CONNECTIONS

An XXXHolic/Hikaru no Go X-over

By Lady Addiction

WWWW

CHAPTER 1: UNEXPECTED MEETINGS

Watanuki, for once, found himself walking down the streets without a single aim in mind. Yuuko-san's shop was closed for the day (the witch had said something about an appointment at a local spa for some relaxation after her hard work – what hard work! It was him who did all the hard work!), Himawari-chan had refused his stammering offer to go out for a movie due to a school project (but she looked so apologetic and sorry that he couldn't help but melt at her contrite expression!), and Doumeki had failed to get in his face the entire day (always a plus!).

So here he was, out of his gakuran-style uniform and into a pair of comfortable dark trousers and a short-sleeved blue button-down. The streets were relatively busy with the after-work crowd dodging in and out of the small shops and restaurants, and children playing in the nearby parks and sports fields.

He wandered close to Ichikawa's Bookshop, standing at the window displays to eye the this month's issues of manga and novels. Right beside a pyramid of sports magazines was a neat collection of Igo books and a portable goban set. Watanuki paid it little attention, having absolutely no interest in the game.

"Eh, Kuwabara-sensei's latest book is out," a loud voice said, startling Watanuki. He spun around, only to see another boy who looked a year or two older than him leaning down to take a closer look at the Igo collection. He looked normal enough, even trendy, in a pair of dark cargo pants loaded with zippers and a yellow and black shirt with white 5's emblazoned all over the surface. The boy turned to look Watanuki in the eye and the younger boy blinked, processing the brilliant green gaze and the odd hair-colouring. Still, having witnessed people crossing multiple dimensions, being constantly plagued by unruly spirits, not too mention meeting all the wild and disturbed people that were Yuuko-san's 'clients', a little oddness didn't bother him.

"Do, do you play Igo then?" Watanuki asked awkwardly. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see people looking towards them but he ignored them.

The boy straightened up and Watanuki found out that the stranger was a head taller. "Oh yeah, I love it! The feel of the stones, the sound it makes when it hits the board, the universe right under your fingertips…" Watanuki blinked, a little surprised that this boy who looked more at home in an arcade could speak so passionately about a dull strategy game. His reaction did not go unnoticed as the other boy flashed him with a sly grin. "Not a Go fan, then?"

Watanuki shook his head, reaching up to adjust his glasses. "Well, I don't really know anything about Igo or Shougi or stuff like that," he replied, feeling a little embarrassed at his ignorance. "I play soccer sometimes but that's it."

"Oh really? I used to play soccer a lot too! Mostly in middle school! So what position do you play?"

Awkwardly, he began to explain that he alternated between a forward and a left midfielder during his gym classes. Shindou Hikaru, as he introduced himself, proudly replied that he had been a forward too. Soon, Watanuki found himself relaxing and the two of them began strolling down the streets, exchanging soccer anecdotes energetically and debating the merits of various league teams, oblivious to the fact that more and more people were skirting away from them.

Early evening found them sitting down by one of the many canal-ways that bisected the city. Watanuki was sitting up, his knees drawn to his chest, while he listened to Shindou, who had sprawled shamelessly on the grass, chat about his life as a professional Igo player. Unlike Watanuki who endured rather than enjoyed his unending term at Yuuko-san's shop, Shindou obviously loved his profession. Even now, Shindou's facial expression was lively and animated as he spilled stories of his rivals-cum-friends.

"Hey, Watanuki…"

"Hmmm…" The other boy was looking up at the clear night sky, sparkling with stars. He knew he should be heading home, but Watanuki was at peace here beside Shindou. He didn't want to leave.

"…do you mind if I tell you a secret?"

Watanuki looked down at Shindou, who stared back at him, eyes wide and dark. He frowned, now feeling uneasy. "Um, sure, if you want to. I promise I won't tell anyone."

"First, tell me this…do you believe in the supernatural? Like ghosts and stuff?"

Watanuki swallowed. This was not a conversation he wanted to go into. Still, he nodded gingerly.

"Well, do you know that there's this big red scaly snake-demon thing that's been watching you since we sat down here? It's over there to your far right."

Someone uncursed with the second sight would have scoffed at that, maybe would have even stormed off, offended. Watanuki simply…froze.

Out of the corner of his eye, he looked and saw that there was indeed a big, red, scaly snake-demon thing with far too many eyes and legs watching him. How come he hadn't see the demon beforehand was not something he wanted to think about now. Instead, the only thing that flashed through his mind was a stream of: KAMI-SAMA! NOT NOW! WHERE THE HELL IS DOUMEKI!

"You do see it, don't you?" Shindou was sitting up. His eyes bored into Watanuki's. The boy swallowed and replied tremulously, "Ah, er, well, you-you see, for some reason, I-I can see spirits. I-I've been told it's a fam-family th-thing."

"Is it following you or me? And what for?"

Why are you still here talking to me like this! Watanuki wanted to scream at the too-calm boy. "It's following me, not you…I'm told it's because they want to eat me, or so a woman I know says --- hey, wait! You see them too!"

Shindou sat up and rubbed the back of his head. His face became a twisted mix of a grimace and a smile. "Well, not exactly. Anyway, you must be doing something to be keeping them away like that if they want to eat you. Or do you just want to run right now?"

"I, I think I have some salt here," Watanuki said, hurriedly rummaging through his pockets. Ever since he had learned the magical properties of salt, he always carried a small box of it. Pouring out a handful, he tossed it over his shoulder towards the snake-demon-thing. It fled even before the white grains could reach it. Both heaved deep sighs of relief.

"So are you going home?" Watanuki asked Shindou. The other boy grimaced/smiled again. "Well, I guess. Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?"

Watanuki adjusted his glasses and considered that. It was Sunday, so he was free until the afternoon when he headed off to Yuuko-san's shop. "I'm free in the morning," he said.

Shindou smiled, a brilliant roguish expression that made Watanuki smile back. "Meet you here then. I still have to let you in on my secret!"

"Hey, why don't you just tell me now?" Watanuki wanted to know. He got up and began dusting off his pants.

"Nope, you just have to wait until tomorrow!" Shindou stuck his tongue out briefly at the other boy, before jogging away. Watanuki rolled his eyes and then headed off to bed.

WWWW

On to chapter 2...

Comments?