The final shards of a wrecked akuma fell to the ground, smoking slightly. Kanda sheathed his sword and looked around for signs of any other enemies approaching. When he was sure that no one was around, he breathed a sigh of relief and scooped up the Innocence shard lying across the floor of the old cathedral. The night had been long and hard, but in the end he had retrieved what he came for.

He stepped outside, pocketing the Innocence. The stars had faded from the sky, making it hard to figure the time. The cool mountain breeze rustled his long black hair. He reached up, letting his hair free of its tie, feeling the sweat evaporate off the nape of his neck. It was calm. There were no akuma around to try and kill him. Lavi wasn't there babbling about something or other. The moyashi wasn't there trying to be his friend. Komui wasn't there to warn him about his lifespan. It was quiet.

The first rays of sunlight peeked over the Alpine hills, warming his face. He sat down on the steps of the old church, drinking in the warm rays of sunshine and the peacefulness of the scene. He closed his eyes, resting his face in the palm of his hand, letting the sun warm his back.

He wasn't sure how long he was asleep, but the sun was fully over the horizon when he heard Toma call, "Master Kanda? Master Kanda, where are you?" The bandaged finder appeared out of the woods, "There you are, I was concerned-"

"I'm fine," Kanda dismissed him. He got up and stretched, arching his back. A stray strand of hair reminded him that he had let his hair out of the tie. He re-did his hair quickly and met Toma at the edge of the forest.

"Did you find the Innocence?" the finder asked.

"Oh, yeah," Kanda took the Innocence shard from his pocket, "it was in a ruby necklace, but the gem shattered in the fight."

"I see, we should get it to the Order immediately."

Kanda nodded in agreement, "Let's go." They started descending the hill in silence. Kanda looked into the valley, illuminated by the morning sun. A thought struck him, "Toma," he asked, "what's the date today?"

"What?" he asked confused, "Oh, today…should be the sixth of June. Why?"

"No reason," he shrugged. He had almost forgotten. He remembered last year he had been at the Order, Lavi found out and threw a huge celebration. Kanda had smiled, and appreciated it, but this was much better. A day away from home. Just a day to relax and watch the sunrise. He smiled and watched the fog roll of the sides of the mountain in misty waves, Happy Birthday, self, he thought.


Just a little something for Kanda on his birthday. Not necessarily a day off, but not really on a mission. So relax, and Happy Birthday, Kanda!

Reviews are appreciated!

~~BJ