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

A few more days passed peacefully, but the incident with the guards threw a shadow over everything. Giovanni dodged or flat out refused to answer the questions that he was bombarded with, which was very unusual for him. Since I knew about his Assassin background, I couldn't help but wonder if whatever he had come across was worse than he let on. This thought kind of scared me because I was slowly starting to think of Giovanni as a kind of adoptive father, and I didn't want something bad to happen to him.

I had done like he asked and when I had time to myself, I would find a place to hide in a heavily populated area like the market, and listen. Keep in mind I still didn't know what Giovanni wanted me to listen for, and he wasn't giving me any hints when I reported back to him. It's interesting how much you can learn in an hour if you pay attention, I heard everything from the changes in prices of fruit to foreign events, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Giovanni wasn't home for more than twenty-four hours when he had his friend Uberto Alberti, the Gonfaloniere of Florence, arrest Francesco de' Pazzi on charges of murder. The news spread through the city like wildfire and that was all people gossiped about. Vieri was incensed over his father's arrest and started causing more trouble than usual, particularly if Federico or Ezio was in the immediate vicinity, and I wound up witnessing one of those fights.

Federico was helping me improve my free-running skills one afternoon, which involved teaching me how to jump from one beam to the next when they were sticking out of a building. In my opinion, I thought was one of the scariest things I had ever done. The key was keeping my momentum, but I was terrified of missing one of the beams and falling. Federico had found a place where the beams weren't far off the ground and close together. He had me run across them over and over again until I could do it with my eyes closed.

I wiped sweat out of my eyes with my sleeve, having finished the route for the umpteenth time. "Was that better?"

Federico nodded as I made my way back over, "Much, your balance is improving. I'll see if I can find somewhere else you can practice that is a little more difficult."

I was about to make some witty remark, but a couple of boys ran by, talking excitedly about a big fight that was taking place on Ponte Vecchio. Naturally, we were curious and I followed Federico as he climbed to a higher point. From the top of the building we could see the bridge, and even from as far away as we were, we could see that the fight was pretty intense. I peered at the brawling group and my eyes widened when I spotted a familiar green vest.

"Is that Ezio?"

Federico sighed, "Yes, and there's only one person he'd pick a fight with in public."

We looked at each other and spoke at the same time, "Vieri."

Federico grinned suddenly, "Come on then, let's at least get a better view."

He took off across the rooftops gleefully and I followed, grumbling under my breath. Men…

Five minutes later, we found a spot on one of the shops that had a complete overview of the bridge. Federico was chuckling under his breath as if the scene below us was the most amusing thing to behold, but I wasn't so sure. I cringed as Ezio took a nasty hit to the head, and blood began to trickle down his face.

"Federico, I don't think Ezio's winning…" I said, worriedly observing how Vieri's men had Ezio outnumbered.

The older brother gave a dramatic sigh, "Must I do everything myself then? Very well,"

He crouched down and swung himself over the edge, but didn't let go of the building. "You stay here, piccola. We'll have this straightened out in a moment."

With a wink, Federico shimmied down the building to the ground and eagerly entered the fray. I snorted, but glanced over to where Vieri was standing. He wasn't fighting, of course, but I still remembered how he had threatened me a few months earlier and kept a low profile.

"Ehi! Behind you!"

Federico's voice brought my attention back to the fight. Ezio looked up from the man he had just knocked out a big grin spread across his face.

"Federico! What are you doing here?"

The older Auditore dodged an incoming punch and shoved the offender the ground. "I wanted to see if baby brother had finally learned how to fight."

The man jumped up and grabbed at Ezio, who head-butted him in the nose and threw him aside.

"And?"

Federico chuckled, "You have style. But endurance is what counts. Let's see how many of them you can ruin before they get the best of you."

