Hikaru no Go – German King

Summary: Tragedies hits Hikaru one by one, and all he has left is Go and memories. He will grow older, he will grow colder, but he will also take you by storm. AU. No pairings decided as of yet.

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I don't own Hikaru no Go

Hikaru's thoughts and talking with Sai

Sai speaking

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Previously

"Oh, I'm just bringing the Goban to my room. Want to recreate some games and thought I might as well have one Goban in my room since I pretty much will be confined to it. Seeing as the computer is in there and I can't move around too much, I can just practise my Go in there too."

"Oh, well okay then, but let me help you." Heihachi said calmly, trying not to let his grandchild see how worried and sad he was that Hikaru didn't want to spend his time in the living room with him like they had always done before.

"Thanks old man, you can take the goke." Hikaru said with a smile, relieved that his grandpa hadn't questioned his sudden desire to play Go in private.

Chapter 10

When Hikaru and his grandpa came in with the promised board, Sai couldn't have been more giddy and pleased if he tried. The ghost was sitting in seiza as soon as the Goban was placed down on the floor.

Hikaru thanked his grandpa as the man walked into the living room again looking somewhat downtrodden. The old man was probably still tired from all the action. Hikaru swept his eyes over to Sai and the Goban instead.

The ghost was the very picture of efficiency. Being of the Heian period it was probably normal, but by today's standards Sai was extremely effeminate. He sat there looking longingly at the Goban in silence; he had traditionally feminine features and high-born mannerisms in plenty. A huge turnaround from his behaviour just moments ago.

If Hikaru remembered correctly what his History teacher had gushed about, then the name 'Fujiwara' suggests that he might even be related to a noble family of extremely high prestige in the Heian period, the Fujiwara clan. It would explain a lot if he was. And not everybody could probably gain the title of the Emperor's Go-instructor. Hikaru just hoped the ghost would be soft on the water-works; tears had been a sign of intelligence and sensitivity in Sai's time after all.

The young boy shock himself out of his wandering thoughts and sat down – rather ungraceful no thanks to his shining new cast – by the Goban. He grabbed both go-kes, and finally got Sai's attention when he pulled of their lids.

Okay, so how do we do this? Are you going to point out your moves and I lay down the stones, or do you want to say them out loud? He asked as he looked over to the ghost.

I can just point where I want you to place the stones with my fan. He said while his fished out the said Obi-fan from his long sleeves.

Sure, we can do it like that...

Are you any good Hikaru? Sai suddenly asked and blinked down at Hikaru from behind his fan.

I guess I'm good...I can beat both grandpa and all the old geezers he has brought over on til now. Hikaru answers not too bashfully. He thought himself good, but then again he had never played anyone of significant skill before. He looked over at the ghost again where he sat in seiza like his was born in the position.

So...I'm guessing I'm black and that this will be a shindougo game to test my skills..?

Sai smiles in replay. Yes, I think that will be for the best. Once we have played once, I will have a better picture of your Go and afterwards we can play a another game with the appropriate handicap stones.

Hikaru gave a small mental snare, but knew it would be silly to think himself good enough to play without handicaps. Sai was after all not just any fan waiving ghost, but a Go-genius that had played for Shusaku.

"Onegaishimasu." He says out loud without noticing and gains a smile and bow from his opponent. Onegaishimasu.

Silently he picks up a black stone and concentrate on the broad. This it is. He gets to play Go against The Shusaku. He would have to give it his all.

Hundreds of moves, roads, tactics and traps played out before his eyes as he thought about his opening move and how Sai might answer to his hands. In the end he figured he would have to wait until they had laid down some 10 stones. He had studies some of Shusaku's old kifu before, but those might not help him with the real thing in front of him. He would just have to try his best and try to learn from the experience.

Pa-chi

Sai hid his smile behind his sleeve as he watched the young boy put on his game-face and lose himself in the game. This was it. The first game of Go since Torajiro's early death. He had meet a new boy kind enough to let him play, to play a game of Go in his home. A boy that had accepted him with little question and fright. A boy that already knew the joy of Go, and whom might share his goal for the Divine move.

A lone and silent tear rolled down his cheek and got soak up in his sleeves. It was a tear of happiness and a tear of sorrow; he was given a new chance to play his beloved game, but he could never play it himself. It was a cruel reality, but as he still had a reality, he would be grateful.

