Title: A game of lost and found

Warnings : I am not sure where the story is gonna head, and I do not know which pairing I'm putting or if there's even a pairing… though I did receive suggestions… I'm just writing according to my flow and mood. And plz review, whether to insult me or whatever. Will love you if you do :) Domo!

Summary: Set after the Hokuto Cup, where Hikaru still trying to go on. This time around though, he has Sai back with him. But life isn't that easy, not when another Go genius other than Akira had his sights set on him. Life is definitely not easy nor simple for him.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru No Go, its characters, and what-so-ever I used in this fic that associates with HnG. It's solely for my own entertainment... and yours if you enjoy it. :)

Er... before any of you complains, this chapter is not edited. I know I said it was being edit and, well, my editor's (I think she's called that right?) computer crashed. So she asked me to post it first and she'll edit it for me online, which means we'll probably have the edited Chapter 12 up soon… I hope (big big grin). For those who doesn't really care about errors and what-so-ever, have fun and for those who does, I'm very sorry.

And I'm starting to ramble… whatever. On with the story!

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Chapter 12: Amazingly Blind

"Hikaru! Hurry up or we will be late! What are you doing?"

'All right already! I'm coming! Unlike you, I do need to pack some clothes and provisions for the trip!'

A loud crash was heard seconds later as a muffled curse followed it. Soon a loud slam was heard as the stomping that usually follows after the door slamming echoes throughout the whole house.

Mrs. Shindou shook her in wry amusement as the noises followed Hikaru into the kitchen where she was putting finishing touches to the bento that she had insisted her son must bring along. No matter how polite and courteous Hikaru seemed to get more and more each day, he still begins it with his customary door slamming and stomping.

"Mum! Are those bento ready? I have to leave soon, otherwise I'll be late."

Without waiting for a reply, Hikaru stalked towards the dining table where he immediately gobbled down two pieces of toast and his glass of cold milk while still standing up. He then carried his glass and plate to the sink before proceeding towards the refrigerator, grabbing an apple out of it.

"Here, your bento for you and your friend."

Hikaru grimaced before giving his mother a smile as he took the bento from her. "Thanks Mum. Although we don't really need it, we appreciate it. I'm sure my friend does anyway."

"Ah, yes. He's from Korea, correct? Good thing I made some simple Japanese home-cooked food then. I hope he'll like it."

Hikaru absently hummed an agreement as he walked towards the front door while polishing the apple off. Mrs. Shindou was following demurely behind. She watched as Hikaru quickly wore his sneakers with years-earned practice ease.

"Be careful now. You'll be home either tomorrow or the next day, correct?"

"Hmm… hopefully by tomorrow night. I do have classes on Monday. If there are any changes I'll give you a call, all right? Don't worry… I made a trip like this once two years back, remember?"

"Oh yes I remember all right. Going all the way there without telling us and making me worried like that. Even if you were a pro then you shouldn't have done that."

Hikaru winced as he heard his mother's tone. "Sorry Mum. But it was some sort of emergency that time. I won't make impromptu trips like that without ever informing you again, all right? I promise."

Mrs. Shindou stern gaze turned soft at Hikaru's apology. He had apologized time and time again, but Mrs. Shindou was taking no chance that he might forget and make her worry like that again. Better to remind him every once in a while. Especially since he was the one who brought up the subject in the first place.

"Well then, you have fun Hikaru. Just be careful and call back if there's anything, all right?"

"Yes, yes. I know, I know. I'll take my leave now. See you soon. Bye!"

Hikaru waved at his mother as he walked out of the door. Just before he shut the door, he turned back to his mother cheekily. "By the way, Mum, you're getting repetitive. Must be your age catching up with you."

Hikaru quickly slammed the door as a muffled protest could be heard through the door. Sniggering, he quickly began his brisk walk towards the station where he was to meet his friend. At least he supposed he could call the Korean a friend now.

It was certainly a surprise, how amiable Ko Yongha could be once a person gets to know him. Of course it had also depends on Yongha's willingness. It seemed that the cocky Korean is one of those people whom are very choosy about the people they become friends with. In the short while since their coincidence encounter in the Go store, they had been spending quite some time together, mostly sight-seeing.

Thought they had not once play Go together, Hikaru found that he could not complain. Like how he enjoyed Hamano's company, he was starting to enjoy Yongha's company as well. This was why he had suggested to him a trip to Hiroshima, to visit the famous Honinbou Shuusaku's spots. Partly for Yongha, who still proclaimed fervently that he do indeed admire and respect Shuusaku a lot, and partly for Sai, who would definitely love it.

For Sai, it was more than just Go and Torajiro. It was the place where he had first met Torajiro and became one with him. Where they had began playing Go together till Torajiro started playing Go in Edo. It was a place filled with bittersweet memories for Sai.

This would explain why the aforementioned ghost was whining and nagging at Hikaru to speed up even though Hikaru was all but running.

'For the last time, I'm not going to run! I'm walking fast enough as it is. Besides we're meeting Yongha at 9 am, which happened to be an hour away! So calm down Sai! We'll get there soon enough.'

