Chapter Twenty Nine: Kenji's Worst Day Ever

Kenji got comfortable in a seat facing the back door of the van. He noticed that the place was set up more like a lounge than for transportation. The back double doors of the van opened up to where they sat now. The three couches, possibly nailed to the floor or something, were pressed up against the two walls and the front seats where another man had floored the acceleration pedal to get them away from the scene. A nice rug of some sort was in the middle and various 'limo necessities' were here and there such as a cooler, cigarette dish, and what appeared to be a mini bar in the corner.

The man that had let them in opened the cooler. "Refreshments anyone? Dr. Pepper maybe, Koji?"

Koji, with a spark in his eyes, leaned forward to take the offer when Kenji coughed a few words into his hand. "Poison, Axel, remember?"

Koji quickly withdrew back into the safety of his seat and Takashi laughed. "Oh please, I'm here to help. I wouldn't go doing stuff like your organization did. What was your name? Shadow was it?"

"It's Kenji." He growled back, anger boiling inside. He didn't like how this guy came parading into their lives out of nowhere and now knew of these things about them.

"Ah, so you've abandoned your status as a Celestial Trainer then?" He asked, sipping a drink of his own. "How sad, I have to admit, you got one of the better name choices. I would've kept it. It seemed fitting for a Tamer like you."

"And you'd know what a Tamer like me would be like?" Kenji asked, his voice layered with a dark tone.

He nodded. "Yes, you see, you guys intrigue me. Well, mainly you Shadow. Koji had only caught my interest lately because of his little Remnant Dust accident a while ago but you..." He let his voice drift, as if caught in a dream. Then he shook himself out of it. "Well, let's just say rules were never your concern, even Tamer rules for that matter."

Finally, a spark of interest settled Kenji down. Someone interested in him? It was always Koji, Koji, Koji. The CT, His dad, Abyss/Zeek, heck, even he could see Tara's growing 'feelings' for Koji. Why would dull Kenji be involved? Maybe they could stay for a while... you know, just to hear the dude out.

Takashi smiled. "So, I'm sure you have many questions and I'm sure you want me to answer them all. Who's first?"

Kenji, deciding to get straight to the point, blurted, "Uh, yeah. Where are we going?"

Takashi laughed. "Why to my lab. I live there anyways and it's a short drive from here. You can meet my nephew there. He's a Tamer too."

"Why was a Nightmare here?" He asked again, not giving time for Koji to ask anything.

"Because, Dark is alive and is searching for something here. He's using Nightmares to help him and other beings of the Between Realm are sure to follow. He's Remnantless, for when Koji threw him into that reality rip it tore them apart. Xemnas is with me at home. Anything else?"

"Did you write that book?" Axel asked.

The scientist looked surprised, as if he was expecting their Remnants to be will broken like many others were before. Then he calmly answered. "Yes, I did. I also sent those coats for you. I had something else to send you but you all left and got on the plane. I assume the others got them though."

"For us?" Demyx asked, the sound of gifts bringing him out from his hiding place. Kenji could feel Demyx shake on his shoulder, still frightened from Kenji's 'reckless seat belt behavior.'

"No, for the Tamers." He reached behind the seat and pulled out a box and opened it. In it lay something that made Kenji's skin crawl like a million ants had gotten inside him.

"Shots?" Asked Koji.

Kenji scowled at how his brother could be so calm about it. "Stinkin needles Koji. Needles."

"Yes, needles." The scientist nodded thoughtfully. "I thought you guys might be getting sick and tired of you're Remnant's DNA sneaking into yours. I did state in the book that whether you replicated their weapons or not, DNA will get into you over time."

"Yeah, well... The DNA never had affected me in the first place." Kenji snorted, turning his nose away like it was spinach pie. "I've copied Demyx's sitar many times and not a drop of him inside me."

"But what about Koji? I'm sure he is sick and tired of you calling him... oh what was that name... Roxel?"

At the mention of that name, Koji sunk into his seat and covered his face. Kenji suppressed a laugh. He didn't need to tell him twice.

"So you can leave me out and give him the shots right?"

"Nope." Takashi grinned evilly. "I have to give you the right dosage too I'm afraid. Just to make sure and all."

"Oooooh..." Axel cheered. "Him first!"

"Wha--? No. No! I don't need it!" Kenji scooted away.

Takashi pulled out one of the needles, the orange liquid sloshing around inside. "I agree, it seems more fun eh? Shadow?"

"No it does NOT! And don't call me Shadow!" He yelled, putting as much space between him and the evil scientist.

"Koji?"

"With pleasure!" His brother immediately got up and pinned him to the floor. Kenji squirmed out but then was trapped by another pair of arms. He looked up to see a face he never thought would be against him.

