Title: Sai Once More
Author: Cheska
Chapter 1
Pg – 13
Disclaimer: I don't own Hikaru no Go, if I did I would make more and more stories!! *starts to insanely laugh but gets whapped at the head before she could continue further*
*hacks and coughs* Hikaru no Go is owned by none other than: Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi. *droops head in sadness*
Author's Notes: Remember this is about Sai's return except not reincarnated, only appearing to a new person. And you can all probably guess who that 'new person' is.
Oh! Another thing, this takes place while Hikaru is… *does some calculations* going toward the end of his 9th grade. 3 years in junior high, right? So that means he'll be about 14 yrs. -15 yrs. old. And the Hokuto Cup game takes place afterwards. *starts watery tears* That means, hopefully everyone knows this…Hikaru's defeat. *says it in a low, trembling voice*
~.~.~.~.~
In the Heavens:
~.~.~.~.~
Sai had been kneeling down before an opponent, his konoshi still adorning as his apparel of white and purple. The large hat, tate-eboshi was placed over his head as before. Everything that Fujiwara no Sai had worn since the Heian Period had accompanied him to heaven that is with the exception of his trademark fan. That didn't come with him but it didn't bother the Genius Go player seeing that he had given it to his friend, Shindo Hikaru.
Hikaru…
Closing his eyes for a moment, he leaned back against his kneeling position contemplating his next move against his match against his old foe from the Heian Court. At the moment, he had the advantage and at this rate he would win by 2 mokus but still…there was that one certain possibility that…
Opening his eyes, he saw the chance and acted.
Pa-chi.
Leaning back once more, he saw his opponent's face and as he read it, he knew that now this person didn't stand a chance against him and he had claimed the right as the winner.
"I resign…" his opponent bowed down, knowing he had lost before straightening up and cleaning up the stones along with Sai.
Hikaru…
Sai paused momentarily, imagining the young boy's cheerful expression whenever he would win and turn to him to see his approval. It hadn't occurred to him in awhile, that he had actually missed that expression. The last time he saw that smile was when he visited Hikaru in his dream.
*swish*
Sai gathered up the stones and deposited them back to the Go-ke before gathering up his strength to rise up, getting ready for a walk.
At that time, in the dream, Hikaru had told him about all his accomplishments since he had been gone. But…he knew already what was going on in his life. Never had he truly left Hikaru's side…he watched over the young boy and saw through his trials since then. And from his point of view, he noticed how much he truly meant to the young boy.
Smiling a small smile behind the long sleeve of his konoshi, he recalled the emotional moment of when Hikaru had cried over his loss. True, it made him sad to see that but still it was comforting to know that the time they had spent together was not in vain: that there was truly a connection between the two of them.
Pausing for a short while, Sai gazed around the heavens to see that he hadn't drifted too far from his cherished Go area. Then continued to reminisce with his thoughts about his last moments with Hikaru.
*Flashback*
Hikaru's face was lined with shock when he faced Sai within his dream.
Then that faded away to happiness as he responded with his name.
He could have answered then, but chose not to. Letting Hikaru speak of his time since his disappearance although there was truly no need.
He could have stopped him then, to converse but knew that time was short. Therefore, chose to…wait.
To just observe, smile, and just see and hear him once more before he would disappear altogether and only watch from the heavens themselves from time to time.
And when he asked why, Sai could have answered. Answered that he wished to, he wished to stay and watch over Hikaru throughout his whole life! But the reasoning behind it was…because he had a purpose himself. And that was because he was only there to pass on the powers he possessed in Go over to him, that he had waited one thousand years in order to show him that game with Touya Meijin. The game in which Hikaru would later tell him the possible mistake that could have happened that would turn the whole game around to favor the opponent.
But…
Instead of those wasted words, he merely looked on with his nostalgic smile. Letting him speak more and more until time began to run short.
And when that time came…
He made the decision to give his fan, knowing that one day he would find one just like it.
He gave the fan as a symbol. As a symbol that he had acknowledged Hikaru's ability of Go and as a sign of remembrance. To remember their friendship and their connection to one another.
