Side note: I'm so happy! I came in to reviews… Many thanks to you all, you've made my day and this chapter is finished much earlier than expected. Updates five days a week people- to the best of my ability (By the way… A x I is coming too, as requested, but A x S next).

ALSO, I reordered my chapters. I'm sorry- the new installment was rather short unfortunately (because this ficlet is rather long and dying in my eyes. I have ADD when it comes to my stories). Scroll down to the /// for the new chapter's beginning.

Black cowboy boots, one crossed over the other, were perched up on a checkered table cloth. Hands behind his head, the master vampire ignored the indignant looks of the waitress as she passed by him serving other customers of the outside café. She thought he wasn't looking, but he was always aware. If she didn't like his feet on the table, he'd have to come say so directly, but even then, he'd just ignore or intimidate her until she left him alone.

Alucard smirked slightly.

The visions in his head were entertaining. The Police girl had gotten herself into quite a mess. However, if she couldn't get out of it, she was useless. This trip was not a vacation, per se. Integra was becoming belligerent about him training his worthless fledgling. So, he'd schemed to bring her out into enemy territory in order to teach her how to survive.

He had made certain to completely contain his dark energy, so his wayward fledgling wouldn't be able to find him. Alucard also took careful aim to close their link. He'd heard her frantic calling, but it was soft, muffled. He hadn't felt guilty. She had potential, he'd admit that, but she needed a strong push in the right direction.

"Good luck Police Girl," he muttered.

He tipped his head down and dipped further down into his telepathy. He appeared as if he was sleepily or resting peacefully. However, he was laughing forebodingly in his own mind. There was more to this night then the Police Girl would expect.

Seras jerked away and sped up. Her resolve was melting. She wanted to shove an elbow back behind her and catch her pursuer unaware, but she made herself refrain.

Seras gasped as she saw an alley. The opening around the corner was much farther than she'd expected. She bit her lip and headed for the alley. She'd take care of this quietly, without spectators. Seras sent a look behind her and turned the corner.

The petite vampire slammed into a hard body. Seras gave a startled sound, but recovered quickly and grabbed at the person to keep from knocking them over. Seras managed to keep them upright and now stood with her head bowed and her hands resting on the man's arms. Seras took a deep breath to apologize to the rather large man, which was obvious judging by the muscles in his arms.

Suddenly the men chasing her caught up. Seras's eyes widened and she stared at her pursuers in fright. She unintentionally leaned closer to the man. She wouldn't be able to take care of them now. However, their reaction upon reaching the entrance to the alley was comical. They were at first smiling victoriously. Obviously they knew the area much better than she did, but the grins fell quickly. The main male's face whitened. He smiled hesitantly, as if he was ashamed. He bowed his head respectfully. The others followed suit, making Seras's brow furrow. The group of hooligans backed out and moved on past as if they were merely going for a jog at eleven o'clock at night.

Seras then turned to her savior to thank him and apologize for running into him. It was obvious that he was the reason they didn't continue their pursuit. Seras tilted her head back, now noticing his true towering height. Her eyes widened imperceptibly and true fear raced through her veins. The words died in her throat and a scream was stuck on the edge of her tongue.

The terrified vampire backed up, releasing the priest as if she'd been burned just by touching his grey clothes. Green eyes regarded her strangely.

"Why do you flee from humans? Why not just suck their blood, draculina?"

Seras's swallowed hard. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Paladin Alexander Anderson. Perhaps that flash she received earlier was foreshadowing? Maybe her body had sensed his presence before she consciously did.

She back away slowly. She was way too close for her comfort. Seras was so white; she looked akin to computer paper. Luckily, the opening was to her back, so she wasn't cornered, but she may as well have been. She wouldn't be able to escape this hunter.

Seras shuddered. She breathed for the first time in quite awhile, not because she needed to, but out of habit. It was more like a wheeze. Her vision blurred and the stress of her day finally caught up with her. One would think a special operative of Hellsing would have more stamina, but Seras felt herself weakening. She hadn't fed enough.

