Hey! Look at this! I updated it! After almost a year I finally did it! I am so happy I got over my writer's block and managed this again.

Ch.7

The following day Axel woke up and headed into the Grey Room. He waited around, sitting at one of the couches until Saix would show up. As He knew that they would most likely not be sent on the same mission together today, but he still decided to wait as he always did.

As he waited he saw other members come in and go. Zexion came in and made his way over to one of the other couches and sat down. He began to read the book that he had been carrying with him.

Axel hadn't thought about it before, but Zexion looked to be only a few years older than him. Axel started to wonder how did he ever end up in a place like this. Axel almost felt tempted to ask him. Though he knew probably asking directly would be a far bit rude. But he thought it would be best to get to know the other members. He had to do something while waiting anyways.

He got up from the couch he was at and walked over to the one Zexion sat at. Without saying anything he flopped down onto the seat near the young boy who had grayish-blue hair that covered half his face.

"Hey!" Axel started off with his usual, cheery tone.

Zexion looked up from his book and gave a long, hard look at Axel. "What is it Axel? Is there something you want?"

"Want? Nah not really. Just thought we could chat. You know, get to know one another. The only one I know in this organization is Saix, so I thought it would be best to chat."

"Okay…" Zexion replied, not quite sure where to go with it.

"So let's begin with something then. Hmm I don't think I know what your attribute is. I don't think I know anyways aside from Saix. Oh and Roxas and the new member; Xion."

"It's illusions," Zexion answered in a studious tone.

"Whoa, really? I never thought there could be something like that. How does it work?" Axel asked, immediately intrigued.

"I…" Zexion started off as he closed his book. He clicked his tongue as he thought. "I'm not entirely sure. When I was young the other members discovered I could create illusions. So we worked on it more and it's my strongest suit."

"That sounds so cool though! But... " Axel trailed off. Something Zexion had said, caught his attention. "Uh… hope you don't mind me asking… but when you said young… like…"

He didn't need to finish his sentence. Zexion decided to cut him off for he could see where Axel was going with it. "Yes I was young when joining the Organization. But none of that is important anymore, it was a long time ago anyways. The only thing that matters now is the goal that the Organization has and that we get closer to completing it."

"Oh, okay… I'm sorry," Axel said, not sure how to take in Zexion's answer.

"You do not have to be. It is understand if you have curiosity. You still are a fairly new Nobody after all. So much of this will bring you questions," Zexion answered calmly, not sounding upset in the slightest.

Axel was thankful that Zexion wasn't mad at him for wondering. He hadn't even thought it through before asking. Though how old Zexion was when he lost his heart was still a mystery. But Axel knew that would be too much to ask right now. Perhaps if he got to know Zexion more… but that would be for another time.

"I must say though," Zexion said, starting up talking again. "It is nice now to have others in the Organization that are closer in age. I'll admit growing up the youngest was difficult at times. Somehow I managed to pull through it after all of the years. So I'll agree with you, I think it would be nice as well as beneficial to get to know one another."

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Beneficial?"

Zexion nodded. "To know the interests and strengths of the other members can tie us closer. If we ever were do work on a mission together, we would work better if we knew how the other thought."

"Ooh… I guess that makes sense," Axel replied. In the truth of the matter, he didn't really understand. He just decided to try and go along with it. If what Zexion said was true, then maybe he would come to understand what he meant.

Thankfully he didn't have to think too long about it though as footsteps were heard entering the Grey Room. Axel turned to look and saw the familiar blue hair of Saix. "It was nice talking to you Zexoin. Maybe we can chat again sometime!" Axel then jumped up from his seat and ran over to his friend.

"Morning Saix," Axel stated.

"Same to you," Saix replied. He paused for a moment before lowering his voice. "I found out more about that second castle."

"Wait what? Really? What about it?" Axel asked, raising his voice almost too loud.

"Not now. I'll explain it later at the clock tower," Saix said in a hushed voice, making sure that there were no other members near them to overhear their conversation.

"Oh okay, got it. Let's just see what we gotta do for today," Axel said as he started to walk over to where Xigbar stood.

When they walked up there, Xigbar flipped through some papers before looking down at the two. "Let's see, for today you guys don't actually have anything to do. But we found a way to fit you in. Roxas today is going to go on his first mission and we don't have anyone to watch him for today."

"So you've stuck us with babysitting the kid again?" Axel asked.

"Yup, you heard me right. But this time you are taking him on a mission," Xigbar replied.

Saix raised an eyebrow. He was curious to find out more of what this was going to be all about. While he knew the mission papers probably told him, he still had the need to ask.

"And what would this mission entail?"

