Gunfire. Gunfire was the next thing she heard. They echoed throughout the entire manor. Even the shells that hit the floor were heard. She shook her head to prevent the thoughts that wanted to flow. She didn't want to know, nor imagine the situation.
Silence. Silence was the most fearful sound she heard at long last. Silence offered no answers, and gave no information. She let her hands fall from her ears and looked towards the door that blocked all outside sights from her view.
A moment later, the door opened. She watched intently as the small crack opened further, slowly offering it's answer.
An elder man walked through the door. His slick black hair was strewn about his face, falling unevenly from it's once tight hold on the back of his head. His neat, black outfit was torn and stained with blood. He straightened his cracked monocle, and bowed lightly.
She sighed at his sight, despite how he appeared. "Walter. Are you alright?" She asked in a concerned voice.
He, whom she called Walter, nodded his head. "Yes, Sir Integra."
"The mission?" She, whom he addressed Sir Integra, spoke now with a commanding tone.
Walter looked regretful, and sadness lay on his wrinkled face. "Completed."
The success was not greeted as it normally would have been. Integra nodded grimly, her eyes lowered to her desk.
"Was I wrong, Walter?" Integra asked solemnly.
Walter stood firm. "It is not the servants place to judge his master, and I am no different. But it is also the servants place to obey in every way. I did what I did for you, so if you regret what you have ordered, then I must regret that I obeyed."
Integra nodded in understanding. Her eyes changed from weak uncertainty to strong willed. "Very well then. In that case, you have nothing to regret. Thank you, Walter."
Walter smiled gently, and gave another light bow, before leaving her office.
She sat silently, still smoking her cigar. She took one long inhale of the smoke, then snubbed it out in the ashtray. As she stared at it's remain, and the small amount of smoke that still left it's surface, a small tear fell down her cheek. She straightened, the completely snubbed out the cigar, until no smoke emerged, then wiped away her tear, until her eyes were completely dry.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Years Later…
"The vampire is ruthless, cruel, vicious, and will stop at nothing to gain what it desires." A young boy spoke as he sat straight in his chair in the study room. His black hair hung unevenly in his face and around his chin. His eyes were bright blue, and stared softly at the chair across the desk in front of him. It was turned away from him, and a small air of smoke flowed over the top of it.
"And what does the vampire desire?" The stern voice asked from the chair, but it's appearance still unknown.
"Power. The vampire craves power, and the strength to gain it." The boy spoke obediently, hoping his answer was pleasing.
"How does it gain it's strength?"
"By feeding off of the blood that flows through humans. We are it's only prey." He spoke with no fear in his voice, even though he just spoke of his predator.
"How does one kill a vampire?"
"You can stake it through the heart, or cut off it's head."
"Hmm…" The chair slowly turned. Integra sat firm and proud within it. She placed her elbows onto her desk, interlaced her fingers, and placed her hands before her, concealing her lips. "…do not be fooled by myths and legends. Not all vampires can die so easily."
"Then how do you kill them?"
"…" Integra paused. Her lips could not be seen, but her eyes showed her weary state. "Are you hungry, Arthur? Would you like for us to have lunch together?" She asked in a more soft tone.
The boy smiled. "Yes, Mother."
XxXxXxXxX
Integra sat at the head of a large table. The young boy, Arthur, sat in the middle. There was only one other chair, and it was placed at the opposite end of the table from Integra, and it remained empty.
Arthur looked over at the empty chair, then turned and looked at Integra. "Mother, will father dine with us this afternoon?"
Integra paused eating, and looked back at Arthur. "You know your father has many duties that preoccupy him, Arthur. Do not dwell on little things such as him missing lunch." She replied sternly.
Arthur nodded. "Yes, Mother, forgive me. However, I do not really dwell on it. I was just curious." The boy went back to eating his food.
Integra's eyebrows furrowed for a moment in slight confusion at his words. She studied the young boy across from her for a moment.
She shook her head slightly, and changed her thoughts. "So Arthur, your birthday is only a day away. What, pray tell, would a young man of the age of thirteen desire?" She asked kindly.
The boy's gloomy eyes brightened. "I want it to be a surprise. I don't want to know anything about it." Arthur said cheerily.
She chuckled. "Very well then. A surprise you shall have."
"Shall I bring dessert?"
Arthur looked up to see who had spoken, and smiled as he saw Walter. "Yes, please!" He said happily.
