A/N: (Changed 3/21/13) This is what happens when I need a break from other things. Although this has turned out to be longer then I first expected. There are many different pairings in this fic but as you can guess, it is AkuZeku centric. Updates are a bit random as I write when I can and I do have a life that demands much. This includes a very large original. This also means I don't beta due to time. So please forgive the mistakes you may find. Dyslexia is a bitch sometimes. (For more info on me, check out my profile.) The title of this used to be missing the "hi" but to make the translation literal I changed it.

While this fic could actually have different "arcs" as it sort of goes through many of the games cannon (in an AU sort of way), I won't be cutting it off anywhere and it will be continues even when they reach different the different parts of the "game plot". I do warn everyone that it will eventually go through Dream Drop Distance so if you haven't played it, eventually there will be spoilers. I will post an A/N when it comes to it.

I would also like to point out, that I see Zexion as more of an adult then in many of the other fics I've read. And definitely a lot less emo. This fic is rated M for some language and future violence and sexual content.

I am just writing this for fun, but please feel free to fav, alert, and comment. But note that I no longer approve of any non-signed reviews, nice or not. I know people like to not log in when reading fics sometimes but I did take my time to write, log in, and post this. The least you can do is log in to send a review. This is because, no matter how much time I take between posting things or how crazy real life becomes, I always reply to a review. Remember, writers love constructive criticize. Thanks, and I do hope you enjoy!

-Axelkin

Ayumu no Kaze

(Daydreaming of Dancing Flames)

1

Axel smirked as he wiggled himself between the desk and wall. His long fingers holding onto the leather bound book shook with glee. No one would ever think of looking for him here. Not down in Vexen's lab. Everyone knew that the two could not stand each other's powers so it would be the last place a certain someone would come looking for him. And it was not like he was anticipating anyone would be searching for the pyromaniac but it was just a precaution. I can't believe it was just lying there! Zexion never leaves such things unattended.

Licking his lips in anticipation, he pulled back the leather binding and opened the book. Axel paused as if he expected something to pop out or some sort of attack when he opened it. The book was name "Retribution" after all. But nothing happened, just the slow bubbling sounds of Vexen's experiments behind him. With a smile, Axel leaned forward and turned the pages, reading through them quickly. Most of the pages were filled with what Axel deemed to be mindless, useless information: a condensed dictionary with extremely long words, stats on monsters, and even a section on experiments. So it did not take him long to find out there was another section, quite large in Axel's opinion, spaced out for a particular reason.

"Ha," Axel snickered to himself. "I knew Mr. Smarty Pants kept a diary. I wonder if there is anything scandalous." He turned the pages to find the first entry and began to read.

"Didn't anyone tell you it's not nice to read someone else's personal notes?" Axel dropped the Lexicon in his lap and proceeded to make himself as small as possible, hoping his spiky red hair did not show above the desk. He listened carefully and only heard the tinkering of glass in the far distance. Peaking over the desk he saw that there was no one in sight as well.

"Damn reading must be making me hear things." Axel mumbled to himself.

He returned to reading, as did the voice. "You're not hearing things you spiky retard." The same snarky tone Zexion used ebbed around him but in a completely different voice.

"Shit," The pyro shut the book and shoved it into his cloak so that no one could see what he had. "That didn't take long..." A frown formed on his face as he prepared to stand up and meet the owner of the voice.

"*sigh* No one else is here..."

"What the hell?" Axel looked around the room again and saw nothing but the normal items in their rightful places. "I've got to be going crazy..."

"While I would beg to differ with Zexion, you're not a crazed fool. A fool maybe, but not crazed."

Slowly Axel looked down at the small bulge in his cloak where the Lexicon was squished. There is no way... He pulled it out and sat down with a thump. "You've got the be kidding me." Axel mumbled to himself. "Of course Zexion would own a fucking, talking book."

"Excuse me," Axel heard the Lexicon speak again. "But I kindly ask you not to refer to me as a 'fucking book'."

