Another chapter! Ill be honest, its been sitting in the works for a while, as have the chapter before and after this, but I'm happy to finally upload this one. Read and review, id be happy to hear what you think, still learning and all. I own nothing, enjoy!

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On her way out to the shower Seras grabbed a large towel and an oversized hoodie to wear over her pyjamas. Despite being a vampire she still felt the cold down in the basement and the nightdress would be less than helpful in battling such an offense. She inwardly apologised to Walter as she made her way to the bathroom, the towel was of an astonishing white and luxuriously fluffy. She had protested in the past to the retainer when being given such items, as she often ended up staining them with blood or grime. Nevertheless he had repeatedly refused to give her different items, saying that 'no one, Miss Victoria, should have the displeasures of using less than splendid linen, not even vampires.' This did little to comfort Seras, who only felt guilty when she handed him the ruined towels, knowing how hard the stains must be to remove.

She looked down at her uniform and sighed. It too was in a state of disrepair and would need replacing; if only she could regenerate her clothing like her master then perhaps she wouldn't have this problem. Sighing in frustration she walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

The large space was strangely modern in comparison to the corridor and the rest of the basement. Clearly refurbished recently, it was tiled with large squares of dark marble on the floor, and the walls were painted obsidian. It was a long rectangular space, with the door in the centre of one wall and the room stretching out either side of it. Seras had been told that it was for the exclusive use of the vampires and she would never see any humans in here, except perhaps Walter who had to clean it.

Opposite the door was a huge floor to ceiling mirror with two sinks in font of it that hung off of the wall. To either side of those were small cupboards, about the size of a mini fridge, each holding different items. Seras used the one on the right, and she presumed the one on the left belonged to Alucard. One time, when she had been especially curious, she had poked about through the draws, only to find it mostly empty, bar a few cleaning supplies, evidently Walters, an unbranded shampoo bottle and a locked, wooden, box. Unwilling to interfere with her masters' privacy, any more than she already had, Seras had left the cabinet, and the locked box, alone after that.

Hers, in contrast, was full of various top brand creams, and soaps. Despite being a vampire Seras still enjoyed her baths and showers and had all the appropriate accompaniments for both. A whole shelf was dedicated to products from Lush and another from a local herbalist who supplied her with essential oils to help healing processes. Sears, personally, wasn't sure of the validity of such claims, but they smelt nice and sweet and helped her relax after particularly hectic nights, and this certainly classed as a hectic night. Placing her clothes on top of the cabinet, Seras looked down either end of the room, she was severely tempted by the enormous bath at one end of the room, but she'd spend hours waiting for it to fill and she'd only end up sitting in a pool of her own watery blood anyways. Sighing she grabbed a large bottle of vanilla smelling soap and a loofah, before padding over to the shower. The walk-in shower was also unnecessarily enormous and sleek, with a large circular showerhead connected to the ceiling. The controls were decidedly space age and had taken a full half-hour to understand when it had first been installed.

Stripping off her ruined clothes Seras jumped in, turned it on, and watched as the hot water and steam from the shower fogged up the gigantic pane of glass. Seras was surrounded in fog and darkness, and suddenly felt like she was back in her dream. She shook off her panic and began scrubbing the dirt and blood out of her hair.

"This is not the time to have a breakdown Seras, you may not be clothed but that is no reason to start being emotional!" she chided herself, but a little voice in the back of her head kept telling her that it was okay to cry, she tried to ignore it but she couldn't stop the rivulets of scarlet blood streaking down her cheeks. They mixed with the water and soapsuds, spiralling down the drain. Seras eventually stopped her crying, feeling better for having done so, and began on the monstrous task of applying enough soap to get the dried blood out her hair.

