Chapt. 8

Mr. Shadow was kind enough to let us stay the night. Len went ahead to give Ezio and the others an update; for now I get to enjoy a little relaxation time. A nice hot bath is exactly what I need to loosen these tense muscles. Sitting in the hot water I comb my hair through to a smooth damp texture. I feel like a pampered princess, especially with all that's happened. Looking at my arm I notice the bite mark Len left behind; they've already scabbed over. Come to think of it, it really didn't hurt that much. To me it was kind of felt like a…wait a minute!

"Are you nuts girl?! That wasn't a love bite!" I clap my hands over my mouth, hoping no one heard me. It's still silent. Ok…I think I've had enough me time… as I stand and grab my towel there's a knock on the door as I dry myself off.

"Lucerina, you almost done?"

"Yes I'm drying off."

"Once you're ready we're meeting with the others by the harbor."

"Ok." That's right, we're heading for Venice. I wonder who this Antonio is. So much has happened these passed couple of weeks and it's only going to get worse. These weeks can only be the calm before the storm. I bite my lower lip trying to forget about Demitri and all that has happened. We're going to Venice and things are going to happen but Len will be there. He'll be a dark knight in white armor… hee hee how contradicting.

*Sigh*

"I'm caught up in this mess I might as well suck it up."

…

it's been three months since we've been in Venice; it's been quiet more or less. No one has really made a move. It's at a stand still; neither side is doing anything. It's a little nerve racking…Len is only protecting me from the occasional Templar or Bureau soldier who just catch me in the cross fire of his assassination or recon missions. Other than that, I'm quite bored and drawing with a pen made of a feather is not as easy as you think…especially when every five seconds the pen goes dry. Being confined with no sight seeing…I might as well be in my room…

"What are you drawing today Lucy?" Antonio asks as he looks over my shoulder. Antonio, yet another thief lord, is my so called baby sitter today as Len takes on his assassination quest. Brown hair and eyes as dark as tree bark, he sort of looks like a noble man especially with that mustache. The thief garb although proves otherwise. His right hand, Rosa I almost miss took for his sister. If not for the story she told me about how she became a thief, I would have bought it. I mean she has the same eyes and hair color, yet clearly more elegant than he. She's become one of my closest friends besides Len, of course, and Claudia but I have to be careful with them. there are some things I can't tell them.

"I'm not sure; I'm running out of ideas." I honestly think I'm just scribbling today.

"How can she think like that Antonio, with you breathing down her neck like that?" Rosa has a feisty attitude… she's kinda the one who got me into wearing the same thief garb she has without the hat and mine is a nice rosy pink. I know…girly right? There's a tap at the door and Antonio turns his attention to it.

"Is that your Ezio?" on command the door opens.

"Antonio, what do you know about someone by the name of Benkei?"

"I have not heard of the name and it's a strange one at that." Hm… sounds like the name of a guy from the game Genji…but I'm sure it's not him. "Perhaps he is someone new to the Templars and Bureau." Great another meeting about "if's". Rosa likes to act as one of the guys so she's going to get in on this conversation too. I think I'll go for a walk. I have to stick to the back allies so I don't draw too much attention to myself. It's really a total bummer that I can't do any sight seeing. Other thieves pass by as I walk on. I wonder how much longer Len is going to be. I can't stand waiting for him like this. Huh? Wait…that woman, her blonde hair and those stuffy clothes. Caterina told me about her but that can't be… Lucrecia. Who is she waiting for? Someone rounds the corner towering over her. He's hooded and dressed in jet black armor only adding to his bulky masculinity and a giant ax hangs over his back. It's way too big for me to even think about holding it. I don't believe it, just when you thought you were safe for the moment, something like this happens. I try to listen but they're too far away for me to hear and I don't want to try and play hero. Lucrecia suddenly tenses her body in an angry manner, yelling at the tall man.

"You promised, you and the Bureau, that you would bring him back by now!" who is she talking about? It sounds like she made a deal with them. Suddenly I'm pressed against the wall with someone sandwiching me from behind. You'd think I would squeal or something, but seeing the arm dressed in the assassins white I don't even tense up.

"Shouldn't you be at Antonio's hide out Lucerina?"

"Shouldn't you be killing someone right now Len?"

"I was about to when I ran into him."

"Who is he?"

"Benkei the bone crusher; a servant of the Bureau. Even though he's a third generation he makes up for his weaknesses with brute strength." So he is with the Bureau…

"That armor isn't like anything the Bureau wears."