He had passed on his powers and gifted ability on to another…through that fan alone.
*End flashback*
Sai had found himself in front of a mirror lake that served as a mirror for many spirits whenever they found themselves missing their loved ones and could watch from that position. The only bad part about the lake was that anyone could look over your shoulder and see what you were seeing as well, it could serve as a good and bad part if you didn't want anyone to see what you were seeing as well. Finding himself to miss Hikaru horribly so, he held his konoshi open and held it close to his delicate face, hiding his anxiety from anyone who chose to look upon him.
Nearing the lake, he saw a few others there as well, but one caught his interest. A girl who was sitting beside it, her face filled with slight sadness yet also filled with satisfaction. Coming closer, he could make out the vivid picture in the lake in front of the girl and his eyes widened in realization as to who the girl was and as to the figures inside the lake.
"Merodi…" Sai uttered behind his konoshi.
At the sound of her name, the girl's head perked up and she gazed behind her shoulder to see Sai's form. Her eyes widened in shock to see him, but after a few more seconds, she calmed down enough to rise up from her spot to approach him.
"Sai…I…never expected to…see you," Merodi stuttered a bit, a light blush adorning her cheeks.
"You've grown since we've last met, Merodi…"
Merodi dipped her head down at his words and stared back into the lake, seeing Hikaru make a statement towards Akira, but what the words were, she did not know.
"Hai, I remember the last time we've played Igo…it was at my home, and as usual, you've managed to win over me despite the long hours I've studied…but that's nothing compared to amount of games you've played…" Merodi let out a small but sad smile.
Sai smiled as well, but it quickly faded into the dark as he gazed at her. She was wearing a long white gown with minute silver stars glittering near the hem and shoulder blades. Her black hair with silver streaks, were still kept the same way but it seemed much silkier amongst the contrast of the heaven's light atmosphere. As he stared at the young teen, he couldn't help but wonder what made her different from amongst the other spirits and as he came around to that topic, it also sunk in that she had also…died.
"When did you…?" Sai began.
"A long time ago…I'm afraid," Merodi whispered softly, "You see…I…I was sent to Earth to learn more about mortals and while there I've come across you and had learned to appreciate Igo during my stay."
"To learn more about…"
"Yes, it didn't occur to me until much later that it was already planned for me as to who I would meet during my time in Japan…"
Sai remained silent.
"There's more to it than my mere presence in Japan, is what I've learned later on in the year just before I left…it seems that the Fates have something in store for the world to see…for the Go World to see…" Merodi murmured the last line, just barely enough for the Genius Go player to hear.
"Something more…?" Sai echoed back but before he could continue with his prodding questions, silence befell their area as a strong presence drew near.
Through the lush silver tinted trees, the presence of the Arcanian Guardian arrived, but his glorious wings weren't apparent on his back. But the mere sight of the silver haired man, made Sai bow slightly toward him as he came closer to him and his companion.
"Merodi…" the Guardian greeted as the girl slightly bowed to him and then his sky blue eyes paused before the young spirit next to his apprentice, "…Fujiwara Sai…"
"Sai, this is the Arcanian Guardian…he guards and helps ensure the heavens."
The Guardian bowed in return, his silver hair draping over his shoulders in response but as quick as he was to bow he rose up again and stared at Merodi.
"…Merodi it is time and I believe that Fujiwara Sai would also like to hear this news as well," the Guardian stated, staring from the girl to the Go player of the Heian Era.
At once, the apprentice and the Go player obeyed and followed the Guardian down a long road that soon turned out to be the path of where the Higher Being was housed in. Neither dared say a word as the approached, went through a tall looming golden gate, and pass a high arch. Only when they arrived in front of the double doors that would lead them inside the room, did they dare utter a word.
"….this is…" Merodi began, catching Sai's and the Arcanian Guardian's attention.
But before she could ask or state her words, the doors opened, enveloping them all in a white light. And before Sai's presence Merodi and Arcanian changed as beautiful wings sprouted out from their backs. Ethereal wings of the purest white spread themselves from their backs and as they took each step, the player noticed that the tips of their wings changed its hue every time.
