Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Hellsing's Knight Ranma ❯ Rebirth (rw) ( Prologue )

Major Re-write people, due to popular demand I'm adding more scenes of Alucard's training with Ranma and having him enter Hellsing at a later age.

Hellsing's Knight Ranma

By Shinzuru

A Hellsing/Blade crossover.

Warning it's gonna be violent, bloody gory and damn funny as our hero is unleashed on the vampire population.

Lotsa swearing along with a fair amount of sexual references so be aware this is gonna be one hell of a ride.

[Telepathy]

`Thoughts'

I do not take credit for the Ranma 1/2 characters.
They are owned and created by Rumiko Takahashi.

Prologue: Rebirth

The skies were weeping particularly hard on this day, by all means there was nothing out of the ordinary occurring. No random shootings or domestic violence reports which have become an expectation of city life, nothing earth shatteringly out of the ordinary for a city the size of London.

Some would say with the lack of events happening that times were getting better; the more cynical would say that it was just a matter of time before the peace was broken.

Thus the sounds of a crying child fell on deaf ears as working men and women carried on with their monotonous lives only conscious of their wants and desires

So here begins the tale of our less then willing star in this not so normal fanfic.

Standing in an alleyway of no particular significance was a 6 year old boy silently weeping over a prone figure distinguishable by a bandanas' weak attempt to cover his encroaching baldness.

As the rain soaked the remnants of a once pristine dogi, now stained brown with dirt and littered with holes exposing his skin to the cold air. The boy painfully wipes away his tears and bows down to the figure as the shadows seem to ever so marginally grow within the alley, saying words which are lost in the thunderclaps and flashes of the brewing storm the boy continues his silent dialogue over the prone figure.

The reason of this boys' current state can be explained if one goes back but a few moments in time.

***

1 hour ago…

"C'mon boy you don't want your mom to think that you're a girl."

"But pop it hurts."

"All for the art boy, without pain nothing is gained…. oh Nodoka how I weep that our son has failed us so."

Looking down at his dirty feet the boy thinks of his mom whom he had left 3 months ago. The smile on her face turning into a frown as she learns of his failures.

"…. Okay pop…I'll do it again for mom."

Genma Saotome looks down on his child with pride as he lifts Ranma up by the top of his gi to look him in the eye.

"Listen boy you have to master this technique for the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, it is a matter of honour."

Ranma new all about honour, oh yes he did. Without honour you are not a man, it is the duty of a martial artist to defend the weak.

`Ha what ever…. honour lasts only as long as it suits you old man' the young boy thinks as stares back at the plump face of his father.

At this tender age Ranma Saotome had lost his innocence and love for his father, thanks to all the times he was left alone in the dark with the cats in his attempt to learn the neko-ken. Then there was the times he was sold to men who tried to do things to him, thankfully pop had always come in the nick of time.

Worst of all was the constant moving; yes it was great to be able to see different things and train with different masters. Yet it always saddened him when he had to leave friends behind. Friends like Uc-chan, Celas and many more friends who accepted Ranma, as he was no questions asked.

By now Ranma had grown a healthy dislike for his biological father, as would most people in his situation yet through it all Ranma still stayed with the old man cause he had nothing else to fall back on. He didn't know where his mom was, he didn't know where his friends were and here he was in a foreign city where the language was one he barely understood let alone speak at the same time.

Most would have snapped under the pressure, all but Ranma Saotome because he knew he had to be a man for his mum. Although the concept of a man for a 6 year old child for him was a bit skewed, thankfully Ukyo and his friends have aided Ranma in understanding that a `man' was a person in shining armour coming to the rescue full of dignity and honour…what ever that meant.

To this day it still puzzled Ranma's young mind why his bud Uc-chan was always so interested in male heroes coming to his rescue. `Must have been something his dad taught him, like making Okonimiyaki.'

But now of all things his `pop' had got it into his pee sized mind that it was a good idea to train his son in a technique called the concrete skin. The process was simple; repeatedly hurl the candidate into a concrete wall until the candidate cannot feel the impacts.

Once again most sane people, in some cases the not so sane would have seen the stupidity of this technique but one must realise that this is a man who repeatedly threw his own son into a pit of starving cats until the poor boy lost his mind.

So here he was all of 3 foot 2 inches, Ranma Saotome heir of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts staring right back into his father's eyes.

"I'm ready pop."

"Good boy."

Placing Ranma on the ground Genma proceeded to wrap Ranma in bandages to inhibit self-preservation instincts when he hurled Ranma into the concrete alley wall.

Basically Genma didn't want Ranma to beat the hell out him while at the same time he maximised the damaged to Ranma's body.

After all it just won't do if the boy protects his face and other vital parts, the body must receive equal training to all parts.

Done with his preparations Genma raised Ranma by the bandages and started swaying back and forth to gather momentum.

"It's all for the art boy, remember I'm only doing this cause I love you."

Putting on a stern face ignoring the alcohol in the man's breath Ranma recites to himself. `For mum I will become a man amongst men.'

"Here we go!!!"

The dull thuds of bone and flesh meeting concrete echoed through the morning air accompanied by the pained cries of a boy.

***

20 minutes later…

"What's this boy are giving up already?!"

Staring down at the bruised and battered form of his son Genma lamented on how his and Soun's training was so much harder under the master…. oh the horror of having to wash dishes to pay for the perverts meals.

"Let me rest for a few minutes pop then we can start again."

"No son of mine is going to slack off while training for the art!"

