Summary: In an alternate universe, a different person walked the path of Shindo Hikaru. How will Nara Shikamaru deal with a go-playing spirit, tournaments, opponents and Toya Akira? This lazy genius didn't realise how playing Go could be so troublesome…

Disclaimer: Do you really think I own Hikaru no Go? I guess I own the idea of the Shikamaru AU, but other than that I'm just a normal impoverished student that spends way too much of my time reading books, and not enough hard work on my studies…

Shikamaru no Go
By swordsmagician

Chapter 2

"Tomorrow, let's go to a shougi salon," Asuma said out of the blue.

"…A shougi salon? What for?" Shikamaru asked.

"Well," Asuma scratched the back of his neck, "I've only seen you play against me and your father. You'll never improve if you limit your opponents."

"I do play shougi on the computer you know," the boy muttered.

"You do, don't you. How's school by the way?"

Shikamaru let out a long breath. "It's fine, I guess. Troublesome as ever."

The teacher blinked. "If you're having trouble, I could tutor you or something. I'm a teacher after all, and Iruka-sensei tries to look out for all you kids."

"Yeah. Iruka-sensei already helps one of my classmates, Naruto. It's possible Naruto has a mild case of ADHD, or just isn't very good at schoolwork. He's mostly hands-on, so Iruka tutors him with slightly different methods." (Reading between the lines, it meant either bribery by ramen, or the channelling of Iruka's super-sensei skills.)

"I see. If there's anything you want to talk about or whatever, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks," Shikamaru said, genuinely touched. He then frowned. "Hey Asuma-sensei, are you dating Kurenai-sensei? You two seem pretty close."

"…"

Soon enough, Asuma had become a fairly frequent visitor to the Nara residence, normally dropping by twice a week to play a few games of shougi with Shikamaru, and less often, Shikaku. He hadn't won against either of them yet.

"No wonder I can't defeat Shikamaru," Asuma had remarked to Shikaku once. "If you taught him what you knew then it's obvious I wouldn't stand a chance."

"Maybe you're just a bad shougi player," Shikaku said dryly. Asuma chuckled sheepishly.

"Shikamaru is a smart boy. Regardless of what test scores and class work says, you've picked up that. It's probably why Yoshino keeps pushing him to put more effort into class – she knows he can do better."

Asuma had pondered on Shikaku's words afterwards as he smoked on the balcony of his apartment. He has a point. Iruka and Kurenai both mentioned how Shikamaru sleeps through class, and even with the time I've spent with him, you can tell he's not exactly very driven.

He's proficient at shougi and exceptional at strategy games – yet his school marks are the worst in his class. Surely a kid who is able to play on par with people three times his age would find schoolwork just fine.

"Shikamaru! Wake up, or I'll come up there and drag you down myself!" Yoshino called as she prepared breakfast in the kitchen.

Said boy managed to drag himself into the room eventually, mumbling a semi-coherent greeting.

"Good morning," his mother said as his father handed him the puzzles in the paper.

"Asuma said he'd be taking you to some salons or something today," Shikaku prodded from his newspaper. Shikamaru hadn't been complaining about his spare time or anything, and Shikaku knew that his son genuinely enjoyed playing shougi, as well as spending time with 'Asuma-sensei'.

Shikamaru swallowed his food and nodded, unaware of his father's musings. "He said he knew a few places where there might be good opponents for me, but I don't really see the point." He then picked up a pen, and, after staring at the Sudoku for a while, began filling out the numbers.

There was a huff of exasperation from Yoshino as she closed some cabinets. "Shikamaru, Asuma is giving up his free time to take you to these places, you'd think you'd be a bit more grateful for what he's doing," she berated.

Her son looked up at her from under lidded eyes, as he placed down the pen and pushed the completed Sudoku aside. "Mum, it's not that I'm ungrateful or anything," he explained calmly, "but I don't get why he's putting in so much effort."

