Title: Through Bloody Tears

Author: LadyRaea

Timeline: Post: Dawn of Sorrow the very bad ending (or the BEST ending if you're like me)

Spoilers: Dawn of Sorrow, Lords of Shadow

Warnings: Overall a Slash/yaoi fic but there will be mentions of hetero, and of course some OOCness though it is unintentional :(

Pairings: Julius/Alucard, Soma/Alucard, ?/Alucard, few others to be added as chapters are added

Disclaimer: Not mine and never will be

Notes: This is a combination of both the original Castlevania Lore with the new reboot of Castlevania. So there will be much smushing and picking and choosing and revival of certain characters along the way but those characters won't show up til a bit later.:) Besides it's a shame some of the characters died since they were pretty interesting.

Julius knelt by a fainting couch that was currently occupied by an unconscious Alucard, in a position the hunter had held for more than an hour now. It was hardly comfortable but he felt a need to remain vigilant at the others side. An unnaturally still Alucard was huddled beneath his cloak which the other pulled at in an attempt to smooth out some of the wrinkles. Had Julius not known any better he might have confused the man as nothing more than a lifeless corpse. He'd always thought the youthful appearing creature looked fragile and ready to break if he were so much as touched but now; skin almost translucent to the point of blue veins clearly visible beneath the thin surface, a face gaunt and marred by shadows that were not there before, and hair that had lost its luminous luster and shine… fragile was putting it lightly.

"Goddamnit Adrian" Julius cursed, stroking the chilled cheek of the other.

He and Yoko hand long since left the odd room they'd found him in such a wreck of a state in deciding it would be unwise to stay in a place that could be open to an attack and left no viable escape routes if matters turned sour. It was only a bonus to get away from that place and that odd black angelic statue, it felt…wrong, looked wrong, even smelt wrong. And whatever had happened had happened there it was a necessity to get away from it.

The two hunters agreed it would be best to retrace their steps to a room in the west wing of the castle that would offer adequate protection, and was also as far away from there as possible. So they had traversed the castle with a near comatose Alucard held carefully in Julius' arms, careful not to aggravate any of the monstrous inhabitants. Those that did come too close were easily put down with a lightening spell or two from Yoko.

As luck would have it their little base of operations was not too far from the area they had been searching for all along; a rift hidden amidst a room of mirrors that would take them to their goal; to Soma. The irony of it all struck Julius and left him with a bitter taste in his mouth; Had Alucard not been attacked and left like this they might not have found it in time to stop Soma, that is if it wasn't too late already. Had the 'happy coincidence' been worth it? In his opinion no, no it damn well wasn't. He'd never seen Alucard like this and he wished he'd never seen him like this; pitiful as a newborn kitten.

Alucard stirred slightly, garbled words that made no sense slipping past his lips as he curled in on himself looking to be in some sort of discomfort, and then as quickly as it came on it was gone and the dhampir was still again.

Julius wanted nothing more than to grab him up and pull him close and tell him he wouldn't let anything hurt him again but he fought the reaction down and stayed where he was. Now was not the time for such things. Still in his crouched position, Julius readjusted himself into a temporarily more comfortable position and instead settled on lightly stroking the hair of the other. He did this often… touching or brushing or braiding the lovely hair. It was a personal cherished ritual of his. 'You'd think you had no hair of your own with as often as you have your hands buried in mine' Alucard would say, a wispy smile touching his eyes but not his lips. Even though he fussed about it Julius knew he enjoyed it just as much.

"I'd like nothing more than to put down my whip and disappear with you into some secluded faraway place and spend the rest of my earthly time finding all the ways possible to braid your hair by day and worship your lovely body in the moonlight…" Julius sighed, "I've been so lucky to find such a person willing to be with me all these years, to be with me even now that my youth has long left me…"

"Oh Julius shut up."

Julius startled violently, jumping up, hand at Vampire Killer as he twisted around to find an agitated Yoko leaning against the doorway. "Yoko" Julius eyed her, "How long have you been there?"

