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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Thank you to all my readers ;D
And a big 'Thank you' to 9tail-Naruto whom helped be beta this chapter ;D
Previously
So....What do you want to known as 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
Chapter 11
'Sai' the Internet Go-player was quickly racing up in ranks on the server. With Hikaru locked up in his room all the time and Sai still overly eager to play on the computer, the ghost played normally 10–20 games a day. His rank had risen slowly at first because none of the higher ranked players wanted to play a newbie, but after his 20th game and no losses they came crawling in heaps. And Sai being over the moon –not to mention in control of the mouse– played whomever that asked for a game. Grinning all along, humming to himself and cheerfully slaughtering all his opponents. Hikaru was just glad that Sai brought most of his battle lust out on the invincible opponents and not him.
They had, of course, played many games on the Goban together too, but they where often shindougo with long and detailed explanations. They were both learning after all, Sai was learning new and modern moves from Hikaru and Hikaru was learning classical and forgotten moved from Sai. A win-win solution if Hikaru had ever seen one. Sai also seemed to like their late night shindougo games.
A week after his accident, when his leg no longer throbbed and he felt he had gotten his share of Sai's genius, Hikaru made his way into the living room looking for his grandpa. He had of course been out of his room before then, but only for meals, toilet breaks and small talk with his grandpa. Now it was time for a friendly Go game. But the twist was that it wasn't Hikaru that would be beating Heihachi like he normally did. No this game was all Sai's. His second real opponent. The ghost had jumped Hikaru again when he got the good news.
They, had of course, talked about how it all should be played out. Sai was not to totally dominant and slaughter the old man. He was not to play strange and forgotten moves. He would more or less have to take it easy on the man, but not arouse his suspicious. In that light it was kind of like a forced tie game.
"Grandpa?" Hikaru called out as he humps his way out to the living room.
Heihachi is sitting in his regular corner, looking over last weeks Weekly Go. There had been an interesting article about Ogata 8-dan.
The man looked up from the magazine when he saw Hikaru and smiled.
"Yes? Do you want me to bring in some snack to you?"
"Na, I'm cool. But I'm itching for a game if you're up for it?"
Heihachi's weekly long gloomy mood lifted and a bright smile blossomed on his ageing face.
"Of course, I'll make us some tea; it might take some time 'cause your old man hasn't been idle in your absent!" He rose quickly and strutted into the kitchen with a vigorous walk while the Weekly Go lay forgotten by the chair.
Hikaru looked after his energetic grandfather and shook his head.
He seemed happy. Sai shot in, hiding his own pleased smile behind his trusty fan.
Well, he hasn't really played against anyone this past week. He can't work the computer, I have been in my room with you and he hasn't invited any of hisGo-friends over. He must have Go-shortage or something.
Heihachi came quickly back from the kitchen with cups and tea. They both sat before the Goban in relaxed positions. Hikaru couldn't sit in seiza because of the cast and Heihachi's legs wouldn't last for more than ten minutes in the awkward position.
Sai was at Hikaru's side holding onto his Obi-fan with a delicate hand, just short of bursting with joy of the opportunity to play against a real opponent.
The Internet-Go was well and good, but it was just something special to play against real people that you could see and feel. But then again, Sai could play (nearly) on his own on the computer, but he needed Hikaru there if he wanted to play face-to-face. And even if Sai could see and know who his opponent was, they wouldn't know or see him. They would only see Hikaru and believe his Go was the boys...They wouldn't really be playing against him, wishing to beat him and wondering about his next move like his opponents on the Magic box. It was a sad reality, but at least he had the opportunity to play be himself thanks to Hikaru's brilliant theory and computer. He would be grateful.
"Well...some of my moves might surprise you..." Hikaru started, unnaturally hesitantly, earning him a raised eyebrow –Damn it, the old geezer could lift his right eyebrow! – and a dry 'Really?' from Heihachi.
"AH, yes...I've been thinking about creating another Go-hand. You know, so that I can be more unpredictable."
"You are already plenty unpredictable Hikaru, but if you think you might
manage it..." Heihachi said picking up his cup and testing the temperature of the newly made tea.
"You can never be too unpredictable grandpa. Anyways, I've been working on it for this whole week and wanted to test it out on you. So if you, you know, don't recognize my style then that's the reason behind it."