Integra chuckled again. "Make sure it doesn't have much sugar, Walter. You remembered what happened last time."
"Mother." Arthur whined.
Walter laughed lightly. "I'm afraid I do. Not to worry, Sir."
"Make that three desserts, Walter"
All three figures in the room looked to the doorway at the new voice.
A man, with short trimmed, black hair and deep brown eyes stood tall as he walked into the room. He went to the empty chair, and sat in it at the end of the table.
Walter's smile faded and he gave a light bow. "Yes Sir." He said dully, then walked back to the kitchen.
The man looked at Arthur, whose smile had also faded, then to Integra, who seemed less cheery than before.
"Good afternoon." The man spoke, a little sarcastically.
Integra's form stiffened. "Good afternoon, William. I see you took time to join us. I take it the training is going well then?" She asked in a businesslike tone.
The man, William, grinned. "Yes it is. These new troops are fast learners. I was able to retire early for once. It's been a while since we've been able to eat lunch together." He then looked over to Arthur. "So, Arthur, you'll be ten tomorrow. What do you want for your birthday?" He asked fatherly.
Arthur's eyes did not brighten as before, and he only shrugged in response.
William's eyes lost their mirth, and he looked accusingly over at Integra.
She ignored him. "Arthur, do not shrug, and answer your father."
Arthur looked at her as if she had betrayed him, then slowly over at William. "I want a surprise."
William chuckled. "I suppose your mother and I can handle that."
Arthur shrugged again.
"Arthur…" Integra started in a warning tone when she saw him shrugging again.
"Sorry, Mother, but I do not feel so well. May I be excused?" Arthur asked, his voice suddenly weak.
Integra looked at him curiously. "You seemed fine only a moment ago."
"I think my lunch isn't settling well…"
"Go." William spoke suddenly, and they both looked at him. "Well…you don't feel well, so go to your room."
Arthur's eyes narrowed, but he stood and walked out nonetheless.
After he was gone, Integra sighed, and sipped on her tea.
"That's all your fault you know?" William accused.
Her eyes shot up over her tea to glare at him. "Excuse me?" She said dangerously.
"You know damn well what I'm talking about." He replied.
She slowly lowered her teacup. "No, as usual, you continue to confuse me with your idiocies."
William clenched his fist on the table. "The boy. He hates me."
"I don't see how that's my fault." She replied innocently.
His fist pounded against the table. "Don't act like you didn't do anything. His whole life you've influenced him to not like me, to not get attached…" He started to fume at the look of her arrogant eyes looking at him as if he were a simple fool. He smirked. "I suppose you couldn't stand the fact that I would be his father. But do not forget that you asked me to be his father!"
"Silence!" Integra shouted, cutting him off as she stood and pounded both her fists on the table, causing her plate to jump. "You will not speak so disrespectfully to me. You wanted this position! You agreed! Do not blame me because you can not even act like a true man!" She spat angrily at him.
His teeth gritted. "I am your husband, and commander of the Hellsing army, yet you still treat me as a simple servant! How do expect the boy to see me any better!"
Her own teeth gritted. "Stop this. I am no mood to banter with you. I have much more important matters to attend to." She stood firm, and straightened her suit jacket. "Now if you'll excuse me."
"This conversation isn't over." He said, as she turned and walked towards the door.
She paused as she opened the door, and looked over her shoulder. "It will never be over." She said lowly, then walked out of the room.
XXxXxXxXxXx
Arthur sat in the library, laying on the couch on his stomach, and reading a book. He looked up when he heard the door opening.
"I thought I would find you here." Integra said with a small smile as she approached him.
Arthur went back to reading. She sighed at him.
"You should try to at least get along with your father."
"He is not my father." Arthur interrupted quickly.
She sighed. "Why do you say that?"
"I've read many books, and I've never read one with a father like him. I feel nothing towards him. I feel no bond as I do with you. Why is that mother?" He looked up at her with curious eyes.
She chuckled lightly. "I think you read too much."
"Don't change the subject. You always do when I speak of this."
"Watch your tongue. Do not speak so rudely to me." She snapped at him, then calmed at the sorrowful look in his eyes. "It is not uncommon to feel closer to your mother than your father, so think nothing of it. However, I would like for you to be kinder towards your father. Do you understand?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes, Mother."
"Good. Now it's getting late. Clean up and go to bed." She leaned down and placed a brief kiss atop his head then left the room.
XxXxXxXxXxX
TBC…