Rain

Disclaimer: I only own Hellsing in my dreams...repeat...only in my dreams.





Rain

Chapter 2: Confusion Made Clear

Seras woke, her entire body awashed in pain. Unsure of her surroundings, due to her super sensitive hearing, she knew she wasn't in Kansas anymore. Meaning she was definitely not at Hellsing. Moaning slightly, a pale hand reached up to her head; touching it lightly checking for blood or lumps.



A male voice called out to her, “Everything's intact, I can assure you.” The dry, teasing sound made her smile briefly.



The voice so familiar caused her to sit up suddenly and dizziness over took her. She would've toppled from the soft bed had a figure not rushed forward to catch her.



“Slowly, slowly, my dear. You've had quite a time of things.”



Opening her eyes, her mouth fell slack, her eyes bulged out of her head. For a moment she was a little frightened, but her fear disappeared with a small touch of his hand. So gentle he was, so tender in his ministrations, as he checked her for injuries, tears welled in her eyes.



Long, ebony-black hair hung to his mid-back, dark green eyes observed her movements; rising, his tall frame towered over her. His skin so pale, almost translucent from the low glow of the candles. Reaching out to her, he attempted to calm her.



Uncertainty took control as she realized she didn't know the man before her. Trying to scoot across the bed to escape him, her back instantly smacked against a wall. She shouldn't be afraid but something deep inside told her to be afraid of him. Be very afraid, the voice whispered.



“Seras, you've nothing to fear from me. Don't ever fear me.”



His face twisted in an indescribable expression. There was no anger or hurt, but maybe a mixture of the two coupled with a slice of pain. He reached out to touch her; she withdrew from his hand, backing away in confusion.



“Who are you? What do you want?” Seras' voice trembled as she took in the unfamiliar room filled with books and lit candles, which created a slightly haunting and comfy feeling all at once. Two wooden tables, several chairs, the bed and the bookshelves were all that existed in the room furniture wise.



Sighing, the man smiled, “I suppose I should relieve your fears and concerns first before I ask you to trust me. Let me begin by telling you my name. I was named Drumir by my birth mother who died shortly after I was born. Now, in order to fit in with modern times, I've adopted the name Dru, and you may call me either Drumir or Dru. Whichever you prefer, it makes no difference to me.”



His green gaze penetrated her red ones, “You're asking yourself why do I look like your mastard, Alucard? Correct?” Her head nodded and he continued.



“First, I'll tell you that you have a rough road ahead of you.” Gesturing at the bandaged wound on her neck, “Tonight you were bitten by a creature known as a Sephiroth. They are known throughout vampire and other supernatural realms as vampire and werewolf assassins that work for a dark demon who's name is Rathlan.”



Impatience getting the better of her, she snapped, “What the hell's that got to do with me?!” Crimson eyes flashed in the dim candlelight. “Why would he do this to me? I have no idea who he is or what he is. So why me?”



“Patience, my dear, Seras. I'm getting to that.” His gaze willed her to wait a while longer and everything would be revealed.



“There's a Sephiroth in particular that despises your master above anyone else and would do anything, including hurting you to get to him.”



Seras snorted. “That's a big failure there! My master doesn't give a rat's ass about me. He finally proved it last night. So this freaking Sephiroth, or whoever he is, is completely wasting his time with me.” Crossing her arms she dared Alex to contradict her.



“Alucard cares more for you than you know. He's so hard on you to keep you from discovering just how much he cares. This Sephir, which they're also called, picked up on that as he's been watching you two for the longest.”



Angrily, she asked him, “Does this Sephir or Sephiroth have a name?”



Amused by the spark of fire in her eyes he replied, “Yes. It's Yosh. He and Alucard go way back. There's always been a rivalry between them since we were children.”



“We?” Seras found her mind so confused at all this information bombarding her. Rubbing her temples, she hoped her mind was assimilating all it could. Who knew if there'd be a later to ask more questions.



“Yosh, Alucard and I grew up together as children. We played together; fought together on the battlefield as men, and one day Alucard became the ultimate warrior, one who walked the night fighting against the evil plaguing our land, the king of vampires.”



