Another chapter is here now. Crap! I don't know what happened that made me wanna start a quarrel between Sai and Hikaru!!!! But I think it suits what's gonna happen next…probably….
Gonna put another boring disclaimer here…^_^;
I'm so happy!!!! I FINALLY received a flame!!! Woohoo!!!! Yeah…coming from me…*sweat dropped*!!!! I FLAMED MYSELF!!!! Yep, I am crazy…just say it. That was because nobody reviewed Chapter Three T_T *sniff, sniff, sob, sob, weep, weep*
I'm not gonna go chatting anymore and I'm just gonna show you the next chapter because I am lost for words right now…. And no inspiration going on here!!!!!
Disclaimer: I want to make bucks out of HnG but I can't because I don't own a darn thing.
Herey! Herey! Next Chapter!!!!!
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CHAPTER FOUR
Just One Game…
Hikaru entered the Go institute with a dark aura surrounding him. The fight earlier this morning started a seemingly bad day for him. Yes, he was excited about having to play Touya after such a long wait but this lying urge to scream was preventing him to express any of it.
"Shindo!" Waya called with a bright smile. He mightn't have gotten much yesterday but today was a new day and he felt lucky. "How's Fujiwara-san? Is he-?"
"WHAT?!" Hikaru shouted at his friend. But, seeing the surprised look on the other's face, he shook his head and put on a smile, "Gomen! Gomen!" he apologized, waving his hands frantically, "I didn't mean that! I mean, that wasn't for you."
Waya blinked a couple of times. At first, he felt guilty when he got shouted because he was trying to make Hikaru spill out the beans but seeing the look in his friend's eyes, he put aside his worries and minded the other first. "What's the matter? Got a bad start?" he asked mainly as a friend not the curious person who was trying to learn who Sai was.
The young blond rolled his eyes and sighed, "Exactly." He muttered, walking towards the room where they played. He felt relieved that this certain curious friend wasn't asking about Sai.
"Why? What happened? You seemed pretty mad when you shouted at me." The red-haired boy bounded towards his friend, following behind.
"Just got into a fight earlier in the morning…a really nasty one." Hikaru explained. He didn't need to be careful about not saying Sai's name. In fact, he didn't want to remember the Heian ghost.
Waya shrugged his shoulders, letting the topic pass, "So…how's Fujiwara-san?" he changed, thinking that this would make Hikaru think of other matter and so that he might get some answers.
"I DON'T CARE!!!" The younger boy shouted, sticking up his head. He sank deeper into a negative mood, contrary to what Waya had expected the other pro to do. "Don't ever ask me about him because I don't have anything to do with him ANYMORE!!!"
"Geez…you don't have to be so angry…. It's not as though he killed you or something." Waya pointed out but the other just ignored him. What the heck happened to this guy?!
Sai walked down the street with clothes he has worn since yesterday. He practically didn't have a care. Hadn't he been wearing his kimono for a thousand years already?
He felt real bad but every time he thought about the face Hikaru had gave him when he told him to leave just made him feel angry. Hikaru doesn't care! Why should I care? He never let me play! He's just too selfish!!! , He stomped the ground he treaded on, making passer-bys look. Still, he felt sad with the loss and that was something he couldn't ignore easily.
"AWWW~!!!" Sai shouted, "Why did Hikaru have to be so selfish?!" he said out loud, generally for himself. And he calls me selfish! Why can't he look at himself for a change?!
He still had Hikaru's wallet and he was free to use all the money in there. So, to take his mind off the previous events, he decided to just go to some salon and play all the games he wanted.
And before he knew it, he was in front of Touya Koyo's go salon.
"Ohayo gozaimasu." Ichikawa bowed as Sai gave her the money for the payment of his entrance.
Sai looked here and there for someone familiar to play…like Ogata or Touya Meijin…but there was no sign of either. He remembered Hikaru mentioning about a game with Touya today. He would love to see that. But…there was no way he was going to go see Hikaru after that incident.
He sat in one table and waited for someone to play with.
One minute passed…then another…then another…then another.... He waited for another minute but nobody came.
He tapped his fingers on the table and looked around nervously. He might be patient about playing go but waiting for someone to play with is a whole different thing…especially when you're in such a bad mood.
Before he could shout out an angry call, Ichikawa approached him, bringing tea along with her on a tray. She put the cup beside him and asked, "Are you waiting for someone, Mr.…?"
"Uh…Fujiwara Saino?" he replied in more of a question manner. He knew he could just use his real name but it didn't quite come out right.
"Uh…yes, Fujiwara-san.; you were here with Touya-kun yesterday, ne?" she asked, hugging the tray close to her chest, "He's not gonna be here because he has games today. He might come here later in the afternoon." She explained.