"But you're always late!"

'Excuse me! Pardon me, but aren't I out of the house early enough? It's one HOUR away!'

"But… but Hikaru!"

'Hush!'

Sai began to pout prettily beside Hikaru, following Hikaru quietly and sulkily in hope that Hikaru will feel guilty in the silence which the semi-manipulative ghost created. Too bad it did not quite worked out as Sai wanted it, as Hikaru was too busy thinking about other stuff.

'Too bad Touya couldn't make it.'

Sai immediately perked up upon hearing that, all forms of manipulations forgotten. "Touya-kun? Why not? When did you ask him anyway?"

'Yesterday, when we were at the salon. I believe you ran off to watch Ogata-sensei's and Ashiwara-san's game. He told me that he was asked to go for a Go function at… hmm, I forgot where exactly. Oh well, somewhere then.'

Sai sweat-dropped upon hearing Hikaru's response. "Somewhere is not exactly a response, Hikaru…"

Hikaru scowled. 'Whatever.'

"How come you did not go for such events?"

'I do, just that it so happens that I'm not scheduled to go for any… at least not since you were back. Neither did I volunteer for any, like Touya sometimes does. The institute will call me if I'm required at any of these functions. I think they personally asked for Touya this time though, as I don't remember seeing this function in his schedule.'

"I see… anyway, isn't Yongha-kun still living under Touya's roof?"

'Yes, why?'

"Just asking."

Hikaru nodded his head in acknowledgement as he continued his brisk walk. Sai was following beside him, this time in a contemplative silence. He was thinking of both Yongha and Akira. Maybe Hikaru did not notice it, but the gentle ghost sense some hostility between those two boys. Though both Yongha and Akira had never been seen together, there was some kind of resentment in their respective eyes whenever Hikaru mentioned one of them to the other.

As a matter of fact, the first time when Akira found out that Hikaru and Yongha had come to some sort of truce, courtesy of Hikaru, Akira had practically blew his top. Of course this had lead to an all-out shouting match which ended with Hikaru stomping out of the salon while Akira sat in his chair seething. The next time Hikaru and Akira had met, it seemed that Akira had forgotten all about that episode. Except that whenever Hikaru casually mentioned Yongha, Akira's gaze will turned a darker shade green with anger.

Not only that, Sai could sense that that the Go prodigy was holding himself back from either cursing the Korean to the seven depths of hell and back or asking, or rather, demands more information from Hikaru about his interactions with the Korean. Of course, holding back does not meant that Akira actually stop himself from doing so. Since Akira was too polite to really curse anyone, Sai had some entertaining moments listening to the veiled sarcasm coming out of Akira's mouth. Giving Hikaru some credit, he does catch those sarcastic remarks once in a while, but while he did mentioned it in passing to Sai, he had never call Akira on it.

Although, it did help in minimizing any information about the Korean from Hikaru to Akira. In fact Sai sometimes felt that Hikaru was more or less reporting to Akira whenever he went out or going to hang out with Yongha. If Sai had not known that these two boys were possessive of each other (in terms of Go rivalry of course), he would have thought that these two were actually in a romantic relationship.

Then again, Yongha did not fare any better than Akira. Of course, Yongha managed to keep his cool-headedness and did not shout at Hikaru about Akira. He probably was not used to such actions and even if he were, he is not as close to Hikaru as Akira is to be able to carry such actions out. But like, Akira, every time Hikaru mentioned Akira, the young Korean's aura practically screams annoyance. Plus with those brusque replies concerning Akira, it was amazing that Hikaru does not actually suspect anything yet.

Actually, it was not fair to say Hikaru does not suspect anything. He did, after all, realize that Akira and Yongha are each other cause of annoyance. And he knew enough to not talk to either of them about the other, only mentioning them briefly. But Hikaru had never bothered to question why they were so anti of each other or to even try and force them to get along or something like that.

Hmm… maybe it is not fair to say Hikaru did not notice it. After all, it is plain that Hikaru does notice it. Maybe Hikaru was not about to acknowledge or even get in depth with those two so-called rivalry… or whatever it is.

To Sai, it seemed that those two young men were actually waging a personal war against each other concerning Hikaru. He did not know whether it was the fact they consider each other rivals or they just plain hate each other. Sometimes Sai even suspects that the two of them were actually jealous of the attentions that Hikaru bestow to both of them. But why it was so is the only thing that Sai could not figure out.

As a matter of fact, Sai could also not figure out how those two could actually still live under the same roof. Anyway, it seemed like Hikaru actually respect both their silent wishes to not socialize with each other and actually kept his interactions with both of them apart. It's a miracle Hikaru did not complain about headaches or get frustrated at either of them. Sometimes Sai wondered if this is actually Hikaru's true patience, or was he actually relying on his care-not attitude.

Therefore when Sai learnt that Hikaru had actually invited Akira along to the trip to Hiroshima with Yongha, it came as a surprise. He could not understand how Hikaru is planning to kept both Yongha and Akira from killing each other if they both were to go on this trip, together. Or had Hikaru actually forgotten about those two's animosity?

