Kanda felt slightly uneasy entering the training arena. He swept the exorcists already engrossed in their work out, eyes searching for Sara. She was usually training at this time in the morning. Kanda spotted her in a ring, levitating a block of wood. With a spin in the air, Sara kicked the block, and it flew across the arena at an unearthly speed. Suddenly Kanda wasn't so sure about asking Sara to go to town with him. He remembered fighting with her the first day she had arrived at the Black Order; she had thrown him around like a ragdoll, quite literally.

The swordsman walked over to the young woman just as she sent a brick into the wood block, shattering them both.

"Sara," Kanda said calmly.

The exorcist turned towards him, her skin glistening with sweat. She wore a tight tank top and capris, allowing as many of her markings on her arms, chest, and back to show. Kanda stared at them, noting the faint blood red glow to them. The red dimmed and died, returning the elegant designs to their sickly pale complexion.

"Kanda," Sara said his name with a little too much bite to it. "Do you need something?"

Kanda swallowed.

"I was just checking up on you," he said smoothly, trying to appear as if he didn't care.

Sara frowned.

"And why do you think it would be necessary for you to 'check-up' on me," she replied bitterly.

"Beansprout said he didn't see you all day yesterday, so I was volunteered to see if you were still alive," Kanda explained.

"I was on duty for patrol," Sara stated.

"Allen sees everyone, no matter how hard they try to hide from him," he countered, remembering all the times the little squirt found him.

"Allen is a social butterfly on steroids," Sara grumbled. "But I can disappear in broad daylight if I want to, so I'm not surprised he couldn't find me. If I don't want to be found, then you won't see me."

"I'm sure I can find you anywhere," Kanda challenged proudly.

Sara raised an eyebrow.

"Your confidence fails you," she grunted. "I've had years to perfect my camouflage, while you've only known me for half a year. You couldn't possibly have learned my favorite hiding places or disguises in that short amount of time. You'll never find me in a million years."

Kanda's eyes narrowed at her insult.

"Like I said, I can find you anywhere," he stated firmly. "Even in the middle of town."

"Tomorrow then," Sara hissed.

"Tomorrow," he confirmed.

Sara turned back to her pile of wood and stone. She split a brick in half with a firm kick.

"See you then."

Kanda left her after that, nervous that she might turn to him for sparring. She tended to do that. The swordsman made a hasty retreat to the cafeteria. He had to skip breakfast in order to catch Sara, and his stomach continually reminded him that food was necessary to function.

The next morning Kanda found Sara by the front gate, dressed in her black and gold uniform. Kanda was sure she'd wear something that would allow her to blend a little better into a crowd. He gave her a complex glance. Sara shrugged but couldn't hide her mischievous grin.

"I thought I shouldn't make it too hard for you," she admitted.

Kanda felt slightly offended instead of amused by her words. He gave her a snort of disapproval. That only drew a smirk across the exorcist's lips.

"Are you ready," she challenged, confidence shining in her eyes.

She was confident in her abilities; a little too confident.

"Sara?"

The two exorcists spun around to spy Allen walking towards them. He appeared to be heading back from the training grounds judging by his tight tank top and sweating profusely.

"Where are you two going so early," he inquired.

Sara gave Kanda a scowl.

"Kanda thinks he can find me anywhere in town," she snorted. "So we're going to go play hide-n-seek for a while."

Allen gave Kanda a sharp look. He easily saw through to the main idea of Kanda going out with Sara. It was obviously a secret date. Kanda smirked at the shorty, pleased that he actually was going to go through with it.

"You're not going to go easy on him, are you," Allen asked Sara playfully.

Sara gave him a devilish grin.

"I don't plan on it," she replied.

Allen smiled warmly.

"I'd like to know who won afterwards," he said softly. "You will tell me, won't you?"

Sara shrugged.

"Only if you remind me," she threw at him.

Kanda shoved Sara towards gate, sick of the common chit-chat.

