Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru no Go

Chapter 2: Shadow of Sai

Waya stared at the board for the longest time. Finally, he said the inevitable.

"I resign..."

"Thanks for the game. You played well, Waya." Isumi replied graciously.

"Thanks... wow look over there! What a big crowd!" Waya noticed the big group of spectators watching Akira and Hikaru's game.

Waya and Isumi made their way over there, and saw Hikaru deep in thought. Akira was, as usual, looking at the board with an emotionless intensity.

"What a close game!" Waya mumbled to himself "Every piece of territory is hotly contested. But Hikaru seems to be at a slight disadvantage. This move is probably going to make the difference between victory and defeat. What will Hikaru do?"

Finally, Hikaru picks up a stone, and places it in between 2 white territories. The initial confusion among the spectators was quickly replaced by looks of approval.

"An amazing move!" Oka started to speak again. "Look, he consolidates his territory, while attacking both white territories at once!"

"Shhh! Watch what Touya is going to do!" replied Shouji.

"Very well done, Hikaru. The style is definitely Shuusaku's." Akira tried to recall the various kifus that he was studying "In fact, that last move resembled one of the moves in his kifu. What did his opponent do? If I'm Shuusaku, what will I do?"

If I'm Shuusaku, what will I do...

Akira places a stone, far away from the battleground. Hikaru's initial shock turned into sudden realization.

"I resign..."

"Thanks for the game" replied Akira.

"That move..." Waya could be heard talking to himself long after the game ended "It looks just like another move of Sai. Watching the 2 of them play, it is almost like the same person playing with himself!"


"Thanks for coming to watch my game, Akari." said Hikaru, on the way home.

"You're welcomed. I haven't seen you in a while. Kind of missed you" Akari blushed.

"But I disappointed you... I still couldn't produce a victory over Akira in a major tournament."

"Don't say that. You played very well. So did Touya. Although I can't understand some of his moves, especially the last one."

"His moves are starting to look like... mine. I asked him later how he came out with that move. He said he has been studying Shuusaku's kifus, because he found my style similar!"

"Wow, it appears that Touya is putting in a lot of effort in order to defeat you!"

"Ha ha. Well, I will beat him one day. I feel that our gap is very close now."

"I'm sure you will, Hikaru. By the way, I have a favor to ask of you..."

"Well I knew it! You must have some other reason for coming to see me!"

"Hikaru, do you remember during our graduation, you said you are willing to come to my school Go club to play Shidougo with us? Well, all my club members kept pestering me to invite you over after they knew that I know you. Can you..."

"Of course! That's not a problem at all. How about next Tuesday!"

"That'll be great! I'll meet you at my school gate!" Akari's face turned even redder than before.

End of chapter 2. Thanks Kathy for reviewing!