WOAH WOAH WOAH 2 chapters in two days? Two actually decently lengthed chapters? Badass up here! Just kidding, but stuff gets real here, and I've got another chapter lined up after (I'll regret saying that, it'll probably be finished NEVER) But enjoy!

"Malik?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry."

Malik looked over at Altair in disbelief. "For what?"

"I'm leaving."

Malik, even more confused, placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"What do you mean you're leaving?"

Altair looked down in shame, liquid gold eyes darkening. "I'm leaving Masyaf. Leaving the order. I'm sorry for being selfish, I just cannot take it any longer. I...I wanted someone to know. I wanted you to know."

Malik couldn't believe his ears. "Why Altair? You're the top of our class! You have everything every assassin wants! You cannot just run away from all that's been handed to you."

"Do you really believe that?" Altair murmured, looking away. "That I have everything so wonderful?"

"Yes! You are the disciple of the Grand Master! The only disciple of the Grand Master! It is the most coveted position a novice could have!" Malik persisted, raising his voice.

"...I'm sorry to have troubled you." Altair said, walking away.

Malik furrowed his brow. "Altair, wait."

Altair ignored him, instead quickening his pace.

"Altair! Don't be a child!" Malik called, chasing after him. Malik grabbed Altair's hand, but Altair pulled away, eyes turning cold.

"Just let me be, Al-Sayf." Altair said.

Malik froze at the sound of his last name. Him and Altair had been drifting, but were they such strangers now that such formalities would be the norm?

He shook the feeling off, charging after Altair. He swung his arms out, attempting to catch Altair.

Too slow.

Altair, senses keen as ever, quickly side stepped, sending Malik straight into pavement. Malik landed with a grunt, and Altair looked on with an unreadable expression. Not willing to give up that easily, Malik stood up, wiping his mouth, and moving into a fighting stance. Altair followed suit, and the two circled each other for a moment, before Malik lunged forward. Altair again sidestepped, but Malik was prepared, and did a quick roll, sweeping his leg out to catch Altair's, which sent him sprawling. However, he caught himself quickly, and without pause, gave a quick uppercut to Malik's chin. Malik doubled over, spitting out a bloody tooth. His jaw hurt, but his pride was terribly wounded. Guilt flashed through Altair's eyes, but Malik persisted, finally pinning Altair to the wall.

"The, huff, hell, huff, is wrong Altair!?" Malik demanded, breathing hard.

Altair struggled to get out of his grip, but upon looking into Malik's gaze, gave up. He let his body go limp, and slid down the wall to a sitting position on the ground.

"I can't do it." Altair said, choking. "I swear I'm going mad, Malik."

"Shh, you don't have to." Malik said, not asking for specifics.

"I do. I'm meant to be the saviour of Masyaf, am I not? Son of none, the perfect assassin..." Altair muttered, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Even so, you cannot run from your problems, brother. It will do you more harm than good, you know that. With what you know, the assassin's will hunt you down to their very last man." Malik reasoned. "You are seventeen, Altair. You would never survive out there on your own."

"Age is not a problem, as long as I am careful with my tongue. I could take a ship, and leave these lands." Altair said.

"And where would you go? How would you get the money to travel?" Malik said.

"Pickpocketing. I would go anywhere, as long as it was away." Altair sighed.

Malik paused. "You had this all planned out?"

"For many years." Altair breathed, putting his head in his hands.

Malik studied Altair's face, suddenly noticing the extra scars he now had, and an especially fresh one on his lip. Altair's eyes were red and watery, threatening to spill over at any moment.

"Altair." Malik said softly, crouching down to his level. "You can always talk to me. And you can cry if you have to. Feel no shame in my presence."

Altair looked back at Malik, who finally saw the desperation that had been hidden away in Altair's soul for so long, and just how broken his friend had become. And how he had not been there for him.

Altair started to quietly sob, before breaking down into muffled heaves. Malik stayed silent, holding Altair in his arms and rocking him back and forth, Altair's sobs grew louder, pouring out all the suppressed pain hidden below his cocky exterior. When he finally ran out of tears, Malik pulled back, cupping Altair's chin.

"If you insist on leaving. I will help you."

Altair wiped the moisture off his cheeks, and without another thought, brought his lips to Malik's. And, to his own surprise, Malik kissed back.

It was the most awkward moment of their lives up to that point to say the least, hardly the breathtaking experience that Malik had read about in so many books. But life-changing, it definitely was.

They both pulled back at the same time, it great shock. Before any words could be exchanged, the bell rung, signalling that it was time to retire.

