"I'm heading to the market. Would you like to come," Malik asked as he pulled his blue robe on and adjusted it, easier said than done with one hand. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair to make it lay flat. Patting down his robes he turned to the young man stirring amongst a pile of pillows and blankets. Tanis groaned and rolled over on his rug in the corner of the small back room. Malik didn't have a second bed and the boy seemed pleased to have what he did. He sat up and yawned. His eyes squinted against the bright sun. He hadn't been asleep for a while, simply lying quietly enjoying the silence. Malik enjoyed that about the boy, being quiet in the morning was something he'd become accustom to since being here.

"Now," he asked rubbing his eyes clear of sleep.

"Yes, I should go before it gets to crowded or hot."

"Yeah, I'll come," the younger man rolled out of his make shift bed and reached for his white tunic. Malik would have preferred the young man sleep completely dressed, but the days and nights were getting hotter. Feeling awkward Malik left the room while the other dressed. It had been a while since the last time he'd shared a sleeping and dressing area with anyone. In fact, since Kadar's death, he hadn't at all. Come to think of it, Malik was beginning to return to his old self, slowly but surely.

When Tanis had arrived, the bureau had need a good cleaning. Dust clogged the air making it seem darker than it really was. To any outsider the bureau would appear to be nothing more than meager rundown book shop, however, upon closer inspection one might stumble across the wrong book or perhaps wonder why a book merchant needed a set of armor and weapons. The floor had been mostly bare, with the rugs stored out of the way. Malik had no intention of cleaning blood from them. Tanis had somehow managed to sneak them out and spread them over the bare cold floor. Malik took good stock of the room for some reason today. The shelves had been dusted and the floor was clean. The only sign of the bureaus original state Malik's desk, sprawled across it was his sketching supplies, ink stains and dust. Malik half smirked to himself, Tanis had been secretly cleaning around. Malik hadn't even noticed until now. It must have been close to several weeks' worth of work for one person and Malik never once noticed anything odd.

It was early morning and the city was still waking up. Most of the market would be set up but few people would be out and about. Malik preferred to shop in the morning. Everything was fresher and there was less pushing or shoving, most important to him, less staring. The sun was extremely bright today, as Malik stepped outside in the sun to wait. He squinted against the sun and placed his hand over his eyes.

"Malik! I did it! I got accepted into the brotherhood," Kadar exclaimed running across the dirt path. Malik looked toward him and was momentarily blinded by the sun. He smiled anyways and congratulated his brother.

"I figured you would. Father was a master you know." Kadar stopped inches from Malik brandishing his new robes and armor. His hidden blade already on his forearm. Kadar's face was full of excitement and pure enthusiasm. Malik was proud of his brother; regardless of the fact Kadar's acceptance had been a sure thing from the day of his birth. Kadar had the final say either way, putting forth the dedication, blood, sweat and tears the Grand Master commanded of him, of every assassin brother. Kadar stared at his new robes unable to stop grinning. He finally looked up to meet Malik's proud smile.

"I'm going to be a Master! Just like Father, you and Altair!" Malik almost cringed at the thought of Kadar becoming like Altair. Lately, he'd become arrogant and selfish. He was older than both Kadar and Malik and far more skilled. However, more and more often he'd let his status take control of him. As a result Malik and Altair had begun clashing over Altair's leadership. Malik was more afraid of Altair losing his life than losing a friend. Malik smiled anyways.

"I don't know brother. You're too naïve," Malik's reply held more than one meaning but he could see his brother didn't comprehend. It might be a while longer but that was just fine by Malik. The longer Kadar held on to his carefree self the longer Malik could also.

"Malik, are you okay," this was a voice Malik didn't recognize. He'd been so pulled into the past he'd even forgotten where he was. Malik half jumped and whipped his face with his sleeve.

"Yeah, just fine," He took a couple deep breaths to regain control and forced a smile. Tanis' eyebrow arched and he looked truly concerned. Malik knew he'd been spacing out like this more and more. It had begun about the same time Tanis had come to him. Malik wasn't sure why having the boy around made him finally cope with the loss of his brother. In a way Malik almost regretted accepting the boy into his care. It was pulling all the feelings he'd suppressed over the months back out.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I said," Malik barked. Tanis' concerned vanished and he sauntered out the archway into the shop part of the bureau.

"Whatever," he said as he walked out the door and into the street, still tying the sash. Malik flared in embarrassment and anger.

"I was not crying, you little shit-face!"

