Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed

Warning: Minor language

It's 2am, and I'm doing fine.
Especially now you are by my side.
I just keep thinkin' what you said to me,
that without you there will be no me.

And my thoughts are screamin' "I am me"
Just take me home to where I want to be
And I'm stuck inside my own head
And this feeling's left me broken inside.

"Past Regrets, Future Threats" by: Call Atlantis

Chapter Twenty One: Manipulation

"Anima… Anima. Come back for me! Promise you'll come back?"

"…I… I promise…"

"Now let him take you."

"He… can have me."

"He doesn't have to."

"I love him."

"I love you, Anima."

I woke up slowly; a bright light burnt my eyes, but otherwise I felt fine. A shadow crossed my line of sight, giving the merciful darkness my eyes craved. Blinking, I noticed two very annoyed looking figures. Cien and Malik each were standing both with their legs shoulder width apart, arms crossed, and disapproving scowls plastered onto their faces. Their resemblance in stances and facial expressions were astounding.

"It worked?" I chirped with a meek look on my face.

"Yeah." Malik answered curtly.

"You're an idiot." Cien spat. "I can't believe you! I thought you were dead! You hear me? DEAD!" She starting sobbing. "Oh God, I thought I lost you, dammit Anima!"

"Language?" I pointed out in a guilty tone.

Her cries stopped and her face became deathly serious. "Imagine my horror when Altaïr carries you in looking like he's seen his ghost. His arms were shaking he was so incredibly scared. You were covering in blood. Your lips were blue. We couldn't feel your pulse. Altaïr was about to put you in ceremonial death wraps himself! You're cannot believe how lucky you are that Malik came in just in time and pulled Altaïr out of here."

I looked at Malik, whose scowl slid off his face to reveal a tired look. "I figured out your plan the second I saw you fall."

"You what? What plan? This was a plan? I thought you were hurt and decided suicide and- and-," she started hyperventilating, "There was a plan?!" Cien shrieked, having just heard the news for the first time.

"Is Trystan dead?" I changed the subject quickly.

A nod. "Kinja killed him. He's celebrating now."

"Celebrating?" I asked disbelievingly. "He did realize that I was 'wounded', correct?"

"I told him your plan once I caught on." He explained.

"But Altaïr doesn't know?" I confirmed.

"No." I let out a deep breath.

"Sleepingrot." Cien stated blandly, "Gives the effect of death for five hours before finally killing the user unless revived with Wakevine."

"Good thing I remember some of those lessons."

Cien shook her head. "You're lucky I smelt your breath."

"Now, I must go. Kinja and I need to have a chat. If Altaïr comes around, tell him that I'm… taking a bath." I got up slowly.

"Like that would stop him at this point?" Cien pointed out blandly.

"Oh shut up," I snapped, forcing down the blush on my face.

"Or what?" She challenged.

"I'll tell Kinja that you like him!" I challenged back.

She shut up and nodded. "Go."

I caught Kinja's eye casually as I passed the big hall filled with celebrating assassins. After a couple minutes he met me near the bridge.

He pinned me against the wooden beams. "What the hell were you thinking?" He hissed.

I shoved him off me. "That Altaïr is predictable and needs to be taught a lesson."

"Please tell me this isn't about your pride?" He groaned.

"No, this is about his ignorance."

"Of the Creed? Kinda like you told me? Why do I think you have another reason?" He said, eyes flashing.

I shrugged.

"You do realize you scared the shit out of everybody?" His knuckled were white on the wooden beams.

"Yeah, pretty much." I replied.

There were a couple minutes of silence before Kinja huffed and begrudgingly spoke, "You're right."

"About what?" I asked, completely thrown off guard.

"There's something going on in the Creed… I have no idea what, but it's there."

I nodded slowly, "Yeah, I know."

Kinja gave me a dry glance. "I think Malik can tell too."

The thought that Malik knew more than he let on never occurred to me. Mostly because he was close to Altaïr and Altaïr was completely oblivious to everything.

"I think Rjorn knew too." Kinja stated softly.

I flashed back to the packages he gave me before nodding. "He was hung for disloyalty to the Creed."

"That's because he helped you." He whispered.

"The Mentor knew I was leaving. Raan told him. Besides, you had already left." I pointed out.

