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 for betaing my chapter again even if I give her the shortest dead line ;D

Previously

"...Don't you worry, I'm perfectly fine with that. Besides I have my priorities all figured, and I'm always polite with strangers. You're the only one that gets to see the real and charming 'me'."

"That's cute..." Heihachi could 'deadpan' with the best of them.

"Yes, isn't it!" But Hikaru still wasn't an easy match.

"..."

"What?"

Heihachi shock his head and decided to resign, he hadn't been to his favourite Go-salon in a while after all.

"Come on brat, let's go before you can think up anymore clever comebacks. Go find your cane while I'll call for the taxi, and see if you can find your manners too."

Chapter 14

On the taxi ride to the Heart of Stone Heihachi contemplated the mystery that was his grandson. The Hikaru he knew, the boy that was bratish and even sometimes rude, became another person around strangers. Well it wasn't just around strangers either. Hikaru became reserved, polite and nearly indifferent when he was around others then himself. He had seen it before, while his wife and son were still alive. Hikaru would be almost normal, or at least more relaxed and easygoing around his family and friends.

But as soon as he was in front or around people he wasn't familiar with, or that he didn't know to well; he became another person. It hadn't been so obvious before, sure he didn't talk too much and preferred the company of adults and had only older friends...but as the years went by he became more and more reserved around people that he didn't trust 100%. Heihachi thought it was the trust he had issues with, but it could also be that he didn't like other people, or just didn't want to invest in them. What was the point of showing your true self or even your emotions to someone you had no interested in? Or that you didn't think would care or stick around...?

Heihachi had soon figured out that Hikaru was suppressing his feelings on a regular basis, and that made him seem reserved and stoic. He was just glad the boy let his true friends and family see his happy face once in a while. But would it get worse after he himself died? Would the dear boy close of his emotions when he had no one left? He had seen the difference in him after his father and grandmothers dead, and even after his mother left them...how far would Heihachi's death push him. How far could he fall?

Heihachi looked over at his grandson, they were only ten minutes into their ride, but the boy was still beginning to mask his emotions. By the time they went through the door of the salon Hikaru would have become the calm, polite and somewhat reserved boy. He would wear his public mask, and not even Heihachi would manage to pull it off.

"Where are we going? To one of your regular salons? There better be some good players there..."

"The Heart of Stone, you'll like it there. They have lots of different level costumers. But prepare yourself for the cigarette smoke. You can cough up a lung for less."

"Worry about yourself old stuff, I'm not the one with the bad health." His tone was playful, but the mask was on its way on fasten; his expression was calm and cold. Like a doll with indifferent eyes.

"...So the cane is just for show then?"

If Hikaru's glare was a deadly as he wished for Heihachi would feel slightly dizzy or at least missing an eye right now...but at least he managed to pull some emotions out of the kid.

The taxi driver dropped them of right outside the salon, having seen both of their canes. Hikaru tried not to think of it, even if Sai was pointing out that the driver was just being considering.

The vertical building sign proudly proclaimed that they had come to the Heart of Stone – even a small Go problem was placed over the name. Heihachi didn't spare it a glance, but quickly made his way inside the salon. The room was filled with old and middle aged men. Hikaru couldn't see one woman –which was strange since he knew many females also played Go– but he guessed Go-salons more more male dominated then he had though. The Gobans where placed three or four on one long board with chairs on each side. The place looked good enough, but Hikaru really couldn't judge since this was his first time in a Go-salon. Sai loved it though, for the first glance at all the people, Gobans and calm pa-chi sounds from the stones.

He had been right to prepare Hikaru for the smoke, the strong smell hit him on the way in – even Sai could have swore he smelled something. Though Heihachi didn't seem to mind as he walked up the front disk and who was probably the boss or manager

"Owner, one adult and one child."

"Oh it's you! I haven't seen you here for ages Shindou-san, how is it going?"

"Yes, I've been to busy to make any of my monthly visits. But Hikaru wanted to come so here we are. Where's the wife?"

"So this is your grandson, I've heard his good. My wife is in the back, making a new can of tea." The owner, and graying but cheerful man, peered over his counter at Hikaru who had placed himself by Heihachi's side.

"Yes, he has had his winnings. But this experience will be good for him; even if he has played adults before, both the situation here and the atmosphere is different."

"Yes, yes you're right. Well it's nice to meet you Shindou-kun."

"Likewise." Hikaru said with a short bow.

"That will be 1500 yen. I think a board at the far back is free if you want to play together. But if your boy is as good as the rumors makes him out to be, then he will probably be dragged into a game right away."

