Disclaimer: I never claimed Hikaru No Go to be mine. So how to disclaime it?

I think I took slightly longer to update this chapter because I was stuck for words and how to interpret my ideas. Luckily when I started typing everything came out quite alright :)

Thanks to a few readers who took their time to review giving out comments for this fic:

Kari55; thanks for so much for your constant support and I am glad u like the chapter. Hope you will enjoy this one too.

Xiar; I had the same feeling too while watching the anime but I never read the manga before so I am not very sure how Akari is in the manga. However my feelings for Akari changed slightly towards the end of the anime. The very last few episode of the anime I find her quite an understanding person. So I thought she can change to someone not as irritating. BTW if you remember the fic you mentioned pls if you don't mind I would like to know the title. I may want to check it out, thanks.

Loveling; What a coincidence that I posted this fic out. Thanks for reviewing.

Sanae; Thank you so much. I hope you like this chapter as much as the previous one.

Nikki Satoshi; Hey thanks! I kind of got the inspiration to write this from an anime song in Full Moon Wo Sagashite. The title of this fic came from that song too 'Eternal Snow'. I really like that song and it has a very powerful meaning to it. I am still in the middle of getting it translated. I will want to put the song up in one of the later chapters to come.

Feely; LOL, Akari and Akira will be definitely meeting in every of the chapters though not in an arrange date. It will always be coincidental because if Akira is ever going to ask Akari for a date she will difinitely refused like how she refused Yuuki. That is why I was so lost for ideas to make them meet in this chapter. I just couldn't find a believable plot but it somehow came to my head. So hope you enjoy this chapter.

The chapter begins...

Chapter 4

Leafs rustled softly when the morning breeze blew, birds chirped high in the trees as the sun peaked through the brightening sky. Akari padded out of her room stretching herself buoyantly before she headed for the balcony. With a small smile on her face she unlocked the glass door and pushed it opened stepping out greeting the morning air.

The breeze was slightly strong that morning. It was early September and summer was coming to an end soon as autumn was drawing near. Akari's hair flew about gently in the wind caressing her face and her white night gown flowing gracefully in the breeze. She walked over the rail and bent over, her arm on it with another hand supporting her chin. She smiled watching the sun rise from the distant horizon. She was glad she could still see it even she was only on the first floor. Her three storey high flat was on higher grounds than the rest of the residents in that area which gave her the bonus of being able to view the sun rising every morning.

Today was going to be a great day. She was going to the beach for a small business outing and her friends told her that they will come to join her too. She hadn't visited the beach this summer because of work and it will be a pity to miss it since summer was coming to an end. It was a good thing her small business outing came about the right time.

Some where in Tokyo, another residential area where houses were huge architecture in Japanese traditional design, in one of the houses Touya knelt on his knees stiffly with a hot cup of tea untouched on the Japanese dining table watching the little boy sitting crossed legged in front of him stirring his hot drink awkwardly on the table. It was early that morning when Hikaru came over to his house and dropped his son and some of his son's belongings with him without asking him if it was all right, remembering the morning conversation irately.

"Gomen Touya but I have to go to Nagoya today to meet my wife." Hikaru said that morning. "I know this is very last minute but she called last night telling me that her mother had gotten worst from her illness and Natsume needs my support there."

"You are not bringing Hatori." Touya said more like a statement than a question.

"Natsume prefer that Hatori stays, she said it wouldn't be a good thing for Hatori to visit the hospital so often. He may get sick. So if it's alright, just for one day! I will be back tomorrow!"

Touya looked across the table composedly watching Hatori now trying to sip his hot drink. He had not baby-sits anyone before and he had no idea what to do. He sighed inwardly. This was not something he had expected to be stuck with a three year old boy for the whole freaking day.

"Akari-chan, come on!" Kuniko cried happily running towards the shore of the crystal blue ocean.

