Pierced by Destiny's Arrow

Hi all sorry for my long hiatus from the story, recently got married and went to Portugal for a bit to meet my in-laws. Hopefully this chapter will have been worth the wait.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hellsing, never have never will, all I own is my original characters and story.

Chapter 11: Fledgling 102…Thoughts Of You

It took Seras a few minutes to quell the nervousness that took hold in the pit of her stomach. "Come on Seras just focus!" She proceeded to raise her hands to her face and gave herself firm pat on each cheek before once again closing her eyes and trying to focus in on her Master's presence. "Hmmm now where did he go…" At first, she didn't know what she was looking for, her Master hadn't given her exact instructions regarding this, but she figured that was part of the test.

Seras decided to picture Alucard in her mind just as she had done with her desire locations at the start of her training. "Ok let's hope this works…" The first image that came to her mind was that of her Master's crimson eyes, the way they lit up when he was amused, the way they seemed to dim when he was remorseful….they way they smouldered when he stared at her….no smoulder wasn't quite the right word…she saw so many emotions reflecting in his eyes especially when they were focused on her….longing, hunger, pride, amusement, regret…but there was something else…something she'd only ever seen when her father looked at her mother….was it love?

"Snap out of it!" Seras' bore a feint blush on her cheeks as she shook her head vigorously, trying to dislodge such thoughts from her head…but in her heart she couldn't deny that she did indeed feel loved whenever he looked at her…almost as if she was all that mattered to him. "Ok let's try again" Once again she summoned an image to her mind only this time her mind seemed to focus on his mouth…of all things his mouth! Soon there was a flurry of memories of every single one of his grins or frown...they way that mouth threatened to devour her during that stolen kiss from before, even now she could feel his lips pressed against hers…demanding and yet pleading…for what? For a response? For acceptance? She can't help but wander what would have happened if she has returned that kiss…

"No!" Seras now started grabbing at her head as if trying to retch these thoughts from her mind while also trying to ignore the growing ache between her thighs. "I barely know him for pity's sake! What kind of woman has thoughts like this for a stranger?!" In the silence of the room she found no response to her self-chastisement however she once again knew that deep inside her heart the answer was a plain as day…he was no stranger to her…he had always been there even if only in her dreams but that didn't change the fact that he had been her only friend and companion for all those long childhood years…she trusted him despite everything she trusted him and that's as good a start as any. With that thought she smiled to herself and it felt as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.

"Well I said that I'd give him a chance…but that won't matter if I don't find him….one more time then!" Now with newly found motivation Seras stilled her mind and emotions…she could feel her mind's eye reaching out, spreading like the early morning mist through the trees of the forest at dawn…first it started with the room she was in and then beyond the doors, further out and deeper within the castle, exploring rooms she had never been in until she felt something familiar. It was a floor above her and deeper within the castle, she focused on it until the feeling became an image…blurry and distorted at first but with each minute of her concentration the image became clearer until it revealed her Master standing in what looked like a large library. He was staring out a window into the night sky, arms folded behind his back and silently waiting.

"Got you!" Seras couldn't help the grin that spread on her face in a joy that she had managed to find him, she then proceeded to focus even harder on his image and willed herself to his side. Again, a feeling of weightlessness overtook her as she teleported to her Master.

Alucard had been waiting patiently for his Little One to find him, looking out the window but not really seeing the outside world, his mind focused on his Mate's. Every thought and image passed through his head just as it had hers and he was still reeling from what he had seen and felt from her mind when he noticed that she had found him and was teleporting to his location. He had just a few seconds to compose himself before she arrived behind him, her eyes still closed in quiet concentration. Once again, he had to fight his rising need for her before he turned to face her, when his eyes reached her face he couldn't help the soft smile that fell upon his lips at the sight of her now open eyes filled with pride and a huge grin on her face.