As the light finally died down, a looming pedestal was set at the back of a clear white room and on top of it was a figure that couldn't be clearly seen. It didn't take long to know that whoever was up that pedestal was most likely to be the Higher Being that they were supposed to go to.
At once, all three of them bowed low before it and didn't rise from their position until the Guardian rose up as well.
"It seems that the Fates do have something in mind with your apprentice… Arcanian Guardian and from what I gather, it would help influence the mortals on Earth," the being stated.
"…."
"The task will be quite enduring for the things to come, tell me Arcanian Guardian how do you interpret your apprentice's chances of accomplishing it?"
The Guardian rose up, followed by Merodi and Sai. He stared in back of him, his silver hair glinting from an unknown source of sunlight and his sky blue eyes glanced at the young girl for a moment before he walked to her.
"It is not up to me to guess on how well she can do the job. It's more of, how well does she believe in herself in managing to go through with it?" the Guardian queried as he took his white gloved fingers and tipped the girl's head up to stare into her brown eyes, boring into her soul.
"Do you….Merodi?" the Higher Being questioned just as the Guardian stepped back to give her room to think and try to compose herself.
"…ano…" Merodi paused and looked to her side where Fujiwara Sai was and let out a small smile.
"The upcoming task…involves Sai, doesn't it?" Merodi uttered, staring from the Go player then to the Guardian and then to the figure up no the pedestal.
The Guardian merely nodded in reply before staring at the konoshi wearing Go Genius who stared back, his face filled with wonder and curiosity.
"You will return to Earth, but this time…with Fujiwara Sai by your side to try and help obtain the Kami no Itte…the Hand of God," the Guardian added as an afterthought.
"The…Hand of God…" Merodi echoed, storing the information into her mind.
"It is to the Fates' belief that to achieve that, would change the whole Go World, none has managed to accomplish the Hand yet, and now it is time to try and attain it." The Higher Being continued.
"But…if it is Sai's job to try and obtain the Kami no Itte, shouldn't it be him going down to Earth alone than with me?" Merodi questioned.
"You shall serve as a host for Sai…" the Guardian quietly answered her question.
"As a…host?" Merodi echoed back and as soon as she said those words, the meaning dawned on her as well as with Sai.
"Yes, as a host. The same as it was for Sai's previous companion in the realm of the mortals…" the Guardian said affirmatively.
"Are you ready…for that type of commitment?" the Higher Being asked.
Merodi stared up at the pedestal and then as her eyes wandered back down to the ground, she stopped as she caught sight of a mirror and it swirled an image, revealing Hikaru playing Go by himself in his room as he practiced moves out of an old kifu. Seeing it made her heart sadden, Hikaru was alone now…sure he had friends and all from all her observations. He could be with Waya, Touya Akira, Isumi, Nase, and even Akari if she had time but it wasn't the same as it was before…when Sai was around. And as she thought about all of this, her eyes swiveled away from the mirror to Sai who was also gazing at the magical object, his eyes filled with sadness and longing to return to Earth. From that alone, she knew the answer and was dedicated to it. Sai couldn't go back to Earth without another host, why he couldn't just be given a body of his own was an answer that could only be answered by the Fates and God himself and she could surely not answer it. More so, was that if Sai did return to Earth and back to Hikaru it would still be troublesome because Hikaru had developed a love for Go himself. And from Merodi and Sai had observed during their time in the afterlife, he was doing quite well on the path to the Hand of God. Therefore, Merodi already came up with an answer…as she looked back to Sai's saddened face.
"Sai…"
The konoshi-Go-loving-spirit turned his head to stare at her.
"Are you ready…to return to Earth?" Merodi asked.
His face lightened up after her words.
Yes, they would return…return back to Earth and see if they can achieve the Hand of God or at least…help with its achievements.
