A/N: Here is the second chapter, which was a little tough to write. That partly explains why it is so short. Though, I hope it is enjoyable.

Hated Facade

Chapter Two

Dearest Mother,

Ah, the mess I have gotten myself into.

This ship has set sail for the colonies, and I am now trapped here. I do realize that writing to you while at sea is rather pointless, but you had said you wanted letters so you could see how I am fairing. Speaking of, I am starting to doubt my abilities that father has taught me. I have never had to keep up this identity of mine for too long, weeks at most. Yet, I always had a safe place where I could be myself. I have a ship that I am confined to for months, where my cabin is the only place where I have some privacy and where I am able to revert back to my usual self behind a closed door.

I have not even been at sea for a day and I am already doubtful of everything I do...

My mentor, Haytham Kenway...I don't know what to tell you of him. Every moment I spend with him, I am suddenly aware of every little mistake I make, every little slip up. Even know, I am looking at my hand that is writing out these words and I am realizing just how feminine they are. The thing is, I am almost certain he catches these things as well. Though, he has never commented on them. Maybe I am worrying myself too much?

I hate to admit it, but I am terrified of the man. I can only hope more days at sea will ease my worries.

Even now, as I am writing to you in the candle light of my small cabin, I am worried about prying eyes. Still, I will keep writing you. It seems to ease my mind, as I hope it does yours.

Do not fear for me, I am sure I will be alright.

Best regards,

R. Parks

Tired brown eyes read over the letter, Rachel nodding her head as she reread the words written there. Carefully, she folded the letter and walked towards the small case that sat in a dark part of her cramped cabin. She stuck the letter at the bottom, covering it up with the few books and clothing that she had packed with her.

She carefully closed the case, latching it and walked across the floor towards the small bed at the side. The door to the cabin was closed, but she didn't trust herself enough to undress much. With a sigh, she lay herself out on the bed, curling into herself slightly so that she fit the bed. She removed her hat, placing it on one of her raised knees and studied it for a few moments.

Rachel closed her eyes, letting the sway of the ship and the sound of the ocean pull her into a light, worried, sleep where confusing and frightening nightmares plagued her mind.

"Richard," Haytham came striding towards the slightly startled woman, who turned to face him with a rather expressionless gaze.

"Sir," she greeted, making sure to use "Richard's" voice. Something she had been practising for the duration of the morning by having small conversations with some of the crew. It had helped raise her confidence slightly, at least.

"Come, we have much to discuss," Haytham stated, walking past her as Rachel sighed lightly as she went to follow him. "I apologize for the lack of conversation over the past few days, it has been rather busy, as you can see."

"You need not to apologize to me, sir, as I am sure you have your own business that needs tending to," Rachel stated, folding her hands behind her back so that she wouldn't clasp them in front of herself. Much too lady like.

"Indeed," Haytham stated, his eyes moving towards some of the crew that were below deck. "With that aside, I am hoping we could talk more of your training. If you are to be working under me, I do hope that you have some skill."

"My father had taken it upon himself to train me from a young age, I have knowledge in handling a sword and a few other weapons, sir."

"What of your skill in climbing? Information gathering?"

"I have some," Rachel stated, "which I am hoping to improve."

Haytham nodded, turning to face her finally. Rachel found that she preferred that he kept his back to her, glancing over his shoulder. Her doubts started to surface once again, but she stopped within a few steps of him, standing straight.

"I do hope you are aware of my other duties as well, you will have to take it upon yourself to train by observation when I am not able to train you myself."

"Of course, sir," Rachel said once again, nodding her head once.

Haytham nodded once again, turning to continue their walk. Rachel repressed to let out a relieved sigh, trying not to stumble when she started to walk once again.

"So, you are the son of Victor Parks, correct?"

"Yes," Rachel said, proud of how steady her voice had become. She secretly hated being called the "son" of Esther and Victor Parks, but she had learned not to let that show.

"Very insistent your father is," Haytham commented, "though he is very loyal, determined."

"I will have to let him know of your phrase," Rachel remarked, not too interested in talking of her father. The Order is all he speaks of and how he hopes that one day she would be able to take his place. All he really wanted out of a child. Out of a son.

"What of you?" Haytham asked, "are you here of your own choosing?"

"Yes, sir," Rachel said, wondering where he was going with this.

"I understand that your father had insisted that you be trained by someone with more experience, though I wish to know if you are the one who seeks more training. I will not train someone who isn't willing to be trained."

"I do wish to be trained, sir," Rachel stated, "my father may have insisted, but I share in his wish for the advancement of my skills."

"Very well, I will train you," Haytham stated, "though, I fear there isn't much I can do for you while on this ship. I will make sure to notify you if I wish for you to do something for me."

"Thank you, sir," Rachel said, taking that as a dismissal and felt that she couldn't have gotten away from him fast enough. The lack of sleep and the general situation was already starting to wear on her, and she only hoped that her disguise wasn't wearing as well.

There wasn't something quite right with Richard Parks.

Haytham noticed that he seemed to have a bit of an odd look to him, his facial features not as sharp and masculine as he was used to seeing, his voice was soft and rather quiet. He seemed thoughtful, most likely a man who spent quite some time brooding to himself. Though, when he had spoke of his parents and training, Haytham could see the determination on his face and heard it in his voice.

Though, with those things aside, Haytham couldn't help but notice the things that rose some suspicion within him. His walk, for one. It happened to be the first thing that Haytham seemed to notice about Richard. Usually he wouldn't notice such a thing, but the way Richard carried himself was different from what he expected. When he walked, there wasn't much power in his stride. His footfalls were light, graceful, and it struck him as odd.

His hands were smooth, soft. Feminine, even.

Haytham didn't want to doubt his charge, really, but he couldn't help but start to wonder about Richard. He had chose to overlook the odd things about him for the most part, but once they started to reach a month aboard the ship, he noticed that Richard had disappeared for a week or so. His cabin door was shut, and Haytham wondered if he even left it at all.

Richard had explained that he was feeling ill, but not to worry about him too much. This was said to him while the man in question seemed to hide a bit behind his cabin door. Though, he seemed to recover rather quickly after a week, Richard hadn't left to visit the doctor so Haytham believed that the illness he had caught must not have been too problematic.

Even then, the whole incident had only seemed to fuel his suspicion of him even more. Richard seemed like a reliable and determined man, though there were a number of things about him that seemed too...gentle.

His first concern was that he would be too weak to train, possibly a coward. Someone who would freeze up in the midst of battle, or lock up at the prospect of taking a life.

The son of the Parks', the man that he was to train, had turned out to be very different from what he had been told about him. Either his father had exaggerated about the great qualities of his son, or that Richard is not who he claims to be.

A spy, possibly? Maybe an enemy has posed as Richard to infiltrate his mission, to kill him. Though, the idea seemed absolutely outlandish, but there was always the possibility. Regardless, Haytham knew that he needed more evidence before he could confront him. He refused to make a fool of himself by questioning Richard without good reason to do so. For the moment, he was to keep an eye on his charge, get a sense of how he really is. If he is even who he claims to be.

Though, if he is a threat to him or his mission, he had to be dealt with as soon as possible.