Hi everyone! Its been a long time. I know alot of people are probably wondering about For the love of go. Its been too long since I actually wrote it although I won't continue it, I may rewrite it.

Now this new fic has been floating in my head for a while so I decided to just write it. Please tell me what you think of it. My writing style had changed quite abit since the last time I posted anything.

I don't own anything!

The Art of Go

SUMMARY: AU. When he found Sai's goban, Hikaru who owned a computer allowed Sai to play internet go but did not frequent any go salons. Although Hikaru learned to play go, he had no interest in playing anyone other than Sai. Years later after Sai faded away, Hikaru does not play for many years until one day he meets Touya Akira at his University.

Chapter 1: Beginings

Hikaru needed money. It was as simple as that. His parents had yet again cut off his allowance due to a lousy score on an exam. He was too young to get a job neither could he steal the money from his mom's purse. She always kept track of how much money she had with her. It was a force of habit she had picked up after an incident when someone had stolen all the bills in her wallet. After that his mom had taken to counting how much money she kept in her wallet before and after she went out.

He could always ask his grandpa for money like usual. No, that would not work either. His grandpa was stingy and would probably make him go with him to a go club or something boring like that in exchange for the money. For as long as he could remember, the old geezer had been trying to him interested in go. There was no way he was doing that again. Last time it was hell, there had to be another way.

Hikaru had been continuously tapping his pen on his desk for several minutes not noticing that class had started.

"Shindou!" yelled Sensei startling Hikaru who almost fell out of his chair. Snickers and giggles filled the classroom as he straightened. "Pay attention! After the grade you got last time, you cannot afford to space out!"

"Yes, Sensei" Hikaru replied shrinking in his seat.

Stupid, Sensei. It's not like I was talking. Hikaru thought annoyed. Who the hell cares about Social Studies anyway.

He half listened as the teacher returned to her previous droning. Looked back at his notebook, so far all options had been crossed off his list except for selling some of his stuff. He grimaced at the idea of selling his precious manga and video games. He had nothing else of value. That was when he came to a realization. Grandpa's attic. Of course. The old man almost never went up there and he probably did not even remember what he had put in there over the years. It was perfect! All he had to do was find something of value and sell it at a pawn shop. Even better, he knew that every Tuesday his grandpa went out and his grandma spent the day baking. He would get free sweets and money all in one day.

Now all he had to do was suffer through the rest of his classes. He sighed in exasperation. He had always had trouble sitting still for more than a dozen of minutes. School has always been and still is torture which was why he was known as the class clown. The jokes and stunts he pulled in class were a distraction and made time pass faster. He had never been able to completely focus all his attention on the lecture anyways. When he did write notes, they were full of doodles and sketches. He had never actually shown anyone his more serious drawings not even Akari, his childhood friend or his mother. He had hidden his sketchbooks quite carefully. It was embarrassing and personal. Showing them to anyone felt like baring himself for examination. There was no way in hell he was doing that anytime soon.

He had taken up art when he was seven because his mother had a tendency to confiscate his manga and computer when his grades drop too low. At first, it had been something to pass the time but after so long it had become something he enjoyed. Hikaru always felt a sense of calm when he created something on a piece of paper.

His first drawings consisted of manga influenced sketches. They had been pretty shabby at first of course. As he improved, he found manga style art somewhat lacking. It required no details or realism. That was when he decided to go for the draw what you see approach. It had been difficult at first to get the object to look three dimensional. After finding tips on the internet, it was vastly simplified. Once he got the hang of objects, he moved to people. He drew portraits of everyone he knew before moving to drawing people he saw on the streets from memory.

It was funny he could visualize faces and the redraw them on a paper. Most of the time, he only had to see them once. Of course, he had tried to apply the same principle to school work but it was difficult to focus his memory on the kanji. The few times he had tried half the page in his mind was blurry or missing.

He had been so lost in thought that he did not hear the bell ring. He felt a hand on his shoulder and whipped around in surprise. The twelve year old saw that it was Akari.

