-Growing Down-

Xemnas groaned, then slowly opened his eyes. It was morning. Early morning. Great. Another day to spend giving out orders to whoever, telling Demyx to stop whining and do his job, among other things. At least Saix isn't as aggravating. And then there was Kingdom Hearts, he thought, as he got up and walked over to the bathroom.

He stopped in front of the sink, turned the water on, and continued his thoughts on Kingdom Hearts. Getting enough hearts was tricky. He splashed some water on his face, then dried it off with a nearby towel. He then hung the towel back on the rack. It seemed much... taller.

He stared at the rack for a few seconds curiously, then turned to his mirror. Xemnas stood there, gaping at his reflection, which stared wide-eyed back at him.

Or at least Xemnas thought it was him.

He tested it by waving his hands back and forth, and anything else he could think of. Yes, this really was his reflection. He sighed as he examined the young, possibly teenage, boy in the mirror.

His clothes seemed to fit the same, which was strange to him, because he expected that they would be too big. There would have to be a meeting about this...

He walked out of his room and hurried to see Saix. But, as he turned a corner he discovered something he hadn't expected- Saix appeared younger, too. What was going on? He had to find out. Saix turned around and noticed him.

"Superior," he addressed him in a higher voice, looking Xemnas up and down, "We have... a problem."

"Yes... Tell everyone to come to the meeting room," Xemnas commanded. Saix nodded, and left. When everyone had arrived, he noticed that the same thing had happened to every one of them, too. Demyx, who seemed to be about eleven or twelve, was trying to hide the fact that he crying out of fear. Roxas, Xemnas could tell by his expression, was confused about the whole situation. The youngest member of Organization 13 appeared to be about nine or ten. Many of the others were annoyed with it. Vexen, on the other hand, seemed pleased with his now twenty or so appearance.

Xemnas announced the situation, though he received some pretty weird looks, as they could very well tell what was going on.

"You could find a babysitter, in case this gets too serious," Marluxia suggested. The murmur of talk rose, as they all agreed to this idea. Even Xemnas agreed to this. So, he left, and soon returned with a babysitter. This man was from Twilight Town, and had plenty of experience with children. He was forty-seven, and had grown children of his own. His name was Xarvis. Marluxia seemed to melt at the sound of the name.

"What's the matter with you?" Larxene asked, with Axel and Roxas standing near her, listening for the answer.

"Let's just say..." he began, "that I wish Xemnas had found someone else."

"Why?" Demyx asked, who had also been listening.

"I'd rather not say..." he replied.

"Did you get into a fight with guy or something?" Axel asked, a sly smile across his face.

"And now your scared to face him again because you lost?" Roxas dared to add.

"Actually... You could say that," Marluxia answered. The others gave him a confused look, but left it at that.

--

Sure enough, the next morning, they were all younger. Fortunately, Xarvis knew how to take care of thirteen kids, somehow.

"How many kids did he have, anyway?" Larxene wondered aloud.

"It's probably not how many children he himself had in his family, but how many he took care of, including others' children," Zexion reasoned.

"I don't know about this dude," Xigbar said, "what with his blackish-brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, and that eye patch."

"Um... Xigbar?" Axel said.

"Yeah?"

"That's sounds kind of like you," he pointed out.

"So? It doesn't look as good on him," Xigbar replied.

"I do wonder how he managed to get that eye patch, though," Luxord said, joining the conversation. Marluxia shifted back and forth restlessly.

"Hey, uh, Marly?" Axel asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"Hm?! What?!" Marluxia replied, looking up, alarmed, "Oh... it's... nothing."

"Are you sure?" Roxas said, "Because you don't look so good."

"Yeah, you look kinda pale," Axel added.

"It's nothing, really!" he assured them.

"Yeah, right," Larxene said to him. Marluxia jerked up his hood, ignoring her, as Xarvis walked into the room.

"Hello!" he greeted them cheerfully, "How are you today?"

"Good!" Demyx happily answered, not noticing the fact that he was the only one to answer. Xarvis sighed, then, smiling lightly, patted Demyx on the head. The little boy was only about seven or eight, now, and slightly small for his age. Marluxia quietly groaned, as to not draw attention to himself. He wished that he wasn't the only with his hood up. But thankfully, Xarvis didn't notice him. He silently crept to a nearby corner. It was near Xemnas and Saix, much to his disliking, but, at least it was away from their new babysitter.

"Seriously, Marly," a voice said beside him, causing him to jump, "what is wrong with you?!"

Seeing that it was Axel, Marluxia pressed a finger to his lips and whispered, "Not so loud!"

"Why are you hiding from him?" Roxas, who was standing next to Axel, pestered him.

"I have my reasons," he replied, "Reasons that I don't want to share."

"Fine, fine," Axel mumbled, "Have it your way..." The day continued, and Marluxia managed to keep his distance from the new babysitter. But soon, unfortunately, it was time for bed. Xarvis walked to each bed, telling each 'good night', and water if they wanted it. He eventually arrived at Marluxia's bed.

"What's the matter?" he asked him gently, seeing that the boy was curled deep underneath his sheets, "Do you not feel well?"

"I'm fine!" the mass of sheets responded nervously.

"Are you sure...? I could get you some water, if you want," he suggested.

"No! No, that's O.K., I'm good to go!" Marluxia said quickly.

"Alright, then, if you're sure," Xarvis sighed, turning to leave. He hadn't seen this boy's face much at all, and when he did see him, it was only a glance. With one last look around the room, he smiled, glad to see them all- except one- content. He couldn't help but feel concerned about the mysterious boy, but, he left, planning to check in on them later that night anyway.

In the morning, they were each about six to ten years old, and were all very restless. They wanted something to do.

"Mr. Xarvis?" Xigbar asked timidly, "Can we go to the beach today?"

So, Xarvis announced that he would take them to the beach after breakfast. Most of them cheered. Xemnas was almost as emotionless as ever, along with Saix, and a few others. Xarvis sighed, laughed, and shook his head.

"This will be fun," he mumbled to himself.