Disclaimer: I don't own Hikaru No Go...

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and support, Coiling Death, Kickkid3, Fudge Cake a la mode, Xiar, DarkPortAtreides, a new Touya Akari fan, Haruko Akira and Feely. And also thank you to all who reads this fic.

I hope everyone enjoys this chapter...

Chapter 12

The sun was only beginning to emerge from the clouds, shining it's brightness on the roof of Touya's house. Akari woke early that day to make breakfast before Touya head out for his GO match today. Touya on the other hand, was at the dining table in a rather uncharacteristic way, sat cross leg on the floor, reading the morning papers as usual. He was dressed in his usual neat violet suit and yellow, black stripe tie.

"So, will you be back for dinner?" Akari asked coming out from the kitchen with breakfast.

"I am not sure, this is for the Meijin title and usually there will be certain breaks and players had more time to think over their move." Touya placed his papers down slightly to look at Akari.

"I see," Akari smiled slightly and knelt down, placing a plate of Sake Teriyaki, beans and Miso Shiru on the table. "Well I will prepare something anyways, so when you get home, you can just reheat it." (Sake Teriyaki: Fried salmon with sauce; Miso Shiru: Soup made of fermented soy beans.)

"Thanks…" Touya smiled.

"I'll go get you some rice." Akari smiled getting up again.

Touya watched her going back into the kitchen, before he flipped his papers back up again. The silence of his house was soon disturbed by the sound of phone ringing in the hallway. He was about to put his papers down again, when Akari came back out from the kitchen with his rice.

"I'll go get it," Akari said passing him the rice before she left the dining area to the hall. "Don't wait until the dishes get cold. Eat first Touya-kun."

Touya smiled watching her dashed out before he put the papers aside and moved his legs so he was kneeling on his knees. Akari practically ran to the phone and picked up the receiver.

"Moshi moshi, Touya residence…." Akari said.

"Great, I thought you will be there," Akari heard Kuniko's voice over the phone. "I tried your mobile but you didn't pick up."

"Oh so sorry, I left it upstairs in the room," Akari explained. "I didn't hear it."

"Never mind about it, I have good news Akari-chan."

"What is it?" Akari asked curiously.

While waiting for Akari to return, Touya started with his breakfast like she had told him to. He looked up with surprised when he saw Akari bursting back into the dining area, a huge grin on her face. She was really happy after that phone call. She went over to the other side of the dining table he was at, knelt down facing him; the huge cheerful grin was still on her face.

"That was my friend Kuniko-chan!" Akari said happily. "She called to tell me that she found an apartment for me in the city very near to Eternal Snow!"

Touya stalled in his movement watching her silently. He should be happy that she finally found a place to stay but he couldn't. After hearing what Akari had told him, he felt his heart withered rather excruciatingly. He couldn't bear to see her moving out and after all he was so use to having her around the house, he couldn't even imagine how it would be like without her.

"Kuniko-chan said that I could move in anytime starting off tomorrow!" Akari continued not noticing that Touya was in a verge of turmoil with his feelings because she was practically looking up the ceiling when she talked. "I think I can start packing today…"

"Fujisaki-san, don't go…."

Akari stopped whatever she was saying, turned to him swiftly and blinked staring at Touya rather perplexed that Touya suddenly looked as white as sheet before her.

"Please I…." Touya frown his voice failing him.

Touya cursed silently at what he was saying. He was supposed to give her space and now he was forcing her to stay with him. It would frighten her even more, as a result she will distance herself away from him and that was the last thing he wanted. He studied Akari slowly who looked rather shocked and forced a smile.

"That's great…." Touya finally said. "I'm free tomorrow. I will help you move your things to the new apartment."

Akari was silent watching Touya rather intently. She noticed his queer edgy voice like he was in a verge of tears. Does it affect him so much with her leaving his house? Akari wasn't that sure but she noticed that Touya seemed to have lost all his appetite that morning after she told him the news. Oh no, what had she done! Today was supposed to be his important GO match!

Akari stared down the table rather horrified and lost for words at what she had done!

"So you will move in tomorrow?" Kuniko asked when she and Akari went out on a shopping spree that afternoon. "Do you need any help, you can call Mitani-kun…"

"Touya-kun said he can help me…" Akari cut her off.

"I see, Touya-kun again…." Kuniko smiled mischievously at her friend. "So are you and him only friends now…"

"I don't know…" Akari shrugged. "I mean he is really nice and I really like his company but it is not official or anything…."

"You mean he never confessed?"

"Well, he is a very patient guy," Akari explained. "Besides I am not ready for anything too deep!"

"So marriage is out of the question." Kuniko snickered slightly.

"Hell no, no marriage…." Akari shook her head. "Not now anyways…"

"Hey look this floor mat will suit your new apartment!" Kuniko cried picking up the mat piled up at the corner of the store. "I've seen the apartment and I know you will love it!"