With that, both brothers were back at it and, I had to admit, they were good. It didn't take long before Vieri was shouting to retreat and what was left of his band scampered away. Now judging the area to be safe, I cautiously lowered myself over the edge of the building and began to make my way down, still listening as Federico stopped Ezio from going after Vieri.

"Hold on…"

"What? We've almost won this!" Ezio protested.

"Your lip,"

"…Just a scratch."

I could just imagine Federico shaking his head. "Let the doctor decide."

"It's not necessary. Besides, I have no money for this doctor of yours."

I landed quite ungracefully on the ground, nearly falling on my backside. I brushed myself off and strode over to the brothers with what dignity I had left.

Federico chuckled, "Wasted it on women and wine, huh?"

I saw the light blush on Ezio's cheeks, but he waved it off. "I'd hardly call it wasted. Lend me some florins, then…or have you done the same?"

They both laughed and Ezio spotted me as I walked up. "Kiara, tell this dense brother of mine that I do not need a doctor to look at my lip."

I glanced at his mouth; both his upper and lower lips were split and still bleeding. I turned his face to get a better look and winced. "I don't know, Ezio, that's a nasty cut. It'll leave a scar for sure…"

I was suddenly hit with a powerful sense of déjà vu. A scar…there was something important about that scar…

"Kiara, are you alright?"

I was shaken out of my thoughts to see both Ezio and Federico looking at me with concern. I flushed lightly and waved my hand.

"I'm fine. But you should have someone look at it, Ezio."

The younger man rolled his eyes. "You too, eh?"

Federico chuckled and patted my shoulder. "You're outnumbered Ezio." He motioned to the unconscious men on the bridge. "Search them. There's bound to be something in their pockets."

Ezio sighed, but did as his brother said. We waited patiently as he looted the men and eventually came up with 200 florins.

"Va bene." Fredrico said, "That should be enough. Let's get out of here before the guards arrive."

We quickly left the bridge and the men on it. Night was beginning to fall, but the air was still warm; it was my favorite time of day. Federico motioned to some beams on a nearby building.

"We can go this way,"

He ran up a couple boxes and then proceeded to jump from beam to beam. Ezio followed and I brought up the rear. The beams were a little far apart for my taste, but somehow I managed to make it over to a wire ledge on the other side without incident. When I pulled myself up on the window, I couldn't quite reach the edge of the roof, but Ezio was watching and helped me up.

"Grazie,"

"Nessun problema bella."

Oh yeah, Ezio was still in full swagger mode despite having his face bashed. I rolled my eyes and gave him a small shove.

"Get going, the doctor won't wait forever."

Ezio smirked, but did as I said and hopped down to the ground. I stayed on the roof and waited, more content to watch and remain anonymous.

"Ben trovato, doctor."

The man looked up as Federico spoke, and his voice echoed behind the plague mask he wore.

"Hmm…fratelli Auditore, why am I not surprised?" He tilted Ezio's face to one side to get a better look at his injuries. "You've made quite a mess of yourself, young man."

"It's nothing, really." Ezio insisted.

Federico pressed his hands together in a pleading manner. "You must help him. That pretty face is his only asset."

I snickered from my spot on the roof and Ezio glared scathingly at his brother.

"Fottiti!"

Federico was used to such verbal abuse from his younger brother and just laughed as the doctor dabbed at Ezio's face. It didn't take long for the blood to be removed and the cuts disinfected.

"There we are. Now get out of here."

"Grazie." Ezio gave a cursory bow and turned to follow Federico.

I got to my feet and ambled along the roof, waiting to see what the two were going to do next.

"Quite a night." Federico commented.

"Indeed. I only wish they were all as much fun. Oh, wait, they are." Ezio replied with a laugh.

Federico chuckled himself and glanced up at me. "We should head home, Ezio. Father's sure to be wondering where we've gone."

"Yes." Ezio agreed. "And I'd rather avoid a lecture."

"Up for a little race then?" The challenge was clear in Federico's voice.

"To where?"

"Uhh…roof of that church."

