Disclaimer: Hellsing belongs to Kouta Hirano. No money involved.

(Re) Building an Empire

Eight Months

Sir Hugh Irons had seen a lot of things in his life, from the most disturbing scenes in WWII to the technological evolution in last decade. When he was little, it was hard to imagine what the world could turn into. He could never expect that telephones would become portable, or that it was possible to communicate with someone the other side of the world in real time. And now, sitting on a garden chair in the middle of British countryside, under a gracious moon, heavily coated against October's cold nights, he conceived that the scene passing before his eyes was, in all his life, the most ridiculous and unforeseeable ever. A millenarian creature, or at least centuries old, holding a Ruger 69097mm, 08 Bolt-Magazine Rifle like a purdy lady. His colleague Walsh wasn't hiding his amusement, screaming demeaning remarks to the two creatures, knowing their kind nature would at most ignore his comments. It was so laughable that Sir Irons was feeling shame for Integra and her useless servants. It had been a good idea to leave Mary at the girl's service. Ann was too cherished and too useful to his household that he couldn't let her leave his side, but the younger maid had some similar character to the one of Sir Hellsing. He sipped his cup of tea powdering how to continue the conversation she was having with the leader of the Round Table, and that had been interrupted when Duke Milford had fallen backwards after shooting the rifle for the first time, high pitched scream involved. The other vampire, Seras Victoria, couldn't help but guffaw at her brother's lame performance. And then Sir Hellsing had to made her stop to bring some order to the shooting practice.

"As I was saying" Irons resumed the conversation "contact lenses don't do it anymore. You know the new members of the Round Table can't be cheated that easily, they know your vampires are weakened but alive. As we speak they are issuing a letter to her Majesty asking for permission to destroy Seras and Duke."

"There's also a radical group, sympathizing the Nazis; that wants the carnage to continue." Walsh picked a cigar from Integra's box without asking for it and lit it. A couple of puffs and a mischievous smile later he continued. "England's most fearful enemy it's now its own people."

"I know, but I trust the Queen's good sense. And besides, Hellsing has no word in a war against human beings." Integra had changed a lot after London's attack. It wasn't only the lost eye, it was more like she had decided to do not stress so much over things. The heavy burden that was always on her back had disappeared. Poor she was; with financial problems and two rambunctious vampires under her orders; but she no longer wished to fill that void that her father had left. She was becoming what she was in reality in the place of Arthur's shadow.

Seras made a demonstration, hitting directly on the spot of a target at two hundred yards from them. Sure they looked like humans, weakened creatures, however they still kept some of their demonic aura, their blood thirst was still there. A thunder like sound provoked by Duke's shot made the old man remember this, upon seeing the high precision range in a quarter a mile target. Still even if the idiot vampire let go the rifle at mid air after shooting.

"You need another blacksmith, someone who can make a weapon fitting for the elder vampire." Irons remarked.

"They are too weak for holding heavy armory." The girl held a smirk; she was actually enjoying the ridiculous display of her elder vampire. She hid her amusement by lighting a cigar.

"That must be the reason behind why he holds the rifle like a girl" Walsh made the discriminatory quirk knowing his interlocutor wouldn't mind. Integra was a better shooter than some male allegedly professionals.

"In fact… she's a girl."

Irons turned slowly to look at her, that was new, he thought. But it wasn't that hard to comprehend, remembering that back in the forties he himself met Alucard with the appearance of a middle school girl. Of course it freaked him out when the little girl started talking with the deep voice of an old man.

"Long story." She shrugged. "So long that not even I know it complete."

"Well, lady or not she doesn't know how to hold the rifle." Walsh bust in laugh, too much at good mood for arguing with Integra about his early comment, he yelled at both vampires again. "Hey bloodsuckers! This isn't a stroll, how come you have only hit two targets? I could do that blindfolded and turned back."

"Mister known-it-all, if you are as good as you say, why don't you give us as lesson!?" The old vampire had still his temper, and even if she wasn't a fighter, Walsh was going too far with his teasing. Duke's voice wasn't as feminine as Irons expected, neither deep as the one he had heard from the vampire night Integra introduced him.

"It seems this newbs need some help." Walsh pushed the cigar on the ashtray and stood up not taking the eyes from the glare the short brunette girl was giving him. The Round Table member was old, but always ready to accept a challenge when someone dealt it. Next minute, Walsh was showing the vampires how to hold a rifle for humans, he even beat up Duke with it when it seemed she had made a stupid question. To Irons, it was surprising how easy going his friend was.

"I can pull some strings at the hospital," Sir Irons continued, not liking the idea of what he was about to say, as it was like betraying God's will by only thinking it. But he cared for Integra who was left alone in the world one more time "they could take the life of some terminally ill—"

"No need." Determined as always, Integra cut his speech abruptly. "Seras decided that she would get back her powers when the moment demands it. And we, Duke and I, respect that decision."

"You are their Master, it's not up to them to take the decisions of their existence."

"Of course they are bonded to me, I can punish them likewise, but if they consider me as useless Master they simply can remove my bond and bond with someone else."

Irons couldn't believe his ears. To think that old conversations with Arthur pointed that the man was having problems to tighten the leash around the monster their predecessors have left on his care. Now his daughter was implying that the creatures of the night weren't tied up at all. The young woman continued.

"The patterns on the back of their hands make them owners of themselves, they are here because they decided to be here. That's what the silly Duke Milford had created, a custom made seal for him and Seras."

"You are saying you didn't seal them at all?" Walsh wasn't going to let this slip by.

"I'm saying they have the leash, and can't live without it. Who will hold the other end... that's their desition."

The blond Draculina made another perfect shot, and the short framed brunette cheered from the sides. A world where the creatures of the devil have the right to decide which path to follow; perhaps being old didn't mean we have seen everything, Irons thought.

Author's Note: I know it's short but it's better than nothing. I've had a serious writter's block about how to make the vampires return to normal, but each time I write a chapter it seems that I'm treating everyone out of character or that the idea is simply too cliché. But it only means that it will take even more time to update, sorry :/