~.~.~.~
Earth:
~.~.~.~
Hikaru's eyes watered, his bleached hair swinging over his face just as tears began to spill themselves. He clenched his fists tightly, trying to control himself in front of his opponent, Ko Yongha. Yonha-kun asked him, why he was here…why he played go…why he was so determined.
Why did he play go?
From there, tears fell as he clenched his fists…his cheery face had dissipated as his heart began to hurt once more. The answer was clear, without a doubt he knew why he played but to voice it out…how could he?
(Sai…you always will love go…to achieve the Hand of God…that's why I play…)
But instead…
Instead…his words were different, filled with a certain depth.
"…To link the far past with the far future. That's why I'm here!"
(Hai…that's why…Sai's past with our future…to make sure he will never be forgotten. Never…demo…I just regret that I've lost. I play for him…and myself. And to lose…it hurts…) Hikaru said in his mind as fierce new tears fell from his eyes.
His words however, struck at those who heard him inside the room. Touya Akira was behind him; he witnessed the loss but held back from going over to Shindo and had remained behind him ever since.
No sooner had Hikaru stated his reason, Yongha rose up from his seat, said something in Korean and then left the room to retrieve his award. Others came to him, assuring him that there was another game. That he would get another chance to play next year of the following Hokutu Cup, but this did little to comfort him.
"Let's go Shindo."
(Touya…you're still there? I thought you'd have left after my defeat…) Hikaru didn't look up from the Goban, he couldn't face him after his words…after his defeat. How could he still be a rival for him after what happened with Yongha?
"This isn't the end. There is no end." Touya Akira stated.
(Touya…) Hikaru looked up, his face still filled with sadness but Touya still waited for him.
Together they left and followed Kurata and the others to the award ceremony.
Deep inside Hikaru's mind, he felt a sense of relief and peace. Everyone else here, in the Go World was after what he was as well. And also played for the same reason as he was, one way or another. Only…in a different path that was different from his.
To link the far past with the far future that's why they're here…that's why he's here as well.
(Sai…I'll continue to play…even if I lose, I'll still play for you…in memory of you. And for me too, I won't give up on my quest for the Hand of God!) Hikaru announced as he walked with Touya out of the room.
~.~.~.~
Merodi was standing in front of a tall silver gate that were closed and saw the Arcanian Guardian walking with Fujiwara Sai. It appeared that Sai's whole expression was filled with excitement, happiness, and intermixed with worry and fear however as soon as he came up to her it disappeared as she smiled at him and the Guardian.
"Ready, Sai?" Merodi asked.
He could only nod in reply.
"We're not allowed to see Hikaru-kun until we're surely a pro! So that'll take awhile, demo…we'll figure out a way to see him from time to time!"
Sai only nodded sadness apparent in his features.
"If Hikaru did see us, I'm afraid it'll cause a problem with the way things are supposed to be. At least, that's what I was told," Merodi explained, but her reasoning didn't seem to work on Sai.
"We'll see him soon if we work hard enough, ne?" Merodi prodded him.
"Hai!" Sai nodded, a smile adorning his face.
At his words, the silver gate opened up, at once revealing the picture of Earth down below.
"It's time…everything is ready for you." the Guardian stated confidently as he spread out his wings, and with a swish of his hand another door opened up for them to reveal a cozy little home.
Merodi stepped up and waited for Sai, her apparel changed before his eyes as she exited the gate and headed by the other door. She now wore what he last saw her in, a pair of blue pants and a T-shirt with the words Angel written in the center and adorned with white wings.
"Sai, you sure you can do this?" the Guardian inquired as he prepared to cross the silver gates.
"It's a chance that I can and should take. To go back…to Earth…to see them all again. I…" Sai paused in his words, hiding his face behind his konoshi before mustering up the courage to continue. As he lowered his hands from the front of his face, he saw that the Guardian was still waiting patiently for him to continue.
"I want to see them again…to play them…to play…" Sai uttered.
"To play Hikaru, Sai?" Merodi tenderly pointed out.
Sai nodded with a kind smile, "He's risen higher since the last time I've watched him from here."
"He's waiting for you…" Merodi said, turning back to the door.