Sai shrugged his shoulders, "Yes, I know that. I was just wondering when I could play somebody. Who is your best player here?" he asked, leaning forward. He had enough waiting and five minutes was *eherm* too long for him.
Ichikawa gave a nod and called one of the regular customers, who was pretty annoyed by the call.
"What is it, Ichikawa-san?" he mumbled angrily yet he approached her just the same. He saw the eager guy on the nearby table. He sighed then nodded. "Okay, okay, I'll play but I won't be easy on this one!" he said proudly, hoping that his words would scare the other one away but…knowing Sai…that'd even be more of a challenge.
Hikaru put his hands inside the go ke and took out a handful of stones then put them back again.
Darn…where the heck is Touya?! Don't tell me he won't come?! , he tapped his hand on his knee. He wanted to cross his legs in irritation but with the sensei's eyes looking at him, he had to remain seated in the traditional Japanese stance. Damn it! This is all Sai's fault!!! Now look at that!!!! I'm having a bad day!!! , He did the only thing he thought he could: blame it on other people, which is mainly just Sai.
At that point, he was pretty sure that Touya wouldn't show up anymore. His rival wasn't a forgetful person nor was he someone who normally gets late. It's either something bad happens or he just doesn't want to play with him at all.
With his frustration and anger rising up, he just assumed that Touya didn't want to come. So, he stood up and went to the table to record his default win. "Damn Touya…. Damn Sai…. Why is everyone doing this to me????" he bit his lip as he stamped his win hard, creating an extremely disturbing noise that made those near him hush him up.
He ignored those people and went towards the door to the hallway. He felt really irritated and it was as though the whole world was mad at him. He knew he didn't normally get this angry but…well…that issue with Sai was something else…. It should be an exception…right?
Hikaru went to the vending machine and dug in his pocket for his wallet but…"Damn it…. Sai still has my wallet." He muttered, settling down the nearby couch. He leaned forward and waited…waited for Waya to come out. He could probably borrow some cash…that is if Waya doesn't throw annoying questions at him.
Just behind the corner, he could hear a couple of voices talking. He leaned closer to hear.
"Did you hear what just happened?" said one in enthusiasm.
"You mean about the Meijin?" Hikaru moved closer. Now this was something worth hearing about.
"Yes, he collapsed while playing in the tournament. They've brought him to the hospital. No wonder Touya-kun isn't here!" Hikaru felt guilty about doubting his rival's absence.
I should've been more reasonable! , he thought to himself as he watched the two men pass by him. Sai would've gone crazy if he heard this! He's too concerned about Touya's father! , a true smile played on his face for the first time the whole day. But then…he remembered their fight. He shook his head to get rid of this unwanted thought. No…Sai's by himself now…. I don't care! , he thought but he knew it wasn't true because he had already planned to visit the Meijin later this day.
Sai made his last move in yose. He had a seemingly contented smile on his face.
His opponent's eyes grew big in amazement. "I lost." He muttered, bowing his head.
Sai nodded his head fervently, "Arigatou!" he said in a happy tone. He was glad that this game took his mind off Hikaru but still…he can't help but wonder what kind of game he's having right now…especially since it's with Touya…. But no, he didn't want to think more. "Please, let's play once more."
There were already a number of people looking at their game. "You sure lost big time, huh?" said one who was right behind his opponent.
"No, that's because I underestimated him too much. I'm gonna win this game!" said the other as he took some stones for nigiri.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!?!?!?!?!" Ichikawa shouted in surprise.
Everyone in the go salon turned towards her except Sai, who was engrossed in the game he was playing.
Half of the audience in Sai's game turned and went to the registrar.
"The Meijin collapsed and was brought to the hospital!!!" exclaimed one in panic. With that statement, murmurs and mumbles started in the whole go salon. All the games were forgotten and everyone got into a racket. Even Sai's opponent stood up from his seat and went towards the mob of people to talk.
Seeing that no one was free to play him, he decided to leave the go salon instead.
Sure, he was eager to be involved with the Meijin but not in that kind; he wanted to play go against 'the one nearest to the Hand of God'. Touya Meijin's in a hospital, right? I wonder where that is…., He approached Ichikawa and asked, "What hospital was the Meijin brought to?" he had an eager and bright face that made her hesitant to answer.
Ichikawa took a paper and wrote the hospital's address down. Since this man had been with Touya, he must be an acquaintance of the Meijin or something…despite the fact that he looked happy about the grave news.
Sai grabbed the paper and exited the salon.
At last, all Hikaru's games were finished! He could finally go to the hospital to visit Touya Koyo!
