A/n: Chapter 10. OMG a day earlier than normal. How crazy. I'm kinda breaking my own policy here, but what the hell, I've been getting so many reviews lately, I feel like posting ahead of schedule. Enjoy :D

Part 10

Malik was genuinely surprised to see us back so soon. "Finished already?"

"Yes," Altair confirmed, walking into the building.

"And without gathering an army of guards at your heels? Impressive," He paused suddenly and looked quizzically at the assassin, "Why are you blue?"

"He decided to try some face-painting…literally," I quipped cheerfully.

"No, Tailium attacked me with a pot of ink. A full one, by the looks of it," Altair said quickly.

"Hmm, and to think I would've been more worried about swords," Malik remarked, clearly amused.

"It's not funny," Altair replied, "If this ink doesn't come out, I don't know what I'm going to do. I'd attract too much attention like this, and I don't have any other clothes,"

"That's stupid," I interrupted, "I mean, everyone knows white is the hardest colour to keep clean; why wouldn't you have spare robes? And what do you do about all the blood stains?"

"Blood comes off. But I've never had to worry about ink before, so I don't know," he replied.

"Maybe you could get some more ink, dye the rest of it blue, and swap with me. I reckon I'd look good in blue," I mused.

"Swap with you? I think it would be a bit short," He laughed.

"Hey, I'm only a few inches shorter than you. I'm actually considered rather tall for a girl my age," I said, standing up straight self-consciously.

"I guess you are pretty tall for a twelve year old, but your robes would still be too short,"

"Twelve? I'm eighteen!" I protested.

"Really? Could've fooled me," Altair said with a smug grin. I could see Malik holding back laughter from his desk.

"Oh, and how old are you, then?" I crossed my arms, annoyed.

"Twenty four," he replied simply.

"…seriously?" I was genuinely surprised, "No way!"

Altair nodded. "I'm telling you I'm twenty four. Aren't I, Malik?"

"Yes he is. A year young than me," Malik confirmed.

But I wanted proof. Before Altair could react, I stretched up and pulled his hood down, and finally saw his face in the light. There was an obvious resemblance with him and Desmond, which was to be expected, of course. His brown hair was ruffled; "hood hair" as I would describe it (like "hat hair", but from a hood)(clever, I know).

"Have you no sense of personal space?" He demanded irritably,

"Personal what now?" I grinned. Without all the shadows, it was easier to believe Altair was as young as he claimed. And as handsome as he is in all the fanart.

He reached to pull his hood back up, but I stopped him. "Leave it down. It's much more relaxed this way. Besides, who are you trying to impress with all the formalities? You two are old friends," Malik coughed at that comment, "And I'm here with you, so why bother?"

Altair grudgingly obeyed, and Malik brought us back to the point of this meeting. "So, anyway, you've killed Tailium. Do you have the feather?"

Altair reached into his robes and pulled out the bloodied feather. What a charming token. He placed the feather on the desk, where Malik nodded and stashed it somewhere below the bench.

"And did the templar have anything unusual to say?" he asked.

"Only how we're wrong and we're dooming the people by interrupting their grand plan to reshape the world. Nothing new," Altair replied.

"Hmph, of course he'd say something like that. Such fools,"

"Actually, I found something interesting," I said suddenly.

Malik glanced at Altair, "I thought you said she was just going to distract the guards,"

"She did, but we had to leave through the library when more guards came," Altair explained, "What did you find?"

"Well, I looked at that open book on the desk, the one next to some parchment with scribbles on it," I told them.

"He was taking notes from that when I came in. What did you see?" Altair asked.

"Well, I couldn't understand the language, but I flicked to the cover, and well, what I saw was kind of universal. The title of the book; totally recognisable. I wonder what he was doing with such a book," I wondered.
"What was it called?" Malik asked impatiently.

"The Karma Sutra,"

Malik and Altair exchanged glances. "Are you sure?" the assassin asked,

"Positive. I'd recognise it anywhere," I nodded.

Malik raised an eyebrow.

"Not like that," I said quickly, "But the book is pretty well known. And it actually makes sense, in a twisted sorta way,"

"How does is make sense that Tailium was taking notes on how to raise a demon, from the Karma Sutra?" Malik asked.

"Well that informer said he was planning on using a blood ritual…and well, maybe before we were thinking of the wrong interpretation of the term 'blood ritual'" I suggested.

Malik and Altair had matching looks of horror.

"What? It can't be that unusual. Other cults and such use rituals like that all the time, right?" I shrugged.

"Yes, but I guess I didn't think that sort of thing was the Templars' style," Altair replied.

"It's certainly unexpected," Malik agreed.

