An Assassin's Miko
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or Assassin's Creed II
Chapter 7: Explanations and Training.
Kagome looks at Ezio and nods her head at Mario's back. "Let's go novice." She tells him. Ezio sighs and follows Kagome to where his uncle, sister and mother are waiting. Kagome puts her hand on the hilt of her sword as she approaches Mario. Mario raises his eyebrow at her, "I'm guessing you're Kagome, the one that Giovanni told me about." Kagome nods and lets her hand fall away from the hilt of her sword.
"Good." Mario looks at Ezio before turning around and leading everyone inside, "So, tell me everything." Ezio looks at the ground before answering, "They executed father for treason. Federico, Petruccio, and Souta too. Then they came for me." Mario looks at Ezio, "Who is this Souta?" he questions. "He was my little brother." Kagome answers, who is looking at the buildings as they pass them.
Mario nods before questioning Ezio, "Do you know why?" Ezio walks faster so he's walking next to his uncle. "I have no answers, uncle... Only a list of names taken from a man who wished me dead." Kagome walks next to Claudia and puts a hand on her arm. 'Are you okay Claudia?" Claudia nods sadly before wiping her eyes, "I just do not understand why this happened to us." Kagome smiles at her, "It's going to be fine. I'm going to make sure of that." Claudia sighs and nods before looking around, "It's kind of dull here." Kagome laughs, "I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks that."
"Come on, keep pace! We're almost there. I think you will find much to like in Monteriggioni." Mario tells them over his shoulder. Ezio looks at his uncle confused. "I thought Monteriggioni was an enemy of Firenze..."
"For now. Next year it will be its friend. The year after, its enemy again. And on and on. I cannot keep track. So I have stopped trying. These are honest, hardworking people. Our shops may only carry simple goods, but they're well made and dependable." Mario explains to them There is a chapel here too. The prete seems a nice enough fellow, but I've never been much of a believer." Kagome sighs as she listens to Mario explain the history of Villa to Ezio and the others as they walk up the stairs of the Villa.
"With all the fighting that's been going on, this place has started to get a bit rough around the edges." Mario looks at his nephew over shoulders. "I wish I could do something about it, but I just don't have the time or money to fix things up. Guess that's life, eh? Here we are, Casa dolce casa! So? What do you think?"
"It's most impressive, uncle."
Mario turns around and looks Ezio and Kagome, "She's seen better days, I suppose. Believe me, I'd have her shining again... if only I had the time." Mario shakes his head then smiles at the two teens. "Now that you have had the tour, you and Kagome should go and outfit yourselves. My men in the market are expecting you. Return here when you are finished and we'll begin." Kagome raises an eyebrow, "Begin what exactly?" she questions the other assassin. Mario looks at her confused, "I thought you'd come here to train?" Ezio looks at Kagome then at his uncle. "No, uncle. we came here to escape Firenze – and intend to take my family further still."
"But what about your father? He'd want you to finish his work." Mario sighs. Ezio looks confused "What work? My father was a banker."Mario looks at Kagome, then at Ezio, "Wait... He did not tell you?" Kagome rolls her eyes, "In Giovanni's defense, he was going to tell Ezio the night he was arrested." Ezio looks at both assassins and growls. "I have no idea what you two are talking about!"
"Ma che mi combini, Giovanni?! Where to even begin...Go and fetch the gear in the market. It will give me time to think." Mario tells them. "But…" Mario waves his hand "But that's that. We'll talk more later. Some spending money, should you need it. And if you find yourself in need of rest, I've prepared rooms for you two on the top floor of the Villa." With that said Mario leads Claudia and Maria into the villa.
Kagome sighs and pulls her hood down to run a hand through her hair. "Let's get this over with." Ezio nods and follows Kagome as she walks down the Villa's stairs. After walking down the stairs Kagome looks around for the blacksmith.
"Ah, there it is." Kagome says to herself, Kagome then turns to Ezio and nods her head in the direction of the blacksmith. "Ezio, I found it." Ezio pulls out the money his uncle gave him and approaches the blacksmith.
