A/N: Thank you to danceofgold and all others who reviewed. Oh, character death and return of another! Here we go.

Chapter 10: A King's Secret Heart and A Baron's Return (Arikado/Alucard then Mathias/Dracula's POV)

The first person to greet us at the airport as soon as we touched down was Joachim. He didn't look pleased in the least. Uh oh… I thought. I'm in for it. My father-in-law looked at me then at the angered silverette.

"Who's that?"

"Joachim," I said as I tried to hide behind my father-in-law. "He looks pissed."

"Looks more like a hissy fit." My father-in-law said. "Sure that's not a woman?"

"I'm sure." I said. We would have spoken more but Joachim came over.

"Adrian, what are you doing here?" He asked, his arms crossed with annoyance.

"I'm here to help." I said. Joachim looked at me then at my father-in-law.

"Who are you?" He purred.

"I'm taken." My father-in-law said, not falling for the vampire's allure. "Anyway, where's Mathias?"

"He's at the Shrine. I'm here to pick you up."

"I'm not paying you can tell that to your pimp."

"Padre, that's….oh hell, this is too funny, excuse me." I put my head down and laughed. I couldn't help myself. Joachim looked at my father-in-law with a blush.

"I am not a hooker." He said. "My name is Joachim Armstair."

"Ok Joan of Arc can we get going?"

"Such impudence for a mortal," Joachim seethed. "Let's just go." With that, he turned and floated out of the airport. My father-in-law and I exchanged a glance then he shrugged.

"Well, if he sticks around long enough, I know exactly what to get that guy for Christmas." We walked to the car and climbed into the back seat. Joachim didn't say another word to us through-out the entire drive to the Shrine. It didn't take us long to arrive.

My father was there to meet us and he had a smile for us. In fact, he looked happier.

"Welcome to Japan." He said as he greeted my father-in-law. "How was your trip?"

"It was pleasant, thank you." My father-in-law said with a smile as they shook hands. "And what's with balloon guy?" My father looked confused for a moment before looking behind us and looking at Joachim.

"Oh," He said, hiding a smile. "What did he do?"

"He floated." My father-in-law said. "Now either he's light on his feet or he likes to make his vampirism known."

"I do apologize for that." My father said, glaring at the silverette. "Please, we don't have a lot of time." My father-in-law allowed my father to escort him inside while I blocked Joachim's way.

"Ok, what's the problem?"

"What do you mean?" Joachim asked, trying to get passed me. I wasn't having it.

"Something's happened between you and my father?" I asked, getting straight to the point. Joachim looked at me and sighed.

"We're not working out." He said. "We were happy for a while but,"

"But what," I encouraged.

"He loves Leon too much." Joachim said. "We were making out and he called out Leon's name." I winced at that. My father really blew it. I walked with him and we entered into the Shrine. I decided to talk to my father when I had the chance.

My 'chance' came after dinner. I excused myself and my father from the table and we decided to take a stroll. We walked around in the garden and sat down at the first available bench.

"Father, what's going on?" I asked. My father looked at me and then at the heavens.

"Adrian, I can't…I can't…."

"Father what is it?" I asked. My father hid his face in his hands and cried silently. I held him and offered what comfort I was able.

"I can never….I want him back…I need him."

"Joachim is not too far away Father."

"No boy he's not who I pine for." My father said, blood tinged tears running down his cheeks. I handed him a handkerchief which he accepted and wiped away his tears. "No, the one I pine for I can never have."

"Mother," I wondered. Again my father shook his head.

"I love your mother no matter what, but I would never, I couldn't…change her. Elisabetha I will never forget her, she was sweet and loved me, as I loved her. But the one I want was the one who denied me." I thought about this, and then it hit me.

"Leon….Belmont…." I said. My father looked away, fussing with the handkerchief. How deep did their friendship go?

"I never told Elisabetha, or your mother. Don't get me wrong, I loved them both but Leon, I've loved him since we were children. We…"

"Father, I love you no less." I said, encouraging him to continue.

"We….were found out." He said. "Our love was considered sacrilegious and was therefore forbidden. My father arranged my marriage to Elisabetha and Leon to Sara. Married I may have been, but my love for Leon never wavered, nor his for me….We met in secret, even within our Company. I loved Elisabetha, dearly, and she knew of my love for Leon. She never shunned me. When she died, a part of me died with her. When Leon announced his upcoming wedding day, I was furious. I didn't blame him; I blamed the Lord, for taking Elisabetha away from me, and then, Leon. I blamed Him again when your mother was executed. All I wanted, was peace and to be happy, as you two are." I held my father and sighed. I knew that he went through a lot; I just didn't know how much.

