Chapter One: The Past is Over and Gone, The Future is Not Guaranteed

"Well this is a sight I have certainly not seen."

Ezio's amused voice cause Rosa to jump and scowl.

"Don't enjoy it too much, puttana." Rosa retorted.

I hate this, I hate this, I hate this. Dio, save me! Rosa thought. She was uncomfortable. She was dressed like a whore. Her short, raven black hair managed to be pinned up by the help of Lady Teodara. The corset was barely covering her breasts and the skirt was opened too high on her leg.

That was another lifetime, another lie, another secret.

Ezio merely smiled at Rosa's apparent discomfort. He liked her better when she was dressed in her thief's attire, but this was a welcome change.

"So, piccola, tell me why are you dressed in such an ostentatious fashion?" Ezio smirked

"Because," Rosa savagely pushed the words through her teeth, "Antonio wants me to watch out for your friend Leonardo when he goes to mingle with the rich stronzos in case anything happens. It would be better if I was dressed as a whore so I would not draw too much attention." Rosa silently associated Antonio with various male reproductive parts. She was in a foul mood.

"Ah." Ezio's smirk grew as Rosa glared at him.

"And for once, you are not in assassin's armour?" Rosa asked. Ezio looked completely different and absurdly handsome in noble attire.

"Don't enjoy it too much." Ezio chuckled.

"Don't worry, I won't at all," Rosa snapped annoyed.

Ezio's face turned from charming to worry. He usually didn't mind her insults as most of the time their real intentions were meant to be flirting. But he could hear the acidity in Rosa's voice; something's he's never heard before.

"What's wrong, Rosa?"

Rosa sighed inwardly. This ragazzo can read me inside out.

"Nothing, I'm just tired or…I'm going through 'womanly' duties." That was a lie, but Rosa smirked as Ezio rolled his eyes.

"Anyways," Ezio continued. "We'd better get going. I want you to keep a close eye on Leonardo. You know how good he is at defending himself."

Rosa rolled her eyes. "Please, a seven year old girl could defend herself better than Leonardo."

Ezio laughed. "I wouldn't doubt that."

"Ezio, don't forget to put on your mask, idiota. It's Carnivale!" Rosa reminded him as she adjusted her own mask.

"Ah, always the one with the cruel words, mia tesorina," Ezio replied as he covered his features with the mask.

"Ah, always the one with the fancy words, mi amico," mocked Rosa.

Ezio laughed out loud, but said nothing in return. Rosa watched as he disappeared into the crowds. She realized her mouth was settled into a slight smile.

Rosa's irritation returned as she realized that a group of nobles were pointing at her and shouting lewd comments about what they would do to her. It was all too familiar.

That was another lifetime, another lie, another secret.

Rosa sighed as she spotted Leonardo conversing with another group of nobles. She started to trail him, making quick eye contact with Leonardo to let him know she was there. He shot her a quick smile and returned to his conversation. Two men of the group wolf whistled at her. Rosa sighed again.

"You're pretty." Rosa nearly jumped out of her skin at the barely audible voice. Two small, warm limbs were pressed against her leg. Rosa looked down to see that a young boy of about three years of age was staring up at her.

"Bello, how can you tell I'm pretty if I'm wearing a mask?" Rosa asked as she kneeled beside the boy. He had an olive complexion, dark, curly hair and pensive eyes that looked up to her as though they could see right through her.

"I just know." The boy replied with his naïve assurance.

Rosa chuckled.

"And you, piccola, are very adorable." Rosa smiled as the boy wrinkled his nose.

"All the big people call me adorable, I don't like it" the boy said.

"Why not?" Rosa smiled. She loved kids. She loved how naïve, innocent and joyful they are.

"Because it's annoying," the boy replied in a huff.

But her heart ached as she looked at the boy. It ached for a life she was so close to having.

Nostalgia was a figlio di puttana.

That was another lifetime, another lie, another secret.

Something just makes Ezio smile when he sees Rosa with the little boy hanging off her leg. Maybe it was the motherly affection that was radiating off her face that reminded him so much of his own mother.

He was surrounded by a group of giggling teenage girls, daughters of nobles. If he was five years younger, he would be enjoying the female attention he was now receiving. But at the mere age of twenty-eight, Ezio was starting to feel old. He assumed it was because he was dealing with circumstances that the majority of people never will have to deal with. He has aged emotionally. Five years ago, he'd probably would try and seduce at least one of the flirtatious girls that surrounded at the moment into bed. But now, he was just too old for one night stands, meaningless flings. He wanted a wife, as much as that seem to go against his nature, he wanted someone to call his own.

Like Rosa? Ezio frowned slightly. Rosa to call his own…

Ezio stole a quick glance at Rosa.

She is attractive…

Another quick one.

She looks like she would be a good madre…

And once again, he glanced at her.

But is it love?

But Ezio doubted his integrity of thinking he was attracted Rosa enough to be with just her for the rest of his life. What about Caterina Sforza? He was very attracted to her. Or what about Cristina? He could always go back to Florence to her familiar arms.

But Rosa was different and he knew it. He just didn't know why.

Ezio sighed. He couldn't make up his mind.

"Come and play with me!" The boy tugged on Rosa's hand.

"Sorry, darling, I cannot." Rosa replied firmly.

"Why not?" asked the boy indignantly.

Rosa opened her mouth to respond when she was cut off by an arm pushing her brusquely out of the way.

"Roberto! Get away from her!"

A haughty looking woman, who Rosa assumed to be his mother by the shared trait of curly hair, grabbed the boy's arm and dragged him away from Rosa.

"Bye-bye, pretty lady!" The boy said and he waved back to Rosa before getting scolded by his mother.

Rosa chuckled and smiled.

But her smile fell as she whipped around and found herself staring into those cruel eyes.

"Well, Carmela, it certainly is nice to see you again."

Nostalgia truly is a figlio di puttana.

Dio- God

Figlio di puttana- son of a b*tch

Piccola- sweetheart

Madre- mother

Mi amico- my friend

Mia tesorina- my treasure

Idiota- idiot

Ragazzo- boy

Puttana- whore

Bello- beautiful one