Interlude 2

"I wish you would stay for just a bit longer, girl." Bartolomeo huffed as I stood up from the wobbly chair to leave. I smiled down at my old mentor as he polished Bianca to perfection. I would have stayed but Ezio had asked for me to come home around this time.

"I'll be back tomorrow, just as I have yesterday and the day before that." He grunted but refused to look at me so I kicked his foot with my boot and he glared up at me. I smiled innocently and his eyes narrowed as I said, "What? Non mi dire che si sta andando morbida su di me."

Bartolomeo groaned and hit me on the arm with the flat side of Bianca. I yelped but grinned as I rubbed the tender area. He grinned at me and said, "Just get out of here! I realize now why I've been with Bianca all these years… women are so fucking annoying."

"I'll miss you, too, Bartolomeo." I said, laughing as he swung the flat side of the blade at me again. I waved before exiting the tent and could hear his chuckling coming from behind me. I was glad that I still had Bartolomeo here with me since my father was gone. The man was like a second father to me.

I jumped onto the ferry as it started to pull out and I strolled to the railings, ignoring the odd looks I got for jumping onto the boat like that. I was used to it anyway. I looked out over the bay toward the main city of Venice and sighed, lowering my hood to feel the breeze. It had been another typical, hot, day training recruits with Bartolomeo and I was beyond tired. As I was watching over the water, I felt someone's presence join me at the rails but I kept my head turned away, willing them to leave. I had no desire to speak with the citizens of Venice today.

"No warm greetings for someone that saved your life?" A deep, familiar voice came from my side and I turned toward him quickly, seeing the mystery Assassin leaning against the railing casually. His hood blocked his eyes but I knew that he was looking at me. I clenched my fists and quirked a brow in irritation.

"I think you hardly saved my life, signore." I spat out coldly. I was getting sick of this strange Assassin randomly appearing into my life then leaving, making me look insane. "I did not need you then and I do not need this cazzate now!" I turned to stomp away only to walk straight into his chest. He gripped my biceps and lifted me off my feet before holding me in the air so that we were eye to eye.

His silver eyes pierced mine and I fought the urge to attack him, somehow knowing to do so would mean my death. My arms were aching just from him holding me but he did not seem fatigued by holding me up at all. Instead, he stared straight into my eyes and did not say a word. I stared back, fiercely. He slowly lowered me to the ground and begun to laugh.

"What is so funny?" I asked, irritated at his laughter and I rubbed both of my arms. They felt as if they were bruised. Asshole.

He chuckled to himself, quietly before saying, "I just don't see why it would choose you over her."

"Who?"

He ceased to laugh and looked at the city, which was a lot closer than I figured it would be. This ferry moved pretty fast - we would be docking quite soon. The silver eyed Assassin sighed before saying, "I cannot reveal that at the moment. In due time, Aria d'Este."

The boat docked and people began filing off of the craft quickly, ready to get away from the two crazy people in white. I supposed we did make quite the scene. The man began to walk away but I touched his arm, stopping him in his tracks. His hooded head turned toward me but I couldn't see his face.

"Who are you?" I asked, desperate to know that this wasn't just my imagination. I felt the bruises but it all seemed so strange. Too strange.

"You haven't figured it out yet?" He gave a low, cold laugh that sent chills down my spine. I hadn't ever felt so afraid since the night I had been taken by Borgia. It was rather frightening that this man made me feel this way.

"Obviously not," I replied, slightly annoyed but more curious. He turned quickly and took my jaw in his rough hand, looking over my face. His cool silver eyes studied me for a moment before he nodded and let go.

"Altair," was all he said before he pushed past some passengers of the ship and disappeared into the crowd. I had attempted to keep an eye on him but it was like he just vanished into thin air. Even Ezio and I were not that good.

"What the hell?" I wondered out loud, startling a nearby passenger. They stared at me in shock before hurrying off the ship. I shook my head and departed, feeling even more drained than when I got aboard.

I arrived at home not too long afterwards, though much slower than I usually did. I was so ready for a long soak in the tub and curling up next to Ezio in bed. I pushed open the door before shutting and locking it and turned around.

