Ok, new story! I really must learn to finish one before starting another... oh well! Ezio x Hellequin? What in damnation is wrong with the world! I've had this idea floating around for a while, so I thought I'd actually put it into a story. My characters tend to turn out very OOC. IM SORRY D: Please enjoy. Reviews make the next chapter come up faster ;)

The streets of Rome were alive that night. Lanterns hung around the city as fireworks coloured the sky, like an artist flicking his brush at a blank canvas. Laughter, both deep and light, rich and musical filled the air. The reason?

Carnevale had come to town.

A night when the rich gathered with the less fortunate, participating in silly games as they drank in merriment. Courtesans lurked in the dark, knowing that they would be earning well tonight.

Many wore masks, fully getting into the spirit of things as they passed fire eaters and jugglers, dancers and jesters.

Caha sat on the edge of the stage that had been set up, legs swinging as she rested her chin on her hands. Her painted lips were stretched into a wide grin as she watched a couple twirl in time to the music.

Poor unsuspecting fools. They had no clue that someone would die tonight. She twirled the small dagger around her fingers as she glanced at her brother. Cahin wore a similar grin as he searched the crowds.

"Soon... yes, yes... very soon."

"Your talking to yourself again brother."

Cahin scowled, swiping at his sister, who ducked before he could hit her. "Shush woman. We'll go back to Firenze soon. No more orders from the Borgia, si?"

Caha sighed. Firenze was boring, and she didn't want to look after her brother, whose mental state was clearly declining. "Si, soon fratello, soon. The assassin must die first."

Cahin nodded vigorously. "Si si, or no freedom from the Templers." The hellequins face fell slightly. She highly doubted they would let them go whether they finished this job or not. "Caha? Caha! Freedom, right?"

"Yes brother, freedom." He grinned, tossing his own dagger into the air before standing straight. "Sorella... I see.. gold..."

Caha blinked several times, scanning the crowd. "Scusa? What are you talking about?" The Harlequin seemed to be getting excited about something. "Gold! Gold! Signore Cesare said..."

Caha growled "Cahin! Be quiet! Cesare said nothing about gold." The male flinched at his sisters harsh tone, shuffling away from her. "Si.. mi dispiace sorella..."

"Just... stay here. I'll look for the assassino." He nodded, returning to his mumblings as she stood and left him by the stage. A crowd was beginning to gather there. The main event would soon begin.

Caha moved swiftly, occasionally stopping to entertain guests as she searched. After nearly an hour, with no luck, she was close to giving up. Maybe Cesares' informant had been wrong, the assassin wasn't going to appear.

She began heading back towards the stage, pausing as something caught her attention. A hooded figure was moving through the crowds. Light bounced off the mask he was wearing and she grinned. So that's what Cahin had been muttering about.

She slipped past the patrolling guards, back towards the stage. "Cahin. I found him. Be ready."

The Harlequin grinned, excitement evident on his painted face. He was almost giddy at the thought of spilling this man's blood. He muttered something about freedom again before disappearing into the crowd.

"Cahin! Don't wander off!" It was too late; he hadn't heard his sister and was no longer visible. "Cazzo!" She dove back into the mass of people, trying to make her way to the assassin quickly. If Cahin got there first... things wouldn't end well. As much as her idiot brother annoyed her, she didn't wish him dead.

"Idiota... where did you run of to?" Caha muttered to herself, scanning for her brother. She spotted him, lurking close behind their target.

He wore a grin that she recognised all too well. Her eyes widened as she pushed through the cluster of people. The Harlequin stood, daggers swinging from his fingers as he crouched, ready leap.

"Cahin! No!"