Picking Ranma up again Genma launched Ranma at the wall with an extra kick `to put the boy in his place.'

As Ranma approached the wall he closed his eyes and prayed to whatever gods where listening that they would make the pain go away.

[I maybe not a god but will I do young man?]

Time seemed to slow down as Ranma opened his eyes to look for the speaker. All he saw was the shadows of the wall become darker.

`Wh…what…who are you?'

[I am merely who I am, nothing more nothing less]

`…Huh? What's you name Mr?'

[You mortals call me Alucard and yes I can make it stop]

`You can make it go away?'

[I can but at a price]

`What do you want?'

[I sense something different in you young one. Something I have not seen in your race for a long time. It is something I do not want to see squandered by that foolish mortal you call `father']

Silence was Alucard's response as Ranma dwelt over his desire to stop the pain and become a man amongst men.

[All I ask is that you come with me]

`…but pop will get angry with me.'

[Let me show you something boy that will open your eyes]

Still watching the approaching wall and feeling his bruises protest at the constant abuse Ranma's mind explodes in myriad of pain as images of his past 3 months with his father come to his mind with a clarity he never viewed before.

Ranma now understood that the all those `special training' exercises were immoral and not manly in Uc-chan's opinion. Ranma could see that stealing things was not a game and that his father's idea that if you can keep an object away from the owner then it is yours…all the times running from the yelling men were not supporters but men after their heads for making their lives hell.

Closing his eyes Ranma wept, although considered unmanly by his father he had come to the conclusion that anything his father taught was rubbish. Ranma wept for the pain he had caused, Ranma wept at the type of person he was being shaped to become.

Ranma came to a decision then and there that he would not become anything like his father, the festering hate for his father culminated in his young mind in a desire to become more then the waste of a human flesh that his father is.

Thus Ranma opened his eyes awaiting his new fate in the hands of his saviour.

`I accept'

[So be it mortal]

Genma watched with trepidation as Ranma approached the shadowed wall… what better place to throw his son at, the constant darkness would hide the bloodstains that he new were on the wall.

Waiting for the impact which would signify that one more step to his dream with living in the lap of luxury of Ranma's sweat with Soun at the dojo, Genma held his breath relishing the sounds of his `training'.

Alas it was not to come. The sound of flesh meeting concrete did not echo but in its place was a muted silence that swept into the area as the rats and other creatures within the alley huddled in silence as if a predator was approaching.

To Genma's shock a white-gloved hand reached out from the wall and arrested Ranma's meeting with pain. Following the hand came another, which cradled the injured boy in the crux of an elbow and drew the boy within the shadows.

***

`Where are we?'

Looking around all Ranma could see was darkness that seemed to stretch forever. Then he noticed that his question come out with him using his mouth.

`Huh?'

[We are where you will it to be young one, the reason why you did not speak was because there is no air within this realm thus we communicate with our thoughts]

To his right Ranma saw the hazy image of a man sitting in a leather chair, to his surprise moments later a chair of the same type materialised under himself.

`So you're Alucard huh'

[That I am]

`What gives… what are you?'

[I am one of the original; I am a vampire]

`Aren't vampires meant to be evil?'

[Vampires are evil, but evil is only subjective]

`Huh?'

[In simpler terms what you see as evil may appear as good for another person. Vampires see their actions as normal yet others like myself disagree with some of the philosophies or have simply grown bored and sought something new to fight for]

`Then why did you choose me? What is so special that you helped me'

[You young one are unique; in you I see many fates. But my interest in you lies in your potential as a human to become much more than what those around you are…I am interested to see what would become of you should you become one of us, you already have a trace of vampire blood within you, I will merely re-awaken it.

I will shed the outer coating of mortal flesh that hides the true you.]

Smirking from his seat Alucard could sense the boy's anxiety, yet he could also feel the faint echoes of his blood resonating with that of Ranma's. The call of the vampire was intoxicating the desire to feed on blood and grow stronger was already within the young boys mind.

Smirking even harder at the boys plight Alucard's own mind rejoiced at prospect of gaining a new challenge…a challenge that he would have to raise to become worthy foe for fighting against and or a strong ally for fighting with.

`You mean become a vampire?'

[Yes]

`…I dunno vampires are evil and it's the duty of a martial artist to defend others from evil'

[Ranma becoming a vampire doesn't mean you will be evil, it will merely give you the powers of one…. what you do with your power is up to you, it is your decision]

Never before has Ranma ever been given a choice in his life, always following his father. Leaving mom and his friends, no choice at all…. but here was a stranger offering him the choice to choose whatever path; the ability to choose to help others came to the fore of his young mind.

`If I become like you what will I have to do'

[Should you become like me you would hunt evils as I do, although what power manifests within you from the merging of your innate human abilities and vampire blood is up to fate]

`…I accept'

Standing up from his seat Alucard approached Ranma and crouched next to the boy and bit into Ranma's neck drawing the blood out yet at the same time replenishing it with his own.

Ranma felt a searing pain then bliss as he felt the energies gathering within his body, the thrill of the hunt manifested itself in his mind. Out of no-where a yowling escaped echoed through the air as a black mist leapt from Ranma's body.

Staring at the mist Ranma could see a distinctly cat like shape to it. Seeking advice Ranma saw his `master' and accepted him as that for with the transferring of blood Ranma gained a bit of his master's insight and knowledge of life and thus new his place.

`What is that master?'

Smirking Alucard glanced at his apprentice at the acknowledgement of subservience, with the transfer of blood Ranma gained a small insight of knowledge from Alucard and likewise Alucard learnt of Ranma's past.