I looked over to where Federico was pointing and saw that it would only take me a few moments to reach it.

"On the count of three. Uno. Due. Tre!"

They were off. Federico immediately began to ascend the building next to him, but Ezio ran straight to the church before beginning to climb. I hopped over the few rooftops and waited for the two to arrive.

"Baby brother still has much to learn. Come on, tartaruga!" Federico taunted.

It turned out that Ezio did beat Federico, much to his satisfaction I might add. I walked over to join them once Federico had arrived. The older brother looked up at the church steeple and pointed to it.

"We should go up there,"

I took one good look and immediately decided to let that particular adventure wait. "You two go ahead. I'm going home."

"But it's no fun without you Kiara," Ezio mock whined.

I just poked his chest. "You don't need me around for that. Besides, I can't climb up there."

"Yes you can," Federico interjected.

"Let me rephrase that; I can climb up, but I can't climb back down."

Ezio grinned. "You could always jump,"

I had seen Ezio and Federico do their "leap of faith" thingy before, and the mere thought of me doing it made me shudder. "Tu sei pazzo."

Federico laughed and ruffled my hair fondly. "Va bene. We will see you at home then."

Once Kiara had left, Federico motioned with his head. "Come on, then. This way."

He led the way up the steeple and helped Ezio up once they reached the top.

"It is a good life we lead, brother."

Ezio smiled and gripped Federico's arm in agreement. "The best. May it never change."

"And may it never change us."

I reached the palazzo in good time but, being the clumsy oaf I was, I had tripped on my way back and managed to skin the underside of my right forearm. I returned to my room and washed out the large scrape, hissing as the water stung the raw and broken skin. The basin was tainted with blood and dirt by the time I was done, and I made a mental note to throw it out once I had finished.

I was attempting to wrap my arm up with some bandages when there was a solid knock on my door.

"Entra," I called, not looking up from what I was doing.

The door opened, revealing Giovanni. "Ah, I thought I heard someone return."

I glanced up and gave him a brief smile. "Buonasera, Giovanni."

He looked at my arm and frowned a little. "Tell me you were not involved in that fight on the bridge,"

I wasn't surprised at all that Giovanni knew about the fight. "No, I tripped on the way back here. Ow!"

The man chuckled and walked over to where I was standing. "Here, let me look."

I unwound the bandage and held my arm out. Giovanni turned my arm to inspect the abrasion.

"That's quite a scrape," He commented as he took the bandage.

"Yes, well, falling against bricks will do that."

"Indeed." Giovanni wrapped the strip of cloth expertly around my arm, neither too snug nor too loose. "Where are my sons?"

I shrugged. "They were supposed to be right behind me."

Giovanni sighed as he tied the knot. "I hope they have not discovered more trouble to get into. There we are, how does that feel?"

I flexed my arm experimentally. "Much better, thank you."

Giovanni nodded and then motioned for me to follow him.

"Have you heard anything today?" He asked in a low voice as we walked through the hall.

"Nothing outside of Francesco de' Pazzi's arrest," I answered just as quietly, "it's causing quite a stir."

The man frowned, "Yes, I assumed as much. Where do you go?"

"All over the city. I've even listened in to a couple of conversations between guards."

Giovanni stopped and turned to me, his frown even deeper. "Guards? Kiara, that can be dangerous. Why would you seek them out?"

I shuffled from one foot to the other. "Well, I figured that they would know more than regular people."

He sighed, "That is good thinking, but I specifically stated that I do not want you putting yourself in dangerous situations. You are already taking a risk by masquerading around as a boy, and many men would see fit to punish you if you were caught."

I swallowed and dropped my eyes, but Giovanni tipped my chin back up.

"I appreciate your efforts," he said, "but I do not want you taking any unnecessary risks. Is that understood?"

I nodded, chagrined. "Yes, Giovanni."

He smiled slightly. "Bene. Now if I could just get my sons to behave, we will be well off."