"Well that sounds interesting, let's see how this goes. I hope you haven't written me off though. I have had the whole week looking over Meijin's kifu from his last title game!"
The two Shindos bowed their heads after the nigiri and started their first game in over a week. Hikaru was white and Heihachi had lay down two handicaps –totally against his wishes and pride he would let you know– but even he could see that it was needed against Hikaru's growing strength.
Remember to take it easy on him Sai. Our skill level is too far apart right now and grandpa knows my level better then anyone. It would seemed strange if I totally crushed him with old and genius moves after only a week of working on different Go-strategies.
I'll be careful Hikaru. And thank you for letting me play against him, even if it could risk your own Go. Sai said soberly as he pointed out his openingmove. That was all Hikaru needed to hear.
The game ended...badly for Heihachi. Hikaru's skill level had risen yet again and his new moves and tactics had really confused him at times.
Heihachi had shook his gray-head with a smile and called him insane, a
Go-genius but clearly lacking common sense to go gentle on old men.
The post-game discussion ended with Heihachi's grumbling, Hikaru's smart-assed comments and a promised to play a new game tomorrow morning. Heihachi wouldn't quit without a fight and he would do anything to keep his grandson in the living room with him as much as possible.
What happened to the 'I'll be careful Hikaru' comment? If I hadn't poked you sides once every minute you would have cut him to pieces?! Hikaru turned to the ghost the minute they crossed the doorway, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance.
Ah...hahaha! Sai laughed sheepishly. I might have lost myself in the battle for territory...?
Hikaru gave the hovering ghost and long and meaningful look all the while trying his hardest to lift his right eyebrow...
Arg! I give up. The boy threw up his arms and humped over to his bed.
Hikaru! Please...are you...aren't you going to let me play anymore? Sai was in his face in seconds making Hikaru's eyes cross trying to look at him.
What...? Of course not! Sai gave a wail of sorrow and Hikaru picked up on his badly worded replay.
That's not...arg! Listen Sai, I'm going to let you play, we even planned a game for tomorrow, but you have to have better control over your lust for a win. It's somewhat okay with grandpa 'cause he isn't going to tell anyone even of he thinks it's strange, but if you ever hope to play others besides myself and grandpa then you have to control yourself.
Sai nodded his head with such energy that his hat went out of position but he was smiling brightly at Hikaru's statement.
Of course, of course.
Hikaru gave a sigh of exhaustion and leaned back on his bed.
I know your whole existence and goal is to play as much Go as possible and reach the Hand of God and I respect you for it, I really do. But you can't reach it through me. I can't play in your stead, at least not all the time. I have my own Go, my own hand and goals to become the best Go player in the future. You can play by yourself on the account on Internet and sometimes against real opponents. People that I will most likely never play again or bad players that can't see the difference between our hands. But that's it for now, until we can figure something else out. It might not sound like much or even worthy your genius, but it's all I can offer. I hope you decide to stay with me even though I'm being such a bad host.
Hikaru wasn't looking at his new companion throughout his whole speech. He didn't dare. Even the thought that he was most likely pushing such a great and easy to like person out of his life because of his own lust for Go hurt. He was being selfish, but Go was his everything; even a genius Go-player like Sai wouldn't stand in his way. The possibility of everlasting friendship and companionship wasn't standing in his way. Nothing was more important then Go since the game was the glue in all of Hikaru's still reminding relationships.
He shouldn't have worried though. Really, Sai understands. Go was also the most important thing in his life for the Go genius. He understood his reasons and he was grateful. Grateful for the opportunity to play by himself on the computer and grateful for the fare between games with real opponents, even if they would rarely be up to his or even Hikaru's skill level. He had gained this chance; he had waited for so long since Torajiro's death to play that any game would bring a smile to his face. He would be grateful.
It's okay Hikaru, I understand. Thank you for keeping up with me, and if you wouldn't mind I would love to stay with you for as long as you live.
Hikaru didn't want to admit it, but his heart hadn't felt so light in years.
Sure, I would like that.
AN: So what do you think, too fluffy? I'm hoping (most for my own sake) that that will be the last fluff scene in this story. But my chapters have a way of writing themselves so I never know what will end up on paper when I start a new page ;D
Next chapter: More Sai and Hikaru! Oh and maybe some three opponents 'forced tie' games, with Hikaru in the driver seat though.