Lelouch clutched Alucard's sleeve with one hand while the other held his collar over his nose. Their group had been wandering for the past several days, Nunnally held in Alucard's grasp while he and Suzaku remained on foot.
Today was the hardest part of the journey, something far worse than the dangers of the Britannian military.
They were wandering a vast expanse of corpses. Men and women, young and old, all left to rot. Whatever nature had been present was now buried by the carrion and dried blood.
He could only hope that Nunnally didn't recognize the scent of blood.
Lelouch shifted his glance, looking over to Suzaku. The boy in question had his head down, not daring to look up out of fear of seeing the corpses around them. Lelouch looked back to Alucard, the Vampire didn't appear all that bothered by the carnage around them. "Alucard, you said there was a town coming up?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes, it's just a bit farther," Alucard replied.
Lelouch cast a glance at the field of corpses, unease creeping up his spine. All the dead littered the fields, yet the town was still far away. The unease grew worse as the corpses gave way to grass and the sun began its descent. Suzaku shuttered before he looked up, tears running down his face as the town came into view. The buildings were marred with gunshots and rubble, numerous cars were left abandoned along the main road. Lelouch's eyes crept along the ruins, taking in every detail. 'This... it feels wrong, I know that Britannia is conquering Japan, but this place is too far from the main lines to be hit like this,' Lelouch pondered.
'Yes, a horrid scent permeates the air around here,' Alucard's voice echoed in his mind. Lelouch almost froze but kept enough composure to continue walking.
'What kind of scent?' Lelouch inquired as a light could be seen down the street.
'It reeks of Ghouls, but the behavior isn't right,' Alucard replied as a van could be seen on the street. Lelouch took in the sight, a small collection of abandoned cars having been moved out of its path. Just a bit ahead were three people, two older guys who were busy pushing another car out of the way alongside a girl around Lelouch's age who was handling the steering wheel.
The first one to notice them had red hair and a headband holding it above his forehead, a submachine held with a shoulder strap resting against his right side. The other followed the first one's gaze, the black-haired man's eyes widened as he saw their group. The girl turned, her red hair akin to the first man leading Lelouch to assume she was his sibling, her eyes filled with curiosity as they approached.
Lelouch gave them a small wave as the black-haired man approached. He kneeled to look over both him and Suzaku before his gaze lingered with concern as he looked at Nunnally. His eyes made a quick glance at Alucard before they turned to the way they came from. "Are you kids ok?" he asked.
"Who's that?" Nunnally asked from her spot in Alucard's grip.
"Oh, uh, my name's Kaname Ohgi," Ohgi introduced himself. Nunnally held out one of her hands to feel around as Lelouch stepped forward.
"We've... been walking to a safer place, Vlad's been keeping us safe," Lelouch said as Ohgi let Nunnally hold onto his hand.
"Are you all siblings?" Ohgi asked.
"No, I'm their bodyguard," Alucard spoke up. Ohgi seemed to look them over, his eyes lingering on Suzaku before they seemed to widen.
"Kururugi?" Ohgi whispered as Suzaku tried to avoid looking at him. Ohgi looked the group over, his face a mix of concern and conflict. "You guys, you walked through that?" Ohgi asked, not wishing to talk about the field of corpses.
"We've been walking for days, can we please get a ride?" Lelouch asked, not wishing to linger on the topic. Ohgi stood back up and turned to look back at the others. His gaze lingered on their group.
"I'll have to ask Kozuki," Ohgi said in honesty. Lelouch kept his eyes on him as Ohgi walked back to the others and began talking with the red-haired man.
'What are they saying?' Lelouch asked Alucard.
'They'll let us catch a ride, but Kaname suspects that you are a Britannian prince,' Alucard replied as the group turned back to them.
"Alright, you can catch a ride, but we have to move the rest of these cars out of the way," Ohgi said, gesturing to the cars still scattered along the road.
"Thank you," Lelouch said as Alucard approached the van. Ohgi watched as Alucard let Nunnally into the back passenger seat and buckled her in. Lelouch and Suzaku walked forward; "Can we do anything to help?" Lelouch asked.