[That apprentice is that cat-demon which controlled your body… that is the neko-ken.]

Remembering the fear of the pit Ranma cowled at the sight of the cat demon. Memories of pain and anger at his father and the people that allowed him to do such things. Crunching up into a foetal ball Ranma shivered at Alucard's feet.

[Well I can't have my apprentice in such a condition at the sight of a feline can I?]

With a glow of his eyes a nine-eyed canine leapt from his shoulders and squared of against the demon. Hissing partly in anger and partly in fear the cat-demon sought the nuisance that ejected it from its host.

Catching a glance of a smirking Alucard the cat demon recognised him for what he was and turned to run only to come face to face with the demon dog.

Whimpering in fear the cat demon raised its' claws in a pitiful defence as the dog demon devoured it. Looking up Ranma watched in awe as his greatest fear was literally eaten before his eyes.

Still watching Ranma stared at the dog as it came to him and sat before him on its haunches.

[Drink his blood Ranma and re-accept the power of the neko-ken]

About to protest the absurdity of the order Ranma turned to Alucard, but in his eyes Ranma saw the utter seriousness within.

Knowing what he must do Ranma set to his task and drank the blood of the dog feeling the fresh blood mix with his own and with that the knowledge of the cat-fist.

Although disturbing Ranma grew to enjoy the sensation of drinking blood until it came to an end when he was raised from the dog by an invisible force.

[That is enough young one; there will be time enough for that when we return to the mortal plain]

`What are we to do master?'

[First we will rid ourselves of you father then I will take you to meet my master]

Ranma stared at his master; he didn't know that anyone could be the master of his master.

[All will be explained in time my apprentice for now know that you will train in the way of the vampire and until a time that you are ready you will travel with me and introduce you to some acquaintances.]

Nodding in understanding Ranma watched as Alucard turned abruptly and disappeared into a portal of light.

Ranma stood there dumbfounded.

`Know what do I do?'

[Are you coming young one? Step through the portal]

Feeling embarrassed at missing the obvious Ranma followed his master into the realm of white light.

***

Moments after Ranma disappeared…

Genma stared helplessly as with every passing moment he felt his dream of luxury fade further away, believing his son to be taken by an evil force.

Glancing up to the sky Genma felt the first raindrops splatter across his cheeks. `Just great even the god's of this foreign land mock me…what else could go wrong.'

By applying the laws of anime which Murphy copied Genma felt the evil presence reassert itself in the alleyway.

`Oh no it's come for me!!!'

Try as he might Genma was rooted to the spot as he stared at the wall that claimed his son's life and was moments away from claiming his own.

Then he saw it, Genma saw the shadows well up around a figure as it stepped into the light of the phosphorescent lamps. The flash of the brewing storm `s first lightning strike uncovered the grinning face of his tormentor.

When the flash died he was gone. Unable to pinpoint it's presence all Genma could feel was the evil within the area surrounding him. Another lightning flash then he caught a sight of red to his right. Spinning in the hopes of catching it Genma only saw trashcans.

By now Genma's natural instincts kicked in, unable to contain his fear Genma backed off towards the mouth of the alley.

Then with one blinding flash of lighitning the figure `formed' from the shadows into a man wearing a red trench coat and matching hat. Standing in front of Genma the figure reached out and clenched Genma by the throat and raised him of his feet.

Although he new of the Umisen-ken and Yamasen-ken Genma new in his bones that what he was seeing was not of this world nor was it ever meant to be a part of it so thus his techniques would be useless.

He could feel the darkness exuding from this one being and frankly it scared the shit out of him.

"Who…. are…you?"

With his trademark smirk that displayed his canines Alucard glared at Genma through his amber glasses.

"Humph…mortal you should not be asking questions, you should be more concerned with your mortality."

Finding a fragment of his spine Genma stood his ground and withheld his normal instincts of running in favour of taking his son back from the demon, although he couldn't do much from his current position.

"What have you done with my son demon!"

"What concern is it of yours?"

Looking Genma in the eye Alucard could see that the man intended to fight for his son. Snapping out his right fist Genma aimed for Alucard's face only to be flung into the trashcan's he saw earlier on.

From his position Genma smirked and spat out a tooth as he pulled out a napkin from his gi.

"Two can play at the disappearing game demon."

Without warning Genma faded from view.

`Interesting, it appears this mortal has some spirit in him…strange for one who sells his own for a pickle and some rice.'

Standing in silence Alucard held his hands by his sides awaiting the Genma's attack.

Raising his free hand Alucard grabbed a foot centimetres from his face as Genma's cry of "Shooting Star Kick!" Echoed down the alley.

With a negligent flick the breaking of bones dominated the air for a few moments before Genma's own cry of pain overrode them as he impacted with the wall he was throwing Ranma agaisnt, sliding down on the blood of his son Genma sat in his position.

As Genma slumped against the wall he began to see multiple images of his foe as the echoes of footprints drew closer.

`Damn, my leg is broken…I think so are my ribs…. looks like I can't keep the promise Soun'ole buddy.'

"Still alive? How does it feel to have the tables turned on you mortal?"

For some unknown reason Alucard couldn't help but hate this mortal that sat before himself, he'd met demons from the farthest pit's of hell that wouldn't have done half of the things this man did to his own child.

"Ha! I will never surrender!"

"Too late you have already lost"

Taking his Hellsing issue vampire slayer `hand cannon' Alucard cocked the weapon and placed it against Genma's head.