Kinja shook his head, "I don't think Raan told the Mentor you were leaving."

"But-" I protested.

"Cahil's becoming a good fighter. Didn't you teach him the basics?" Kinja changed the subject.

I gave him a confused glance before nodding, "Yes?"

"Amir says he's becoming more headstrong and arrogant by the day."

"We don't talk much anymore. Whenever I comment on his training or even pass him he blows me off." I paused before smiling and shoving Kinja lightly, "Kinda like someone I know."

Kinja rolled his eyes, "Amir said that he's spending a lot of time with Al Mualim nowadays."

I blinked slowly. "Amir was Rjorn's mentor."

The wiry boy, or I suppose man now, nodded solemnly. "I know."

"But then-"

"Amir is on trial." Kinja stated suddenly.

I blanched. "He was supposed to be head assassin instead of The Mentor. You don't think-?" I trailed off.

"So which side is right? The Mentor's or Amir's?" Kinja summed up my current thoughts.

"It doesn't make sense though! Besides jealousy over power, what else would there be fighting for?"

"Something bigger than us, Anima." Kinja's eyes grew distant.

"What do you mean?" I asked hysterically. What the hell was happening?

"I've heard, Anima… I've heard it."

"What have you heard?" I shook the boy, praying that he regained his senses.

A creepy smile came across the young assassin's face, "You've noticed it yourself, Anima. You just haven't seen it yet."

"That doesn't make sense!"

"It will."

"Kinja!" I screamed. He looked at me with perfectly clear eyes. "Tell me!"

His creepy smile went away to a grim line. "I can't say it; partly because I don't know if I'm right or not, partly because it's too dangerous. You'll have to find out on your own."

"How will I know what I'm supposed to know? I know a lot of things, what is it that I have to learn?" I complained slightly.

"You already know it. You just don't know that you do."

"Dammit Kinja! Since when were you the mysterious one that knew everything? That was supposed to be Malik's thing!"

"You're not in your armor." He pointed out randomly. I glanced down at my male civilian clothes.

"That doesn't answer anything." I declared loudly.

"Don't worry. You'll figure it out soon enough." Kinja gave a reassuring smile before turning his voice to a happier tone, "Besides, we've got time!"

I huffed, "Well at least tell me who is right."

Kinja shrugged. "I'm not sure about that one. I suppose it depends on your beliefs."

"Greeeaat." I grumbled. "Perfect. You're acting like you know everything and we still don't know what we're fighting!"

"But I know what we're fighting for." He pointed out cheerfully.

"What!?" I screamed in frustration.

"I can't tell you. You already know this. Really," he rolled his eyes, "I just said this two minutes ago."

"I already know what?"

"We've already had this conversation, Anima." He was right, of course, we were arguing in circles.

I huffed and Kinja smiled before glancing over his shoulder casually and walking away.

I was left staring after him like an idiot on the beach. After a minute or two I collapsed into the cool sand and started at the red and purple hues of the sunset.

A set of practically silent footsteps made me glance up languidly. Altaïr was walking slowly across the bridge; looking lethargic and dull. I didn't move and stayed in plain sight. He had yet to notice me. Up on the bridge I could see his facial features ice cold and withdrawn. They didn't look feral or wild like they normally were. Instead they were haunted. His hidden blade came out with a slight 'slink' and he started carving into the wood bridge aimlessly while looking out over the water.

I stared at him blatantly.

Feeling a set of eyes on him, the white-cloaked figure stiffened before glancing around. His eyes met mine after a moment and I twisted my face into a smirk and gave him a wry salute.

Altaïr's face slipped into one of confusion before disbelief and then shifted again into an undecipherable expression. He hopped off the bridge with a deadly aura around him. He took his damn sweet time stalking towards me. I forced myself to relax and stare at the sunset again; paying no heed to Altaïr.

I found myself pinned with my hands over my head in a very proactive position not a moment later. A cool blade pressed into my throat which I recognized as Altaïr's hidden blade.

"You're alive." He snarled.

"In the flesh." I chirped back happily.

"How?"

"You don't seem very happy." I sniffed.

"I'm very happy." He purred slightly.

I didn't bother suppressing the shudder that went down my spine. Altaïr smirked slightly from on top of me.

"I would've thought you'd be mad." I pointed out.

