Chapter 18: New Beginnings

"Achilles, I am sorry." Kira met her own gaze as she stared coolly into the mirror. She monitored her expression as she spoke the words, weary of even the slightest change, the slightest movement. That's all it would take to betray her.

She was an excellent liar, and had often found herself being able to talk her way out of a number of difficult situations. It was a vital skill, and one that she prided herself in mastering long ago. She could fool most people- men, particularly- but then again, Achilles was not just any person. He was a master Assassin, trained to see through deceit and to read others' expressions as easily as he could a book. Not only this, but he also held the advantage of knowing Kira personally. He knew everything there was to know about her. The way she acted. The way she spoke. The way she lied. After all, it was he who had trained her to do so.

Still, she reminded herself, he didn't know everything about her. He knew nothing of her most recent endeavours, and with the best of luck, it would remain that way. If she could conceal the fact that she had been having several too many run-ins with the Templar Grand Master, then surely she could conceal the fact that she didn't entirely forgive her mentor for what he had done.

"Achilles, I am sorry for how I acted yesterday. It was disrespectful, and I was angry, and-" The words failed her. It wasn't convincing enough. She didn't believe it enough. She could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. If she could, Achilles would too. Sighing, she turned away from the mirror and stepped towards her dresser. The dark-wood floor was rough and cold beneath her bare feet, and she hurried her pace a little, almost hopping across the space in order to cross it in as little steps as possible. Within no time, she reached it, and as she dressed into her robes, her mind continued to wonder what to say. As she finished, a loud knock came from the front door.

She made her way downstairs, at the same time brushing the front of her robes with her hands, ridding it somewhat of the loose dirt and gravel it had accumulated whilst she had wrestled with Haytham the night before. "Coming!" She called as she approached the door. This time it was Connor. No one else would have any reason for being there. She opened the door, and once again was proved wrong. Nevertheless, she relaxed a little at the sight of her visitor.

"Shay!" she greeted, warmly, standing aside so that he could come in.

"Ah, lass, thank heavens you're alright! I was worried after yesterday that…" he stopped his explanation and gave her a playful grin as he stepped inside. "Well, you can imagine."

"Yes, of course." She returned the smile as she closed the door behind him. "But I am quite alright, I assure you."

"Glad to hear it." His voice trailed off a little as he caught sight of the bruises wrapped obtrusively around her wrists. He gestured loosely in their direction, giving her a quizzical look as he did so. "What about those?"

Instinctively she brought her hands together, her fingers grazing over the purple marks. "Nothing. Really, Shay, I'm fine."

"You need to be careful, Kira."

"I am being careful."

He shot her a dark look, as if she were not taking the conversation seriously enough. "No, you're not. Haytham is a dangerous man, lass, and if you're sensible you'll stay out of his way."

"Stay out of his way? I only wish I could! No matter how hard I try to avoid him, the man seems determined to cause me trouble. I cannot turn a corner without running into Haytham Kenway!"

"If that is so then you must do what he wants of you."

"No! You cannot be serious. He may be your master, but he is not mine. Why should I-"

"He will kill you, Kira!" The words were almost shouted, and the urgency in them forced her into silence. For a moment they stood that way, him frustrated, and her taken aback. Soon, however, his expression faded from anger to grief, and he looked pleadingly into her eyes before continuing. "Please, Kira. Haytham's a good man- I'll swear by it- but I have seen how he treats his enemies, and believe me, it's not a fate I want for you."

She took a step towards him, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "I'll be as careful as I can. Thank you."

Another knock resounded on the door. Kira cursed to herself as she motioned Shay to one side, once more reaching for the door handle. This really was becoming tiresome now. Opening it slightly, she peered around the door to greet whoever it was visiting her this time.

"Connor!" she exclaimed, finding it a little ironic that it was now of all times that he had arrived. Still, it could have been worse; it could have been Achilles.