"Alucard wait!"

Glancing behind Genma Alucard watched as Ranma steeped out from the shadow of the wall.

"What is it young one?"

Glaring at his father Ranma pleaded with his young eyes to the vampire.

"You can't just kill him like that."

Genma smiled as all the training he did has paid off as Ranma apparently came to his rescue.

"That's my boy, tell him to stop"

With a smile that almost matched Alucard's own Ranma faced his father.

"After all master it won't do to send this pond scum to the other side without making him repent some of his sins."

Shocked at his son's statement Genma watched a Ranma formed black claws of ki from his arm and gently racked them across his body drawing blood and ripping his gi to shreds.

"S..s…s..son what are you doing?"

"Why pop I'm merely showing you the product of all your training."

Reaching down Ranma raised Genma's face and smiled an almost child like smile if it weren't for the burning hatred in his eyes that Genma could see.

"Y'see pop I hate you and it is time for you to atone for your sins."

Stepping away Ranma glanced at his master.

[Master how do I lift him without touching him… he is to heavy for me as I am now]

[Try young one for with the vampire power comes strength.]

Putting words to action Ranma raised Genma over his head and hurled him into the middle of the alley.

Walking over to stand over the fallen man Ranma began to weep as the memories of the torment he underwent in Genma's training regime came crashing back into his mind.

Looking up at his son Genma couldn't help but fear what his son had become.

"Boy what are you doing?"

"I am taking back am life pop."

"Never! You are a Saotome and I will not have you dishonouring the clan name!"

Raising his fist Ranma gathered a crackling black ball of energy which he then punched down onto Genma's face smashing lose more teeth and breaking the obese man's nose.

" Ha! You speak of honour as if you knew what it meant…. don't preach to me old man, I have more honour within a drop of my blood then you have ever had the grace to have in your entire life….if being a Saotome means becoming like you then I will have nothing to do with your name!"

"Boy don't make me do this…"

"Too late old man I hereby renounce my name and claim to the heir of the school Anything Goes Martial Arts."

Putting on a stoic face as possible in his bruised and battered condition Genma glared at his defiant son. Then in sadness turned his head in shame.

"I have no son."

"Good bye old man."

***

So we come to the present…

As Ranma stood over the prone form his ex-father he couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom as he left the last traces of his past bruised and battered before his feet.

"Good bye old man"

Wiping away tears of happiness Ranma turned to his master and smiled a true smile of happiness at the new future before him.

"Come young one let us go to your new home."

"As you wish my master."

Thus Alucard stepped forward and enveloped Ranma in his coat as the shadows in turn enveloped Alucard as they went on their way to the Hellsing Fortress.

Leaving Genma to his fate as he lay bleeding in the alleyway.

Watching the stars go by Genma laments the future of his school.

"Nodoka is going to kill me when she here's of this…. Hmm I guess that only leaves me with one option. Soun old buddy I hope you'll understand me coming over so early, I'm sorry that our pledge cannot be fulfilled."

Closing his eyes Genma laid back in the hopes of catching some sleep before having to get a ride back to Japan….knowing his luck he'd have to walk back home.

***

Within the confines of the Hellsing Fortress…

Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing sat in her office, a thin cigar set firm between her lush lips as more reports littered the desk. She contemplated the future of her father's establishment.

The men under her command were the best the world had to offer, men of honour, dignity sworn to slay evil.

True modern day knights; who would have guessed that among these knights was a vampire serving as a comrade in arms.

As if summoned by her thoughts Integra saw the familiar darkening of the walls that are the prelude to the arrival of one of her most loyal servants.

"Welcome back Alucard, how did the hunt go?"

Staying within the shadows Alucard addressed Integra.

"Very well my master…"

Watching a smirk growing across his face, Integra couldn't help feel a sense of dread as to what else the vampire would want to add.

"….I have brought back an apprentice that I will train."

"YOU DID WHAT!!!"

Standing up from her position Integra glanced from left to right searching for Alucard's new toy.

Stepping into the light Alucard opened his coat to reveal Ranma holding his leg.

Eyes softening in sympathy Integra felt the stirrings of a mother, a protectiveness she'd ever experienced before.

"It's okay little one, come forward I won't hurt you."

"Hello pretty Lady, I'm Ranma."

Bowing down Ranma assumed this was his master's master so thus she deserved his utmost respect.

Reaching out a hand Integra clasped onto his chin and raised Ranma's face to the light so that she could stare into his eyes.

"Hello Ranma I'm Integra, do you have a last name?"

Tears welling up as the past few hours caught up with Ranma and the chaos of his life finally caught up with his mind Ranma realised he didn't have a name or home to call his own.

"No Lady, my dad disowned me, I have no home or name I am a ronin."

Looking into his eyes Integra saw the startling contrast between the deepest blue and the blood red of all vampires even the turned. Tears coming to her eyes Integra brought Ranma into a deep embrace and started rocking back and forth to sooth the crying boy.

"What is the meaning of this Alucard."

Seeing her shock at the colour of Ranma's eyes Alucard proceeded to explain, knowing what the true question was.

"He is a full vampire like I so he is entitled to all the powers granted to one, yet his human heritage is strong; there is a power in him that is familiar yet new to me that I want to see develop to his full potential….I will take Ranma to meet with acquaintances of mine to train in his heritage."

"I did not ask what he is, that I already guessed but why does he not have a name to speak of?"

Alucard proceeded to relay Ranma's history that he glanced when he drank his blood. The training his father put him through and all the other accounts of fraud and thievery Genma made Ranma commit in the name of the art.