Shikaku's mouth twitched upwards. "Has it occurred to you that maybe he sees someone worth the effort?" he questioned. Shikaku never mentioned how Asuma had confided that he sometimes felt like a pretty bad teacher, considering how his student had already surpassed him in terms of strategy and tactics. Shikamaru just blinked twice and ducked his head, muttering how troublesome this all was.

His father smirked lazily. "In any case, playing against different opponents will be good for you. You can't just verse me all the time – this way you might actually win once in a while."

Shikamaru didn't find it such a drag to openly glare at him.

"Well, we're here."

Asuma waved the ten year-old into a spacious building called Climbing Silver *, which was busy with shougi players. The majority were men in their later years, but there was a good variety of players, even with Shikamaru being the only child. The room had the lingering smell of cigarettes. Were all salons full of chain smokers like Asuma-sensei? Shikamaru speculated apprehensively. At this rate all the passive smoking will suffocate me.

"Hey Asuma! Who's the kid, your apprentice?"

Asuma smiled at a dark-haired man that walked up to them casually, hands shoved in his pockets. "Sort of. This is my pupil, Nara Shikamaru – maybe you'd like to play a game of shougi with him?"

The man smiled. "Good to see the younger generation taking an interest! I'm Kuroda, the owner of this fine establishment. Is this your first time playing shougi in a salon?"

To Shikamaru's nod, he said, "In your case, first-timers are free. Asuma still has to pay."

Asuma grumbled half-heartedly as he paid the fee, but Kuroda beamed as he made his way to one of the tables and sat down, Shikamaru following suit. "How long have you been playing?" he asked the ten year old.

"Ah, about three years? I mostly play against my father and Asuma-sensei, as well as shougi online."

"I see." Kuroda started by moving a pawn, and the rest of the game progressed in relative silence. Some of the other regulars quietly chatted amongst themselves as they continued their games, but Asuma and a few others were watching how the youngster was fairing. The number of spectators grew as the game continued, but Shikamaru and Kuroda didn't pay them any attention.

The game took a turn when Kuroda threatened one of Shikamaru's key pieces with his lance. Shikamaru's eyes roamed the board, before he brought his hands together into a familiar position. Asuma smiled mentally at the sight – he knew that a man like Kuroda, with years under his belt, could bring out some of Shikamaru's strategic skills to the forefront.

The boy in question then opened his eyes, and moved one of his pawns. Kuroda's frown at his behaviour deepened as he surveyed the board. He eventually retaliated by capturing another of Shikamaru's pawns on another part of the board.

Now Asuma was noticing the faces of some of the regulars and other customers, who whispered amongst themselves. Evidently, they hadn't expected Shikamaru to have this level of skill. He turned back to the battle before him. The owner of the shougi salon had more experience against a variety of opponents, but his strategy wasn't as sound as it could have been – his moves were rather conservative.

And Shikamaru had the mindset of a great general, reading into the opponents' strategy and always keeping himself three moves ahead.

(He wondered if playing and losing repeatedly against Nara Shikaku had something to do with it).

Kuroda had made his move. He and Shikamaru were staring at each other seriously, before they looked down at the board in front of them. Shikamaru picked up a piece, and placed it down with a soft tap.

Kuroda's eyes widened as he stared at the board, before looking back to his opponent. His face became more stern and slightly put out as he said, "Oh, alright, I resign." Shikamaru thanked him politely, and then turned around to face Asuma.

"Asuma-sensei, do you do this all the time? Playing in salons, I mean?"

Asuma's eyes snapped away from the game. "Sometimes," he said evenly. "There are a few shougi and go salons I haunt regularly – if you want I'll show you to a couple of the others too."

Shikamaru was sitting a bit stiffly, as opposed to his lazier position when playing, and Asuma realised, with hint of amusement that the boy had probably never been scrutinized by an audience, and was feeling a bit uncomfortable. I have to remedy that – he was able to tune them out for the duration of the game, it shouldn't be too long before he's used to it he thought.

"It's good to have a bit of variety against players anyway," the teacher continued. "I know you play some, but tougher amateurs can be found hanging around salons."

