A/N: It may not be my first ever fic, but it's definatly my first time playing with the characters of Hikago. Please ignore anything you find incredibly stupid or Mary-Sueish until the reviews please...and please refrain from critisizm only please.

By the way...it's been about a year since I last wrote anything fanfic related...here's hoping I haven't lost my touch!....haha...if I ever had one..

This is set errrrr...about a year before Hikaru becomes an insei.

heartenjoy!
se ga hikui (--)

Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru no Go (sigh I wish...). I'm merely playing with the characters for a while, and then returning them back from whence they came. Although, I do own my own characters...I hope.

Having grown tired of running endlessly in the rain, Tsukiyama Rui ducked into a random building.

"Irasshaimase!"

Came the cheerful greeting from the store clerk. The drenched girl threw a hurried glance around the room through bangs plastered to her face. Where was she?

"Are you here to play go today?"

For a moment, Rui was confused.

"Go?"

That was a game, wasn't it? She didn't know that anyone really still played it.

"Hai! Don't you know where you are?"

Rui blushed a bit at her rudeness and immediatly stammered out an appology.

"I'm sorry. The rain was so heavy...I just came in to get out of it for a while...ii desu ka?"

The clerk smiled at her. Things were going well for Rui; so far she hadn't been discovered.

"That's fine. It's really raining hard, ne?"

"Yeah."

Rui proceded to ruffel her sopping hair, but stopped midway when she realized her face was now clearly visible. A tinge of red crept onto her face as she noticed the startled gleam in the clerk's eyes.

"Anata wa......"

Well, the clerk now knew who she was. Glancing around the rest of the salon, it didn't look like they knew or cared. Rui was a singer, and although many people knew her name, or recognized her face, few bought her CDs or listened to her music. Even so, she was a private person in a public job; remaining unnoticed in a crowd was nearly impossible for her, and she hated it.

"You're Rui-san, the singer!"

Blush now full on her face, all the somewhat soggy girl could do was nodd. Although she was embarassed, the clerk had a look in her eye that Rui was not entirely afraid of. Could it be that she was a fan? What kind of a girl was this who preferred her twangy, acoustic sound to the computer generated hits that were so popular nowadays?

"Do..."

As her speech faltered, blush crept onto the face of the clerk. Rui was baffled. What could the clerk have to be blushing about?

"Do you want to borrow some of my clothes? I have some extra ones here, you might fit them. I can understand if you don't want to...they're not very nice..but..you're so wet.."

The newly discovered singer opened her mouth and let loose her sunny smile. What a nice girl. However wet she was, Tsukiyama Rui wasn't going to accept. It wasn't that she thought she was above the clerk-girl, she merely didn't like inconveniencing people. It was raining hard outside, and she might want something dry to change into when she got home. She leaned in closer to look at her nametag.

"Ichikawa-san desu ne...I couldn't take your clothes from you. You probably brought them to change into after walking home."

She could tell she had said the right thing; Ichikawa-san looked pleased at the nicety, however determination still existed in her kind face to see her idol properly treated.

"I assure you, it's no trouble at all. I drive home anyway."

"But I'm just going to get wet again when I go back outside."

"Please, take them. It will be nice to know that Rui-san is wearing my clothes! But, I'm sorry, perhaps I shouldn't be calling you 'Rui-san'..."

Rui chuckled. How like a fangirl.

"No, Rui-san is fine. I don't mind."

As she spoke, she was being shown the way to the bathroom, with a stack of clean clothes in her hands.

"Do you like my music very much?"

Ichikawa-san nodded, which caused Rui to smile.

"If you like it that much, then Rui-chan is fine...if you like."

As her new friend beamed in appreciation, Rui looked at the floor and blushed a little. By now they had reache the bathroom, and she went in to change, thanking Ichikawa-san profusely.

Once in the bathroom, Rui rejoiced in finally being dry again. Stooped under the electric hand-drier, she contemplated the events of the day. It had seemed like any other day in the morning, but she was proved gravely mistaken. When the water in her hair had evaporated to an extent that it no longer dripped, she left the bathroom, and was again greeted by the clicking of the go stones.

"Ano.. Rui-chan..."

At using such an informal way of addressing someone who she so greatly esteemed, Ichikawa-san blushed.

"I'm glad the clothes fit you!"

Rui looked down at the floor again for a moment, and then back up quickly.

"Yeah, thanks a lot."

"Have you ever played go before?"

Rui was suprised; she'd never even considered go as a possibility.

"No, I haven't. Is it fun?"

"Oh yes, I enjoy it very much."

"Are there any younger people that play? Er..besides you of course."

The singer blushed and looked at the floor hoping she had not offended her fan. Undaunted, Ichikawa-san smiled.

"Yes, over there is Touya Akira, who is particularly good for his age."

Rui looked to where she gestured, and not really meaning to, sized him up. He seemed small for his age, but then, she didn't really know his age. His face was sweet, however his haircut seemed strange to her, as did his clothes. His mother probably still dresses him. As soon as the thought was in her head, she immediatly began a stern reprimanded for herself. That was mean, Rui. Don't think things like that about people.

"Is it okay if I watch him play?"

"Sure! I'll go over and introduce you. He's just finishing up with his student I believe."

As they walked towards the boy and his goban, Rui took in the scene slowly. There were many patterns on the boards she walked by, some in the simplistic early stages, others already complete, and intricate designs. Already, the complexity facinated her. When they came upon Akira's board, the beauty of it bewitched her eyes.