“Eventually, Alucard succumbed to the call of the very nature he'd fought and warred against. He became evil incarnate, killing more people than he ever saved, bathed in blood, and would've continued until Hellsing appeared. Hellsing is the one who emerged victorious leashing the one creature we believed invincible and unable to be captured. During this time, Yosh and I both adapted into Sephiroths the highest skilled supernatural assassins that exist.”



At the mention of his being a Sephir, Seras shrank back against the wall, moving far away as possible from his reaching hand. “Get away from me”, she muttered. Baring her teeth, she growled at him, wishing he'd give her just one reason to let loose.





“How the hell could you lose her, Alucard?! What the hell were you doing?” Accenting her words, Integra Hellsing's hand slammed down on her desk fingers splayed wide. She was angry, no more than angry. She was furious! How could this creature in front of her manage to misplace his fledgling?



Red eyes narrowed. His temper matching her own, his mouth curled up in a sneer. “If you'll remember, master, I was on a mission last night. It wasn't like I was sitting on my ass thinking of a way to rid myself of a useless fledgling who can't take care of herself!”



Servant and master were standing nose to nose across her heavy, mahogany desk, accusations and tempers flying between them.



“Did you sense anything at all from her? I want to know how a weak creature, such as herself, disappears without a trace, and especially under your supposedly keen nose and senses!”



Livid at his carelessness, the heiress stood ramrod straight, blond hair swinging at her waist. She waited to hear his answer.



“During my mission last night, I heard her call to me. She claimed she was being attacked and that she was dying, but as soon as I arrived there existed no trace of Seras. None at all. I picked up a couple of remaining traces of physic signatures, but they were mingled it closely with my fledgling's so they were hard to ferret out.”



Thin lips pressed firmly together, she sighed and then snapped, “Alucard, your mission is to locate Seras and eliminate any creature or creatures standing in your way. I want this done quickly, no dawdling, Alucard. You have seventy-two hours and that's all. After the allocated time has elapsed we will assume the worst...that she's been killed and will cease searching for her. Is that clear?”



Quirking an eyebrow, “I understand, master. Your orders understood and will be carried out.” Even though he didn't like it, he would follow her orders, but the moment her back was turned....he'd resume his search for he'd never give up on her. Seras deserved more than that.



Bowing slightly to Integra showing his respect, Alucard stepped backwards into the reaching shadows, leaving the room in silence.



Astounded, Integra remarked, “Damn! That's the first time for that! I can't believe he left without giving a smart remark!”



Integra went back to the growing mound of papers on her desk; prepared to work her fingers to the bone to get it done.



Reaching forward, she pressed a button on her phone. Walter's voice greeted her asking if she needed anything.



“Walter, I'd appreciate it if you'd bring me some coffee. It's going to be a long night. A really, long night.”



“Very well, Sir Integra. I'll bring it momentarily.”



Pushing the button again, the intercom clicked off, the heiress picked up a pen, began writing and signing, awaiting her cup of coffee.





His palm aimed towards her, meant as a calming gesture, his voice held the slightest sway to persuade her he meant no harm. “Seras, if I wanted to kill you I had more than ample enough opportunity to do so. Put away your fangs and claws. You don't need them here.”



“Why?”



“Why won't you say my name, Seras? Regardless the situation won't disappear or evaporate because you wish it, or because you refuse to speak my name.” Smirking, Dru resembled her master so much from his grin to intimidating stance it caused her chest to tighten, her heart began to heart. “Come on, Seras. Say it one time. It won't kill you.”



Red eyes watched him, distrust filled those blood colored orbs, coupled with confusion, clearing her throat, voice shaking slightly, she asked, “Why, Dru?”



“There, now. Isn't that better?”



“Why? I need to know, Dru. Don't dance around the issue either.” Her tone, aggravated as she wanted, needed, to know more about the deep shit she'd inadvertently gotten herself into.



Intuitively, he knew what she was really asking. Why did he reveal his true nature to her? What reason or reasons could he possibly have for it?