She bit her lip as she heard the clink of steel leaving the cloth of his coat. She cursed under her breath, too low for Anderson to hear. What was wrong with her? She'd been in worse conditions, fighting ghouls and the ruling vampire, and if anything her vampiric beast would take over. She tried to stumble away, but her legs felt like lead. Seras felt so weak and as her vision failed, she saw Anderson's face light up with surprise.

Alucard smiled. It was taking effect. In fact, the bracelet was working so much better than he'd thought. The trinket took some time before it triggered completely, but Seras was reacting nicely to its lull.

He breathed in deeply before pulling legs back and off the table. He stood and stretched lightly, rolling his shoulders, bending his neck. He thought back and smiled at how easy it'd been. Alucard chuckled. The Police girl was so taken with him that she'd never expect him to betray her.

"A gift? What for?" Seras asked, tilting her head.

"Do I need a reason?"

Seras down at him in confusion as he sat casually stretched out at her table. Dangling on one hand was a red beaded bracelet. She reached for it and he dropped it into her palm. It was much heavier than it appeared. She felt a soft thrum when the piece touched her skin, but Seras didn't notice it, not like Alucard did. However, only his eyes brightened for a second before returning to their usual unconcerned, bored glance.

Seras peered down at the delicate jewelry. In the center there was a thin metal ring that bowed out on either side to make it slightly disc shaped. The beads were glossy, smooth, and cold to her touch. It had a silver clasp with strings entwined in its casing that then hung down an inch or so from her wrist. Seras smiled as she slipped it over her head.

"Thank you Master, it's beautiful."

Alucard nodded and smiled, then evaporated into nothingness.

Alucard strolled down the streets of Milan. He pursed his lips and began to search for a wine and spirits shop. Some blood wine was definitely in order.

"It's such a beautiful night," Alucard grinned largely.

The night passed slowly. Seras was both conscious and unconscious- caught in a whirlwind of dreams and nightmares. She knew somewhere in the back of her head that she was laying down, in soft sheets, but uncovered.

Seras tossed, but was unable to ever turn over. She pulled at her hands and feet, unable to free them. Pain reared every now and then, but it was soft, tingling. It would start slow and increase steadily over several minutes. Then it would rage violently for a few seconds then fall absent. She felt like her body was being ripped apart. The torrent continued for what seemed like forever.

Seras finally crumbled under the recurring waves. The onslaught only lasted a few hours, but Seras slept through the day and into the next night. She was utterly exhausted. The petite woman had come back to herself, but couldn't manage to wake herself up. Her eyes wouldn't even open. Victoria had never felt so weak and defenseless.

Seras heard someone enter the room. The footsteps were soft and slow. Who would even come near her? Where was she? What happened? What had she been doing? Seras was completely muddled. Her head was so full and yet empty. She couldn't even remember what happened before, she assumed, she fainted. Her eyes cracked slowly at the feel of a cool, damp cloth of her forehead.

A nurse was sitting on a chair next to the bed she was lying on. She was concentrating on Seras's face, so her eyes widened at the red irises, but she didn't stop her care. The young woman couldn't have been more than nineteen and dressed in nun robes. She was wiping the blood sweat pouring of her body. In fact, Seras was just noticing how drenched she was and she shifted grimacing at the sticky feeling.

The nun smiled down tentatively. Her blue eyes were both wary and concerned. Seras was confused. Was she not afraid, did she not hate her? Seras looked up and glared at her wrists. No wonder she hadn't been able to turn over.

Seras's wrists, and also ankles it seemed, were shackled to the bed by strong metal handcuffs. However, with a sharp tug, the draculina realized they weren't normal ones. Shifting a hand to one side, Seras's eyes widened at the engraved symbols etched deeply into the metal. They were a sort of sigil, but unlike those lining the backs of her master's gloves.

She wasn't getting out of these. Seras turned her head away, but not for long. The nun had dropped her rag back into the low, wide bowl at her feet and was now approaching Seras.

"My name is Yumiko," she said starting to lean over the vampire, "I'm just going to remove those cuffs…ok?"