"Akira-kun, this is Tsukiyama Rui. She's never played go before, and she wanted to watch you play."

"Hajimemashite. Doozo yoroshiku."

Rui bowed, and Akira rose to do the same.

"Hajimemashite."

The young boy's student stood up, bowed and excused himself. Rui marveled at their age gap. How could one so young posess knowledge greater than someone that old? Another customer came in the shop, and Ichikawa-san also excused herself.

"Is it true you've never played before?"

Rui nodded and blushed, embarassed that she had ignored such a mesmerizing thing.

"I don't have any more students coming today, would you like me to teach you?"

Rui's gaze shifted around the room, back at Akira, down at the floor, and then back at Akira. Her weight moved back and forth, from foot to foot. As though he noticed these subtle signs of nervousness, a warm, inviting smile graced his lips.

"I...well, why not? But I should pay you. How much do you want?"

The prodigy looked suprised for a moment, but then reverted back to the same smile from before as she sat down in the chair.

"Don't worry about it. It will be a pleasure to teach you for free."

As she sat there, she became oblivious to her surroundings. There were only three things existing: her teacher, her thoughts, and what she was learning. The game facinated her; the strategy required was a wonder to her mind. But her final joy came when their practice game drew to a close. Although she had caught on to the concept relatively quickly, her moves were not enough to create anything near to the complex patterns as she had seen displayed on other gobans in the room. She desired to become great at the game. She yearned to be one who had a hand in creating these mind-enrapturing designs.

"Arigatou gozaimasu. Thank you for the game, and for the lesson."

"Come back again. I can see that you love the game."

Rui blushed.

"If I come back, I insist on paying. It's not fair to you, and it's not fair for your other students who are paying."

Akira just smiled at her, and waved goodbye.

"Dewa mata!"

Before leaving the salon, Rui stopped to talk to Ichikawa-san once more.

"How was your game?"

"It was really fun. I understand now why you all like it so much."

"Please come back again!"

"Of course I'll come back. I have to give you your clothes! It must cost something to be here though. How much is it?"

"Oh, I couldn't let you pay!"

Rui sighed. Why was it that no one would let her pay around here?

"Listen...I'm wearing your clothes, I was just given a lesson for free, so I want to at least give something back and pay!"

"I will not accept it."

Rui didn't say anything to that, but smilingly steered the conversation in another direction.

"Do you have something that you'd rather me call you? Ichikawa-san sounds a bit informal, especially when you're calling me Rui-chan!"

Ichikawa-san giggled.

"Well, most people here call me Ic-chan, but my given name is Michiru...so...well, whatever you want is fine."

"Thank you very much for everything Michiru-chan!"

"Any time! Where are you staying? ...Because I know you're not from here."

"I'm staying at a hotel right now, but it's not very nice."

Rui blushed and smiled a little at the suprise and concern on her face.

"I thought that Rui-chan would have a wonderful place to stay."

"Well, I don't make very much money from my songs. I have to work at various jobs to make things work out. It's not so bad, it's just not a palace, that's all. I'm fine with it; it's allright."

Seeing the look of doubt on her fan's face, Rui felt the need to reassure her.

"Ne...Michiru-chan..."

Placing a hand on her new friend's shoulder, she smiled, looking her straight in the face.

"Don't worry about me. I'm allright."

She could feel Michiru's eyes on her calloused hand, and then finally saw a peek of sun in the dark clouds of her expression.

"I'm going now, but I promise I'll be back many times! Thank you very much for everything you've done for me. Especially for the clothes."

She made for the door, but paused when Michiru spoke again.

"Ano...here's an umbrella."

She extended her hand to her idol, and Rui took her gift with grace and yet more thanks.

As Rui walked away she smiled. In part she was glad to finally be out of the rain, but mostly she was happy that she had made a friend today. The scene of her run-down apartment brought her further down to earth however. As she lay on her dirty bed and stared up at the crumbling plaster of her celing she knew she had lied to Michiru, but she didn't want to be pitied. It was nice how close it was to the Go Salon though. However, this did increase the chance that someone from there would see where she was spending her nights, and that was something Rui did not want to happen. Perhaps it was pride, perhaps humility that would not allow her to let anyone know her true state, but whatever it was she wouldn't say anything until her need was dire.

Rolling over in her bed, she picked up her guitar, and began to strum.

When our time was through
You didn't thank me in words,
But I knew what you meant
Because I'm the same way.

Word's seem cheap,
Don't they?
Isn't it true how,
Actions speak
Louder than words
Could ever hope.

A/N: Well? How did you like it? I hope you did anyway. Just a few notes, before I give you leave to go on and do what you will:

Irasshaimase - welcome
Ichikawa-san desu ne - you're Ms. Ichikawa eh?
Hajimemashite - pleased to meet you (for first time meetings only)
Doozo yoroshiku - I hope our relationship continues to be pleasant....(this is one of those weird to translate ones...you know?)
Arigatou gozaimasu - thank you
Dewa mata - see you later
Ano... - something for getting people's attention...sort of...

Anyway, here's my appology for my terrible attempt to incorporate Japanese into this fic to make it seem....more authentic....? I'm very sorry if I got any of the translations wrong, or used somehting incorrectly...I'm still trying to get a hold of this wonderful language called Japanese...

Also, the song at the end is one of my own making, and has nothing to do with her time that day by the way.

Thank you very much for reading! Please review...I'm a feedback vampire...