Hi there! Tatsu here (call me Blue if you like!) I don't own 'Assassin's Creed' in any shape or form but damn I wants me some assassin's robes! This fic's for saynomore and nobody else! Enjoy!

Part 1: Vieri

Vieri de Pazzi watched the Auditore brothers, from behind the corner of a building, just like he'd done for three straight days. Usually he was more confident with his high status to confront them in a fight or insult them, but not so lately. Just the thought of what'd happened mere days before left a light blush on his face, hoping none around could see. It was one thing to be hiding from his own rivals, it was something else if his thoughts kept betraying him. Many could assume it was the warmth of the day that brought color to his face, and his dark clothes were also a cause for his discomfort. If only they knew.

Just as he was sure he'd gone unnoticed, Ezio, the younger of the two brothers, turned his head with an odd look on his face. Brown eyes, hinted with flints of gold, found Vieri in seconds, their sharp gaze staring with mild confusion. Fearing his discovery, Vieri pulled away, his back almost glued to the stone wall behind him as he fought down his quickening breath. If Ezio exposed him now, it would only make his situation even more embarrassing than it already was, if such were even possible. Letting a moment or two pass by, Vieri let out one last calming breath before daring to look again, this time with a bit more caution. Thankfully Ezio had looked away, his gaze now overlooking the rest of the street with lazy boredom. Federico, Ezio's older brother however, didn't seem all that interested in the busy goings-ons before them. And from the way the brunette was scratching at his collar bone and right shoulder, it was likely he too had long since noticed Vieri watching them.

Seeing the older Auditore scratch at himself in that specific spot only made Vieri's face burn hotter, despite the warmth of the late summer day. Before he could stop them, memories of several days before came flooding back, overwhelming his mind effortlessly.

Vieri had once again lost against the Auditore brothers, their very public victory only further driving his anger to flare higher. It was one thing to fail to Ezio but to Federico? The insult of it made him growl in his contained rage as he stomped home for the night. He'd been so sure that victory was his until the porco de merda showed up and ruined everything for him. And he'd been so close! Thusly he angrily stomped home, slamming doors and yelling at anyone who got in his way to his room. Upon entering his room, he was sure he slammed the door shut so hard, various things out in the all either shook or broke. Being so angry, he didn't care. They had plenty of money to fix or replace what was broken or damaged. If his own father even noticed that is. Practically ripping of his hat, Vieri tossed it across the room, not caring where it landed or if it knocked anything over. Anger soon became shock and fear when from nowhere, a pair of hands grabbed him from behind. One hand over his mouth and the other kept firmly on his hand to keep him from drawing his dagger, Vieri struggled until a voice spoke into his ear.

"Must you fight against me always Vieri?" the familiar voice asked, the other man's breath ghosting against his ear. "What's this? The great Vieri de Pazzi is silent? I never thought it possible."

Breaking free, Vieri turned to face the intruder, his face ablaze with embarrassment, careful to keep his voice low should someone here him. "You've some nerve coming here Auditore! Do you have no shame?"

Federico, standing proudly in his red tunic and sash, brown boots silent on the intricately woven carpet, could only chuckle at the other man's reddening face. "A Pazzi who's easily flustered! Do you ever cease to amaze?"

By then, Vieri was sure his face had turned purple in rage, again keeping his voice low so any passing servant wouldn't hear. "I asked you a question Auditore! Best answer it before I call for the guard so they may end your life!"

"No need to get hasty Vieri. Such hostilities can remain outside the walls." Federico stated calmly, moving away from the door and towards the middle of the room.

Dark eyes narrowing, Vieri moved to keep the Auditore at a safe distance, eying him suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

Federico smiled a wicked smile that made Vieri's heart beat faster. Somehow he knew he'd somehow been cornered. "Allow me to show you."

Before anything else could be said, Federico Auditore pounced.

To Be Continued!