Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed… but I really wish I did.

Warning: Language. You guys will probably hate this chapter.

You guys: check out unanymousdeen's profile, she put up a one shot of this! It's super good! You all should check it out and leave a comment! It's called Marks and Bearings.

I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did,
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

"Because of You" by: Kelly Clarkson

Chapter Nineteen: Quick Change

Exactly ten minutes after Malik left, he returned and dragged me outside to the courtyard where Raan and Altaïr were waiting patiently. Raan looked uneasy and avoided eye contact with me and Altaïr looked fiercely determined, which meant he either didn't hear a damn word I said or was deciding to ignore me.

I wanted to talk to Altaïr on the way to the destination, but he was moving quickly in front of me and Malik was holding me back, whispering instructions as always.

"He'll probably be inside with his family-" Malik coached.

"-and an incredibly sick daughter who he's struggling to help keep alive-" I shot back.

"-so we'll have to lure him out and kill him-"

"-and break the rest of the mother's heart when both her daughter and husband dies-"

"-Altaïr and Raan will take care of it and we'll make sure that there are no witnesses-"

"-just so they don't starve to death from lack of income-"

"Oh shut up and follow orders, Novice." Malik snapped.

"I'm not a Novice!" I hissed at him. "Stop calling me that!"

"You aren't an Assassin either." He growled. He grabbed my arm and I shoved him away.

"Let go!"

He went to hit me and I caught his arm. Unfortunately for me, Malik was much stronger and threw me to the ground. I rolled and crouched easily, grabbing my dagger. Raan hauled me up from behind by my hood.

"Can't breathe!" I gasped. Raan held tighter for a moment before letting go.

Malik composed himself quickly. "We must hurry."

"This is wrong!" I shrieked. "Altaïr…?" I looked at him for help. He seemed indifferent to the situation. "Malik! Surely you can't be so blind!" I pleaded with the two Assassins. Raan scuffled his feet slightly and stood back.

"Keep moving, Novice." Malik ordered.

When we got to the blacksmith's house, I froze and grabbed Altaïr; clinging to his coats. "You can't do this! This is against the Creed! What would Al Mualim say?" I gave him my best pleading look. He gazed down at me with an annoyed expression, but didn't respond.

Instead the metal 'shink' of his hidden blade rang through the night and I stumbled back in disgust.

A door opening and candlelight pouring into the space below us made us all freeze. The man, who I recognized as the blacksmith, walked out with a water pail in hand. There was a pump below us, which he was making his way towards steadily. Just as he turned the pump on Altaïr started to jump.

In an act of pure desperation, I lunged after him. Our bodies collided in mid-air and the shocked blacksmith started running back into the house yelling 'Assassin!' at the top of his lungs. I made sure to land with all of my weight on Altaïr, causing him to grunt in annoyance more than anything.

"Stop! We can't do this!" I begged him. "This isn't what we stand for!" I screamed.

Altaïr shoved me off him and I hit the wall before scrambling up. I could only watch in horror as Altaïr motioned for Raan to kill everybody. Raan hesitated before running towards the house.

"Malik!" I screamed up at the watching Assassin. He looked at me for a moment before locking his jaw and sprinting after Raan with what I could only hope was good intent.

Altaïr was running towards the house now too, but I found the speed in me to tackle him to the ground once again. We started rolling and fighting. He didn't say anything, but looked downright murderous. Even with his gold eyes blazing, but for once I was able to meet them. He was not winning this fight!

I managed to get a good hit on his face before being pinned down. With all of my might I lifted him up with my legs and hands before holding him there for a moment and shoving him off of me. My arms burned. In the moment that I wasn't fighting Altaïr, I whipped out the dagger he gave me and laughed wickedly in the irony. If anybody could teach the stubborn, ignorant, dumbass, fucktard, of an Assassin a lesson: it was me. I didn't care if he was the best dammit; I was getting more than one hit in.

It briefly crossed my mind that we'd only been together for two days and we were already killing each other… but that was beside the point.

We leapt towards each other at the same time and I felt the wind get knocked out of me from the impact, but I held tough. I parried with my dagger and used my bad hand to shake Altaïr by the collar, "You're fucking insane! How could you do this?"

Again he didn't respond. We fought each other for a few more minutes before I had my back against the wall. Altaïr swung down towards my chest armor and I ducked before putting my hand up to stop the sword. I froze in pure agony as the blade caught my bad wrist and reared back as far as I could away from him; consequently cracking my bad arm's elbow on the stone behind me. Tears sprung unwillingly to my eyes, but I put my shoulder into Altaïr and shoved. He stumbled back and I somehow found it in me to trip him. He fell and rolled, but before he got up, I kicked him with all of my might in the ribs.

The metal chest plate that I bought him made my foot hurt, which only made me angrier. So I kicked him again. And again. I kicked him with all of my might until I was positive I heard a rib or two crack before jumping on his chest with both feet and stepping off him casually.

He didn't even make a sound during the whole process.

As a matter of fact, Altaïr didn't fight back one bit.

I felt an ugly sneer form on my face as I aimed for final blow straight to the bottom of his jaw, but his hand snapped out and pulled me down. I felt my skull rattle as it hit the concrete. I clenched my jaw and struggled to grab my sheathed dagger and Altaïr transferred all of his weight onto me. It was hard to breathe with him and my breath was shallow and ragged; my head was dizzy.

He pinned my hands above my head; his face a hair's width away from mine. I snapped at him with my teeth, but he pulled back just in time. I lunged against him and he whipped out a dagger and put it to my throat.

"Go ahead and do it!" I laughed at him before turning deadly somber, "I fucking dare you."

Altaïr dropped the dagger, just like I knew he would.

