Disclaimer: All of Hellsing and its characters are copyright to Kouta Hirano. Any original characters belong to the author of this fanfiction.

HELLSING

EREBUS

Here standeth the Bird of Hermes,

Eating my own wings to make me tame...

CHAPTER ONE

The Unchaste

Tuesday Night, October 28, 2031, Somewhere in Canada...

Mist covered the stone streets, the night beckoning an eerie silence. The final stage of the waxing gibbous moon shone brightly upon the old town. It was incredibly late, and a young woman in her twenties was shuffling home, a little drunk from her girl's night. She hiccoughed and giggled a little, appreciating the cool air on her forehead. In the shadows and alleys, hidden from the streetlights, a few pairs of red eyes peered dangerously at the woman. Behind her, she could hear footsteps, and dumbly, she looked behind her, an intoxicated daze on her face. Nothing was there.

"'Ello? Somebody there?" The woman swayed some as she waited, then carried on, tripping a little but managing to catch her footing. Another sound, and she spun so fast, that she nearly fell over. "Oi!" Dark figures with toothy grins on their faces stood there, staring at her with gleaming red eyes. "You better...watch it...or I'll scream," she managed.

One started stalking towards her. "Oh, please do. We so revel in such music."

As he approached, he began to tower over her with his shadow. The fear began to sink in, the drunken woman sobering up quickly. He gave her a monstrous grin, causing her to let out a blood curdling scream as they all descended upon her. The screams continued for a moment, then a gurgling, and then nothing after her final sounds were cut short, blood splattering over the ground and the nearest wall, the woman's head rolling away from the body.

Wednesday Late Morning, October 29, 2031, Hellsing Estate...

A year...a year has gone by since her Count's return from a thirty-year absence. Things were mostly quiet in those three decades. Nothing that Seras Victoria couldn't handle. Age, however, was beginning to catch up to Sir Integra Hellsing. It had been for awhile. When she passed on, the Royal Order of Protestant Knights, the Hellsing Organization, would die along with her. It was no longer an era where an agency should be run by a single family. No doubt the other members of the Convention of Twelve would develop an agency that would surpass even Hellsing. But what would Alucard and Seras do? Would they continue to fight vampires and ghouls? Seras, perhaps, but Integra had little reason to believe that Alucard would be remotely interested in hunting vampires. The only thing that could persuade him otherwise depended on his boredom.

Then again, Alucard had little faith in vampires these days. Even the Count had a certain respect for life that would surprise most, if not all, vampires. One becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight, eight becomes sixteen, sixteen becomes thirty-two...the reproduction would escalate quickly, and thus humans would perish, becoming either ghouls or vampires, in turn, starving because there was no longer a food source. Alucard knew this well. It was probably one of the main reasons he killed his own kind. For three decades, it had become quiet, but lately, as she stared tiredly at the reports on her desk, vampires have been attacking mercilessly in Canada. Oddly, it didn't seem random.

"Alucard," she called out softly.

She felt a familiar chill in her office as a dark baritone reached her ears, echoing off the walls, "What ails you, my master?"

Integra looked up expectantly, finding her servant before her. "Good morning, Count."

"And a very good day to you, Sir Integra," he returned, bowing slightly with his right hand over his left breast.

The fifty-three year old woman stared almost affectionately towards the vampire. Yes...his eyes had changed over his absence. They were no longer the shade of hellfire, having become soft and pinker. They almost looked...romantic. Yes, that was an appropriate name for his new shade. Otherwise, he looked the same. A black suit with dark riding boots, a red cravat and equally red trench coat. His hands adorned in white gloves with a symbol on the backs of them. His wild hair, dark as pitch black, framed a white and handsome face. The corners of his lips were tugged upwards in a smile, showing his respect towards his lord and master.

"Take a look at these, and give me your analysis." Alucard stood up straight, walking closer to the desk, sunlight hitting his form. Though he was a vampire, he was powerful enough to be immune to such things. His gaze lingered and scrutinized her workload for many moments. "Well?" she asked.

He looked up at her then. "They're all women in their twenties. Physical similarities show that they are brunettes and have O positive type blood."

