Young Writers Society

Dali:

His touch had sent butterflies all around my stomach. Even though his suggestion to lie down sounded wonderful, I had to get to the meeting. I rushed over there. Alex was sitting, intentionally diverting his gaze. I rushed up and sat down beside him. He looked at me, concern filling his eyes as he took in how pale I was.

"What happened?" he whispered.

"Nothing." I lied.

He snorted. "What happened?" he demanded.

"Just...a bit of a flash back." I stated trying to stay calm. He stiffened. Only Alex knew what had happened in my past.

He groaned. "I should've been there!"

"Don't beat yourself up about it. No big."

"Don't lie to me. You can lie to everyone else, but don't lie to me!"

I sighed. "I freak out. Ryder helped me. We were just kidding around...he said he thought I was beautiful...then I remembered what I'd been forced to do."

He clinched his fists. A growl came out.

"Alex!"

He didn't answer.

"Alex! Listen to me! It was a long time ago! I'm fine!" I glared. "Don't you dare shut down on me!"

He smiled, but it wasn't real. I sighed. I wasn't going to be able to break through his facade.

Alex:

It hurt. He hadn't been there for her when he needed to. He had been goofing around with that stupid girl! And now...now the closet thing he had to family now had been in pain...and he wasn't there! Anger washed over him as he thought about her life before. She had told him once...told him everything.

From a young age, Dali had been forced into a cruel kind of slavery. Without family, the only way she could survive was by prostitution. It had not been her choice...a man had pulled her into a room a raped her. From then on, she had nothing else to do. When Alex found her, she felt worthless, heartbroken, and scared. Alex had saved her and brought her into the organization. From then on, she had been an excellent student, but still she lived with the pain daily.

Alex hated anyone who ever reminded her of what she used to be. He tried to protect from it as much as possible, but he couldn't always.

"I don't want you around him anymore." he whispered.

She looked at him, shocked. "It wasn't his fault, Alex," she pleaded. "He didn't know!"

"I don't care." He continued in a calm voice. "It hurt you, and I wasn't around. I don't want you around him...not by choice."

She glared at him. He ignored it. From now on, Dali was not going to leave his sight.

Velna-

Velna wrung her hands together waiting for anyone else that would be coming. She looked down at her hands and frowned. How could she possibly be letting a guy, one she barely knew, get to her so bad. She never let anyone do that, except maybe Ryder. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes trying to clear her mind. But a picture of Alex's face popped into her mind. His smooth jawline, fasinating eyes, the way his lips curled up when he smiled.

She rubbed her timples in anger, she couldn't get him out of her mind. WHY? She opened her eyes and tried to think about her last mission, how she would've been able to pull it off. But his face popped back into her mind, then an image of him flirting iwth the servant, then kissing her hand. She growled fury running trough her. Why was she so jealous of the girl. What was so different about this guy then any of the others. She couldn't be falling for him, she wasn't allowed to. She had told herself guys only fell for her because of her eyes, she wouldl never find one that didn't get lost in her eyes and think he was in love with her.

"You ok?" She heard Ryder wisper in her ear. She nodded and he laughed. "You just growled, I'm sure I'm the only one that heard it, but something is wrong so stop your lying."


Ryder-

Ryder looked Velna's face over, what was wrong that had her jaw clenched so tight, her eyes focused so hard on the wall as if she was fighting an inner battle. "What happened on your mission and what does Alex have to do with it?" He demanded.

"Nothing." She replied harshly, he laughed softly, most would leave it there. BUt she was his sister, a little harsh word wouldn't shut him up.

"What was it?" He demanded,

"YOu really want to know?" She demanded glaring at him, he just smiled, "Your fellow Master killed my guy, he thought I would get him killed because I was taking to long and he doesn't know my style. So he killed my guy and disappeard, leaving me to deal with two guys falling dead around me!" She growled, he frowned as she looked forward again. Alex had no right to do that! He had put his little sister, his only family in danger. Velna was just at good at assassinations as Alex was, and ones that involved being undercover in a way she was probably better, even though her eyes were what gave her the edge. He didn't care. Alex had stepped over the line.

Ryder looked over towards Alex and his heart lept when he saw Dali, why did it do that. was his feelings so strong for her that she caused such a reaction? He met Alex's eyes and glared at him forgetting Dali, at least while his eyes held Alex's. He would have to talk to Alex later.

Slowly but surely everyone gathered to the meeting house. I waited until everyone I had requested was there. They all sat down ready to listen.

"As you know there are rumors of the Templar returning. Master Altair is worried that it might be true so he has ordered an investigation- to find out everything we can in Jerusulam; where they have been seen." I announced.