"Hikaru! Didn't you hear me? I called you a hundred times. It's time for lunch you know."

He looked around laughed sheepishly as he realized that they were the only ones left. Rubbing the back of his head, he replied mischievously:

"Oh I didn't even notice." he turned away and rolled his eyes to back of his head. He paused dramatically before whipping his head around. "Because I was sleeping with my eyes open!"

She screamed at the sight of his blank white eyes. He laughed as she ran out of the class. He wiped the mirth out of his eyes before gathering his stuff and putting it away.

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At lunch, Akari spent almost the entire period glaring at Hikaru. She was propably badmouthing him with her friends. Although he was popular with the boys, due to the pranks he had pulled on most of the girls, most of them were annoyed with him. The pranks did earn him brownie points with the boys but that was not why he did it. Entertainment value was the most important. Making girls scream was a hoot.

"Hey Hikaru!" called Kenji from his right. "Are you joining us at the arcade after school?"

"Sorry guys. My mom pulled my allowance. I have something to do anyways."

"Is it because you got 17% on your last history test?" asked Satoshi. All the other boys laughed.

"Ha ha ha" Hikaru laughed sarcastically. "Laugh it up. Your scores were no better."

"Yeah, but none of us ever got a 17 score." pipped up Hiro. "I mean you'd think that you'd try to get better grades after you spent last summer in remedial classes."

Hikaru glared at them. He could see the mocking eyes from all directions. Although it was not the first time they did this, it still hurt every single time. His grades were a sore subject. He tried to study. He really did. Nobody understood how hard it was for him. He got up from his seat and stormed away.

"Come on, Shindou!" he heard them yell after him. "We were only jocking!"

Ignoring them, he walked out of the cafeteria. He did not know why he hanged out with them most of the time. He did not feel close to any of them but it was better than being completely alone. Even Akari harped at him about his grades. It was a low blow in his opinion. He went to their classroom and finished his lunch there. After that he waited for the next class, while looking out the window.

################

When the last class ended, Hikaru sighed in relief. He packed his backpack and went to Akari.

"Hey Akari. Are we walking home together today?" He asked hoping she would say no. She would insist on going with him to his grandpas house and whine incessantly as he looked through the attic. He was not in the mood for another lecture on his low scores.

"No, I'm going shopping with Shizumi and the girls." She huffed out. He could tell she was still pissed at what he did before lunch.

"Oh good!" he said laughed in relief. Hikaru did not see her fist coming until he felt it hit him.

Rubbing his head he yelled: "What was that for!"

"Stupid Hikaru!" she yelled back before leaving without looking back at Hikaru.

He stared blankly after her. He did not understand what he did to deserve that.

Girls! I'll never understand them! They're insane!

"Why did Akari hit you like that, man?" Satoshi asked from behind him.

"I don't know. I didn't even say anything stupid or gross!"

"Knowing you, you probably did say something stupid without even realizing it." Satoshi replied.

"Shut the hell up Satoshi! You're no better! Last week three girls slapped you all in the same day." Hikaru yelled feeling his bad mood flood back into him.

"Sheesh, I never said I was better Shindou." he replied taken aback. He put his arm around Hikaru's shoulder before continuing. "You've been on edge all day. What's gotten you so wound up? You're no fun today."

Sighing Hikaru realized that he was right. This business with his grades and his allowance had made him hypersensitive to every comment pertaining to his intelligence.

"Sorry about that Satoshi. My mom gave an hour long lecture last night about my grades. It's made me irritable today."

"I get it man. We'll lay off the grades for a few days." Satoshi replied. "You know we meant nothing by it during lunch right?"

"Yeah. Sorry I stormed out like that." He felt bad for badmouthing them now. They were not that bad.

"Nah. Are you sure you don't want to come to the arcade with us? I could lend you a few coins."

"No that's okay. Go on without me." Hikaru replied. He did not like borrowing or lending money unless it for something urgent. It never felt right.

"If you change your mind we'll be at the usual place until 6 o'clock."

"6? Since when do you go home at 6 o'clock?"

"Since mom saw my history grade."

