Assassin's Creed (c) Ubisoft

Snow drifted down from the grey clouded sky, fat fluffy flakes that landed on her nose and melted. Ziio sat in the snow, staring at the crumbled piece of notebook. She shook it, dislodging the snow before it made the ink run. On it was her name, her new address and the new phone number. It was for Haytham, so they can keep in touch when she moved.

Only Haytham hadn't shown up for school for that past four days, and it was Friday before Christmas break. Still no sign of him. Ziio was getting nervous. "Where are you Haytham," she whispered as she pushed some hair out of her eyes. She still wore the crackjack ring he gave her, remembering his promise to marry her when they were all grown up. Yet, if he can't even show up for school how could she expect him to keep even that promise.

Ziio looked up when she heard the crunch of snow beneath boots. She gasped, her mouth making a little O in surprise. "Kaniehtí:io, are you alright?"

"You can say my name," Ziio said, a bit surprised, "without butchering it."

"My father studies the Kanien'kehá:ka," William said with a shrug, he sat down next to her. "And I'm often helping him, so I've picked up the language."

Ziio felt a smile tugging at her lips. She didn't know that about William Johnson. "I didn't know your father studied the Kanien'kehá:ka or our tongue or that you knew it." Ziio looked at William. "I always just thought you were one of Haytham's dorky friends. Granted you and Shay were probably the better of his group."

"Thanks," William said, beaming a little, "Haytham speaks highly of you when we get him to talk about you."

"He does?" Ziio asked, feeling her cheeks tint. "What does he say?"

William smiled. "Well, he says you're smart, kind, uh… he did say you're abusive at times, since you kept throwing things at him." Ziio giggled. "And he likes you," William said, inching closer to her. "Really likes you."

"He really likes me?" Ziio asked, her voice hitching in her throat. She turned to face William, their noses touching. Ziio felt her cheeks heat, and watched as William's eyes widened. They pulled away and William coughed awkwardly into his hand. "Haytham said that? For real?"

"Uh, yeah," William said, staring at the snow. "He does. Why?"

Ziio sighed, shoulders slumping as she kicked at the snow. "He's been absent a long time," Ziio said.

"I know, we're all wondering what's up with that. Charles has taken over the role of leader in Haytham's absence."

"Oh joy," Ziio muttered, rolling her eyes. "How's that going?"

"Eh? Haytham's a better leader. We've gotten into more fights with the Assassins since Charles became our leader," William admitted. "Haytham knew how to pick his battles, plus Achilles is afraid of Haytham for some reason. Shay and Haytham won't say why though…"

Ziio smirked. "Haytham is protective of those he considers friends."

"He's really protective of you," William added. "We all know not to say anything bad about you. Even Charles knows. Though I think Charles is convinced you lurk behind trees."

"Heh."

William glanced at his watch. "We should start heading back, recess is almost over," William said. Ziio sighed. She didn't want to go back to class. She sat behind Haytham's desk and seeing it empty bothered her. There was a tin British soldier and a tin Native American woman in his desk that she could see, they were tucked up in the corner to the left, and Haytham had positioned them in such the way that they were looking into each other's eyes. They had made up silly stories with them one rainy day during indoor recess. William stood. "I'm going to head back."

"Alright, I'll be staying here," Ziio said, shaking the paper in her hand again to clear it from the snow. She had forgotten to do it while talking to William, so some of the ink began to bleed.

"Okay," William said and began to walk towards the building. He was waylaid by Cecily and Hope; Ziio's eyes widened when he pointed her out to the two girls. They rushed over, cheeks flushed.

"Ziio," Hope said, breathless. "Thank goodness we found you before recess ended."

"You're impossible to find," Cecily added.

"What do you two want?" Ziio asked, she was no longer in the mood to talk to anyone, as the prospect of returning to class was looming over her and that made her angry and sad. Hope's face fell and Cecily wrinkled her nose.

"Jeez," Cecily snipped, "you don't have to be so bratty, Ziio."

"Sorry," Ziio looked away, before standing up. "I should start heading back, we need to line up soon." Ziio began to walk away but Cecily grabbed her arm.

"Wait, Ethan knows where Haytham is."

"What?" Ziio asked, her heart fluttering with excitement. Maybe she could see Haytham after all before she moved, and tell him and give him her new contact information, maybe even tell him that they can probably meet at the library or the park once things get settled. "Where is he? Ooh, Imma gonna punch him in that stupidly perfect nose of his!"

Hope and Cecily giggled behind their hands before sobering quickly. "That's the thing," Cecily added, "only Ethan can go to where Haytham is."

"Why?" Ziio asked, frowning. "How come Ethan can but I can't! Haytham and I are… well, we're really good friends!"

"Because Ethan goes there to speak to stupid Crawford Starrick," Cecily grumbled, folding her arms over her chest.

"Who's that?"

"Crawford Starrick and Ethan are a part of the same martial arts club," Cecily said. "It's not a part of this school," Cecily said. "So, if you have anything you want to give to Haytham, Ethan is going to ask his mom to swing by Starrick's house today after school. He can give whatever you want to Haytham."

