OMG This is the longest fan fiction I have ever written and I am not even near done. I apologize for the lateness of my update I promised this chapter over a week ago and have naught but my own laziness to blame. There will be another new chapter tomorrow.

Chapter 10

The next morning came with an ever present feeling of laziness. Leonardo sat listlessly at one of the workbenches, a forgotten piece of parchment in front of him. His mind wandered with the subtle sound of rain hitting the roof. With expressionless eyes he watched Lovino expertly cut fabric with her hidden blade, pins held in her mouth as she crawled around the floor measuring and cutting the deep red fabric. Hard to believe that she was making a dress for him. He scoffed at the idea in his mind and turned his eyes back to Rosetta who was sketching away on the other side of the sturdy table. The blond vaguely remembered that he had agreed to teacher her. Which in turn brought up the reminder of his apprentice, Salai. His obnoxious apprentice had gone home for a few months to visit his family, Leonardo was actually somewhat glad to be rid of him, the younger man had only been under his wing for a year and he had already stolen his money multiple times, and mooched around the workshop. Though, Leonardo could not deny that Salai was quite handsome, though nothing compared to Ezio.

"What was with that face?"

The artist blinked and focused his gaze on Rosetta. "What look,"

She gave a slight shrug. "You just looked, I do not know, angry yet fond,"

from across the room Lovino spoke up. "What an odd mix of emotions, wish I could have seen it,"

"It was a bit funny," Rosetta replied.

Deciding to interrupt the girls before they began making fun of his face Leonardo spoke up. "I was thinking of my apprentice, he went off to visit his family, and I was wondering when he would return. Soon I would think,"

Lovino gave him an contemptuous look. "You forgot when he was coming back?"

"Well, no," he scratched the back of his neck.

"You forgot," the blond assassin grind and stood up to stretch.

"What do you expect?" he felt himself blush a bi at his own stupidity, he was supposed to be a genius! "I have been suffering through the presence of you two, making messes and throwing everything out of order, I am surprised that I can even remember my own name!"

Lovino frowned. "Oh, we are not that bad,"

Leonado rolled his eyes as Rosetta said, "You are,"

"Am not!" the short woman began stomping toward her friend.

"You are! Sometimes I am surprised that I am not killed because of you!"

Lovino stopped in her tracks the rage slowly fading from her face to be replaced by an empty look. Her eyes, normally so fill of life dulled and her whole body seamed to shrink in on itself.

Leonardo turned his eyes to Rosetta to see her holding her hands over her mouth her eyes brimming with guilt. Slowly she dropped her charcoal stained hands. "I am so sorry... Lovino?"

The blond did not reply, she just turned and moved back to her piles of fabric.

"Lovino," Rosetta stood, the heavy bench scrapping on the floor.

"It is fine," Lovino replied softly.

"No it is not fine," Rosetta started to move across the room.

"Stay there!" both Rosetta and Leonardo where taken aback by the commanding tone in her voice. "Just... stay right there, I am fine."

Not moving the taller of the two woman spoke up again. "I am-" but she was cut off by Lovino's harsh tone. "Sorry I know,"

For a few pregnant moments the room sat in silence, before Lovino began cuttting the fabric again.

Leonardo felt himself release a breath he did not realize he had been holding.

After a second Rosetta moved back to her drawing, but she still glanced up at Lovino every once in a while. Both she and Leonardo noticed how Lovino's hands now shook as she cut the blood red fabric.

When afternoon finally rolled around the mood in the workshop had returned to a peaceful one. The rain, however, continued to tap against the roof.

The rooms three occupants where enjoying a late afternoon meal when they where interrupted by the door opening.

All of them looked up to see a soaking wet, angry man. "Miserable weather,"

"Salai?!"

Walking over the man replied. "Who else? I told you I would be back today,"

Leonardo stood up and walked over to him, not sure of exactly how to greet his apprentice. "Of, course, must of slipped my mind," Leonardo patted the younger mans shoulder awkwardly. "let us get you dried off. It would be dreadful if you caught a cold," turning Leonardo moved toward the stairs. "Where are your things,"

"They will be here soon," Salai followed.

"Alright," over his shoulder Leonardo called to the two assassins still sitting at the table. "We will be back in just a moment then I can introduce you all,"

When the artist and his apprentice had disappeared up the stairs, Lovino turned to Rosetta. "I do not like him,"

The brunette raised one eye brow. "You have not even met him,"

"I do not need to,"

From years of experience Rosetta knew it was best not to argue with the stubborn girl and simply rolled her eyes, letting the subject drop.

Upstairs Leonardo led Salai to his room. "Get out of those wet things," He instructed while moving to his closet to find something for the younger man to barrow. When he turned around he found Salai completely naked. The artist blushed brightly and turned his eyes away, holding out the cloths. "Put these on for now,"

His young apprentice took the cloths, smirking. "Grazie,"

Still looking away Leonardo turned towards the door. "Come down when you are changed," With that the embarrassed artist fled the room.

Soon Salia come back down, dressed in Leonardo's slightly too large cloths. He joined Leonardo at the table, glancing at Rosetta, also sated at the table, and Lovino who was once again working on cutting the red fabric. The turned to his master. "Since when do you entertain women?"

The blond felt his face grow hot. "Salai, this is Rosetta Verde and Lovino Incendio. Rosetta, Lovino this is my apprentice Salai,"

"Lovino is a boys name," Salai smirked.

Lovino glared at him. "I hate you,"

"Lovino!" Rosetta yelled. "That was uncalled for!"

She shrugged. "It was perfectly called for, I do not wish to fake politeness to him. It is best that we know where the other stands,"

"In that case," Salai smirked. "I do not like you ether,"

Lovino smiled, a cruel glint in her eye. "Good,"