Yoko waved a hand dismissively, "Long enough to hear you blubber about being old and undeserving of Alucard's advances and whatever love he has left in him to give. Seriously, Julius? Shut up, I've seen younger men look twice as old as you are with half the brain cells and wits, besides you are ruggedly handsome, fit, know how to dress stylishly and quite the looker for your age! If we weren't of blood relation *I* would have made an attempt on you!"

Julius huffed and turned away from the girl and gave in to his screeching bones and muscles and pulled a chair over to the couch and plopped himself into it, "That's rich, 'For your age' you say! You don't know what you speak about. You won't understand until you're my age Yoko." Julius fixed a hard eye on the witch, "and this coming from the girl who is constantly on my ass about being "Old and decrepit"? You have room to talk don't you?"

Yoko let out a snort as Julius sulked and strolled over to the hunter, her heels clicking on the tile floor, and slapped the back of his head surprising him. "It's called teasing and I seem to remember somebody calling me a spoiled brat along with many not so nice names. Now stop this, it's unbecoming of you. Leave the brooding for Alucard, that's his thing not yours "Yoko's face broke into a grin, winking at him "He's a lot better at it too"

The Belmont couldn't help but chuckle at the girl. She was right after all. No one could outdo Alucard on that, ever.

Yoko walked an invisible line, her finger waving up and down as she continued to chastise him, "God's Julius you can be such a diva the way you fret over you're appearance I swear! Now grow some balls and man up before I have to electrocute your rear end."

Julius laughed out loud at that, his voice echoing down the adjoining hall. "Yoko you're such an annoying brat." He chuckled, the girls growing smile not going completely unnoticed.

"And you, my friend, are a flamboyant fuck but I love you anyways." Yoko winked again, happy at being able to raise Julius' spirits again.

"Love you too brat" It was certainly times like this when he loved to have Yoko around. The girl, though some thirty years younger was much like an "old" friend while also serving as a sort of surrogate daughter; he could easily cut up and joke with her or on the reverse confide in her and talk to her and tell her things one would only burden family with. He dared not imagine a life without the girl.

Thinking back to her earlier comment Julius had a thought. "So… I didn't peg you for the type to like older guys Yoko."

Yoko shrugged, grinning coyly. "I can like whomever I want can't I?"

"If any man near my age are anywhere within my age range lays a finger on you Yoko I will personally kill them." Julius warned, meaning every word.

Yoko giggled, "Oh my going into daddy mode aren't we?"

Julius crossed his arms defiantly across his broad chest. Somebody had to watch over this girl mind as well be him.

"Ok fine, whatever, but let's discuss this at a later more appropriate time!" Yoko stepped closer to the couch and leaned over Alucard, blond hair falling forward a bit as she got a closer look at him. "How is our lovely dhampir doing?"

"Not well I'm afraid" Julius groaned, rubbing his hands down his face in frustration. "We've lain out of sight I reckon about three days and he's still unresponsive and that's with you attempting to heal him. That's not a good sign."

"What's that mean?" Yoko asked worriedly, "Does it mean he's going to…" She trailed off unable to finish, the color draining from her face.

"God, no!" Julius quickly replied, "No he isn't going to die, he's only weak. No I'm positive the shock to his system when he was…" He paused, not knowing what to say since they still weren't sure what exactly happened, "… attacked has sent him into a sort of early rest in a desperate attempt to gain back some of his strength. At least I think that's what's happened here. "Julius reached up and scratched the back of his head and neck.

Yoko frowned but nodded, "Well that makes sense I guess, sort of like putting yourself into a self-inflicted trance when you are severely drained and need to regenerate energy without distraction. That's what sorcerers and sorceresses do at times when their reserves are tapped out."

Julius nodded, "Yes. Though I think his is more a sort of primal instinct for survival on his part. I'm sure in the best case scenario he would have got himself to some hidden safe spot where he would not be found since he's pretty defenseless as you and I can see, so why he went into…this" he gestured toward Alucard," in the open is beyond me though. It's far from safe in this place."

"Maybe... I know the answer there." Yoko clicked her tongue thoughtfully, straightening up and brushing her thin fingers through her hair as she mused, "He trusts you. That's probably why. He's always seemed at ease when you're near. Instinctively he'd probably feel you'd protect him."

