That evening when they got home, Takashi-San and Hikari-San helped set up the twins new bedroom. Koichi wasn't feeling very sociable right then though. He couldn't stop thinking about his twin. Hikari-San noticed his mood, "hey, thinking about Koji?" she asked. The Dark twin jumped, "how did you?-" he cut himself off. The woman smiled sadly, "because, if it was my big brother, I wouldn't be able to stop worrying about him either" she replied softly. Koichi clenched his fists, "I don't know what to do- I'm so, scared. If anything ever happened to him-" the boy clutched his head with both hands, "I can feel it you know. Evil. It's always after me. Always trying to corrupt me again" he paused.

"As long as Koji stayed by my side, I knew that it wouldn't be able to get me. But now, without him with me-" Koichi began shivering, his breathing erratic, "I'm terrified that I'll turn back into that monster!" the boy began sobbing, gasping for breath, "I can't! I can't do it on my own! I can't fight evil by myself! I need my brother, he's the only who can keep my Spirit's pure". The Warrior of Darkness continued to cry, his terror rolling off him in waves. Hikari-San reached over and pulled him into a hug, "I hate how much of a coward I am! I can't stand being so afraid all the time without my brother! I can't!" Kari said nothing, just began stroking the boys hair soothingly.

That night Koichi lay in bed, unable to fall asleep. He never thought that his first night in this house would be spent without Koji. He tossed and turned, trying to get to sleep, but without any luck. The Kimura sighed, "of all times for me to be unable to sleep, it has to be during the big important mission, doesn't it?" he said to himself. The boy allowed his mind to wander. 'I hope Koji's alright in the hospital, even if he is unconscious' he thought. 'I have to get some sleep, Takashi-San said we could go visit my brother tomorrow, and I don't want to be exhausted when we do'. Eventually Koichi managed to fall asleep. But it was the furthest thing from a restful sleep you could get.

(Koichi's nightmare) Koichi opened his eyes and found himself on a beach. Except this one was different. Everything was either black or grey. "What is this place?" he murmured, looking around. He knew that there was something wrong here. He could feel the darkness surrounding him, and it was the evil kind. Koichi shivered and began searching for a way out. As he walked, the boy felt an evil presence behind him. He quickly turned around. But he was alone in the strange place. He began walking again, looking around for anything familiar. After a few minutes, Koichi again felt evil wash over him, and he turned to look behind himself. Again there was nothing. The Dark twin shivered again and rubbed his arms to warm himself up. Koichi continued walking along the beach. Slowly a shadow engulfed his form. Upon seeing this, the boy panicked and began running. But the shadow kept up with him.

Eventually Koichi had to stop to catch his breath. He felt his pocket. The black-haired boy's eyes widened. He didn't have his D-Tector! The evil again came up behind him. Terror welled up inside him, and the boy whirled around, "who's there?! Show yourself already!" he demanded. But there was nothing. Koichi began shivering desperately as the air became colder and colder. He whimpered, "Koji, where are you?" he gasped. It was now so cold that it hurt to breathe. Koichi clenched his eyes shut, "It's not real, it's just a nightmare, it's NOT REAL!" he cried. Suddenly something hard and sharp pierced his back right between the shoulder blades. His eyes widened and he screamed. Oh god it burned! It felt like acid was being poured into his body from where he had been stabbed. Tears streamed from his eyes as he screamed in utter agony. "KOJI! HELP ME!" he cried, unable to move an inch as the agony moved through him. Koichi screamed at the top of his lungs. He couldn't take it anymore! (End nightmare) The boy bolted up in bed, screaming. As he become more aware of himself, he slammed his teeth together and stumbled out of bed, half delirious with pain.

Managing to make it downstairs, Koichi nearly crashed into the bathroom. Frantically he tore at his pyjama top, managing to pull it off without ripping it by some miracle. When he finally had his top off, he inspected his back in the mirror. But what he saw didn't reassure his one bit. In fact he had to work even harder to keep from screaming in horror while his face became pale as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Right between his shoulder blades was a set of four deep puncture wounds. In the exact same place he was stabbed in his nightmare. The boy almost fell to the ground right then and there. Whatever evil was after Kai had contacted him specifically and was very real. He shuddered in terror. Things had just gone from bad to worse. He didn't know whether this was a warning, an attack or a promise, but whatever it was it was not good.

After bandaging his back, Koichi returned back to his room, but was in too much pain to lay on his back. He tried and within five seconds of his back touching the futon, he had to swallow a scream. Eventually he had to lay on his chest so as not to irritate his new wounds. However, after that most likely 'psychic nightmare' sleep was impossible. His back was in so such pain, he had to force himself to keep silent. Screwing his mouth and eyes shut, Koichi writhed on his bed, the burning feeling engulfing his body. Tears streamed from his eyes as he gasped. The pain wouldn't stop. In fact as well as spreading, it seemed to be getting worse. 'Koji, Kaa-San, please, it hurts!' he thought desperately. Eventually after hours of silent suffering, Koichi fell unconscious.

The next morning the Warrior of Darkness was woken with a scream. His back was in agony. Stifling his cries, the boy remembered what had happened the night before. Quickly hurrying to the bathroom, making sure to keep his eye out for anyone, Koichi entered and locked the door with a set of his new clothes in hand. Deciding to have a cold shower, Koichi was relieved to find that cold water relieved the pain of his strange injury. After he'd finished and dried himself, being as gentle as possible with his back, the black-haired boy re-bandaged his wounds and got dressed. As he left the bathroom, he concentrated on keeping from showing how much pain he was still in. As he was so focused, he didn't notice Kai walking up towards him.

The two bumped into each other, and their eyes met for an instant. And Koichi instantly recognised the same look of repressed agony in the other boy's eyes. "Kai-" he said without thinking. The blond looked away and began to move around him, but the older boy grabbed his arm and pulled him up the stairs into his and Koji's bedroom. As he closed the door and shoved a sheet into the crack at the bottom, Kai stared at him, subtly shaking. Satisfied, Koichi turned to face his Kohai, "did you have a dream last night where you were walking on a beach and something stabbed you in the back?" he asked seriously. Kai's eyes widened, and the black-haired boy noticed how pale he was, not to mention his trembling form. The blond clenched his fists, "it hurts so much Koichi-Senpai, I-I don't know what to do" he stuttered, tears beginning to well up in the boy's eyes. "Let me see" Koichi ordered. The Takashi did as told and pulled his shirt up. As he turned around, the Warrior of Darkness narrowed his eyes at the four puncture holes in the younger boys back. Drawing in a shuddering breath, Kai turned back to the black-haired boy.

Koichi closed his eyes, and pulled up his own shirt and showed the other boy his back. Kai gasped, "what does it mean Senpai?" he asked, obviously terrified. Suddenly the Kimura felt his own fears fade. He was still scared, but in the face of this boy, who was younger than him and obviously terrified, he knew that he had to be the strong one. "I don't know, but whatever is after us, we'll stop it together Kai, okay?" Koichi asked. Kai stared at his determined face for a moment, before nodding, "yes Koichi-Senpai".

To Be Continued