Everyone nodded." Remember do not kill any Templars if they are there. Not with out Master Altair's permission."

"But why not stop it from getting out of hand if we get the chance!" Ryder protested.

I sighed." We do not know anything, if it is a trap or not. So it would be best to not kill anyone- atleast if you stil obey the Creed." I finished.

Everyone nodded and it was deciede. We leave tommarro.

Alex:

He started walking out with everyone else, keeping a close eye on Dali. He didn't want anything to happen to her.

Suddenly, he saw Ryder strode up to him, Velna tagging along behind.

He looked angry. That was fine with Alex, so was he.

"Dali, you may leave now."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"You will leave!"

He saw Ryder tell Velna the same thing. Neither one of the girls were too happy to follow orders. But they did as was instructed.

"How dare you!" Alex exclaimed through clenched teeth. "How dare you hurt her like that! Don't you have any self preservation?"

"Me? How dare you hurt my sister!"

They glared at one another, both furious, neither one consenting.

Dali:

I strode out, pouting. I shouldn't have told him. It wasn't a big deal! THen I saw Velna walking away as well. I ran to catch up to her.

"Hey, wait up. Why is your brother so mad at Alex?"

"Why is Alex so mad at Ryder?"

"I asked you first." I grinned.

She smiled stifly. Maybe we could resolve this, and keep the two stupid boys back there from turning each other into pin cushions.

Ryder-

"Hurt your sister! I wouldn't hurt your sister!" Alex exclaimed, "You should've stayed away from Dali and not hurt her!"

"I did nothign to her. YOu put my sister in a position that she could've gotten killed in. You aren't supposed to get in teh way of others missions!" Ryder growled, "Your a master, your supposed to make sure the others below us are safe, and what did you do, leave her with TWO dead bodies!"

"She seemed to get away without any problem!" Alex hissed,


Velna-

Velna looked at Dali, "Alex killed my target leaving me where the two bodies were. His and mine, I had everythign under control, but he didn't want to wait." She sighed,


**Oi, I can't believe I don't ahve anythign!*

I looked over to see Alex and Ryder fighting. I walked towards them to solve the fight.

"Hey! If you two have a disagreement then you should take it in the ring. Then at least you two can exspress your anger in a more better place." I scolded them.

They each nodded. A fight was going to happen, and I had to make sure that they didn't kill each other.

Dali:

I panicked. Stupid master! Now both of the guys I loved were going to be killed!

"Is that really why you are mad at him?" I was pretty good at these things. "Even if it is, and it was really stupid of him to, and I'll scold him, but...do you really want him and your brother to die in a death match?"

She looked at me guiltily. "Of course not."

"Then we need to convince them that we're fine...and beg them not to fight. Yes, sounds a little demeaning I know. But I have a hunch that if you beg Alex and I be Ryder and then we beg the opposite, that they will relent!" I smiled.

She looked horrified. "You...want me..." she was spurtering. "I...can't!"

"Why not?!" I challenged, growing feirce. "Just because you like him doesn't mean you can treat him like dirt!" I stalked away, determined to talk to Ryder.

***

After Ryder left ALex, waiting until they could fight without interuptions, I walked over to him.

"Hey." I greeted. "How are you?" I smiled. He was so cute! And strong! I wanted to be back in his arms...to be comforted, To be lied to. I wanted him to whisper in my ear that everything would be fine and that he wouldn't fight Alex...and that I didn't need to worry. I started crying. How could I cry? I'm so stupid!

Velna-

Velna watched her walk off, Like him? LIKE HIM! The thought didn't anger her like it should. I like him, whoa! Velna was shocked by the thought. She did, she slowly went to find him. He was gonna be so mad at her, she wouldn't be able to talk him outta this.

When she finnally found him he was standing looking out over the wall, probably clearing his head.

"You can't fight him, you know." She said matter-o-factly. He spun around quickly and his eyes met her's.

"And why not?" He demanded,

"Well, first he'd kill you!" She walked past him to the edge of the wall and looked out. "Secondly I wont let you!"


Ryder-

Ryder looked at Dali surprised. Why was she crying? He pulled her into a hug.

"Whats wrong?" He asked softly, Alex had said he hurt her, how did he hurt her or was Alex making it up. Did Alex secretly like her?

"You can't fight Alex!" She sobbed,

So that was what it was about, she didn't want Alex to get hurt. He sighed, why did he suddenly want her to not want him to get hurt.