The crowd was vast, peals of laughter and chattering rang everywhere. Teenagers lay about the sand enjoying the sun and soft sand and some swimming in the clear serene ocean.

"Kuniko-chan you know very well I have take care of the stall!" Akari yelled back at her friend who was now squealing getting her feet wet.

Akari had organized a beach stall selling Monja-yaki for the whole summer holidays. She had already earned lots through the whole summer holidays where teenagers and families came to the beach everyday. Usually she had someone hired to take care of the stall but today the person had called her the night before telling her she was going away for a one day trip with her friends and wanted to take a day off. Akari had no one to fill in for the spot in such haste came herself. (Monja-yaki: A Japanese pan fried pancake mixed with veggie and meat, similar to Okonomiyaki without the eggs)

"I can help you with the Monja-yaki if you want to." Kaneko said coming up to her. "You had been standing here for almost the whole morning. You should go enjoy yourself a bit."

"I can't possibly let you do the work Kaneko-san." Akari protested.

"Don't worry Akari, Kaneko will do a great job!" Yuuki said sitting on a blanket under a huge umbrella its handle jammed into the sand. Kuniko was the one who had set the place up. "Besides I think lets start on with beach volleyball."

"That is a great idea Mitani-kun!" Kuniko exclaimed over-excitedly as she bounced back under the umbrella her feet wet and sand stuck on them but she took notice of it.

"But Kaga-san had not arrived yet." Akari said looking at her watch. "Besides if you want to play volleyball I think Kaneko-san will be a better player. I am never good at volleyball."

"Just have a try, you will never…." Kaneko's sentence was cut short when a customer with a child came to the stall.

"You want one of those Hatori?"

"Touya-kun?"

Touya gave in to Hatori's continuous protests of wanting to go to the beach was now standing before a Monja-yaki stall with Akari in a white unbuttoned blouse the bottom edge tied into a knot and wearing a bright yellow bikini beneath it. Her hair was tied into a high pony tail today instead of her usual bun when she cooks. He couldn't help himself but stare astounded at the sight.

"A friend of yours Fujisaki-san?" Kaneko asked looking back and forth between the two of them.

"Hai," Akari replied pleasantly not noticing Touya's intent gaze and grinned at him. "We seemed to be bumping into each other very often nowadays, well minus the times you come for breakfast every morning."

"It's a pleasant surprise Fujisaki-san." Quickly getting over his shock, Touya smiled his face tinted with a slight blush at what Akari was wearing and he still couldn't help but stare at her amazing figure in the revealing outfit.

"Touya-jiichan, I'm hungry." Hatori protested pulling onto Touya's slacks.

Touya was in a short sleeve plain collar shirt and a pair of brown slacks. He had never been to the beach before so he wasn't use to wearing shorts and walking around shirtless the whole day.

Touya almost groaned but kept the smile on his face in his usual collected self.

"Well, I will like two of Monja-yaki please." Touya finally said to Akari who was looking over the stall down at Hatori and then around the beach for a moment with a slight flustered look but it only lasted for a second before she turned back to Touya with her usual bright self. Touya gathered that she was looking around to see if Hikaru was around. She didn't want to be caught off guard again like the time in the festival.

"Two Monja-yaki coming up!" Akari repeated enthusiastically.

"After that let's start the game!" Yuuki called when he saw Kaga walking up towards them wearing a loose Hawaiian flowered red shirt and a pair of white short. His Hawaiian shirt was unbuttoned showing off his well tone body.

Akari took a deep breath flipping the pancake on the sizzling pan. She never liked volleyball and not to mention, she was extremely bad at it. She would just ended up making a fool out of herself.

"Here you are!" Akari said passing Touya the Monja-yaki on a piece of white paper and another to Hatori. "By the way why are you here today Touya-kun and with Hatori-kun? It is just the two of you?"

"Right, Shindo went to Nagoya to accompany his wife and left his son with me." Touya explained holding onto the pancake and never bothered eating it. "Then Hatori insisted on coming to the beach today so here we are."