Seras nodded. Her voice was so sweet and innocent. Seras didn't miss the Iscariot logo on her nun's robes. It was odd to say the least. Yumiko's eyes looked as if they'd never experienced the gore and terror that was involved in vampire hunting. How could that be?

As soon as she free, she sat up and rubbed her sore wrists. They were red and scarred from her tossing and turning all night. She watched the woman before her as she back away and waved for the vampire to follow.

"You must want to clean up and change?"

Seras's brow knitted, but she did want to do all that, so she preceded the nun out the door in a hurry. The nun swept passed her in the hallway and smiled.

"This way."

Seras was no thoroughly confused. She was a childe of the night, a vampire, an unholy creature and a nun was taking care of her? It's as if the woman didn't know what she was, but then again she wasn't too surprised at the sight of Seras's red eyes. Even now she didn't flinch when she made eye contact and she did make eye contact. She seemed to hold it too. Whenever the nun looked at her, she made sure not to look anywhere else, but her eyes. Was this some sort of technique? To keep her attention, keep her confused; perhaps intrigue the vampire enough so she wouldn't try to escape?

Seras sighed and scratched the back of her neck. As if she could escape. Alexander Anderson used holy papers to create a barrier, so that no dark soul could escape whatever containment he saw placed them in. Where ever she was right now, that barrier was permanent and more strongly enforced. Seras didn't even know how she would've entered such a protected place, nonetheless escape now that she was in it. Also, what happened to Anderson? Did he bring her to this place?

Seras was led through a maze of hallways, all appearing to be exactly the same. She would easily get lost in such a place. The odd pair met no one on their way. Eventually, they entered an empty room. There were no windows and another door directly in front of them on the far back wall. There was only a tri-fold screen leaning in the corner right of the door. Next to it was a vanity, a simple desk with flat, wide stool covered by a cushion, and backed with a mirror. It was illuminated along the top with round bulbous lights. All that was left was a single seat on the opposite wall.

The woman who called herself Yumiko walked and set up the screen, throwing the white towel previously sitting on the vanity's counter top, over the edge of the screen. There cherry wood frames were surrounding thin paper windows instead of glass. The paper was painted with blue and purple flowers. The pale green leaves were thin and long, curling over the contours of the delicate paper. She then sat herself in the solo chair across the room and with a flourish waved to the screen. Seras blinked.

"A bath is waiting for you. There are extra clothes in the vanity's drawer. I'll wait here until you are finished."

Seras, still speechless, kept her eye on the nun as she walked behind the screen. Finding no trap present, she changed. Her old clothes she left on the floor as instructed quietly by Yumiko, who said this softly from her seat. The draculina left everything, except her bra which she removed and placed on the desk to take along with her fresh set of clothes. Seras then wrapped the towel firmly around herself, grabbed the clothes from the drawer, left just for her apparently, and fled the room via the door opposite the one she entered.

The hot water felt utterly delicious on her inhumanly cold skin. Her normally spiky hair was flat and smooth against her thin neck. Seras stood, face upturned into the hot stream, with her arms wrapped around herself. Seras took a deep breath, then turned and ran her hands through her short hair. Reaching around behind her, on the small shelf built into the shower stall she grabbed the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Seras didn't ever have much to do it the shower. Some girls took hour long showers- how did they fill the time?

Even now, the petite vampire only had a face wash, similar 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, and body wash. Her shower took only ten minutes, sometimes twenty because she enjoyed the hot water and steam. However, this shower was only stocked with the one bottle, so she ran her hands over her skin, scrubbing lightly. Seras tried her best to remove the blood sweat traces on her skin and was soon turning the knob to the water off. With a reluctant sigh, Seras stepped from the steamy enclosure, and then toweled her body and hair.

The clothes she had to change into were a simple white long sleeved shirt and tan pants. There were linen and light. Seras went without underwear, her previous pair dirty and she wasn't supplied another. Not that she'd wear them if she had been because who knows where they've been and she obviously didn't trust this group. She put her bra back on though because she really did need it, being so ample in chest area.