"…you really think that?" Julius was honestly a little taken aback by that. Sure he and Alucard had spent many years covering each others backs and keeping each other company but he'd always pegged it as something of a product of their close confinement with one another and working together day in and out. It wasn't uncommon for working relationships to blend together with passion after all. Secretly he'd always felt something that went far deeper than "casual partnership" with Alucard, more so the older he got when friendships and loving relationships began to have a different light to him…

"Absolutely, Julius. I know it." Yoko persisted, finger wagging in Julius' face making his eyes cross, "I'd bet my family's grimoire on it."

Julius blinked away the double Yoko vision and let his gaze fall back to the man curled into the couch, his fingers finding their way back into the tussled blond hair to stroke absentmindedly. It would be nice… he wanted nothing more than to protect the man…to keep him from falling into despair… to love him.

'I've felt more love with him than I ever felt from my so called 'wife',' Julius glowered mentally, his temper beginning to rise as the age old memory rose to the surface. Yoko picked up on this immediately.

"Julius I've told you once I've told you a hundred times stop thinking about HER. She isn't worth it" Yoko's tone and face were harsh her features softened as she added, "You don't need to think about that woman when you got me as a friend and him as a confidant and lover. She took your son.. Don't let her take your ability to love and trust from you too…"

Yoko rocked on her heels a moment as she chewed her lip in momentary thought before she threw out a blunt, "Besides I'd be willing to bet he's better in bed than she could ever hope to be."

Julius laughed again but didn't answer out loud. …Yoko was right actually if he was honest.

For the moment the subject would be dropped.

"How long do you think this will last?" Yoko quested, lips pursing in thought.

Julius let a sigh out, shrugging, "I honestly don't know. A few days, a few weeks, a few months, hell it can last years from what I've gathered. I guess it depends upon how depleted of strength he is and I'd say he's about tapped out."

Yoko nodded, digesting the information. "I certainly hope this doesn't go on for years we can't afford that…" She trailed off then went in another direction of subject, "So that all said and done I have to bring up serious business Julius." She nodded at Alucard, "What or who do you think did this?"

The hunter's jaw locked as he felt a new wave of anger come on; Soma. It must have been that bastard. "Soma I'd imagine."

Yoko nodded thoughtfully but kept quiet, letting Julius continue. "Adrian isn't just some average hunter who makes mistakes. He's a seasoned fighter whose got an arsenal of dark "gifts" to rely upon so he's a damn force to reckon with and only someone that has some serious power at their disposal could do this to him." A vicious growl bubbled up in his throat as his eyes swept Alucard's slight figure, "He had to have done this…the bastard. He must have enjoyed doing this."

"Julius, calm dow-"Yoko started.

"No! "Julius' fists clenched, eyes not leaving Alucard, "Time is wasted staying here. Adrian will not be fit for the battle any time soon. I will not remain here any longer acting like a scared rabbit hiding in its hole, Yoko. If Soma wants to throw backhanded attacks at us then so be it, I'll rise to the challenge. I'll make him pay for what he's done here. No one attacks someone I care about and gets away with it!"

Yoko cringed as the vampire hunter unbelted Vampire Killer and gave it an expert throw, the whip curling and twisting enchantingly above his head before a loud angry 'snap' echoed in the room as it smacked the floor.

Not good. NOT good.

Yoko attempted to calm Julius but she knew it was well beyond her abilities, when Julius was set on something it took an act of God to get him off of it. It was a reason no one should ever make an enemy of the Belmont, he never forgave and never ever forgot. She wanted to cry as Julius started to gather his things making it clear he was about to go and do something stupid. Something very, very, very, stupid. She had to do damage control and she had to do it now.

"Julius I know what you are thinking, please reconsider!" Yoko pleaded, running over and grabbing Julius' arm to stop him from picking up a pack that had provisions and potions and balms in it. "I know you are angry but you need to stop and take a step back and THINK about what you are doing. You cannot take Soma on alone, especially when you are fired up like this! He'll use your anger against you!"

Julius shrugged Yoko's hands off, "Yoko I am not the first Belmont that has taken on a monstrous power alone and prevailed. There are stories upon stories past down about my ancestors going against Dracula himself and prevailing over and over and over." Julius eyed Yoko studiously, "have you already forgotten who it was that was able to destroy Dracula for good and seal away his power in the first place?"

