Hello yet again FanFiction! Bumble here with chapter 21 of 31 Days and I honestly have no idea how I am going to make this chapter work out. O.o I'm kind of scared of what I will do. XD Well… I hope you guys are ready for anything because with my mind, anything can happen. XD Hah! So… I guess I'm done with this author's note and….

ONTO THE STORY!

Day 20 of Transfer Sequence: Heart's Desire - Debating

I hear the door to the room creak open. I know it's Altair so I don't stop staring at the ceiling. I have been up all night going over all the possible endings of this day. Passing and no longer being mentored by Altair or failing and probably no longer being able to talk to him or Malik, and the latter has been growing on me like some kind of horrid disease. I sigh when I feel Altair sit on the edge of the bed. "I haven't had a real vision in a while."

I hear him snort. "Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?"

"I'm kind of afraid of something worse is going to happen." I say, sitting up to look at Altair. His hood is down. Wow, I still can't get over how handsome he is.

He shakes his head. "You really need to worry more about this test than those silly visions."

I remain silent as I study Altair's blank expression. It's not his normal uninterested expression; he looks like he is thinking about something. Something that appears to be bothering him. I remember the day he brought me to the creek to teach me about not letting my emotions control me and he told me that he has had a similar vision to what I've had. Could he have had another? It seems like there is something he isn't telling me. "Altair," I say, which causes him to snap out of whatever trance he was in. "Are you going to be watching me test?"

"Of course," He says it like I am stupid to have asked that.

I smile, "Okay."

Altair narrows his dark eyes at me. "Did you sleep at all?"

I shake my head. "I couldn't stop thinking."

"You need to learn to relax." He states, his expression hard once more.

I snigger. "That's funny coming from you."

He sends me a threatening glare, but there is something playful in that glare. "And you also need to learn when to hold your tongue."

I reach in my mouth and grab my tongue. "Like this?" My words are slurred and sloppy due to having a grip on my tongue.

Altair gives me a disturbed look as he takes my hand from my tongue. "I did not mean literally."

"I know," I shrug. "I just felt like being silly."

"Well your definition of silly really differs from mine." Altair growls.

"Oh really," I cross my arms and smirk. "What's your definition?"

The assassin narrows his eyes and gives me a mischievous grin. What have I unleashed? He suddenly pounces me and starts poking my sides, causing me to giggle like crazy. "No, no," I laugh. "Stop, Altair!" He starts chuckling darkly as he continues poking my sides, his face extremely close to mine.

I squirm and writhe under Altair until I finally reach up, grab his hood, and pull it over his eyes, allowing myself a means of escape. As I finally manage to wriggle out from under him, I drop to the floor and as soon I stand up I feel arms wrap around my waist and yank me back. "Where do you think you're going?" Altair whispers in my ear, his voice low.

I shiver before turning to look at him. "I do have an important test to take in a couple minutes."

"You can be a little late." Altair purrs, his lips mere inches from mine. So he does have feelings for me.

He slowly presses his lips to mine, but before he can really get into the kiss, the door swings open and Malik's familiar chuckles fills the room. "I should've guessed."

Altair pushes me off of him and his expression returns to its normal stoic state. "You're early."

"I have nothing better to do," Malik leans against the door. "But it seems that you do, novice." He winks at me and I send him a fiery glare.

The Dai snorts, indifferent of my silent threat, "Also, Al Mualim wishes to start early in order to not disturb the people of the town so the whelp needs to go ahead and meet him down at the entrance."

I nod before slowly walking away and out the door. As Malik closes the door I hear him say; "Altair, we need to talk."

Altair's POV

"Altair," Malik's voice tells me he is no mood for games. "We need to talk."

I cross my arms. "What about?"

"About you and that girl." I should have guessed. Why is he so obsessed with us?

"Make it quick," I growl. "I told Kat I would be there for her test."

"This is important." Malik presses. His persistence has always annoyed me. "I cannot rush this."

"Why do you care so much about my so called 'feelings' for Kat?" I lean against the wall beside the window.

"Because I am concerned that you are becoming too attached to this girl," Malik says slowly.

"I'm not attached to her." I hiss, glaring at the floor.

"Quit denying it, Altair, you know you do." He steps closer to me, his annoyance written all over his face.

"What makes you think I do?"

"By the way you two have kissed or nearly kissed three times." Malik starts. "By the way that you helped her and offered to spend your valuable time training her."

"What's wrong with helping someone who is in obvious need?" I raise my voice, my anger boiling inside me. I do not have feelings for Kat.

"There is nothing wrong with it," Malik's voice rises as well. "But I know you, Altair, and you are not exactly the most selfless person alive. You'd rather stab yourself with your own blade than help someone other than yourself!"

I pause. "How dare you accuse me of being selfish!"

"Don't act so insulted!" Malik barks. "You are arrogant, self-centered, and the only reason you are still alive and part of our Order is that Al Mualim needs your skill!"

