Note: Bold lettering is me talking, even during the story. Anyways I hatched an idea for a separate KH Fan Fiction about the same characters but mostly Kairi, which I'll be writing on the sidelines without publishing until finished. Don't worry though, this story is still going to be a priority as always and the writing process with not be heavily delayed. Authors' promise. Expect future chapters between Fridays and Sundays. Enjoy!


Chapter 11: Birthday Brown-Es

Namine was lying in her bed trying to enjoy her Saturday morning by sleeping right through it for once. It had been a few days since the roles were cast for the Romeo And Juliet show. Namine was taking things easy since then.

Just as Namine began waking up, she felt like she was experiencing an earth quake. Her body was shaken by something, but then she heard two familiar voices calling her name. A boy and a girl.

"Namine!"

"Namine!"

"Get up!" They said in unison. Namine started yawning and sat up in her bed to see her room full of her friends. Kairi and Sora were sitting on her bed shaking her legs. Riku and Xion stood at the end of the bed acting nonchalant.

"What are you all doing here?" Namine asked, assuming the question was needed.

"What else? We have a party to plan for tomorrow, and its not going to ready itself!" Kairi said, as though it were obvious.

"It's for my brother." Sora added, "For Roxas."

"But why?"

Riku sighed at the stupidity of the people in the room and began to explain. "In two days time, Roxas will be sixteen. Since that's on a Monday, we're throwing him a birthday party on Sunday. Today is the preparation day."

"Roxas has a birthday?" Namine said with genuine curiosity. Everyone in the room face-palmed.

"Well, duh." Xion said, "Hasn't he told you when his birthday was?"

"I guess it never came up. Wait, that means I'm older than him! I turned sixteen long before coming here."

"Ha ha. You're so oooooold! Your birthday is close to Riku's! Old people!" Sora laughed stupidly, and Kairi gave him a playful shove.

"He's lucky he gets to have his birthday in Spring. The weather is so lovely." Namine said enviously. It had never occurred to her that she was many months older than Roxas... Maybe that's why he's short.

"So," Xion said, "After you get ready, we're all going to head out and get 'the stuff' for Roxas's birthday."

"But won't Roxas realise we've all gone somewhere without him? It'll be too obvious, you know?"

"That's why Sora and I locked him at Axel and Larxene's house for the day." Kairi said cheekily. "We put him in a body bag this morning and Demyx shipped him to the house in his car. The poor birthday boy with never know!"

Namine became wide-eyed. "You what?! That's ridiculous and more suspicious then going out without him."

"Yeah, that's why we're going to take it in shifts to help Axel and the others keep Roxas away." Sora said, smiling evilly.

"Just saying, Xion and I totally disapproved." Riku said, "It was Sora and Kairi's idea." Xion gave to quick nods in agreement.

"Never mind all the details," Kairi said, "We're heading to the shopping centre!"

As much as Namine loved her friends, they were a real handful. She spent an hour getting ready and telling her parents what four teenagers were doing and how they broke into the home, while said teenagers were laughing their heads of in the living room, watching a tragic romance movie on TV.

"Let's go you guys!" Namine said, running down the stairs, "Let's go!"


The five of them stepped into the huge shopping centre through the automatic doors and became surrounded by the crowd around them. Sora and Kairi held hands and walked in front, while Riku was in between Xion and Namine, walking right behind.

Namine started rethinking what she was even doing here. She find it a litttle odd how she was around nine months older than Roxas. He was born in May. 'That's almost a year, right...?' Namine was born in September, Riku was in late August, Kairi in February, Xion during March and Sora in December near Christmas time.

'Wait, wait, why does this even matter? So what if Roxas is younger? It's not like it was a problem for anything anyway.' Namine told herself. Sometimes, she couldn't even understand herself. Her brain was its own little mystery.

"So," Xion asked Namine, "what are you going to get a present for Roxas?"

Namine's head straightened at the thought. "I forgot about that. I don't even know what he'd like."

"Roxas is fond of gifts you put a little thought into." Riku suggested, "Just think long and hard. I guess he likes to know that you're close to him. You know how he does that thing to push himself into your life for no reason."

"Yeah. I can definitely relate to that. Continue."

