Disclaimer : I don't own Hikaru no Go or Loveless.

"blahblahblah" Character's dialogue

blahblahblah Character's thought

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Chapter 6: To the Fighters' School

Two weeks later, Mid-June 2002, Hikaru's bedroom

"Ahh," Hikaru stretched himself lazily on his bed after their Go lesson had ended. It had been two weeks since Soubi started his Go lessons with Hikaru.

Since Soubi didn't own a Go board, Hikaru had brought him to his house. He had also introduced him to his mother. As he had anticipated, Hikaru's mom was ten times better than Ritsuka's. She had welcomed him with a smile and asked him to take care of her son. However, despite her warm hospitality, what had bugged Soubi the most was that she didn't seem surprised or curious how her 15-year-old son had chummed up with a 20-year-old art student – not to mention that they were close enough for Hikaru to bring him home.

That led to only one conclusion: Hikaru had done this before. He had brought another guy than Soubi to his house so often that his mother considered it normal. Soubi didn't have to try, he knew who that person was.

Fujiwara Sai.

Hikaru had taken him to his room, and the room reflected its owner well. It was a combination of a normal teenage boy's life and a Go Pro's life. Several volumes of manga were scattered on the floor, while Go books and Go record papers (which, as Soubi will learn later, are called 'Kifu') were arranged neatly on the desk. The latest Play Station and a Go board stood next to each other on the floor.

"You're a fast learner; I'm impressed." Hikaru praised. In fact, said statement wasn't quite right. During the first week, Soubi hadn't had the slightest idea what the hell he was doing. His skill had hardly progressed. It didn't come as a surprise though; he didn't like the game. He wasn't even interested in the game. He only wanted to spend more time with Hikaru. He just wanted Go to connect them together the way it tied Touya and Fujiwara to Hikaru. With that kind of thought, it was normal that he made no development. Although Hikaru loved Go, to him, it was just a boring game for old men who had nothing better to do after their retirement butplay a board game or sip tea with his friends.

But then again, Hikaru, being an experienced teacher, had found away to attract his attention to Go.

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A week ago,

"You call it a life and death problem?" Soubi said with a disapprovingtone during their lesson.

"Yes."

"Go can be intense but it isn't a life and death matter." he voiced out his opinion. "When we fight in the battle, that's whatis considered as a life and death situation."

"Go is similar to a magical battle more than you think." Hikaru tried to be persuasive. "When you fight, you analyze the opponent. Then you decide what do to – whether you should attack or defense? Lastly, you cast the spell." he went on, "Same goes for Go.

When you play your turn, you don't just put down a stone. You must read the opponent's mind, speculate his next move and play your hand. If you attack, you make sure that the opponent's stone is completely dead, cut all escape routes and make sure that the opposite stone can no longer breathe. With each strike, you kill. If you decide to play defense, make sure that your shield will never be broken and that can be used as a counter attack later."

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Now that Hikaru had put it this way, playing Go was similar to a combat fight. He was starting to get interested. The rules may be different but both share the same basic: fighting.

And fighting was what Soubi did best.

"If you're good enough, you will be able to manipulate the opponent and use his stones as yours. It's a satisfying feeling, believe me." Hikaru had told him with a playful wink.

Okay, now Soubi was really interested. He liked to twist his enemy's spell and use it against him too.

Soubi had been always curious as towhy Ritsu had recommended Hikaru. Many Sacrifices lost their Fighters from either diseases or accidents (or murder, like Hikaru's case) because they are still mortals – even with the power they possess. They cannot escape death. Ritsu was a good example: he had lost his Fighter in a car accident. To be more accurate, both Soubi and Ritsu had lost Soubi's mother in that accident.

Now he understood why Ritsu had chosen Hikaru for him. Hikaru and he were so alike. Although their reasons for fighting were different, as Soubi fought to survive while Hikaru fought to reach God, their styles were strikingly similar. They would become the strongest team, he knew.

"Soubi," Hikaru called.