"That's because the Bureau is spread throughout the world, not just Italy. He's from the Asian district of the Bureau, most likely Japan or China. Now please, no more talking; I'm trying to listen." I forget that when he's working, nice Len takes a mini vacation. The only thing I was able to hear was about some sort of deal Lucretia made with them to bring someone back. Len should be able to listen at this distance. After about five minutes of being in between a wall and my body guard the two enemies decide to end their conversation. Len has us hide in the shadows avoiding Lucrecia's gaze completely.

"Well…that was an interesting conversation they just had."

"Why, what did they say?"

"for the time being anyway they've stopped training the new host…there have been some up risings happeneing in the lands Lucrecia and the French took over. That's why they sent Benkei. He'll be able to stop it quickly."

"You've met Benkei?"

"No but I've heard stories. He has a short temper and a silver tongue to match." He sounds terrifying, "and it seems Benkei may take over for Lucrecia soon…very soon."

"Why do you say that?"

"The only reason she was given the land was because she asked for it; she hasn't given them good results."

"Huh… I kind of bad for her if that's the case."

"well, women put under pressure are not the best. That's why they shouldn't be in power." Um…what?

"Excuse me? I didn't hear you quite well Len. Did you just say women can't handle themselves?" realizing he just insulted me he tries to defend himself.

"N-no that's not- I didn't mean you! You're more than capable of taking care of yourself. I just meant that women aren't suitable to handle situations like hers. My expression turns from shocked to appauled as I cross my arms. "I-I didn't mean it like that…"

"So you're telling me that I haven't been handling my own situation. I mean I am in a situation right? Being in a different time…while you're the one who is sitting here frantically panicing."

"Well I-"

"So next I'm guessing you're going to tell me that a woman's place is by a man's side, speaking when spoken to?" I hope Len thinks before he answers but I can tell by the look on his face he's afraid to answer.

"A-any chance that I can just start over with a different answer?"

"Nope…" he takes a moment thinking carefully.

"Try to understand Lucerina…you and I have different ways of thinking…and…" Oh I don't think so!

*Slap*

A red mark appears on his left cheek in the form of my hand. "Should have quit while you were ahead or at least come up with a better answer…" I fwish my hair into his face as I haughtily walk away from him.

"W-wait! Lucerina let me explain please! I didn't mean to say that!" I can't help but slightly smile as he tries to explain. Sometimes he just makes it too easy for me.

"Please Lucerina I'm sorry…" he whines. I turn forcing him to stop close to me. I still hold an angered expression.

"Then say that you are a sexist pig and that you were wrong to say and think that."

"…I am a sexist pig and I was wrong for saying and thinking such a thing."

"Good, now stand on one leg."

"What does that have to-"

"Do it!"

"Alright, alright…" he does as told. I giggle.

"Now stick out your tongue."

"Lucerina…" I pout acting like I'm about to cry. Over the past few months I've learned how to pull Len's heart strings. Again he does as told. I look around and find we're close to the ocean.

"Now go jump in the water."

"No, I'm not doing that." Darn it.

"Why not?"

"Because you're just teasing me now. You're just trying to see what you can get me to do. And I'm not doing that." We'll see about that.

"Alright…can we at least watch some of the ships?" as he follows me over I put my foot in front of his causing him to trip into the water. I laugh as he pokes his head out.

"Well I'm glad you got in your laughs for the day." I reach down to help him up.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help it." he takes hold of my hand and grips tight. A smirk curves over his lips. Oh no… He pulls me in and the water is cold.

"Now…we're even." He says after I come up. Already on land he waits for me to get up. "Be grateful that winter is over Lucerina."

"Yeah, yeah…"

…

After taking a dip like that I need a hot bath and I get first dibs seeing as how Len has to explain why he skipped out on his assassination today. But I guess I won't take too long; I did tease him after all. You know for a life of too many boundaries and being hunted by two different groups, I'm enjoying what I can. I did get to learn how to pick pocket. I felt bad at first but it's a useful trick. After my bath I head to my room and allow the towel to falloff. Now where did I put my clothes?

"Lucerina?" there's a tap on my door and only one person calls me that.

"L-Len Please don't come in…I um I'm not decent." Hopefully he'll buy that.

"Alright I'll just come back later. Whew…that was close. Hey there are my clothes. After dressing myself I try to find Len. Huh…? What's Len doing with Rosa?

"Don't you ever lighten up?" she asks.