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Alucard stared at the wall and thought about the conversation he had just had with Seras. He knew his offer was a contrast to their normal exchanges, but her reactions had confused him. When he had made the offer of his coffin to her she had looked so nervous and unsure, scared even. But when he had said that he wouldn't be anywhere near her, she had looked relieved. Was the thought of being close to him really so repulsive? He shook his head of the thoughts; it wasn't as if it mattered to him. It wasn't like he cared about she viewed him. But even as he thought such things he knew it wasn't true. Growling in frustration he stood and tried to find something to distract himself with.

His fledgling's room was fairly bland, much like his own, but she had acquired small items here and there that had given the space a personalised feel. There was a desk, a few chairs and her bedside table she had liberated that was decorated with pictures of her family when she was still a child, and of her squad from cheddar. There was even a photo of her with the household of the Hellsing manor at the Christmas ball.

Alucard picked up the photo and inspected it carefully. Seras, in her usual innocent manner had suggested that they throw a small ball for the soldiers on Christmas day, as a 'boost of moral'. Alucard had thought it a childish idea, but his master had thought it a rather good one and, despite his protests, had thrown it in full force. The soldiers had, to Seras' credit been a lot happier and were more comfortable around the vampires afterwards and the event had been largely successful until a FREAK got on the premises. Although for Alucard this made the occasion even more enjoyable. The un-dead visitor aside, it had been categorised as a success, so much so that Sir Integra had continued to throw the ball every year since. Seras had taken the picture itself on her phone, in what she called a 'selfie'. It was surprisingly good quality and it had the view of the entire ballroom. Seras was at the front, a girlish smile on her face, with sir Integra standing beside her, a small, demure, grin on her lips. Behind them, in the background, was the dance floor which housed an assortment of soldiers in suits and their partners, and behind them leaning against the wall was Alucard and Walter watching the scene with matching grins. Alucard had dressed in a dark onyx suit with a deep red shirt and tie. Walter and Integra were dressed in their usual garments, but it was Seras who had really made the effort that night. After being gifted one of Integra's old dresses, the draculina had set about adjusting and accessorising it to accommodate her more defined figure. The corseted dress had a low v-neck and had tightened so it hugged snugly over her curves. Seras had even cut a large slit up one side, which almost reached her hip, so her leg was exposed. It was a deep burgundy at the shoulders and bust, but as the fabric fell downwards off her hips it blended into a deep charcoal, that pooled around her feet in smooth waves. Seras had been asked to dance so many times that night that there were points her face matched her outfit and Alucard had struggled to take his eyes of his fledgling.

Smiling lustily to himself, Alucard replaced the photo and looked over at the disgraceful bed. He pulled off the spoiled sheets and pillow covers and surveyed the damage done. The pillow itself was undamaged and was suitable to keep, but the mattress was covered in a huge brown and red stains and black splodges where the blood had clotted. Normally he would have just turned it over and pretended to have even noticed it, but the smell was awful as the draculinas bile had also soaked in and created a putrid odour. Sighing he piled the dirtied sheets in the corner of the bead and picked up the clean pillow. He searched the room for a place that Seras may keep spare sheets and blankets.

Having searched everywhere else, even under the ruined bed, Alucard finally decided to walk over to the wardrobe, open the doors, and search for sheets. He was greeted with a pleasantly sweet smell and a neat array of folded clothes. There were draws in the bottom that he assumed were filled with her more private garments, which he ignored for the time being, and shoved in the corner were her large combat boots. On the left side there was a long, slender, hanging rack from which hung the burgundy and charcoal dress along side an old, short, leather jacket. The right side was full of small shelves containing a couple of folded uniforms and some casual clothes. The top shelf, however, had some replacement sheets, useless till the bed was replaced, pillow covers and a thick tartan blanket. Pulling the last two out of the wardrobe he re-covered the pillow and folded the blanket, placing both of them on the table. Closing the wardrobe he noted the small amount of clothes Seras actually owned. The uniforms were mandatory whilst she was working and other than that there really wasn't much else. He really was going to have to teach her regeneration soon, he was getting bored of always seeing her in the same things. He briefly caught his reflection in the mirror and chuckled at the hypocrisy of his statement before moving back to the chair and sitting down and staring at the door awaiting the return of his fledgling.

