Assassin's Creed II characters and references (c) Ubisoft
Kiara and all other OCs (c) me

Federico led me through the never-ending streets towards his house, wherever that was, and I grew more and more nervous as we walked. I hated to intrude on this family, but I didn't have anywhere else to go. I was just lucky that Federico had found me before – what was his name? – Vieri had gotten a hold of me.

"Ah, here we are,"

I was drawn out of my thoughts by Federico's voice and found myself starting at a large square building.

"Is this your house?" I asked in awe as I looked at the beautiful building.

"Yes,"

"It's huge!"

Federico chuckled as he led me through an archway that led to a small, pleasant courtyard. I now saw that the house was built around this square space. Federico walked up to an intricate door, knocked, and then opened it. I followed him meekly, trying to appear as small as possible.

The door had opened up into a large office-like area and a broad-shouldered man, who I assumed was Federico's father, was bent over a desk examining some papers. He had shoulder length hair that was the same color as Federico's and he was dressed in dark red clothes. The older man looked up as we walked in, and his eyes instantly gravitated to me. His gaze was so intense that I had to resist the urge to hide behind Federico, feeling as if he could see right through me.

"Who is this, my son?"

The man's deep voice resonated through the room, and judging by the look on his face, he was expecting a variety of answers.

Federico put his hand on my shoulder, edging me forward. "This is Kiara, father,"

"Kiara? That is an unusual name. Tell me, my dear, how is it that you are in my son's company?"

I fidgeted nervously. "Federico saved me from…um…"

"The Pazzi." Federico finished for me, "Vieri and his men had her cornered in an alley."

The older man frowned, "It is good fortune that you happened across them then, Federico. Well done."

I saw Federico swell with pride at his father's praise. The man walked around the desk to me.

"I am Giovanni Auditore da Firenze." He introduced himself with a small bow, "Welcome to my home."

I ducked my head in response, feeling a little more at ease.

Federico cleared his throat, "Padre, Kiara is lost."

"Lost?" Giovanni asked, a concerned look passing over his face, "How so?"

I interjected, saving Federico an awkward explanation. "I'm not supposed to be in Florence. I…I'm a stranger here."

Giovanni studied me for a moment with a thoughtful look on his face, and then he turned to Federico.

"Federico, will you excuse us. I would like to speak with Kiara alone."

I gulped, and even Federico seemed surprised by Giovanni's request, but he acquiesced and left with a small bow of his own, giving me a reassuring smile on his way out. The door shut behind him and I was left alone with his very imposing father. However, a small smile graced Giovanni's sharp features.

"There is no need to fear me, my dear. I merely wish to hear your side of the story."

Even though Giovanni's words were relieving, there was still an air about him that commanded respect. I realized that lying to him would be very unwise, and I would have to tell him the whole story regardless of how impossible it sounded. Besides, he looked like the type who could tell when people weren't telling the truth and I was a horrible liar.

Giovanni kindly motioned to a chair nearby. "Please, sit."

I all but sank into the chair and clasped my hands tightly in my lap. "I…I don't know where to start, Giovanni. I don't want to lie to you, but the truth is almost impossible to believe."

The man looked at me curiously; clearly this wasn't what he was expecting.

"Kiara, if there is anything I have learned in my lifetime, it is that sometimes the impossible is the only truth."

I looked up at him then, and there was a knowing look in his dark eyes that gave me courage.

I took a deep breath, "I am not from this country, Giovanni. I don't think I'm even from this time."

"…Continue,"

I couldn't read his tone, either he was taking this very well or he thought I had lost my mind.

"I was transported here by…what's it called…a Piece of Eden, I think."

The atmosphere changed instantly and Giovanni's entire body tensed.

"What did you say?"

I huddled deeper into the chair, pinned there by his suddenly intense eyes. I had a feeling that I had stumbled on something that I shouldn't have.

"A Piece of Eden,"

"What did it look like?" His voice was sharp now.

"I-it was a small, gold ball. About the size of my hand."

Giovanni gave a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"The Apple," he mumbled, more to himself than me, "what mischief has that accursed relic caused?" He looked back up at me, now fully alert, "It brought you here, you say?"

I nodded adamantly. "Yes. One minute I'm walking down the sidew – I-I mean street – and this thing just shows up out of nowhere. I picked it up and suddenly I'm standing in the middle of Florence."

Giovanni huffed out another sigh. "The Apple has many strange powers. Not even my ancestor, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, could unravel all of its secrets."

The name Altaïr sent a cold shock through me. So it was true, not only was I in the past, but in a timeline that was only supposed to exist in a video game.

"You say you are not from Italia. Where are you from then?"

I swallowed hard, "Can I ask what year it is first?"

Giovanni gave me a cautious look, but answered, "1475."

1475…Columbus hadn't even made his first voyage across the ocean. America was still an undiscovered country.

"My homeland is far across the ocean to the west. It hasn't even been discovered yet."

"You…are from the future, then?" Now Giovanni sounded unconvinced.

