other way. I'm sorry, Walter." Her eyes sad, her body language stated it all. And Walter could read her like a book.
"You will in time. Come to see them that way, I mean." He straightened his tie and gestured for them to head back to the helicopter, she had wanted to maintain some semblance of normalcy, and Integra had agreed to her request. "After all, this is your job, your life now. You'll adjust to it, in time. Everything comes with time. Don't believe me, ask Alucard." His tone just dared her to ask her mysterious master about it.
Not bothering to answer, she turned to the window and watched quietly as the scenery quickly flew by enroute to Hellsing, taking note of the beautifully lit full moon lighting up the subdued night.
"Her performance?"
Long blond hair fell over her shoulders, resting perfectly over her tailored gray suit. Her eyes gazed at her employee carefully. "She did well, Sir Integra. There was the initial hesitance, but she came through perfectly and destroyed them all."
"Really? So...she surpassed your expectations?"
Nodding he agreed. "Yes. I'd even say that she surpassed yours as well. Obviously she had to deal with the emotional aftermath of killing the ghouls, but who hasn't? The humanity inside her hasn't freed her from the notion of killing those cursed to begin a ghoul. I had to assure her that she was doing them a favor by not allowing them to live, and she saw reason. But that's not to say her humanity won't interrupt in the future. "
Walter clasped his hands behind his back. "I think she needs a little more time to adjust. That's all."
"Would you recommend sending her out on a solo mission? That's what I'd like to know." She picked up a cigar, leaning forward to light it, she blew smoke up in rings upwards to the ceiling and turned her attention back to the former assassin.
"That I would", he admitted. "I surmise that she'd surprise Alucard with little effort."
A light of recognition flared in the heiress' eyes. "Oh, Walter that reminds me...where's Seras?"
"She's outside waiting for you to admit her."
No sooner had Walter's words left his mouth then Integra spoke aloud and beckoned the fledging to her. Seras glided through the shadows to stand at Walter's side before the head of Hellsing.
"Seras, Walter has informed me of your progress and I am pleased. Soon you'll begin your own missions, but not yet. I'll have you train for a few more weeks before unleashing you on the world by yourself."
"Yes, Sir Integra", she meekly replied. Though there wasn't a hint of meekness in her stance, her eyes seemed to be lost, looking for something she couldn't find.
"He's not here", Integra hinted.
"No? Where's he at?"
Smiling slightly, she replied lightly, "He's on a mission of his own. I expect him shortly." Stamping out the small remains of her cigar she shifted subjects. "Speaking of which I had to speak with you regarding a very touchy matter."
Uncomfortable, Seras glanced at the heiress in surprise. "What would that be, Sir Integra?" Her posture immediately became defensive and tense, a primer reaction. "Have I done something wrong?"
"No. But I have to tell you as I've never had a vampire couple living under my roof that I haven't the faintest idea of what to expect. I have no idea if you can get pregnant, and don't tell me that the two of you haven't been mating because the whole house has heard the both of you. So, in the meantime, you and Alucard aren't allowed to have relations, which could possibly result in pregnancy. God knows I don't need the two of you spreading your seed, culminating in Alucard's family tree, if you get my drift."
Seras' face seemed to have adapted a faint reddish glow about her cheeks. Crimson eyes shifted, their iris' unable to glance forward, unable to look Integra eye to eye. She cleared her throat and nervously wet her lips.
"I've discussed this with the doctors here, and until further notice; until a manner of birth control can be discovered and used effectively and utilized properly, the two of you won't be allowed to have sex. Period. I'm sorry, but I have to protect my interests and my organization", she stated matter of fact.
Seras nodded her head, and before she could be questioned her pale skin distorted, fell away and her presence was no longer there.
Integra raised an eyebrow in response. Walter smugly grinned. "She wanted to show you a little something she learned."
"Very well", she sighed, "you're dismissed, Walter."
"Yes, Sir Integra." Turning on his heel, the retainer left the room, his body quick and efficient, headed to the kitchens consciously aware that his employer would request a drink.
One month later...
Seras, Pip and The Wild Geese had been summoned and sent on a mission claiming a small group of renegade werewolves had congregated, and were now killing off the innocent that lived in the area. Upon arrival, the mercenary's went to work and tackled the two younger wolves: one blond and the other white. That left Seras with the leader and one accomplice. The leader was blacker than night, the same exact color of her beloved's hair. Strange. The other wolf was gray. Both seemed to possess a fair amount of intelligence. Or so said their eyes. And eyes never lie.
The battle raged on for quite some time. Seras struggled against her vampiric nature screaming inside. Determined to handle them on their home territory, she quickly transformed into her own unique wolf.
She concentrated all her attention, energy and power on the furry duo she was now facing. Leaping forwards to each other, pushing off from the ground on muscular hunches, their forms met, and clashed, in mid-air. Snarling, growling, clawing and biting, they each tried their best to wound the other. Seras was more successful in this endeavor than her opponents. She'd slashed wounds across their chests and their fur covered limbs bore the evidence of her labor.
The gray wolf quickly lost the battle as Seras bit deeply into the chorded muscles of it's throat, blood spilled forth and streaked down the fur. Massive jaws wrenched it's adversary's neck violently, spinal column twisted sharply to the side emitting a loud crack, then silence. Dark red liquid seeped down the fur discoloring it. Shuddering twice, the overly large creature fell, quickly dropping to the ground with a thud, returning to the original form. It's human form.
