Chapter 2 - Sizzle, Pop, Sour!
Larxene's high-pitched laughter bounced between tall verdant hedges as she and Axel materialized into the Wonderland maze. Most of the Organization couldn't stand her laugh, but Axel was one of two who didn't mind it. Her laugh meant that she had something up her sleeve, and that always proved to be interesting.
"Someone's in a good mood," he remarked. "Give me a few minutes to catch up with ya."
"What, did sourpuss Saix make you think you have feelings?" Larxene teased. Noticing Axel's eyes dart away uncomfortably, she realized that she had struck a nerve. Instead of pressing into the pain as she normally did, she found herself strangely compelled to empathize with the sorry-looking guy.
She leaned against an ivory trellis dressed in scarlet climbing roses and sighed. "Saix can be such a bully. He lets his position as Xemnas' right-hand-Nobody go to his head! " She produced her throwing knives out of thin air and balanced them between her fingers absently. "The other day he got up in my business for destroying a town landmark. Excuse me, I'm one of your most efficient fighters. You get your numbers, I get to play by my rules. Xemnas doesn't give a damn, so why should he?" she pouted.
"He's driven. Always has been," Axel explained, a far-off look in his eyes. His next words came out as barely a whisper, "Just didn't expect it would drive us apart." The red-headed looked more dejected than before.
"Since when have you been type to let drama slow you down?" Larxene poked his chest. "Let's get on with the mission. You'll 'feel' better after you bash in some Heartless skulls." She resumed down the path.
Axel smirked. "You have a way with words, Larx." He found his stride next to her and produced his chakrams. "Alright; let's set this maze on fire!"
Larxene laughed and faced him. "There's that spark! Now use that-" she tapped the side of his temple playfully "-to try to keep up with me. Got it memorized?" She winked, then ran ahead of him and rounded a corner. Axel gave pursuit, a huge grin on his face. He would never admit it, but this reckless woman almost made him feel alive.