"If you want to help, can get in the driver's seat of the remaining ones and set them to neutral?" Kozuki asked and he and the girl began moving to one of the other cars. Lelouch nodded as Suzaku approached one of the cars ahead.
Lelouch watched as Suzaku messed with the car door, opening it up with little difficulty. Lelouch climbed in, straining himself as he shifted the gear to neutral. "Lelouch?" Suzaku asked.
Lelouch turned back to him; "What?" he countered.
"They recognize us," Suzaku stated with nervousness.
"I saw, but they don't seem hostile to us," Lelouch replied.
"Do you think they will try to sell us out?" Suzaku asked.
Lelouch said nothing, just giving Suzaku a look that screamed 'Are you Serious.' "Alucard," Was all Lelouch said as Suzaku frowned. "Suzaku... Britannia bombed the estate knowing that we were there, I won't rather we stay away from anyone who doesn't pass Alucard's check," Lelouch said.
"And they did?" Suzaku asked.
"Yes, do you think he would let Nunnally hold Kaname's hand if he didn't allow it?" Lelouch countered. Suzaku said nothing, only glancing back as the aforementioned Vampire approached. No words were said as Lelouch took hold of the wheel and let Alucard push the car out of the way. Suzaku stepped back, turning his attention to one of the other cars still in the way.
Lelouch stepped out of the car as Suzaku took the wheel of the next one. Alucard huffed before he pushed it out of the way like the prior one. Lelouch looked out as the Sun began to disappear, darkness flooding the streets from corners and alleyways. Lelouch looked out, seeing that Kozuki had already pushed the last car out of the way. Lelouch began walking back to the working car, Suzaku not far behind him.
Then something cried out.
It wasn't a cry of desperation or fear, it was a cry of hunger let out by an animal.
Lelouch froze as he saw Alucard scowl, the vampire retrieving a pistol from his coat. A quick glance at Kozuki showed that he was preparing his submachine gun and keeping his younger sister close to him while they made for the van. 'Definitely Ghouls,' Lelouch heard Alucard surmise. Lelouch's eyes ran to the van, seeing that Ohgi had now taken the driver's seat and was in the process of starting it. Lelouch felt Alucard's free hand begin pushing him to the van, Suzaku not far behind them. 'Best take care of the problem now, I'll catch up to you later,' Alucard spoke telepathically. Lelouch barely had a moment before he found himself at the door of the van. Kozuki's younger sister was already inside as Alucard brought him and Suzaku in as well.
Lelouch looked out, his eyes narrowed as he looked out at the darkness around the town.
"Big Brother, what is it?" Nunnally asked.
"It's... just a wild animal," Lelouch lied, his gaze centered on a pair of red glowing eyes emerging from the darkness.
"Mister Kozuki, Mister Kaname, it would be in your best interest to get moving, I'll catch up," Alucard said loud enough for them all to hear.
"What is Vlad doing?" Nunnally asked.
"He's going to distract it, but he'll be back," Lelouch answered as he heard Suzaku and the girl buckle in. Nunnally just gave a concerned whine as Lelouch looked out to see more eyes glowing through the darkness. His grip tightened on the seat as the first of the Ghouls crawled into the light, a decrepit figure missing part of its right arm and half its face.
"Holy Shit!" Kozuki let slip as he got into the car. "Ohgi, I think we should move," Kozuki said as he kept his eyes on the Ghoul.
"Don't have to tell me twice," Ohgi said as he put the van into drive.
Lelouch felt Suzaku pull him into one of the seats, yet he didn't take his eyes off the approaching Ghoul horde. Alucard was calm as he stood between the horde and van, the lone gun in his hand leveled at the nearest Ghoul. 'Don't worry Young Master, I'll be back,' Lelouch felt Alucard say with full confidence.
"Vlad," Nunnally muttered as the Van made a turn. Lelouch jerked to the side before he felt both Suzaku and the other girl grab onto him.
"Buckle in," Suzaku said, desperately trying to avoid looking at the Ghouls. Lelouch felt the Van speeding and took his advice, grabbing the nearest seat and buckling in. He gave one last glance as Alucard began fighting the Ghoul horde.