"Since you haven't known Roxas that long, just get him something that only you would have given him. For example, Kairi got Sora multi coloured finger sporks and Pikachu slippers for his birthday, since she knows he loves food, Pokémon, and besides, it was a cold winter."

"Those are good gifts for Sora, but then again, he is a bit of a simpleton."

Sora turned around, "Hey, I heard that."

"As much as you are like a brother to me, you're as easy to fool as a squirrel, Sora." Namine drew her attention back to Riku. "I'm not all unique and creative with things like gifts."

"Namine, I thought you were an artist. Isn't creativity the whole idea?"

"Oh yeah. I guess I'm forgetting everything this morning."

Sora and Kairi bought Roxas a gift together in a different shop while the remaining three wandered around. Namine was annoyed that the two already wrapped up their gift when they came back. She didn't get an chance to see what it was, hence, no inspiration for ideas.

Riku then went to a shop that caught his eye and got Roxas something, which he put in a gift bag to hide. Namine felt even more annoyed. She felt like Riku did that on purpose just to annoy her. Kairi told Riku that he should to Axel's house and see if Roxas was still in the body bag and that it was his shift on 'Roxas Watch'.

Sora and Kairi went completely of task and wandered into an arcade after their mission was complete, leaving Namine and Xion to find the perfect gift. "This is so not fair, right Xion?" Namine whined. "You're Roxas's best friend, so it'll be easier for you. Kairi got to tag along with Sora, who is Roxas's brother, and Riku is a dude so he knows what Roxas would like anyway! Then there is me. I've known him for a month and a bit, and I have no idea what he'll like! If only I had time to ask Roxas a few questions before Sora threw him in a body bag!"

Xion laughed and said, "Maybe you're thinking to hard about this."

"Yeah. Maybe I am."


During all of this, Sora had been invited into the large house by Axel who led him to Zexion's room where a black body bag lay on the floor wriggling around frantically like a sausage. "Well, I'll leave it to you, Sora." Axel said, "I don't want to be here when he yells his head off at you. Good luck, you'll need it."

"Okay. Thanks anyway." Sora replied. He kneeled down beside the body bag and began unzipping it as it made a high pitched crescendo. That noise was one of Sora's few pet peeves. He hated it.

The blond boy inside the bag looked up at his smiling brother as the bag opened, wide eyed, and said something furiously but was muffled by the duck tape on his mouth. Sora realised this, and tore the tape right off, leaving a red mark on Roxas's face. Not that his face wasn't red from fury anyway.

"Sora! What the hell?! You and Kairi kidnapped me, tied me up and wrapped me in a bloody body bag."

Sora snickered. "Alliteration..."

"Why you-! I should sue you for this!"

"For grammar jokes? Oh, you mean kidnapping you Ah, but suing me would ruin our brotherly bond right?"

"Do I seriously look like I care?"

"No. But it's your birthday soon, so who gives a toss? Now you can finally buy age sixteen and over games by yourself! Congratulations, who's a big boy?"

"Tsk, don't patronise me like that. I'm not some kid."

"You are to society. Kairi told me to hang out with you here until Riku comes to do his shift. Anyways, Axel's got an X-Box downstairs with a trillion games, and that can only mean one thing. Let's go!" Sora said, running out the room.

Roxas was about to yell and question all this again, but shrugged off his anger. "Sure. I get the player one controller though!"

"No fair!"


Namine and Xion took a break at the food court and Xion had a coffee. "Xion, please tell me what you're going to get him. You know him better than anybody. I'm the opposite."

"Since this is the eighth time you've asked, I'll give you a hint." She said, leaning inwards to whisper something. "Roxas plays an instrument..."

"What? Which one? And how does this information help anyone?"

"He learnt to play guitar from Axel and Demyx while he was at the orphanage. It's not like there was anything else to do."

"Is he good at it?"

"Yeah. Quite a lot actually. The thing is, he hasn't played for a year since Roxas's dad came and screwed everything up for him again, you know."

"Wait, what?"

"Roxas's dad. Remember? Oh, did Axel forget to mention? That guy never remembers the full story! Anyway, almost a year ago, Roxas's dad came to visit him here at Destiny Islands. When Roxas's mum dad divorced, Roxas's lived with his mum but she died soon after, but his dad never came back to reclaim Roxas, and so he was sent to the orphanage. Make sense so far?"