I breathe out slowly, my face hot from anger. "What does this have to do with Kat?"

"It doesn't really," Malik says his voice lowering. "But it proves my point that helping some random person in need is not like you."

"I have to go," I snarl, pushing Malik aside as I walk out the door.

"You love that girl and you know it!" I hear him call out to me and I simply tune it out, but a part deep inside me knows that Malik is right. I do love Kat.

Kat's POV

I continue looking around for Altair as I finish my hand-to-hand combat part of the test. One last assassin advances towards me and I dodge and knock him out. It's been almost an hour and Altair still hasn't shown up. Sighing, I turn to face Al Mualim who appears impressed. "Good job, child," he steps closer to me. "You might actually have the potential to become a real apprentice. Although, your form is sloppy, but that will improve with time."

I bow my head. "Thank you."

"This is merely the beginning of your test," Al Mualim starts again, "So one successful fight will not win you a spot in our order."

"I understand." I say in my most respectful voice.

"Good," He gives me a kind smile, but something about it seems forced. "Come, we shall begin your stealth assessment."

I follow Al Mualim through a series of tunnels and rooms before we come out in the middle of the town. The streets are barren, not a soul to be seen. I watch as Al Mualim steps out into the street and points to a tall building about half a mile away. "You are to get to the top of that building while avoiding guards." He puts his hand down. "You are to only use the rooftops and you cannot I repeat, cannot, get into a fight, or you will fail your stealth test."

I nod. "Yes sir."

"Alright," Al Mualim steps back. "This is not about speed, be as silent as possible. Rushing could result in you getting caught."

"Okay," I prep my feet to climb up the wall.

"Begin," As soon as I hear him say that, I am up the wall and creeping across the roof.

I spot the first guard as I jump to another building across from the one I started out on. I watch as he paces slowly back and forth, his sword sheathed but his hand resting on it, showing he is ready for a fight. I slowly back away and as he has his back to me I sprint behind him and jump to another roof, ducking behind a chimney.

I finally reach the tall building after having almost five close calls and having to hang off the edge of the roof in order to hide. My arms are sore and so is my injured leg, but I need to finish this so I ignore the pain and start climbing. I climb slowly in order to lower my risk of being seen. The wind starts to pick up and a strong gust blows my hood off. I shiver at the strange feeling of my hair being free in the wind. I'll admit, I've missed it, but I've enjoyed the constant shade. I eventually reach the top and I see that there is a place to perform a leap of faith. I look down and see Al Mualim and… Altair? I see them both looking up and I guess the next part is to successfully perform this leap of faith. Well, this should be sooo much fun.

I slowly creep out onto the post and look down at the hay awaiting me a hundred feet below. Swallowing hard, I stand up, hold my arms out, and jump. When I know I am about halfway down I flip myself over and feel the hay hit me hard in the back. I roll out, coughing from the air being knocked out of my lung, but I manage to stand up straight and brush myself off.

"Well done," Al Mualim commends. "That was rather impressive, although you still have some issues with crouching, but that can be fixed."

"You did very good jumping down." Altair praises beside Al Mualim. "Much better than your first time."

I smile. "I would hope so. You said last time I almost hit a wall."

Altair remains emotionless, his hood back to its normal position over his head. How does he do that? I don't understand! "Come, you have one final test."

"Only one more?" I gasp. "I figured there would be more."

"These tests are over the basics that every assassin should know. " Al Mualim adds. "You will learn the rest once you become an apprentice. If you become an apprentice."

I nod in understanding before following the two down the street where another assassin is waiting. This one looks as hard-faced and angry as Altair always does, but he seems older, it's probably the dark beard that adorns his face. "Abbas," Al Mualim calls out to the assassin, who turns and sneers when he sees Altair.

"Greetings Al Mualim," Abbas bows slightly at the waist before looking to Altair. "Hello Altair."

"Abbas," Altair says, his expression flat but his eyes full of hatred.

Abbas soon turns his attention to me and I suddenly feel like fleeing under the pressure of his hateful stare. "Who is this whore?"

"This is Kat," Al Mualim introduces me, his voice calm. "She is the one who is testing to be an apprentice."

"She doesn't look like much of an assassin." Abbas hisses, his hateful gaze never leaving me.

I remain silent because I know that if I speak I will end up saying something that could get me killed, and I'm not exactly ready to meet my maker. I hear Altair step closer to me and I feel relieved to have him next to me, protecting me. Abbas must know why Altair has shifted closer to me and he chuckles. "Don't tell me this little scrap is your wife."

"She is not my wife," Altair growls. "But she has been under my care ever since she has arrived here in Masyaf."

Abbas laughs. "I've never heard of such a thing. The great Altair tending to someone other than himself? That is the worst joke I've ever heard."

"It's no joke." Altair spits.