"Regardless, he will be coming back next week." Both teacher and student turned back to Kuroda, who had folded his arms and was pinning the two with a stern glare. His gaze flickered to Shikamaru.

"Next time, I'll know not to hold back for one, and we'll see what the outcome of the game is then. Still," Kuroda gave a quick grin to the boy, "you'll have plenty of opponents who'll want to try their luck against you; and my salon hosts some of the most bizarre shougi players you'll meet."

Asuma opened his mouth when he mentally went over his schedule. "Well, next week might be a bit hard, I have some papers that need grading-"

An interruption came in the form of: "Come on kid; let's have a shougi game while they're both distracted!" The chipper voice belonging to the youngest regular, Saki Hajime, boomed as he grabbed Shikamaru's hand and forcibly dragged him over to an empty board at the far end of the room. Some spectators rolled his eyes as Kuroda sighed. "Great, now that Ha-kun's stolen your student, I can't discuss the game with him." Asuma chuckled as he patted Kuroda consolingly.

The other customers had now gone back to their own games, or were heatedly discussing the game that had taken place before. Hajime, known sometimes as Ha-kun, was in his mid-twenties, with ash blonde hair (dyed, according to another regular) and hazel eyes.

"So, Shikamaru-kun," Hajime's eyes gleamed competitively as Shikamaru sweatdropped at the sudden mood swing, "you seem to have a good understanding of the game, but don't think I'll hold back because you're a kid."

Hajime's style was obscure with a degree of irregularity, Shikamaru admitted to himself. Against his better judgement he became absorbed in the game that he had approached with some caution. Soon he was working well against the randomised moves – though effective when throwing off an opponent, Shikamaru could do the same, using unpredictable moves that concealed traps for the unwary, or would come into effect later in the game.

The game was much harder than Kuroda's, while the styles were vastly different. He had let out a long breath when the game was over (Hajime had just lost after Shikamaru engineered a couple of traps that triggered even more traps, finally managing to break past his defences) and stood up, thanking the man calmly. He had enjoyed it, after all, and it had been a great game. What he did not expect was being grabbed by two strong arms into an unexpected hug, and he yelped in surprise.

Hajime had literal stars in his eyes. "Kid, you're really something! I can see why Asuma is helping to utilise your potential!"

Shikamaru was more concerned about the invasion of his personal space.

"Oi, Ha-kun, stop scaring the customers. And put Nara down," Kuroda said. Hajime's grip tightened as he pivoted both him and Shikamaru to Kuroda's direction.

"But…but…this kid here's some type of genius! Why is Asuma of all people his teacher anyway? His shougi skills suck." Asuma glared while Hajime smiled innocently in his direction.

One of the other regulars coughed, "Well, for one thing, Asuma's sane," as Asuma pried Hajime from Shikamaru, who was looking a bit dazed and weirded out by this point.

"Let's have a rematch next time! Then I'll show you my true strength," vowed Hajime as he struck a dramatic pose.

What with Shikamaru's reception at the shougi salon, as well as the two games he had played with the regulars, Asuma had thought to highlight different salons on a map in case he ever wanted to look at them on his own, while they continued visiting Climbing Silver every weekend or so. The customers were rather fond of the Nara, with Hajime semi-adopting the boy as a younger brother. He had said something along the lines of 'Shikamaru needed someone who could challenge his shougi abilities', which was a not-so-subtle jab towards the teacher. He and Hajime tended to do this, but Hajime was the stronger player, definitely.

Shikamaru could play well against Ha-kun, who was considered the best player in the salon. Granted, Shikamaru lost the next game, and was more often than not defeated in challenges afterwards, but Saki Hajime was a shougi pro, and with the Japan Shougi Association ** being founded this year, Hajime could have been scouting Shikamaru out as a potential rival in the future, or new talent.

Asuma wasn't sure if Shikamaru was up to competing professionally (he'd probably complain that it was 'too much work') but he had his own suspicions. To satisfy his curiosity, as well as just for kicks, he devised an IQ test for Shikamaru, disguised as another puzzle. Shikamaru just yawned as he lethargically put the pieces together. And when Asuma found out the result, he had to pay an important visit.