A frown had already begun to form on his face as he sensed her discomfort. "Is everything alright?"

She shuffled awkwardly for a moment, undecided on what to do. "Well, yes, it's just…" Casting a glance back at the man standing behind her, and then to Connor, she rolled her eyes, realising there was no point in lying to Connor any further. Reluctantly, she opened the door fully, stepping aside so that the young man would see her current guest.

"Connor," Shay greeted amusedly, leaning nonchalantly against the hallway wall with his arms crossed in front of him.

It took less than a second for Connor's eyes to light up with hatred. "You!" he yelled, the discreet click of an engaging hidden blade accompanying his voice as he lurched forward.

"No!" Kira exclaimed, exasperatedly. She stepped in front of Connor, her hands reaching out to catch his wrists and bring his attack to a sudden halt. He struggled against her grasp for a small while, huffing with irritation as he did so. Meanwhile, Shay remained unmoved from his position, a small smile spreading across his lips as he watched the youngest Assassin become even more frustrated.

Once she had given Connor a moment to cool his temper, Kira released her hold on him, giving a warning glance as she did so. "Shay was just leaving," she said, calmly.

"Why is he here?" he snapped back, glaring threateningly towards the Templar.

"He was merely coming to see if I was alright. He meant no harm."

"Why would you not be alright? Did something happen?"

Kira cursed inwardly at how speedily Connor had noticed her mistake. He had certainly inherited his father's quick-thinking. "Well, no, but…"

"Some of the things I said last night disturbed her, and she ran off before I could finish talking. I wanted to be sure she had reached home safely," Shay interjected, coming to her rescue. He moved from the wall to stand beside her.

Kira breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that for once Shay seemed to be intent on assisting her.

"Anyway…" the Templar continued, "it is not like I need any excuse for paying a visit to my favourite Assassin." With these words, he wrapped an arm around her waist, and before she could even realise what was happening- let alone protest- he pulled her into a kiss. Her eyes widened momentarily with surprise as his hands moved to her back, pulling her close to him- so close that she could feel his heart beating in his chest. Her eyes fluttered closed as he deepened the kiss, a shiver of undeniable pleasure running through her body.

Wait, a kiss? All at once she regained her senses. What was she doing? She planted a hand firmly on Shay's chest, pushing him away. She hurriedly turned to Connor, desperate to explain that this really wasn't what it looked like. "Connor, please, pay no attention to Shay." She spoke as if nothing had happened, trying to brush away what he had just witnessed. She shoved Shay playfully with her shoulder. "He is just trying to get me in trouble, that's all."

The Assassin said nothing, but continued to glare at her with a mixture of anger and confusion in his eyes.

"Trying?" Shay smirked, leaning in a little to talk to her. "Succeeding, by the looks of it."

She rolled her eyes and chose to ignore the comment. "Connor," she implored, "please don't look like that. You're only encouraging him."

"I wonder if he could look any angrier…" Shay continued whilst Connor remained silently seething. He weaved an arm around Kira's waist for a second time, though this time found the woman take a step away from him and his advances.

"Don't you dare," she remarked, turning her attention away from Connor for a moment, given that he was about as responsive as a brick wall. She looked up into Shay's eyes, which shone with playfulness and amusement. No doubt he was still concocting up ways of getting her into even more trouble than he already had, and that wouldn't do at all. "You had better leave," she murmured, giving him a small smile, despite everything. "Before he kills us both."

"I'd like to see him try."

"Go!" She shoved him firmly towards the door.

"Alright, alright!" he laughed, heading towards the door. He paused as he reached it, turning and giving a brief nod to each Assassin in farewell. "Kira. Mr Kenway."

He left, and Kira winced as she saw Connor stare after him, his hands curled tightly into fists and his knuckles tinged a deathly pale. He hated being addressed by his father's name. Sighing, Kira stepped beside him and placed a hand reassuringly on his shoulder, feeling him tense as she did so. She had to be careful. In times of anger, Connor was like a wild animal- unpredictable.