"I offered Leon a place at my side, but he refused me. I felt my heart break and again, I blamed the Lord. I hated him. But now, you, Soma, and the children give me a new sense of purpose worth fighting for."

"Father, if you could have the Baron back…."

"I'd make him mine in a heartbeat." My father said. "My feelings towards him never changed. His descendants may have kicked my ass and sent me to my grave more than once but Leon remains an angel in my eyes."

"Father, what of Joachim…"

"Adrian, please," My father said. "At first, at your wedding, I thought we would…but now, I don't see that happening."

"Father, you have to let the Baron go." I said. "I know it's hard but….he'd want you to be happy."

"Consider me selfish but he makes me happy." My father said firmly. "I would rather him at my side." He stood up and walked back into the house. I sat in silence for a moment then took out my cell, dialed Soma's number and waited.

"Hello?" I heard my beloved ask. I smiled and relaxed.

"Hello my angel."

"Adrian!" Soma's voice said happily. "How are you and Dad doing? Did you get to Japan alright? How's everyone?" His energetic voice brought a laugh and smile to my face.

"Calm down my angel," I chuckled. "We arrived safely, we're doing fine and all but two are well."

"Who's not well? What's the matter?"

"My father and Joachim are not well. They're…what's the term I'm looking for?"

"Breaking up?" Soma supplied and I nodded. "Why, what happened?"

"My father loves another."

"Oh man, who…."

"Baron Leon Belmont."

"I thought he was dead…I mean we saw his grave…."

"He is dead but Father won't let go and move on." I said. There was silence on the other line and I knew my beloved was thinking.

"Is there a spell to summon up the dead?" He asked. I blinked and racked my brain. There were too many spells on that particular subject.

"Care to specify?"

"Well, like to speak with dead?" He asked. I thought about that and it seemed like a good idea.

"That might work." I said. "I'll arrange it and I will let you know how it worked. But before that, how are you and our children?"

"I'm a bit tired and the children are fine. My mother's a bit grossed out at what I have to drink but she makes sure I get it." I chuckled at that, picturing Soma's mother's expression as she serves up blood to her son. Simply priceless!

"All right my angel, rest now and I will call you…."

"Later…" My beloved said. "Need beauty sleep….."

"You'll always be beautiful in my eyes Angel." I whispered. "I love you."

"We love you too." Soma said. "The children made themselves known….little demons." I laughed and after another exchange of 'I love you' we hung up and I went to find my father. He was in the study.

"Father, gather everyone," I called up to him. "We're going to speak to the Baron!"

(Mathias/Dracula's POV)

I thought long and hard at what Adrian and I discussed and I knew that he was right, but I just couldn't let my beloved go. I knew Leon would never forgive me….I knew I hurt Joachim but he couldn't hold a candle to Leon. Leon was my heaven, my very own angel and I wanted him. Adrian roused me from my tantrum by saying we were going to speak to my Leon. I felt my heart race and I was excited. I nodded and in post haste, I had everyone gathered around the table in the study within the hour.

"What's all this about?" Joachim asked as he took a seat. I saw Matthew approach and stand on my right and Adrian on my left. Miss Yoko and Miss Mina were on either side of Joachim.

"We're going to summon up the Baron." Adrian said. Joachim looked at him then sighed. He didn't like the idea but I knew that he wanted me to be happy. We gathered hands and Adrian nodded to Miss Yoko.

"Do you have something personal of the Baron's?" She asked. My heart dropped. I didn't.

"I do!" A new voice from the window said as they walked into the light. We all gasped.

"SOMA," My son cried as he scooped up his beloved into a hug. "What are you doing here?" Soma didn't say but he held the Vampire Killer up for us to see.

"Figured you might need this," He said. "But as soon as it's done, I'll need it back." I looked to my son-in-law with tears of gratitude and I was graced with a smile. I knew my son was angered but he would deal with his beloved in his own time and in his own way. Miss Yoko took the whip and placed it in the center of the circle. Soma sat out of the circle, rubbing his stomach. I knew it was for the best. The boy was powerful but he already put enough strain on his body by coming here. Wait, how did the child get here? I thought. I put the question into the back of my mind and focused.

"Warriors from times past and beyond we call to you on our hour of need." Miss Yoko said. "We ask for Baron Leon Belmont to come forth and show himself." The room went dark for an instant then we all saw a pillar of silver light. There, within in, I saw my beloved. His eyes opened and my heart stopped. He smiled and looked at me lovingly.

"Mathias." He said. "Where am I, why can't I touch your face?"

"Beloved, this is the year 2038 almost 2039."

"Is it? Why am I here?"

"You're needed Baron." Adrian said. Leon looked at my son and did a double take.