Seras peeked out the door to find the antechamber to the bathroom empty. Comparatively the bathroom was much bigger. She'd chosen a shower over a full bath, the room containing both separate from each other, so perhaps the young nun thought she would take longer than she had? Why would she leave though- they couldn't trust her enough to leave her alone, especially judging by those special handcuffs that had chained her to the bed earlier.

Seras left her damp towel with her dirty uniform still on the floor behind the screen. One ear to the door, Seras listened for sounds out in the hallway. She may not be able to use many if not all of her vampiric abilities within the barrier surrounding whatever building this was, but her heightened senses still remained. This may very well be Iscariot headquarters and if it was, she planned to take advantage of it before trying to escape. As of right now, they seemed to take her much lighter than her master. Seras smiled. They would regret that.

She opened the antechamber's door very slowly, hearing no one approaching or even in the near vicinity. The normal staff was probably forbidden in this area now that she was here. Though she knew little about the Iscariots, other than her knowledge about their one prime operative and even that was more his battle capabilities, so who knows. She'd never met any other operatives. Seras heard of Enrico Maxwell, the Iscariot head, or at least what her master deigned to reveal about the leader.

Seras tiptoed down the hallway and took the very first hallway to her left, following the scent of fresh air with her sensitive nose. Seras smiled happily as she opened one door only to find an enclosed garden in the middle of the complex. She made a face. She didn't plan to leave yet, but she didn't like being cooped up either. Living in the Hellsing basement was bad enough.

Sure it was spacious, but who wanted to spend lots of time in the interrogation aka 'torture until you tell us what we want to know room', the laboratories, or the dungeon aka Alucard's room. Hence why she always loved escaping to the roof on her off nights, much like her master did. Seras doubted he didn't like being cooped up. He had slept in the dungeon for decades- Alucard cared little about confinement.

The woman glanced around. She pursed her lips after seeing no one and stepped out into the garden. The roof was completely made of glass, which turned from clear to a gauzy opaque tint creating a pattern of light and shadow above her head. Or it would have had it not been night. The steps down to the grass were white marble and a walkway extended from the bottom to circle to the perimeter. A few paths jutted off from the main one and dipped into more private settings. The smooth, matte stones were still littered with snow here and there. The one Seras chose stopped before a rather large tree.

This specific tree caught her interest because it was in bloom with flowers and leaves, even as the snow piled at its base and in its branches. The trunk was twisted and grey, aged, but still beautiful. Youthful leaves sprouted from the withered branches showing that life still existed in the old man of a tree. The long arms hung down, brushing the grass with gentle fingers.

Seras didn't know what type of tree it was, maybe a weeping something, but it sported fresh flowers. They were white delicate petals with an inset center. The center dipped down and created a small gorge between the silk petals that allowed for water to gather like a small pot. The blooms were placed all around in areas where, when it rained, water could easily be caught and absorbed. Some were still tight buds while others were midway open. Seras sniffed carefully and smiled at the soft floral scent that wafted in the air with a graceful fragrance. It wasn't overpowering, it would be practically nonexistent to the human nose. In fact, it was so light that it came in and out even to Seras's nose.

The small woman sat beneath the ring of swaying tendrils that fell from overheard, her back against the bark of the trunk, and was for once glad she was a vampire. She could catch the coquettish scent only because of what she was.

She glanced around at the garden. Most the trees were bare stalks and empty giants. There were bushes and trees in a variety of sizes. It was a more natural set up then something landscaped. There weren't beds to plant flowers in or pots anywhere to house them, unless they were taken in due to the weather.

Seras slouched and studied her hands folded in her lap. Her eyes narrowed as the sound of swaying branches around her lulled her into a light doze.

There was a crunch. Seras shot awake. She slid from Indian style to crouch as she sensed the area around her. The powerful aura almost sent her from the toes of her feet to her knees. Suddenly, a snow ball was sent into her face.

///
Seras was shocked for two reasons. One, the night had left her behind and it was now early morning. Two, she was kneeling under her protecting tree watching the oddest scene she'd seen in quite awhile.