"Hey, Hikaru! Wanna go and get something to eat?" Waya called after his friend. He had avoided asking anything about Sai since this morning but, still, his curiosity got the better out of him. He was hoping to get rid of Hikaru's bad mood so that he could freely start his query.
The younger pro shook his head, "No. I got to go somewhere else." He put on his backpack and then his shoes. But instead of turning away from his red-haired friend, he approached him and clasped his heads, "Could I borrow some cash? Please?"
Waya clenched his hand tightly but took out his wallet just the same. "What the heck did you do with your money?!" he complained, handing Hikaru a couple of bills, "Be sure to pay me back, okay? If you don't, I'm gonna go kill you!"
"Yeah! Yeah! I will! My wallet got lost so I really don't have any cash with me!!!" Hikaru bowed consecutively then turned and left his friend.
Hikaru took a deep breath and twisted the doorknob. He took a peek inside.
Inside the room were Ogata, Amano, Ichikawa and Touya's mother. He didn't expect anyone to be there but then, Touya Koyo is a famous person.
He recoiled back, muttering a small apology. Damn…I should've knocked….
"No, no, Shindo-kun please come in. They were just about to leave." And at that instant, the four people stood up and left quietly, each giving their looks of inquiry to Hikaru. "You may enter now." The Meijin called as soon as everybody else had left the room.
Hikaru hesitantly approached Touya Koyo. He had his eyes looking from the floor to the Meijin repeatedly as though trying to differentiate the floor from this famous go player.
"Sit down." But Hikaru remained standing, looking timidly at the floor. This would've been easier with Sai around. At least he'll have something to say. , he thought. He bit his lip hard. No, I shouldn't be thinking about him now.
Silence encountered them both. Somehow, Hikaru had been lost at words.
"I'm sorry." The Meijin apologized, "Akira skipped your match today because of me. You must've been looking forward to it."
The beginner-dan shook his head, "No, no, that's okay." He laughed a little,"I wasn't actually looking forward to it…not really…." Because I just wanted to play Touya to distract myself not because I wanted to challenge him. And here I was thinking of him as my rival.
Again, the deafening sound of stillness plagued above the two go players.
Hikaru started looking more on the Meijin. For the first time, he noticed the laptop near Touya Koyo. There was an internet game displayed on the screen. "You know how to play internet go?" he blurted out, unintentionally. He opened his mouth to apologize but then a thought kept banging on his head. He felt the urge to just speak up his mind.
The older man laughed a bit. "Yes. Why is it you ask?"
"Then…then…would you play go with a friend of mine?" he uttered, "My friend…his name is Sai…he's just eager to play you!" Why did I mention him now?
"Sai?" Touya repeated, "Yes, I think of heard of him before. He's an internet go player, am I right? From what I heard, he has been unbeatable since his appearance but he disappeared about a year ago." He looked at the laptop then back at the young pro. "I'm sorry but I have to get used to this first."
Hikaru opened his mouth, "But…" he started reasoning out, "he'll only be available tomorrow!" he cried out once again, completely forgetting about manners. What the-?! Why in the world did I say tomorrow? I don't even know where he is!!!
The multi-titleholder scanned Hikaru's face. "Then tomorrow it is. At what time?" he asked.
Hikaru's face brightened up. "Two o'clock in the afternoon!" he exclaimed. That time should be convenient. He was sure he would be available at that time and that was the first number that came into his mind. "Thanks!" He bowed his head a bit then rushed out of the room. Now…his only problem was finding the ghost. He could probably do that in a couple of hours or so. At least he thinks he can.
Sai could hear Hikaru get closer to the door. He quickly rushed to a narrow hallway. He didn't want to confront Hikaru right now. It wasn't that he was upset. It was just because he didn't want to look into Hikaru's eyes and stutter in front of him. He didn't even know if Hikaru felt as guilty as he is but, of course, he knew he arranged the game for him. Yet, he still felt awkward.
Not only that, he couldn't bare Hikaru's laughs when he finds out that he had been eavesdropping since God-knows-when! It wasn't his fault he and Hikaru chose to visit Touya Koyo at the same time. Besides, he was supposed to come earlier but Ichikawa just wrote down the hospital's name not the directions of how to go there. He got side-tracked a bit…a lot…all through-out! Good thing there were still people who would answer his – though hard was it to admit – ignorant questions.
Hikaru ran pass him, remaining completely unnoticed. He gave a sigh of relief then relaxed his shoulders. He didn't bother going to the Meijin now that Hikaru had arranged a game for me. He was thankful that Hikaru did that for him. He knew he couldn't do it.
He just took the stairs and walked as slowly as he can; he didn't want to run into his former host. Hikaru…you could be so thoughtful sometimes….
