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Chapter 9

Deal

Ryu sat behind the gym, he felt uneasy ever since his game with Sai-sensei... they all knew that it was a fake name – they were told not to ask about anything. Well, that wasn't uncommon – after all they got the reason to be in this school. Each and everyone of them – even Etoile – was looking for peace and calmness. Even so that teacher wasn't from any of behind scenes families nor from rich one - that was so obvious. Above all he got Her attention and not only that – many of senpai's supported him as well.

"His Go – I had seen it before."

"I thought soo." Said Hikaru who stood right behind him "You are from Japan as well. You know the origin of my game – at least that extent that you can without knowing me and my history."

"Honinbo." mumbled boy "But it's not what I'm talking abut – I played with someone over net – I was a kid back then."

"You still are. " Hikaru smiled at boy angry eyes "So, you played with Sai." seeing boy interest he sat down "Let's make a deal then."

"What kind of a deal?" asked boy "I know that are not Sai – your game just resembles his."

"If you manage to beat me I will tell you origin behind Net-Sai." said Hikaru "For that sake I will train you harder than anyone."

" It would seam that you want me to know." smirked boy "That Sai – was he your teacher?"

"Well, not everyone can tell the difference. AS you said I'm not Sai... despite that fact in Japan there was a person who desired only him and kept me close 'cos of my link to Sai Go." said Hikaru more to himself that Ryu "Sai was the one who had shown me Go – if it wasn't for him I would never started..."

"I guess I can drop by your class every now and then." said Ryu "But still I have a question." seeing his teacher to nod his head boy continued "Why Etoile-sama treasure you so much?"

"Good question."

"It's about your past – I know it is... you seam to carry a heavy burden on you." boy lowered his head "My behaviour on last classes was stupid and not mature at all. I hate loosing and I knew that you are stronger."

"It's fine – to tell you the truth you resemble one of my friends. Mitani was a pain at the begging too." Hikaru opened his fan and looked at the boy "If you are as strong willed as he is you may have a chance of betting me some day."

"Huh, I will - just you wait." boy went off with angry face, but in fact he was happy that Sai-sensei looked for him and proposed the deal to save his honour, which would be hurt if he returned on his own.

Hikaru looked after him "I wonder – who you resemble more me or Mitani... or maybe Waya?"

Few weeks later

Go class was training after hours – it turned out that most of them had at least heart for the game. Sound of played pieces was so calming. Hikaru smiled at boy's who tried to learn aouter more about Pro World.

"I'm telling you... Isumi-pro is best of all."

"No, Touya-pro!"

"I prefer Ochi-pro style." Hikaru chuckled at this recalling nerd Ochi

"I think Shindou-pro was better." said Anne "I heard that he disappeared a while ago."

"I heard that too. He plays his game's by Net-Go"

Hikaru frowned felling Ryu eyes on himself, that kid was to wise for his own good.

"Sensei! What do you think?" asked Anne "Who is the best?"

"Best? Hard question." He bit his lip "Isumi-san is strong, he was even as an Insei." everyone looked at him carefully realizing that he was recalling his own memories "Ochi... Ochi will never change – it was hard on him, when others failed to notice him. Despite of that he loves the game." unknowingly Hikaru let his hand slid by goban "He – Touya Akira has a goal higher then them, he is stronger too, but he cannot communicate well... His life is Go itself. I guess I cannot answer." he stood up and said "You are free for now." and went off.

"Sensei." whined Anne "What about Shindou-pro?"

"Stupid Anne." said Ryu "You upset him and I couldn't practice enough." his eyes went to the doors Shindou-pro? In his mind answer was formed already.

"I'm not stupid!"

"Yes, you are." assured Ryu and picked his bag "Don't talk about it any more." he send a glare to Damien "Talk to them and explain."

In Japan

Isumi looked at older man with interest, that was good idea – catching attention and all...

"But it would cost a lot – can we afford this?" asked Isumi

"And here is best news of all – we don't have to worry." exclaimed man

"What? Amano-san, what are you saying?" Isumi was shocked "Are you felling well?"

"Isumi-sensei, there is a reason that I'm talking with you, not with elders. We had a request, so that you would be in charge. That was only demand of that person." Isumi blinked

"Hmm, now that said that." he joined few fact together and realized true reason "I think I understand now. We have a sponsor from America, isn't that right Amano-san?"

"Oro... You seam to know something." said Amano "Interesting."

"Let's say, that I heard about a certain school." Isumi stood up "I will be glad to help in that idea. One more thing Amano-san." he stopped at the door "Don't tell or write anything about that school, it may cost us more than just loosing a sponsor."

"Isumi-sensei?"

"I assure you – I'm telling the truth. They would do anything to protect their secret. I will contact them on my own behalf." Isumi felt that his cellphone moved in pocked and smiled "Or rather they will..."

Amano stayed in the room with shock written all over his face, first that school and now Isumi strange behaviour

"I guess I will have to wait to know more." Amano played with his pen "I have a felling that it will be interesting again... that boy I wonder if he have something to do with it."

"I'm tired of waiting too." said old man who just entered "How long I will have to wait for his return? I'm not going to live forever."

"Kuwabara-sensei?" Amano looked at old pro with wonder on face

"That kid – I will not hand over my title to any other challenger than Him." announced old player "It was decided on that day."

Akira was passing by and stopped as he heard Kuwabara words

"That kid – Shindou Hikaru I haven't played him yet... I will not loose until he goes back. He is the one I was waiting for." old man breathed hard "He is Honinbo."

Akira frozen, until that moment he only thought of his own desire to play with Shindou, his won desire to see other burning eyes, but...

"Even Kuwabara-sensei is waiting for him... and it's all my fault. Who I was to question his Go that is praised by Honinbo title holder? I'm stupid!" He started to run, far away "No, it's not what I want to say... Go – the game has no importance now. I want to see him – his burning eyes and smile that he carried everyday." tears started to slipping from his eyes "I want to respond properly to his smile, I need to say that I'm sorry."

Isumi watched this scene still hold his cellphone

"Yes, leave it to me." he assured "We will start preliminaries in 9 months." he nodded "I see, it fine... I informed Amano-san of that." he watched as Akira disappeared from his eyes "I think that Touya realized his feelings already." he nodded "We are grateful for what you are doing for Hikaru sake."

On the other side of the line Etoile was smiling by tears

"He is one of us. It's our duty to make him happy." she watched as Ryu played with Hikaru "He still don't know – so don't write of that to him."

As she ended Deryl stood by her side "Are you sure? He may not return."

"Are you not sure?" she asked "You as well as I know this one thing – His heart is not here, nothing will change that."

"I know."

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Disclaimer time!!!! I dont Own Hikaru No GO sadly if i did Hikaru and akira would always be together ^_~