The owner's belief's turned out to be true. As soon as the word was known that the Shindou kid was there to play, many of the regulars demanded to play him. Especially the ones he had played before, like Kanashi-san and Juuren-san.

Sai was ecstatic of course, not having seen so many Go-players at the same place before. He was also proved of how they crowded around Hikaru and demanded games.

You're very popular Hikaru, maybe you should try to destroy them...?

...Sai...

What? It will make them better and help you improve. And it isn't polite of you to not give it your all!

Okay, sure I'll crush them, but I'm blaming you if they get mad for losing to a 9 year old.

...Well....then they should get better! Now crush them Hikaru!

...Sai...you get violent when it comes to Go...you should probably have that looked at.

Pa-chi


Pa-chi, pa-chi. pa-chi


Pa-chi, pa-chi

Many of the costumers of the Heart of Stone were gathered around his board. He and his middle aged opponent –whom he hadn't got a name from– had been at it for over an hour, but Hikaru could see the end was near. He just hope his opponent would notice it too soon: For every extra stone his lay down Hiakru's winnings went up 5 moku. All the roads were closed or controlled by him, there was nothing his opponent could do. He had been a good player, but he had should probably have laid down one more stone if he hoped to have a change of winning.


Pa-chi


Pa-chi


Pa-chi


Pa-chi

"Makemashita."

"Thank you for the game. Do you want to discuss it?"

"Sure, but man your good! I still can't believe you're only 9. My own grandchildren can't even hold the stones correctly yet alone beat me with 3 handicap stones." The middle aged man Hikaru had just won over said with a pleased grin as he looked over their game. He had thankfully resigned before Yose. Even if the loss stung, he was still good enough to figure out when he was outmatched.

"Yeah, and he's so calm and polite about his Go-slaughtering too. You have a brilliant grandchild Shindou-san, you should bring him over more often. I would like to try my skills against him again." The player who had played against the young genius with four stones was grinning down at him and his grandfather.

"I would like that." He said with a polite bow to the man before he turned back to his latest game. "Now, you Go-Hand is strong and solid, but whenever I played an unfamiliar move, like this one here, you didn't manage to think outside the box. That was your weakness. If you had played here in stead of here I would find myself in a difficult position..."

"Yes that might have done the trick, but my old brain can't figure out such tricky hands...but let play another game, the more I learn from you the better I will get to see such tricks and maybe think outside the box like you said. You'll come again and play me next week right? Man, I bet Kawai-san will be green of jealously when he hears I got to play you. Ever since talk about you're skills started he has gone around bragging that he would crush you if he got the chance. Hohoho, maybe he will be here next week too, then you can show him your skills and get that rude man to keep quiet!"

Hikaru and Heihachi played for two more hours before they called for a taxi to pick them up.

It had been fun, Hikaru admitted to both his grandpa and Sai. The ghost had spent most of his time watching Hikaru's games but had also drifted around watching other costumers play. And even though he hadn't gotten to play himself he said he had had just as much fun as Hikaru; just watching all the different games, Hands and levels had made it worth it.

Let's do that again soon Hikaru! Please?

Sure, we can go back next week like that old man made me promise. I'm sure grandpa will let us, he seemed to have a good time too. Besides I want to kill this Kawai-san's ego.

"Was that the only Go-salon you know of?" Hikaru asked his grandpa as they entered their house some 20 minutes later.

"Of course not, there are also strong players at the Nine Stars Club. Lot's of insei go there to teach and get accustomed to play against adults. It can be difficult to play normally when you are used to only playing children and kids your own age."

"Yeah, geezers are a whole different species...it just goes to prove that becoming and insei is a bad idea. They don't get enough experience and only think they are any good, since they have only played against the same children for years. Most will probably face the harsh real world when they try to become pro."

"So you have decided then; you're not going to become an insei? What about Pro then? It can't be fun only to play old men and NetGo? You won't reach your potential only playing against amateurs. You need to loss and fight your way to the top to really improve."

"Don't worry, I'll become the best by my own powers."

And I'll help you reach your goal too!

Thanks Sai...want to play a game after dinner?

YESSSSS! Hurry and eat!

AN: ...Short, but you'll live right?

On another note; Do you know or think you know what my inspiration for Hikaru's attitude is? So of you are probably interested in knowing, most of you won't give a damn, but I like to tell so here it is: Hikaru in German King = Uchiha Sasuke/Toyua Akira/Dexter Morgen/Gregory House.....now is it any doubt why he's pretty messed up? ;D

And one last note: I have put up a POLL. Got a review that sprung forth some ideas. So I want you guys to go to my profile and make your options known: Should Hikaru (and Sai) bump into Ogata, Akira or others before he go the Germany? Or only meet them afterwards?