"Yeah," Ziio said, "here. Tell Ethan to give Haytham this." Ziio pressed the piece of paper into Cecily's hands. "I'm moving and that's my new contact information. Okay?"

"Alright," Cecily said, folding the piece of paper and slipping it into her pocket. "I better run then, to get it to Ethan before the bell rings. Bye Ziio," Cecily said with a wave and sprinted off across the playground.

"Don't worry, Ziio," Hope said, squeezing Ziio's hand. "Cecily will get it to Ethan."

"Yeah, I know," Ziio whispered.

"You know, Cecily and Ethan remind me of you and Haytham," Hope said, as she began to walk back towards the building.

"How? Ethan's a jerk half the time," Ziio pointed out.

Hope smiled. "Yeah, and you are rough around the edges too. But you always smile for Haytham and Ethan always smiles for Cecily."

Ziio snorted, knowing that Hope was right, she did always smile for Haytham.

Cecily frowned when she couldn't find Ethan. The bell was going to ring soon and she had to find him before then. "Watch out!" she heard someone shout. Cecily spun face whomever had shouted. Cecily's eyes widened when she noticed that it was Umar, and that was seconds before he collided with her. She grunted as she landed in the snow, Umar on top of her.

"Umar!" Cecily heard Ethan's screech. "Get off of Cecily, she's mine!" Cecily watched as Ethan yanked poor Umar off of her. "Cecily," Ethan dropped to his knees, "are you alright? My dear flower of my heart, talk to me!"

"I'm fine Ethan!" Cecily snapped, sitting up. She looked at Umar, who looked terribly upset that he ran into her. "It's okay Umar, I'm fine," Cecily said, smiling at him.

"Remember Umar," Ethan hissed, "she's mine." Ethan grabbed her hand to emphasize his point.

"Stop being a jerk, Ethan!" Cecily hissed, pulling her hand free. "Besides, I need you to do me a favor."

"A favor? Anything my daffodil requires," Ethan said, leaning in close, "what is it my sweet honeysuckle?"

Cecily pushed him back a little. "I need you to deliver something to Haytham from Ziio."

"Haytham? Aww, man. Must I go back to Starrick's place? He's smelly," Ethan grumbled.

"Well," Cecily said, pulling out the piece of paper, "I thought I was the flower of your heart? The rose of your thoughts, and I was hoping… I mean, Ziio's been so sad lately, that I thought… if would be nice if you could… do that for her," Cecily pushed out her lower lip, "for me, Ethan?"

Ethan looked at her puppy expression. "Argh, fine," Ethan huffed, as Cecily gave a triumphant yes! and handed him the piece of paper. "But only because it's you, Cecily." Ethan added and helped her to her feet as the bell rang. Ethan looked at the piece of paper in his hands before sighing and getting in line with the others.

Old Mr. Fayling was asleep on the couch, Birch had yet to return and Haytham was sitting on the couch reading a book. The doorbell rang. Haytham glanced at Mr. Fayling, who snorted in his sleep, before he got up and answered the door. "Ethan?" Haytham asked, surprised to see the boy at his doorstep. "Starrick's not here."

"I'm not here to see Smellrick," Ethan said flippantly. "I'm here to see you."

"Me?" Haytham's eyes widened, "You can't be here. If Lucy finds out you've told everyone where I am then… she'll have to put me into another foster home."

"Is that why you haven't been at school?" Ethan asked. Haytham looked away.

"I'm not supposed to talk about it," Haytham mumbled. "Look, why are you here?"

"I told you, to see you," Ethan repeated, "actually, to get specific Cecily told me to give you this," Ethan dug into his pocket and pulled out a crumbled piece of paper. "Here."

"What is it?" Haytham asked as he accepted the piece of paper.

"Ziio's moving. That's how to get ahold of her," Ethan said, then glanced over his shoulder when he heard the car honk. "Well, I gotta go. Mom's waiting." Ethan waved and ran down to the curb where his mother was waiting. Haytham stared at him, before closing the door.

"Mr. Fayling," Haytham called, waiting for the old man to jerk awake.

"Is it tea time?" the old man asked.

"I'm going to my room," Haytham said, and climbed the stairs as Mr. Fayling gave an affirmative sound. Haytham entered his room, closed the door and slid down, eyes fixed on the piece of paper.

Ziio was moving.

While he was stuck here because Lucy thinks his father is a bad parent.

Haytham felt tears prick his eyes, fisting his hand around the bit of paper. He sniffed, bringing his knees to his chest and hugging them as he rested his cheek on the tops of his knees. "I'm sorry Ziio," Haytham whispered, "that I didn't get to say goodbye."

Next update: More Haytham and Starrick.

This is a Ziio centric-ish chapter, and I felt that it needed to be done in order for proper setting up the next chapter.

The toys in Haytham's desk is supposed to represent their famous kiss scene in AC3. Former students etched a bunch of random designs on the inside of Haytham's desk too.

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Nemo