"And why not?" He asked holding her out at arm's length. "He could've gotten Velna killed, she is the only family I have left. She doesn't want me to fight him any more then you do, I can tell by the way she glared at me. She probably didn't want me to say anythign to him, but that doesn't matter, she is all I have left. I can't lose her."

Dali:

"And you think I can live without you?" I chocked. I couldn't speak anymore. "Alex is the only family I have as well! He didn't mean to hurt her! Did you know she likes him? That's why she's angry. Not because he killed her man, but because she likes him! And you know what?! I can't live without either of you!" I chocked again, the tears pouring from my eyes. I hadn't cried in years...and now I couldn't speak. I just sat stood there, allowing his arms to tighten around me. What else could I do? Talking was out. "Please?" I wishpered.

Alex:

He laughed sarcastically. "Why do you care what happens to me? Why do you care?" he glared. She was probably just worried about her precious Ryder. "Go talk to Ryder if you don't want him getting hurt. But please, stop wasting your time on me, because we both know you don't care about me!"

Ryder-

Ryder held her close. She did care about him, why did he care. you like her. A voice laughed, he did! He held her out at arms length and brushed some hair out of her face then wiped some tears off her face. He took a deep breath and sighed,

"Alright, but only if he isn't going to. I wont turn down a fight from him no matter what. Even though it hurts me to say that." He ran his thumb over her cheek. "Don't worry, I wouldn't kill him, and I doubt he is mad enough to kill me. Though I can't say for sure."


Velna-

Velna spun around and glared at him, but as soon as her eyes meet him the glare softened a little. She scolded herself and put the glare back on. "Right, I'm supposed to go to Ryder convince him to talk you out of fighting. How smart does that sound?" She demanded, "Plus someone else is talking him out of it." She turned back around and took a deep breath.

She turned back around and looked at him. "And who says I don't care what happens to you. Just because I might be a little hot headed, doesn't mean I don't care." She let her face soften a little. "For all you know I do. Still, I'd kill you if you hurt Ryder and you wouldn't see it coming."

Alex:

He smiled sarcastically. "We both know you hate me." Then he softened. "look, if you don't want me to fight him, then just ask. Give me some evidence that you care about me...and I'll surender. But, if you don't care, then neither do I. This is for Dali." He gluped. Had he really just asked her to tell him she loved him? He sighed. "I need to think. If you are quite done with telling me how much you love your brother, then you may leave. Though, I suppose you don't need my permission." he looked at her, drowning in her eyes. "You can take care of yourself." He wanted to reach out...to hold her close...to feel her...but he couldn't. He had convinced himself that she didn't care...that he was just another blob in her world, another assassin, destined to fall in love with her...just like everyone else.

Dali:

I couldn't stop crying. "I don't think he will..." I bit my lip. "Can I tell you something? Something about my past? Maybe you'll understand why ALex was so upset with you."

He nodded. I sighed. "Can we sit down...I'm not very good at telling this story. Most of the time I can burry the old emotions...but..." I couldn't continue for a minute. "Can we sit down so that I don't collapse again?" I smiled slightly. He took in my expression and led me to a spot on the grass. Mostly everyone was gone by now...so no one was around to hear what I was about to tell him. That was good. I didn't really want this getting out.

"Did Alex ever tell you what I used to be before I was an assassin?"

"No..." he answered slowly.

I took a deep breath, wondering what he would think of me after this. "I was a prostititute." I waited for his response.

Velna-


Velna chewed her lip. How was she going to be able to prove that. She could easily act like she was and make him get lost in her eyes, but she didn't want to do that. SHe didn't want him to care for her just because he got lost in her eyes like everyone else. She didn't want him to believe everything she said because she could seduce him, no she wanted someone taht would be able to care for her for her. She smiled inwardly. There was one way she could knock him off balance. She had never done it before but it was worth a try.

"So, if I prove it to you, you'll not fight, no matter what, with out another word?" She demanded, he nodded. "Good." She walked up to him quickly and pulled his face to her's kissing him. She pulled away and quickly started walking towards her house her cheeks burning like fire. She couldn't believe she had actually done that. She had never kissed a guy before in her life!