"Hmm, you're right. Maybe it was a Double Blood Ritual," I suggested,

Altair winced, "I don't even want to know – "

"As in, after they do the first thing, they slit her throat," I said quickly.

"Well, that does sounds more like them," the assassin agreed.

"Before we go on theorising all the gory details of their plan, are we even sure it was even possible? I mean, the girl was supposed to be one of Robert's mistresses, right?" Malik reminded us.

"Yeah, so? What's your point?" I asked.

"I mean, if she's his mistress…your first theory wouldn't be viable," I could see him actively edging around the subject. I guess men in all ages are made uncomfortable by the functions of female biology.

"It doesn't necessarily mean that he's already slept with her. Maybe he just took her in under the guise of "mistress", because it's a little more acceptable than "sacrifice"," I replied, "Besides, from what I've seen of Robert, he doesn't really seem the type to take mistresses,"

"I don't know about that," Altair interjected, "but perhaps it really wasjust a cover. It sounds like the Templars have been planning this summoning for a while. I just hope they haven't gotten anyone who could replace Tailium in his part,"

"You mean his part in raping – "

"And reading from the scriptures," he said quickly,

"Oh yeah, that too," I agreed.

"But at least Tailium is finally dead," Said Malik, hoping to move the conversation along, finally, "You've done well, Altair. You've managed to kill the templar swiftly and without attracting too much attention. You've actually managed to do things by the creed. I'm impressed,"

Altair smiled a small smile. "Thank you,"

Malik continued, "It's about time you learned such basic principles,"

His smile was immediately replaced with a scowl. Altair's jaw tensed. "I am humbled by your praise," he said dryly.

But Malik had already turned back to doing whatever it is he does behind his bench. Looked like he was stacking assorted jars, probably filled with poisons or medicines. Or sweet-smelling incense. And tea. Such a girl.

I saw Altair roll his eyes. Talk about one step forward, two steps back. Were they ever going to resolve their issues? Worse than children they are, with their grudges. I mean, it was just an arm…

"That went well," I muttered to the assassin.

Instead of a reply, I got blue pixels. The scene before me shimmered once again and disappeared under a blue blanket.

Then the pixels faded, I was still inside the Bureau.

Malik was dozing at his desk. He almost looked adorable (as most everyone does when sleeping).

I looked around. Altair had been moved outside, again. And his robes were also suddenly spotless. How nice of the Animus.

"You still weren't teleported?" He asked

I shook my head, "Clearly not. Is that going to be a problem?"

"Yes, or do you not remember where we go after finishing a main target?"

Of course, Masyaf! "Wait, you're telling me I'll have to walk all that way myself?" I exclaimed. The very idea was beginning to make me tired.

"Hopefully not. I think I've got a plan," He replied.

A blue pixel appeared right in front of my nose. The time-skip was starting again. Another pixel, and then another popped up. "Whatever this plan is, do it quick!" I cried.

By now about a third of the room was disappearing. I closed my eyes and tried to brace myself for being left behind. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe Malik could teach me how to stack jars. And whatever else he did.

Suddenly, I was lifted into the air. Altair had scooped me up again. "Hold on," he shouted over the sound of the Animus. I flung my arms tightly around his neck, and hoped for the best.

Lol, Malik amuses me greatly. I especially love all the fanart and fancomics with him and Altair on DeviantART. So funny. There's one fairly memorable one with Malik as a one-armed DJ. XD That cracked me up. It could actually work. I mean, you only really need one arm to scratch disks...(although I understand real DJing involves alot more than that. I met one at my cousin's 18th, and there's a heap of impressive equiptment involved. Lots of levers...he was kinda hot...)

ANYWAY, (lol, going a bit too off topic there) thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far. I really really appreciate it, and those reviews really do make my day :D Especially the long ones (lol, there's nothing I like more than hearing in detail all the reasons why you like my work XD). You people really are fantastic motivation. I love hearing your thoughts on the story, and your predictions of certian things (and I especially find it hilarious when you're like "oh, poor...character...wait, what was her name? Did you even mention it?"...he he, all will be revealed in due time)

And just incase it wasn't clear before, this story is set fairly late in the game. Like, the next assassination will be Robert de Sable. Yeah, that late. But still predict about another 10 chapters until I wrap this up, maybe. And I've already got the ending (or rather, epilogue) all planned out in my mind, so I hope it works out as awesomely as I think.

AND if I *do* write a sequel based on AC 2, it probably won't be updated as regularly as this one. Uni starts again in 2 months (which seems a long way off now) but I've got a long list of other things I want to do and work on as well.

And that's all I'm going to say for now. I hope you all had an awesome New Year's (I know I did :D) and I hope you liked this chapter. :D (wow, I really over-use those smilies, eh?)

If you did, please review :D It will probably encourage me to finish the next one quicker.