Sai felt more confident as he stepped pass the silver gates and then saw as Merodi went inside before following after her.
(Hikaru…it'll be fun to play you again.) Sai murmured in his mind as he stepped through the door that would lead him to the mortal realm once again.
(I wonder…if…) Sai wondered inside his mind as he looked outside at the night sky.
The stars were littered across the vast amount of space. Glinting, glittering, and illuminating the darkened sky and accompanying the full brightness of the moon.
(If he can hear me…)
Looking to his side, he saw Merodi tracing her fingers over a Goban that sat at the center of what appeared to be the living room.
"Do you think that…Hikaru can hear me now?" Sai wondered out lout, turning back to the sky.
"You can surely try, can't you?" Merodi smiled.
"If he does, he'll try to look for me again, won't he?"
"…hai demo…I'd like to know as well. To see if you still have that same bond with him as with me now," Merodi bit her bottom lip, unable to resist her curiosity.
Sai nodded in understanding, still not looking at her as he focused on an unknown source, quite possibly trying to search through is mind if he still had that link with Hikaru.
(…Hikaru…) Sai concentrated, picturing his face with his bleached hair and green eyes.
(…can you hear?)
(…Can you hear? My voice…)
Sai processed this message out for Hikaru to hear and waited there silently waiting to see if he did indeed hear him.
"Shindo Hikaru, a Pro Go player. I wonder…how long it will take for us to catch up to him and Touya Akira?" Merodi confided her thoughts to the wandering spirit.
"It may take a while, but we'll find out first thing tomorrow, ne?" Merodi grinned.
Sai nodded in response.
"Did he respond?" Merodi grew a bit worried, seeing Sai's lack of enthusiasm.
"Aa…" Sai began but then paused.
(…Sai? Is that…you?) a familiar voice of Shindo Hikaru cautiously responded to his earlier query.
At this Sai blanched.
"I guess he still has a link with you, Fujiwara Sai…" Merodi grinned but stopped at seeing his tense state, "It's okay Sai, respond in such a way as if you're merely checking up on him…"
Sai, still tense, composed himself and replied.
(…Hikaru…we'll play each other again, ne?)
(Sai…)
After that, Sai closed the link between them and sighed.
"What kind of response was that?" Merodi overheard it and lifted up an eyebrow at the Genius Go Player.
"It's true, we'll play each other again and he didn't question over my whereabouts!" Sai answered, crouching back a little under her intense eyes.
"Aa…hai hai…at least we now know you still have a link with Hikaru," Merodi responded and walked over to the Goban, motioning for Sai to come sit across from her.
"Let's play, ne?" Merodi smiled happily at the konoshi wearing ghost.
Perking up, Sai responded immediately to her offer as he gracefully sat across from her and then proceeded with giving her proper instructions over where to place the stones.
*pa-chi*
*pa-chi*
Time passed and the game progressed, up to the point that it came nearly to the end.
"I…resign" Merodi resignedly stated to the Genius Go player of the Heian Era.
Without a moment's hesitation, she proceeded to clean up the Go stones and place them back into their Go-ke.
"It seems that there's a reason why you'll be the one playing most of the games, ne? Even after all this time, you keep on advancing in your Go." Merodi commented.
"I'm sure the others have improved as well," Sai mentioned.
Merodi silently agreed as she placed the last batch of stones in the Go-ke and then closed it before placing them back on top of the Goban.
"You've gotten better as well, Merodi…"Sai commented after she finished with the Goban.
"Arigatou, Sai…but I doubt I've gotten anywhere near the others. But that's okay, after all you'll be playing mostly all the games," Merodi told him.
Sai beamed at her words.
(Yes…Sai is terribly good at Igo…his presence back in the Go world will truly revolutionize the wave of the Go Players…) Merodi commented softly in her mind, sure, that Sai also heard her words.
To be continued…
~.~.~.~.~.~
Well then there goes the beginning first chapter after the Prologue of Sai's Return!
Hope you all liked it! Don't forget to vote for you favorite couples!! AkiHika? SaiHika? Tell me!!!