2 hours later….

"That my master is the abridged version of this young one's life."

In surprise Integra looked at the sleeping boy whose silent whispers of mommy echoed in the room.

`How can one so young have gone through so much yet retain his innocence and honour?'

The burning sensation for revenge consumed Integra as thoughts of what Genma put his on through burned through her mind.

`A time will come for revenge against that man but for now we must care for this young man who is full of surprises."

[As you wish my master, Ranma is a special boy that has a great destiny before him]

Looking at Alucard Integra couldn't help but notice the hint of concern for the boy's safety as he watched her rock him back and forth in his slumber.

"What are your plans for him Alucard?"

"I will pass on my knowledge to Ranma, I will be leaving for a period of time. I will give Ranma the chance to grow up in an environment where he will be cared for properly."

"I don't know how living with a vampire will teach him proper manners but he is your apprentice do with him as you please but I want you to bring Ranma back at regular intervals so that I too may school the boy."

"Ranma I believe is one of those vampires of legend that can walk in the light.

I know not how I know this my master just believe that what I say is true so know that he will not be robbed if his childhood prematurely. "

"It's strange Alucard but you sound like almost care for this boy?"

"He is my apprentice my master and I want to see his spirit soar, besides don't you think it is time to find an heir to your name? An heir worthy of the Hellsing tradition… I could see it in your eyes from the moment you laid eyes on that boy in your arms… you felt the potential within as well"

Watching Ranma sleep Integra couldn't help but know that within her arms she held a special person.

`Is Alucard right, do I see an heir in Ranma even though I've only known him a few hours? Time will tell'

[That is true my master, I shall collect Ranma in the night. Instruct him as you please until then.]

With that Alucard faded from view as the first rays of dawn pierced the night sky.

Unknown to Integra she had spent the night holding Ranma while Alucard in turn watched over them.

`Has it already been that long? I must finish my work.'

Raising her voice in a shout that carried to the ends of the hall Integra called for her manservant and friend.

"Walter!"

"Yes Integra-sama?"

Watching the sleeping boy through his monocle Walter couldn't help but see the motherly side of his master, it brought a faint smile to his face before he masked it under a stern exterior.

"I saw that Walter, now take this boy and find him a bed. His name is Ranma and he will be staying with us for a period of time…. oh and Walter you will be reactivated for the period of time that Alucard is gone with the boy…. you can put away the shocked look I know you were listening to the whole conversation"

Hiding his smile Walter bowed.

"As you wish Integra-sama."

Taking the small child from her hands Walter left the room as Integra returned to her desk. Sitting there for a few moments she couldn't help but think about Alucard's words.

"An heir? Hmmmm we shall see Alucard I only hope you don't train him excessively like his prior trainer"

With those as her last thoughts sleep claimed her.

***

Opening his eyes Ranma found himself in a European style bed, feeling the softness of the bed Ranma couldn't help but enjoy it as the first luxury he has had since the beginning of this training trip with his dad.

Thinking of his dad brought back memories of the previous day, Alucard and his rescue, the inevitable disowning and the warmth of the pretty Lady's arms.

Sitting up in bed Ranma found to his surprise a man dressed in a butler's uniform standing next to his bed with a tray of food.

"Good morning young master."

Bowing down Walter placed the tray of food before the young boy and watched to his amazement as the food disappeared.

"…munch…who….gulp…are …bite…you?"

"Young master I am Integra-sama's servant and it would be advisable you eat at a more delicate pace before one chokes on one's meal."

"Nahhhh this is the way I always eat."

Watching intently as Ranma attempted to swallow a whole piece of toast Walter awaited the inevitable.

"Hack!…cough!…urghhhh!!!!"

Reaching back Walter sent the palm of his hand into Ranma's back propelling the offending piece of toast across the room.

"Thanks…maybe I should have listened."

"No worries young master."

Without further a due Ranma burped and leapt out of bed before giving a formal bow to Walter.

"Thank you for the meal, do you know where I can find my master?"

"If you speak of master Alucard he is in bed for it is day time and it is in advisable for vampires to be caught in the daylight."

"Hmmmmm I remember him saying something like tha….ack!!!!!!"

Diving under the bed Ranma hoped he wouldn't die after glancing the sun through his window.

Walking over the side of the bed Ranma dived under Walter bent low to be in eye contact with Ranma.

"It is okay young master, Integra-sama informed me that you are unique and can enter the light with no fear."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Standing back up Walter awaited Ranma to come out into the open.

2 minutes later….

"Are you coming young master?"

"Ummmm….this is kinda embarrassing but I'm kinda stuck….can you give me a hand?"

Shaking his head Walter reached down and helped Ranma out of the wedge he got himself into.

Standing up and basking in the light Ranma stared at Walter and realised he hadn't introduced himself.

"Hi I'm Ranma Sao…just Ranma apprentice of master Alucard."

"Pleased to meat you Ranma I am Walter servant of Integra-sama."

"So do you know what I'm doing today until master wakes up?"

"That question I cannot answer, but Integra-sama can. Follow me."

Straitening his hair and clothes in the expectation of meeting the Lady Ranma looked down on his meagre clothes and frowned in disapproval.

`I think I need new clothes….and why am I still hungry?'

***

Entering the office Ranma immediately recognised his surroundings and saw the lady from the night before sitting behind an oak desk leafing through some papers.

"Integra-sama presenting Ranma as requested."

