Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed or any of its characters

A/N: Happy Christmas Eve!

It had been a while since Ezio had been to Monteriggioni and it hadn't been in such disrepair. He was happy to be reunited with his mother and Claudia and of course his uncle Mario.

He would rather be in Firenze with Altair, getting the man that betrayed his family and sent his father and brothers to their deaths. It had left his mother mute and his sister in denial and him distracted.

"Ezio! Pay attention!" Ezio was startled out of his musing by his uncle's angry tone. He brought up his sword to block on slaughter from his opponent. Since Altair had remained in Firenze, his uncle Mario had taken up the remainder of training Ezio. Altair had said he would get training from other but his uncle was ruthless.

"Piego!" Ezio called and held up his hands in surrender. The mercenary in the training circle nodded silently and let the boy leave unharmed.

"You learn quick, nipote." Ezio smiled at his uncle and sheathed his blade.

"Altair thinks otherwise." Ezio's smile faltered a bit at the mention of his mentor.

"Ah, well everyone is slow compared to him." Mario patted him on the shoulder and guided him into the rundown villa that was the Auditore family home and Assassin's headquarters.

"Uncle. How is the situation in Firenze. I haven't heard anything from Altair." He had been in Monteriggoni for some time now but he hadn't heard a word from his master. At first he thought Altair had been killed after he had left. Only a letter from the Assassin arrived a day later, the contents to which Ezio had not been privy to.

"Altair and the brothers are working hard in the city. They have found Uberto Alberti to be a Templar." Ezio briefly remembered the man he had delivered letters to. He had understood that Alberti was a friend to his family. Now it seemed all a lie.

"And? Is he dead yet?" He asked. Mario shook his head no and sighed.

"No, nipote, these things take time and planning." Ezio shrugged off his uncle's hold angrily.

"How can you say that? That man is breathing while my father is not! My brothers are dead because of him!" He shouted and his voice carried throughout the empty building.

"Ezio-"

"Forget it!" Ezio cut off his uncle and stormed off.

He hid in the attic of the villa and looked out over the countryside, seething. He sat silently on the windowsill and looked out. The thought of his family's killer still living made him boil. He clenched his fists and his jaw snapped shut tight.

"Cazzo."

Ezio stood and ducked out of the attic space. Below him, he could hear his uncle talking with his sister no doubt his mute mother was still in her room. Ezio snuck down the marble stairs as quietly he could and into his uncle's office. His uncle's office was an organized mess and Ezio knew. If one thing was out of place, Mario would know. He snooped around carefully and found the current location of Uberto Alberti. The man was still in Firenze.

Ezio glanced into the dining room where Mario and Claudia were laughing about something. Ezio looked onto the scene with sadness before ducking out of the villa.

He pulled up his hood as he blended in with the crowd. He peeked up at the rooftops periodically while fidgeting nervously. When he finally got outside the wall Ezio sighed in relief. It was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He tried to remain calm when he took a horse from the stable but he knew his hands trembled as he took the reins and took off down the dirt road towards his home city.

Getting inside Firenze proved to be harder than Ezio had originally thought. To a normal civilian it was an average patrol but Ezio saw there was more guards cluttered around the gates than what was normal. However luck might have possibly been on his side. Courtesans were fluttering around and when they caught sight of Ezio, they started to coo for him.

"Ezio!" A blonde called out and he scrambled up to her.

"Silence Madonna." He covered her mouth and looked around them. The ladies became alert and pulled out daggers that were hidden in their corsets. Ezio was surprised that the ladies even carried weapons, much less knew how to wield them like professionals. "

I need to get into the city. The guards…and the Assassins must not know." The ladies exchanged nervous looks with each other but nodded. Ezio paid them a bit more than usual for their help. As the dancing women encircled him he saw eyes were drawn to the courtesans but go over him completely. He smiled as he managed to slip past the guards without so much as stopping the women.

Ezio merged through crowds of people with his group without much trouble. Yet that didn't stop him from tensing at every corner or alleyway they passed. He tried to keep from straight out staring at the roofs because it would make him stand out but he couldn't help it. Not when Altair was within the city. Ezio had to fight back the idea of running off to find the man. He didn't think Altair would appreciate him going against orders.

A courtesan bumped him from behind and Ezio was drawn back. His eyes zoning in the guards that stood at the door. Uberto was throwing a get together for some art pieces.

"We can get you inside Ezio, but then you are on your own." A blonde whispered softly in his ear. Ezio swallowed back his nerves and fear and clicked his hidden blade out in response. The courtesan around dispersed and took away the guards at the door. Ezio jumped inside the courtyard and hid behind a pillar. A quick scan of the surroundings and Ezio found his target and no Assassins. His heart pounded his chest, blood rushed his body and the noise was loud in his ears. His hands trembled and he clenched them tightly. It was now or never.

Ezio slipped between groups of chattering people and pretended to listen in on them. He watched as Uberto walked past him and he tensed. As the man could closer and closer Ezio's breathe picked up. The hidden blade was drawn and ready.

Ezio reached out and grabbed Uberto by the collar. He turned the man and Uberto squeaked in surprise. Ezio felt anger rise and heat up his body. He stabbed, the blade sliding through flesh without meeting resistance. It was shock first, for both of them, but then it was like a weight had been lifted. Ezio liked that feeling. So he stabbed again and again. Over and over till there was a large and growing stain on the front of Uberto's clothing. Ezio let the man down and listened to his final words.

"You would have done the same. To save the ones you love." Ezio let go of the man.

"Yes I would. And I have." He said with a cold voice and stood hearing the screams of the people around.

"The Auditores are not dead. I'm still here. ME! Ezio! Ezio Auditore!" He shouted in new anger.

He had killed the one that betrayed his family. Now all that was left was a hollow feeling.

Shouting guards alerted him and Ezio sprung to run but a smoke bomb had gone off between him and the approaching enemies. The guards coughed and keeled over in tears. Ezio felt tears spring to his eyes and a cough build in his throat. He didn't get a chance to become weak as a strong hand wrapped a hand over his mouth and nose, guarding him from the smoke. He struggled weakly. The smoke was fading but it still effected him. He was dragged out and Ezio heard the dying cries of the men in the smoke.

He was dragged away to a dark alley and was let go. Ezio reached forward with the bloody hidden blade to his attacker but was caught.

Altair held his wrist in a hard grip. The metal squeal in protest and Ezio stared, gasping.

"Atlair!" He shouted and his mentor frowned.

"What have you done!?" Altair didn't raise his voice but it felt like he had. He ripped the hidden blade from Ezio and the boy couldn't even bring himself to protest. "Do you realize how far you sent you've set us back? How many people you have endangered because of this stunt!"

Ezio was stunned, the weight of what he had slammed down on his shoulders. He chocked and looked up at his master with a sad, terrified expression.

He hadn't realized he was crying till tears soiled Altair's robes. When had he hugged Altair? The older Assassin gripped him tight in his arms and Ezio fell apart.

He thought of his brothers and father. Now dead and forever out of his reach until death claimed him as well. He had actually killed another person. Uberto had family and loved ones and Ezio had taken him away from that.

Altair pulled down his hood and leaned against the wall behind him. He sighed as the novice broke down in his arms, clinging to the older man for support. He should have been there. The first kill was always the most emotional one. Better yet, he should have killed Uberto himself.

A/N: I hope that everyone is enjoying their Christmas!

Piego-I fold

nipote-nephew

Cazzo-fuck it

Please Review!