"Tadaima!" Hikaru shouted as he entered the house. He kicked his shoes to one side and ran towards his room but was stopped midway by his mother.
"Okaeri, Hikaru." His mother greeted. "Your grandfather has visited today. He said he wants to talk to you. He's in the living room right now." She pointed to the sala where an old man was sitting comfortably.
He was in such a good mood at that time that he was willing to talk to that 'bratty old man' of his. "Sure." He answered in a care-free manner, shrugging his shoulders as he strolled towards his grandfather.
As soon as his grandfather saw him, he stood up straight and, "WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU DO TO MY GOBAN?!?!?!"
The bleached-haired boy jumped back in surprise. He put on a confused face. "What did I do?" he questioned in outrage. He didn't recall ever doing anything bad to his grandfather. He didn't even beat him in a game of go even if he was fully capable of doing so. He didn't get it.
The older man pointed at a goban beside him. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO THIS?!?!?!" he demanding with a pointing hand.
Still confused, he stared at the goban. That is…that is…Torajiro's goban…. And that stain… "What about it?" he asked. He knew he was the only one who could see that blood stain so what was the problem with the board? It was completely fine if you ignore the stain.
"Don't play dumb with me! Look at that! You stained the goban completely! Don't you know how much this costs?!" again, the old man shouted in fury.
Hikaru's jaw dropped wide open. "B-b-but you could see it?! You could see the stain?!" he pointed at the goban, completely stunned. "HOW?!"
That sent the man into deeper anger. "Of course I could see it! What do you think am I? Blind?!"
Actually, yes. , he thought but he dared not say that. "I'm not the one who did that! Honest!" he defended himself, putting on his most innocent face.
"Yeah? Then who did? You're the last person who fiddled with this!" His grandfather put up a fight.
Hikaru laughed. "But that was two years ago!!!" he exclaimed in fits of laughter.
"I don't care!" the other shouted, making Hikaru shut up. "You're gonna fix this now and you're gonna give it back tomorrow! Understand?!"
"Demo-!"
"UNDERSTAND?!"
"Hai…." Hikaru muttered in defeat. Somehow, he felt helpless against a grown-up like this one. If only Sai was there…
He took the goban in two hands, almost disgusted by the bloodstain and brought it upstairs. He set it beside his bed, on the place where he and Sai played every night. He sighed then looked at it intently. Now what am I going to do with this? , he rested his chin on his palm and sighed once more. I should probably get rid of that stain now. I don't wanna work with it tomorrow because I need to find Sai. , he stood up and left his room then came back with alcohol and a cloth in his hands. He poured a great amount of alcohol on the cloth and started wiping it on the tarnished spot.
After thirty minutes of wiping the blotch, Hikaru fell on his back, numb from such an unusual work. He glanced at the cloth. It was red already but the blood was still imprinted on the goban clearly as though it hadn't been cleaned at all.
Darn it…why isn't that thing coming off???? , he threw the cloth to one side and lay on his bed, dozing off to sleep in no time.
Now where am I gonna sleep? , Sai looked around him. He was in the park and there weren't many people present now, just a glimpse of couples here and there. He yawned then sat down on the bench near him. That was one thing that made him regret leaving Hikaru. He lost a bed to sleep on. And he had never slept outside before…even back in the Heian court.
He stretched his arms and opened his mouth for another yawn but he felt something hit him hard on the head. He looked around him, scanning the area to figure out whose was the fault. But he found none. He stretched his arms once again but found out that he wasn't sleepy anymore. Actually, he felt lively as though he had just woken up from a good night's sleep. He rubbed his eyes to shake off this weird feeling but then…his hands…were transparent.
He felt fear surge through his body. Was he going back to being a ghost?
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There another chappie down (is it just me or are my chapters getting longer every time?). Sorry if the title has no connection with the chapter. Please review this one now. I'm begging you. Onegai shimasu, minna-san desu. I'm sorry for being demanding about this stuff. Your reviews surely spoiled me.
I think there'll be just one or two chapters to go before all this is finished. I suppose I might finish it next week or even earlier but don't put your hopes up (not that you would in the first place).
Really, please review this crap. I'm just a started so I know how I suck. Don't worry. I won't put anybody who flames me in the block users. Heck, I flamed myself and I still didn't put myself in the block users (is it possible to block yourself from reviewing your own fic? If not, UNFAIR!!! I've never tried it though….)
Anyway, I'll be flaming myself again if you don't review me. Help the needy. Please. Pleazee?
Okay, just that! Be working on the next chappie NOW!!!!
(Note: I was supposed to post this up yesterday but my stupid idiotic sister drowned herself in the net!!! Kill her if you please…^_^; Not only that! FF.net's server was down! I had to strangle myself from trampling our PC down!)