"I see…." Akari inclined her head thoughtfully. "Why don't you join us? I am sure Hatori will want to play with everyone."

"Hai!" Hatori replied cheerfully already biting onto his Monja-yaki.

Akari grinned at the little boy's enthusiasm unaware that Yuuki was glaring a huge burning mark into the back of Touya. He got up and went up to Akari.

Yuuki couldn't help but noticed the way Touya and Akari were talking. They looked like they were good friends and he didn't like it one bit. He frowned slightly as he walked over to Akari and stood by her.

"Come on Akari let's start with the volleyball game." Yuuki said grabbing her arm in his.

Akari paled slightly. "Eh… but… I…."

"Come on…." Yuuki said impatiently and drag her away from the stall. "Kaneko you take over for a while."

"Sure no problem I have made Monja-yaki before." Kaneko gave them a thumb up sign. "It's not a problem really!"

"Touya-kun, why don't you join us too?" Akari said her voice slightly shrilly.

"Iie, Fujisaki-san I don't play sports well." Touya said watching Akari being dragged to the empty area of a beach where the volleyball net was set.

Kaga and Kuniko was already there waiting.

"Why don't you make yourself comfortable under that umbrella with your child?" Yuuki said to Touya rather sarcastically.

"Right," Akari smiled at him. "My friend Kuniko-chan had set it up earlier this morning. Feel free to take a seat."

Yuuki fumed slightly turning away. Akari was being nice to that Touya again.

"Arigatou Fujisaki-san." Touya guided Hatori over to their picnic placed set near the volleyball area and her stall but Hatori didn't want to follow.

"I want to play too!" Hatori cried jumping up at down. He had already finished his Monja-yaki.

"Hatori you won't be able to hit the ball over the net!" Touya said.

"But…." Hatori was almost in tears.

"It's alright Touya-kun," Akari smiled. "Of course he can join. Come on Hatori-kun, you can be in my group with Yuuki-niichan!"

"Arigatou!" Hatori exclaimed and ran up to them.

Touya sat down on the blanket watching them as they started the game unconsciously his eyes were only on one particular person as he slowly consume his Monja-yaki.

"Akari that is your ball try to take it!" Yuuki shouted.

Akari gulp slightly but her hesitation soon turned to determination as she watched the ball flying over to her. She told herself she can do it and raised her arm, jumped up, her arm swing forward to whack the ball back to the other side of the net…

SWISH….

The ball flew passed her hand. Everyone was silent as they watched her landing back on her feet gracefully. She turned around and saw the ball had landed not far behind her. She turned back to Kaga and Kuniko.

"Ah, gomen I missed!" She said grinning sheepishly.

"We can see that…." Kaga muttered under his breath.

"Neechan you are not very good are you…." Hatori whispered looking at Akari whose face was growing redder every minute.

"She totally sucks…." Kaga smirked one hand on his head the other on his hips.

Kuniko was giggling softly.

"Take that back you…." Yuuki yelled.

"It's ok Yuuki," Akari chuckled slightly. "I told you I am no good in volleyball. I am going back to my stall. Kaneko-san can take my place."

Touya had watched the whole comical scene from the blanket and had a finger touching his now twitching lips slightly. He watched Akari heading over to her stall and he tried with all his will to control his expression unsuccessfully not wanting to let Akari see him but she noticed his anguish look and walked up to him immediately. She knelt down next to him worriedly interpreting his reaction wrongly.

"Are you alright Touya-kun?" Akari asked but received no answer from him. "Touya-kun…."

Touya's shoulder shook slightly as he started laughing softly. Akari blinked confused and stared at him.

"It was so funny…." Touya muttered softly. "The way you miss that ball…. You were so serious…. I never thought…. I'm so sorry I shouldn't be laughing at you."

"Iie…." Akari grinned light heartedly. "It's all right to laugh Touya-kun. I am sure I will laugh at myself too if anyone caught me on tape and I watch it."