Ryder-

Ryder looked at her surprised, what was he supposed to say. "Did you want to?" He finally stuttered out. She shook her head another flow of tears running down her face. He pulled her into a hug. He didn't know why she had had to do that. He couldn't blame her for her past. Plus the past was the past, he had always made it a goal to not hold someone's past against them. And he wasn't about to start now. Not with Dali, he loved her and he wasn't about to let something like this get in the way. He would kill anyone that tried to hurt her because of her past, no matter what the conciquinces. Alex did have a good reason to defend her because of this. He still hadn't had a right to put Velna in the situation he did, but if Velna truely loved him what was he to stand in the way. He would watch Alex like a hawk, but Velna knew people. She had to, she was an assassin. He kissed lightly the top of her head, she truly was beautiful, inside and out, and her honesty proved that. "Don't worry, I wont say a word. And if anyone, and I mean anyone ever tried to hurt you, tell me. You may be an assassin, but that doesn't matter. "

Alex:

He was stunned. She had actually kissed him! It was wonderful! The feel of her soft lips meshing with his! He loved it! He sighed. Now he had to go find Ryder...and appologize. He cringed. If it wasn't for Velna, he would've killed Ryder. He had no right to bring up memories that Dali wanted to forget! It wasn't like it was her fault! He glared. He started walking the direction he had seen Ryder go...he heard sniffling. Then he saw Dali. She was crying! And Ryder was right there! He glared. How dare he hurt her more?!

"Dali! I told you not to talk to him!"

Dali:

I stiffened. "ALex, it's not like that...we were talking and..."

He glared. "I don't care. He hurt you. Again."

"No! NO! He was...comforting me! I didn't want you two fighting...and so I begged him not to...and he was saying that he wouldn't fight...if you were willing not to!" I rushed to reassure Alex. He wasn't convinced. He was too mad.

"Alex! I promise, it wasn't like that!" I groaned. Why had I been so careless.

"Dali, leave!"

I straightened my jaw. "No."

He looked at me, then dismissed me. "Look, Ryder, I won't fight you because I promised your sister, but if you DARE talk or come in contact with Dali again, I will make sure that you don't survive."

He grabbed my hand and yanked me behind him as he stalked off.

"Alex, listen!"

He wasn't. he was too mad. I looked back at Ryder, helpless. Alex was a better fighter than I was...there was no way I could just yank away. I sighed. I'd apologize to Ryder later. Now, now I had to deal with Alex.

I sighed. They didn't understand. There are fights to protect some one you love and fights to protect ones honor. Sometimes its important for two people to settle thier differences before they can't stand it anymore and end up killing each other for stupid reasons. Alex and Ryder had to settle thier differences before the mission. We are all one, and when one of us is not forcused then we are all not focused. Its the basics of assassinaions for groups. If one of us fail we all fail and if one of us suceeds then we all suceed. Hopefully not only Alex and Ryder would relize this but also thier sisters will too. If they don't I will have to teach them myself.

"This is very trouble some...." I moaned.

***Don't worry, they will get over it***


Ryder-

Ryder watched Alex drag Dali away. He was fumming inside, but to step between them could hinder her relationship with him whatever it was. He quickly walked towards his house to see Velna standing in the kitchen washing dishes. At least she meant to. She was washing the same dish over and over again.

"There something wrong?" he asked, she jumped and spun around.

"You didn't fight!" She smiled,

"Me and Alex agreed not to, now that look on your face say you had somethign to do with it." He frowned and took the dripping dish from her and dried it then put it away.

"I might've." She replied turning back and washing another plate, her mind was on the task again and she moved form one dish to the other.

"I hear your in love with him." he said flatly taking a dish and drying it.

"WHAT!" She screeched spinning and facing him. "W-who t-told you that?" She demanded. He laughed, so what Dali had said was true.

"My gut." He grinned, "And it was right." Her face turned a bright red.

"What's your point?" She demanded.

"I don't think your the only one." He replied setting the dish away. Velna stopped midwash.




Velna-

"WHAT!" She spun and faced her brother, he never fell in love, ever ever ever ever. He wasn't one to let his emotions show unless it was around her and he swore he would never fall in love. "Y-y-ou what?"

"You know Dali?" He asked reaching for the dish. She didn't give it to him though.

"Yes, we talked earlier about stopping the fight!' She replied,

"What did you do to stop it?" He demanded,

"Talked to Alex." She replied turning and working on the plate again.

"That wouldn't have stopped him." Ryder said sternly.

"He stopped didn't he." She said turning and facing him. "Now why are you here, and not talking to Dali?"

"Cause." It was his turn to turn away.

"WHY?" She demanded,

"Alex doesn't want me close to her, ever." He replied.

"He does relize that we are all going on the same mission, right?" She demanded,

"Probably." He replied, she could hear the hurt in his voice.

"I need to go get something from one of the masters. YOu finish the dishes, please." He nodded and she ran out of the house towards Alex's. She looked around for Dali. She was going to talk to her, then Alex. Nothing was going to keep her brother from the girl he loved, the only girl he had ever loved.