"I never even noticed that gap in the story."

"Well, now you know. Moving on, Roxas's dad came to his house out of nowhere and said he was getting remarried and wanted Roxas back as his son. Obviously, Roxas had no hesitation when saying no. The next few weeks after that, Roxas did some serious thinking and stopped doing anything. When he came back to normal, he sort of forgot about his guitar I guess. But I know him well enough to know he'd love to play again. I just want him to be happy with it."

"That's sweet of you. You're a great friend to him. He's lucky to have you there for him."

"Well, that's just how amazing I am." Xion laughed modestly. "Oh! I just thought of a great idea for a gift for you. It'll be perfect, considering the weird friendship you guys have. Just listen closely..."


Larxene sometimes wished she wasn't a girl, entirely because she's the only girl around her, and she doesn't even like half of the girls she does know. Instead, Larxene is stuck with stupid and infuriating boys all day long. Twenty-four-seven. At Organisation XIII and at home and outside. Right now, she is in her and Axel's house, with Axel, Roxas, Demyx, Zexion, Sora - and when she went to answer the door - Riku had joined the party too.

"Oh," Larxene said, with the least bit of enthusiasm, "It's you."

"Wonderful to see you so cheerful this morning. So where are Sora and Roxas?"

"Being dumb in the living room. I'm going. If you need the other guys, they're upstairs."

Riku stepped into the house and peered through the living room to find Roxas and Sora kicking each other in the shins while their eyes were glued to the TV screen with a game on display. "Hey, Sora. Your shift is over so you can go back to the girls at the shopping place."

"Wait, wait, wait! I'm about to win this..." Sora said hurryingly. Riku watched the TV only to find Sora's side of the turn blood red and the words 'Player 1 Wins' flash onto the screen. "Nooooo! Roxas, you cheated!"

"It's not cheating when you have skill, my stupid brother. You shouldn't have been running around like a noob."

Sora and his brother bickered for a while, and then Riku stepped in to calm things down and Sora left. For the next forty five minutes, Riku had the 'privilege' of keeping an eye on Roxas.


Namine was now with Kairi as Xion snuck off with Sora to find the perfect guitar for Roxas. Kairi thought the idea Xion gave Namine for a gift was a good one considering Roxas isn't someone Namine has known for a long while. Kairi took the initiative to take Namine and buy the cake and a giant card using the money the five friends had pitched in for this.

Kairi had chosen the large card for Roxas, which she signed in advanced along with her best friend, and then Namine said it would only be fair if she chose the cake. "I know a shop somewhere around here with really good cakes. I think my mum's friend owns it or something."

"That's cool. Let's go. Keep in mind that Roxas likes chocolate cake and hates frosting, so try choosing one with cream or something." With that in mind, the two made a beeline to the cake shop and walked past a few customers until Namine saw a familiar face.

A woman at the front counter called, "Namine! Is that you?"

"Oh, hi Aunt Lia." Namine said sweetly, as the two approached the counter.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you. Tell your mum I said hi and to come visit some time."

"Will do. I'm here to buy a birthday cake for a friend's birthday. Do you think you can get the perfect one?"

"I guarantee it. So, give me some details."

"Sixteenth birthday tomorrow. A boy. Likes chocolate, no frosting. And the cake has to be reasonably cheap and average sized. There's going to be seven or eight people eating it."

Kairi suddenly grabbed Namine's arm and pulled her backward and whispered, "Namine, if you know her, you have to get a discount. Tell her you want it ten percent off."

"How am I supposed to just ask: 'Hey, can you give it to us cheaper just because we sort of know you?' to her?"

"Well, you're the only one who can!"

"Fine. Why do I always get put in these awkward situations? Screw you, story writer!" (Tee hee, sorry Namine)

Namine went back up to the counter reluctantly and looked at Aunt Lia. "Can I-"

"Yes, but only ten percent off, okay?"

"Thanks." Namine chuckled nervously. "Oh, and there are some changes I want you to make to the cake. I don't want anyone hearing, so come closer. It has to be a secret until finished..."