Soubi climbed on the bed where Hikaru was lying. So tempting. "Yes?"

"I wanna go to the Seven Voices Academy." Hikaru declared.

That really killed the mood.

"What?"

"I want to meet that Ritsu guy."

"Why?" Why him?

"Because it's the way I do things. When I play in the tournament, before the game comes, I do a research. I gather information about what kind of a man my future opponent is. I study his Kifu to figure out his strengths, his weaknesses, and even his favorite hand so that I can predict his movement and come up with aplan to win against him. I'm always well prepared. But right now, I feel so insecure. Hell, I don't even know what I am capable of. I don't know what a Sacrifice should know. You fought alone back then. I just stood there gaping like an idiot. Plus, since then, there hasn't been anyother team challenging us. I don't have any experience in fighting and I don't like it." he paused to take a lungful of air."I don't like it at all." he continued. "If I have to fight someone, I wanna make sure that I fight him in my best state."

"You want to join the Academy? You want to start the training?"

"I haven't thought about that yet. But it seems that you don't wanna talk about Se—" he heldhis tongue and corrected his speech, "that you don't know about Sacrifices as much as that Ritsu guy so I think I'd better go there and ask the man himself."

He's lying, he knows that I don't like talking about Seimei or Ritsuka. "If that's what Hikaru wants." My master is such a caring boy.

But what Hikaru didn't know was that being there again wouldhurt Soubi more than anything.

But then again, Soubi liked the pain.


Going to the Seven Voices Academy in Goura did bring back bad old memories. Less than three months ago Soubi had sat in this very same backseat of this very same car with Ritsuka. When his former Sacrifice had announced his wish to go to the Academy, Soubi had intended to borrow a car from Kio and drive them there himself. Kio, however, had tagged along with them, saying that since it was his car, he had the right to join their trip too. Just like before, Kio has used the same excuse again. Right now he was in the front seat, driving and complaining.

"Why are we going there again? Didn't the last time teach you anything?" Kio demanded.

I encountered Nisei and you got captured but… "Hikaru wants to go there." Soubi answered.

It was a short reply but it was more than enough. "Ahhh, I see," Kio pouted. "Sou-chan is kind to everybody except me! It's so unfair!" he whined.

"Sorry for the trouble, Kio-san." Hikaru moved closer to Kio's seat at the front.

Kio looked at the teenage boy's apologetic face and sighed. Soubi secretly smiled. If one were to look into those dazzling green eyes, one wouldn't be able to say no. "It's nothing." Kio said. "Don't worry, it's a part of a good wife's duty anyway, right, Sou-chan?"

I didn't hear that. "Goura is in Hakone, less than 100 kilometers from Tokyo. By car, we should reach there within two hours." Soubi informed Hikaru.

"Hey! Don't ignore me!"

Kio drove along the same road. They passed the same mountain, the same towns; everything was the same. They even took a short break to buy snacks at the same supermarket. Soubi remembered this place well. It was where Ritsuka had ordered him to strip off his shirt right in the middle of the parking so that he could see his scars, the proof of Seimei's sadism.


"So what happened the last time when you went to the Academy?" Hikaru asked Kio. Right now, Soubi was still in the supermarket, searching for his favorite brand of chips so he was using this as a chance to ask Kio about what Soubi didn't mention.

"Didn't he tell you?"

"Not much," Hikaru shrugged. "He said that he went there with Ritsuka once and they met Seimei, who was supposed to be dead, and Nisei there."

"I see," Kio uttered. "Well, they got into a fight, that's all."

Hikaru frowned, his Go player's sixth sense told him that Kio was hiding something – something important. "Is there anything that I should know?"

"If you want to know everything, why don't you just order Soubi to tell you?" Kio questioned back. "He will, you know, if you order him to. You are his master; he will do anything you tell him to. He's a submissive masochist, a hardcore one, I'm telling you."

"I believe in human equality." Hikaru replied. "I am taught that it's wrong for a person to rule another. I don't like to order people around."

