38 Years ago:

Shit! He cursed as he ran away, his red eyes flaring. Shit shit shit! Who was that?

It was just a routine day for them. At dusk, they had emerged and decided to find something, or rather, someone to feed on. They had been stalking a tasty human woman for a while now and were about to strike before it happened. From behind the rest of his friends, he watched as all of them turned to ash in an instant. Looking up, he saw a figure wearing a long coat, brandishing a pistol at him. Another shot made him run for his life. He dared not look back as he left town.

Dammit! He now returned to their den, a shabby, run-down house. He rummaged through his belongings, hoping to find something that would at least keep him safe.

"So, it seems you are all that's left…" Came a voice from behind. He turned to see the same figure from town again pointing a gun at him.

"What the hell? Who are you?!" He snarled in a distorted, inhuman voice.

The figure didn't answer. It merely stepped into the room, and now he could see her silver hair in the light, her red-brown eyes staring at him coldly.

"Wait, I know you…" He replied. "You are that vampire, the queen's sister! What the hell are you doing here?"

"That is none of your concern." Ren replied. "But as someone of the royal family, I will not allow these actions of yours to go unanswered."

"No! I ain't going down like this!" He snarled as he grabbed a metal rod lying on the ground and charged at her. In the small space, it was easy enough to reach her. However, Ren merely stepped to the side, avoiding the rod while tripping him to the ground. As he landed, she took aim and pulled the trigger. The round went through his head, ending his life at that moment. Ren checked the magazine of Night Rose as he turned to dust. Satisfied with her work, she departed, but not before calling the local Hunters in the area to send an investigation squad.

Castle Kuran; A few hours later

Ren walked past the front gates of the castle and headed to the main living room. Butlers and maids all around bowed as she walked past. She nodded in response as she went by. Years ago, it was no concern to her as to whether vampire society accepted her existence. Her birth as a result of a union of a respectable Pureblood and a vampire Hunter meant that almost all of vampire society treated her as an outcast. She didn't really care about any of that. All she cared about was that her sister never abandoned her; that she was still a constant part of her life.

Now, that was in great jeopardy.

Ren opened the door to the living room. As soon as she did, she was greeted with the sight of her sister lying upon the body of David Le'Vaine, the man who had become her husband just three years ago, already in the act of drinking his blood. Ren stared blankly at the scene of the two Purebloods who as of now remained unaware of her presence. It wasn't long before David now made his move on Ai, slowly reaching up to her dress and exposing a part of her shoulder.

Ren immediately walked forward and grabbed David's arm, surprising the two of them out of their little lover time.

"O-Oh!" Ai stammered slightly. "Welcome back Ren! Thank you for handling that affair with that Level E group!"

Ai now stood up from the sofa, her finger wiping the last drops of blood from her lips, finishing it off by sucking on her finger. "David told me that I couldn't go on account of my pregnancy. I know usually we would have handled these things together, but I felt this time he was right. I am truly grateful to you for handling that before it escalated to a far more awful situation."

"So… um…" Ai frowned nervously. "Could you let David go now? And could you also stop with that grim look? It's actually starting to get scary…"

"Huh?" Ren blinked as soon as she let David go, allowing him to finally move off the sofa. "Sister, you must be mistaken. I'm not making that kind of face."

Ai now took out her phone and snapped a picture of Ren. She looked at the phone for a few seconds before passing it to her sister. As soon as Ren saw the photo, her eyes widened.

The picture in question was of her staring eerily with blood red eyes. Not only that, he face looked taught, it was almost as if she was looking like stone. Not only that, but the frown she wore was so deep that any more than that and her eyes would have been slits.

Seriously? Ren blinked as she eased herself. That's what my face was looking like? How did I not notice?

"It's not just today." Ai sighed as she placed a hand on her forehead. "You have actually made that face approximately twelve times this entire week. It's starting to frighten most of the servants in the castle."

What the hell? Ren stared at her sister, completely shocked by this revelation.

Ai sighed as she walked toward Ren, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ren, what exactly is bothering you? You know you can always talk to me, right?" Ren looked back at her sister as she came close and rested her head on her shoulder. "I obviously know when something is starting to bother you. I still remember when your fangs finally came out. You kept your distance from me so much that I was starting to worry."

"I'm sorry…" Ren said.

