A/N: I figured it'd be better to post it in two chapters for an easier read. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing. I envy those who do. But hey, at least I can borrow it for this fic!
Integra sighed as she came down Christmas Eve night. She and Walter had decorated the entire house gradually as Christmas had begun its approach. So now all that was left was the tree. It was an annual tradition for them. It used to be Integra and her father decorated the tree on Christmas Eve. It was one of the few days a year he actually took off, or at least worked in the same room as her.
She smiled faintly as she walked down the stairs, reaching the bottom and heading towards the tree. It was a wonderful tradition, really, and Walter did a terrific job of keeping it up. Sometimes, she just missed her Father sometimes. Integra shook her head, a tear falling down. No, no sad thoughts. This is the holidays. I should be happy, and I will. She put a smile on her face as she arrived at the enormous tree.
Walter walked in on Integra staring at the tree. "Good evening Sir Integra." He put the boxes and bags of ornaments down nearby.
She turned around to see him and smiled. "Hello Walter."
He was pleased to see that she was enjoying the holidays the way she always had. "Are you prepared to decorate the tree? I have all of the ornaments, there is popcorn popping in the kitchen, and the hot chocolate should be ready soon."
Integra laughed. "I'm ready. And I think we should invite Seras to do this. She would probably love to be able to have a hand in decorating this big a tree. Could you go get her and extend my invitation?"
Walter nodded. "Of course Sir Integra. Anything else?" She paused and thought about it for a minute before shaking her head. "Alright then. I shall go fetch Miss Seras, why don't you go ahead and start while I'm gone?" He smiled at her as he walked towards the dungeons.
She nodded and gave him a smile back. After he left, Integra put out the Christmas presents under the tree, scattering them to make sure it was not as obvious. Then she smiled as she backed up, nodding in approval. Now the ornaments. She rustled around and found one she liked, putting it on.
Walter walked downstairs and knocked on the young female vampire's door, catching her by surprise. "O Walter!" Seras sighed in relief.
He chuckled. "Yes Miss Seras. It's only me. I was wondering, or rather Sir Integra was, if you would like to join us upstairs in the decorating of the Christmas tree."
She blinked. "Me? But, um, Sir Integra always seems annoyed with me. Aand she always calls me Police Girl."
Walter held up his hand, smiling. "These things are true, but it is the holidays. And during the holidays people often act differently. The side you see of Sir Integra presently is the woman behind the mask, so to speak. You see, everyday she must act a certain way, otherwise she would not be respected. Thus, at times like this, she is alone with people she trusts, and yes Miss Victoria that includes you." She looked at him oddly.
"But why would I be included in that? Walter, I'm not sure that I understand. All the time she says that I need to do better. Are you saying that's an act? That she doesn't really think that way?"
Walter frowned, trying to figure out the best way to explain it. "Not quite. The Sir Integra that you see everyday is her, but it's not all that there is to her. She does not lie about her thoughts in those regards, but she can be much kinder than she seems. Does that part make sense?"
She scratched her head a bit. "I suppose. Though you didn't tell me why I would be included in the category of people she trusts."
"You see, she does think that about you. But it is more so to get you to improve I gather. She follows the mindset that if you tell someone that they are doing wonderfully they may get overly confident and idle. And the reason she trusts you is her own. Now, would you like to come up and decorate?"
Seras nodded. "I'd love to! I really do love Christmas and I suppose Sir Integra really won't mind if I do come."
Walter smiled and led the way upstairs. Seras was still confused about some of the things he said but decided to let it pass for the time being. Though she did wonder one thing, where was her master?
Alucard was asleep in the basement. But finally he woke up, unable to sleep any longer.Sometimes I wonder why I sleep anymore. I was bound all those years, in this dungeon, with nothing more to do. He stood up, sauntering towards the table, where a blood pack was awaiting him.
He sat down, taking the packet and ripping it open. Cold, as always. Sometimes I tire of this almost substitute for blood. But nonetheless, I suppose life here is amusing enough. Walter is truly a comrade, though in old age it's not as often. Police Girl has her moments. And Integra, one of a kind. I have never met anyone like her before. She has the clothes and strength of a man, the wisdom of a man more than twice her age, along with the cunning and grace of a woman. A unique mixture.
Once he finished with the blood he tossed the bag to the side, bored of things down in his little corner of the mansion. He decided that, for lack of anything better to do, he would go see what everyone else was up to. Alucard figured he'd even use the stairs to kill time. He slowly walked upstairs in hopes of finding something to amuse him.
A/N: I am sooooo sorry I didn't update sooner!! Ugh! Stupid slow internet and dumb computer. – kicks it – But here's part II. Now there will be a part III. I figured a smaller update now rather than a big one who knows when later would be best. Especially with a seasonal fic. Well, I will write my heart out and do what I can to post tomorrow. Once again, sorry!