Seras watched the black wolf howl in agony as the figure of a beautiful red haired girl lay where the gray wolf had fallen. His howls, mournful and angry died away, growls arising once more. Moonlight glinted off the sharp claws, saliva dripped, foamed from curled lips; fangs bared while evil snarls spilled from it's throat, eyes shined with moisture, whether from tears over it's lost comarade, or from heights of fury at her daring.
Briefly glancing around at the bloody area within the confines of the massacred village, a rage enveloped the woman buried inside the werewolf. The fact that they'd done this with no feeling whatsoever, this mindless slaughter that ended the lives of dozens prematurely pushed her over the brink into a fury she'd never known. Her humanity slid backwards into a red haze, temporarily forgotten in the wake of such brutality and callousness.
Her mind occupied, she winced as a pain sliced across her ribs, flesh cut horizontally; allowing a thin stream of blood to exit the fresh wound. She growled horrifically in response, pissed that she'd let herself be distracted enough to be attacked and it escape her notice.
Inside her wolf form she suddenly smirked. Her enemy would pay for his actions and his price would be death. No regrets, no feelings, nothing but cold animosity fueled by the blood, violence and anger of the beast within. Her form shimmered and then spun into an inky, dark shadow wolf. She laughed as the other wolf strained to see her, eyes narrowing, even in the dark, though they usually had excellent night and heat vision, but this failed him as she dodged and danced out of reach, time and time again.
Toying with the larger black wolf she spun around him, ducking in and out of shadows, cutting through fur and skin to open wounds, baring muscle and bone, red liquid welling, spilling, over the cleanly sliced edges. Anguished howls reached the moon, nature quiet as if waiting for the final outcome of their battle. The fearsome roars, howls and snarls shook the earth as they fought, the ground trembling underneath their clashing bodies.
Lashing out, the black wolf scored a bite on her arm which she retaliated by raking a claw down his face and chest, a huge gash which opened his flesh, yet it wasn't enough. Calling upon an unleashed store of strength, she abruptly pushed him, forcing him to lose his balance, crashing to the ground. There. There it was. Her opening. Leaping onto his chest, her sharp claws sliced, diced, cutting through her previous inflicted wound; opening the gash all the way down to his beating heart.
Watching the beating organ, she licked her lips, blood lust rising to the surface in anticipation.
Integra, Walter and Alucard, fresh from battle, went through his report thoroughly on the happenings with the Vatican. His concentration broke as something distracted him. A dark eyebrow arched toward his hair and a self-satisfied grin crossed his face, his expression one of lust and hunger, crimson eyes burning.
"Alucard! Report! What's happening?"
The heiress demanded to know what had pulled his attention away from them. "My fledgling, Seras. She's in a killing haze. She's destroyed one werewolf and is now in the process of killing another." The image of her in her lycan form covered with blood wasn't lost on him. He still thought her the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen, and in her condition now...that only increased his feelings for her. He only wished he could be with her bringing about such destruction instead of being on a damned leash!
Walter and Integra glanced at each other, both wondering what to think. Would they have to put Seras down? As long as they, or Alucard, could control her then maybe there would never be the need for such a contention.
His tongue ran across his lower lip as if savoring the taste of something perfect and sweet. "Get ready for it", he whispered, voice low, husky with seduction, with longing. "Here comes the killing blow." His eyes remained shut as his smile grew larger.
The wolf's heart in her clawed hand, she bit down into it's muscular surface, bleeding it dry before throwing it to the ground and leaving the area. As she walked she transformed back into her vampire form, clothes molded perfectly to every curve, yet blood stained her hair, clothes and gloves, not that she cared.
Strolling past Hellsing's mercenary's she ignored them until Pip called out, "Hey! Seras! Are you going to help with cleanup?"
The ferocious look she shared with him chilled the Frenchman to the bones. He reminded himself never to piss her off for he might not live to tell the tale. Halting in front of him she said, "No. I'll leave it to you tonight. I'm hungry and need to feed." Dark red orbs speared him as she spoke again, "Make sure they are all cleansed and then don't forget to give them a proper burial."
"We will", he replied sofly. "Will you be alright?"
Sadly she smiled, a break from the angry, cold woman he'd glimpsed just seconds previous. "I'll be fine. Don't worry." Her head turned upwards to the sky. "I'm taking my leave and returning to Hellsing. I expect the lot of you to be done by sunrise, but for now I must give my report and take care of other things."
Before another word could be uttered she leaped up and flew off into the night sky, bright, silvery light accentuating her petite form as it flew through the dark heavens. "Alucard", she whispered, "I'm coming."
"And I'm waiting", came his reply.
Smiling as the breeze caressed her face, she could almost imagine that it was Alucard, himself, lightly touching her cheek and flying along right beside her. Forever's not long enough, she thought. With him it'd never be long enough. A tender smile broke out across her face as she struggled to leave the menace and violence of this night behind her. She was lucky to have him, to have him waiting, for him to be waiting for her and only her.
"I'll always be waiting, Seras. Always. Hurry. I'm waiting..."
His voice broke off and she put on speed praying the wind would aid her, push her faster as she hurried back to him. To the one who was waiting and would always wait, for her.
A/N: Back to Ludifer for what I'm positive will be an awesome chap!