(Vampire AU)

Marco glowered at the sight of the werewolf walking into their meeting room without a care in the world. They had been told that Shanks had arrived at their manor, unannounced and had merely strolled in, waving at everyone who was bewildered at how he had gotten in.

Pops surprisingly rolled with it, saying the brat could come in and join them. Apparently Shanks had important information to share, looking rather concerned even if he was trying to hide it. Werewolves always had a hard time hiding their feelings though. Their scent usually took on whatever they were feeling after all.

The information was very surprising though. Marco had thought it was going to be something simple. Not that one, single hunter was after their clan. He had thought that the hunters had given up on them a while ago and were trying to focus on the dangerous Vampire clans like Kaido's and Big Mom's.

"He's a young hunter." Shanks informed them all. "Very young. He's only seventeen-"

"Seventeen?!" Thatch choked, horrified. "He's just a kid!"

"That's why I emphasised on 'young'." Shanks pointed out, taking a swig of his drink. "But anyway, those bastards up top sent him after your clan."

"They sent a seventeen year old after a clan? A Grand Vampire's clan of all of the one's they could choose?" Marco frowned.

Pops hummed. "What is his name again?"

"Portgas D. Ace."

"Wait, is he related-"

"Yes, Rouge is his mother."

Thatch groaned. "They sent the kid of one of the most strongest Vampire Hunters to come after us? Do they have a death wish or did the kid inherit his Mum's slaying abilities?"

Shanks grimaced. "He's also the son of Gol D. Roger. That part doesn't leave this room. Got it?"

Pops nodded at that. "That information is safe with us."

"The Ultimate Vampire?! So he's like a half-breed?!" Thatch cried out, alarmed.

"No, Ace is completely human. That was the condition Rouge was given to allow the baby to live, otherwise they would have staked him immediately. Roger tried to go rescue them by surrendering but the Hunters killed him. The Hunters then raised Ace to become one of them after Rouge died." Shanks explained. "I wanted to tell you about him before he gets sent off for his mission."

"You want to make sure we don't harm the boy." Pops acknowledged, laughing softly. "Don't worry, we've heard a bit about young Ace. We were actually wanting to invite him to our clan."

Shanks groaned. "Ace is a stubborn kid. He's not going to accept, but you already know that don't you?"

"I've met both his parents. If he's like them-"

"His personality is more like Rouge's." Shanks slipped in.

"Then yes, he's going to be very stubborn about it." Pops sniggered, glancing at Marco who raised an eyebrow. "What do you think son? Believe you can handle an angry seventeen year old?"

"I've been dealing with the other lot for years now." Marco said, ignoring Thatch's protest. "I can handle a stubborn seventeen year old just fine. I'm more curious about how you found out about all this Red hair?"

"Oh that!" Shanks grinned. "Well I visit Luffy and Ace often who are brothers and during my visit Ace came back from the Church he's based at and Luffy got all the details out of him. Ace is nervous but it's his first mission alone hunting so it's very understandable. Usually he's acting as bait or is partnered up with a professional huntsman."

Thatch choked again. "His first hunt?! Himself?!"

Pops grunted, bemused. "We did know the boy from his hunts with Garp and the Admirals but I had assumed the Gorosei would have been at least smart enough to have the boy hunt on his own first before sending him after us."

"I have no idea what the Gorosei are thinking. They must be desperate." Izo commented.

Shanks shrugged. "I think that might believe that because Ace is a Portgas he could succeed. Despite his young age. Or they think you guys will underestimate him and coddle him because he's a kid. Not too sure to be fair."

"He's only seventeen. Hunters get sent out for their first hunt as twenty-six." Izo retorted. "It's insane. The poor boy's lucky it's us he's been sent after."

"Gurararara, it'll be nice to welcome another son into our home." Pops noted with a grin. "We've been listening out for the kid for a while after all."

"I don't think we've ever had someone so young." Thatch remarked. "I think the last one was Haruta but he was well over a hundred at that point. We're getting a baby into the family!"

"So when does he start brat?" Pops asked, his eyes on Shanks who shrugged.

"Could be any time this week. Hunters usually hit the clubs to see if any Vampires are acting up so my guess is he'll go to one of the big ones in town."

"I'll keep an eye out for him then." Marco said, glancing over at his father who nodded, approvingly.

"Remember not to bite him." Thatch sang teasingly. "Portgas blood is so sweet after all."

"Don't joke about it." Marco warned. "I've only smelled that scent from their blood twice and both times nearly made me lose control."

Thatch tensed at that. "Holy crap, really? But you're all 'I'm in control at all time'."

"Exactly. I don't think any younger Vampires, if he bleeds, will be able to control themselves if his scent is strong."

Marco just needed to make sure the kid didn't get a cut. It wouldn't be good to bite him the first time they meet after all.