“I believe in honesty between friends, and I'd like to be your friend, Seras. You're going to need it in the days ahead. Trust me. Tell me this, would you trust me if you'd found out that I lied about something so important? Could you allow yourself to trust someone after such dishonesty?”



Shaking her head, she whispered, “No.” The petite, shaken draculina pulled her knees up to her chest wrapping her thin arms around them, and laying her chin on top of her knees. “Continue your story please.”



Staring intently at her, his attention so centered on the story he wanted to share.



“Between Alucard and Yosh, Alucard was the best at everything. All of our villagers even considered Yosh as a second rate warrior. One day, his sister Reisa had gone with Alucard for a walk. Many hours later she hadn't returned, so we formed search parties and went out into the forest and mountains.”



Sadly, his eyes turned toward the candles staring into their glowing wicks. “Unfortunately, Yosh found her first. Her lifeless body nailed to the ground. Her stomach had been viciously slashed, her entrails spilling from her body, blood and tissue scattered around her.”



His gaze returned to Seras, “Yosh believed that Alucard was the culprit and accused him as thus. In his distraughtness, he revealed news that brought us all to our knees. It seemed that Reisa was expecting a baby. Not just anyone's baby, but Alucard's child. Alucard swore he didn't know, but Yosh turned a deaf ear towards him. He swore he'd get vengeance on him someday, his grief was so great. Yosh promised that one day he'd wreak revenge on the woman that Alucard loved. She'd suffer for his sister's murder.”



“How horrible.” Tears cascaded silently down her pale cheeks as she felt the horror and pain of Dru's tale. The recounting of Reisa's murder cut her to her heart. That someone could be so cruel, so unfeeling .....it was difficult to believe that monster like this still existed in the world.



“Dru? What was she like? Reisa, I mean.”



Smiling, his eyes glazed over in remembrance once more. “She was so beautiful. Full of life and light. Her hair, the color of gold on a warm, sunny day. Eyes so blue, the sky and sea would be envious, and her laughter was as the wind itself...light and breezy. She possessed not a care in the world.”



“We never found her killer. The whole village grieved over her death. A wholesome light was snuffed out; for whatever reason....no one knew why. Her brother never recovered from it, so he and Alucard feud even to this day.”



The light of a suddenly realized idea took hold of her eyes. “And you believe that this..Yosh did this to me because of Alucard? That and because he thinks that I'm Alcuard's mate?”



“I'm sure of it.” Dru's words bounded out from his lips with a certain finality to them that it almost unnerved her.



Biting her lip, she pressed on with her inquisition. “And what of this “taisho”...what does it mean?”



Just speaking of it caused her neck to ache and burn something fierce. She reached up to massage it, but the pain continued relentlessly, refusing to ease.



“It's already begun.”



“What?”



“Taisho.”



Growling in frustration, “What does it mean in regards to me?”



“Over the next several hours, your body will become feverish as it moves through a series of phases. Your eyes will no longer be the red color associated with true vampires. They will become a dark green like mine. You'll become faster, stronger, more powerful and more deadlier than ever.”



Silence.



“Will I still be Alucard's fledgling, or will that change too?”



“You will still belong to him. But you'll also be something much more. You'll have become.....a Sephiroth, a supernatural assassin. Few can stop you, even fewer can stand against you. There are rules and I'll teach them to you. I promised to reveal everything about our nature. The more you know, the more protected you are.”



Getting off the bed, she stood up; crossing to the bookshelves, she ran her fingertips gently along the spine of several books. Contemplating her next words, she wasn't sure of what or how she wanted to say anything. Not anymore.



“I won't be a slave to you or this Yosh will I?”



A sardonic grin crossed his face. She was a rather clever female. That part of her would be a great asset indeed. “No. Not that he won't try, but it'll only happen if you let it. And I swear that I'll always be near should you need me.”



“Now for the biggest question of all, and it just might be the stupidest one of the night.” Her eyes twinkled in unspent merriment, briefly.



“Seriously doubt it. I can't see you asking an impertinent question or useless question.”



Laughing, she replied, “Obviously you don't know me to well. Anyway, who gets the joy of breaking the news to Alucard?”



“You don't want to do it?”