Evil, insane Paladin Alexander Anderson was playing in the snow. His boots, the top rim folded down to his ankle, were leaving huge tracks in the once pristine snow. A gaggle of children were either following, obviously part of his team, or scouting around in the bare coverage of the trees trying to land a snow ball on the man. Seras's ear perked up as one tiny girl complained. Her cheeks were red from the slight chill and the effort of running around. She got pelted the moment she left the thicket she'd been hiding in, but Anderson lifted a hand to stop the barrage from continuing. He squatted down.

"It's not fair," she said, wiping the icy snow from her cheek, "They have a bigger advantage because they have you."

She had pointed at the team following Anderson. Her bright blue eyes were large and beautiful. Seras looked at the button nose and unhappy frown on her lips. Seras felt a compelling feeling well up inside her and she entered the scene.

Anderson noticed the draculina moving, but he didn't move his eyes from the child before him. He'd known she was there, sleeping quietly beneath the tree. He was ordered not to touch her and, he gritted his teeth, he would refrain. Her lithe form moved into his peripheral view.

"I'll help."

Anderson's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Seras approached the girl and kneeled before her next to Anderson. She flinched slightly away from him, but her face remained genuine. She purposefully kept her eyes away from Anderson, but noticed his strange look.

The little girl smiled, "Ok!" and then she grabbed the elder girl's hand and led her off into the trees.

Anderson was then surrounded by his own team. However, he couldn't forget the color of the female vampire's eyes. Those large, round orbs were blue.

"Ok….on three."

Seras crouched low to the ground. In front of her was a rather large pile of snowballs, several dozen. Next to her was Nina, the girl whose face compelled her into action and made her heart squeeze. The girl was undeniably born of foreign parents because of her blue eyes and light blonde hair cropped short. She looked so much like Seras herself as a child. Seras turned her eyes forward again.

"One…"

Seras grabbed two snowballs and started passing them down the line to her left. Nina passed them on to the next orphan who Seras learned stayed at this orphanage. All in all, her team consisted of four other kids.

"Two…"

They took aim.

"Three!" Seras yelled.

With a mighty war cry, five sets of hands started flinging snow balls across the walkway into the grove of trees across from them. However, soon their barrage was evenly returned and chaos reigned supreme in the small courtyard.

"We're out of snow balls," Nina whispered worriedly.

"There's not much snow left on the ground either…" Seras murmured.

Anderson's side was now throwing a snow ball periodically, but had much more ammo than she had anticipated. She had helped to build a wall for cover, but they had resorted to shaving off some of the snow from it in order to create more snow balls. The wall was now so low that they all had to duck down close to the ground behind it to avoid being hit. It was also much thinner. Seras bit her lip and glanced over the eager faces of the kids beside her. They didn't have many options left available to them.

"Let's jump them," She smiled.

Four pairs of eyes swiveled to her with open mouths.

"Frontal attack," Seras reiterated.

A couple of smiles bloomed on their frozen faces, while others appeared more wary, but all nodded their consent. Seras waited for an appropriate moment and signaled the attack. Seras popped over the small wall they'd made and went right for Anderson. In the adrenaline and childish fun of the game, she forgot her innate fear of the holy man. The vampire watched his green eyes widened as she flew over their barrier, caught him in the shoulders, and shoved the both of them backward.

Seras fell and rolled off of him to the side. She laughed- truly forgetting about everything she'd come to be in the past few months.

The children had each picked a target and jumped them, just as she had said to do. Many were laughing and dumping what was left of the wall on each other gaily. Seras smiled as she observed them. Then her eyes clouded as she came back to herself.

Anderson watched her carefully. He was shocked. He had expected her to avoid the group of children, but she had volunteered to join the game. Of course, he hadn't trusted her and was on edge. If she made any attempt to lure one off, he would be over that wall before she could even say one word.

The change in her was blatant and sudden. Her face melted from its happiness back to a sullen, resigned visage. This draculina was quite the anomaly. She hadn't fed in quite some time, but she didn't seem tempted by the young blood of the children at all. Either that or her rein on her instincts was quite strong, especially under the circumstances.

The small woman sat up and gazed sadly down at the orphans. Nina looked up at her then and Seras did her best to smile. She waved and stood, then glanced over expectantly at Anderson.