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Seras towelled off and got dressed into her pyjamas, the dress feeling far to thin against her skin. Pulling on the hoodie, Seras gathered up her supplies and brushed her hair in front of the mirror. The strawberry blond locks were longer than the had been when she first entered the household and they now reached halfway past her shoulders, but still jutted out at the end in an usual spiky form. When she was finished she shoved the brush, and soap back in the cabinet and shoved her dead clothes into a bin. Sighing sleepily she walked out of the bathroom and back towards her bedroom, the towel draped around her shoulders, and thankfully fairly unstained. She stood at the door and smiled at her master, managing to mumble

"I'm ready," through a yawn

"You took your time," He muttered grumpily, standing slowly he picked up the blanket and pillow as he went. He swept past his fledgling and began walking down the frosty corridor, deeper into the confines of the Hellsing basement. Seras quickly hung her damp towel on the back of a chair before turning on her heel and jogging after her master. He regarded her momentarily from the corner of his eye, his gaze felt like snowflakes on her skin; unknown to him, sending shivers down Seras' spine. Her bare feet padded on the ground and without her shoes she felt utterly dwarfed by her master's form, suddenly aware that he must be at least two meters tall, if not bigger.

After a brief walk in silence he suddenly stopped and turned to walk through a large door Seras hadn't even noticed. It was painted a glossy black and, halfway up, an inscription had been painted on, in a language Seras couldn't understand. Feeling unsure as to whether she needed an invite into her master's chambers, Seras stood at the threshold and peered into the cavernous room. It was of a similar size to her room, but much more sparsely decorated. Instead of the four-poster coffin bed that she owned, Alucard appeared only to have a single black coffin. It looked as though it followed the traditional design but was plenty large enough to hold at least two vampires.

Curious, she thought, Master is rather tall, but even he couldn't need all that room... Deciding not to dawdle on the subject Seras decided to look around the rest of the space. Despite the room being poorly lit, there was still enough candlelight to see Alucard's huge throne and next to it a matching chair of a different, but equally grand, design. Seras eye, however, was abruptly drawn to the small, round, table, that sat between the two chairs. It was a supporting a pair of crystal wine glasses and a corked, olive-green, bottle. Yet it was not the items that sat atop the table that had caught her attention, but the dark shape that sat underneath. There, sitting in her master's room, was a large hound, its fur, jet-black in colour and it stared at her with beautiful crimson eyes, which blazed in the warm candlelight.

"Come in police girl. He won't bite you" Seras blushed slightly and took a few timid steps forward into the room, but stopping after she came within two meters of the hound. Her master sat calmly down on his throne, and watched his fledgling, amusement in his eyes. The dog, gracefully rose from its position and wandered over to the fledgling, tail waging gently from side to side. It was a large beast, its back reaching Seras' waist, with features and appearance very much like that of a wolf. She tried not to flinch away as it circled around her, a hungry look in its eyes, but when it drew closer she squeaked only to hear a little chuckle from he shadows in the corner.

"Nice wolf, master" She stammered timidly, still cautious of the animal "If you don't mind me asking…why do you have a hellhound in your room?" The beast seemed to find some sort of satisfaction from being called a hellhound and drew closer to her, a friendlier look in its eyes.

"He's my familiar, a demon that I summon to obey my commands. Most powerful vampires can summon at least one. They are often a reflection of the personality, experience, and wishes of the person who summoned them."

"Oh…" Seras murmured, a slight amount surprise in her voice. So master is like a hellhound? Well I can see that, tenacious unrelenting and endlessly powerful. I wonder if I will have one some day? Although the thought of her very own familiar appealed to her, and she wanted to know as much as possible on the subject, she decided instead to ask, "Does he have name?" LAME she thought to herself

"I decided to call him Osiris, after the Egyptian god of the underworld" Seras looked at her master with perfectly arched eyebrows, shocked by the fact he had a) decided to dignify her question with an answer and b) bothered to give the creature a name. He had never shown such care for another creature before, what made this one so much different?