It took Touya sometime to settle down. When he did he took a deep breath and turned over to Akari with a jovial smile.

"I never laugh so much for a very long time…" He said. "You make me laugh Fujisaki-san."

Akari smiled gently her head incline.

"You look really lovely when you laugh. I think I should make you laugh more often."

Akari did not see the blush creeping onto Touya's cheeks as she walked back to her stall.

Why does she always give me this feeling of warmth? Touya wondered watching her as she served her customers willingly with her usual pleasant smile on her face.

He finally decided to help her after sitting under the umbrella watching her for short while and had nothing to do. He got up and stride over to her.

He had never felt this way for anyone before even when he was with Yuii. She had never made him feel comfortable with her continuous complains that he spent too much of his time with GO. All the time they were together she never understood him and always whined that she needed something. Usually the things she asked for always come expensive and Touya had always gotten what she wanted but still she was never satisfied.

His troubled thoughts vanished when Akari turned to him with her radiant smile. Ever since meeting Akari, Touya's life had been filled up with rather interesting events. She had shown him the beautiful side of life that he had never seen before. He wondered why he hadn't noticed her earlier in his life. How can he miss noticing a girl like Fujisaki Akari?

Evening arrived and the beach was getting empty, family and teenagers were leaving the beach, the sky was darkening as the sun was setting behind the ocean. Some still stayed behind to watch the sun set. Others couldn't wait to get home left. Touya helped Akari packed up her things from the stall.

"Ano, Fujisaki-san, I need a favour from you." Touya said.

Hatori was still there building sand castle by the shore. Akari's friends had left much earlier that day and had dragged a very reluctant Yuuki along with them leaving Touya and Akari by themselves. However Touya didn't mind at all since that guy name Yuuki kept glaring at him making him rather uneasy about it. Akari on the other hand was oblivion to everything when she served her customers.

"Sure what is it?" Akari asked turning to him in a carefree manner.

"I never had any siblings before and I never took care of a child before." Touya explained rather apprehensively. "So about Hatori I was wondering if you will be able to help me tonight…."

Akari grinned. "Of course."

Akari tugged Hatori into bed pulling the covers over him gently and switched off the light before she left the room quietly. Touya stood next to the door leaning on the wall his hands crossed in front of him waiting for her to appear again. He moved away from the wall instantly his hands falling to his sides when Akari came out the guest room and sliding the door shut softly.

"Arigatou Fujisaki-san, for helping me out with Hatori." Touya said uneasily. It wasn't like him to act that way but he was pretty embarrassed having to trouble Akari with his difficulty. "I caused problems for you."

"It's alright Touya-kun, I am glad I am able to help." Akari smiled reassuringly at him. "Besides, Hatori is after all Hikaru's son. They are both very energetic in every way. I am sure he had already worn you out for the day."

Touya smiled softly putting his palm on his forehead momentarily. "Would you like a cup of tea?" Not knowing why he wasn't very anxious for her to leave yet.

"Hai," Akari nodded slightly. "Arigatou, I will love some."

They were engulfed in silence as Touya boiled some water in the kitchen and Akari stood around the dining area, looking around his home surrounding with wonder. She had not been into such a huge house before and not to mention beautifully Japanese tradition designed. She quickly took a seat by the dining table on her knees politely when Touya appeared again with their tea.

He smiled when he saw a soft blush on her cheeks. She knew that he had caught her looking around his home with admiration and amazement. He knelt down the other side of the table facing her. He placed the tray that held a pot and two tea cups on the table.

"Would you like a tour around the house?" Touya asked when Akari stared down her hands folded on her lap unable to look at his eyes. However his question caught her attention and she looked up at him with interest.

"If I am not a bother…." She replied hiding the enthusiasm in her voice but her eyes gave her away.

"You will never be…." Touya smiled lightly.