"It doesn't matter." Abbas waves Altair off. "If this little scrap actually manages to pass then her burden will no longer be yours, but mine."

I feel my heart drop to the bottom of my stomach. If I pass this jerk will be my new mentor? I'd rather have Malik. I can feel Altair's discomfort beside me as he shifts awkwardly on his feet. He must not like the idea as much as me.

"Abbas," Al Mualim begins. "Do you have the contract?"

"Yes," Abbas pulls a sheet of paper from one of the pouches on his belt. "It's simple; assassinate a guard that has been harassing every pretty woman that passes by. This normally wouldn't be a big deal if it wasn't for the fact he was married."

Al Mualim takes the contract and hands it to me. "This is your final test; assassination. If you are successful then you will join the order under the mentoring of Abbas."

I take the contract and nod. "Yes sir." I really don't like the idea of losing Altair as a mentor, but at least I'll still be able to see him.

"Meet us back here when you are done," Abbas says dryly. "With proof that you were successful."

I nod before beginning my climb up to the rooftops. I don't know how I'm going to find this guard but I have to find a way in order to pass… joy…

Altair's POV

I watch Kat disappear on the roof and I turn to Abbas. "So you will be her mentor if she passes?"

"Yes," he sneers. "I was told I might have a new apprentice, but I didn't think I'd get a whore."

"She's no whore," I say, trying to keep my anger in.

"Really?" Abbas snorts in amusement. "She sure seemed like it."

"How so?" I ask, honestly a little curious.

"How loose her clothes were, how light her skin is, and her accent is strange." Abbas states plainly.

I pause, thinking about what to say. "She isn't exactly from around here."

"I never would've guessed." Abbas retorts.

"Okay you two," Al Mualim steps in, his hands up which means silence. "There is no need to argue about whether Kat is a whore or not, she is wishing to join our order and has proven herself worthy thus far." He turns to Abbas. "Give her a chance, I would allow her to continue training with Altair, but you know that an apprentice cannot train an apprentice."

Abbas gives me a malicious grin. "Oh I know."

I ignore the cold look I am receiving from my "comrade" and walk over to the wall and lean my back against it. "She will be back, and you will see, Kat is completely capable of being an apprentice."

Kat's POV

I finally located my target and have been pursuing him for the past fifteen minutes. I really want to be able to simply assassinate him and leave, but considering he is surrounded by other guards, that's not very likely. My hands ball up into fists as I get closer and closer to him, unsheathing my blade as silently as possible. It feels weird being able to just slide the blade between my fingers, but it is rather convenient because I don't have to worry about cutting my hand on it.

My pace quickens as I approach the guard and my heart throbs as I slap my hand over his mouth and send the blade up his back. I hold my breath until I know that I have successfully finished him off then I drag him back into an alley and throw his body on a pile of dirt. "That was easy." I say with the utmost confidence as I stroll out of the alley. But my victory is short-lived as I feel a familiar headache developing and my vision begins to blur. No, no, no! Not now!

My vision returns and I see I am back in the dark cold room with nothing but a number hovering over my head. 11. I have eleven days left, and I think I know what will happen when I reach the last hour of the last day. That number continues to flicker above my head and soon is replaced by the sweet sound of laughter, but not just any laughter, the laughter of my family. I look up and see my mother and father's smiling faces as they laugh with their friends during game night back home. My eyes notice an empty chair in-between my father and Ronny and I immediately know that that chair is mine. They saved it, hoping I would come back and take my rightful place as the queen of Monopoly. Tears begin to well up in my eyes and I decide to let them flow. There is no use in holding them back.

As the tears begin to fall down my face, I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. When I open my eyes again I see that I am on the dusty ground in the street, my face soaked from crying. I look around and see that no one has paid any attention to the weeping girl in the middle of the street, which I believe is a good thing. I don't want people to be flocking around me, trying to see what's wrong. It's none of their business.

When I arrive back with the proof of having successfully assassinated my target, I walk back to the Assassin Hall with Altair, Abbas and Al Mualim. Abbas and Al Mualim depart as soon as we reach the entrance and I follow Altair up to his room.

"Good job," he says finally, setting down my contract. "You passed now your Abbas' apprentice."

"Yeah," I sit down on the bed, still feeling the emotional weight of that vision.

"You don't seem too enthused." Altair says as he sits down beside me.

I shrug. "I'm tired; it's been a long day."

"It has been hasn't it?" Altair says his voice soft.

"Yeah," I feel the tears start to develop in the back of my throat and without warning; I throw myself onto Altair and just start sobbing into his chest. I don't feel him hesitate to wrap his arms around me and rub my back in slow circles and I just sit there and cry until I fall asleep in his arms.

Well Kat passed, but not without having to experience the hard emotional turmoil of seeing her family again. Well…. I have nothing to really say except for I hope you guys enjoyed and I will see you next chapter, BYEEEEEEE!