"Can you spot anything else?"

He paused. "They were all drained of their blood, then their heads were severed from their bodies."

"There's more."

Perplexed, he looked at the files again. "Really? The land of the Peacekeepers. Not much happens to them, does it?"

"Have you been there, Count?" the elderly woman asked curiously.

"I cannot say I have. Most of my travels brought me across Europe. Perhaps these attacks are coming from vampires who live in Canada."

"Perhaps," she agreed. "Still, the fact that there is a pattern to these attacks puzzles me. What would vampires want with brunette women within a specific age group? Why do they act like typical serial killers?"

"Some of us have a specific taste," the vampire pointed out. "However, there is something that truly intrigues me."

Integra looked up at him. "Hm?"

Alucard actually showed her a troubled expression, something that she has rarely seen. "All of these women...none of them are virgins." This put a shocked expression on his master's face. "Naturally, vampires find the blood of a virgin the most favourable. It is a delicacy, like the most expensive wine, and a very difficult substance to obtain. Most would keep that substance locked away somewhere so that they never run out, indulging in it. Virgins are killed because of the rarity of their blood. It is why many children are attacked by vampires, and killed."

This new information disturbed her. "It is troubling, knowing they're after non-virgins. Thinking back on it now...I've been through one-hundred and twenty-six murders, and none of them are virgins. You've caught a very important piece of information, something I've missed. If one or two of them had been virgins, I would think nothing of this whole unchaste lead. What are your thoughts on this?"

"They're looking for something. They know certain specifics that will lead to this woman. Whatever it is, it's probably something very interesting, and like the blood of a virgin, very rare, perhaps even more rare."

"Alucard," she began, bringing tea to her lips, spinning the cup in thought afterwards, "I'm sending you to Canada immediately. Whatever this unidentified woman has, they want, putting her in danger. Your orders are to look for these vampires, intercept, interrogate, and kill them. If necessary, you're to find this woman and bring her here."

The devilish lips curled upwards into a dark little grin, as he bowed to his master once again. "My master, it shall be done, on your command. And what of the Police Girl?"

Integra smiled. Though Alucard now regarded Seras with respect, his old pet name for the fledgling still slipped from the tongue every now and then. "She will remain here to deal with any domestic disturbance."

"Of course. What a capable little Draculina she has become."

Wednesday Afternoon, October 29, 2031, British Airways...

The vampire sat comfortably in first class, in the guise of a human once again. He took up a different name to J.H. Brenner, deciding that the name was probably still on many security lists at several airports, due to the violent fiasco in Brazil over three decades ago. This time, Integra suggested the name B.S. Bennett. The significance of the initials didn't go over Alucard's head. He was clever, and he thought his master decided on a malicious joke for a name. It didn't bother him however, he only thought it just as amusing. It was better than what J.H. Brenner stood for. He also changed his look as well. He kept his hair the same messy way, and his trademark amber shades were replaced with indigo counterparts. The suit he was adorned in was a simple grey, a black dress shirt underneath and a purple satin tie with silver diagonal pinstripes. The dress shoes were a simple black, and his white gloves were no longer decorated with his other trademark, the Hellsing pentagram.

The plane had just taken off, and Alucard sat there expressionless. The flight would take eight hours. Even though he now held the power to be everywhere and nowhere, he had yet to explore those abilities. He had no idea what its limits were. For instance, would he be able to take a human in tow? The risk of something going wrong made him decide against it. It was currently three PM, and by the time he got to Toronto, it would be six PM. Integra had took into consideration the different timezones, wanting Alucard to start immediately. Only the strongest vampires could withstand sunlight. The Count very much doubted that these vampires were the least bit strong. Their superhuman strength allowed them to overpower humans easily while disregarding their own instincts. He tsked in disgust, staring at the glass of red wine cradled in his hand. What a joke. Vampires just weren't what they used to be.