"Well if you are sorry, at least tell me why you are doing it again." Ai pouted. "Strangely, it feels like this became more pronounced since David and I married. I thought at last all of those annoying Nobles would finally shut up about me marrying some renowned vampire and leave me with peace and quiet. But now I have to deal with this? Do I need to tie you down to a chair and interrogate you!?"

"Sister, please calm down." Ren said. "And there is no need to tie me down to a chair."

"Then spill it! Why are you so pouty all of a sudden?" Ai asked.

"I…" Ren began to say something before a knock on the door interrupted them. At once, an elderly butler walked in, bowing as he did.

"Your Majesty, I apologise for the interruption, but I would like to remind you of the meeting we have scheduled with the human representatives with regards to Cross Academy." He said.

"Yes yes…" Ai sighed. "As planned, David will be going on account of my situation. Ren will serve as his bodyguard."

"But of course your Majesty." The butler nodded. "I shall make the necessary preparations for Lord David as well."

"Thank you very much." David said as he walked to Ai, hugging her lightly. "Look, don't worry so much. I'll make sure to be careful. With the Hunters Association I'm sure nothing will happen."

"Still so optimistic." Ai said as she turned to him. "You know, there are still people who aren't too keen on us making Cross Academy international."

"You let me handle that." David said. "After all, I've made great progress with the people from America. I'm certain this won't be any different."

"Where you get all your confidence from I'll never know." Ai smiled as she embraced him.

"Stefan and Francois maybe." David smiled back as he returned her embrace. "Just keep yourself and our baby safe, okay?"

Muuu…

David and Ai now frowned at the strange growling sound. It didn't take long for them to find the source though. A single glance in the room was all they needed. Their faces paled the minute they laid eyes on Ren, whose face was now a completely exact replica of the photo that Ai had taken moments before.

"What is it?" Ren asked, still oblivious to her menacing demeanor.

Haaaa. Come on… Ren sighed as she buried her face in her hands as she sat in the car with David. Again she had seemingly lost control of herself, before her sister and her Pureblood husband no less. While she did have her sister's support, if word of this got out no doubt would Ai be up to her neck in protests from vampires who still remained in the older ways.

Both she and David remained uncomfortably silent as they headed to the local convention centre. Even as they were guided into the waiting room to await the human delegates the silence continued, with David trying his best to break the silence while Ren thought why she reacted that way to begin with.

"Lord Le'Vaine." The staff said as he entered. "The human representatives are waiting for you."

"I understand." David replied as he got up. Ren stood as soon as he did and followed behind him. Such was her duty as his guard.

It wasn't long before the meeting formally began, with the vampires taking a small place at the table. Ren kept her position behind David's chair, her eyes looking out for any form of threat against him and the others in the room. So far, so good. However, Ren knew this conference would be taking a few days. That was more than enough time for anything to happen. She recalled the words her sister said before they had left; elements still existed that wished to prevent further collaboration between human and vampire. It was imperative that this meeting was successful in promoting Cross Academy to the world, the only place that allowed humans and vampires to study together.

Ren didn't follow the conversation too closely. For most of her life, she had dedicated herself to protecting her sister. When her sister accepted the role of queen, she dedicated herself again to that, along with helping Ai round up criminal vampires that hunted humans. Due to the nature of her duties, she was often out of the loop with regards to the political work that Ai had buried herself with. She decided it was best to let David handle such situations, together with her sister.

It was likely fortunate that Ren had kept her eyes upon the polished silver frame of the chair David sat in, for it was then that she noticed her eyes beginning to turn red. She immediately closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. While not completely obvious to the humans, she was certain David had noticed. It was confirmed the minute the first meeting ended and he had to speak with her.

"Ren, are you okay?" David asked.

"I'm fine." Ren replied coldly. "You should focus on the next round of meetings coming up. I hear some of the human delegates still have misgivings about our endeavors here."

"I know you are lying." David frowned, causing her to stop in her tracks. The silence stretched between them before David leaned upon a wall. "I can probably guess as to what is bothering you. Are you that afraid of me stealing your sister away?"

Ren's fist clenched as she heard this, but she held her frustration in.

"I had the feeling that was what you were thinking ever since you interrupted us back then." David replied. "Not only that, but there have been a few other times as well when you interrupted me just as I was to partake of Ai's blood. I wonder, what is the significance of that to you?"

"Silence." Ren snapped coldly. "It is none of your concern what the relation between me and my sister is."

"And you're right." David nodded. "Try as I might, I know the time I have spent with her cannot equate to the both of you. But at least understand Ren; that I care for her as much as you do."