"Found you Master!" Neither let the title of Master spoil this moment and just as he had before, his hand lifted to pet her head. "So, you have Seras, well done." He gently stroked her head and Seras couldn't help but close her eyes and slightly lean in to his touch which of course did not go unnoticed by the Vampire King. The moment only lasted for a few seconds before Alucard removed his hand much to Seras' disappointment which of course she did her best to hide but failed to keep her mouth from pouting slightly as she now looked up at him. There's that look…oh if only you knew what that look did to me my beloved…

Alucard quickly turned away and cleared his throat, bringing his thoughts back to the task at hand. "Well I think we've focused enough on teleportation, lets try phasing next shall we." Alucard proceeded to explain the principles of phasing through objects and walls, Seras listened attentively and nodded every now and again to her Master's explanations. "Right since we're here in the library lets have you practice phasing through the bookshelves over there." He pointed to the far end of the room where rows of bookshelves stood, all filled with books, parchments and scrolls of all types. The two vampires to the first row of bookshelves where Alucard proceeded to lean on the nearby bookshelf ladder "Remember you have to pass through the bookshelf entirely, don't stop halfway or you'll risk getting stuck. Focus on the spot in front of you and don't worry, I'll step in if you need help."

His final pep talk and concern touched Seras but she didn't have the words to express herself, instead she just smiled up at him and nodded her head. She then looked ahead of her and just like before cleared her mind of all thoughts except the thought of passing through the bookshelf. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on the shelf and closed her eyes. Absolute silence…that's all that surrounded her, but she could still feel his gaze on her, urging her on…she couldn't disappoint him! Her mind willed her body to obey, willed it to pass through the bookshelf like it wasn't even there. Seconds felt like hours but eventually something happened. On the edge of her fingertips she felt the solid object and the books which adorned it gave way. First her fingers seemed to sink further in, then her hands and wrists…eventually she started taking steps forward, further and further in.

"It's so strange…" She couldn't quite place the feeling, it felt like a feathers caress on her skin…but at the same time it felt fluid like running water in a stream. Despite the strange sensation she never allowed herself to falter or get distracted…one step after the other she felt herself become swallowed in darkness but just as quickly as it started it ended and when she opened her eyes she was faced with the next row of bookshelves. "You did splendidly my dear." She whipped around toher left and there he was leaning against the shelf with his signature grin.

Seras quickly looked behind her and sure enough there was the shelf she has just passed through, immediately she smiled back up at her Master and hugged herself tight. Alucard chuckled at this little display before standing right up "I think some more practice is in order Little One, off you go." With that he turned to go sit in a nearby armchair, he watched her the entire time, first passing each bookshelf slowly and carefully but as the hours went by she eventually didn't even need to lift her hands, nor did she have to close her eyes…she was passing through each shelf like phantom in the night.

He could've watched he for hours, thrilled and proud of the progress she was making so quickly, My Mate is so beautiful, so perfect…a fine Vampire Queen indeed. He was so lost in his thoughts that he did not even realise that she had made her way over to him and was slowly rubbing her eyes in exhaustion. "Master I'm feeling tired can we maybe take a break or something?" The sound of her voice shook him from his thoughts and it was only then that he realised that dawn was fast approaching, it was only natural for Seras to be feeling her death sleep call to her especially after all the energy she would have used during tonight's training sessions.

"Of course, I think that's enough for now, dawn is approaching, and you need your rest." He rose up from his seat but before he could say anything further Seras' eyes lit up as if she had just gotten an idea, this gave him pause and he merely raised his long thing eyebrow in question to her sudden change in demeanour.

"Say Master how about a race to my room, I've been practicing so much I think I might actually beat you." She looked at him with slight hesitation and hope while he stared back at her in slight bewilderment at her request. His reaction obviously made her think twice about her request and she was quick to stammer out an excuse. "Um..n-n-never mind Master….it was a silly request…I-I-." Her cheeks felt like they were burning, and she started to gnaw on her lower lip in nervousness but still mindful not to pierce the skin with her fangs. Seeing her in this state caught Alucard's attention immediately especially the way she gnawed at her plump lower lip…in an instant his mind was filled with thoughts and images that would make her do more than just blush, but he quickly shook them away and moved closer to her.