"That's what you are isn't it?"

"I have a name, and it would honor me if you would use it."

"You have a name? Oh Kami..." Axel groaned as he looked at the leather cover. "You can't be serious."

"Yes, quite serious."

Silence followed as Axel held the book in his hands; the sounds of the lab pulsing in the background. "Um..." Axel turned the Lexicon over in his gloved hands, tracing the metal ridges carefully. "So... If you can talk, why haven't I heard you before?"

"Only those who have held me can hear my power. Speaking of which, please stop caressing me... it tickles..."

Axel immediately dropped the book in his lap again. Now that's just creepy as hell... He thought to himself. Although he was starting to remember that Zexion sometimes touched his Lexicon in the same way. Axel groaned and rubbed his temple. "Okay, then. Now that it's established that you speak, I'm going to take a wild guess that you know every little detail that Zexion has written in you."

"Precisely," Retribution answered. "Although it is impolite to delve into someone else's private thoughts."

"Yeah, well it's not like he's going to know." Axel had reopened the book and had started turning pages again. His hand froze. "You won't tell him will you?" There was a certain amount of fear in the pyro's voice now.

The Lexicon paused as if in thought. "I don't think I will..." Axel sighed and relaxed into the wall.

"So what does Zexion write about anyways?" The page turning resumed.

"Everything." Axel raised a doubtful eyebrow. "Well everything he encounters that is."

"So there's stuff on me then."

Retribution sighed. "Turn to page 346."

Axel flipped through to the designated page and read:

Number Eight seems to have this idea implanted in his head that everything is much better when it burns. I swear he hasn't changed since I knew him as Lea. Although I only met him briefly at such a young and naive age, my memory has not faltered since that time. If only he didn't smell like cinnamon and roasted wood. It's so distinct I can tell when he comes back to the castle, even in the middle of the night. At least Number Seven's room separates our space between and it is not as over powering. Although I hope he stays away from my books. Some of them were difficult to find.

Axel blinked at the paragraph dated not long after he had joined the Organization. "He hates the way I smell?"

"Um..."

"Wait... Do I really smell like burning wood and spice?!" Axel had ignored the uncertain tone of the Lexicon and received a exasperated sigh as an answer. "How does he get that scent when my shampoo smells like apples..." He was so absorbed in his own thoughts he did not hear Retribution chuckled lightly.

"You're not even surprised that he associates others by scent?" The Lexicon finally asked.

Axel snorted. "Not really, I always knew there was something weird about him. And I don't understand why he thinks I'm going to burn down the library just because I have a love of fire." His mouth twitched downward into a scowl.

"Turn to page 378." Retribution sighed again.

I had the strangest encounter today. Number Eight nearly ran me over walking out of the library when I went to exchange books. Even odder is when I saw the thick volume of a collection of Greek works under his arm. Perhaps I was wrong in deciding that Number Eight was possibly illiterate. Although I did still half expect the shelves to be piled with ash when I entered. At least now my concerns of loosing research and pass time material has been negated. Maybe I should study this behavior more.

"So that's why I kept finding him following me around for about a week." Axel scratched the back of his head, causing his spiky red hair to move around slightly. "What's wrong with a guy wanting to read a little. Hell, there's not much else to do around here. And it's not like everyone else uses the library. Maybe I just like reading too!"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean he has much in common with any of the rest of you."

"Hmm..." Axel thought out loud. "I guess you're right, Retribution. I wonder why he hasn't tried to make friends with anyone yet. Hell it's been nearly a year." The Lexicon remained silent. Axel shrugged and continued to read the diary entries.

An hour later Axle was still immersed in the private world of Zexion. He had learned more about the mysterious schemer than he had over the year of being a Nobody. Turned out that Zexion started to not notice Axel's unique smell as other members joined. It was odd to find out that darkness has a scent as well. He never thought of it that way. But it did tell him how he was never able to sneak up on the younger man. While he was polite enough, the annoyance was obvious on the inked pages telling the Organization's life at the Castle. And he was also glad to find out that Marluxia's flowery scent was more annoying then his own.