"Don't you ever know when to calm down? You are always so feisty." Feisty huh? And I'm not?

"I can show you how feisty if you like…Hm?" wait is she flirting with him? Wait why am I even getting…jealous? I peak out of the corner I'm hiding behind. She's caressing his neck with her lips! That- that conniving-! "It's alright you know…if you want to bite me. I know Lucy is strict with you right?"

"I…I don't-" he's trying to resist but…

"You don't what? Wait what is she doing? Is she trying to touch him THERE?!

"Len!" what am I don't just walking out like this? "Shouldn't we be getting back to the headquarters?" his cheeks turn red slightly.

"Y-yes, we should." he takes hold of my wrist and pulls me along. Looking back at Rosa I notice a slightly cold stare. What was that about?

…

"Len are you alright? You haven't said two words since we started heading back." He stops turning to face me.

"How…how much of that did you hear?" I don't think I want him to know I heard her trying to make a move.

"I didn't hear anything-"

"Don't lie. Remember you're bad at that." Why is he being so sharp all of a sudden? He stares blankly.

"What?" I ask.

"How much of that did you hear?" embarrassed I shyly fiddle with my hands.

"It…went from 'lightening up' to… ' I don't want'…" his cheeks are really red now. "I…wasn't trying to eaves drop Len. I'm sorry…"

"No that's not- I mean-"

"if you like her that's fine. I mean-"

"No! I don't like her!"

"Why are you yelling at me?!" the anger leaves his expression as soon as he realizes that he's taking his anger out on me.

"Oh…so you don't like her?" why do I feel so relieved about that?

"She's not my type." He says.

"Funny…it almost looked to me like you couldn't resist much longer."

""Th-that's not the case!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Then why are you blushing?" I smirk.

"It was for a different reason than what you're thinking…" he grumbles.

"Oh really…then what was it Len Vesspuchi?" he takes hold of my arm and pulls the sleeve away,

"When a vampire needs blood, the scent we pick up becomes stronger."

"Stronger?"

"At the moment it's not as strong as what it would be when I do need it but the scent you're giving off is strong and sweet."

"Strong and…sweet?"

"Like roses." He licks from my wrist and stops at my elbow which makes my skin tingle. He moves back down his lips slightly touching my skin enough for me to register what he's doing making my breath come short. He looks at me eyes glowing red. Oh for goodness sake…

"Len if you need it just take it already." He sneers devilishly.

"As you wish." He forces me against the wall.

"Ow! Len! You don't have to be so rough!" as he bites into my skin the pain makes me wince. I still haven't quite gotten used to it. Now I'm curious…if I smell like roses…

"Hey Len?"

"MMM…?"

"Um…what do I taste like?" he stops looking up at me.

"I'm not sure how to explain that."

"Could you at least try? I mean you just said I had a sweet scent so what do I taste like?" he moves close so close in fact that he's breathing on my ear.

"You're a bit of a contradiction when it comes to that. You smell sweet but you taste… almost tart."

"…tart?"

"Like a dessert kind of tart. But with out the sweet taste just the tart flavor. If that makes any sense."

"N-no not really…" his voice sounded so smooth and relaxing when he said that and his body heat is making this a bit more natural… he moves a little closer breathing in deeply taking in my scent.

"I like it though… that taste…" his grip around me grows tighter locking my arms at my sides and it suddenly makes me scared. " every time I taste it… it's not enough…" he growls slightly on the last word moving his fangs closer to my neck.

"Len…Please stop. Hey c-come on jokes over. Len Let go of me already!" his tongue moves over my neck slowly as he sizes me up. "LEN PLEASE STOP!" his body jerk slightly before he releases me. His eyes are back to normal but I still look away still afraid of what just happened.

"I'm sorry Lucerina; I didn't mean to scare you." Looking back at him there's a look of shame on his face, "Sometimes I…allow my instincts to get the better of me." It was an accident…he didn't mean to do that. But that was kind of a wake up call though. deep down Len is more of an animal than a human…

"It's ok." I finally say, "I know you didn't mean it." a little kid trips before he looks around frantically. He spots us,

"H-hey, you!" he gets up and makes a dash for us latching onto Len. "You're an assassin right? That white armor, you're an assassin right?"

"Yes…"

"Please help me… Don't let them take me back to that place. Don't let the Bureau take me again!"

thank you for your patience with me. And I'm sorry it took me so long post this but here's the last hoorah of the summer. If I have time I will try to update during the school year. ^^