"Makemashita." Hikaru said as he dropped his black stone back into the go-ke. He bowed down low and swept his calculating eyes over the Goban one last time. A 62 moku loss...in a shindougo game... It was clear that Sai hadn't gone easy on him. He was glad.

Thank you for the game.

Well, you slaughter me...I might just have though too highly of my Go after just playing amateurs. I'm glad we had this game. He said soberly, a bit too serious for Sai's post-game giddiness.

That's not true Hikaru, you a very talented Go player! I just went all out on you, being so happy for the opportunity to play Go again. He said while blushing and waiving his arms around. Hikaru felt a bit better, though that might just be the ghosts emotions invading his own...a slaughter wasn't less bloody even if the killer apologised and was giddy about it.

You have a surprisingly steady and sure hand. And your move here was interesting. What was that one move? It seemed like a mistake at first but... Sai had jumped right into the after-game discussion and was pointing seriously at some of their previous moves. It just happened that he was pointing out Hikaru's most successful hands. His babies.

Ah, yes. That's my speciality! I'm good at traps and tricks. My grandpa always falls for them. I place stones that looks like mistakes, but they are really the key-stones to my hidden traps!

Oh, so you are good at reading the flow and possibilities of roads? That a very useful talent.

They kept on discussing the shindougo game as Sai hadn't been teaching and pointing out Hikaru's moves while they played. After they both were satisfied they clean the board and started on their 'real' game. And after a 62 moku loss at shindougo Sai asked Hikaru to lay down 6 stones. Hikaru gritted his teeth in frustration over the amount, but lay them down. It should probably have been 7 stones after all, it being a shindougo game had to count for something.

It had been many frustrating and inspiriting games between boy and ghost later before Hikaru showed Sai his computer. Or rather, Sai practically jumped into the machine –He probably would have if he was coperal– when Hikaru turned in the computer to do his homework.

My Lord, what is this thing!? It's blinking and making strange sounds!

It's called a computer. And if you would be so kind as to remove your head from the screen I will show you how it works. Hikaru said with a tired groan. He had quickly noticed that Sai tended to shove his head or other ghostly-parts into things he didn't understand.

After Sai had pulled his head and hat out of the computer and was hovering over his shoulder, Hikaru sat back down in his chair and waited for the machine to wake up. It wasn't to most modern of models...

The computer is a modern invention. The private home have only had it for 20 or so years, but most families have one now a days. It's dead useful sometimes if you know how to use it, which my grandpa doesn't. But I've leaned it from an older friend of mine, his family is pretty well of so they got a computer early in the nineties. It looked complicated, but it's really simple if you know the basics. Sai had left his place by Hikaru's shoulder and was now hovering upside down looking at the computer with interest. Hikaru lifted an eyebrow –his left, he hadn't quite managed to make his right do the art yet, though he was getting lots of practise with Sai around– and tried his best to ignore the ghosts weird behaviour.

Anyways, I'm going to check my e-mail. My homeroom teacher should have managed to send me my weekly homework by now.

Sai nodded his head, or tried to at least having some difficulties communicating his agreement with Hikaru as he was halfway out of the floor. He knew about Hikaru's weekly homework that his teacher would be sending and receiving...But the 'how' was still lost for him.

What's an Eel mail and what does it have to do with this magic box?

It's e-mail Sai, short for electronic mail, and I will receiving and sending the mail and by proxy my homework by this 'magic box'. Here let me show you.

Hikaru placed his hand on the mouse and quickly gained access to his mail account. And talk about effectivience; his teacher had manage to send him a mail with an attachment! Sai oh'ed and ah'ed throughout the whole process and was justifiably awed by the modern machine. Though Hikaru planed to awe him even more when he showed him the connection between the Internet and Go.

He looked quickly over the attachment and calculated that he would manage to finish this weeks work in some hours if he concentrated. He would start on it tomorrow.

Hikaru quickly found the link to his favourite Go-server in his bookmarks and clicked his way into the site. He had been going to his site since January and even had his own account. 'Light''s skill level wasn't too high, but he had some continual wins the first month so his level had stayed as 'undecided' for that period.

What's this Hikaru, it's not another post box is it? Sai asked curiously as he saw the picture in the magic box change. This picture was more colourful and had small picture in the big picture that was moving and blinking! Oh, and was those spots a Go-patterns?!

Hikaru, Hikaru! What is this?!