I could only nod, "Yes,"

There was an unbearable silence between us for several minutes. I chanced a look at Giovanni, and saw that he was deep in thought.

"Tell me," he said finally, "what do you know of this Piece of Eden?"

I hesitated, knowing that what I was about to say could get me into a lot of trouble. "All I know is that there are two groups fighting over it,"

Giovanni tensed again and I dropped my eyes to my lap.

"You know the names of these two "groups", do you not?"

It wasn't so much a question as a statement, and the dark tone of his voice forbade me to lie.

"Assassins and Templars," I almost whispered.

I was met with silence, and when I had the courage to look up again, a gasp caught in my throat. Giovanni was looking at me so intently I thought I might burst into flames at that very moment, but it was his eyes that startled me. They were no longer dark, but an unnatural golden hue. I was frozen where I sat, until the man I now knew to be an Assassin blinked and his eyes returned to normal.

"So…you are not a threat."

I had no idea what he was talking about; I was still in shock over the sudden change in color in Giovanni's eyes.

"How…what…?"

"A gift," Giovanni replied curtly, "one I do not wish to discuss."

I nodded quickly and he continued. "What do you know of the Templars?"

"I know they want to control mankind," I said, hoping it was the right answer.

Giovanni nodded, "And the Assassins?"

"They fight the Templars, and they've been doing so for a very long time."

"Is knowledge of the Templars and Assassins common in…your time?" It was clear that he still didn't quite believe the whole time-travel part of my story.

I thought back to the video games. "No. The war between Assassin's and Templars is considered to just be a legend."

Giovanni looked sad for a moment, but he quickly shook it off. "Very well. Now that we have all that established, Kiara, what are we to do with you? I assume you no longer have possession of the Apple?"

I shook my head. I hadn't thought about it, but the mysterious ball had indeed vanished once I found myself in Florence.

"Well then," Giovanni said, his voice a bit lighter, "it would seem as though you will stay with me and my family."

I looked at him in shock, "Giovanni, I couldn't possibly intrude—"

He held up his hand. "I assure you, my dear, you are not intruding. It would be against my conscience to allow you out on the streets on your own. Besides, my daughter, Claudia, would enjoy your company."

He walked over to me and I stood, still not quite believing the man's hospitality. I suspected part of the reason he wanted me here was to make sure I didn't go off and tell other people what I knew. Giovanni looked at me seriously.

"Kiara, do not mention what we have spoken of to anyone else, not even my children."

"I won't, I promise. But what do I tell people when they ask me where I'm from and what I'm doing with you?"

Giovanni's brow furrowed in thought for a moment. "We will tell them that you are a distant friend of the family, and that you've lost both your parents and have nowhere else to turn."

It seemed like a good story to me, even if it was much closer to the truth than Giovanni realized. The man patted my shoulder with a smile I couldn't help but return.

"Do not worry, Kiara, you are safe with us."

I ducked my head in gratitude. "Thank you, Giovanni,"

Giovanni ushered me to the door. "I believe the next order of business is to find you some proper clothes."

I looked up at him, realizing just how short I was compared to him. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing now?"

Giovanni chuckled, "My dear, you have a lot to learn."

He opened the door and we were met with a strange sight. A young man bearing considerable resemblance to Giovanni and Federico was standing in the doorway, his fist raised to knock. He looked as surprised as we were.

"Oh! Padre, forgive me, I did not realize you had company."

"No, no. That is quite alright Ezio, we had just finished our conversation."

I took a brief moment to study Ezio as he and Giovanni were talking. He wasn't quite as tall as Federico, but he was more sturdily built and couldn't have been much older than me. His hair was very dark and was pulled back at the nape of his neck, the shorter strands framing his face. When he turned his attention to me, I saw that his eyes were light brown, almost a honey color. I had never seen eyes like that before.

"Ah, and who is this young lady?" He asked smoothly.

"Ezio, this is Kiara, she will be staying with us." Giovanni explained as Ezio took my hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving mine. "Kiara, this is my son Ezio."

"The pleasure is all mine, signorina Kiara."

I had to admit, he was quite the charmer.

"Likewise," I responded coolly, even though I felt my cheeks warm at his actions.

There was a flicker of disappointment in Ezio's eyes, and I realized that he was used to women swooning at his charming ways. He was certainly good looking, but I had more sense than to fall for the first boy who actually flirted with me.

I heard Giovanni give an almost inaudible chuckle. "Ezio, I have some letters for you to deliver, they are on my desk."

Ezio straightened and nodded. "Sí padre, right away."

He bowed graciously to me as we left and disappeared inside the study. I decided that I was going to like Ezio, as long as he wasn't a constant flirt.

A/N - Second chapter up in less than a week! Woot! I have to admit, I was completely blown away by the response I got. 100 hits and two reviews! *Squeal*

A big thank you to Midnight Lullabye and Fan of the Creed for their greatly appreciated input. *bows* I hope this story lives up to your expectations.

~TKD Dragon