"Simple things. We need to start testing him to see how well he can function. Today's mission is the start of about a week and a half of what we can call 'training missions'. A little more simple than the ones that you two started out with," Xigbar answered before handing the mission papers to Saix.

"Seems reasonable," Saix responded as he stated to read it over.

Footsteps were heard again and Roxas now entered the room. He walked about half way before coming to a stop to stare at everyone in the room. He didn't move from that spot for a while, until he finally moved forward closer to Xigbar.

"Looks like you've finally woken. Good job!" Xigbar said, trying to sound encouraging, though ti was mixed with a chuckle.

Roxas nodded slightly, but gave no other response.

Axel smiled and walked over to Roxas's side. "Hey Roxas, remember me? Looks like you, me and Saix are going together on a mission today."

Roxas swayed his head to the side, looking right Axel. He blinked slowly, looking like he was trying to focus on the redhead in front of him. No words were said from the blond though. He only stared long enough until he spaced out again and his gaze drifted elsewhere.

"Guess you still aren't much of a talker, are you?" Axel asked, knowing that he wouldn't get an answer. He only felt like saying it aloud anyways, just in case Roxas would have a random turn and actually say something again.

"Just take him on the mission and make sure he completes it," Xigbar instrusted. "You know, make sure he doesn't get lost."

Saix nodded. "Very well. Axel. Roxas. Let's head out then."

"Wait," Axel said, stepping closer to Saix. "I didn't even get to read the mission sheet."

"You can read it when we get there," Saix stated before he was about to step into the portal. "Is Roxas following?"

Axel turned to see that Roxas has not moved from his spot. As he stood there, his gaze fixed on to something else. Another member had entered the room while they were conversing. This time it was a hooded member who was the same height as Roxas. The newest member; Xion.

"Hey Roxas, whatcha looking at Xion for?" Axel asked as he walked back to the boy.

Roxas blinked. "Xion…"

Axel smiled at him. "Hey there's the talk I was wondering about. Good to see you can say things still. Hopefully you can get that memorized. But come on, we gotta get going."

Axel took Roxas by the arm and led him to the portal to meet up with Saix. The three of them traversed through until they exited out on the other side into Twilight Town. They were not on the surface though, instead they were in the Underground Passage.

"Okay, now can I see what this mission is all about?" Axel asked.

"Yes, here you go." Saix said as he handed the paper over to Axel.

Axel took the paper and began to read over it. His eyebrows raised slightly. "We're just having him find a chest? That's the entire mission?"

"Yes. Xigbar did they that these were simple missions for Roxas. With how he acts how it is completely understandable to start him off with something like this."

"I guess so. Just seems too easy," Axel commented before folding up the paper and placing into his cloak pocket.

"For you and me maybe, but for Roxas it may be harder."

"Don't talk about Roxas like that, you know he is right there,"

Axel then glanced over to see Roxas standing there quietly. He still looked spaced out, but he was looking in the direction of Saix and Axel.

"It's not like he truly understand what we are saying. He is pretty much acting like a zombie," Saix responded, cold and serious as ever.

Axel frowned, giving a more childish look. "Come on, yes he can understand. He just is having trouble with his words. Isn't that right, Roxas?"

Roxas tilted his head to the side. He looked like he was going to open his mouth, but nothing happened. He continued to stand there silently, almost swaying side to side.

Axel sighed heavily. "Roxas you're suppose to back me up here! I know you're listening at least."

Roxas nodded slightly.

Axel grinned and turned to Saix. "See? He knows what's going on."

Saix took the moment to actually make eye contact with Roxas. He could see the glazed and hazy look in his eyes, but he did seem to focus on staring. Saix shrugged it off and decided to focus back at the task at hand.

"If he can understand, then that makes things flow much smoother. We should begin the mission now. Roxas," Saix said, raising his voice slightly. "We will start your mission now. If you can please follow us and we will lead you where to go."

Roxas slowly moved his head, looking like he was nodding.

After that no one said anything. Axel and Saix had decided to wait for a moment, wondering if Roxas would actually manage any words. But as they pretty much expected, Roxas stayed quiet.

"All right, let's scratch, 'having a nice conversation' off the list," Axel joked as he stretched his arms up. "Let's just get this show on the road."

The two older boys stared to walk, and made sure that Roxas was following behind them. He was trailing behind by a few feet though, so Axel slowed his pace to walk along side Roxas. When he did Roxas actually looked over to him, staring at him like he had been before.

"Hey Roxas, you gotta keep up with us. We don't want you to get lost down here."

"Oh… okay…" Roxas muttered as he started to walk a little bit faster.

"That's the way, Roxas!" Axel cheered, happy to see that Roxas actually managed some more words. The two of them then met up with Saix after they headed up the stairs. Once they were there, they walked a bit farther into the tunnel until Saix came to a stop.

