Roxas stared up at the ceiling. He'd been in the Organization for…he didn't even know how long. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, and it wasn't like anyone just popped in to see him. No, he was all alone. A true Nobody. That's what people like him were called. For some reason, the people who lived here thought that he could be useful somehow. Roxas didn't understand their logic. He was useless…defective…

…non-existent.

.8..13.

Axel walked down the white hallway of the Organization hideout, whistling a tune. Demyx moved beside him, happy and go-lucky as ever.

"Hey, have you seen the new member?" Demyx asked, interrupting Axel's mindless song. Pondering for a moment. Axel shook his head, smiling.

"Nope, only rumors. I hear she's pretty hot." Demyx's expression turned to that of confusion, and he stopped.

"I thought it was a guy. And Larxene said that he wasn't acting…normal. Like he's different somehow from the rest of us." Axel paused as well, turning to the younger member.

"How many times have I told you not to listen to that evil lightning bug…thing?" Leaning against an ivory wall, Axel's gaze turned up toward the ceiling.

"I guess that means we'll have to investigate." Axel sighed, rubbing his temples. He really had no idea why he hung out with Demyx, the little squirt.

"YAY! I feel like Nancy Drew!" The sitarist squealed, obviously excited to be on a new adventure. "Let's go!! Let's go!!" he laughed, pulling Axel down the hallway. The pair set out on their quest to find the mysterious number 13, unaware of what lie in store for them.

.13..8.

Roxas hadn't shifted since he got onto the bed, and had no intention of moving any time soon. Closing his eyes, he felt a wave of exhaustion pour over him, and Roxas soon fell into a light slumber, a black void filling his vision.

.8..13.

Tip-toeing toward the door labeled "XII", Axel pressed a finger to his lips, motioning for Demyx to be quiet. "I'll bet you five bucks that it's a girl." The red head whispered, hand reaching for the door handle.

Demyx crept after him, a smile growing on his lips. "Deal!" Opening the door silently, the two stepped into the darkened room, surprised at what they found.

"Damn it!" Axel hissed, eyes reaching the blonde's sleeping form. Punching the air in success, Demyx mutely cheered himself.

"I TOLD you!! Pay up!!" Axel fished in his pockets, tossing a folded bill toward the brunette.

"Yeah, yeah, what ever. But at least I was right about one thing. He's kinda cute…"Axel murmured, now at Roxas' bedside. Demyx scanned the teen over before shrugging his shoulders.

"I don't know. He's just not my type. I tend to go for the dark haired guys." Axel's eyes widened as he saw the younger man shift, turning in his sleep.

Whipping around to face Demyx, Axel's voice was breathy with fear. "Keep quiet, you dummy!!" Pouting, Demyx walked to the door, now standing in the doorway.

"Fine!" he said, being perfectly loud. "Investigate by yourself!!" Slamming the door behind him, Demyx stormed away. Slapping a hand to his forehead, Axel muttered a curse toward him, hoping he'd get strangled by one of his guitar strings.

It took him a moment to realize that the blonde had woken up. His green eyes flashed with worry and he smiled, backing away. "Uh…hi." He said, feeling out of place. "I'm…Axel!"

Roxas didn't move, in fact, he didn't even look at Axel. His eyes remained on the wall above him, blank and lifeless.

"Hey, are you alright?" Axel asked, moving closer to him. He reached out a hand to shake Roxas, but pulled back, a strange feeling coursing through him. "I can understand if you want me to leave you alone. It's cool." Making his way to the door, he barely heard Roxas' voice.

"Wait." Turning around slowly, Axel's eyes met the most spectacular pair of blue eyes he'd ever seen. They were dark, like large sapphires, and seemed to stretch on for miles. "I'm…Roxas." Number XII spoke, the name foreign to him. Sitting up, he rubbed his head, the spikes trailing through his slender fingers.

.13..8.

Axel felt a blush spreading across his cheeks, and he sat on Roxas' bed, propped up on his hands.

"Sorry about barging into the room like that," he began, smiling. "My friend and I were just curious as to who you were. You can understand that, right?" Roxas stared at him like he was a raving lunatic. No one had ever…talked to him like this before. It was nice. But he had no idea what to say back.

"Helloooooooo in there?" Axel waved his hand across Roxas' eyes, drawing his attention back to him. "Are you even listening?" Giving a short nod, he flopped back onto his pillow, still watching the red head.

"Oh, I get it. You're uncomfortable. I'll do the talking, just let me know when to shut up." Roxas felt the corners turn up slightly, and an odd sound came from his mouth. Was he…laughing? Axel chuckled, happy to get some emotion from the teen.

"I should probably introduce myself properly." Holding out his hand, he grinned, emerald eyes vivid in the dark room. "I'm Organization XII's number eight, Axel. And you are…?