Ren breathed, trying her best to ignore David's words, but she knew he was right. As she reflected on it now, whenever she thought about David and her sister partaking in each other's blood, it left her with a frustration unlike anything before. She thought back to the time her stomach had been blown open by a bomb that Ai had viciously removed from her. While she didn't die by losing her head, she was about to die by her injuries. It was then she had finally given into the urge to drink her sister's blood, a choice she had difficulty making as she felt doing so would mean the death of her beloved sibling. Since then though, she had always found comfort in Ai, her blood helping her through stressful times. Plenty of Nobles had voiced their distaste at how someone like her had the gall to drink the blood of a Pureblood. However, a single command from Ai was all they needed to remain silent.

But now? It frustrated her that David was also to partake of that blood. While many would agree it was better than if she were to do it that was not what bothered Ren. She was not bothered by the fact that she may never again taste her sister's blood. However, that one act was the greatest bond they had as sisters. It was through that act that Ren realized she could be honest with her about everything. To have that all be taken away, Ren would never be able to bear it. Losing that was like losing her sister herself.

And yet… something else mattered more to Ren. This, she knew.

Her thoughts were cut by a sudden explosion. Both she and David snapped their heads upward as the building rumbled.

"Lord Le'Vaine!" The butler ran up to him panting. "An explosion was detected at the main carpark! All delegates have been ordered to evacuate to the main conference room! The Hunter agents are responding as we speak!" Without hesitation, Ren immediately ran toward the source.

"Ren! Wait!" David cried out.

"Get to safety David!" Ren said. "I'll handle this!"

It was a full blown firefight out in the carpark. Masked assailants armed with assault rifles too cover behind parked cars and shrubs, firing away at the Hunter defenders. Several shots had confirmed the attackers were human, forcing the Hunters to switch to conventional weapons. As they fought back, a masked man ran forward, aiming a bazooka. Within a few seconds, he fired.

At once the defenders ran from their cover positions as the rocket streamed toward them, blowing up a pillar. The resulting explosion caused the glass windows to shatter, shards now pelting the porch below.

The attackers now advanced, moving in while placing down suppressive fire. However, doing so meant they had to leave cover, and while it normally wouldn't be an issue in a normal firefight, this firefight was far from normal.

The lead attacker looked up and saw an individual standing at the shattered windows, silver hair illuminated by the light around. As soon as he blinked, the individual was gone. Now, he saw the flash of silver barely a few feet from him. Before he could even register this, a swift and hard blow was driven into his gut, knocking him out completely.

Ren quickly moved away, vampiric speed allowing her to avoid the bullets from the masked men. It wasn't unlikely that they weren't equipped with anti-vampire rounds. After all, she could only assume they were here to capture or kill anyone here, vampires included. They had to be at the very least prepared. Quickly, she dispatched another with a swift chop to the back of his head. As he fainted, she grabbed his assault rifle, quickly flicking it to single-fire. With great precision, she unloaded round after round into their arms or legs.

Within seconds, they were all down on the ground, gripping their arms or legs and groaning in pain. Ren took a look at the weapon she had just used and frowned. It was nothing like Night Rose, the weapon she wielded. It was so clunky, so unrefined. Still, it has its uses. Therefore, she held onto it a while longer.

The stench of blood now tickled her nose. She frowned, realizing at once that she was starting to feel thirst. Blood tablets had done well, but it apparently was nothing compared to what Ai could offer her. Still, she reigned herself in. Now was not the time for something like that.

"Now then." She said to the closest gunman, using her leg to roll him onto his back. "Who sent you here?" The man didn't answer, though he did shudder at the sight of her red eyes.

"By law, I am unable to kill you unless it is in self-defense." Ren said. "However, you will find there are plenty others capable of wringing the information out of you. Tell me now, and I will spare you their wrath."

As she waited for an answer, she felt a rustle in the trees behind her. Ren turned as another person dived at her. Reactively, Ren lifted the rifle and swiftly put three rounds into the new assailant. It was then that Ren saw the wicked smile on his face, along with his fangs.

A vampire!? She blinked as she was tackled to the ground. She felt his arms wrap around her body like a vice, restricting her movements. She glared back as he looked up at her with red eyes. She wasn't sure, but his strength was far greater than anything a usual Noble vampire was capable of. This only meant one thing, it was a Pureblood she was fighting.

