Hellsing – Even (Integra + Alucard)

Soundtrack: Junkyard (Saw 3D score) - Charlie Clouser (I actually wrote this chapter first and then got lucky to find a song that fit so well)

**DISCLAIMER: Insert standard disclaimer here – I own nada!

AN: This is intended to be a bit longer than my normal fare (multiple chapters even!), but only if there is interest. Be warned, there is a lot of angst and misery ahead...
Reviews make me stronger so please let me know what you think!

The ghoul's skull crunched with a meaty noise, prompting a wicked grin to creep across Seras' face. Slinging the customized rifle over her shoulder, the young vampire looked through the shambling mob to choose her next target.

No sooner had she thought the night would go without a hitch, the bottom fell out of the world.

The mental link with her master tore open, causing her to stagger against the wall from the onslaught of his incandescent rage. Clutching her head, Seras started running; knocking ghouls out of the way with no more regard than the rotted furniture.

It wasn't the fact that her master was angry that made her worried, it was the unfamiliar taste of his panic that had come with it.

Sliding around the final corner, Seras came to a halt in what had been the manor's dining hall.

Precious moments were spent trying to puzzle out what she was seeing as her brain stubbornly refused to put the pieces together.

Blood and ghoul parts were everywhere, as if a bomb had gone off and painted the room with gore. Chairs had been smashed to kindling or thrown completely out of damaged windows. Tapestries and decomposed carpets were stained with all manner of bodily fluids, making the room reek with filth and gunpowder.

In the center of the devastation crouched the vampire king, his long hair an angry black mass that snapped and shifted protectively over him.

Not seeing any enemy larger than a twitching hand, Seras frowned in confusion.

"Master?"

A hellhound rose from the seething darkness and roared at her, rows of sharp teeth gleaming like blades.

Seras froze, instinctual terror clogging her senses. After a moment, she mastered her fear and tried to reach out with her mind. She flinched at the scalding chaos she found, the frantic swirl of images more disturbing than her sire's defensive posture.

Master, please!

Slowly, a bone-white face emerged out of the shadows.

Eyes wide, Seras swallowed hard. She had never seen Alucard so close to losing total control before. His humanity was nothing but a thin veneer stretched over the Beast that glared at her from a thousand scarlet eyes.

"Master?" she asked timidly, hands held out from her body to be non-threatening. "Master, I'm here to help. What happened?"

The elder vampire turned his head toward her voice, but there was no sense of recognition. A deep warning growl rumbled as his arms tightened around something clutched to his chest.

"Oh, God!" Covering her mouth in anguish, Seras took a reflexive step forward. "What did y—"

Alucard's shadows reacted instantly: knocking her back into a wall before she even saw them move.

Coughing around a pair of broken ribs, Seras held her hand out to ward off further attack

"Master, I won't...won't take her from you, I-I swear it! But we should leave. We...need to take her home before more ghouls come."

As if summoned, the sound of breaking glass and painful moaning echoed from down the hall. Time was running out.

"Master!" Seras cried desperately. "Master, we need to take Sir Integra back to Hellsing!"

Ruby orbs widened slightly and a thread of sanity returned to their gaze. Police Girl?

Yes, Master! We have to go!

Alucard tipped his head slightly, listening to the shuffling approach of the enemy.

MAST-

Shut up, Police Girl. I heard you.

Relieved tears stung Seras' eyes as she used the wall to help herself stand. Her ribs were repairing quickly, but they were still tender to the touch.

Alucard, careful not to jostle the woman in his arms, raised himself up from the floor as easily as a marionette on strings. The side of the building exploded into rubble and shattered glass as his familiars jumped to obey his unspoken command.

Striding through the settling dust and into the night, the elder vampire's coat split into vast leathery wings. Tossing a quick glance at his childe, Alucard said: "Keep up."

Like a gargoyle of old, the vampire king leaped into the air and raced for home.

AN: Don't hate me.