"Let's get this over with," he grumbled. "Go pick out your hiding place already."

Sara mumbled something inappropriate at him then trudged on towards the road. Kanda watched her leave before turning towards Allen.

"Don't get cute, Beansprout," he hissed.

Allen frowned.

"Good luck trying to find her," he sneered. "It's impossible for an idiot."

Kanda swore under his breath and marched off. It irritated him to think that Allen had so skillfully influenced Sara to see him again. Gaining Sara's favor would be very difficult.

It only took a few minutes to reach the nearby town. Sara had probably already found a place to hide and was waiting to be found. Kanda started on the outskirts of the town and worked his way in, searching in every nook and cranny. He checked every store and pubic building. By the time it was noon, Kanda had covered the entire city with no luck. He was sure that a young woman with uneven brown hair and an exorcist uniform would be easy to spot. Then how could it be that he couldn't find her?

Kanda searched the entire town once more then decided to rest outside of a café.

"Where did you run off to," he growled, searched through the crowded streets.

Something golden caught his eyes before disappearing into the throng of people.

That was it; she was hiding in plain sight.

Kanda stood up and started following herds of people around the square. Occasionally he could see a flash of black or gold and would have to change direction. He easily became frustrated but continued to wander around.

"You're getting closer," a sly voice whispered behind him.

When he spun around, nobody was there. Kanda was being toyed with, and he didn't like it one bit.

"Where are you," he hissed as he turned in a complete circle, eyes narrowed.

"Where ever you're not looking," came the cheerful reply. "Unless, you want to give up before sundown."

Kanda growled and trudged off. Allen was right; it was impossible to find her. Kanda had figured out that Sara was moving just as much as he was, but she was still avoiding his gaze. For another hour or so, Sara proceeded to tease Kanda, disappearing into the mass after leaving a hint for the exorcist.

Irritated and even more tired, Kanda wasted time examining the crowds from alleys. Eight hours of searching for one little girl was exhausting. He rested against a stone wall, eyes gazing over the swarming bodies of busy folks. Suddenly a hand covered her mouth, and he was dragged into a nearby alley. Kanda reach around behind his back, but was rewarded with a firm kick to the back of his knee, making it buckle. His fingers found his katana, but before he could slide it out of its sheath, his hand was frozen in place.

"I'm starting to get bored," Sara's voice was rough in his ear. "Can't you find me any faster?"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed," Kanda growled as his face was revealed and his hand released to retreat from his sword.

"You have to find me to kill me," she replied.

Swiftly, Kanda grabbed an arm and pulled it around his body. Sara met him with a firm glare.

"I need to catch you to kill you," he corrected.

"That's cheating," she grumbled.

"I found you, I caught you, same thing," Kanda grumbled.

He released Sara's arm which she folded over her chest defiantly.

"It doesn't count when it's me that found you," she snapped, walking out towards the crowded street.

She let Kanda join her by her side, keeping a good distance, so he could follow her. She led him out of the town, and slowed her pace enough for Kanda to keep up. They soon were in sync, casually taking their time to get back to the Black Order.

"How did you learn to do that," Kanda asked slowly.

"When I was little, the people in my town weren't exactly fond of me and my abilities," Sara explained softly. "But it was necessary to keep an eye out for Akuma, so I just blended in with the crowd until I spotted an Akuma then I'd take it to an alley and finish it off."

"It keeps you hidden yet mobile," Kanda observed.

"It's a survival method," Sara clarified. "I can see yet remain unseen."

They were silent for the remainder of the journey back. Kanda took the lead once inside of the headquarters. He guided Sara to her room, not really wanting to separate just yet. They lingered outside of the door. Kanda carefully brushed a section of hair out of Sara's face. She stared at him for a moment, shocked. Deciding to take the plunge, Kanda gently placed a kiss on her cheek, but instead of retreating, he hovered over her lips. His mind had become a mess of thoughts and desires in just a few seconds. And there was no stopping.