"Quite a contradicting boy you are. You said those beautiful words but you become his master anyway." Kio remarked.

"To tell you the truth, I don't quite understand myself either," this was the first time Hikaru spoke it out, "but when I looked into his eyes, it was so empty. It was like he had no reason to live. He's the kind of guy that needs to live for someone rather than himself. I had a feeling that if I let things go on like that without doing something, it may have led to his self-destruction."

"You know what, for a bratty-looking boy, you're very observant." Kio gave him a compliment, although it was quite a sarcastic one.

"That's what I do for a living. As a Go pro, if you're ignorant, you're doomed."

"Ah-ha, I see."

"And that's why I becamehis master, as you and he put it; although I consider myself as his guide. You have to admit that that guy need to be ordered around and smacked at the head from time to time since he lacks common sense."

"Hah! Tell me about it!" Kio laughed.

"Besides, I just can't bear seeing him wither that way." Hikaru looked at the entrance of the supermarket. Soubi had finally found his chips. "So here I am."

"You're kind, kid. I'm glad that Soubi has someone like you by his side." Kio uttered, gazing at Soubi, who was heading towards them.

"In that case, so are you."

"Of course, I am!" Kio grinned wildly.

"And a modest one too!" then they laughed together.

"It seems that youtwo are getting along well." Soubi commented dryly.

"Oh, Sou-chan, are you jealous?" Kio jumped at him, giving him a hug. "Don't worry, Sou-chan! You are the only one in my heart!"

Soubi simply took no notice of his friend and handed Hikaru a bag of chips. "I've got your chips, Hikaru."

"Hey! You're doing it again! Pay attention to me, Sou-chan!"

And so, they left the supermarket and continued their trip. Soon afterwards, they arrived at their destination, the Seven Voices Academy, the school for Fighters and Sacrifices. Since they didn't allow Kio, a normal man with no power, to roam in the building, Kio dropped them off at the entrance and went to Goura Park, the well-known rose garden in the town.


From the outside, there was nothing special about the Academy. There were two buildings and a large garden that resembled a small wood more than a garden. Soubi led Hikaru into the building at the front. Once they were inside, he went to talk to a receptionist, leaving Hikarusitting on a sofa, waiting for him. After they finished talking, Soubi went back to him and gave him a key.

Looking at the key in his palm, Hikaru frowned. "What is this?"

"It's a key."

"I know it's a key!" he retorted. "But what's it for?"

"It's a key for our room." Soubi answered.

"Our room?" Hikaru exclaimed. " What you do mean by 'our room'? We don't have a plan to stay a night here!"

"Just in case; you never know what might happen." Soubi stated with a serious look. "Besides, we'll have a private place to rest, if we need to."

"Hmmm," What happened last time bothers him. "Fine."

"What do you want to do next? Would you like me to give you a tour around the Academy or—"

"I want to talk to Ritsu Minami." he cut Soubi off. "You did tell him about our arrival, didn't you?"

Soubi looked uncomfortable before saying. "I called him yesterday. He should be in the principal room waiting for us."

"Good, lead the way then." Hikaru commanded.

Soubi responded with a firm nod. "Understood."

Hikaru followed Soubi to the said room. He looked at Soubi's broad back with guilt overwhelming his heart. He wasn't completely honest with Soubi. His excuse was that he wanted to know more about a power of a Sacrifice but the truth was that he wanted to know more about Soubi. It's not only for himself, but also for the sake of the both of them.

Hikaru knew that apart from himself and Kio, there were three other people who played a major part in Soubi's lonely life. First was Seimei, Soubi's first Sacrifice who left him for a guy called Nisei – the one who was meant to be the Beloved Fighter from the very beginning. He knew how much Soubi worshipped Seimei and how much it hurt him for getting dumped, but Hikaru couldn't help it. He wanted to know more about Seimei because he was the one who killed Sai. Contrary from popular belief, Shindou Hikaru was neither a hotheaded nor a reckless person. He was a very prudent young man. Rather than start hunting the murderer like a mad man, he decided it would be wiser to wait. Seimei branded Soubi as traitor now; he would attack him sooner or later. Why wasting his energy in chasing after him? All he had to do was to wait until Seimei appear before him. Then he would take his revenge. However, in order to do that, he needed to know everything about the man first.

