Chapter 4

Roxie's Birthday

A few days past since the impatient Roxie went looking for Axel. It was finally her fifth birthday, and she spent the morning of it waiting with Demyx for Axel. When he came, she ran happily over to him.

"Look, daddy!" she cried, "Lookie what Demy got me!" She held up a small, red Sitar.

"I painted it myself," Demyx said, grinning proudly, "Besides, when I'm here, I can teach her how to play!"

"Sounds... like fun," Axel said, "And I've got something, too." He had been holding his hands behind his back. He pulled out one hand, and in it was a doll.

"Happy birthday, Roxie!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, thank-you, daddy!" she said, gazing at the pretty little doll in awe. It looked like her, with red yarn hair, green button eyes, and a dress identical to her's. It even had red socks with lace at the top, and black shoes, like her's. Next, Axel showed her what was in his other hand. It was a necklace with the Organization's symbol as the charm. It was silver, and shown beautifully in the light. Axel placed it around her neck.

"Oh!" Roxie cried, delighted, "Thank-you! It's so pretty!"

"You're welcome," he said, "but I'm going to have to go..."

"Do you have to?" she asked, "'cause it's my birthday!"

"I know," Axel replied, "But Xemnas will be VERY upset if I don't go."

"Oh..." Roxie sighed. Axel departed, and returned a few hours later.

Roxie was overjoyed to see him when he arrived.

"Hey, Roxie!" he said.

"Daddy! Hi daddy! Are you going to stay?" she asked.

"Ah... Xemnas..." he said, then added softly to himself, "I hate him." Unfortunately, Roxie overheard this.

"XEMNAS, BAD!" she yelled. Demyx cocked his head at this.

"No, no! Xemnas is the leader!" Axel said frantically, "I... um... no, never mind."

"No?" she said pathetically, "Ah, daddy!"

"Roxie," he replied, "I'm sorry..." He left her, with Demyx.