I'm still on a roll. :D Please enjoy the new chapter, my wonderful readers!

Kalila clutched her chest as she breathed heavily from running as fast as she could from that foreign building. After a few more seconds, she poked her head from around the corner of the building her back was against. Since it was about midnight now, nobody was out on the streets.

She sighed in relief as she slid her back down the building and sat on the ground. However, she didn't have much time to relax.

Altair was definitely going to come after her…

Kalila held her head in her hands as she mumbled, "I didn't mean to punch him… I-I just—"

"You just what?"

She instantly flinched as she looked up slowly to see the white-clad assassin standing over her in an intimidating fashion. As she gulped, Kalila slowly stood up from the ground, her back still against the building. Even standing up, Altair was still five inches taller than her.

Kalila didn't understand herself; why was she so frightened all of a sudden? Since when was she the kind to back down from a challenge? A few hours ago, she was above everyone else…everyone else was a mere ant to her…

Altair reminded her of this, "What happened to the relentless woman I encountered this afternoon?" Kalila flinched again as she tried to inch her way around the corner, "I-I don't know…" And she really didn't know… However, Altair wasn't letting her off that easily…

He noticed how she was slowly trying to make her way around the corner of the building, so he put his arms on either side of her to prevent her from leaving. Kalila took a silent, deep breath and then slowly looked up to meet her rival's gaze. His hood was hiding his eyes and most of his face, but she did see one thing.

His smirk…

Kalila's eyes widened; that smirk…the one that directly challenged her very being. Her own smirk began to pull at her mouth; if he wanted a challenge, then she would sure as Hell give him one.

She took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes at him, "What do you want from me, assassin…?" Altair was quick to answer, "Payback…for that uncalled-for punch in the face." Kalila flinched again as her rival brought his face closer to hers, "I do you a favor by bringing you to a formidable medic and you repay me by inflicting harm on your savior?"

Kalila was bewildered, "My savior? You have got to be kidding me…!" The smirk that played on his lips said that he was full-on playing her, instigating her.

So, she waited exactly five seconds and then finally…she pushed him away from her, hard. So hard that he ended up hitting his back against the next building. Kalila took off the second he was away from her and yelled behind her, "Want your repayment? You'll have to catch me first!"

Altair growled softly to himself before chasing after her; so this was how she wanted to play this game? He smirked to himself; she may be strong and quick, but he was also quick, and swift, stealth, and agile. He would catch up to her no problem, and then he'll take her down.

Kalila was already down several blocks as she hid behind another building and pressed her back to it. Gingerly, she put her fingertips to where her scar was. This was what she got the last time she challenged an assassin…what if things got worse this time around? She quickly shook those thoughts out.

This time she would cut him…

After a few moments, Kalila caught her breath and started running down the streets again. While she was running, she could have sworn she heard footsteps. And not behind her, or even next to her… above her.

Suddenly, Kalila gasped when she looked up and saw Altair jumping down from the building next to her, and going straight for her. Right before he made contact with her, Kalila did a back flip away from him. Once she recovered herself, she got into her offensive position.

Then, she noticed Altair take out two large daggers from his sheaths…and then throw them to her. Not at her, but to her… Kalila caught them by their handles with a confused expression on her face. Altair smirked and pulled out his own sword, "Defend yourself…and this time it'll be even…" Kalila looked at Altair and then the blades in her hands.

Smirking, she got back into her offensive (A/N: …think of her stance as Rikku's thief stance in Final Fantasy X-2, stance and blade formation alike!), "I don't even need your handicap, assassin… Now, come at me!"

Altair was the first to make his move; he went to slash at her, but Kalila blocked his attack with her daggers. For several minutes, this continued between the two attacking and blocking each other's attacks.

Finally, Kalila decided to shake things up: after she had blocked one of Altair's attacks, she quickly lifted up her leg and kicked him in his stomach, causing him to fall backwards onto the ground. Before he could get up, Kalila quickly jumped on top of him and held up one of her daggers to pierce him.

She was going to do it…she really was…but then their eyes met and Kalila suddenly felt light-headed and a sensation erupted in her chest and stomach that made her feel as if she would throw up any second.