Suzaku wandered the small camp with a slight strain. Both Mr. Kaname and the Kozuki siblings, Naoto and Kallen respectively, allowed them to stay while Alucard was gone. It was a nice place, far away from the fight between Britannia and the retreating Japanese lines. Having actual food and a proper place to sleep for the first time in days was a nice change.
But something still ate at him.
Well, many things; The invasion, Alucard, Those Monsters from the ruined town.
But what lingered in his mind, was the image of his father clutching the knife lodged in his guts. He killed him, he killed him and it was covered up before anyone outside of the high-ranking members of the Japanese government could find out. His father demanded that every citizen of Japan fight to the bitter end, something that would cost millions of lives.
Suzaku stopped as he felt a sickness grip his stomach, a hand desperately running to cover his mouth. He made sure no one was around, so he made way for the small spot they had camped in. Lelouch and Nunnally were gone, most likely somewhere near the impromptu mess hall as it was around noon. Suzaku took deep breaths, clutching his stomach as tears ran down his cheek. As the sickness subsided, Suzaku shivered and let his back rest against the wall.
Suzaku ran his hands to his sides, kneeling as he tried to shut himself off from the world.
Suddenly a shadow loomed over him, a hand reaching out near him. Suzaku looked up, regret taking hold as he found himself staring Alucard in the eyes. That same smug grin, filled with sharp fangs which promised a brutal and messy death should you fight him.
"So, how did it feel to kill your father?" Alucard asked.
Suzaku jumped back, glaring at the monster in front of him. "I... I had to..." He desperately said.
"Oh, I won't judge, I killed my father too," Alucard said with a tooth-filled smile.
"He... They... I..." Suzaku found himself lost for words.
"Now, before you swallow your tongue, listen well," Alucard said as he kneeled in front of him. "You... wanted to stop his orders from leading every man and woman of this country from dying under Britannia's boot," Alucard stated. "You felt you had no choice, and the others around you covered it up, yet it lingers," Alucard said.
Alucard began to laugh, even as Suzaku found himself tearing up.
"Allow it to linger, but do not let it conquer you," Alucard said. Suzaku felt his thoughts freeze as Alucard put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We can never know what would have happened had your father lived on as the conflict worsened," Alucard stood back up, pulling Suzaku to his feet. "Considering what I know, you probably saved a lot of lives despite the many deaths caused by the conflict," Alucard said. Suzaku remained speechless, just looking up at Alucard.
"Why?" Suzaku croaked out.
"I see something in you Kururugi, something capable of blooming should you cultivate it," Alucard said. "Give yourself a reason, no, a purpose to live on," Alucard proclaimed. Suzaku remained silent, just watching as the Monster walked away, his mind racing.
Lelouch and Alucard stood in the center of the "meeting room" set up for the camp, across from them stood Ohgi and Naoto. It wasn't long after Alucard had returned that Ohgi and Naoto asked them to meet in the room. So, Lelouch left Nunnally with Suzaku and Kallen (Naoto's younger sister who they had met in the town as well) and told Alucard to follow.
"Alright, I'm going to ask since you two clearly recognized those... "things" we saw back in that town, why?" Naoto inquired.
Lelouch took in a deep breath as Alucard gave him a smug grin. "Those things... are known as Ghouls, they were once human, once," Lelouch said with a serious tone.
"Ghouls, like zombies?" Ohgi said as he ran a hand to his chin with a concerned look.
"They're created when vampires feed upon humans who have lost their purity," Alucard spoke up.
"Vampires, Zombies, Purity?" Naoto inquired with a raised brow.
"Yes, monsters are real and they're feeding on the aftermath of the war," Lelouch said with a huff. Alucard chuckled at Lelouch's blunt proclamation as Naoto and Ohgi looked annoyed. The two turned their gaze to Alucard, Ohgi looking the vampire in the eye.
"You said they were made by a vampire, what happened to it?" Ohgi asked.
"I killed it," Alucard stated.
"You?" Naoto asked with a raised brow.