"Julius you were, what? Seventeen? Eighteen, when you did that? And I think you forgot you did have help then too!" Yoko raised a hand to silence Julius' rebuttal until she'd said her piece, "Listen I'm not bashing you on your age. I stand by everything I said earlier about you being fabulous at this time of your life and able to kick an amazing amount of monstrous butt but.." Yoko hardened her gaze as she fixed it pointedly on Julius' own hard eyes. "..we are talking about taking on Dracula's power in all its glory now being wielded by Soma who has an edge on us all for having the blessings of youth on his side and it certainly counts for something in this battle. We should just leave here now and come back with reinforcements from the Order it's the best option now."

Yoko watched Julius digest the information, his brow furrowing in concentration. For a moment her spirits lifted when she thought she might have gotten through to him. They quickly came crashing down.

"Are you finished Yoko?"

Yoko let out an exasperated sigh, throwing her arms up as she let her own temper get the best of her. "You goddamn idiot! You're going to go get yourself killed and leave me to not only pick up the pieces of my soul but his too!" Yoko snarled pointing toward the oblivious Alucard. "It's bad enough I'd have to live without a man I see as a father figure and a friend but what about Alucard? He might put on a cold façade but inside he's just as human and susceptible to loss as the rest of us. It'd probably kill him just a little more, Julius."

This seemed to penetrate Julius' thick skull and made him consider what he was doing. But it was short lived.

"If it comes to that Yoko…" Julius did look pained as he said this, "I'm sure he'll get over me. I'm not the first person he would have lost, but I have to do this."

'Goddamn thickheaded Belmonts!' Yoko was about to tear her hair from her head. Fine! If he was going to go and do something stupid in the least he wouldn't do it alone.

"Fine Julius if you are so impatient to find death then you will not be doing it alone." Yoko clicked over and ripped her apothecary bag from a table and began to gather up some potions she thought would be most useful.

"Oh no you don't!" Julius roared stomping over to the headstrong sorceress, the roles suddenly reversed. "You will not be coming with me it's too dangerous!"

Yoko whipped her head around and fixed him with a glare, "Oh? We set here originally to face off against him together because we knew it would be our best bet. Why change the plan?" Her gaze flickered over to Alucard momentarily, "It's sad and unfortunate not to have Alucard's help but why should I not come with you?"

"It's dangerous Yoko" Julius grumbled unhappily.

"I know that Julius but I knew that when we came here. I knew that when I entered into the cloister to train my abilities when I was a girl. I have my abilities for a reason and it would have been unfortunate not to have done it, I have my magic so I damn well should use it to try and save the world now. I have years of experience and I've been told I'm one of the strongest sorceresses… The entire world is relying on us."

Julius and Yoko were silent for what seemed like an eternity, neither speaking nor neither willing to back down as they glared at one another.

Yoko crossed her arms defiantly, "…Stupid old fart"

Julius put his hands in his pockets in annoyance, "Goddamn brat…"

They might have continued their stare down of one other, waiting for one or the other to back down but the sound of a pained screech and something hitting the floor shattered their concentration. They both whirled around to find a wide eyed Alucard on the floor, mouth forming silent words.

"Alucard!" Yoko clicked over to him and dropped on her knees to help hold him up. His body was wracked with shivers and his breathing uneven.

Julius was only moments behind Yoko and slid over to them and caught Alucard before his arms gave out and sent him face first into the tile floor. "Adrian? What's wrong?"

Yoko carefully looked at the dhampir, finding his eyes were vacant of any of their normal life, telling her he was not awake in any sense but more so like someone who was in a waking sleep. Awake but still trapped deep within a dream…or nightmare.

"Julius…He's not awake" Yoko told him, giving the young looking man a thorough look over. "Put him back on the couch and we'll figure out what to do from there. It's doing him no good to be on this cold floor."

Julius didn't need to be told twice. He began to lift him but Alucard gave a cry and grabbed Julius' vest, eyes flashing an almost insanity that terrified both Yoko and Julius.