As thoughts wandered over the motivation behind these attacks, he wondered what the supposed targeted woman was like. What would be so special about a particular human? Sleep was becoming an overwhelming lure to unconsciousness. The daylight hours exhausted him to no end. Without effort, he could remain awake for days, but for now, the opportunity would allow him to pass the hours of boredom. What he really wanted was to sleep in his coffin, which currently resided in the cargo hold, but his disappearance would probably panic some of the flight attendants, not knowing where he was. It was not the kind of attention one should draw to themselves. Shifting and reclining his seat, his finished wine sat on the nearby table for the flight attendant to collect later. Alucard closed his eyes, arms draped comfortably over his torso.

A young Vlad lied on the bed of an Ottoman high ruler, naked, but not broken. He would never bend to the bastard's will! He stared impassively at the high ceiling. The high ruler had finished with him, and he would be untouched for a few days. There were other children like him that went through the same ordeal, but there was a vast difference between them and himself. Gingerly, he fingered the silver cross that lied upon his bare chest. While others begged for salvation from their Lord, he never once prayed to be saved. It disgusted him to know that people expected more from God. Hadn't he done enough? Wasn't creating everything not gift enough? Vlad knew God loved all His children, but like a responsible parent, He would not simply give in to a spoiled child's demands. They had to earn the right for his attention.

The doors to the chambers slammed open, the high ruler waltzing in with purpose. He dragged a girl younger than Vlad painfully by the arm, her feet tripping to keep up. The young boy turned his head ever slightly, scrutinizing the newcomer with little curiosity. Her hair was brown, a complete mess around her dirty face. His blue eyes lingered on her brown ones, slightly hypnotized by the shade and the familiar sense of will gleaming in them. The vulturous high ruler thrust her forward, and she finally tripped, landing on her knees beside the bed.

"Clean the boy. He's become a great stink. I want him fresh before I make an example of the little vermin again," he demanded with malicious promise. "When you're done, take him back to his little rat cage."

And so he left, doors slamming shut. For many moments, the two children didn't utter a word. The girl didn't even look at him, still sitting on the floor, staring at it. Wordlessly, Vlad finally sat up, finding the pants that had been torn off him. They were ruined and the only means of covering his modesty, if only to spare the girl her embarrassment, were the blankets on the bed. He glared at the sheets, the fabrics reeking of the high ruler's insatiable lust. He tore at what was left of his latest shirt, tying it around his waist as a makeshift loincloth.

"What's your name?" he asked without looking at her, securing the cloth.

He could sense that she finally looked at him, just as impassive as he was at the whole situation. Her voice was soft, but it held something that he couldn't describe. "Katarina." Another silence came between them as he stared back at her, those damned eyes of her hypnotizing him again. "What is your name?"

At first, he didn't want to answer, but since he had already asked her name, it seemed common courtesy to simply reply in kind. "Vlad." He forced his gaze away, frowning somewhat. "I can wash myself."

"He will know you did, and then we will both be punished," she replied logically.

"I will tell him that I did not want you to touch me and that I am to blame," he said monotonously. Sensing her surprise, he added quickly, "I am used to his punishments. Don't think I am doing this to be kind."

"Then why?"

He hesitated, not really knowing the answer. "It's your eyes...they're the same as mine."

The temptation to see her expression was strong, and when it won, he was surprised to find a smile on her face, changing how she looked. The dirtiness on her person could not hide her prettiness, and for the first time, he found himself flushing in response.

Wednesday Evening, October 29, 2031, Toronto Airport...

Crimson eyes shot open when his slumber was interrupted by the ding, signifying that the pilot was about to make an announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. We are approaching Toronto Airport and will begin our descent in approximately ten minutes. If all passengers could return to their seats and secure their belts, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for flying with British Airways, and we hope to see you again soon."

Twenty minutes passed, the plane landing safely and all the passengers left. Alucard was one of the first to leave, going through customs. He stared curiously around, looking for the contact that Integra had arranged for him to meet. In the distance, he spotted a man holding up a sheet with B.S. Bennett written on it with permanent marker. The vampire scrutinized the young man, in his mid-twenties, wearing an entirely black suit and a silver tie. His hair was a messy black, barely going into his silver eyes and pale face.

Alucard approached him, smirking in amusement. How quaint, Integra had vampire contacts. "Good afternoon," he greeted with a small grin.