"Connor," she spoke quietly, trying to draw his attention from the parting Templar.

"What?" he snapped, turning to shoot her an icy glare, and pushing her hand sharply from his shoulder. She was taken aback by the suddenness of his actions, and he took the opportunity to scold her. "Kira, I warned you about him. You swore you would ask him your questions and then be done with him. Why was he here?"

"I told you, he was making sure I was alright, as any gentleman would do. I ran away! In the middle of the woods! Would you not have come after me?"

"Well yes, of course, but-"

"Exactly! So you cannot blame Shay for doing so." She paused for a moment, reading his expression. He stared at the floor, sighing, and in doing so conceded defeat. "Good. Now if that is settled, I'd like to go and get something to eat. I'm starving."

"No. We must return to the manor at once. Achilles is waiting, he sent me for you."

"Oh, come on…" she protested to no avail, feeling his hand grasp her arm. Before she knew it, she was being dragged to where he had left his horse waiting.

"Connor, please, I am not ready to see Achilles."

"It matters not. He has asked to see us both, and so he shall."

"I don't have a choice?"

"No."

Kira rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest as she watched her companion tether his horse. "What if I run?"

"Then I will bring you back," he smirked, giving the steed a gentle pat on the side of its neck.

"Forcibly?"

He turned to her, an amused glint in his eye. "Yes. If that is what it takes."

The journey had provided Kira with an adequate amount of time to tell Connor the truth of what happened to Shay, and it was safe to say that the young Assassin harboured no more sympathy for the Templar than he had done before the tale. If anything, hearing more of Shay's treachery and its circumstances had only led to a deeper dislike of the man. Kira had no wish to argue, and so spent the rest of the journey discussing other things with Connor- but not without the occasional plea for him to turn back. Nevertheless, they had arrived at the manor.

Once Connor had finished with his horse, the two headed towards the entrance. Though Connor was keen to move quickly, Kira took her time. She stared at the ground as she walked, deep in thought. Was it too late to run? Yes. Connor would never let her get away, not now, after he had dragged her all the way to the manor in the first place. Not only this, but running would be needlessly dramatic. She wasn't afraid of Achilles- far from it- but she was undoubtedly in for a scolding, and probably a lecture on 'respecting your elders' too. She sighed. She'd heard a few of those in her time.

They reached the front door, and Connor was quick to usher Kira inside, no doubt realising her apprehension. "Achilles?" he called out as he closed the door behind them.

"Down here!" echoed Achilles' voice from the basement, and with a quizzical look to each other, the two Assassins followed it down.

Just before she came into view of her mentor, Kira paused on the stairs, whilst Connor continued down. She took a deep breath. Just don't lose your temper, she repeated to herself firmly. No matter what, she wanted to walk out of this basement having fixed things, not made them worse. With another deep breath, she descended the last few steps.

What she didn't expect, however, was to find herself being greeted by not two, but by four pairs of eyes. Achilles was standing in the middle of the room, hunched over a little with his hand firmly clutching his walking stick. By his side stood two young boys, who each could be no more than sixteen.

"Kira," Achilles greeted unexpectedly warmly, as the woman made her way to stand beside Connor, who seemed to share her confusion.

"Achilles." She gave a small smile- not enough to seem overly confident, but enough to give off the impression that she meant well.

He gestured to one of the boys beside him. "This is Harvey," his hand moved to the other boy, "and this is Gabriel. Both are aspiring to become full-fledged Assassins, and with this intention, I would like you to take them under your wing. Not only will it be a rewarding experience for the boys, but I hope that you too will use this opportunity to better yourselves as mentors, and Assassins." He turned his attention back to the boys. "Gabriel, Kira will be your mentor. Harvey, Connor will be yours."

