Letting it Go to Your Head

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own KH or any related material

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Yuki walked the halls of the luxury condominium coming to a halt before Axel's door and knocked shyly.

"Who's asking?"

"Ara… Yuki-desu."

The door opened to reveal a smirking Axel. "You know you don't really need to knock, right?"

Yuki smiled back brightly having to bend her neck back just to meet Axel's gaze. Yuki was the shortest of the group and by far the most adorable. She was always polite and didn't care about the limelight. As long as she could play her music she was happy. She and Axel had a close relationship similar to that of siblings.

Yuki knew how to speak English, but insisted on throwing in her occasional Japanese phrases just for kicks.

"Ohayo Axel-san, Ogenkidesuka?"

"I've already told you I don't understand your gibberish. I didn't catch any of that."

"Good morning, how are you?"

Axel turned and walked back into the room stretching his arms over his head. "I'm fine I suppose. Just reminiscing about the good times when we were still a team."

Yuki tilter her head curiously apparently oblivious to what Axel was talking about. Axel quirked a brow, "You really haven't noticed?"

Yuki shook her head quickly touching the ends of her index fingers together sheepishly.
"I'm not good at noticing things that aren't told to me directly…"

Axel smiled gently. "That's the Yuki I know. Well, the group is starting to get more difficult to contend with. Drew is really doing all he can to get as much attention as he can and goes into a fit when he doesn't. Elam is ignoring me and Bree had been complaining about the camera's focus on me."

Yuki stood before Axel looking adorable. She had her hair long enough to brush her back. It was straight and silky with colorful berets snapped onto some hair coming down the right side of her face. She wore an orange hoody/cap, a shirt with one long white sleeve and on the other side was a spaghetti strap with colorful floral designs decorating the body, a white-pink skirt with yellow polka dots only on one side plus one orange legging striped with green and a purple stalking decorated with blue polka dots. She wore a black and pink striped tie and red converse that reached up over her ankles. It was amazing how she would wear the craziest things and still look fabulous.

"Maybe you should talk to them." She suggested innocently.

Axel scoffed. "Yeah right, what for? They're the ones who should be talking to me."

Yuki gave a small frown and took a few steps towards Axel with her head low. He knew this wasn't going to end pacifically. Her head came up and her eyes were glowing madly. She leapt and next thing Axel knew she was on his back pulling at the corners of his mouth as he fought to keep his balance.

"You need to talk to them Axel! Swallow you pride!"

The vocalist finally lost his balance and went crashing forward to the carpeted floor and skidded a couple inches before coming to a stop. His eyes were little spirals as he groaned. Yuki sat a top him looking like a little child in comparison. She was smiling with feline contentment.

"Okay, you win."

Yuki jumped up and struck a victory pose. "Yuki one-hundred, Axel zero!"

Axel pushed himself up from the ground and sucked in air through his teeth when he realized he had rub burn on his chin. "Friggin' A Yuki, be more careful next time!"

Yuki's eyes widened and watered as she picked up her hands and balled them just under her chin to look ridiculously adorable, "Gomen ne Axel…"

"Not the big eyes…"

Yuki stared him down with a tear ready to fall from her large black eyes.

"Okay, okay, sorry I yelled. I'm fine…"

And then her demeanor flipped and she was the happy little girl again bouncing around singing some kind of childhood rhyme in Japanese. Axel rolled his eyes and sighed. He was too much of a push over.

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Roxas tapped on Drew's door gently.

"Come in, the Drewster is available for anything."

Roxas opened the door and stepped inside.

"Can I get you anything?" He asked with a slight bow.

Drew quirked a brow which disappeared under his curly mop of hair and smiled. "You're way too polite dude, chill out and be happy."

Roxas merely nodded and repeated the earlier question. "Geez, just like an android or something; well, I guess I could use some advice."

What was it with people asking him opinions today? Usually it was just "Get me a drink", "Get me the manager", "I need a driver".

But Rixas complied and stood in the doorway awaiting Drew's next words. The boy had been on his computer browsing so he swiveled the chair in Roxas's direction holding onto the edge of the seat between his legs.

"I don't know what to do… I seriously feel like the band isn't about us anymore. It's all about Axel. I'm thinking of quitting and goin' solo, but…" He paused looking down, "I mean, I'd miss everybody, but it's not fair that Axel gets all the fame! Just because he's the vocalist and the lyricist! What about the rest of us? I've helped Axel write a few of his songs, and I play some pretty mean guitar. And I'm not the only one; the others are in the same boat. It's like America doesn't recognize the concept of team work and equal praise…"

Roxas stood and watched Drew's mind jump from one idea to the next obviously confused about what he might do next.

"I think you should work through it."

Drew looked up with wide eyes surprised by Roxas's sudden interjection.

"If you give up now, you'll just be doing what every other band has done…Fame isn't everything, and if you want to be recognized equally then fight for it."