Anderson stood as well, dusting off his cloak as he did. The draculina's eyes were downcast. She looked more like an innocent child right now with melting snow dripping down her hair. However, he had his orders.

The man waved to the kids who smiled, laughed, and said they'd be back after lunch.

"Come this way, draculina," his eyes were intense now.

Seras nodded resolutely and followed after him. However, he led her back to her room where another set of clothes sat waiting. Seras changed quickly and when she opened her door, Anderson sat waiting with his arms across his chest.

Seras's brow knitted, "The bracelet does what?"

Enrico Maxwell shook his pony tail back behind his shoulders. He entwined his fingers and tucked them beneath his chin. His dark eyes regarded the pale haired vampire seriously.

"You did not know?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Seras's jaw dropped and she was indisputably flabbergasted; however, this didn't last long. Her expression completely changed. Her eyes darkened, slanted and her mouth thinned.

She growled softly, "Master…"

Enrico raised both eyebrows as he watched the strange girl.

"It's what caused you to pass out earlier…"

Enrico eyes roved over to Anderson and Seras understood. Apparently, the blood red bracelet her master had so innocently gifted to her had the power to drain vampires. It was an ancient magical item that did not kill vampires, but brought out the beastly side of them. Since it drained their power, it made the vampire's thirst increase exponentially. As strength decreases, normal vampires would feed; however, Seras was not near her blood supply, which was left back at the room.

After so much time, it was amazing that Seras did not turn into a deranged, blood thirsty monster.

"Are you not hungry?" Enrico asked.

Seras's expression turned quizzical.

"Uh…yes, but not any more than usual."

"Usual?"

Seras bit her lip, "I do not drink as often as my master Alucard would like. I am used to the thirst as well as…containing it."

"You deprive yourself of the only thing keeping you alive?"

Enrico's voice was sarcastic and unbelieving.

Seras's eyes clouded with emotion, "Yes."

Enrico sent a meaningful look towards Anderson. The man shrugged, but did not remove his eyes from the woman's back. He didn't know whether to believe her or not. By principle, she was a blood sucker and was therefore not a moral person. However, her refusal to drink was just one more strange quality to add to his list it would seem. This one did not seem to be much like her master at all.

Seras's mood changed, "What are your plans for me?"

Her voice was even and dark. If they tried to attack her, she would fight them. Honestly, keeping her and doing tests would be more profitable. Being the childe of Alucard, a seemingly invincible vampire, testing on her could perhaps teach them more about him. His limits, weaknesses, and even ways to destroy him- this information that eluded them could finally be discovered.

However, Enrico's thoughts were silenced by a maniacal laughter filtering throughout the room. Enrico's eyes widened. That laughter could never be confused. It belonged to none other than the master hunter of Hellsing.

"Foul vampire…" Anderson said smiling.

"Judas priest," Alucard sneered.

"Well that was interesting."

Seras was still fuming. She wouldn't forgive him for this.

"What's wrong Police girl?" His voice was full of amusement.

Seras's eyes widened. Her mouth opened and closed quickly. Then her eyes burned fire red.

"WHAT'S WRONG!? You brought me to Italy and purposefully drained my energy so that I would feed on the Iscariots!"

Alucard looked miffed at the fact that she was screaming at her, but he seemed quite nonchalant.

"And? Feeding should be a regular habit, Police girl. You are a dark childe, remember that."

Seras glared.

The two enemies had almost literally torn the head of Iscariot's office apart. Their fight had begun immediately and only ended when Alucard had blasted the bullheaded regenerator into a bloody pile on the once shiny wood floor. Alucard had left then and Seras wouldn't have been shocked if he'd done a happy dance. Anderson wasn't dead; of course not- he'd be revived through the Iscariot's warped technology.

Now, however, the pair was due back at Hellsing. Seras sighed. This wasn't a vacation. It was one hellish weekend.

Ahaha…not how I intended this ficlet to be. Very short (the new part), but when I ended for the day I had a lot less to do than I thought I did. This is the end of ficlet 4 though. Maybe another chapter update later today!