Kira smiled broadly. This was nothing like she had been expecting, but nevertheless, she was quick to be on board with the idea. She stepped forwards, offering her hand to her newly-appointed apprentice. "It's very nice to meet you."

He was a little hesitant, but soon accepted her gesture and smiled politely. "And you, ma'am. Thank you."

In the meantime, Connor had greeted his apprentice, but before any serious conversation could take place, Achilles stepped in once more. "Now Connor, you and Harvey go upstairs and get to know each other. Gabriel, I would like you to wait there too. I must speak with Kira privately."

Kira's heart sunk to the bottom of her chest like a stone dropped in the ocean. Of course it was too good to be true; she should have known she wouldn't have gotten away with her past behaviour so easily. She watched with a solemn expression as the three left the room as instructed, particularly Connor- who might have provided some backup had he been allowed to stay. Wincing a little, she turned to face Achilles.

"So, what do you think?" he asked, leaning forwards on his stick a little.

She took the opportunity to try to stick to this subject. "Oh, I think it is a marvellous idea. You have taught me so much- I am keen to finally have the chance to pass this knowledge on to my own apprentice."

He smiled, obviously pleased by her response. "Good, good." He paused, before continuing: "Now, I think it is time we addressed the matter of what occurred the other day. It has clearly been weighing on your mind."

She couldn't meet his gaze. "Truthfully? Yes, it has. I want to start by saying-"

"I do not want to hear it," he interrupted. She swallowed hard, expecting the worse. "You were disrespectful, yes, and I sincerely hope that you will not assume that attitude again. However, I am human, and I realise that the news of Shay's survival will have come as quite a shock to you."

Kira stood silently, her arms folding before her almost sadly as she reminisced over all that had occurred. It was true- the fact that Achilles had lied had felt like a knife to her back. He was her mentor, and she could never have imagined him keeping such a significant secret to himself for all those years. She felt tears prick at her eyes as she remembered the feeling of betrayal and bewilderment. Everything could have been so different, if only they had been honest with each other. "I just… I could not believe that you had lied to me. You of all people knew how close Shay and I were, and you let me think him dead for so, so long. And with no explanation why…"

"You loved him."

The words struck Kira like a wave in a tempestuous ocean, as if they had crashed against her chest, knocking the air from her lungs. She had known all along- of course- but for someone else to say it, and to say it so bluntly… She could respond with nothing. Instead, she silently fought back the sea of emotion that tried so unwaveringly to overwhelm her.

"And that is why you acted as you did," he continued simply, stopping only to step towards her and rest a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "I forgive you."

She looked up at him, her eyes glazed over with both sorrow and relief. When she spoke, it was hardly a whisper. "Why?"

"Because I know how it feels to lose someone you love."

Without even thinking, Kira rushed forwards to embrace him, catching him entirely by surprise. Her eyes watered with relief, and her heart fluttered with a feeling of joy. He understood. Finally, after all this time, he understood. "Thank you," she murmured, feeling his hand pat her back caringly.

"I am truly sorry, Kira. I never meant to hurt you."

"Achilles, I am sorry," she replied.

And she meant it. Every word.


Author notes:

IMPORTANT. I am back. I am not dead, and I want to start by saying a huge sorry to all the people who have stuck with this story so far- if you are still here after all this time, then you are amazing and I cannot thank you enough. I really shouldn't have left it so long to write/update this.

So I am so, so sorry to anyone who has been waiting for this chapter.

Who knows if you're reading this, but I want to particularly thank anyone who left a review recently asking me to continue. Lolistarkiller (I hope you're still with me here), I loved your review, and it really made me step up and get this chapter finished in the last few days. So thank you. So much.

To everyone who has left a review, I am so grateful as it really motivated me to get writing again. I have not ditched this story, not at all, and I fully intend to keep it going. If you still want to read it, then I still want to write it.

Ah. Ok. Speech over. I'm excited about the next chapter though, so hopefully I'll get it out in a reasonable amount of time this time. :D

Kittycat312