"Okay, I don't believe you but if Altair asks I saw nothing." Malik paused, how much had the boy figured out? Why was he so angry about being caught crying over his dead brother? He had a right to mourn a lost one, didn't he? What did it matter if Altair asked? It was Altair's fault after all. Malik huffed and followed Tanis down the alleyway. He studied Tanis from behind. He wasn't wearing the tunic after all and his white vest clashed greatly with his dark complexion. The clothes were fitting better thanks to the weight gain. His cuts and bruises had begun to heal nicely, thanks to Malik's medical skills. His face and hair were cleaner thanks to regular bathing. Malik was expecting a letter from the Master today; he assumed it would contain the boy's fate as well. Malik couldn't help but worry. He was such a nice young man. He had so much talent and skill to offer the brotherhood. Malik studied him a little longer; he noticed a hint of Altair's arrogance in Tanis' gate. Malik stopped walking.

"Tanis," he called calmly.

"Hmm," Tanis stopped and turned around, his black eyes soft and curious, weight placed on his back leg and shoulders firm. Malik looked him over for a second. It was confusing; he couldn't tell if it was actually arrogance he was seeing or confidence.

"Nothing," Malik smiled and continued walking. Tanis' eyebrow rose.

It was oddly strange seeing the market this empty. Tanis slipped in and out of the stalls, lifting coins here and there. Malik stood over a meat stall deciding if it was worth serving a real dinner to celebrate anything. Malik focused hard on the slabs of raw flesh. Tanis retrieved a handful of coins from a wealthy looking man's pouch before disappearing into a more crowded stall. He glanced over his shoulder toward Malik's hunched figure. He grinned mischievously and slinked toward the older man. Careful to blend in with the natural flow of the crowd Tanis slipped in behind Malik. He waited, no response, he waited a minute more, no response still. Tanis grinned and slipped his hand toward Malik's coin pouch. A flash of a hand snatched Tanis'. Malik jumped and spun around. Altair stood hunched, holding Tanis' hand aloft for Malik to see.

"Now, if I was guard, you'd be beaten on sight," Altair growled and released Tanis' hand.

"Oww, I was just testing myself. He'd need it to pay for my dinner anyways. I'd have given it back," Tanis babbled as he rubbed his wrist, which stung slightly from Altair's gloves. His face was red from embarrassment. Malik scowled and opened his mouth to chastise the youngest of the three.

"Hey, are you going to buy something or not," the merchant growled and slammed his first on the table. All three men turned on him in a second. Altair's piercing gold eyes sizing the merchant up for good measure. Malik's fiery brown staring him down, making it clear the merchant was beneath him. Tanis' irate black still sorely embarrassed and without the patients for incompetence. The merchant flinched and stuttered.

"S-sorry, take your time. You men look like you could use a good fresh piece. Here take this," he stammered and pulled a nice looking chicken from his stores behind him. Tanis' eyebrow rose. Altair and Malik's gazes softened. Altair produced a handful of coins from his purse and placed it on the table.

"Here, take this as payment," the merchant stopped babbling and looked up from the dead featherless bird he was wrapping. His jaw dropped when he saw the money placed before him.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, very much," he quickly finished wrapping the bird and passed it over to Altair. Altair took the bird and gave it to Malik. Malik accepted it and looked up at Altair.

"Thank you novice. You should join us for dinner," Malik turned and calmly walked away. Any anger he'd had towards either Tanis or Altair was simply gone. Tanis stood beside Altair a moment watching the other leave.

"What happened between you two," he finally broke the silence. Altair didn't answer. Tanis' crossed his arms and looked over his shoulder at the taller man. He was forced to look up. Whatever Altair was feeling the shadows over his cowl were hiding it. Tanis' sighed.

"We should hear from the master today. You should join us. It looks like he is planning a nice dinner regardless of the contents of the letter. Perhaps a congratulatory gift or a good bye gift," Tanis chuckled sorrowfully at the later. Altair turned his shadowed face to the young boy who was now wondering away toward Malik.