"Demyx! You TRAITOR!!" He spat. Fear clutched him, he couldn't move, try as he might. His feet were perfectly pinned down by Koji, and Demyx had a tight hold on his wrists he never thought the little wimp could pull off. He squirmed around, trying to find a weak point in their trap but there was none.

He paused as he felt a hand run up his arm gently, making all of his hairs stand on end.

"I never thought I'd ever see a human albino in my life, let alone one that was as gothic and punk as you..."

"Stop trying to make friendly conversation Dr. Frankenstein." He snapped.

Takashi shrugged. "I just find you intriguing that's all. All the way down to your last strand of DNA." He positioned the needle. "Now this will be over in a few seconds. It won't hurt... much."

"WHAT!?"

"Just stay still and it will go by faster." He mumbled. He jabbed the needle in and slowly injected the substance into his body.

Kenji yelled out in pain and shock as he felt the stuff ooze into him. The stuff burned like and acid, eating away anything in it's path that was alive. He tried to jerk away but they wouldn't let him get away from the monster that was trying to kill him. Instead, he shut his eyes tight, trying to ignore the burning pain that was slowly consuming his whole body. Finally he felt the needle leave his skin and he rolled over, trying to block out everything.

Then, through the pain he felt that someone was shaking him. He opened his eyes and saw through the dots forming in his vision that Takashi was helping him sit up.

"It doesn't hurt if your body is relaxed... I forgot to tell you."

Kenji held back the overwhelming urge to suddenly sock the guy in the face.

Takashi smiled. "At least your cuts are gone."

Kenji looked down at himself. He wasn't lying. Blood still covered him, but the cuts and scrapes that had covered his body had disappeared. Not counting the lingering burning of the terrible liquid, there was no more sores either. He could probably expect no bruises...

"I'd sell it as world cure for everything from cancer to broken limbs," He sighed, "But sadly it's toxic to everyone but Tamers..."

"Oh, that makes me feel so much better..." Kenji growled.

"Koji? Do you mind now?" The scientist asked.

"Not at all!" Koji chirped cheerfully. Then Dr. Hurts-A-lot jabbed another needle into Koji and behold, no pain.

"Oh, so he's got the lucky break."

Demyx sighed, and helped Kenji to his seat. "Oh Kenji, you wouldn't have stayed calm anyways..."

"So when does it kick in?" Asked Koji.

Takashi pushed his glasses up his nose. "Well, it starts immediately. Being that we are here I'd say by the time we get inside of my house you'll be back to normal."

Apparently Takashi had mind reading abilities or and internal radar because the van stopped then and there. The driver turned around in his seat. "We're here."

"Oh, spiffy." Kenji groaned, looking out the front window. "You live in a warehouse type of thing?"

"It's my lab and I live in my lab." He answered calmly. "It's got a nice lounge, bathroom, some beds and kitchen area.

"Spiffy." He repeated.

They climbed out and he looked over where he was likely to be staying the next couple nights. "Second and third floor?"

"The second is where I live and the third is the lab. First floor is mainly storage."

Kenji let out a snort. "And that's efficient how?"

When no one answered he looked back at Takashi, who was leaning over and whispering into Koji's ear. Koji's eyes were big with shock at first, but then they gained a mischievous glint.

"You done?"

"Yes, we are. Thank you for waiting Shadow."

"It's KENJI!!"

Takashi laughed. "But I like Shadow so much more. It suits you." He walked to the front door and opened it up wide. "So let's get you guys all situated in here. I think, Koji wants to clean up before getting to know my family?"

Koji nodded vigorously. Then he snapped his fingers and Axel and Roxas were standing beside him, Axel trying to contain laughter and Roxas looking quite suspicious himself.

"What?" He asked. "I just wanna chill. If you want to clean up, be my guest."

Demyx stood by Koji, looking as if he was Kenji about to pull a prank.

"Oh, the pool is in the second room, first floor. It's already warm for bathing if you feel like it..."

Kenji nodded. "See? Doesn't that sound good? I'll be upstairs lounging in the lounge thank you."

He turned to leave but a hand grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.

Takashi waved a hand. "If you need me, Koji, I'll be upstairs." He laughed evilly and walked away.

"Hey! Let go Koji!" He growled and tried to pull away but then Axel grabbed him.

"Come, let's go Kenji." Koji laughed. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this."

Kenji tore himself loose again, only to have all four of them grab him. "Do what!?" He asked, worry leaking into his voice. "What!?"

"Let's take a bath." Demyx laughed. Truth be told, Demyx had no evil laugh but to Kenji, it still put shivers through him.

"I don't wanna!" He yelled, trying to break free. "I just want to relax!"

They dragged him through the warehouse and into the second room where, like Takashi said, was a big pool. Steam rose from it making Kenji think of it more as a giant bath tub more than a pool.