Looking up Integra placed her papers down and motioned for Ranma to come closer. As Ranma approached the desk he saw the youth of his benefactor, he guessed her to be around the mid twenties.

"Hello Ranma, I take it you remember me from last night."

Blushing Ranma remembered calling her mom.

"I do pretty Lady"

"That's very flattering Ranma, but do you know the reason why you are here?"

"No Lady."

Bending low and picking Ranma up while placing him on her knee Integra looked Ranma in the eye.

"Ranma as you know you are now part vampire, Alucard is going to train you from now on…"

Enjoying the comforting warmth of Integra Ranma leaned into her body, ignoring the tobacco smell that clung to the office…after all if he could live with Genma's Sake breath he could live through anything.

"….but every so often you will return here to be schooled by me and when the time is right you will join us."

"Join you?"

"All in due time Ranma, just know that your place is among us, you belong here."

Tightening the hug Integra saw the happiness in his eyes and the relief that what he had a place to call home in the future.

From within the gentle hug Ranma's mind remembered being held this way by his mother, her smell and her love.

"….Ranma you are special, so know that you will always have a home here."

"…tha...thankyou Lady."

Reluctantly releasing Ranma Integra placed the boy on the ground.

"For now Ranma go with Walter and get some fresh clothes and prepare for your departure tonight."

Giving one last hug Ranma leapt into Integra's arms before falling back to the ground and walking towards Walter who stood by the door.

Stopping at the precipice of the doorway Ranma turned back to Integra.

"Lady you remind me of my mummy, I can't wait to see you again!!"

Bowing low Ranma and Walter disappeared behind the closing doorway.

"As do I Ranma, I will wait and see the man you turn out to be under Alucard's guidance…a possible heir you might be."

***

5 months later…

"Ranma……. Ranma ….Ranma…"

The faint buzzing of his name being called woke Ranma from his dazed sleep.

"Just five more minutes master."

Looking down on the sleeping boy Alucard glared at Ranma's back as he rolled on to his side.

"Wake up apprentice for tonight we shall go on your first hunt."

Eyes snapping open Ranma looked around in the darkened room of their apartment heart pumping at prospect of a hunt. For the past few months with Alucard Ranma had been learning to harness his vampire powers and nothing else.

"What do we hunt this night master?"

Standing up Ranma willed a change clothes, for a moment darkness shrouded his figure before a white Chinese silk long sleep top and bottom formed themselves from the darkness.

"Tonight we hunt some familiars…you are not ready to fight true vampires yet apprentice, you have a ways to go before you can even dream of matching one."

Getting a determined look in his face Ranma turned towards the seated figure of his master in the corner.

"I will be the best!! Nothing will stop me."

"That is good my apprentice, let us hunt. Come"

Rising from the chair Alucard stepped into the shadows of the wall, having grown familiar to his mode of transport Ranma took a running leap into the portal.

"Wait for me master."

***

Exiting the portal Ranma realised he had placed a bit to much effort into the leap as it carried him from the portal straight into the opposite wall of the corridor.

"Wait for me master…..wahhhhhhhh…"

"*CRASH*"

"You have a ways to go before you can call yourself a vampire my apprentice."

Standing above Ranma Alucard smirked as a Ranma rubbed his nose after his meeting with the wall.

Turning to face Alucard Ranma saw the first bullets pass through the vampire's body tearing a hole through the vampire's chest and splattering blood across Ranma's face and staining Ranma's clothes a vivid red.

Silence reigned for a moment before another hail of bullets tore Alucard's body asunder akin to that of a man grasping a grenade in his fist and watching his fingers fly in all directions.

"….master…."

Collapsing onto his face Alucard could see the despair in his apprentice's face, which brought a smile to his.

`That is it my apprentice, feel the bloodlust let your anger go and let your vampire heritage show! I know that you still hold morals against the taking of life but with your belief of my death I hope you to vent your anger on the familiars…. hahahaha…woe to those men when you snap out of your shock.'

Staring at the smoking remains of his master Ranma knelt next to him as the shooters approached from the other end of the hall only seeing a child resting next to a dead man…. never more could they have been wrong in both accounts.

`…master….'

A single tear fell from Ranma's eye as he saw Alucard's broken body, the tear streaking down Ranma's cheek mixing with Alucard's blood before falling on the vampire's face.

Feeling hands grasping him Ranma was vaguely aware of getting dragged to the doors at the end of the hallway.

`….master….'

Out of sight the tear along with the rest of Alucard's blood began to evaporate and return to the fallen vampire who immediately stood up and melded with the shadows. All the while smirking.

***

Upon entering Ranma saw the reason for the armed familiars, within the room were hundreds of people with hooks through their hands hanging from the ceiling with their stomachs slashed open dripping blood and entrails onto the ground; through a series of channels converged to a pool of blood and chunks of gore.

The fetid smell of decaying flesh and blood was a cloying stench that caused Ranma to recoil and stare at his holders who were two armed men smiling cynically as they overlooked their handiwork.

"Don't worry boy it'll soon be over."

One of the guards remarked from a poker table as he watched Ranma get dragged across the blood soaked floor.

Worst of all was the screaming…Ranma suddenly realised that these men kept their victims alive as they were slowly drained of blood, now Ranma knew why Alucard decided to put an end to these familiars who were gathering blood for their masters.

Staring at the bloody floor and chunks of human flesh brought Ranma back to the recent demise of his master and caretaker and in some ways friend.

`….master….'

Looking back to his surroundings he saw the men taking him to one of the hooks to be drained of his blood, feeling his intense hatred war with his code against taking life Ranma remembered his conversation with Alucard during his training the other day.