The blacksmith grins at him when he sees Ezio's money. "What do you need boy?" Ezio looks at Kagome for help. Kagome sighs and looks at the weapons and armor the blacksmith is selling. "We need two pairs of Leather Greaves and a dagger." The blacksmith rubs his chin and then goes into the back of the shop and grabs the greaves and dagger. The blacksmith places them on the counter. "The Leather Greaves ƒ2280 are and the dagger is ƒ475." Ezio gives the blacksmith the money and grabs his armor and weapons. Kagome grabs her greaves and looks at Ezio, "Now all we need to do is find a doctor and then we can head back." She tells him as she starts walking away from the blacksmith shop. Ezio nods and looks at her, "How did you know what to get?" Kagome stops and looks at him, "Federico took me to a blacksmith in Firenze, when him and Giovanni were training me."
"Training? What were they training you for?"
Kagome sighs and starts walking again, "I can't answer that yet. When we go back to Mario and he explains things to you, then I'll tell you everything. Like the actual reason why Souta and I were staying with you." Ezio walks faster so he is standing in front of her still confused. "Wait, you told me that you and Souta sought refuge with us because your family died."
Kagome sighs and walks past him. "I'll explain later Ezio, I promise."
~Break~
Kagome sighs and leans against a wall as she watches Ezio talk to Claudia and Maria. Kagome looks at the necklace Souta gave her the day before he died. Kagome looks at the ceiling and remembers Souta excited face when he gave it to her. "Kagome! Look what I bought for you! Isn't it cool!" Kagome lifts her head up and watches as Claudia and Maria walk away.
"Ezio?" Kagome walks over to the teen and puts a hand on his shoulder, "I think we should go see Mario now." Ezio sighs and walks towards Mario's office.
"Salute, uncle. We did as you asked." Ezio tells his uncle as him and Kagome walk over to him. Mario nods his head pleased, "And quickly too. Ben fatto! Now let's teach you how to fight." Ezio shakes his head at his uncle, "No. As I said, we are leaving." Kagome puts a hand on Ezio's arm, "Ezio, we barely held our own against Vieri's men. My skills are not going to get us out of here safely."
"Ezio, Kagome is right you two barely held your own against Vieri. You won't survive a week on the road. If you want to leave – so be it. But at least do so armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to defend yourself. If not for me, for your mother and sister." Ezio sighs, "Fine." He agrees reluctantly. Mario grins. "Ottimo!"
Outside, Ezio stands in the training ring while Kagome stands next to Mario watching. "You can swing a sword, to be sure. But offence alone will not carry a battle. You must survive long enough to strike. We will teach you how to dodge."
"You said my father was more than a banker?" Ezio questions as he pulls out his sword and begins to dodge. Mario sighs and looks at Kagome then at Ezio, "No use dancing around it, I suppose. Your father was an Assassin, Ezio." Ezio looks at the two Assassins briefly before looking at his opponent. "I told you before: my father was a paper pusher." Mario looks at Kagome for help. Kagome sighs, "Ezio your father was an Assassin. Someone who was born and breed to kill." Ezio looks at Kagome, "I find this difficult to believe." Kagome rubs her forehead before mumbling Japanese curses under her breath.
"What of the list you carry? Do you think it's merely a catalog of debts? It holds the name of those responsible for your father's murder." Mario tells his nephew. Ezio puts his sword back in its sheath and looks at Kagome and his uncle.
"Bene I've taught you how to avoid your enemy's attacks. Now you'll learn how to turn them to your advantage!"
"All this talk of Assassins and Templars. It reeks of fantasy." Ezio growls. Mario looks at his nephew knowingly "Like something from an old parchment covered in arcane writing, perhaps?" Kagome snickers at Ezio surprised expression. "How did you know…?" Ezio questions. "You have your father's blade. I figured you'd have the Codex page he was holding as well." Mario says.
"Codex?" Ezio questions as he learns how to taunt his opponents.
"Remember the page Leonardo found that's a Codex page." Kagome starts to explain, "A guide to the inner workings of our order - its origin, purpose and techniques. Our creed, if you will. Your father believed the Codex contained a powerful secret. Something that would change the world. Perhaps it's why they came for him..." Mario finishes for Kagome.