Federico snuck back home sometime in the middle of the night, and Giovanni was waiting for him. I didn't hear the conversation between the two, but when Federico trudged by my room to get to his, he was muttering under his breath about his younger brother. As for Ezio…well, he hadn't come back yet and I had a suspicion that we wouldn't see him until tomorrow morning. That was the last thought that passed through my head before I fell asleep.

I woke up early the next morning and saw that it was going to be a gorgeous day. I wanted to get my usual stuff out of the way quick so I could go out and enjoy it. I put on the peach-colored dress, it was my favorite, and decided that I would take my needlework outside in the courtyard. I really didn't see much use in embroidery, and mine wasn't nearly as nice as Claudia's, but Maria wanted me to learn.

I found a seat on one of the benches outside and did my best to make the tiny needle go where I wanted it to. I was so concentrated on my work that I didn't hear Giovanni step out of his study until he spoke up.

"Buongiorno, Kiara."

I sighed as the point of the needle sank into the white fabric a long ways from where I intended, but I looked up with a smile.

"Buongiorno, Giovanni. How are you?"

The man sighed, "I have been better. I received a rather angry note from Christina Vespucci's father earlier."

Oh boy…

"Ezio?"

He sighed again, running his hand through his hair. "Sí. Apparently the man caught him in Christina's bedroom this morning."

I cringed. "Uh-oh,"

Giovanni scoffed. "Uh-oh is right. You'd think the boy would have enough sense to at least leave the area before her father found him. This does nothing for his reputation, and on top of that fight no less!" He sighed heavily, "Ezio has so very much to learn…"

I pulled the needle from the fabric and gave this particular stich another go. "He's trying, Giovanni."

"Yes, I know. But he could be making more of an effort."

We talked for a few more minutes until a familiar voice was heard coming down the street. Giovanni frowned and took his place at the entrance of the courtyard, waiting for Ezio to show up.

"Good morning, father."

Giovanni was less than cordial. "Come with me,"

"Is something wrong?"

I had to work to keep from snorting. The man talks to him in that tone of voice and Ezio asks if something's wrong?

Giovanni turned, his eyes narrowed. "Do you think me blind and deaf, son? I know all about your fight with Vieri de' Pazzi last night. And then this little thing with Christina."

Now caught, Ezio looked down as Giovanni continued.

"Your behavior is unacceptable! It…it…" All at once the man laughed. "it reminds me of myself when I was your age."

I had a hard time imagining Giovanni causing huge amounts of trouble, but the thought made me chuckle anyway.

"I assume these misadventures will not interfere with your work today?"

Ezio followed Giovanni into the courtyard, obviously relieved. "No, padre. Avete la mia parola."

"Good. Follow me."

Ezio shot a grin in my direction just before he disappeared into Giovanni's study, but the effect was lost because even though the swelling had gone down in his lips, the split was still an angry red. I just shook my head and went back to my embroidery, but a thought occurred to me a moment later and I wrinkled my nose. How had Ezio managed to score last night with his mouth all cut up? Had Christina actually kissed him?

Yuck.

The morning was about to get even more entertaining. Claudia came out sometime later and I could tell she was in a bad mood. When I asked, she told me that she thought Duccio, her boyfriend, was cheating on her. It seemed that even Florentine nobility weren't immune to the drama that came with relationships. As she went over to another bench to mope, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy; either Federico or Ezio was going to kill him when they found out.

I was just finishing up on my needlework when Maria came out to tend to her flowers in the courtyard. She took a moment to take at a look at what I had done. After a moment of careful analysis, she smiled at me.

"Your stiches are much neater, Kiara. Well done."

I grinned to myself, but Maria wasn't done.

"I won't need you in the kitchen today. You can go out early."

She didn't have to tell me twice. After a hurried thank you, I grabbed my stuff and hurried back inside. I could feel that wind on my face already.