They looked at each other for a moment before laughing at the irony. After saying goodbye, Hikaru left to take the bus to his grandpa's house.

#############

"Mom, I'm home!" he yelled. Thanking every deity that she was in the kitchen preparing supper. Otherwise, she would have seen the box he was carrying and would start asking uncomfortable questions. So he ran up the stairs to his room, slamming the door shut. He quickly hid the box from sight in case his mother came into his room.

"Supper's almost ready! Clean yourself up, young man!" She yelled back unfazed.

"Okay, Mom"

He quickly changed into his home cloth which consisted of very baggy hoody and louse pants. While washing his hands and face, Hikaru wondered what his mother had made. He hoped it was ramen. Nothing like ramen to lift your spirit. He thought to himself. But he doubted it. His mom was probably still pissed at him for that grade. Sighing he went down the stairs. He noticed as he descended the stairs that there was a familiar delicious sent permeating the air.

"Ramen!" he yelled in realization. He ran into the kitchen. "You're the best mom!"

"Why are so surprised?" she asked amused.

"Because..." he started before getting annoyed. "You know why mom!

"No, I don't, dear. Please tell me, honey." She feigned ignorance.

"Because I failed the history quiz!" he yelled.

"And that is precisely why I made ramen." she replied. "Now eat and go study mister. I will be checking on you to make sure. Your teacher called and told me you have a make-up quiz tomorrow. You will not fail this one."By the end of her speech, she was glaring down at him.

"Yes, mom." he mumbled.

"What was that honey?" she replied sweetly.

"I said yes. Jeez are you getting deaf?"

"No sweetheart. You should not mumble, otherwise no one will understand what you're saying."

He decided it was better for him not to reply. He knew that he was on thin ice when she called him sweetheart. He ate as quickly as he could. When he put his bowl in the sink, his mother said:

"Now go study your History dear. I'll check on you soon. If you're a good boy, you'll get a snack."

Her tone clearly underlined a serious threat. He could not get out of there faster. His mom was really sweet and kind of meek most of the time but when his grades came back, it was a completely different story.

Once in his room, he went over to his desk. Taking out his textbooks, notebooks and pencil case, he proceeded to opening his history book and took out his pencils. He stopped for a moment, listening for his mother's movements. She was doing the dishes from the sound of it. Perfect! He could now check out the things he had taken from his grandpa's attic. Carefully he removed the box from its hiding place. It would not do to make too much noise otherwise his mom would get suspicious. After making sure that his mom was still busy, he opened the box.

In the box was a very old goban. He knew it had to be very expensive. New gobans, the non-foldable ones anyway, were very expensive. He could only imagine how much an old one with cost. Grinning, he carefully took out the go board and the two jars that held the stones. The goban was filthy, covered in a thick coat of dust. He looked around for something to clean it with. He could not use his clothes otherwise his mom would start asking questions. His lying skills were almost non-existent. He grabbed a pair of worn socks. They would not be missed since he had a dozen the same color. He was a growing boy so they would probably need replacing soon anyways.

The first sock got dirty quite quickly. Discarding it on the floor he took the second sock. He rubbed vigorously. It was pretty clean except for a stain that looked strangely like blood. There was no way right? Feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand, he stared at the stain in apprehension. He rubbed at it some more but no matter how hard he rubbed it said there.

"Why won't this stupid stain come off?" he muttered under his breath.

"Can you see the stain?" a disembodied voice called out to him.

Looking around him frantically, he found that there was nobody there. He now had goosebumps covering his arms making his skin crawl. Distantly he noted that his mother was still doing the dishes but it had to be her; there was no one else in the room or in the house for that matter. His dad was away on a business trip.

"Mom!" he called freaking out. "Is that you?"

"You can hear my voice! Thank you god, I will now return to the world of the living!"

The go board was now glowing. The light was almost blinding in its intensity. Hikaru stared wide-eyed as the light shot out forming the shape of a man.