"Hmmm…" he buried his nose in my neck and it tickled slightly. "Why would that be?"

"Because you lost the battle." I laughed.

He stiffened. "What battle?"

"The battle." I answered vaguely. Altaïr remained silent. I took the moment to shove him off me slightly and stand up. "But don't worry, there's still the war. Though, I doubt you'll win that either." I taunted. He gave me a confused expression as I slowly wiped off my pants. I laughed again.

"I can't wait to see how this plays out."

I turned to leave before being pinned back down into the same position I had been moments ago. A rough kiss was planted onto my lips before my mouth was forced open. With a groan, I shoved Altaïr off again and brushed the sand off my clothes again before giving him a disbelieving glare.

"We are not doing anything sexual on the beach…" I trailed off, "Besides, I don't need sand down there. As a matter of fact, we're not doing anything sexual of any sort for a long time."

"It that another battle I hear?" Altaïr smirked.

A grin fell into place on my face, "Maybe."

With that I sprinted back to the bureau.

Serious faces met me when I got back.

"What's going on?" I stuttered.

The Mentor looked weary. "It's come to our attention that Jacques Amadieu has took over Trystan's cause."

"Yeah, so we hunt him down and kill him." I stated slowly.

"We can't find him. Nobody knows where he's run off to."

"Then what's the problem? We can wait."

A look was passed between The Mentor and Al Mualim. "There's an army marching for us about two days out."

My eyes bulged out of my sockets. "Wha- what?"

"We're officially out war." Al Mualim spoke for the first time.

The Mentor nodded before locking eyes with me, "We want you on the front lines, leading, Anima. You've more than proved to us your capabilities."

I glanced around for Malik, Kinja, or Raan, only to find them absent. There were only a handful of other Assassins in the room, and they were all of full rank.

"It would be my honor." I stated honestly; a mixture of horror and pride filling my torso.

"Be prepared, Anima." One of the other Assassins spoke up. I recognized him, but was in too much of a state of shock to name him. The Mentor glanced back at the Assassin and nodded at him; a series of emotions crossing his face.

I dipped my head respectfully before turning heel and sprinting out of the room.

I ended up with a sporadic heartbeat outside the church. Without thinking twice I scaled up the walls and hopped recklessly into the main hall. The nun was standing at the base of it, otherwise it was empty. I don't know what pulled me here, but something did.

I ran up the nun and stared at her while attempting to catch my breath. Her sightless eyes seemed wide and panicked; her normally calm exterior cracking. With trembling hands she grabbed my shoulders with more force than I thought possible for such a frail frame.

"You need to save him."

"Save who?" I huffed.

"Amir."

"I was planning on it." I panted.

"Good. Good." She nodded. "You must hurry."

"I'm aware of that." I snapped.

"Child, you must act quickly."

"Why Amir?" I shot at her.

A pause…"He's your ally."

I sprinted all the way back to the bureau, sides heaving. Running through the halls, I spotted Kinja and started dragging him to my room.

"We've got a problem." I whispered the second I closed the door to my room.

Kinja nodded. "I heard the news."

"We have to save Amir." I stated confidently.

"Are you sure?" Kinja asked wearily.

I nodded. "Positive."

"How?" Kinja asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"You're leading an army now." Kinja looked worried for me.

"That's irrelevant." I shot back.

"No, that ties your hands. Every move you make is being watched with exceeding care now." Kinja explained quickly.

"Then what do I do?" I hissed.

"We'll have to act fast."

"When do our enemies arrive?" Kinja asked lowly.

"Two days. We fight then." I choked out.

He made a humming noise of agreement, "We have to act soon."

"No shit." I grumbled.

"Not tonight though." Kinja sighed.

"No, not tonight." I agreed.

"Tomorrow night." Kinja stated finally.

"Will Amir live that long?" I sighed.

Kinja's face was drawn tight. "He'll have to."

"What of Cahil?"

"I don't know." Kinja ran his fingers through his hair before standing up. "I must go. Tomorrow night I'll meet you here."

"And that's our plan?" I almost shrieked out.

He remained silent and left the room.

I hit my head against the wall slowly. "'We have time'," I quoted Kinja from earlier lowly before scoffing, "Yeah, time my ass."

A/N: How's that for a cliff hanger?