Bending down slowly, Seras extended a hand to the dog and began to stroke its thick glossy fur. At once its features softened, and its tail began swinging back and forth at a ridiculous rate, a silly smile on its face exposing its endless rows of pointed teeth. She couldn't help but laugh a little; if this was supposed to be a representative of her master then she really must still be dreaming.

"He's adorable," She said, giggling as Osiris rolled over and enjoyed a superb belly-rub

"He's supposed to be a hellhound, one of the most fearsome beasts on earth." Alucard mumbled in mild astonishment and confusion "He is not supposed to do this, what did you do?" Seras made no reply but a happy giggle.

He lounged casually in his chair, watching the pair with a relaxed and consuming gaze. He regarded Seras, taking in her whole appearance, she looked so beautiful in the black sleeping gown, her voluptuous curves teasingly covered by the dark satin. He wondered how it would have felt to the touch, what it smelt like. What she smelt like. His thoughts swirled around him, their images fascinating and tempting, leaving a sharp glimmer in his eye.

He was brought back to the real world by the sound of light laughter and deep bark, it seems that his familiar had sensed, and linked into, his masters thoughts and had taken the chance to jump on the fledging and lick her face. With a sharp whistle, however, Alucard soon had the hound back by the table, a smug expression on its face. Alucard glared at the animal and turned back to face Seras. She was still sprawled on the floor, from being pounced upon by Osiris, but she was laughing jovially to herself as if she were in on a joke he was not. Alucard stood, taking a moment to gather his swimming thoughts, and began to make his way over to the small draculina, trying to suppress the urge to wrap her in a tight embrace and spend the night in the coffin with her.

After helping her stand he led her over to the coffin and handed her the blanket and pillow he had acquired from her room. She smiled in thanks, taking the items; still giggling from being jumped on. She truly was enchanting. Shaking his mind free of her allure, he pushed the lid of the giant coffin open just enough so she could slide inside and offered his hand to her.

"Thank you" she whispered, her laughter finally subsiding, as she took his grasp, stepping into the enclosed space; lying down on soft silk lining. She smiled slightly at her master before closing her eyes and being enveloped almost immediately in sleep. Alucard said nothing in return, but pulled close the heavy lid before returning to his chair, a small frown creasing his face.

I got carried away, he thought to himself, this blasted season, this will effect more than just me. Master will be extremely pissed. He glared down at the smug dog, which had curled up by its master's feet and began the night's slumber. And you! You went and jumped on her, like I would have been so forward! I have some dignity you know.

Oh really? A hellhounds voice replied in his head. It was a deep voice, male in origin, and edged with a slight but charming accent. You are struggling to contain your thoughts and feelings, and her season has barely begun. And now you've let her sleep in your coffin, if that's not forward I don't know what is.

Hers was in ruins; I could hardly expect her to sleep in it!

Yes you could, you're her master. She would have slept on the floor if you told her too. But no, you had to invite her into your bed. You're laying your claim, early as well. Afraid she may go to another?

Such questions do not concern you, Alucard spat venomously

Her smell will be all over bed, it teased

Quiet!

It'll be even stronger now too, you've only added to yo-

ENOUGH! Alucard yelled in his mind. The hound was silent, but it looked at him with bright eyes, glittering with victory. He knew how his master felt for the fledgling and it amused him to see the elder vampire become so distracted. Something like this hadn't happened in centuries, it was sure to be an entertaining show.

The hound closed its eyes and its breathing became a regular beat, indicting it too had finally drifted off. Alucard slowly let his mind drift, the thoughts of his fledgling emanating from his coffin, washed over his mind, lulling him into slumber, like sirens tempting a lost sailor to his ultimate demise.

"You will be the undoing of me Seras Victoria" he muttered, before he to was resting soundly, slumped in his throne.