"Am I drunk? You two look like twins."

"This is my son." I said as I looked at him. "And he's really a blonde."

"Ah," Leon said good-naturedly. "But why do you need me?"

"Evil powerful forces are on the rise Baron." Adrian said. "And your descendant's successor is unable to partake in the battle, for he is expecting."

"I see." Leon said. "But there's another reason as to why I'm here isn't there?" I looked down a bit.

"Leon, I can't deny it. I love you, I always have and I always will. I want you with me and even though I can't change what's happened all these years, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

"Mathias," The Baron said. "I never stopped loving you. I always knew you would break free of the darkness and despair. But, I have no physical body as you can see." Yoko was about to say something but Soma screamed. We turned to him then to the direction he was pointing. Joachim's body moved as with a will of it's own and jerked like a marionette. I looked around for the puppet master but found no one.

"Do you honestly think I didn't know of your little coup?" A voice hissed. "I will get what I want and no one will stop me." With that, Joachim's body lunged to attack my son-in-law! Before I could think, I grabbed the nearest thing: A silver sword and cut Joachim's head off. The body went to the floor and Leon watched.

"Mathias…" He began. I threw down a fireball and watched the body burn. Leon surprised us by leaving the pillar of light and going to Soma.

"Are you all right," He asked. Soma looked up at my beloved and gasped.

"You're…Alive…."My son-in-law said. I turned to face them and agreed. Leon was standing before us, alive and aged very little. His face was still young but I saw a hint of silver in the golden tresses. I didn't care, I still loved him.

"Mathias…" He said. I went to my knees, crying. For the first time since my son's birth I was thankful. I got to my feet and kissed the blonde, putting all I had into it. My heart soared when he responded in kind. I heard a throat clear and we broke away.

"Excuse me you lovebirds but I need the whip back." Soma said gently. Leon looked at him and smiled, picking up the Vampire Killer, and handing it over to my son-in-law.

"Thank you," He said as he took it and was about to replace it on his side when a thought came to him. He held the whip over to Leon.

"Maybe, its best if you take it right now." Soma said. "I can't right now…."Leon looked at him and nodded, placing the whip onto his side.

What is Leon doing back?

"We'll need the help Julius." I heard my son-in-law say. "Besides, Mathias wants him here."

What, I thought he and Joachim….

"Joachim tried to attack me. Mathias killed him."

Holy crap! So what now?

"We make do." Soma said, turning to face my son and I. "Er, Julius I'm in trouble."

Don't worry, I brought here I'll take the rap.

"Julius," My son growled, his eyes turning red in his anger. I raised an eyebrow at the display of emotion. "You brought Soma here?"

There was no other way. Julius' voice said. His mother's here too.

"There better be a good reason as to why." My son growled. I placed a hand onto his shoulder and he calmed. Matthew walked to us with his wife in tow. I did a double take.

"Shanoa," I said. She looked at me and bowed a bit.

"Lord Cronqvist." She said. "I believe you have me mixed up with my grandmother. I am here namesake."

"More like her replica." I said. "But what are you and Soma doing here?"

"Soma saw that we were being attacked and he grabbed me and the whip and before I could say anything, here we are." My son looked at his beloved and sighed.

"Angel why didn't you…."

"I didn't want to worry you." Soma said as he bowed his head. "I may be pregnant Adrian but I can still think on my feet."

"Again you could've put yourself and the children at risk!" Adrian said sharply. "Father would you…." I nodded and examined my son-in-law. I smiled at the result.

"They're perfectly fine." He said. "But I can see that their mother is tired." Adrian picked up the silverette and left. Leon looked on then followed. I followed Leon and watched as he helped Adrian with Soma.

"Baron you don't have to…."

"Leon," Leon interrupted him gently. "You don't have to be so formal with me." My son nodded and turned to the task at hand.

"At least no one was harmed from this little trip." My son said as he kissed his beloved. "Please Angel you have to return to Spain."

"Spain?" Leon asked his curiosity perked. Soma looked at him and nodded.

"That's where I'm from." He said. "And my husband's right, I should have remained but…"

"We could only learn from what was done." Leon said gently. "Don't upset yourself. It's not healthy."

"Soma, baby, it's time for your 'medicine'." I heard my son-in-law's mother say. My son-in-law excused himself and left with my son, leaving Leon and I alone.

"How long has it been?" Leon asked. I looked at him and brushed a wild lock behind his ear.

"Too long," I said gently. "We have many years to make up for."

"After we deal with the evil at hand," My beloved said, the Knight coming out. No matter what I said, Leon was determined. "Then, we can talk." I smiled at that and looked forward to the future.

Well, yes, Leon is back and I figured why the hell not?