An absorbent article comprising an absorbent composite has been patented wherein the absorbent composite comprises substantially water insoluble, water swellable, non-regenerated, carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers, which appear like cellulose fibers. The carboxyalkyl cellulose fibers comprise a number of first instar-fiber, multi-valent metal ion crosslinks and a plurality of second intra-fiber crosslinks selected from ether crosslinks or ester crosslinks and the absorbent composite has been treated to create inter-fiber bonding.