The man didn't smile back. "Are you B.S. Bennett?" he asked with hint of a British accent.

"I am...in a manner of speaking."

The stranger held out a hand in a polite gesture. "Good afternoon. I am Van Drake. Your employer has informed me that you would be visiting. I will be your chaperone and valuable resource during your stay."

"Interesting," the vampire replied, grin widening as he shook the young man's hand. "To think, Integra trusted a vampire to escort a vampire. Curious, how old are you?"

Finally, Van gave him a knowing smile. "A bit under two-hundred."

"Oh? How very interesting. My master did not mention you in her list of contacts."

"I keep to myself mostly. Sir Integra and I met many years ago and took a great interest in my work."

"Your work?" asked Alucard, intrigued.

Van's smile didn't falter. "Perhaps I could explain in more detail later. However, it will be dark soon, and Sir Integra has asked me to get you settled into your hotel room before briefing you and sending you on your way for your investigation. I would assist in your search, but unfortunately, I have a particular assignment of my own, and my attentions cannot stray from it for long."

"Understood," Alucard simply said.

"Do you have any luggage?"

"A bag of minor objects and my coffin."

Van blinked in surprise. "You brought...your coffin? I didn't think anyone used those anymore."

Alucard grinned in delight. "Within that coffin is my kingdom. It's where I was born, and where I shall die. What surprises me is that vampires of today's age has no use for them. Though, I suppose it has something to do with the fact that vampires do not allow themselves to become weak, killing indiscriminately."

"Perhaps," agreed Van. "I still drink to sustain my strength. I move around the world too much to have a coffin. Carrying one around to each place would hinder me." He sighed, closing his eyes, then opening them again. "Luckily, I have a vehicle that can hold your kingdom."

Wednesday Evening, October 29, 2031, Hotel...

Alucard sat in a business suite on a plush chair, with Van sitting on another, a glass coffee table between them with a pile of folders spread around. The room was luxurious and modern and done in grey and white, with random splashes of colours in the form of canvas paintings and red vases with a single stem of white orchids. The double sized bed covered in red, silver, and white sheets, adding more colour to the room. The en suite bathroom contained a glass shower stall with a rain water shower head, the floor and wall tiles made of black marble. The toilet, sink and counter top was a pristine white, white and red towels hanging on the wall. There was a minibar in the room, as well as a flat screen TV, phone, and wireless internet. In the centre of the room, just behind Alucard's chair, lied his coffin.

"Sir Hellsing has asked me to provide you files on potential targets, based on the similarities between the victims. It will be impossible to cover them all, so it will be up to you as to who you should tail," Van explained unblinkingly.

"Indeed." Alucard grew more amused by his escort's mannerisms.

"However, after some close observation, they've at least left a trail between each city, and if I have predicted their movements accurately, then they will be targeting women in the city of Toronto."

"What a curious creature, you are," Alucard said suddenly, obviously not all that interested in examining the files. "Tell me, what exactly do you do that has caught my master's attention?"

Van held no expression, initially quiet. Resigned, he leaned back in his chair. "I hunt vampires."

"Is that all?" Alucard asked, bemused.

The young vampire scoffed, smiling wryly. "I dabble in many little hobbies, every now and then providing Integra with my findings."

"Such as?"

"Crafting weaponry, historical research, forensics, alchemy, science." Alucard's eyebrows rose. "Like I said...many little hobbies," he responded with a laugh.

"What is this so-called assignment you spoke of?"

"Ah, that," the young vampire began. "Let's just say that it's a long term investment."

"How long?"

"About less than one-fifty years."

"Oh? Please regale me." Alucard was truly interested now. "What could possibly take so long?"

"Believe me, if I told you, I'd be setting myself back. It's not an assignment I can just mention. It's something that's been plaguing me a few years, and I've been getting small leads, here and there. Last thing I want to do is compromise my gradual progress."

Alucard shrugged. "Suit yourself." One of his gloved hands reached for one of the files. "That is all, I suppose. Has my blood supply been prepared?"

"Yes." Van then stood up. "There's a cooler under the bed. If you require more, feel free to contact me." Silver orbs landed on the elder vampire. "Please try to be as discreet as possible. Otherwise, you'll just create unnecessary work for me, just to cover it up."