"Kuniko-chan, I am still sort of in a financial problem here!" Akari whispered worriedly. "I can't just simply get myself floor mats or… or… other decorative stuff…."

"Hey, who said you are paying for it?" Kuniko said picking it up anyways. "I'm getting it for you and besides you do know that the down payment for your apartment is paid by me."

"I know," Akari smiled hugging her friend tightly. "Love you so much! I'll pay you back as soon as I can, I promise!"

"You better!" Kuniko joked. "It's a good thing I am not some load shark or something like that! Or you will have a hell lot of interest to pay up."

"Kuniko-chan, I can simply kiss you…." Akari grinned.

"Safe that for Touya-kun." Kuniko said holding up her hand to halt Akari.

As Kuniko mentioned Touya's name again, Akari couldn't help but looked down at her watch worriedly. His match should have started hours ago but he seemed rather lifeless when he left the house today. She wondered if his emotions were going to affect his game. She couldn't stop blaming herself for making him so miserable. She had no idea what had upset Touya that much but somehow she felt it was her fault.

After Akari and Kuniko had got everything they needed, they headed back home with all the shopping bags in their hands. Akari was rather tired when she reached Touya's house but she still had to prepare dinner. She dump all the bags into the guest room and went to get a quick shower before retreating to the kitchen to see what she can make for dinner.

Seconds ticked by to hours, still no sign of Touya coming home, even after Akari had finished preparing dinner and had her share. Not knowing what else to do, Akari went over to the library and slide the side shoji door opened that lead out to the garden. She looked up the darkening sky. It was rather windy that night and Akari had a strong feeling it was going to rain. She wrapped her arms around herself tightly keeping warm and her thoughts stray off to Touya again…

Feeling a huge agitation in his heart, he bowed his head in defeat. Touya clutched his hands into fists placed on top of his knees. He shut his eyes tight and uttered two words which seemed so difficult to form from his mouth.

"I resign…"

Lights flashed by the cameras came from everywhere in that room. Reporters had already flipped opened their notepads ready to get an interview from the winner and also from him who had lost the game.

Touya left the building finally after the reporters had finished their questioning. He placed his hand on his forehead, looking down the ground, feeling the cool wind blowing strong as soon as he was outside the sheltered porch. He looked up to see that it was raining quite heavily, but he didn't care about the rain. There was a small figure in the distance holding on an umbrella not far from the building caught his attention though. He could see that she was partially wet from her feet.

"Fujisaki-san?" Touya squint his eyes slightly to see the dark figure carefully.

Akari finally turned to Touya just realizing that he had finally finished his game. So quickly she ran over to him not caring that the rain was soaking her. When she finally reached him, she threw her arms around him, the umbrella fell away, lay forgotten on the ground.

"I am so glad I was able to see you!" Akari cried worriedly. "I was thinking I may have missed you!"

Touya could feel his heart lifted at the sight of Akari running over to him just to embrace him in such an intimate way but he was slightly confused when he saw Akari's worried expression.

"The match had only ended! How long did you wait?" Touya was rather surprised hugged her in returned stroking her hair gently. "Why were you standing in the rain? You could come into the building or stay at the porch where it's dry!"

"So how was the match?" Akari pull back slightly, so she could see his face.

Touya smiled slightly, realizing why Akari was so worried.

"Touya-kun, you did win like you always do right?" Akari repeated.

Slowly, Touya shook his head slightly and Akari sucked in her breath unbearably.

"Did I upset you in any way?" Akari asked in a rather small voice. "You looked rather down this morning and I had been thinking that I may have upset you and…!"

"Don't go blaming yourself, Fujisaki-san," Touya quickly said cutting her off. "It has nothing to do with you…"

"I am so sorry if I did anything to upset you…." Akari said again placing her head under his chin leaning on his torso.

"Hey," Touya pulled back slightly to look at her but she had her head bowed low. Slowly with one hand, he held her chin gently and tilts her head upwards. The other arm still wrapped tightly around her waist. "You don't have to be sorry. I just didn't try hard enough. It is not your fault but mine for not going out all the way…"

Akari could hear that Touya had spoken rather atypically. That was something he wouldn't do, but then again, this is a world of professional players. She would never understand what they do.

"But…"

"No Fujisaki-san," Touya moved his hand from her chin and placed a finger on her lips. "I don't want to hear you saying you're sorry when you have nothing to do with this."

Akari remained still for a moment before she finally nodded slowly.

"So now let me ask you something," Touya smiled gently, now with both his arms around her waist. "Why are you here?"

"I saw that it was raining and you didn't have an umbrella so I came to give you one…" Akari explained.

"Well, I'll share the one you're holding…." Touya said softly, placing his forehead on hers gently. "Will that be alright?"

"Sure," Akari smiled finally.

Touya finally release Akari and bent over to pick up the umbrella that Akari had let go, shielding both of them before they stepped out into the rain. He had an arm around her shoulders protectively staying close together as they made their way home.

