Yeah, it's just a short little thing. Maybe the whole point of this was really just to kill off Integra... that's sort of depressing. I think I'll go back and add some sort of story during the eight years between the binding and Integra's death... Yup, that sounds good. Anyway, please review.
John had taken the mantle of Integra's responsibilities in stride in the past three years, as he had already been managing half of Hellsing's official affairs for eleven years prior. He had, however, relinquished direct command of the troops and placed myself as their commander.
I would often sit with him as he sorted through the immense amount of paperwork, each comforted by the other's silent companionship. He would often pause and stare at Integra's portrait hanging on the wall, as though seeking guidance.
As for the twins, John had realized that they could no longer role play a normal life after having reality shoved into his face. Their childhoods were ended prematurely as they were prepared for the inevitability of succeeding their father. John and I took turns instructing them on how to use a gun, how to fight, along with teaching them vampire lore, and the Hellsing family history. Their normal schooling lessons were supplemented with lectures on the subjects of great leaders throughout history and military tactics.
By the time they were thirteen, traditionally the age of adulthood, they could best any of the Hellsing troops and were more than proficient with innumerable weapons and fighting styles. They were also intelligent; both could speak several languages fluently and were wise beyond their years in matters both scholastic and strategic.
Meanwhile, I attempted to remain my cheery, tomboyish self, acting as an aunt to the boys and as a sister and friend to John. Trying to remain a light in a world filled with death.
But, on occasion, my mind would wander to darker topics. I would blame myself for Integra's death, or find myself longing for my absent master, the only person who would remain constant as the humans around me would age and die.
Whenever my thoughts headed in these directions, the twins would wander down to the basement to comfort me, showing me something that they had learned recently or describing some event that had happened recently in school. I would always follow them back up into the manor with a smile on my face.