"Asuma," Yoshino called as she ushered him inside the house. "How are you doing? And Kurenai?"

After she and Asuma exchanged pleasantries, they moved to the living room, where Shikaku was looking through letters after a day at the lab. "Oh, hello Asuma. Sorry, but Shikamaru isn't here – I think he's out with friends today."

"That's fine," the teacher said hastily. 'I wanted to talk to you two actually.'

Shikaku paused, scrutinizing him, before slowly putting down the papers from his hands. "It's about our son, isn't it? It always is."

"Yes. I was wondering about how Shikamaru's schoolwork is so bad, yet he's so good at things like shougi," Asuma continued. "Dealing with your son, I know that he doesn't do well at schoolwork because he feels that 'picking up a pencil is too troublesome.'"

Shikaku and Yoshino exchanged an exasperated, amused glance, which parents may often convey telepathically about their offspring.

"So, I gave Shikamaru an IQ test yesterday, pretending it was just another puzzle. I was quite unsure on what the results would be, but I wanted to see how he would do, considering his skills in games." Asuma paused. "It turns out his IQ is off the charts, beyond genius – the kid has an IQ of over 200."

Shikaku let out a long, slow breath as he scratched his head in contemplation. "I don't put much stake into IQ tests, but I wondered sometimes how smart Shikamaru was. When he was a kid, it was hard getting him interested in things beyond watching clouds and sleeping."

"And it's not like we didn't have our suspicions," Yoshino sighed. "He was never interested in the books and games we had tried to tempt him with when he was younger. It wasn't until Shikaku started bringing home Mensa puzzles and passing Shikamaru the sudoku and crosswords that we definitely knew." She turned to Shikaku. "Lazy, an IQ off the charts, strategy games, even your hairstyles –well, at least Shikamaru can cook. That's because of me naturally," she said.

Her husband waved a hand vaguely. "Details, details."

Asuma's mind was going into overdrive with all the information. If anything, his ego had been smashed into the negatives from taking beating after beating from a ten year old shougi player, but considering the IQ results, his losses felt more justified now.

Nara Shikamaru really had no idea about the chain of events set in motion as he was greeted the next day with a nine by nine Go board, basic life and death problems, and Asuma's grinning face.

"Shikamaru, I want to try something new today."

* Climbing Silver refers to the common opening attacks that involve advancing a silver (ideally a pawn), along a file protected by the rook. Because silvers have more possibilities for retreat, while golds better defend their sides, silvers are generally considered superior as attacking pieces and golds superior as defensive pieces. It is common practice to defend the king with three generals, two golds and a silver. If you want more info, look up Wikipedia for a good generalisation.

** The Japan Shougi Association was founded in 1997 (the present year in the story), so Shikamaru and Toya Akira are both ten right now. The Tokyo Shougi Association was formed in 1924, and was the earlier incarnation of the modern version mentioned above.

Thank you for the reviews and story alerts! I was very happy, but it came to the point that I was gaining all my inspiration when I could have been studying more for my exams. At least they're over now. I'm glad people enjoyed the first chapter – I feel like I have an imaginary Sai, only he's telling me to write more instead of playing Go!

You're probably wondering 'What's with all the shougi?' Well, Shikamaru has played shougi since he was seven (no matter how smart, he's still a kid, and his dad taught him a lot), but Shikaku doesn't play Go, though both Naras like playing strategy and mind games. It took me a while to find an ending I was remotely happy with – thank you Inkdreams for the bouncing of ideas!

Mentions also to Eternal Enmity, who is helping me beta on the side.

Saki Hajime – an OC that somehow came to life and created himself – is a shougi pro. Somehow, he just is. And while he's hoping Shikamaru might become one too, he never factored in Sai, who will show Shikamaru how amazing Go is as well! Regardless, Shikamaru would still play shougi, but it will otherwise take a more background part in his life.

Next Chapter: In which Shikamaru is (properly) introduced to Go, and our favourite Go-playing spirit (finally!) makes an appearance.