I sank down on a roof a few hours later, disgruntled. Since I had more free time today I had been out to every place I could think of in search of information for Giovanni and feathers for Petruccio. I had failed miserably on both counts; no feathers and no information. There had been a few more rumors regarding Vieri's father, but not a whole lot more than that.

I laid back on the shingles, my hands folded behind my head as I looked up at the clear blue sky, lost in my thoughts. Slowly, the warmth of the shingles and the quiet atmosphere lulled me into a comfortable doze. It wasn't until the murmur of male voices entered my consciousness that I woke back up with a jump.

Getting caught on somebody's roof was not my idea of a good time and I started to climb to my feet, but the people started talking again, their voices coming from a window right below to me.

"The Order is getting restless, Uberto, I cannot wait any longer."

Crap, crap, and double crap. I was on Uberto Alberti's roof? I had only met the guy once, but I doubted he would appreciate catching me trespassing.

"I understand, Borgia. Lorenzo de' Medici is gone on business, now is the perfect time to strike."

"Good. I want Giovanni Auditore dead as soon as possible."

I think my heart stopped right there.

"What of his family?"

There was a chilling pause, "I do not care about his wife and daughter, but I do not want his Assassin heritage passing down to his sons. Kill them as well."

Oh no…oh God, please no! I felt sick and my whole body was shaking as my mind reeled from what I was hearing. How could this be happening? Wasn't Uberto Giovanni's friend? The other man, Borgia, spoke up again.

"How soon can you have the deed done?"

Uberto was sickeningly businesslike, "I will have my men arrest them at dusk, when all of them are at the palazzo, and the execution will take place tomorrow."

I clapped my hand over my mouth in horror. It was all happening so fast…

"What if evidence of Giovanni's innocence comes forward? You are the first person who would know."

"You need not worry about that, Borgia; I will take care of it."

Borgia made a sound of appreciation. "You serve the Order well, Uberto. I will see to it personally that you are rewarded."

I remained frozen to the spot until I was sure that Uberto and his mysterious friend had left, and then I scrambled to the top of the roof. Dusk…it was less than an hour away…oh no…

With my heart pounding violently in my chest, I took off towards the palazzo. It was like a nightmare; I couldn't run fast enough and a horrible feeling of dread sat in my stomach like a lead weight. Giovanni, Federico, Ezio, Petruccio…they were all going to be killed if they were caught.

Oh God, please don't let this happen.

My toe suddenly caught a shingle and I fell forward on my hands and knees, cursing my ever-present clumsiness.

"Merda!"

I pushed myself up again, ignoring the stinging in my palms, and ran as fast as my trembling legs could carry me. It seemed like the sun was sinking lower with every step I took, as if it was mocking me.

No, no, no, no!

My breath was catching in my throat, and I realized that I was starting to cry. No! I couldn't break down now, I had to warn Giovanni! I flew across the previously dreaded gaps without a thought; there was something else I was more afraid of now.

It was an eternity before the Auditore home came into sight, and it looked as if I had beaten the guards. I was thankful for that, but the danger wasn't over yet. I jumped onto the red roof and sought out the first open window I could find. I nearly flew through the opening and startled Claudia, who had been practicing her needlework.

"Claudia, where is your father?" I demanded between gasps for air.

"In his study—Kiara!"

I ignored her questioning shout as I dashed down the stairs. I almost didn't get the door open in time to go barreling into the study, and Giovanni was already on his feet.

"Kiara! What is wrong?"

"You've been betrayed, Giovanni!" I gasped, nearly doubled over. "The guards are coming for you and everyone else!"

Giovanni covered the distance between us in two strides and gripped my shoulders urgently.

"Who did this?"

"Uberto,"

The man let go of me like he had been burned. "No, no that can't be! Uberto is one of my closest allies!"

I was nearly hopping up and down, we were wasting time!

"I heard him, Giovanni," I pleaded, "he was talking to a man he called Borgia. They're coming after the whole family!"