The boy with the computer skills basked in Sai's joyful curiosity. It's a Go-server. By creating an account here you can play Go via the Internet against opponents around the world. Be it a amateurs from Japan, a insei from Korean or a casual player from the USA; you may freely play them all. And the best part...

He looked over at Sai's increasingly eager smile. Oh, how Sai would slaughter his opponents. He was probably bursting at the seams to play others all out.

The best part is that it is all anonymously. You can play as yourself, your go, your moves, your tactics. And against whomever you want. Without anyone knowing who you are or where you live...

Hikaru was assaulted by large sleeves, long hair and fluctuating arms as Sai buried his face into his chest. He might have imagine it, but Sai seemed to be nuzzling and purring softly all the while mumbling 'Thank you' over and over again. Well at least he knew that the ghost was happy with his new discovery.

This way you can play you heart out without putting my Go at risk. I already have an account so we will just make one for you too and you can play whenever you want and I have the time...Normally I would of course have to place the stones for you. But I think we might manage to make it a bit more real for you seeing as you can touch me.

Sai lifted his head from Hikaru's chest and looked strangely at him, though he didn't say anything.

Hikaru placed his hand back on the mouse. See this thing? It's called a mouse and if I move it like so, the small arrow you can see on the screen will mirror my movements. He moved his hand to the left and the arrow move with it. Sai nodded his head understanding that the two things were connected somehow though the 'how' might forever be beyond his understanding.

Hikaru went to open a Go-problem game in a separate window. Now if I move the arrow to the intersection of the broad that I want to play, and click down the left button on the mouse like so, I can place the stones. He showed the ghost who looked on to see that a small black circle appeared just where the small arrow had been before.

Oh! Wow...That's great. You can place down stones on the Goban in the magic box!

Hikaru choose to ignore the 'magic box' nickname his computer had gained and told Sai about his theory. It would be a major change and freedom for them both if he was correct.

Yes, it's lovely...now, place your hand on top of mine. Right over the hand holding the mouse. Since you can touch me I want to check if you might be able to move and click the mouse by manipulating the movements of my hand.

Sai looked down at Hikaru's hand with evidential eagerness and worry. Maybe Hikaru shouldn't have said anything before he had seen the evident that his theory was true...But the ghost pulled himself together after a brief moment and placed his cold, but smooth hand on top of Hikaru's smaller one.

Okay, Hikaru said as he felt the weak pressure of the ghost hand, it was there, but only barley, this might not work...Now try to push my hand to the left.

He felt just as eager and worried as the ghost when the seconds went by and nothing happened. But he looked over at Sai's determined expression and tried to relax his hand, just letting it lay there on the mouse.

Another three seconds tick by before he felt the movement. Sai tightened his grip on Hikaru's hand and slowly pushed it and by proxy the mouse to the left.

They both faced each other and grinned. Okay, so that worked, now came the last part. Would Sai manage to push down Hikaru's finger with such a force that the mouse button would registrant it on the computer?

He shouldn't have worried. Bypassing his hesitation and worry for failure, Sai was pushing and pressing down Hikaru's finger vigorously. Making the whole site disappear, but still bringing a rare smile to Hikaru's face. This would make things so much easier for them!

This would enable Sai to places his own moves –after Hikaru had spent hours trying to teach him to do it of course. Now Sai could use Hikaru's hand to play Internet Go and Hikaru could concentrate on other things he needed to do in the mean time; like homework or reading. He only had to sit by the computer and use one hand, it was a great solution. Of course he would like to watch Sai's game when he had the time; he was a Go-genius after all and he could learn lots from just watching. But he didn't have to, and that made all the change in the world for the two of them. Sai would have to make do with watching some of Hikaru's games too of course, but he decided that Sai would get to play the most if he wanted too. The ghost wouldn't get to play as freely in the real world after all, the drastic change in skills would attract too much attention.

So....What do you want to be known by on the Internet? You can choose what ever you like, it doesn't have to mean or say anything about the real you. I'm 'Light' on this server, Hikaru was taken...

Sai. I want to be known as Sai.

'Sai' sure, I'm on it.

User name: Sai

Password: ******

Country: Japan

AN: Ah, there! I'm home from Rome, and boy was is fun and exhausting. We walked all over the place, taking pictures and writing down notes ;D The school hours are getting longer and more stressful so I might not make my 'every-other-day update' goal, but I will still try my best. The story is pretty much planed out, it just has to be written.