"Alucard is a unique case, something you wouldn't find in any history book," Lelouch said. Alucard just smiled with his fang-filled mouth, a soft chuckle leaving his throat.
"So, the Prince and Princess of Britannia, alongside the son of our dead Prime Minister, walk through a war-torn country under the protection of a vampire-like monster," Ohgi stated.
"You knew?" Lelouch inquired as Alucard's gaze narrowed.
"Saw your picture in a few newspapers, and I recognized Kururugi pretty quickly," Ohgi said. Lelouch's gaze narrowed while Alucard crossed his arms. "Only myself and Kozuki here know, I don't think you're interested in Britannia right now," Ohgi said.
"What makes you so sure?" Lelouch inquired.
"You were walking away from the Britannian lines, even through a field of corpses to get away from them," Naoto said. "What makes a kid do that?" He added as Lelouch sighed.
"Three attempts to kill us before the war even began," Lelouch answered. Marianne's assassination which left Nunnally crippled, the pair of suits that would have killed him had it not been for Alucard, and the bombing of the Kururugi estate all flashed through his mind. Both men's eyes widened in shock, Ohgi just grew more concerned while Naoto ran a hand over his face.
"Those bastards tried to kill their own Prince and Princess to justify their petty war," Naoto said as his eyes hardened.
"This is too much, monsters feeding off our dead, royals fleeing their own country," Ohgi said with a groan.
"So, now that you know this, what will you do?" Lelouch inquired. Ohgi and Naoto remained silent, conflict on their faces.
"I can't say," Naoto spoke up first.
"Neither can I," Ohgi followed.
Lelouch felt his shoulders grow slack, how tense they had been he couldn't say. "Then I'll be bringing Nunnally and myself to a family friend we trust, but I'm not sure about Suzaku," Lelouch said. Neither Ohgi nor Naoto said anything, just looking at the young man.
"Kid," Naoto spoke up. "I can give you a ride," he offered.
"Really?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes, I know that the camp isn't really a safe place," Naoto said. "We'll be moving in a few days, Kallen and I are half-Britannian and heading for our parents' home," Naoto explained.
"And you're offering us a ride?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes," Naoto said.
"Thank you, for everything," Lelouch said as he bowed his head. Alucard just shook his head as Naoto looked embarrassed.
"It was nothing, all we saw was three kids in need of help," Naoto said with embarrassment.
"Still, thank you," Lelouch said.
"Alright, just be ready to move out in a few days," Ohgi said.
"Ok, before we leave, do you have any more questions about the supernatural?" Lelouch inquired.
"Nope," Naoto said.
"Uh... not really, but we do know who to call if something comes up," Ohgi said.
"That's the job of Hellsing," Alucard said. Both Ohgi and Naoto gave him a confused look as Lelouch shook his head.
"It's an old family, that both myself and Nunnally are descended from," Lelouch explained.
"Which I assume relates to your monster knowledge?" Ohgi said.
"Indeed," Lelouch said.
"Well, best head back," Ohgi said as he opened the door. Naoto gave them one last glance before he followed suit.
"Alucard?" Lelouch inquired as they remained in the room.
"They have a lot of questions, but will ask when the country isn't in the middle of a war," Alucard said.
"That's acceptable," Lelouch said.
Kallen kept her eyes out as their van rolled down the road. She had heard how bad the war was going for Japan, how the leaders of the country were already talking of surrender. Now her older brother was driving not only them but their guests near some of the Britannians. She just hoped Ohgi and the others would be safe.
She felt the van stop, her gaze turning as the door opened. Vlad was helping Nunnally out of the van while Lelouch was talking with some blonde-haired girl around their age. Kururugi was walking out with a small bag over his shoulder. Suddenly the girl leaned into the van, looking right at Naoto.
"Hey, thanks for helping my friends," She said with a mischievous smile. Naoto just let out an embarrassed chuckle as the girl turned to her. "The Name's Milly, I hope we can meet again," Milly said before she left the van. Kallen just watched as the group gathered near Milly. She gave a brief wave as Naoto started driving once again. She watched as the group returned the wave as they grew smaller.
She hoped to see them again.