It was late afternoon and Altair was strolling toward the bureau. He was invited tonight after all. No way was he going to give up the food he'd paid for after all. Truth be told he missed Malik's cooking. He wasn't an amazing cook but it was always the thought behind it that made Altair's stomach growl. The idea that someone cared to make sure he was properly fed. Nowadays, Malik could have served him weeds in boiling water and Altair would just be happy to be in Malik's good graces again. How long had it been since Malik had last offered to cook for him? Was it months or weeks before Solomon's Temple? Altair and Malik had been on short terms with each other before the faithful day. Malik wasn't satisfied with the example he was setting for the younger Al-Sayf. Altair lingered on this though for a moment. Malik had been right all along. Altair had become a wicked monster, part of him knew it then but now it haunted is very being. Then he had killed without reason. Then he had killed just to feel the power over his victim, Allah help any man who stepped in his path back then. The idea, of that man he once was, made Altair sick to the stomach. How many of his Brothers had looked up to him for being a ruthless killer? How many of them couldn't see the real Altair behind that biting blade? Malik had and Malik had even tried to save him from himself. Instead, Altair had chalked it up to insubordination and jealousy.

It didn't matter tonight was a chance to show Malik how much he'd changed. Altair swore to himself that he would bite his tongue and mind his manners, regardless. The street wondered aimlessly beneath his feet, forgotten were the people around him. That was until, the foul smell of human sweat and then a crash of metal on stone pavers. Altair lost his balance and tumbled backwards to the street, landing half on his butt and feet.

"I'm sorry," It was completely unlike Altair to just blindly walk into someone. Altair scrambled to his feet and held his hand out to help up the other man, when he stopped immediately. He began mentally cursing himself for being unaware of his surroundings. The other man was a Templar Guard. It was possible he had seen Altair's face and was would now alert the others to his presence in the city. Altair would have to take his life or endanger the brotherhood once again.

"I should cut you up and feed you to the wild dogs, idiot," he was fuming as he too scrambled to his feet, knocking away Altair's offered help. The man began dusting himself off before looking up to meet Altair's gaze. By the time he did Altair was already heading in the other direction.

"Hey, get back here," the guard commanded, "I demand an apology or I will throw you to the dogs!" Altair kept walking as if nothing had a happened.

"Assassin," the guard bellowed. Altair lowered his head and shoulders and began sprinting. He brushed past a woman caring some pots. She panicked and dropped her load. It wasn't long before three more guards joined chase. Altair could hear their thundering foot steps behind him as he darted down the street, heart pounding in his chest.

"Get back here and we might let you live," one of them shouted out of breath. Altair ducked into an alley and down another. Seeing as stack of crates he sprinted up them and on to the rooftops. A confused archer shouted for him to get down but Altair paid him no mind. He kept sprinting. Below him the guards began shouting curses after him. The Archer drew his bow and arrow but Altair vaulted an alley just to return to the streets. The arrow sored across the alley and to a sandstone wall and stuck there. Altair jogged slowly down the alley. The slower he moved the easier it would be to locate a hiding place. He spotted a small gathering of people gossiping out of the way. He ducked in with them. He immediately began quieting his breath and calming his heart. A young women raised her brow at his sudden appearance but shut her mouth when the guards came sprinting past.

"Where'd he go," one guard was yelling but no one answered. They group continued down the street searching for nothing. Altair nodded his thanks to the women and left the group.

The rest of the trip was seemingly calm besides the occasional beggar or drunken idiot pestering him. The sun was still in the sky but would begin setting soon as the sky was beginning to turn a deep orange. Altair stepped into the door of bureau off the street. It was calm. Only the dripping of water from the fountain and the scratching of Malik's quill could be heard. There was a shuffling of feet and Tanis appeared in the door way. Altair was sure he'd been silent upon entering. A broad smile was plastered across his face and there was a twinkle in his eye that Altair hadn't seen before.

"Welcome Altair," It was oddly relaxing to be greeted in such a manner and Altair had missed it greatly. He felt he didn't deserve such kindness anymore but he was still grateful.

"Thank you, Tanis," Altair returned pleasantly, letting the ghost of a smile grace his scared lips. It had been Kadar who last greeted Altair in such a way and it made his heart ache. The boy disappeared into the bureau and Altair followed. It was brighter, cleaner, and less of a back alley book shop and more of a home than his last visit. There was also the strong smell of spices and meat simmering somewhere out of his sight. The aromas made his mouth water and his stomach began to twist as it recalled the familiar smells, and memories, of Malik's cooking. Altair's eyes flittered around the room taking in all the changes. They finally settled in on Malik himself, he was sitting with his back to them focused on a map.

"Malik, Altair is here; Perhaps it's time for a break," Tanis coaxed. Malik grumbled something incomprehensible and set his quill aside and turn to face them. His face was less irritated than normal and he seemed almost pleased to see Altair.

"Before we begin I want to make it clear. We are celebrating for Tanis nothing else. It would be a waste of food for just the two of us to enjoy it," Malik informed Altair.