"You compromised the Brotherhood; you broke the Creed." He gave me a shake and I felt blood trickle down my scalp.

"You were about to harm an innocent. You were about to break the Creed." I argued weakly. I struggled for consciousness; I wasn't losing this. Altaïr would be the loser before this night was over. With the strength I didn't know I had, I grabbed the dagger and put the butt of it to his head and watched as his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed… right on top of me.

I allowed myself to slip into slumber knowing that the fight was over and I was the last man standing. Well… last human conscious at least.

I woke up remembering last night perfectly, which was a surprise because I felt as hung over as fuck; it was a habit I was becoming increasingly familiar with. What didn't make sense, however, was how I was sleeping next to a half-naked Altaïr. His ribs were tightly wrapped and I took a minute to re-examine his face, which was usually covered by his hood. It looked as perfect as ever, which pissed me off because I probably looked like a haggard lady to say the least.

Somebody cleared their throat and I looked at the source of the noise. Malik was sitting casually in the corner with bags under his eyes. He took one look in my eyes and started talking. "I know what you're going to say – so let me explain. First, you are sleeping next to Altaïr because he woke up before you and requested it. Second, I'm sitting here to make sure nothing happens. Third, yes the blacksmith and his family are okay; they are under a contract specifically for the Creed. His son is now our newest recruit. Fourth, The Mentor is livid and about ready to kill you, thankfully Al Mualim stood up for your ass after I begged for him to alongside Raan, so I suspect your full support from here on out. Fifth, if anybody asks we caught the soldiers transferring the goods instead of the blacksmith and worked out a contract. Sixth, if you ever pull that stunt again, I will kill you myself, Novice. Do you understand?"

I nodded numbly.

"Good. Now get up and head to Cien. She wants to check your wrist." With that, he exited the room.

I attempted to sit up so I could visit Cien, key word: attempted. The second I shifted my weight to get up, an arm whipped out and tugged me back. I squirmed a little before letting out an indignant huff and flipping around to face Altaïr. His eyes gazed into mine with a slightly hazy tone. The words caught in my throat as I suddenly was immensely aware of how close together we were. My mind was screaming for me to slap the shit out of him for pulling this stunt… especially after what happened last night.

His lips grazed my neck before breezing to my ear. "And you call me cruel. Didn't anybody ever tell you not to kick a man while he was down?"

I felt my lips curl, "You're no man."

He turned over so I was pinned to the mattress and bit my ear slightly. I shuddered as his cool breath carried across my neck, "Wanna test that theory?"

I used my one hand to push against his chest, "No. And don't even think about it."

His nose buried in my neck, "Are you sure?"

I scoffed in disgust, "Positive. Now let me up. We need to talk."

"Hmm… I like you here."

My eyes rolled at his antics, "You know what? This isn't going to work. Malik was right." Sitting up suddenly, Altaïr reluctantly let me off the bed. I checked my clothes and pulled on my folded cloak hastily.

"What did Malik say?" Altaïr growled. I gave him the cold shoulder and he repeated himself with more force, "What did Malik say!"

"Nothing Altaïr – just drop it."

I felt my head hitting against the wall before I realized I had even moved. "What did Malik say?" He now demanded softly. He pinned me successfully. I let out a soft groan as my vision flashed grey.

"You know what he said? He said that you and I weren't going to work. And he's right. We've been with each other two days and we're always going for each other's throats!"

Altaïr remained silent for a moment, "Do you believe him?"

Choosing my words carefully, I continued, "Yes but,"

"But?" He prompted.

"He also said that you always have to win, which doesn't explain last night."

"I don't want to fight you." He whispered softly, gently resting his forehead against mine.

"You don't want to fight me now or you didn't want to fight me last night?" I snapped.

"Neither." His eyes bored into mine. I met them evenly, I was so mad it wasn't even close to funny. Normally he would intimidate me, but even with my back against the wall the thought of him being an arrogant little boy pissed me off.

"So what happened? Why did you give up?" I barked.

"I didn't want to fight you."

"Why dammit! Why did you not want to fight me?"

"You're part of the Creed." He answered simply – like that was the answer to everything: the Creed.

I felt my heart shatter and tears fell readily out of my eyes, "Why is it always about the Creed!" I screamed at him. "How are you so blind! It was the Creed that sent us on that mission – it was me that stopped it dammit! Me!"

Altaïr looked confused and I searched his face desperately.

"Can you do anything outside the Creed, Altaïr? Or is that it to you: kill, fuck, obey like a bitch, and kill more?" My breath turned erratic, "Don't answer!" I barked when he opened his mouth.

"I let your win because I didn't want to hurt you." He answered finally.

"Like I can't take a hit. By the way, thanks for fucking over my wrist again. First swimming, then fighting me. You make such a wonderful ally." I shrieked at him. "Which reminds me. I have to go to the Medic, again, and if I don't get killed or kicked out of the Creed, well at least I have blind and oblivious bastards like you fighting by my side. Long live the Creed!" I scoffed and exited the room. "We didn't even make it three fucking days!"

I clutched my chest afterwards as a pang of loneliness and guilt rang true; I was being such a bitch to Altaïr.

But in my defense, he was a complete ass.

A/N: So close, yet so far away. I know, I know, I'm evil.

You guys: check out unanymousdeen's profile, she put up a one shot of this! It's super good! You all should check it out and leave a comment! As always, I'd love to see how you see Anima and company. Please, feel free to use my characters and do whatever! Knock yourselves out! Just give me credit where credit is due, and go for it!

And on that, note, I was wondering if any of you would be willing to take up an one-shots with a writing prompt – in celebration of this book coming to a close very soon. If you're up for it, leave a comment in the reviews and if I get more than 3 participants, I'll not only update sooner, but I'll leave the prompt at the bottom of the page.