I could tell Giovanni was stunned, but not for long. He quickly sprang into action and hauled me out into the hallway.

"Do you know where my sons are?" His voice was tight as we nearly ran down the hall.

I nodded.

"Go find them. Bring them back."

I was suddenly caught up in a tight hug, my face pressed into Giovanni's shoulder.

"Be careful, Kiara."

With that, he turned and ran, shouting for Maria. I clambered out the window, cursing the trembling that had suddenly overtaken me. I couldn't move fast enough as I scrambled to the roof. I looked around to orient myself, and a wave of relief washed over me as I saw that Ezio was already coming back. That just left Federico, and I had a good idea of where to find him.

Amelia giggled as Federico held her closer.

"Federico, someone will see…"

Federico smiled, "So what if they do, amore?"

He had every intention of kissing Amelia when a loud clatter from above startled both of them.

"Federico!"

The young man growled under his breath, it had better be an emergency of epic proportions for Kiara to interrupt them.

"What?" He nearly snapped, glaring upwards.

Kiara motioned to him frantically from her position on the roof. "You've got to come back home. You're whole family is in danger!"

"Ehi! You should not be up here! Get her!"

Federico's blood ran cold at the sound of a guard's voice and saw Kiara dart away from the edge. He looked back at Amelia, who had gone pale.

"Go home, Amelia." He ordered, and then placed a quick kiss on her forehead.

The woman obeyed as Federico climbed as fast as he could to the roof. He reached the top, and his heart sank to his boots.

Kiara had already been caught by the guards some distance away, but she was still struggling against them.

"No! Let me go!"

"Silence!" One of the men struck her across the face with the back of his hand. "Take her to the prison. We will extract our answers there."

Federico crouched out of sight as Kiara was hauled away. Everything was screaming at him to help her, but the guards were heavily armed and he would be dead long before he could do any good. He had to return home, his father would know what to do.

To say the least, Federico was shocked to see Maria, Petruccio, and Claudia loading up into the wagon, with Giovanni and Ezio preparing the other horses.

"Father, what is happening?" Federico demanded as he dropped to the ground.

"There is no time, my son. Get your sword; we must escape before the guards arrive."

"But why? Why are the guards coming here again?"

Giovanni put his hand on his eldest son's shoulder, and there was a remorseful look in his eyes. "I will explain everything once we are safe. Wait…where is Kiara?"

"She was caught by some other guards after she found me."

"What? Where has she been taken?"

"To…to the Palazzo della Signoria,"

Maria gasped from the wagon, "The prison?"

Giovanni's lip curled in a silent snarl. "Ezio, Federico. Take your mother and siblings out of town and use the road that leads to Monteriggioni. We will catch up later."

"But what—"

"Do as I say, Federico." Giovanni snapped, "Now go!"

Ehi - Hey
Va bene - Alright
Grazie - Thank you
Nessun problema bella - No problem beautiful
Ben trovato - Good to see you
Fratelli Auditore - Auditore brothers
Fottiti - Something really rude.
Tartaruga - Turtle
Tu sei pazzo - You're insane
Entra - Come in
Buonasera - Good evening
Bene - Good
Buongiorno - Good morning
Padre - Father
Avete la mia parola - You have my word
Merda - Sh*t

A/N - Whew! That was a doozy, and talk about a cliff hanger!

I was going to wait until Monday to post this, but this chapter has been burning a hole in my laptop and I couldn't resist. Now I'm sure those of you who are familiar with AC II are thinking: 'What is she doing?' Buckle up ladies and gentlemen; the next couple chapters are going to be one heck of a ride. *evil laughter* Ahem, pardon me.

As always, thanks to those who reviewed.

Reviews
ita-chan01
citgirl
Midnight Lullabye
MJE
idntlikeurpants
Evenelle
Falling Right Side Up

Later!

~TKD Dragon