"Hikaru! Are you alright dear?" he heard his mom call. He wanted to reply but no sound came out of his throat. It was becoming hard to breathe as he saw the face of whatever it was. It was a man dressed in ancient garbs. His vision was clouding with dark edges as blinding pain shot through his head. Distantly, he heard his mother screaming his name. He could feel her touch him but he could not move. The last thing he was conscious of was his mother's tearful pleading.

##############

Mitsuko Shindou sat in the hall waiting for the doctor to come out. She was still crying in fear for her son's health. Hikaru was such a healthy boy and he had been fine during supper. Finding him lying there prone and unresponsive was the most terrifying she had ever experienced. She prayed to god that her baby was not gravely ill.

"Mitsuko!" she heard someone call. She turned to see that her father in law was finally here. "What happened?"

"I don't know! He was fine before! I found him slumped over a goban! He was so pale!"

She exclaimed trying to keep calm.

"A goban?" Heihachi Shindo repeated incredulous. He knew as well as she did that Hikaru did not play go. He had never had any interest in it no matter was her father-in-law had tried.

Before she could answer the door to her son's room opened revealing a man in a white coat.

"Doctor!" rushing to the man's side she asked frantic. "Is he alright?"

"You don't have to worry Shindou-san. Your son will be fine. He regained consciousness not too long ago. He has a bit of a head ache from the fall but I believe that your son had a panic attack."

"A panic attack?" Heihachi questioned. "The boy was in his bedroom when he collapsed. What could have caused a panic attack?"

"I have asked your son but he does not seem to have a clear recollection of the events that took place." the doctor replied. "His vital signs are good but we would like to keep him overnight for observation."

"Thank you doctor." she said relief flooding over her. "Is it alright if I stay the night with him?"

"Of course, Shindo-san. You may take the bed next to his. You may go in to see him now."

She hurried into the room. Her son was lying there and he still looked too pale.

"Hikaru!" she rushed taking him into her arms as she covered his face with kisses.

"Mom! Stop that!" He yelled blushing madly. He tried to push her away but she could barely feel his efforts. She settled him back into his bed more comfortably. "Go to sleep, dear. You'll feel better after a good rest."

He looked at her sleepily. He gave her an adorable smile and muttered a soft goodnight before falling asleep.

Her father-in-law plopped down next to her. They sat there watching Hikaru sleep both deep in thought.

###########

Hikaru sat in class the next day. He had insisted on going to school because he did not want to lie in bed as his mother mollycoddled him. He made sure to hide the goban. He did not want her questioning its presence in his room. The ghost of the board was currently exploring the room in wonder. The only good thing about this whole thing was that they could talk through their thoughts so he will not look like a nut job.

"Ne, ne, Hikaru. What is this thing?" the ghost asked as he pointed at the chalkboard. He was about to yell at it to shut up but as he saw its adorable wide eyes. He could not bring himself to do it.

It's a chalkboard. Teachers use it to write while they lecture.

Ooh! Simply amazing! The world has changed so much since the last time I was here.

Look you're obviously a ghost right? So why haven't just moved on? How the hell can we talk to each other like this?

I have attached myself to your consciousness.

My consciousness. Horrified Hikaru continued. You're trying to take over my body aren't you?

NO! Hikaru, I cannot do such a thing! I am not an evil spirit.

Riiight... You're just saying that to give me a false sense of security. Then when I least expect it you plan to oust me take my body!

Hikaru was shocked when the ghost grabbed his arm and pleaded earnestly:

Please believe me! I would never do such a thing!

Fine... I believe you. But! One step out of line and we're through!

He felt a rush of warmth go through his body.

What was that sudden feeling?

That was... My joy. I am in your consciousness so when I feel something strongly it seeps into you.

Before he could comment, the teacher came into class and said:"Good morning class!"

The students replied in unison. "Good morning Sensei!"

Hikaru winced at the sound of their voices. The headache he had gained from the ghost's entrance into his head was still there.

"Since everyone did poorly on the last test, I have decided to give another test today."

