"Is it really? The disappearance of Fujiwara no Sai, the so called brilliant master of Go in the Go world?" Sai was getting irritated; the headlines in the magazine, Weekly Go, always do have his name on it.
"It was as if I really disappeared," he muttered, getting sick and tired of these rumors that went around for seven months. Not to mention something serious was troubling Sai. He would have to go back to the Go Association to play Go, but he could not possibly play Go peacefully with Hikaru at home, alone. Being a worrywart, he was also worried about hiring a babysitter and he or she will abuse Hikaru. Fujiwara no Sai was having a really wild imagination indeed.
"Noo!" Sai cried, tears were pouring out from his eyes like an unclosed water tap and the house was in danger of being flooded. He tugged Hikaru's tee, weeping, while Hikaru was busy doodling with the Go stones. He took out his favorite black Go stone, and placed it on the Go board, in the square. Sai, noticed his mistake, rubbed his eyes.
"No, Chibi-chan, a Go stone must be placed in an intersection of lines…" He thought Hikaru would understand, but Hikaru was looking at him innocently.
"E-sec-un? Go Stone!" Hikaru replied merrily, while Sai just gave a withering sigh. Hikaru picked up things very easily, such as calling from the phone, eating with a spoon, potty training and the easiest, to him, was to place Go stones on the Go board with the correct fingering.
However, despite being a bright kid, he also has his flaws. The worst flaw ever. Hikaru simply could not phrase words in a correct matter, even though his pronunciation was accurate. Sai took his little hand and demonstrated the correct positioning of placing a Go stone. He placed it on the line. Hikaru, learning from his father, took another Go stone, which almost fell on the ground, clutched it between his index and middle fingers, and placed on the point of intersection in the Go board.
"Right!" Sai cheered, patting Hikaru on the head, which Hikaru loves best. Hikaru does not like to be separated with his father, his father was his precious. He cried with his father and played with his father. In his eyes, his father was the best.
"Paa-paa!" Hikaru called, pulling his father back from his trance, "Let's play! Go stone! Go board!" Vaguely understanding what Hikaru meant, he nodded. Like he always do, Sai would set up an easy plan for the child, and have the child to figure it out himself.
Sai took a white stone and placed it on the board. As usual, the kid would just smile softly and place another stone under Sai's stone.
Pa-chi.
Sai peered at the kid's determination in playing and decided to have some fun. He placed another stone underneath the black stone.
Pa-chi.
The child, quick and reckless as always, placed another white stone by the black stone that he just placed. If he had put his black stone by the corner, he would, at least, have an easier time later on.
Pa-chi.
Pouting, Hikaru was slightly irritated by the fact that his father was smirking. As much as his toddler's arrogance can hold, he placed another stone by the white stone that was cornering onto the black.
Pa-chi.
"Chibi-chan, the same result is going to happen if you do not make your choice wisely," Sai advised, but Hikaru just stubbornly ignored it. Hikaru 'humped'.
Pa-chi.
Hikaru placed another stone, this time round, he placed on top of the white stone. While Sai was a dragon, Hikaru was like a fox. Sly and always playing a game of wits. Little did he know, Sai was on another level of mind games.
Pa-chi.
Unknowingly, little Hikaru was being cornered, and had nowhere to run.
"Waaa!" Hikaru bawled, climbing on top of the sofa, sitting by his father's side and biting –yes, biting the pillow that is often used to leaned on. Sai just laughed, and gave his a chaste kiss on the forehead.
"You've done well, but remember not to make the same mistake twice, okay?" Reluctantly, Hikaru gave a nod, briefly knowing what his father meant, though some words are difficult to understand.
What was easy for a 1 year, 6 months toddler to understand?
As Sai kept the Go stones into the round-shaped container, he saw that Hikaru was still smiling (after he had bitten the pillow) and gazing at the Go board and stones longingly. Sai understand, Hikaru too, loved Go.
"Do you like Go, Chibi-chan?" Sai questioned. Without hesitation, Hikaru nodded vigorously. Sai pushed the Go board and the stones under the table, with Hikaru crawling onto his lap like a little monkey in the wild.
Sai picked up the cordless phone and dialed Ogata Seiji's number. Hikaru was standing onto his father lap's trying to hear what they was conversing about. The phone picked up.
"Ah, Ogata-san, this is Sai," Sai greeted, politely in a calm manner. As shocked as Ogata was, he just greeted briefly while feeding his fishes in the aquarium.
"I am wondering if there were any rules for bringing an outsider in the Go Association while a match is still in progress?" Sai inquired, while Ogata stated that there was no such rule as it depends on the one playing the game. Thankfully, Sai murmured a quick thanks and hung up.
"Paa-paa, who that?" Hikaru questioned, while Sai poked his forehead for missing out on his 'is'. Clapping his hands, Sai whispered excitedly.
"Paa-paa is going to bring you to a fun place tomorrow, where you can see lots of Go matches," Hikaru understood, and jumped in elation. Sai carried the child and swung his high in the air, while they both laughed.
In another place on another street, Ogata has finished feeding his fishes and wondered.
Just what the hell is that guy going to do? No one had brought an outsider into the Go Association for ages!
A/N: This was a giveaway chapter. I did this while I am feeling verrry bored. This chapter was fun, nonetheless. So, what is the reaction of various Pros for the return of Sai after long seven years? (My mindset is that, as long as the plot continues, I wouldn't mind if Hikaru grew up a little.)
Hikaru was 11 months when he met Sai on the doorstep. Now Hikaru was 1 year 6 months, and he has a knack for thinking, as a toddler.
Please do read and review, I would appreciate you little comments. It will motivate me in my writing.
Afterthought……
WOOT! 15 hits:D I am so happy! Now go on for the 25 hits!
xD