***

1 day…err night ago…

Ranma sat in a lotus position as he strived to gain control over the powers he could feel fleetingly come and go, always staying marginally out of his grasp.

[Apprentice you will never gain full control of your heritage until you can come to terms with the taking of life]

"But master it is against the code of the martial artist."

[Ranma you are a vampire now, you are the harbinger of death to your enemies…you must not hesitate otherwise they will take the lives of the ones you care for…do you understand?]

"I think I do my master but I do not know if I could kill."

[Time will tell my apprentice, time will tell.]

***

"…master…"

With a soulful cry that resonated through the chamber Ranma's cry of sadness gradually changed to a scream of fury.

"MASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Eyes burning with his powers Ranma had come to a decision and nothing was going to stop him.

`I'm sorry it took me so long to come to terms with my heritage my master…..you will be avenged.'

Stepping back in shock the armed familiars stared as the boy was covered in a corona of darkness.

Standing still Ranma gathered what energies he could, feeling an itching in his hand Ranma looked down and saw as claws made of crackling dark energy slowly emerged from his knuckles.

A phrase murmured in Ranma's mind, a phrase that was fitting for what he was to do…a phrase that culminated his anger.

"AKU ZOKU ZEN!!!!"

Dashing forward Ranma swept past the two guards and continued towards the rest who where around the poker table.

***

Watching in fear as the boy charged them the guards raised their guns to fire but new that the demonic child with glowing eyes would reach them first.

The last thing they felt was a searing pain before falling to the ground in three segments, blood running down the channels to join the pool in the centre.

***

Catching a glimpse of movement one of the men at poker table saw the demise of his comrades before he caught sight of the charging demon.

"FUCK!!!!"

Raising his Ak-47 the man sprayed a volley in Ranma's direction only to have Ranma fade from existence nano seconds before the bullets could touch him.

During the time interval the rest of the guards had got their guns and formed a protective circle around the table.

"Hey Ruder you see the kid?"

Turning to his left the guard saw the aforementioned man's head tilt to the left before detaching itself from the rest of the man's stationary body.

"Oh fuck…hey Grig the kid got Ruder!!!"

Turning to his right he saw another member of the group staring at him.

"Damn Grig don't scare me like tha……."

To his even greater shock the man he was addressing let of a gurgled plea before splitting in half and hitting the floor with a meaty thump.

Looking down from among the dripping bodies Ranma watched as the last guard frantically spun around in circles as his comrades literally fell to pieces around him.

"Are you afraid?"

Glancing to his left the man heard the boy's voice.

"Don't worry it will all be over soon..."

Turning to his right the man heard the voice but only saw darkness…. then he remembered himself saying those very words to the boy.

"Psst over here…"

Spinning around the man levelled his gun at the shadows behind him.

"What the fuck are you!!!"

"Your worst nightmare… feel the terror your victims felt before you stole their lives."

Beyond the state of panic the man started to stumble away from the poker table continuously spinning.

"DIE!!!!"

Shooting in all directions the man eventually ran out of ammo as the ricocheting of bullets continued until they too faded into nothing with the echoes of the shots fired and silence prevailed occasionally broken by the dripping of blood.

With a dark and sinister voice Ranma approached the man from his hiding place in the shadows.

Ranma's echoing footsteps were the only sound, the clacking of the heels was all the man heard as he stumbled and started crawling away from the approaching footsteps.

"You missed……"

Spinning around the man saw as the boy standing behind him. Watching in slow motion the man stared as the boy's hand entered his chest and clenched his heart.

"…uhhhhh…you will pay for this…uhhhhh."

Crushing the enclosed heart Ranma let the man fall to the ground.

"I doubt that."

Raising his slippered foot Ranma brought it crashing down on the man's face crushing it into the floor smearing the man's brains into a paste.

"That was for my master."

***

With the anger gone Ranma fell to his knees next to the twitching body. Grasping his head as tears fell from his face.

`What have done?'

"You have awakened your true self my apprentice"

"…m…master!!"

Leaping to his feet Ranma wrapped the vampire in a tight hug.

"I thought you gone…."

"Apprentice you must learn that a true vampire never dies until he has done what he has needed to do in his life…and I'm afraid I have many more things to still do."

"……you planned it didn't you master."

"....and if I did my apprentice would it alter the way you feel right now? Then why did you weep?"

"Master I just killed…….I was weeping because I did not feel any regret….. I am no longer a martial artist."

Raising Ranma to his eye level Alucard smiled at the boy.

"You were never a martial artist Ranma, you were always a vampire and vampires bring death to those who deserve it and you my apprentice were carrying out retribution for the souls of the men, women and children that litter this slaughter house."

"……thank you master."

"Let us go my apprentice, your first hunt has gone well…let us depart to meet with my acquaintance in Europe."

"What of the dieing master and this den?"

"Do not worry apprentice I have already attended to the dieing and I have informed my master of this den's location."

Placing Ranma on the ground Alucard stepped once again into the shadow portal, having learnt his lesson Ranma followed suit.

Stopping before entering the portal Ranma turned back to the room and dwelt on the silence.

`If this is what I must fight then I shall do everything in my power to learn to be the strongest warrior and put a stop to the death.'

***

3 years later…

Entering the familiar doors which he had been in and out numerous times in the past 3 years Ranma caught sight of the indomitable Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing.

Standing from her desk Integra saw Ranma enter through the doorway and open her arms up to the running child.