Drew saw the burning determination in Roxas's eyes and had to do a double-take. He let his head fall and then came up with a small grin on his face.

"You're right… You're completely right. I shouldn't be so selfish. I've been turning Elam and Bree against Axel too. It's not anyone's fault, it's a matter of "working through it", like you say."

"Glad I could help. Is that all you'll be needing?"

Drew shook his head. "Nah, you should take the day off and have some fun. Believe me, today is a nothing day. Do what you want," He paused, "And thanks a lot."

Roxas was about to give another bow when Drew interrupted him loudly. "No! No more bowing, you're making me dizzy with how much you bow."

Roxas's eyes widened and he couldn't help but smile slightly. "Well, I guess the day off couldn't hurt."

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Axel was in the kitchen with Yuki cooking up some spaghetti when Roxas came in. He barely looked himself without the tux on. He was wearing simple jeans and a beige T-shirt with an owl printed on the chest.

"Drew suggested I take the day off…" He said quietly.

Axel plopped his elbow down on the counter top resting his chin on his wrist with one brow quirked. "How come you listen to him when he tells you to relax and not me?"

"My apologies."

"Oh God…" Axel breathed slapping a hand to his forehead. "Chill out!"

Roxas's eyes met the ground and didn't come back up.

"Roxas!" Yuki called out, "would you like some spaghetti?"

"Wait, I should be making that…"

Yuki's eyes glowed. "I said would you like some spaghetti?"

Roxas took a step backwards holding his hands up in defense. "Sure, of course."

Then Yuki was back to being cute. "Alright! Well, sit down and it'll be ready soon!"

Axel sweat dropped. "You know Yuki, you're really scary when you want to be."

Yuki just smiled and hummed in response.

"Well, you heard the lady, take a seat," Axel said offering any of the empty seats at the table.

The blond obliged as last and sat down without another word until lunch was ready to be served.

"You know what you need?" Axel questioned, "You need some fun. I've decided then. I'm taking you out today. I mean, we're about a two hour's drive from Disney Land. Let's go there with the group."

Roxas's face turned beat red. "Oh, I shouldn't… I have things to finish up around here, and then I could…"

Roxas stopped dead when he saw both Yuki and Axel smiling at him in the same way.

"I don't have a choice in this, do I?"

"Nope!" The two chirped together.

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Three hours later the group was at Disney Land and since it was mid-school year they didn't have long to wait in line to go anywhere they wanted. They got the all-day pass that allowed them to go on every ride. Roxas was dragged along treated like he was one of the group.

He was surprised to find out how friendly "Flaming Paradox" really was. They were all fun to be around, and he became aware of Bree and Elam's relationship. They were definitely a couple. Roxas felt himself blush every time he'd see them steal a kiss from the other or hold hands and was compelled to look away.

Aside from that, the place was amazing fun. The boy had never been to Disney Land before and the rides were just as they appeared on TV. There were people dressed up as important Disney Channel characters such as Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire and of course the classic stand by characters from old Disney movies. Roxas found himself forced to take a picture with a young woman dressed as Jasmine from Aladdin and all he could do was stare at the ground blushing madly as the girl hugged him around the shoulders from behind for the picture. The gang broke up in guffaws at the look on the blonde's face.

The day went quickly and after roller coasters, haunted mansions, boat rides and what ever else it was time to settle down for the Fireworks. On the river bank everyone took a seat together. Drew sat to the very right of everyone with Axel next to him and Roxas next to Axel, then Yuki, Bree and Elam. There was an announcement with loud majestic music and the fireworks began. The different colors flashed before the group's eyes reflecting their magnificence.

Roxas stole a glance to his right finding himself mesmerized by the red head next to him. He looked away with a frown and let his head fall onto his bent knees and hugged himself. The fireworks kept booming above and he watched them with true longing.

Once the show ended the group headed back to the condominium. By the time they arrived it was midnight. They were all in a good mood, but too tired to stay up. Bree and Elam headed to their shared room; Yuki bid everyone a warm good night and disappeared into her bedroom while Drew called out a good night to the whole house before closing his door. Only Axel and Roxas remained.

Roxas scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Today… it was unnecessary."

Axel frowned. "Oh come on, you needed to get out. Besides it did us all a lot of good. I think Drew and I are on better terms now. Bree and Elam seem to have forgiven me too. We'll probably be bringing the issue up with the camera director tomorrow to make changes to the shots in our videos."

Roxas nodded. "Well, good night." He said just barely stopping himself from bowing. But he didn't move to leave.

"Good night then." But Axel didn't move either.

There was an awkward silence and only the slight tapping of a tree branch on the kitchen window was heard in the silent kitchen.

"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow." Axel finally said and gave Roxas a wide grin before turning away.

"See you tomorrow."