Seras snorted in disbelief. “Uh, no! He has a rather bad temper, or have you forgotten?”



Dru stood and summoned her to his side. Touching her hand to assure her of his good intentions, “I'll take care of your master.” Glancing into her eyes he noticed that flecks of green had begun surfacing eliminating the red that was currently dominant. “Work for you?”



Relieved, she sighed. “You betcha.”



“Seras, I think it's time for me to return you to Hellsing. It will be easier to finish your transition there, believe me. It's been said that those who've been bitten while in the fledgling state are still under their masters....the final changes can be rather uncomfortable. It is my hope that he will help you endure, to bear what will be next to the worst pain you've ever felt since joining the undead.”



His green eyes glanced at her, hints of sorrow and apology shone at her through the beautiful forest colored depths. His eyes spoke the words his mouth and vocal chords wouldn't....



“So it's gonna hurt like hell is what you're trying to tell me. Right?”



Throwing an arm around her shoulder, “You don't miss a thing, do you?”



“I was a cop in my former life. I guess some things never leave you.”



“Seras, take my hand.”



She quickly obeyed, her longing for home overwhelming. What kind of mode of travel will he use?, she thought to herself. Her pondering was answered as his body faded, joining the shadows.



His voice reverberated in the small room. “Let's take you home, Seras.”



Their bodies disintegrated and the muscles and tissue in her turned to nothing.





Dru managed to appear at Hellsing's front gates. Still invisible, he walted by the guards on watch. Hearing Seras whimper, he looked down at her. Her face covered in a sheen of sweat, her pain obvious in the twisted features of her beautiful face. “Looks like we'll have to hurry.”



Dru couldn't believe how quickly the curse was taking hold of the woman in his arms. Usually the strain wasn't this fast acting. Maybe the strain had mutated, moving at a much faster rate than previously anticipated. Unfortunate. For all of them.



Strolling through the front doors, he continued to walk through the house until he discovered Integra Hellsing's lair. Taking a deep breath, he walked through her door to reveal himself, and Seras, to the woman behind the huge desk.



Integra stretching her neck, happened to look up to see a stranger carrying Seras towards her. Alarmed, she called out to her servant. “Alucard!”



Seconds later, he emerged from the shadows to see what she screamed about. The moment he saw Seras in the man's arms, he snarled. “Give her to me.”



Dru smirked, his stance completely relaxed. “Nice to see you too, old friend.”



“Drumir, what the hell are you doing here?”



“Like I said...nice to see you too. Name's Dru now. A little fyi.”



Infuriated, Alcuard snapped, “I don't give a fuck what you're name is now! Give Seras back now or I'll have to take her from you!”



Seemingly uncaring about the vampire he faced, Dru shook his head. “Boy! A few hundred years sure hasn't cooled your temperament one bit!” Dru's tone mocked Alucard's anger.



Integra's watched in rapt attention, shock and surprise. The pale blond wished she had a tape recorder to save this for posterity, or when Alucard was a pain in the ass and pissed her off! Blackmail could be great sometimes!



Eyes blazing, the ancient vampire told Dru, “I'll ask you one last time.....why are you here? And why do you have Seras?”



Still holding Seras tightly, he snapped back, “Taking care of what's yours. Apparently, you still haven't learned anything about responsibility!”



Integra's eyebrows shot towards the ceiling. She couldn't believe the disrespectful manner in which this male addressed her servant. Usually, Alucard refused to allow anyone to talk to him that way. She definitely had to have a talk with this gentleman before he left. She was certain that life was about to get a lot more interesting around here.



“Alucard, we've got trouble. You've got trouble.”



Crossing his arms, the No Life King asked, “What now?”



“Seras has been inflicted with Taisho.”



Red eyes narrowed in anger. “Are you sure?”



“I am certain. She bears the mark and the symptoms. Her transition has already begun. I thought it best that she be here with you as her body broke through the final changes. I knew you could ease her pain as no other.”



Pausing for a moment, he searched for the right words to tell Alucard of his ancient enemy's appearance. Taking a breath, he decided it was best to just spit it out. “And another thing...Yosh is here...my brother.”