Axel has chummed up to Number thirteen quickly. I'm not sure if it is because he feels obligated that no one else will bother with the half aware kid or if he's just into younger people... But he does keep the keyblader out later than normal. I guess it's not so bad since I can spend more time in the common area without having to be overwhelmed by his scent. I still can't overcome that weird mix with his hair products and natural smell. And I'm also glad Xemnas stopped sending me to Christmas Town. It's way too cold and the shops sometimes have candied apples...

Some of the entries were cryptic and Zexion's use of trailing off bewildered Axel. Also, certain members he stopped referring to in numbers even if he was still formal to their faces. "Uhg!" Axel groaned. "Why does my smell bother him so much?! Hell, he should just wear nose plugs or a clip if everyone's scent gets annoying!" The Lexicon still ignored Axel's outburst and let the pyro read to his hearts content.

I know I said months ago that I'm happy to see other members engaging in the art of reading... but now I can't find the last volume to the Harry Potter series! It was there just the other day. And I was looking forward to finally getting to finish it. Oh well, maybe it will be there tomorrow.

Axel froze. "Um, Retribution?"

"Yes?" The Lexicon finally spoke up to answer at his name.

"You can't write things as Zexion thinks them can you?"

"What?" Retribution sounded confused. "Oh, of course not. He wrote that early this morning." He referenced to the last entry. Axel sighed in relief. The sound of the door high above swinging open startled them both. Voices traveled down as Vexen squealed in a high-pitched tone.

"Ah hell..." Axel set the Lexicon on the desk. "Um... You really won't tell Zexion I took you and read you?"

"Hmm, what? Don't worry, I won't."

Axel opened a portal and prepared to step through it. He turned to look over at the book on Vexen's desk. "Um... I don't suppose you will mind if I read you every now and then will you?"

"By all means!" The voice was strangely cheerful. "Although I would suggest that you find a better way of doing so. It's a good thing he didn't actually need me today."

Axel eyed the Lexicon carefully. He nodded and disappeared into nothingness.

"I swear, Zexion. I wouldn't take your weapon!" Vexen yelled as the Schemer followed him down the stairs.

"I would hope so, Number Four."

"Geeze, why do you have to always be so formal when you're pissed?" The light clicked on and Vexen's mouth dropped when the illumination cast over the leather and metal on his desk.

Zexion walked over to his Lexicon and picked it up. It had an odd smell that was slightly sweet. He narrowed his eyes. The lab had no other smell like it today. "How did you get down here?" Zexion whispered to Retribution close to his lips.

"Oh, I decided to look around the castle today." Came a cheerful answer, a bit too happily then any normal response. Zexion looked over at a shocked and slightly afraid look on Vexen's face.

"So he didn't bring you down here to experiment on you?"

"Nope," Zexion sighed. He never knew Retribution to lie to him and judging by the genuine frightened look on Vexen's face it was obvious he was not the culprit.

"You're lucky that today I believe you, Number four." Zexion clutched the excited Lexicon to his chest and moved back towards the stairs. One aqua colored eye narrowed suspiciously at the fellow scientist. "Just remember that you might not be so fortunate next time." He exited the lab leaving a whimpering Vexen in his wake. Retribution was back in his quiet stage buzzing nonsense to himself. Zexion inhaled a deep breath and twitched his nose. Damn it. Either he's as lazy as a sloth or is skipping out on missions again. Why can't I come back to the castle without smelling him..?

AN: Um, so I didn't mean to put so much into the smell thing. It just kind of happened. Although Zexion does reference the way each person has their own unique scent. Cinnamon just so happens to be one of my personal fav smells. Only problem is, my husband hates it so I never get to have that smell in my house. I wonder if Zexion is the same way? Hmm... :D