For almost half an hour Touya brought Akari around the house showing her the rooms and gardens. To Touya's surprised Akari's interest was mostly on the small library his father had left for him. She looked around the room her finger touching the books arranged on the shelves gently.

"You like to read?" Touya asked.

"Hai," Akari turned to him excitedly. "I read all kinds of books actually." She looked back at the books on the shelves again. "But I can see most of the books here are old GO kifu and manuals."

"Yes my father only read those." Touya explained. "So do I…."

"I had read some GO books before too." Akari smiled remembering the old days. "I was really bad at GO in fact I never knew anything about GO until Hikaru started playing. He was so frustrated with me when he first tried to teach me. Not knowing the rules and everything I tired moving the stone to get out of being captured."

She laughed softly at her own story. She turned back to Touya with a huge grin. He was still standing by the door. Touya wondered how and why does she remember her days with Hikaru and still be happy about it so easily.

"You should have seen his face when I did that!"

Touya smiled.

"But Go School on Sundays helped a lot." Akari turned back to the books. "Soon in the third year of Haze Junior High I was Co-captain in the girl's team but it is not like we have a choice. There were only three girls in the club. Kaneko-san was captain of course. I can never play like she can. She is really good!"

"Would you…." Touya wanted to ask her if she would like to have a game with him but his tongue got caught in his throat. The words just didn't manage to get out of his mouth. He remembered how Yuii scorned at him when he asked her to try playing with him. His smile vanished as a frown appeared slightly at that depressing memory, he quickly shook it off.

"What is it Touya-kun?" Akari looked at him curiously.

He could only shake his head slightly and forced a small smile. "It's nothing, come on let's go. The shelves in this room are rather old and I was thinking of changing them soon. It may be dangerous for you to be here because it may topple down any time."

"Oh…" Akari blinked and started over to him when there was a loud creak.

Akari turned over to look at the shelf next to her surprised and true enough Touya's words were coming to reality when she saw the shelf before her toppling over. She back away quickly but only got her feet tangled and fell back instead. She collapsed on her back unable to move.

"Fujisaki-san watch out!"

That was the only thing Akari heard before she shut her eyes tight turning away waiting for the books and shelf to fall on her but it never came. Slowly she opened her eyes again to see Touya's face really closed to hers and she gasped slightly.

Touya was sprawled over Akari both his legs bent, one leg at each side of her body and his hands supporting himself on the floor with her head between them, books surrounding her but non of them hit her. She had no idea how he got there but he was protecting her from the accident. Akari could only gape at his intentions. He was restraining the shelf with his back. Akari's heart begins to pound quickly again seeing Touya's face up closed yet again was something she never comprehends.

"Touya-kun…." Akari whispered.

Their faces were so close she could feel his breath on her cheeks. She had no idea why Touya came to her aid. It would be better if he didn't because she hated it when her heart started to beat rapidly like this but she couldn't help worrying about Touya's condition. He looked like he had a very difficult time struggling to cease the shelf from falling on her. His face leaned down even closer to hers when the shelf started to weigh him down.

"Fujisaki-san are you alright?" Touya grunted slightly at the weight of the shelf.

"Hai…." Her voice came out slightly squeaky still staring wide eyed at Touya's fraught looks. Akari had never seen him looking like this before and started to feel really bad that she had cause him the trouble.

"Can you move out of the position?"

Calming herself down, Akari pushed upwards slowly and was glad that she wasn't trapped in any way. Her body was actually quite free to move about.

"I can get out." Akari replied as she twisted her body out of the awkward situation.

When she got to her feet she just realized a sharp pain shooting out of her right leg. She must have sprained it when she tried to get away but tripped instead. She winced slightly but ignored it. She had to help Touya out of that position.

Pushing all her weight on the shelf she tried lifting it up so that Touya was able to crawl out. When he finally got out Akari let the shelf go instantly, her energy all drained by only lifting the heavy wooden oak shelf. The shelf landed on the floor with a loud crash and she fell on her knees wearily.