"So, the infamous Hunter half-breed…" He grinned. "I wondered when you'd show your face…"

"What is the meaning of this?" Ren demanded as she struggled to break free. However, she realized immediately that her arms were immobilized. Looking closely, she saw that they were now cuffed by chains, no doubt made by the Hunter's Association.

"You have no idea the sort of pains I had to go through just to get this." He sneered. "It isn't easy brainwashing humans to do your bidding. Frankly speaking though, I couldn't stand being close to those fools. But, all's well that ends well. Time to finish what I started." He now reached down and picked her up, hefting her onto his shoulder, but being careful to take Night Rose away from her. "Can't have you using this, can I?" He said as he began to walk away.

Something now blew by, and before she realized it Ren found herself on the ground. She looked up to see her assailant now wrestling with David. "Hurry!" David said as he punched him and then wrapped his hand around the attacker's neck in a choke. "Get away! I'll hold him off!" The attacking vampire now pulled out a knife, stabbing David in his arm. David gritted his teeth in pain, but held the choke.

Ren now flipped onto her stomach and braced her knees under her. As she stood up, she turned to see David get stabbed more and more with multiple knives that the attacker procured from nowhere. The Purebloods blood now started to drip onto the ground in small pools. It was obvious he was weakening, Ren could tell that his arms were starting to sag and his grip begin to weaken.

She stepped back, and instantly her boot hit something hard. Turning, she saw that Night Rose had landed right behind her. With her hands still bound, there was no way she would be shooting. But she didn't have to.

With a final stab, David's grip now loosened, allowing the Pureblood to head straight for her. Without hesitation, Ren dropped onto her back. Her left hand now clasped the handle of Night Rose, her finger finding its way to the trigger. The enemy Pureblood now bore down on her, knife blade raised. With a single pull, the gun absorbed her blood, empowering itself.

Instantly, metallic vines exploded from the barrel, wrapping themselves around Ren and her attacker. They constricted his movements, stopping him in his tracks. The vines now glowed, ancient Hunter magic now paralyzing his movements and draining his strength away. One vine now snaked upwards, removing the handcuffs. Once free, Ren ran over to David, who was now lying on the ground with his hands slowly starting to heal.

"Agh…" David grinned painfully. "I'm certainly going to feel that in the morning…" Ren stared at him for a few seconds before she hauled him off the floor.

"Wagh!" David yelled. "Easy, easy!"

"IDIOT!" Ren shouted at him, causing him to stare at her dumbfounded.

"Wha…?" He sputtered just as Ren verbally lashed at him again.

"Why did you just throw yourself into danger like that?" Ren shouted. "Are you even aware of your own position!? What if that guy had chosen to strike you in the head?"

"He couldn't. I kept my head right behind his when I held him." David protested.

"Don't talk back like that!" Ren shouted him down. "What if you had been killed? Are you really going to just leave sister and your own child like that? Idiot!"

David stood there frozen as Ren caught her breath. After a few moments, he frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe you are right." Ren nodded. "Maybe I am afraid of you stealing sister away. And maybe I just haven't gotten used to it yet." Then she looked up at him, a pleading look on her face. "But I decided long ago that no matter what happens, I will protect my sister. From people who wish her dead, or who wish her unhappiness."

"So please…" Ren now grabbed his hand with both of hers. "Whatever you do, do not make sister cry. She cares about you very much. So please, don't just endanger yourself like that…"

David felt her touch as she finally made her peace. He stared at the silver-haired woman before him, recalling some of the stories Ai had told him. He knew Ren was someone who cared deeply about her, and was always putting Ai's well-being before anything else. Even if it meant that she had to allow him to partake of Ai's blood; that she could no longer act upon that sibling bond, it didn't matter as long as Ai was happy.

"I'll try to remember that in future." David nodded. "For Ai's sake."

"So long as you get it." Ren replied as the Hunters now moved to apprehend their attackers.

Days passed since the conference. Ren lay upon the sofa in the main living room. According to an official investigation, the Pureblood attacker was identified as the son of Lord Ramon from France and had apparently been disillusioned by Ai's desire of coexistence. Lord Ramon had apologized fervently and offered his son's own head for this, but Ai merely told him she wished for no bloodshed, asking that he simply keep an eye on him instead.

Ren however had many things to think about. It was apparent that trials awaited them in the future. Many would not be so thrilled with the prospect of reconciling with humans. And if that day was any indication, it was possible they would employ more dastardly attempts in the future. And it now would not be just Ai they would target. David, her unborn nephew and any who supported them may be targets too. Thus, Ren had made a decision. It likely would bother Ai very much, but she felt this was something she had to do.

