If I had supernatural speed I would so do this!

Integra searches her pockets for the keys to the car as she heads out the door. She knew she grabbed them off the dresser.

"Why do I have to go?! It's not like I'm invited to the party."

Integra sighs, her pet vampire had been complaining nonstop since she drug him out of his coffin an hour ago, "It was either you or an armed guard."

"I suppose I should be flattered you picked me instead...but why do I have to go like this?!"

Integra stops to look at her now pint sized vampire. His head barely comes to her hip and big ruby eyes stare up at her through a curtain of raven black hair. She smirks as she reaches out to ruffle his hair, "Because you're adorable."

The feral growl from the mini vampire was anything but adorable, but she pays it no mind as she finally pulls the car key from her pocket. He was all bark and no bite when it came to her.

"It won't be that bad. We just need to pick out a present for Sir Islands grandson."

"In the middle of the day..."

"Oh stop your whining and get in the car."

Alucard grumbles as he climbs into the car then plops down in the seat with a huff as he crosses his arms over his chest.

Integra rolls her eyes and closes the door before walking around to get in on the driver's side. She buckles her seatbelt then turns the car on, "Seatbelt."

Alucard turns his head slightly to glare at her but otherwise doesn't move.

Integra returns the glare, "Seatbelt or I'll make you walk the entire way. You are not getting me a ticket because you're having a hissy fit."

Alucard snarls slightly but does as he's told. She had forgotten how difficult he was when he had to be awake during daylight hours.

The occupants are silent for several minutes before Alucard speaks up, "Why do I have to pretend to be a child?"

"Does it really bother you that much?"

"I'm just confused."

"You'll draw less attention this way. You're a very intimidating figure to those who don't have to deal with your annoying self on a constant basis."

He looks at her for a moment then nods slightly, "Alright."

As Integra leads Alucard inside the busy department store she begins to regret not just ordering something for the kid. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves she weaves her way through the crowd, they weren't going to be here long. Her hand reaches for a gun that isn't there when her other hand is suddenly grabbed. She looks down to see Alucard's tiny pale hand carefully gripping hers. She narrows her eyes at him, thinking he was just using the situation to touch her. He was taking far too many privileges since Christmas and that damned kiss, but he's not even looking at her. Instead his face is wide eyed wonder. It dawns her then this was the first time he had been in a place like this. He probably hadn't wandered the city since Abraham's days. She smiles faintly and curls her fingers around his hand. She'd have to make it a point to get him out more.

She stops at the aisle of toys with a look of disgust, this part was going to suck. Letting go of Alucard's hand she points a finger at him, "You can wander around, but no breaking anything and no terrorizing people. Got it?"

He grins and nods eagerly then disappears from sight around the corner. Integra shakes her head slightly then turns her attention to the task at hand while keeping her finger crossed she wouldn't hear anyone screaming.

A few minutes pass with no success on finding an eight year old rich boy a toy when her world is suddenly turned into a screeching, yammering, yarbling mess. All around her toys are lit up and making the most god awful racket. With her hands over her ears she stumbles back out of the aisle only to come face to face with a small grinning vampire holding a plastic gun pointed at her.

"What the hell, Alucard?!"

His face falls as he shrugs a small shoulder, "The boxes said 'try me'."

Integra looks back at five aisles worth of toys screeching as one, "And you had to try them all and all at once..."

Alucard shrugs again.

Integra pulls her glasses off and reaches up to pinch the bridge of her nose. Her seventeenth year was clearly not destined to be a boring one.

Integra glances over at an all too pleased little vampire sitting in the passenger seat, feet kicking happily with a large plastic gun laid across his lap and a wookie mask covering his face. He looks over at her then opens his mouth, the mask mimicking the movement and letting out that horrible warbling. Integra shakes his head and spares a glance in the review mirror to see the sacks full of similar masks and guns. Islands was going to kill her, but she imagined this was going to be one birthday his grandson would never forget.