"Wait! No! Give me a few minutes or something! I don't want to go!"

They tugged and dragged him anyways. Then they heaved him up and chucked him in. Kenji let out a shrill scream of terror before he hit the water. Then it was quiet as the water filled his ears. Kicking his legs in what he guessed was ten foot deep water, he swam up to the surface as gasped for air. Immediately he was grabbed and jerked back to the side of the pool where he was pinned.

"Hold still!" Demyx's voice giggled from somewhere else. Sounds of the debate on his doom were heard behind him.

"Oh, lavender smells nicely..."

"Should we do conditioner?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Clove! I vote clove!"

"Oh sweet! Clove it is!"

"What about this?"

Kenji wondered if his brother and his Remnants had suddenly gone girlish on him. He jerked his shoulders away from the wall, in hopes he would escape this unspeakable doom. It's not like he couldn't take a bath on his own! He could only let out a partial scream as he was pushed underwater. He nearly choked on the water as it filled his mouth but he was then yanked back up, sputtering.

Then he felt someone's hands dig into his hair and he squirmed in discomfort. "What are you doing to me!? For the love of all the realms I am sixteen!! I think I can take a bath by myself!!"

He only got giggles by the people he thought he knew behind him.

"We're cleaning you!" Koji's voice laughed.

"I can bloody see that!" He growled. "Oh no. Pink!? Pink bubbles, are you kidding me!?"

Kenji reached up to grab the hands of his tormentor but someone else grabbed them and held him still.

"Make sure to scrub now Koji." Roxas's voice informed.

"I will, I will." Koji answered.

Kenji writhed as he felt Koji's fingers dig into his scalp. "Hey! Stop! That hurts!!" Koji answered by digging in harder. "No! Leave me alone will you! What has gotten into you! Koji, as your older brother I demand you lay OFF!!"

"No can do! Sorry to say but this is for you're own good!"

Then, another shove sent him under water. He tried to resurface but they held him under as they scrubbed away the shampoo.

He couldn't get loose and just as he thought he was going to faint from the lack of oxygen the pulled him back up.

With his hands held tight he could not rub the stinging soap from his eyes. He kept them squeezed shut as Koji put what he assumed was conditioner now onto his head. Some one else went to scrubbing his face.

"What are you doing now?" He spurted from behind the wet cloth.

"Cleaning!" Came Demyx's sing song voice. "You got lots of blood all over your face! Good thing that gash is gone now!"

Kenji felt helpless there. He wouldn't dare bite the hand of his Remnant.

It wasn't long before he was once again shoved under water and once again they held him till he thought he was going to die.

Then they pulled him out of the pool, sputtering and coughing up soapy water.

"Oh snap." Roxas laughed. "We left his clothes on."

"Oh let's fix that!" Axel's voice cheered.

"WHAT!?" Kenji screamed.

Before he could do anything for himself they all pounced on him like starving tigers to their prey. The tore of his shirt, pants, peeled off his chain necklace and to his horror, his boxer shorts.

Kenji let out a squeal of embarrassment and terror as Axel held them up. "Boxers or briefs? Oh, I'd have to say boxers here! So cute dear Kenji! Little skulls?"

"I will kill you next time I get the chance!!" Kenji snarled but was silenced in his rage when a dry towel was thrown to him. He desperately wrapped himself up, all dignity and pride now left behind in the swirling, bubbly water.

They held his clothes up. He was disappointed to find that the crash had left his favorite shirt torn. It'll take him forever to get another one like that...

Koji sighed. "You were in such a mess. Takashi's got some clothes for you in that room over there. Go change and meet us upstairs 'kay?"

Kenji could only mumble a sad sound as he made his way to the room. He closed the door behind him and locked it just in case they came in after him for another freak reason.

The room was okay. A small bench and a wall that acted like a mirror. He kept his head down sadly as he gathered up the clothes Takashi had set for him.

He turned his nose up in disgust at them. For starts, there was a white T-shirt with a blue dragon weaving in and out on the front. There was also a white zip up jacket, the pocket opening lined with a grayish, light blue as well as the hood and the same colored of line went down each side. There were white sweats that had the same blue line running down each side to match the jacket. Kenji didn't even want to glance at the tennis shoes that were of the same colors.

Reluctantly he put all his clothes on. He felt out of his element and while tying his shoes he came up with many plans to get Koji, to get all of them,back. Deciding on a plan that wouldn't kill them he stood up straight and inspected himself in the mirror.

A jolt of fear passed through him as he begged for it to be a dream. It couldn't be! No way possible!!

Kenji let out a scream of terror that he was sure, everyone in the world would hear... and everyone should hear.

Koji was going to pay for this in blood.