"Hush Seras, I never said that I was opposed to it, I was just surprised that you'd being willing to perform such a task given how tired you must be…however if that is your wish then so be it." Instinctively his hand found is place upon her head and immediately he felt her relax and lean into his touch…he felt warmth in his heart…a heart that has long since been dead until she wormed her way into it and his very being. She looked up at him with a shy smile and he returned it with his own smirk "But be warned Little One you still have lots to learn so don't feel bad when you lose."

The challenge was made and Seras' eye burned with determination while his dance with mirth "We'll see about that!" And with that she focused on an image of her room in her mind's eye and willed herself there, all the while staring up defiantly and the grinning Undead King. Her last image of him was a simple wink and his lips mouthing the words "Too slow" and then darkness.

Alucard allowed her the head start, allowed her to think she got the upper hand on him but he couldn't help winking at her and mouthing "Too slow" as she faded from sight. After that barely a second passed and then he himself teleported to her room, but of course he did not need to pause or concentrate, teleporting and phasing came as easy as breathing to him…well not that he needed to breath air anyway. And just like that he was in her room and plopped himself on her bed waiting for her to arrive and already chuckling at the look she will no doubt have on her face when see realises that he had been her.

And just like clockwork, mere seconds later Seras appeared in the room, her smile however was immediately replaced with a pout when she looked around and realised that he was already there. She puffed out her cheeks and tried but failed to glare at him especially considering that he was leisurely sitting on her bed with a Cheshire grin. "Fine I get it I need more practice" she tried to sound annoyed, but her voice betrayed the smile she was trying so hard to hide.

Alucard stood up and made his way over Seras "Yes you do but I am very please with your progress tonight Little One, you have impressed me greatly." There was no teasing in his words and Seras once again felt the warmth of his words touch her heart, she swears if was still beating it would've been racing right now.

Alucard moved around the room ensuring all the preparations were made so that the Sun's light would not penetrate the room. "Right time for rest Seras, we'll continue your training tonight." He slowly turned to the door to leave but not before Seras spoke up, "Master could I maybe practice my teleporting some more? I enjoyed our little game of hide and go seek." She spoke plainly but earnestly, Alucard responded by turning to look at her and nodding slowly "Very well if that is what you wish." Once again, he turned to leave and this time he got to the other side of the doorway when Seras spoke up again but this time her voice sounded closer "Master?" Again, he turned to face her only to see that she stood right in front of him.

Seras wasn't sure what prompted her to rush to her Master so quickly but this urge within her would not be denied, so without much though and before he could say anything Seras threw her arms around him and held on tight for a few seconds before raising herself up to place a soft peck on his cheek "Thank you…for everything…Alucard." It was difficult to say his name due to the Master-Fledgling bond that dictated their current relationship, but she willed every fibre of her being to speak his name and it had felt somewhat wrong but oh so right rolling off her tongue. With her goal realised she released him and backed away without making eye contact before whispering a feint goodnight and closing the door.

Alucard stood in the hallway in stunned silence, confusion wracking his brain trying to make sense of what he had just experienced…once all the piece fell into place he felt an indescribable joy and elation spread through him….he could still feel her delicate arms around his torso, her firm breasts pressed up against his chest, her soft lips on his cold cheek, her melodic voice near his ear…it was almost too much to hope for! Sleep would not claim him today not that he needed it, his mind would be replaying this moment for hours yet, etching every detail to his memory for all eternity. All he could do was whisper into her mind after he sensed that she had gone to sleep before fading to his own dark corner of the castle.

"Goodnight…My Angel of the Night."

And that's a wrap folks, sorry if I make Seras out to be a little childish but I promise she will become a badass soon enough! Please rate, review and stay tuned for the next chapter.

Phixora