Alucard's lips widened into a toothy smile. "Good night, Mr. Drake."

With that, Van nodded in acknowledgement, leaving the vampire to his thoughts and scrutiny. It would have made no difference if he went out tonight. Someone was going to die tonight. For now, he would have to determine the most likely candidate. There were so many files that matched the laid-out description, that it would take a few hours just to read through them all. And so, he began his cross examination, making mental notes of each woman. None of the ones he studied were the least bit miraculous, and none stood out. Possibly, it would seem logical to allow a few murders, and see if it made a pattern. The chances of them finding the one they sought were slim at best.

After picking up the twenty-eighth file, he opened it to see a photo of a young woman of twenty-five. It was a desaturated snapshot of her walking out of a store, possibly a cafe of sorts, since she held a little paper bag and a cup of what he assumed was coffee. The eyes were obscured by a pair of dark rectangular shades, but he noticed how her hair was mostly straight, a wave here and there, framing an oval face. The hair barely reached her shoulders, cut in a layered fashion that he thought flattered her face, layered bangs barely covering her forehead, swept to the side. It took a couple of moments to realize that he had been simply staring at it, admiring her hair.

What was wrong with him all of a sudden? Admiring a human of all things. It wasn't unheard of, since he respected his master at great length, and even admired his late nemesis, Alexander Anderson. Humans were such fascinating creatures, but this... Somehow, there was a sense of familiarity about this woman. Flipping through the pages, he studied her profile more thoroughly, as if his interest had been peaked.

"Alexandra Rows. Age twenty-five, employed at Casaloma as gift-shop sales associate," he muttered.

Flipping more pages, he drank in every word, and at the back was a few more photos. One was her high school graduation portrait, wearing the typical black robes, holding a thin scroll and a red rose. Her hair was longer, a rich coppery brown, and now he could see her eyes behind a pair of rectangular spectacles with red frames. The eyes drew him in, the colour of a hypnotizing brown that he had not seen in centuries. He gritted his teeth, unable to believe his eyes as he stared at the face of someone who was long dead. The vibration of his cellular cut viciously into his thoughts. Bemused crimson pools turned to the offending object before picking it up, staring at the display.

He flipped it open, placing it near his ear. "My master, how nice of you to call."

"Alucard, have you settled in yet?"

"Yes. The vampire you sent to escort me has already prepared me for the investigation."

There was a pause. "Well? When are you heading out?"

Alucard grinned, looking back at the photo. "Very soon, my master. I suddenly have a feeling who they may be precisely after."

"Enlighten me, my servant. Maybe I can provide further intelligence on the girl."

"Alexandra Rows," was all he needed to tell her.

"Very well. We'll get right on it. I'll contact you shortly. Remember your orders."

"Yes, my master," he hissed with glee. "Until then, good evening."

Integra clicked off, and the phone was flipped closed. Alucard did not smile now. Why? Why after all these years would she show up now? He ground his teeth, thoroughly baffled and furious. This...Alexandra—his Katarina—was the true target. He just knew it. Whatever the reason was, whatever the motivation, he would destroy all that threatened her.

A/N: Hello loyal readers. Yes, I'm starting yet another story, this time for Hellsing, because it's awesome. I'm not in the mood to finish the next chapter of Arda Chronicles: Red Riding Hood right now, so hopefully this will at least satisfy those who have stuck with me, despite my constant writer's block. I rewatched Hellsing Ultimate, which, by the way, Crispin Freeman's Romanian accent for Alucard is sexy as hell...his voice is sexy regardless what he sounds like. I was suddenly in the mood to write again, but not for my other stories, at least not yet. I'm terrible, I know. I'm sorry! I'm also hungry.

I also have four MORE chapters for you to enjoy that I wrote all in the span of three days or so. I wanted to be sure I was satisfied with where the story was going, as I wanted to keep it canon. Based on manga/OVA universe, not the anime. I'll try my best to keep the Hellsing characters in-character. Anyway, please leave a review, and even leave a question I may answer at the end of later chapters.