The whole class grumbled and some even screamed. Hikaru massaged his head trying to alleviate his headache. The teacher proceeded to hand out the test papers. Because of what happened yesterday, he had had no chance to study. He looked down at the test in misery. He just hoped that his mom did not hold it against him for flunking again.

Are those history questions?

Hikaru jumped in surprise as the ghost was suddenly very close.

"Don't do that!" Hikaru yelled. He stood stock still as he realized that he had said ti out loud.

"Shindou-kun, what is the matter?"

Before Hikaru could formulate an answer, Akari lifted her hand and said:

"Sensei, Hikaru fainted yesterday... He was even taken to the hospital by an ambulance. I don't think he's completely recovered."

The boys in class all started to ask Hikaru questions. To his relief the teacher made everyone quiet down and told them to start their tests.

Look, until we figure out what to do, don't talk to me so suddenly.

Okay... The ghost said sulkily with an apologetic look on his face. Hikaru forgave him because he could feel its remorse through the link.

So who are you?

I am Fujiwara no Sai a nobleman from the Heian era. I was the emperor's go instructor at the palace. I played go every day and I was filled with happiness.

Well that explains why you were in a goban. You're another go nut.

I am not a go nut. The ghost said pouting.

Fine. Just continue your story. He was in no mood to argue with a ghost.

Well... At the time there was another go instructor to the emperor. One day, he commented to the emperor that there was only need for one instructor. He suggested that we play a game for which the victor would remain in the palace.

So... Then, who won?

The game was played evenly. While everyone's focus was on the board, I noticed that there was a white stone mixed in his basket of black stones. I did not find it too strange and expected him to hand it over to me as was customary. However, he waited for the right moment, and places the stone in his captured pile.

He cheated... What a bastard!

When I was about to call attention to what he had done, he yelled out that I had been the one to add a stone to my captured pile. I tried to protest but no one else had seen anything. So the emperor, told us to continue while denying the possibility that anyone would dare do such a thing in his presence. I was still too shocked over what had occurred and I lost.

Sai paused tears streaming down his face. Hikaru could feel the heart wrenching pain emanating from the ghost.

I was branded a cheater and driven from the capital. Living was too painful so I drowned myself 2 days later. My soul was unable to rise to heaven. I wanted to... play more go. My spirit attached itself to a goban. Along time passed before I heard the voice of a young boy. I was able to stay in a part of his mind and since the child had an interest in go, he willingly allowed me to play as much go as I desired. However at the age of 34, he passed away. His name was Honinbo Shusaku and he was a good person.

Never heard of him but that explains the bloodstains on the go board. Are you haunting me because you want to play more go?

Yes... For I have yet to achiever the Hand of God.

Look Sai... I'm too young for go so I have no interest in it.

He suddenly felt very sick. He shot out of his seat tried to get out of class before he threw up all over the place. Unfortunately, he tripped on a desk leg before he could reach the exit. Before he could stop himself, he vomited all over the ground.

"Ew! Sensei, Hikaru puked on my new shoes." yelled a girl near him.

The headache was coming back as the other kids yelled in disgust. He felt a gentle hand on his back.

"Shindou-kun, are you alright?"

"Sorry, Sensei." he said weakly. "Can I go to the bathroom?"

"You should go to the infirmary."

"I don't need to go there." he replied stubbornly. "I feel better now."

"Alright but if you still don't feel well, I want you in that infirmary young man."

Hikaru hurried out of the classroom before turning on the ghost.

What the hell was that!

I felt so sad about not being able to play go. I think it leaked into your consciousness.

Why don't you attach yourself to someone else? Someone who likes go for example.

I cannot. Once I attach myself to another human being I cannot leave this person.

Hikaru looked at the man in annoyance. He still felt like vomiting. It was obvious to him that as long as he did not play go the spirit's sadness would make him feel nauseous.

Alright fine! I'll play go for you.

Really! As soon as the smile came to Sai's face the nausea disappeared confirming his suspicions. The ghost was practically bouncing with joy as Hikaru headed for the bathroom.

What had he gotten himself into?

END OF CHAPTER 1

Thank you for reading the first chapter :)

I would much appreciate it if you would review!