"You at least know to follow, that is a good sign," Saix said.

Axel sighed quietly, Saix even back when they were Sombodies was never the best at giving an honest compliment. Roxas on the other hand turned towards him, moving his head up and down slightly.

"Thanks… I guess," he replied.

"Hey would you look at that Saix? I think he's learning to talk," Axel said, smiling largely.

"And you are getting way too excited from thi," Saix muttered.

"Aw come on Saix, don't tell me you aren't impressed he is picking up talking more. As you said, it's a good sign. He is showing more progress and stuff."

"I suppose…" Saix replied. "Roxas, for this mission you are to find a chest. It is located somewhere in this Underground passage here. Do you think you could manage that?"

"Uh… I guess."

"Be sure to look around carefully. Cause those things can be hiding pretty much anywhere," Axel added in.

"That's it then That's all I gotta do?" Roxas asked, surprising both boys with two complete sentences.

"Yup that's all they wanted you to do today. Just like I said, it's easy."

"Okay… I'll try," Roxas responded before he started to walk around the area.

Axel and Saix stayed back as they watch Roxas wander through the Underground. He checked each tunnel that wasn't closed off, and did his best to look carefully. Eventually they came upon the chest near the exits out into the town. Roxas walked up to the chest and stared down at it.

"This is the chest, right?" he asked, looking to Axel and Saix for the answer.

"That is correct," Saix said.

"Yeah, you got it buddy," Axel added in.

"But now what? Is that all the mission was?" Roxas asked.

Axel chuckled slightly. "Not quite. When you find a chest, you gotta open it. It's like a two-step process."

"Oh, okay. I guess that makes sense," Roxas replied before opening the chest and taking out the item that was in it. "Why is there a chest with an item in it though?"

"What do you mean?" Axel asked.

"It's just a chest, out in the middle of the path here. No one finds it weird?"

"Well that's because…" Axel started off, but as he thought about it, he couldn't find an answer. "That's a good question actually. What do you think Saix?"

"I do not know why there are chests throughout the worlds with items in them. Either someone is placing them there beforehand for us, or it is just one of those mysteries we may never understand."

"You're not even a little bit curious? We use to see them all the time back in Traverse Town. I can't believe I never questioned it until now," Axel said, scratching the back of his head.

"That is true… but I don't think it should be questioned. It is something that just is. We shouldn't look to deeply into it," Saix said, shrugging off the thought of it. "What we need to do now though is return back to report in."

"Already?" Roxas asked.

Saix nodded. "Yes. Now if you think you can, lead the way back for us. Show us that you remember."

Roxas nodded, understanding perfectly. He then took the lead, and walked all the way back to where they had started. Once there Axel clapped a hand onto Roxas's shoulder.

"So, Roxas, how was your first mission? Think you can get the hang of this stuff?"

Roxas blinked slowly before giving a nod. He muttered something, but it went unheard to Axel and Saix's ears. The two of them looked at each other, wondering of Roxas being more aware was just temporary.

"Can you say that again Roxas? We couldn't hear you," Axel said to him, hoping tthat Roxas hadn't worn himself out already.

"I...I said…" Roxas started to say, brief pauses in between his words. He raised he head and looked between Axel and Saix. "I could have done that blindfolded."

Axel stopped back, caught by surprise. He hadn't expected a smart aleck response. And from the looks of it, Saix didn't either. Both of them were left nearly speechless at Roxas's quick burst of confidence.

"Whoa how about that," Axel laughed. "Didn't know you could get a bit cocky. Blindfolded and cocky, that could be a dangerous combo."

Even Saix started to chuckle at the thought of it. "Hm. It would be rather amusing, especially if half the time he is still in a zombie state."

"Hey, I'm right here," Roxas said.

"Oh, we know, we're just joking around," Axel said. "But ya know, I think we need to go for a treat now! To celebrate Roxas's first mission! And also cause I really want more ice cream."

Saix rolled his eyes, though he had the slightest smirk on his lips. "Of course that's what you want to do. Let's get over there then."

"Wait," Roxas started. "We don't have to go back right now?"

Axel shook his head before gesturing for Roxas to follow. "Nope. We can have some fun first. And that means it's time for an ice cream reward."

As they walked, Axel felt better than he did the other days. Today for some reason he didn't feel as distant from Saix. Maybe it was because Roxas was there. With all three of them together, and Roxas talking a little more, things felt more easygoing. Axel smiled to himself at the thought. Maybe the three of them hanging out would out better than he had thought.

So I am going to try and add in as many fun interactions between the three of them. It's going to be different of course cause Axel won't be going to CO of course. But just wait and see!