"Celebrating? Does that mean Tanis was accepted into the brotherhood?"

"Yes, and no," Malik gestured to the parchment on the desk beside him. "You see because he isn't a member of a blood line that we know of. He cannot join the brotherhood. However, that doesn't stop us from using him to our potential. The master as granted me permission to do with him as I see fit," Malik eyed Tanis fondly as a Master would his apprentice. Tanis stood half awkwardly under Malik's gaze. Altair could see the boy wasn't use to praise or anything that even resembled fond feelings. Altair smiled.

"That is good. He has a place to sleep and good food to eat," Altair said remembering his recalled memories from earlier. He half wondered if Malik would notice the compliment. He shifted his gaze from the boy to the man. Malik was eyeing him with one eyebrow arched, he had.

"Yes, well, I have already begun cooking the food. It is in the back simmering," he lifted his lone hand and gestured to the backroom. "- Should be done soon. It's just a simple chicken stew with beans."

"Anything you cook is good enough for me," Altair blurted before thinking. Tanis' gaze shifted up to Altair's.

"Is he that good of a cook? Then why have I been doing all the work," the boy glared at Malik.

"Because, you need to learn to contribute, and I mean more than just rearranging my records so I can't find anything," Malik retorted gesturing openly to the room around them. Tanis continued glaring at Malik, his one hand on his hip and knee locked. He half looked like and angry house wife, Altair was sure he felt like one. Tanis let out a slow half audible grumble.

"Oh, go set up some place for us to eat," Malik said using his only hand to shoo the boy. Tanis huffed and stomped into the back room.

"You seem to have taken accustom to him," Altair smiled.

"Shut up," Malik returned to his work, his smile was gone and he was as spiteful as ever. Altair frowned; he'd hoped that maybe things had begun to change between them but why would they? Instead, it was simply an act for Tanis' sake. Altair pushed his hood back and let it fall to his shoulders revealing his brown hair and golden eyes. The ever present scar on his lips seemed to add to pain on his face. He sighed and pulled his robe off and set on one of the empty shelves. He also removed his weapons and placed them out of the way. The room really was far more pleasant. Malik continued scratching his quill on the parchment paper finishing his map. In the backroom Tanis could be heard shuffling around. Feeling awkward and unwelcome Altair decided to lend the boy a hand and headed to the back room. Tanis stood hunched in a corner with a stack of pillows and a rich rug hung over one arm. He bent to pick up another pillow and lost the stack. He half growled and stomped his foot and set about picking them up. Altair smiled and crouched to aid him. The pillows were new to Altair. They were richly decorated in various shades of red and gold. Tanis stood and began walking into the main room.

"Malik, the food is going to burn," Tanis said as he laid out the rug and tossed the pillows around it. He went into the room and returned with a short table which he placed in the middle of the rug. He took the pillows Altair was still holding and dispersed them around the table. Despite Tanis' warning Malik was still hunched over his map. Tanis stood and examined his work with a half pleased smirk. He looked over to Malik's desk and glowered.

"Hey, Altair you smell that? It smells like burnt chicken," Tanis sniffed the air a few times. To Altair's surprise instead of getting pissed and snapping at the boy, Malik set his quill down and stood up.

"Alright, Alright, You ass," Malik adjusted his robes and entered the backroom. Proud of his success, Tanis flopped down on one of the cushions and lounged there. Altair sat across from him on a pillow. The table was made of a sturdy wood and had Arabic Symbols carved into the grain for added detail.

"Where did these come from," I don't remember them. Tanis looked at him from across the table.

"I bought them with some of the money I lifted off a generously dressed merchant a few days ago. Malik doesn't enjoy my past time but it brings in more money than his scribe and book store." Suddenly the smell of spices and chicken wafted into the room stronger than before. The food could be heard cooking in the next room mixed with occasional metal clang of utensils. Altair's stomach growled loudly and Tanis laughed heartily.

It wasn't much longer until Malik joined them only after he had loaded the table with more food than Altair was sure the three could eat in one meal. Tanis immediately spotted a plate full of what appeared to be little rolls of bread with a nut on top.

"Are those-," he blurted eagerly and reached for one. Malik snatched his hand and grinned.

