a/n: And now for something completely different, because Touya's relatives are scary. I don't think this qualifies as cliché, but I can't get it out of my brain.

Part 22. Omedetou

"I hear you're getting married."

A hand hesitated, ever so slightly, before placing the stone.

"You mean it's true?"

"Yes. But I hardly think--"

"You. Touya Akira. Married."

"Yes."

Inscrutable eyes met incredulous ones. Then they focused on the board between them. Hands passed in silence. They paused. The pause lengthened until finally:

"You're serious?" His voice was quiet, concerned, a hint of something darker in its depths. The fingertips refused to grasp the next stone.

"It's your turn."

"You're getting married?"

"Are you going to play or not?"

"This isn't some weird publicity stunt for the Institute or your mother or something? You're really getting married?"

"Dammit Shindou, MOVE! ...or leave." There was something wrong with his voice, though. He could not keep it calm.

"Is that all you care about? My next play?" Too steady. Too quiet. Almost understanding.

"Yes." They watched each other. The air was full of mysteries and omissions. Truth fell to the gridded lines. The white stone took its place on the board, and the game moved on.

#-

The news was all over the Institute, of course. There had been speculation for years regarding just how long it would take Touya to find a wife, marry and settle into the proper, Japanese lifestyle of his traditional, Japanese dynasty. Rumor had it this was an arranged marriage, but that wasn't particularly unusual, even for someone of Touya's age. The woman, Sakamoto Haruki, was the daughter of a friend of his aunt. What was slightly unusual was the speed at which the arrangement had apparently been made. Ogata 9-dan would not comment, but Ashiwara 8-dan had gossiped that the negotiations had taken less than a month and that further, Touya had met Sakamoto-san for the first time less than a week before agreeing to the arrangement.

Still, however it had happened, it was certainly official. Touya himself had confirmed his engagement in his latest interview with Yamano, and within a week, all of Japan's go elite were aware of it – with varying degrees of interest. Shindou Hikaru, however, was in Russia at the time, by way of two months spent in Spain, China, Korea and Taiwan. He and his daughter had been keeping each other company while exploring the world and attending various matches, and had been decidedly out of touch. He was effectively the last to know.

#-

"So who is she?" pa-chi.

"A friend of my Aunt." pa-chi.

"From Osaka?" pa-chi.

"Yes." pa-chi.

"Do you love her?" pa-chi. The silence broke their cadence. Blond bangs framed serious eyes. "Do. You. Love. Her?"

pa-chi.

pa-chi.

"Love is irrelevant. You were in love and that did not make your marriage a good one." The searching gaze became opaque, while the defensive glare failed to notice.

"Our marriage is complicated."

"It is nonexistent. Why you don't sign the papers and make the divorce official... It doesn't change the fact that love is not a prerequisite for an acceptable marriage." pa-chi, but the stone had enough force to leave yet another obvious mark in the battered goban.

A pause, then another white stone. Black and white followed each other wordlessly until they could go no further.

"I resign."

"Thank you for the game."

"Shindou..."

"I've got to go."

#-

Of course, in go circles it was the anticipation of a Touya heir that had people excited. Touya Kouyo had been the most exceptional player of his generation, and Touya Akira had, in the eyes of many, eclipsed his father. As far as anyone knew, the younger Touya had no special student, no protegé. He taught many lessons, and participated in two study sessions, but there was no one whom the go community could look upon as his heir apparent. With the announcement of his engagement, it was assumed that perhaps he had been awaiting a child of his own to assume his legacy and the patiently traditional echelons of their ancient game were reassured that a successor would likely join their ranks in fifteen years or so.

"Shindou-sensei, do you think your rival's engagement has anything to do with wanting to ensure the Touya family's legacy of go?" Yamano held his notepad ready. "Do you think his successor might be as great a player as the man himself?"

"Touya's engaged! To something other than a goban?" was his rival's surprising reply.

#-

"I will see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah – er... actually, no."

"You're teaching?"

"Something like that. I have some things to do." He paused, as though to add something, but only ran a hand through yellow bangs.

The last of the black stones poured into their bowl. The rival departed, but turned.

"Touya?"

"Yes?" Eyes met, carefully unreadable on both sides now.

"Congratulations."