Kalila instantly dropped her daggers on either side of Altair and suddenly got to her feet. When she did, she instantly felt a whole lot better. Before she could even question what just happened, Altair was suddenly on his feet, activated his hidden blade, and then dove into Kalila, causing them both to fall to the ground.

Altair held up his hand with the blade and aimed for the sensitive point on the human neck; the place for an instant assassination kill… His eyes pierced into Kaila's and Kalila could have sworn she saw the cold, heartless glint in Altair's eyes that any assassin should have when killing their target.

Kalila closed her eyes tightly, waiting.

"So…this is where it ends? I'll take this with open arms then…"

…Nothing came.

Altair was really going to do it; he even started to descend his blade down to her throat. But just before he got close enough to her, he felt that cursed pull in his chest. In fact, the pull was so immense that he had to gasp for breath once again. Altair looked down at the beautiful girl beneath him and was suddenly amazed at himself; why was he even trying to kill her in the first place?

What are they even fighting about? He really couldn't figure it out…

Altair sighed and dropped his hand to the ground. Kalila heard his sigh and slowly opened her eyes, only to end up meeting his. The two stared at each other for a few seconds in silence; they were both lost for words at their previous actions.

"…You should consider joining the assassination guild."

Kalila blinked in surprise; her? Being an assassin? She noticed how that glint in Altair's gold eyes had vanished; they were now quite sincere and honest and…something else. She couldn't decipher that third one.

But becoming an assassin would mean training… a lot of it. Was she up for it? Could she even handle assassinating somebody…? She couldn't even bring herself to hurt her rival just now… As she looked up at Altair, she felt light-headed and she flushed slightly as she bit her lip unsurely.

Altair stared at Kalila closely; all of a sudden, he really wanted her to be one of them. Maybe he could personally train her…

"When…can I start?"

The assassin felt a smile tug at his mouth, "As soon as possible…but first we go to Masyaf to train you."

Altair leaned against the wall of Kalila's cottage as he watched her put together a traveling bag. Inconspicuously, he looked around her cottage; it was nearly empty…what could she possibly be packing if nothing was around? He decided to voice his thoughts, "Your house is pretty vacant…"

Kalila glanced over at Altair for a moment and then back at her bag, "I only moved here to Jerusalem a few days ago. I used to live in Saudi Arabia before my parents died two weeks ago…" Altair felt the pull in his chest faintly, "I'm sorry…what happened?" The green-eyed girl smiled half-heartedly as she looked at Altair fully, "They were…killed in action." Altair gave her a confused look and Kalila gave a small laugh.

"They were assassins…"

Altair's eyes grew wide with realization; was this why she was so hostile towards him? He decided to end the topic there…

Finally, Kalila finished packing and put her bag on her back, "Ready. When do we leave?" Altair stood up straight, "Immediately. The trip to Masyaf won't take more than a day, but we should go before we're found by the guards." (A/N: to be honest, I don't know the geography of Israel off-hand, so I can't say how far each of these cities is from each other xD just bear with me!)

Kalila nodded and gestured out the door, "Then let's get going! The sooner we get to Masyaf, the sooner I get to train, which means the sooner I get to defeat you in a battle…" The master assassin smirked as he started out the door, "I'm going to be your trainer, so I doubt the student can defeat the teacher."

Kalila blinked as she followed him out the door and own the dark road, considering it was still after midnight. Something in her mind clicked as she mumbled, "Everything is permitted, Altair…"

Suddenly, something also clicked inside Altair; had he already forgotten last month's events? Student can beat teacher, and everything is permitted… The assassin smirked widely as he continued over to a horse near the stables and mounted it. He let out a hand for Kalila to grab onto to get on the horse as well, "Indeed it is…"

Kalila looked at his hand and then at Altair himself. She smirked in return as she ignored his hand and got up onto the horse on her own. Altair continued to smirk as he gestured the horse to start moving. Once it did, Kalila panicked at the sudden movement and reflexively wrapped her arms around Altair's waist. However, she didn't end up letting go.

Kalila couldn't help but blush in spite of her own actions and Altair's smirk faded into a faint smile as he also flushed slightly.

Perhaps she really would be worth it to him after all…

Look at me, being all cute and such... :3 Haha, I hope you guys liked this! Please review and favorite if you did! See you next time! =]