A/N: New chapter, fresh off the beta's email. For the one who commented on it, I want to know what you've been reading that a few weeks is a long time to wait for an update. Also, most of my chapters will be around the thousand word margin. That's just how I break them up for most of my fics, with only a few exceptions. Other than that bit, thanks for all the great reviews, peoples. They really cheer me up when I read them. Also, since I was recently reminded, I'd like to credit my girlfriend for the fantastic title of this fic. She came up with it when I was agonizing for something that wouldn't sound too overused.

Before I forget, I'd like to say that I don't own Gundam Wing, Hellsing, or Dracula. I'd like to, but I don't. So read, enjoy, and leave a nice review on your way out the door or you'll make the kitsune sad. Also, I've been told to add "That if you make the Kitsune sad... Said girlfriend will come hunt you down." And that is a direct quote from the lovely girlfriend, unaltered in any way, shape or form. I feel loved.

"Violet Turned Red"

Chapter Five

She-Dragon

Even if he hadn't heard and smelled the men, Duo would not have been surprised to see a pair of armed guards waiting for him when he emerged, dried and dressed in the navy green fatigues he'd been given. This was how he and the other pilots would've treated a potentially dangerous, yet possible ally.

The men regarded him with a mix of curiosity and caution. Slipping back into his role of joker, he gave them a lazy grin and a nod. There was a little unease in their expressions, but Duo didn't think it was just in response to the fangs he's just flashed.

"So where to, gentlemen?" he asked, carelessly slinging an arm around each of their shoulders. "Maidens to slay and dragons to rescue?"

Something in what he said seemed to amuse the two, for they were both hiding snickers when the taller of the two, a blond man with a scar under his eye, answered. "Sir Hellsing wants to see you in her office immediately."

"To the she-dragon's lair it is," Duo quipped, earning a light chuckle.

He followed the two men up out of the dungeon-like lower levels of the building and into the house proper. Duo whistled, impressed by the age and size of the place. It reminded him a lot of some of Quatre's nicer places, only darker. He was led into an entrance hall and up the grand staircase. When they stood before a set of double dark wood doors, his escorts left him.

Rather than stand there feeling awkward in the hall, Duo pushed it open. Seras and Pip were already in the room, standing on either side of the door and facing away toward the head of the room.

He immediately wanted to ask if the woman at the desk had any relatives name Une, but stalled the impulse before his mouth could open. No need to look like an idiot first off; there would be plenty of time for that at a later date. Duo settled instead for getting a good look at who he was going to be working for for the undefined future.

Integra looked her new employee over closely, blue eyes stopping on the damp braid and catching on the silver chain just barely visible around his neck before landing on the simple ring he wore on his left hand. She knew this Maxwell to be examining her in much the same way, and found that she approved. You didn't survive long in Hellsing if you didn't view everything with a wary eye on the details.

"So, where's vampire number three?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"What makes you think that there is a third?" she replied, lifting an eyebrow.

The new vampire jerked a thumb back toward Bernadotte. "My old buddy here judged my potential against my grandsire when Seras was readily available. That suggests that you're quite familiar with the old fang face. And if you'd been enemies, I'd think Mama-dearest would have protested a bit more. Ergo, three vampires working for Hellsing, myself included."

Integra smiled in her own way. "Nicely deduced, Mr. Maxwell. Unfortunately, Alucard is on a mission at the moment, due to return sometime tomorrow night."

"There's a vampire named Alucard?" Duo asked incredulously. "As in the reverse of Dracula? Lady, you wouldn't happen to have an ancestor named Abraham, would you? Because otherwise I think there a couple of animes have copyright to that name."

"Your accent," she commented, ignoring his gibe. "You're American?"

"From L2, actually," he said.

"I was under the impression that there weren't many colonists working in the Preventers, on Earth especially," Integra said.

"There're a decent handful of us," Duo said with a shrug. "Though, I'll admit that I've met most of them."

Nodding, the woman stared intently at his face. "There's something familiar about you, Mr. Maxwell."

"Maybe you've seen me on the news," the shinigami said. "I know the cameras have caught me once or twice hanging out with Quatre or Relena. And my partner is her boyfriend, so that isn't too rare."

"Perhaps."

Duo stepped forward to place both hands on the desk and lean in, causing both Seras and Walter to stiffen. "Now, I'm still waiting to hear just what your jolly band of men and monsters do here, especially since it seems seems that I'm being drafted to join you."

Integra threaded her fingers together in front of her, looking into his red eyes. "It's fairly simple, Mr. Maxwell. We hunt down and kill ghouls and vampires like you. When England is threatened by any sort of supernatural force, we search and destroy."

"Sounds like fun," Duo said with a predatory grin. "About how often do you get to go out and do this?"

"Often enough," Integra said with an identical smile. "I'm sure you'll hear plenty of tales from the men."

"Oh, I'm definitely planning on pinning Pip here into a corner until he talks." There was an audible gulp from by the door. "We've got a couple of years to catch up on. Including the reason why I'm the dead one."

"That's another thing I'm curious about, Mr. Maxwell," the woman said. "Just how did you fall in with a family of mercenaries yet end up as a Preventer rather than one of them."

"That's easy," Duo said, straightening back upright before slipping into an easy slouch. "I didn't. Solo, Pip to you folks, and I grew up on the streets. A bunch of us brats got sick when one of the plagues ran through, one-eye over there included. I thought he died. Somehow, the details still haven't been given to me, he ended up with his family again. Fast forward to today, and there you go."

Sharp blue eyes looked past him to the other braid bearing man. "I'll want a full explanation at a later time, but not now. See to it that Mr. Maxwell is given a proper uniform. Victoria, has he been given a room?"

"Not yet," Seras said, shaking her head. "We've been busy explaining things."

"I want him settled before sunrise," Integra said firmly. "You're all dismissed."

"Yes sir."