Ezio leapt across the rooftops as fast as he could. Climbing down at the edge of the city, he continued to run down the path leading into the countryside. He finally made it to the magnificent structure and headed inside. Where should he meet Leonardo? Ezio knew Leo couldn't climb as well as he did but the higher up you went the mort privacy you had. He would at least climb to the second level of the colosseum. Leonardo could manage that.

He turned to look out at the city for any sign of Naja and Leonardo, however the sun was facing him, making it difficult to see anything. He sighed and moved behind the remains of the wall which was on this side. It provided a nice shadow to hide in.

He heard the sound of Naja's wing beats coming from the bottom of the colosseum. She flew past him and out of sight behind the wall. Had she intentionally missed him?

He looked down at the path he'd taken to get up when he heard a fair bit of groaning and cursing. He stepped to the edge of the stone and looked down. Leonardo was trying his best to make his way up the rocky surface.

Once close enough, Ezio grabbed a hold of Leonardo's arm and pulled him up. Leo looked up quickly in surprise, fear flashing across his face until he realised someone was trying to help him up. He squinted as he was facing the sunset and couldn't quite tell who was helping him up.

Ezio stepped back once Leonardo was able to get up on his own. The artist brushed himself off and looked up at him, panting rather heavily.

"E-Ezio?" he asked, shielding his eyes from the sun. Ezio smiled and waited for his friend to catch his breath. "Ezio! It's been so long!"

"Come here!" he said, hugging his best friend affectionately. "I had heard you were here in Roma and I tried to track you down,"

"Yes, unfortunately, being here is not very enjoyable. Er, have you seen my hat anywhere? I think an eagle has made its nest here and taken it for insulation," Ezio chuckled. He put his fingers to his lips and whistled a call for Naja. A few seconds later, she flew over the wall and swooped onto Ezio's outstretched arm. She was still holding Leonardo's hat in her talons. Ezio plucked the hat from her.

"Er, sorry," he apologized, noticing holes in the hat.

"Oh, well it's nothing I can't fix I suppose. Ezio I didn't know you had an eagle! What a magnificent bird!" He looked at Naja in complete fascination. "I've never seen one so close!" Naja seemed to understand someone was admiring her greatly. She extended her wings and let out a powerful cry. Leonardo's eyes lit up. "Fascinating!"

"All right, that's enough showing off from you," Ezio chuckled, holding onto her beak. She pulled away and chirped, looking at Leonardo.

"She's quite an amazing bird!"

"Would you like to hold her?" Leonardo's face brightened in an instant. He looked at Naja with an expression of admiration.

"Only if she is not troubled by it,"

"She seems to like you, I do not think that should be a problem," Leonardo smiled and held his hand out in front of her a little shyly. Naja looked at him cautiously but stepped down onto his arm.

"Magnificent," Leonardo breathed, bringing her closer. She flapped her wings to regain balance and settled back down. "You'll have to tell me how you acquired this beautiful creature," He dug into his right pocket and pulled out a small piece of bread to offer to her. She looked at it curiously. Upon seeing it wasn't any sort of meat, she chirped and looked completely uninterested. "Mi dispiace, I'll be sure to bring you meat next time," he chuckled, handing her back to her master.

"Perhaps it is time we head back to the assassin quarters; we have much to talk about,"

"I-I don't know if that's such a good idea Ezio, if the guards find me-"

"Why are you worried about the guards?"

"Because," he lowered his voice and looked around. "I have been threatened by Cesare, I'm currently under his employ, and if I leave I will be killed," Ezio frowned. "I am not allowed to leave the castello unless I am escorted by guards at all times. It was a miracle your eagle managed to lose them in the chase."

"Come stay with us until we deal with Cesare-"

"No, if I stay with them, I can help you from the inside," Ezio looked uncertain.

"I don't know Leonardo, it could be dangerous if they find out-"

"Do not worry my friend," Ezio sighed and looked out at the city. The last rays of the sun were slowly fading.

"Come on Leonardo, let us continue our conversation at the headquarters," Leonardo looked unsure. "Do not worrys, it is not very far from here, and it is getting late, it will be harder to recognize you once it gets dark,"

"Well...I suppose it can't hurt," Ezio smiled.

"Naja, keep on the lookout for any guards in our path, do you understand?" she whistled and lifted off when he held out his arm. "All right Leonardo, let's get going, we have much to talk about."

~ Note:
I'm, sorry it's a little short, I hadn't intended it to be but that's just how it seemed to have worked out :P