"Assassins, Templars, Codex pages... This is a lot to take in." Ezio sighs.
"You need to open your mind, Ezio. Always remember: Nothing is true, Everything is permitted." Mario tells Ezio. "You're making fine progress, Ezio! Today I'm going to teach you how to position yourself in battle. Where you stand and how you move make all the difference.Don't think I haven't seen you picking apart my library. I trust you believe me now?" Ezio gets into position and waits for his opponent to attack him. "Yes. My father was an Assassin. But why the need for such secrecy?" Ezio questions his uncle. Kagome nods her head to the man in the ring and jumps in as he leaves. Kagome pulls her sword out of her sheath and charges Ezio.
"Are you familiar with the Templars? One of several Knightly orders formed during the Crusades. History teaches they were disbanded nearly 200 years ago in France. Only they weren't. Merely pushed underground where they continued their nefarious work." Mario explains.
"What work?"
"The Templars seek dominion over man. And we, the Assassins, are sworn to stand against them." Kagome tells the teen as he dodges one of her blows.
"Was Uberto one of them?"
"Yes."
"And the other names on my father's list?"
"Templars as well." Ezio looks at Kagome who is answering all his questions. "That would mean Vieri…" Ezio trails off, "Just like his father, Francesco. Likely the entire Pazzi family." Ezio sighs and looks at Kagome, "It would explain many things." After a few minutes later Ezio was able to defeat Kagome. Kagome smirks at him as she sheaths her sword. "Good job Ezio." She tells him as she jumps out of the ring. Ezio smirks and follows her out of the ring.
Kagome walks over to Mario. Mario looks at his nephew with pride. "Well done nipote! You've really come into your own." Ezio walks over to Mario and puts his hand on his shoulder, "Thank you, uncle, for all you have given us." He gives his uncle a grateful smile. "You're family! Such is my duty and my desire!" Mario looks at Kagome then back at Ezio, "I'm glad you had me stay." Ezio tells his uncle.
"Good! You've reconsidered leaving!" Mario grins while Kagome smiles at Ezio. Ezio inwardly winces, "We sail for Spain in three days…" Ezio tells them. Mario frowns, "But, nipote, I have given you these skills that you might be better prepared to strike against our enemies..."
"And if they find us, I will." Ezio tells his uncle.
"You want to leave, Ezio? To throw away everything your father fought and died for? To deny your heritage? Fine! Come vuoi. Arrivederci e buona fortuna." Mario then turns around and storms away. "Uncle wait!"
Ezio looks at Kagome before looking at the mercenary he fought, "Why is he so upset?" he questions. The mercenary looks at Ezio, "How can he not be? Vieri has been harassing us since you first arrived. To be expected, I suppose. Given his heritage..." Ezio looks at Kagome and sighs at her back as she turns and walks away from him and in the direction that Mario stormed off in. Ezio runs to catch up with her.
"Kagome?" he questions, he gets no answer. Ezio sighs loudly and tries to get her attention. Kagome rolls her eyes and walks into Mario's office. Kagome looks at the mercenary standing in front of the desk. "Where is Mario?" she questions. The mercenary looks at her, "They ride for San Gimignano to slay that snake, Vieri." Ezio looks at Kagome, "We wish to join them." The mercenary nods, "You'll find what you need at the stables." Kagome looks at Ezio, "You go talk to Claudia and I'll go get the horses ready." Ezio nods and runs out of the office to find his sister.
Kagome nods the mercenary before running out of the Villa Auditore, down the steps and runs towards the stables. Once there Kagome sees two white mares, Kagome quickly saddles the two horses; Kagome mounts one and wait for Ezio to arrive. A few minutes later Ezio runs towards her and quickly mounts the other horse. Kagome looks at Ezio before kicking her horse's sides. Ezio does the same and the two assassins ride away from Monteriggioni.
"Ezio, you are probably wondering what I meant earlier. About how Souta and I's real reason for staying with you," Ezio looks at her, "Yes, I am." Kagome sighs and explains everything to him. Once she finished Ezio looks at her, "Somehow I believe you." Kagome smiles at him as they ride to where Mario and the other mercenaries are.