Touya lay on the floor on his back looking up the ceiling, breathing heavily when his view was blocked by Akari's worried face. She had crawl over to his side to see if he was alright.

"Gomen Touya-kun I had caused so much trouble!" Akari apologized rather uncomfortably. "If I…."

"Iie, Fujisaki-san," Touya raised his hand and put his finger over her lip gently for an instant to cut her off. "I am the one that should be apologizing. I brought you around the house and my possessions nearly harmed you."

"Can you get up?" Akari asked holding onto his arm gently. "I can help you."

"I will be fine." Touya said sitting up ignoring the dull ache on his back. "Are you hurt Fujisaki-san?"

"Iie," Akari replied cheerfully and they both stood up together but she winced again nearly falling back to the floor but before she did Touya grabbed her arms quickly in his pulling her close to him. Akari landed on his chest gently and because Touya was taller than her the top of her head fit nicely under his chin.

"You are hurt!" Touya exclaimed worriedly.

"I just twisted my ankle slightly but I am fine!" Akari protested. She couldn't let Touya fussing over her again after what he had done for her. She blushed realizing how close they were and pushed herself away from him gently. "Really, I am fine."

"Let's go back to the dining area and I will take a look at that ankle." Touya insisted still not wanting to let her go. He was afraid she might collapse on the floor if he did.

"But…."

"At least let me make it up to you Fujisaki-san."

Akari remained very silent as Touya helped her out the room with one of his arm around her waist and the other hand holding onto hers.

"One more thing," Touya said when he noticed that Akari was looking rather gloomy for the first time in his life. "After today's incident I realized that I needed to work out."

Akari turned to him surprised and was greeted by his gentle smile. Gradually, as the meaning started to sink in, she started laughing softly at his statement. Touya was glad to be able to bring a smile back to her face again. It was the first time he had done something for her instead of Akari doing something for him.

"Arigatou Touya-kun…." Akari said softly and rather bashfully.

"I was glad I was able to help."

They looked at each other with a thoughtful look on their faces before they started laughing. They recognized those words and this time it was vise versa. Akari thanking him and Touya glad that he was able to help.

The sun rose the next morning over the city of Tokyo. Like every morning Akari leaned over her balcony watching the morning sun and the seagulls flying in the distant. The morning breeze was giving her a refreshing sensation. The incident the night before was still vivid in her memory. Her mind was in confusion as she stared out the horizon.

Why Touya helped her? She couldn't understand.

He would have hurt himself in his reckless action but he still tossed himself into the dangerous situation. Akari never knew that Touya would be the type of person who will act so hastily before. He was always so collected in his attitude and personality. She cannot imagine that he would risk getting hurt just to save her from getting injured.

Akari sighed out loud and look up at the brightening sky her hair flew around her face wildly at a sudden gust of strong wind. She held up her hand to push her hair out of her face and wondered how long her heart was going to restrain the weird feelings emerging by the sight of Touya. She had been ignoring them all the time.

She looked down at her bandage right ankle her and smiled softly. Touya had bounded that ankle for her the night before. He had been really kind and gentle towards her, unaware to her that her freezing heart was beginning to melt gradually at his actions. It will only take the matter of time for the ice to go away totally but Akari had no idea that she was losing her guard, that protection she had build around her heart to prevent from getting hurt again.

She never knew that meeting Touya Akira that one fateful afternoon will be changing her normal life forever for the better or worst no one knows as she paced back into her apartment to get ready for work. The future goes unseen to Akari as she prepared herself for work like any ordinary day not knowing what will be install for her next.

TBC

I may be going abroad for a week starting from the 4th of July. I think I will be back on the 14th of July. So on that time I may not be able to update this fic. I am sorry that everyone had to wait for a time being for the following chapter. I hope I am able to update another chapter before I leave. I will try my best, and when I come back I promise I will update as soon as I can.