DISCLAIMER: Hikaru no Go and its characters belong to Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi.
WARNINGS: Mainly spoilers if you didn't read the manga or didn't see the anime, mild language, possible underage drinking and very mild boy on boy theme.
A/N: I apologize for any errors, discrepancies, inaccuracies or mistakes for they are all mine, as this work is unbeta'd. Reviews are appreciated.
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The Thousand Years Prologue
My name is Sai. Fujiwara no Sai. I am a go instructor at the Emperor's court in Kyoto, in a time of peace and tranquillity, the Heian period. Or should I say, I was a go instructor. In an instant, my life was destroyed by treachery and betrayal. I was shamed in front of my Emperor by the court's second go instructor and deemed a trickster. That man had instigated a plan to oust me and had whispered in the Emperor's ear for days.
"No need for you to keep two go-sensei in your court, your Majesty".
"His Majesty should not settle for mere mediocrity".
"The court and His Majesty deserve the best".
The final whisper echoed in the Emperor's heart.
"Why not choose the best instructor for His Majesty by organising a game? I and Fujiwara-sensei would entertain the court and let His Majesty select the one most suited to His Majesty's needs".
That was my doom. That was my death.
We played for the Emperor and the court. I enjoyed the game, for I love go above all else life had to offer me. I am looking for the perfect move, the Hand of God.
I enjoyed the game until I saw that white stone in the middle of my opponent's black stones in his goke ; until I saw him took that cursed stone ; until I understood he didn't intend to give it back to me but considered the best moment to add it to his own prisoners ; until, as I opened my mouth to protest, he rudely interrupted me and accused me of cheating ; until I saw the dull glow of the Emperor's eyes on me ; until the Emperor demanded that we carry on with the game without further disturbing the court.
The flow of my go stones was troubled and my moves became awkward. I quickly resigned and wept in silence.
That accursed game was my doom and my death.
From that day and for the rest of my life, I was banished from the Emperor's court and denied the opportunity – the pleasure – to be a go instructor anywhere else in Japan.
Two days later, here I am. I am standing on the shore of the Biwa lake, near Kyoto. My tabi socks are soaked by the water lapping against my feet. Go is my life; if I cannot play go, I have no life. I have been in a daze for two days, but my path is now clear before me. I am still dressed in my formal sensei clothes, up to my tate eboshi hat. I am taking small steps in the cold waters of the lake. My knees are engulfed by water, my narrow hips are engulfed, my shoulders are, my head…
I am drowning myself; for I cannot live without go.
And still, as the waters are gagging me and burning my chest, as I slowly cannot breathe anymore, as my heartbeats are slowing, as I am dying, still I want to play go…