"Welcome home Ranma, how has your trip to America been?"

"Lady!!! It's been so long……Blood was a very nice lady, she taught me how to use a katana to kill vampires."

Smiling down at the youth Integra remembered the boy's development from a brash youth into a promising youth who had captured her heart.

"Ranma's it's only been a month since I last saw you when you left for America with Alucard. Speaking of which where is the old vampire?"

"Master said he was going to attend to some `business'."

"Well then I guess that means we can carry on with your study."

Glancing down at the workbooks Ranma began to back away towards the door.

"Ranma an education is necessary into becoming a more adept warrior."

Stopping his retreat Ranma was reminded of his promise he made at the beginning of this journey with Alucard, a promise to learn to the best of his abilities.

"If you say so Lady."

Surprised at Ranma's about turn in behaviour Integra sat down in her desk to tutor Ranma.

So it went the process of Ranma leaving with Alucard every odd month to go on training journey's to meet his acquaintances while on the even months Integra would tutor Ranma privately in the confines of her office.

***

4 years later…

Ranma stood in the centre of his bedroom in the Hellsing mansion meditating after having cleared away the surrounding furniture.

Standing up Ranma proceeded to go through a kata that he had learnt in the intervening years from various masters. Never having fully abandoned martial arts, merely taking a different path that suited his vampire powers.

The kata began with simple manoeuvres involving punches and kicks, kicking up the level Ranma weaved in leaps and along with flashes of darkness as he let loose his claws.

Reaching the crescendo of his kata Ranma drew the katana Blood had given him as a graduation present for mastering her School of the Katana. Whirling the blade in an intricate display Ranma began to sweat as he infused the blade with crackling energies of darkness, with every slash a trailing arc of darkness followed.

Deep into the kata Ranma blocked of the rest of the world as his dance of death continued entering a Zen like state of mind.

***

Walking towards Ranma's quarters to collect him for his first meeting with Integra after having gotten back from another journey with Alucard, Walter felt the dark energies being harnessed, interest in what Ranma had learned Walter crept into the room and stared slack jawed as he saw Ranma perform a dazzling display of swordsmanship.

`Young master has learned a lot in the past few years.'

Sitting down to watch the climax of the spectacle Walter began clapping as Ranma weaved lines of darkness in the air through trails of crackling energy.

***

The sudden clapping brought Ranma out of his Zen like state; it was enough of a distraction that he lost his grip of the katana.

"Oh shit…whoops"

"*Whoooosh…..cha'chunk!*"

Staring down at the crackling sword embedded between his legs Walter slowly began to edge away from the blade.

"That was a dazzling display young mas….. zzaaaapp!!!…. urk….. I think I'll rest here for a moment."

Watching a tentacle of the dark lightning reach out and connect with Walter's groin Ranma could agree as he clenched his own groin in sympathy.

"Sorry Walter…"

Extracting the blade from the chair Ranma re-sheathed and dispelled the lighting placing it on the bench before picking the groinicuted Walter and moving him to his bed.

***

Entering Integra's office Ranma bowed once before giving her a friendly hug.

"My, my Ranma how you've grown in these past years. I still remember a time when you were just barely reaching my knee. It's good have you back home."

"It's nice to meet you again Lady, it's also great to be back."

"So what new wonder did you learn this time around….better how many things did you destroy before learning this new wonder."

Smiling down at the bow, Integra noticed how dashing Ranma looked in his white Chinese clothes and that cute pigtail he was braiding.

`Ranma is filling out nicely…hmmm from that hug I could feel his hardened muscles…Alucard is doing a great job in raising the boy.'

"Ahhh shucks lady the most I've ever destroyed was that warehouse…besides it wasn't my fault that the familiars in there had a self-destruction bomb….man that ruined my best outfit as well"

"You can't blame them Ranma, for the past 6 years you've been hunting familiars all over the world….I think you've made quite the impression on them, besides you could always recreate your clothes on the spot."

"…eheheh forgot about that…..anyway what are you going to teach me today?"

"Surprisingly you've managed to complete the standard education of a college student Ranma, I don't know what else you did on your trips but your education rivals that of any other man out there."

Scratching the back of his head at the praise Ranma tried to forget the lessons in the university with the vampire Mosquiton….brrrrrr that guy made Ranma study all night and day and threatened him with that damn gremlin of a money grubbing girl he called master. Hell if he didn't study Mosquiton said she would marry him….brrrrrr

`Trust Alucard to take me to that university to `gain an understanding of your nature'...blah more like Lady grabbed him by the balls and told him to do so.'

Did I forget to mention that spending time with vampires and hunting men has opened Ranma to the more floral side of the English language.

"So what am I to learn from you now that my `education' is complete?"

Tilting her head so that the light reflected from her glasses Integra gave Ranma mischievous smile.

"Simple Ranma, know you will begin studying military tactics and history."

Looking with dread behind his shoulders Ranma saw the wall full of military documents; it would take him years to go through them all.

"Oh dear…"

***

The End…for now

Author's notes:

Here's the rebuffed first episode. Thank to goes to the reviewers of Delphi Forums, I hope this is more to your collective likings.

Issues addressed:

Ranma's got experience with his vampire powers

Ranma's older, or will be in the next chapter

Ranma will kill, mostly without hesitating

I've developed Alucard's and Integra's relationship with Ranma

Fuck ya Ranma's gonna have a katana and his gun…. die Genma die…hahaha

Review away fanfic readers.

Look out for the next chapter `Training'

C&C to Shinzuru@westnet.com.au