"Those are for desert, silly boy," he dropped Tanis' hand, who rolled his eyes. Malik began serving each of them a small bowl full of chicken stew. He set Tans' down in front of him and passed him a spoon to eat with. Tanis took the spoon but waited for Malik to finish serving his and Altair's to eat. No one spoke as they ate, it was custom. Altair watched Tanis eat slowly and more civil than he expected from someone who had been living on the streets. He glanced across at Malik as he placed a spoonful of chicken into his own mouth. Malik's brown eyes were suspiciously eying the younger boy. Typical Altair thought, Malik had probably spent the last week or so scolding the boy's manners. It was just like Malik to educate his brother, so why should it surprise him to do the same with Tanis? Tanis shoveled another spoonful of stew into his mouth a little sloppily and received a disapproving glare from Malik. Altair couldn't help but smile. Tanis returned the look and continued eating. The food was better than Altair remembered. The stew was rich and filling. The spices complimented the other ingredients nicely.

The main course of the meal passed in silence. Tanis was the first to finish his bowl.

"Would you like another bowl," Malik asked after finishing his bite.

"No, thanks," Tanis replied leaning back on his cushion, eyeing the butter knots (+) at the other end of the table.

"When everyone else is done…"

"I know," Tanis grumbled. Altair chuckled and finished his last bite.

"Would you like some more," Altair was surprised at the question. He had fully expected Malik to ignore him the rest of the meal.

"No, Thank you," Altair managed to reply. Tanis sat up eagerly staring at Malik.

"Yes, good riddance. I will never let you know I have them again. This boy has bothered me since I bought them," Malik rolled his eyes and passed the plate of cookies to Tanis. Tanis grinned and snatched one and began to eat it.

"Well sorry," he managed before stuffing his face. Altair grinned and took a cookie from the plate himself. Malik glowered at Tanis' manners before giving up and taking one himself.

The room had been steadily growing darker with the setting sun outside, Altair noted and wondered if Malik would use this as an excuse to rid himself of Altair's presence. However, to Altair's pure delight Malik stood and began lighting the handful of candles around the room. Tanis smiled behind another butter knot and struck up a friendly conversation with Altair. Malik rejoined them smiling. The three spent the remainder of the cookies in pleasant conversation, joking and singing when Tanis started up an old childhood song. It wasn't until the early morning that Malik finally put an end to the merit and actually sent the mostly grown men to bed. Altair consented to his wished more than happy with the days events.

Malik was the first to rise as usual. The sun was still low and the light was just barely trickling into the back room. Malik sat up and yawned taking in the morning air and stretching. Kicking the blankets from his legs he struggled out of bed, and stretched again. Tanis lay in the opposite corner still asleep. Malik could just barely hear him breathing. Pulling his pants off the corner of the bed and over one leg and then the other, he dropped back on to the bed to pull them the rest of the way up. He arched his back and slid them over his butt and hips. He quickly fastened them and stood again. He'd wait to find a shirt but for now it was nice outside. He left the back room and entered the main portion of the bureau. The table and cushions still sat in the middle of the floor but the food had been put away. In the far corner of the room lay a new group of cushions and a rug.

Malik was about to being preparing for the day when he stopped. Lying amongst the pillows in the corner was a muscular young man with sun kissed skin and hair to match. His face was in bad need of shaving and his lips shown the almost attractive scar down the left side. Malik smirked; Altair had decided to stay the night after all this time refusing. He resisted the urge to walk over and kick the other man sharply in the ribs. Instead, he civilly walked over and bent down next to him. He wasn't snoring in the slightest bit but Malik could see his chest rise and fall calmly. He looked peaceful, not the violent savage he had become over the years. Malik studied him a moment, he missed the Altair from last night. Without thinking he moved his hand over the other's face and down his stubble chin. Gold eyes flickered open and barely focused in on Malik. Malik jerked his hand away and improvised an excuse.

"Novice, wake up," Malik said gently shaking the half awake assassin. Altair grunted and rolled away.

"To comfy," and he was asleep again. Malik rolled his eyes and stood to walk away. Malik couldn't be mean to him. Not when he hadn't done anything wrong yesterday. In fact, yesterday had been incredibly pleasant, very reminiscent of the times before Altair had been named a Master Assassin, before he had let his status go to his head. Malik sighed and decided to begin setting up shop for the day and to let the others sleep in. They had been up till extreme hours of the night and despite Malik's hatred of Altair he couldn't bring himself to be narcissistic bastard today, not after such a pleasant night. Malik paused at that thought, was it truly hatred? Malik thought about it a moment longer as he studied the man in question from afar. All this time, he had placed the whole blame of his brother's death on Altair. He had been too angry to accept it was partly his fault. In his heart he'd known of course but his brain never once filtered the idea. Malik had been a stronger assassin he might have been able to save his brother, to out rule Altair's arrogance.