"Touya-kun, about the Meijin title…?"

"Don't worry, I will have another shot for it and I won't disappoint you the second time."

When they reached home, Akari went straight into her room and Touya to his. She changed out of her wet clothes before she stepped out her room and went downstairs again. She could see Touya eating the dinner she had prepared earlier at the dining area. Thinking that he may want to be alone, she retreated to the recreation room near the library. There was a television, table and very cozy kotatsu that will give warmth during cold seasons.

Settling herself comfortably on the floor into the kotatsu, she switched on the television and leaned her head on one of her arm, on the table and the other hand holding the remote. It was perhaps after flipping several channels and finally settled for a boring romantic movie, Touya walked into the room. Akari turned around to look at him leaning at the frame of the door smiling at her softly.

"Is there room for another person?" He asked casually.

"Plenty of room," Akari smiled.

Touya went up next to her and sat down settling into the kotatsu too and turned to the television to see what Akari was watching.

"Is it interesting?" Touya asked rather lost because it was in the middle of the movie.

"Not really," Akari replied her head inclined still watching the movie without much enthusiasm.

"So it will be your last night here," Touya said softly and rather despondently.

Slowly Akari turned to him to see him just staring at the television but not actually watching. Taking a deep breath she edged closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder gently. She could feel Touya shifted slightly so that he could wrap an arm around her waist.

"I can't live here forever Touya-kun," Akari said softly. "I will be a great disturbance to your life."

"You won't be…" Touya replied and added silently. I will want you here forever…

"It's time I have to go back to my own life, Eternal Snow will be reopening soon again and I would have quite a busy time trying to build the place up again."

"I'll be always here if you need any help Fujisaki-san, remember that."

"Yes, I will…." Akari smiled closing her eyes. "I will always remember… you are always so kind…"

Touya could feel her weight falling all on him and he smiled slightly. She had fallen asleep next to him. As gently as possible, Touya placed her back on the floor pulling the kotatsu higher blanketing her body. Then Touya lie back, position himself on the side, with one hand supporting his head, watched her sleep peacefully. She is just so beautiful, he was sure he would love to watch her for the rest of his life.

When Akari came into his life, he never knew that this extraordinary girl would be able to affect him such a way that he never thought possible. Knowing deep in his heart, she will be the only person that he will want to spend his entire life with. Feeling drowsy from tiredness Touya close his eyes and fell asleep next to Akari…

Birds chirped outside the garden as the sun shone into the recreation room. Slowly Akari opened her eyes. Still feeling dreamy, she felt her head leaning on something solid and rather comfortably warm. Besides that, was it breathing? She could feel the regular thumps of heartbeat against her face. When her eyes came to focus properly, she found herself staring at someone's clothes. She blinked turning her head up to distinguish what it was and found herself staring at Touya sleeping form. She drew her breath in sharply, staring.

Touya had fallen asleep without meaning too, soon after Akari had. He had no idea that they would get themselves tangled into one. Akari had been sleeping with her head leaning on his chest and both hands against it. Touya had one of his arms around her hugging her close. Their bodies plastered together into one piece, with one of Akari's legs between his. This was quite an awkward way to wake up. Akari blushed deeply. She watched Touya breathing evenly, his face peaceful as he slept on one side, facing her. How did they get like this, Akari had no idea. She remembered watching television when Touya came in. She leaned her head on his shoulder and then that was the part she must have fallen asleep…

Up close Akari notice that he was so beautiful. She realized that he was a very charming person when he was awake but when sleeping, he was someone totally different. His face was so serene and relaxed. She raised one of her hand to touch his face gently, tracing his features with her fingers, memorizing them. Her touched didn't wake him but only gotten her self held tighter still by Touya. After several minutes passed, losing all her senses just watching his beautiful features, Akari snapped. Her senses finally coming back intact and suddenly realizing what she was doing, Akari removed her hand from his face quickly. What the hell was she thinking about?

Gently, so that she wouldn't wake him, Akari removed his arm encircling her waist gently and moved her leg away from his slowly. Her soft and slow movement fortunately didn't wake Touya and when she finally gotten out, Akari got up and fled the room. It was a good thing that she was moving out today. She didn't dare to think what would happen if she continues to remain in Touya's domain. Besides, sleeping next to each other was definitely the furthest thing she had in mind and still, it happened! Their relationship should not go so quickly! If she trend in too deeply, she was afraid to be disappointed again if anything happens. She knew that she will never talk about this day again, glad that Touya still remain asleep, oblivion to everything.

TBC

I know lots would like it if Akari stays on but I guess it was not going to be so easy after all with them both being together LOL! (Ducks from rotten cabbage.) But, don't worry, don't worry! There will definitely be more Touya Akari coming up in all other chapters... even they don't stay together doesn't mean they don't meet!

Thank you for reading!