Namine had Kairi stay until the cake was ready since Riku had finished and she had to go take care of Roxas for her shift. Namine knew Kairi and Riku would be in for a big surprise when they saw the cake. Let's just say Namine put her own twist on it.

She decided to take the quickest bus and got to her destination in no time. Ringing the door bell, Riku answered and greeted Namine, saying, "Good luck. You'll need it."

Namine entered as Riku left and suddenly the house seemed so quiet. Namine wondered where everyone was. More importantly, where Roxas was. Namine crept around the house and so no sign of anyone, but had a feeling somebody was hiding out of her line of sight...

She took a step into the living room, expecting nothing, but was suddenly grabbed by a pair of arms from behind her and practically thrown onto the large couch. Namine huffed and opened her eyes unwilling to see someone wearing a Darth Vader helmet practically on top of her with a small distance between them. Their hands were beside Namine's head and the masked person was seemed to be staring right at her. Realising the situation, Namine blushed insanely and gave a mighty shove, causing the helmet to come off revealing Roxas's face, and pushing him onto the other side of the couch. "What the hell is wrong with you Roxas?! Or should I say Darth Vader? Why on earth did you attack me?! I thought you were a rapist!"

"Well, I thought you were Xion! I heard Riku leaving and a girl's voice, so I assumed it was her..." Roxas said innocently. Namine wasn't going to buy it.

"So you thought it would be alright to grab her? And what was with the mask?"

"Xion would have found it kind of funny."

"Maybe because you two are such besties that it would have appeared to be a friendly joke. I was scared out of my life on the other hand, so thanks for the trauma. I am never watching a Stars Wars movie ever again."

Roxas let out an awkward laugh and fell back onto the couch. "Well that was fun. So anyway, do you even know why I'm here?"

"I don't know. Sora and Kairi wanted you gone, so a few of us a taking shifts to keep you here."

"What makes you think you could keep me here? I could step out of this house and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it."

"I could use a little brain instead of brawn, and then you'd have no choice but to stay. Maybe not a sustainable plan now, but later."

"What kind of one would you use now?"

Namine thought for a moment, hand on chin. She decided to use 'psychological persuasion' as an example. Namine shuffled towards Roxas and until she was sitting right beside him. She took a quick breath and proceeded to slip her arms around his one and leaned on his shoulder and said softly, "Will you stay here now?"

Roxas felt like in was in a cruel dream where he would wake up any second. His whole body was heating up in seconds as he felt Namine's silky hair on his neck and her soft hands around his arm.

Roxas suddenly felt the same soft hands weakly strangling his neck and Namine's voice saying, "Payback Roxas!" She released the poor boy and he just looked up at the girl. "You should have seen your face; red as a tomato! That worked way better than I thought!"

"That was mean." Roxas laughed, and then gave a smile. "Now I'm sad."

"Yeah, keep on smiling then. Well that killed ten minutes. We've got another thirty five." Namine said, looking at the clock. When she looked back at Roxas, he was holding a cherry blossom skinned phone and smiling evilly. "How did you get my phone?" She reached to grab it but he dodged out of the way.

"I didn't know you listened to sooooo many types of songs. Aw, and why didn't you add me on Facebook? You have a different hair style in every picture. They look nice."

"Don't look through the pictures! Give it back." Namine finally snatched it off him and just pouted as she scowled at him. "Let's just watch TV or something. You're too annoying to talk to, so thanks."

"Much appreciated. So, which show?"

Just as Namine was about to speak, her phone interrupted by ringing. Namine picked it up, seeing Xion's name pop up on the screen. "I wonder what she's calling for? Hi Xion."

"Namine! You need to bring Roxas and come quick! It's an emergency!"

"What, you bought the wrong stuff?" Namine laughed.

"No! But I think ghosts exist because Roxas's mum is at my house door and she wants to see Roxas!"

Namine's head started hurting and she just stared at the floor, wondering if she heard that right. She put down the phone and ran her hand through her head. "What the hell is going on...?"


To Be Continued... Have you ever seen someone you thought was meant to be dead? I have. It's pretty scary, actually. Anyways, thanks for reading this far! Remember to Review/Fav/Follow if you liked it.

And until next time, have a lovely week! ^_^