"What are you thinking about?" Ai asked as she bent over her. Ren now looked up into her sister's eyes.

"Hello sister." Ren greeted as she sat up. "I was just about to find you." Ren now looked toward her sister's enlarged belly. Placing her hand on it, she now whispered. "How long do you even want to stay in there? You should come out soon."

Ai giggled. "I did that to you too when you were in mom's belly. I never thought you'd do it for this one though."

"What can I say?" Ren replied. "I'm trying to learn how to be an aunt."

"Well, no pressure." Ai smiled as she sat beside Ren. Now, a somber look crossed her face. "I'm sorry. I know it must have been hard, seeing me and David together constantly."

"It's okay sister." Ren answered. "As long as you are happy, I'll be fine. I told you all those years ago, remember? I want to be the one that protects you and all you care about from the bad guys."

"Well, it's not okay for me." Ai said as she reached over and tilted Ren's head toward her. "Sure, maybe I have David now to also help slake my thirst. But that is just one." Ai now looked toward Ren and smiled. "The other thirst is to know you are still a part of my life. I have this life to give to David, but I want to share it with you as well."

"Sister…" Ren said as she tilted her head to Ai's shoulder. Slowly, she sank her fangs into the delicate skin below, drinking a small amount of Ai's blood. Satisfied, she pulled away, leaving not even a trace of blood on her lips.

"I'm going to leave for a bit though." Ren said. "I'm going to go to the Hunter's Association for training."

"Huh!?" Ai blinked in shock. "What for?"

"Like I said. I want to protect you. But I can't do that myself." Ren explained. That is why I'm going to create an order of warriors from our kind who will help protect the vampire world."

"Ren…" Ai blinked, astounded at this revelation.

"But I can't do it without at least some training." Ren said. "So I'll learn from the Hunters first, and then when I'm done, I'll start recruiting. It will be long and arduous, but I'm sure I can manage. Besides, it will help our associates in Europe, right?"

"Ren…" Ai smiled. "I never thought you'd actually do something like that. So what, you'll be this order's Grandmaster or something? Can you manage that in time though?"

"Father Zero trained me quite a lot." Ren nodded. "I think I can manage within half a year. Hopefully within thirty years, we'll get somewhere."

Ai now leaned onto her sister, her smile going wider. "Just come back. I won't forgive you if you miss the baby's birth."

Ren nodded before she now touched her hair. "Hey sister, I'm thinking of growing my hair out again. What do you think about a ponytail?"

"Doesn't matter." Ai said. "Anything will look good on you."

Present Day:

Alarms blared throughout the facility as armed troops prepared themselves. The current Helsing facility was amongst some of the armories they had used to equip agents worldwide. Such a place was not easy to take by any means.

So it was a shock for the Helsing troops within when the first five levels of the facility were breached all at once within five minutes.

On the sixth level now, troops blasted away at steel-like thorny vines that lashed their way all around, destroying the very walls. The vines strangled around them, immobilizing them. They were simply outmatched by the single being attacking them.

Ren now stalked across the ruined rooms, her sword drawn along with Night Rose as she disarmed and disabled everyone that attacked her. Bullets were stopped by vines before they could strike her, retaliating as soon as they did. She expertly left them alive for the sake of gathering information.

Had she not required that, they likely would all be dead.

More so that threatening and killing vampires worldwide, Helsing had supposedly targeted David. She still remembered the time his ashes were found, how Ai had wept for days after that, how she had to comfort her whenever she broke down. Ren could never forget that no matter how she tried. For all these years, she had wondered who would be the one responsible for her sister's grief. Knowing now, it was difficult to hold back. Thankfully for the Helsing troops, they needed to be alive.

Still, her thoughts lingered on the leaders of these terrorists; the Executors. Soon, she would work her way to them, and they will know then the price of bringing her sister pain.

Footsteps sounded; the telltale sign of reinforcements. Ren readied herself for battle once more, intent on delivering her retribution.

Author's Note:

Alright, finished this faster than I thought! I'm glad I could explore this side of Ren that was shown in the manga and hopefully provide a bit of insight into how the Vampire Knight order was made.

For now, I'll be focusing on continuing the story past the previous chapter. So I hope you will continue reading this.

Jdbl00d