I began to step forward when I heard a small yip. My eyes widened as I looked toward the ground. A small pup stood in front of me, coming up to my calf. It was a light russet color and had the most vivid blue eyes. They reminded me of Nico's. The thought of Dante's younger brother brought tears to my eyes. The pups ears were pointed up like the wolves I had seen on my nights in the wild of Toscana but the left one was bent, ever so slightly.

It stared at me and I grimaced - I had no idea what to do with this dog. This is ridiculous. I hated dogs. I was more of a cat person, to be honest. They didn't bother you unless they wanted a very small petting or some food. Dogs always wanted attention; all the time and there was no break.

It yipped at me again and I tilted my head at it, wondering what it was trying to tell me. It copied the look, cocking its head to the side and I couldn't help but grin. Its tongue lulled out of its mouth in a dog like smile. I wiped the smile from my face - I had to stay firm. I couldn't keep an animal like this. I slowly stepped toward it and it stepped back, causing me to sigh in exasperation.

"So, this is how it's going to be, cagnolino?" I asked before lunging toward it. I hit the ground but the dog was running down the hall and I got to my feet and began to chase after it. I wanted it gone - now. Especially since it was playing with me like this. I ran into the dining area and straight into Ezio's chest. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheek, "Welcome home, mia amore!" I started to smile at him but then I noticed the dog hiding at the back of his legs. I leaned back and narrowed my eyes at my love.

Ezio knew what was coming and pleaded to me, "Please!"

At the same time, I said, "No!"

"Why not?!" Ezio questioned as I pulled myself out of his arms and began to pace in front of him, alternating glaring at him and the dog.

"Why? Why you ask?" I laughed, sarcastically and without humor. "Uno: I hate dogs. Due: they hate me back. Tre: it makes it impossible to keep a clean home. Quattro: they smell. Cinque: did I mention, I HATE DOGS?!"

Ezio picked up the pup, who was shaking from hearing my raised voice. He rubbed it's head and frowned at me, "Look at little Nico - he's simply adorabile."

The rage rose in me quickly now. How could he do that to me? "How dare you!" I exclaimed and Ezio looked up at me surprised, obviously not realizing his folly. I seethed outwardly and gave a frustrated scream before punching the wall. "Why would you name that little monster after Nico?!"

"I thought his eyes looked the same…" Ezio said slowly, treading carefully into the dangerous waters. I huffed, the tears coming to my eyes. I still missed Nico. It wasn't fair that he was gone forever and now this little demon was named after him? The dog began to struggle out of Ezio's arms and he released it, watching it and me carefully. I think he was afraid that I was going to kill it. He was right to worry, I thought as the dog crouched low to the ground and approached me. I tried to keep my breathing steady but was unable and I sat on the floor, feeling defeated. The pup, Nico, walked over to me slowly as I put my head in my hands and cried. It crawled up onto my lap and nudged my hands away with it's muzzle. I looked into it's eerily blue eyes and it yipped quietly before licking the tears from my face.

I looked up at Ezio and began to laugh. He came to his knees beside me and held me as I cried and laughed, letting the dog alternate from licking me and licking Ezio. Ezio kissed me on the floor later, as the pup curled up in my lap and fell asleep.

"I guess I am a dog person, after all." I said and he laughed, kissing me again before wrapping his arm around me.

A/N: haha, hope this was good. I thought it was cute :) Thanks for reading, please leave a review. We are so close to 200 and we just hit 50,000 views :D YIPPEE!

Translations:

Non mi dire che si sta andando morbida su di me - Don't tell me that you are going soft on me.

cazzate - stupid shit.

Uno - one.

Due - two.

Tre - three.

Quattro - four.

Cinque - five.

adorabile - adorable.

cagnolino - little dog.

Thanks to everyone that favorited, followed and a special thanks to the four! that reviewed - I love you guys so much, you have no idea:

littledhampir13 - I'm glad it was okay! :) No, I don't think Claudia would appreciate that, haha. And I hope the puppy was okay for you. It will be a part of the story from now on. :D

ibleedpink - I'm glad you thought it was a good idea! I like it, too :P

Anne Elric - Aww, grazie! E 'fan come te che mi tengono in corso! Cercherò di non prendere così tanto tempo sul mio aggiornamento, però!

LadyParabellum - Yeah, Dante was cutting it close lol The next chapter will go to you. I think a big fight would be interesting to see. Just gotta think of what they should argue about... HMMMMM haha