The grabbed each others hands and ran towards their quarters, fuelled by adrenaline, like children waiting to be caught. They made it back unseen, the silence now replaced by their laughter, and as soon as their door was closed, Altair pushed Malik up against the wall.

"I want you to come with me." He said huskily.

Malik hesitated. "I want to...but Kadar...My whole life is here, brother."

"We could bring him! The three of us, together." Altair exclaimed.

"Wait a moment, my brother is NOT going to be between us." Malik said, smirking.

Altair laughed, a sound that Malik had missed so much. "Of course not. You're all mine." Altair whispered, sending chills down Malik's back.

"Tonight then. We leave tonight." Malik said, bringing their foreheads together.

"I'll take that as a 'Yes' then?" Altair said, grinning.

"Shut up and pack, novice." Malik said, giving his friend a light smack over the head.

Once they had gathered all their things, it was the middle of the night, they positioned themselves in front of their window, ready to take the leap. Just as Altair was about to step onto the windowsill, Malik broke into laughter.

"What? Are you alright in the head?" Altair asked, confused.

"Of course I am, you fool. Remember the last time you convinced me to sneak out with you in the middle of the night?" Malik said, chuckling.

Altair laughed as well, recalling that night. "I was eleven years old, and you were thirteen. I ran out into the night, forgetting to put my boots on."

"You were a real piece of work, Ibn La-Ahad. Let's hope you stay fully clothed this time, yes?" Malik said, prodding Altair.

"I'm not promising anything." Altair said, sticking his tongue out. And with a great leap, he was in the haystack below.

"That's the Altair I know." Malik breathed, and took the plunge himself.

Their first goal was to reach Kadar, and hopefully convince him to come with them. Problem was, Kadar was housed within the city, and sneaking around Masyaf at night was a difficult task, with the assassin's patrolling every inch of the village. Nonetheless, the young and restless men took off towards the buildings, fuelled by adrenaline and new found love. They climbed ladders, leaped over buildings, and quietly dropped down to ground level. Malik motioned for Altair to hide and wait, while Malik went into the house to find Kadar. Malik turned the corner, dashing toward the door, when he crashed into a hard surface.

Malik grunted, landing on his back. He sat up, peering into the darkness, before looking up into the angry eyes of a guard.

Malik cursed, and tried to scramble away, but was roughly dragged up by his hood.

"You're not supposed to be here." The guard said gruffly. "Let's see what the Master will think of an assassin snooping around in the village at night!"

Malik fought back, but was given a hard kick to the stomach for his effort. This was not going to plan. Out in the distance, he spotted Altair, who looked back at him with wide eyes.

'Go.' Malik mouthed desperately.

Altair hesitated. He had left Malik behind before.

Never again.

Altair took off in a sprint towards the guard, tackling him and forcing him to release his grip on Malik.

"Run!" Altair yelled, trying in vain to hold down the much larger guard.

"No! Together or not at all!" Malik yelled back, trying to drag Altair with him.

Altair resisted, instead pushing Malik with as much force as he could muster onto a lift, and with a quick slash, he cut the rope, sending Malik sprawling onto the roof above. Malik could only watch as the guard got the better of Altair, who was dragged away.

Malik ran as fast as he could back to the fortress, as the plan had ended in disaster. He would not let Altair shoulder the blame.

Dawn was approaching, and Malik slipped in through the window he and Altair had left out of. Malik ran through the halls, making his way to the jail cells. Surely this would be where they would take Altair? He frantically searched the cells, looking for anyone who scarcely resembled his friend. No luck. Perhaps they were still bringing him to the Grand Master? Malik ran back to the front hall, and sure enough, he saw Altair being brought into the Grand Master's office. Malik sprinted up the stairs, catching Altair's gaze.

"Don't." Altair pleaded, shaking his head.

Malik froze. He took in a sharp breathe, and squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't let him take all the blame. But the force in Altair's eyes shook Malik to the core. So Malik just stood there helplessly, as the Grand Master's door shut in front of him.

Malik spent the day switching between yelling in frustration and sobbing in anguish, and soon enough, the guard showed up at his room.

"Al-Sayf. We know the story. How Ibn La-Ahad had run off, and how you had tried to stop him. You will receive no punishment." The guard said, clearly displeased. He began gathering Altair's things.

"Wait! Stop! Those are Altair's things!" Malik cried, stepping in between the guard and Altair's bed.

"Move, boy. He will no longer be needing them here." The guard said, shoving Malik aside.

"What do you mean?! Where is he? Where is Altair?!" Malik yelled.

"No longer a concern to you. He will be living directly under the Grand Master now." The guard said, walking out.

"You will not see him again." The guard growled, slamming the door behind him.

Malik cried himself to sleep that night.