The second person thatSoubi held dear in his heart was Ritsuka, Seimei's little brother and Soubi's second Sacrifice, who also discarded him for his real Loveless Fighter. Just like Seimei, Ritsuka was a touchy subject. Still, Kio talked about him sometimes. According to Kio, Ritsuka was nothing like his cold-hearted older brother. He was very considerate and forgiving.

However, since it brought pain to Soubi whenever he mentioned of the Aoyagi brothers, it left him no choice but to come over here to ask Ritsu himself.

Ritsu Minami was the last one in the list. He was the head master of this Academy who adopted Soubi after he lost his parents in a car accident when he was five year old. Hikaru didn't know what happened between them. It seemed that Ritsu was always willing to offer Soubi help whenever he needed, yet, Soubi hated him deeply.

Despite Soubi's dislike, Hikaru wanted to know everything about the relationship between Soubi and the three of them. Moreover, Hikaru wanted to know more about Sai.

Sai had never talked about his childhood and he had always been curious about it. Now was the chance to find out about it. What was he like when he was a kid? Was he happy to be a Fighter? What was his training like? Had he ever gotten injured? Did he have any close friend? If so, who was the lucky one?

Was it a crime to befriend with him?

Just because they were a Fighter and a Sacrifice, they couldn't be friends?

Did Ritsu believe that Sai deserved to die too?

"Here we are." Soubi said while they finally reached the room. Above the wooden door, agolden sign said, 'Principal's room'.

"Let's go." Hikaru said. At that, Soubi opened the door without knocking.


The sight before them was a man looking out of a large window in a room full of butterflies.

There're stuffed butterflies everywhere… on all four walls…

The man turned around from the window, his arms opened wide in greeting. "Ahhh, Soubi-kun. I'm so glad to see you here. I've been waiting for you."

Ritsu Minami was a good-looking man. He looked very young for a man in his late thirties. His appearance was beautiful and feminine. His light brown hair looked so soft and his silver glasses gleamed as the light shone on it. Soubi will definitely hate me for saying this but they look so similar.

Soubi brushed Ritsu off and spoke to him instead. "Hikaru, this is the principal of the Seven Voices Academy, Ritsu Minami. He's also a member of the Seven Moons."

The head master moved closer. "You must be Shindou-kun. Finally, we meet." He offered his hand but before Hikaru could take it, Soubi forcefully slapped it away.

"Soubi!"

"Don't you touch him." Soubi hissed, holding Hikaru with his strong arm.

Amused, Ritsu gently rubbed his hand where he was hit. "Still as adorable as I remember."

This is not good. "Why don't you go and meet your friends while we talk?" Hikaru suggested, knowing that Soubi would protest for sure.

"Hikaru!"

"I'll call you if I want your help. You can hear my voice wherever you are, right?"

"Yes."

"See? There's nothing to worry." Still in Soubi's embrace, he gave his worried Fighter a reassuring smile.

Soubi turned to Ritsu. "If you even lay one finger on a strand of his hair, I will kill you." he threatened, glaring at him with hatred.

Ritsu merely shrugged.

Soubi looked at Hikaru in his arms, kissed his cheek and said lovingly. "Call me when you want anything, ok?"

"Hai, hai." Hikaru waved his hand to cast him out the room. Man, he kissed me again! In front of another personas well! I'll lecture him about proper etiquette later.

Soubi reluctantly left the room. Once Hikaru was alone with Ritsu, Ritsu said with a creepy smile, strongly reminding him of Ogata. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Shindou Hikaru-kun?"


Words: 3190

AN: Stay tune!

Special thank: Sany and Noemie