"Don't! Leave! Leave here before it's too late!" He cried in his madness, eyes switching from Yoko to Julius, "Blood.. there will be blood and death and uncovered evil… There will be death..destruction… You will die!" Alucard's fingers squeezed the leather vest, causing Julius to wince, "I saw… I've seen… This place will be our undoing! Leave now!"

"Alucard!" Yoko gasped, genuinely frightened by what the man was sputtering out. Had he seen something? Was he able to see a glimpse into the future?

"Adrian what are you talking about?" Julius pressed, cupping the apparent youth's face in his hands as he stared into his wide very terrified eyes.

"..I don't want to lose you to the dark...or Yoko… Don't let me lose myself…" Alucard started to say something else but just as sudden as this come on it was gone and he fell against Julius, dead to the world once more.

"Alucard!" Yoko screeched, reaching for him, terror in her eyes. Was he…was he… Oh Gods!

"Yoko he's fine, he's still breathing" Julius whispered, rolling back on his feet and standing up with Alucard held carefully in his arms. Yoko followed suit, plucking the black cloak from the floor as she went. She stared worriedly at the pale thing in Julius' arms.

"What.. What was that all about…" She wondered aloud, finding she was deeply disturbed by it. She'd never seen such…fear from the other. It truly as if he'd had a vision of the future… perhaps they should take his advice. "..It was as if he saw something… like he'd seen our future Julius."

"I'm sure it was a spasm of sort and nothing to worry ourselves over" Julius offered, clearly not believing his own words but not wanting to believe what he'd just heard come from Alucard either. He held the near weightless man close for a moment longer then carefully put him back in the large fainting couch and just as carefully adjusted him into a more comfortable position. He took the cloak from Yoko and tucked it around the man again.

Yoko hugged herself and balanced her weight on one leg as she began to ponder what just happened. "Julius... I'm going to suggest again that maybe we should listen and leave. This might be bigger than us…we might need help."

"No." The word held no anger only defiance from the vampire hunter. "We cannot abandon this, we are all that stand between the survival of humanity."

Yoko sighed, her will finally broke. There would be no talking Julius out of his plans this she knew. She walked tiredly over to a chair and pulled it back over to where Alucard lay, the furniture had apparently been knocked away as Alucard had his fit. She carefully lowered herself into it, resigning herself to Julius' will. She unhappily watched Julius gather everything he wanted which honestly was very little, only two small bags; one small weapons and one potions and elixirs.

Julius tied the small pouches with his provisions on his belt that he'd settled upon instead of a large bag that only would have hindered him, "If I'm not back in four hours then get yourself and him out of here." Julius nodded toward Alucard, a sadness reflecting in his dark eyes, "Yoko…please.." He paused trying to find the words he wanted, "..Please watch over Adrian, you are all he has to protect him now."

…it was as if Julius knew he wasn't coming back…

Yoko had to bite back tears and instead put on a cold impassive face that even Alucard would have been impressed by, "Very well. I'll guard him with my life Julius. Please just watch yourself carefully and try and come back to us."

Julius nodded and gave a halfhearted smile, "Don't worry Yoko I intend to wipe the floor with the whelp and then leave this place forever with you two."

Yoko smiled a real smile back, "Good luck, speed and protection to you."

Julius nodded and silently slipped out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway for a time.

.Step.

'Don't cry'

Yoko immediately set about weaving a protection spell, her fingers moving skillfully as if physically weaving it.

Step..Step…Step.

'You can do it Yoko.'

Once it was stable she introduced a destructive spell within the protection spell to have added protection. With this weaved together not only would there be a barrier set about the room to keep things out it would react violently if anything unwanted tried to enter. The result if anyone or thing other than Julius, herself, or Alucard tried to enter or leave would be their body imploding rather painfully.

Step….step…...step.

"Oh Gods please don't cry…"

At last the echo of steps died just as she finished up the spell and set it about the room. With nothing to focus on Yoko felt her resolve break in the oppressive room. She knew that Julius would not return and they were all living on borrowed time. She felt it…she knew it. Something terrible was going to happen. She knew it Alucard seemed to know it too.

Not knowing what else to do Yoko buried her face in her hands and sobbed quietly as her long hair fell to shield her face from the hopelessness around her.