Sai sneaked a look at Hikaru. The scary thing is, with Hikaru, that thought is actually possible.

"Say, Hikaru, why did you invite Touya-kun along?"

'Hmm…? Why? You did not want to?'

"No, not that… er, well… Touya-kun and Yongha-kun does not… get along well, isn't it?"

'… (sigh)… Yeah, I know. I just thought… I wanted Touya to come along.'

"Oh… why?"

'I never did tell you… that Touya found you, did I? The first true game that Touya and I had together, he found you, inside my Go.'

"…"

'Ah…! He claimed that there were another person inside of me, which is very close to what we actually are, isn't it? And I just remembered that in a way I promised to tell him all about Sai one day.'

"I see… are you going to?"

'I don't know. I am selfish when it comes to you. To tell Touya about you, it's like I'm going to share you. Even though you are back with me, right here, right now, I still don't know if I'm ever going to tell him. I was just happy and glad then, that someone actually found you.'

"Then why are you asking him to come on this trip? Yongha I could understand, he knows nothing at all to connect you with me… but Touya? Surely he would question you?"

Hikaru gave Sai a very big grin. 'Touya claims that you are another me, but he does not have any proof. If anything, he only has my vague reply for it. And everyone knows that I revere Shuusaku and plays like him. I even am some-sort of expert on Shuusaku. True that he saw your shadow in me, but Sai is Sai and Shuusaku is Shuusaku. Apart from Waya, nobody actually thought to put Sai and Shuusaku together. So I am quite safe, I believe. Besides, it's not really that odd if I want to bring a Korean friend to see Shuusaku's sites, right? Especially since the friend is a Shuusaku's enthusiast?'

Sai's face faulted. "Since you put it that way…"

'Besides, I call Shuusaku my master sometimes, just to throw people off my back. And since I actually play like him, there weren't many questions.'

"Hey… I thought I am your master?" Sai pouted.

'Yup! You are. And since you and Shuusaku are one and the same… it doesn't really matter, right? It is much easier than telling people that Sai is actually my master. Yes, I could just picture the commotions. Thanks, but no thanks. I may be slightly sadistic, but I don't enjoy placing myself in such positions.'

"Good point. Anyway, how does it stop Akira from asking?"

'I suppose it won't, but that does not mean that I will answer him. Besides, if Yongha is there, I doubt that Touya will actually ask me about Sai.'

"True… by the way, do you know how long Yongha-kun is actually going to be here in Japan?"

'Er… nope. Come to think of it, I had never asked him that question. And he had been here for some time already, isn't it? What was it, two or three weeks?'

"Hmm… I think so. Ask him later when he is going back."

'Why? How come you are so interested in that?'

"Secret!"

Hikaru scoffed lightly. 'Yeah, yeah. Whatever, you childish ghost.'

"I know. Thanks for the compliment, Hikaru!" Sai answered in a cheerful tone, causing Hikaru to choke in his laughter.

"Oh look! There's Yongha-kun. He actually managed to get to this station in one piece and earlier than you… or are you late again?"

'Hey! What's with the 'you-you' business? You're also traveling with me, if you had managed to forget that. Plus, look! It's not even nine yet. We're early!'

Sai looked at the watch Hikaru was practically shoving at his face. Sai's mouth made an 'O' in surprise as he saw that was indeed before nine. In fact, they were actually fifteen minutes early. By then Yongha had seen Hikaru and was walking over to them.

"Shindou! Morning!"

"Good morning to you too, Yongha. You're early."

"Look who is talking. I'm actually surprise that you're early. I was expecting a long wait."

"I'm not really that bad, am I?" Hikaru asked, offended.

"You are." Yongha and Sai both echoes. Hikaru grimaced at the simultaneous replies before smiling brightly again.

"You're just jealous because it's part of my charming persona. You know, we can always find something charming about you so you won't feel that inferior next to me that you have to point such little thing out."

Yongha, who had been overdosed with Hikaru's weird sense of humor, just shake his head good-naturedly. He then watch, fascinated and a bit curious, as the same far-away look came into Hikaru's eyes. He had noticed that Hikaru had this look most of the time, like he was in deep thought or so. Though he had often wondered about that particular look, he had never asked Hikaru about it. Yongha considered himself as a private person, therefore he practices his own principles on other as well; respects one's privacy.

Suddenly Hikaru's clear, green-eyed gaze zeroed on him, surprising him slightly. Yongha did not have to wait long to find out the reason.

"How long are you staying in Japan, Yongha?"

Yongha's eyes narrowed slightly before he shrugged in abandon. To say he was surprise by the question was an understatement, since he himself does not know when he is going back. The question itself surprised him as well, since it came out of nowhere. Besides, Seon-kuen was enjoying himself too much to go back yet. And just yesterday night, he was talking to Suyon on the phone…

"I'm not too sure yet. Seon-kuen, my sempai whom I'm sure you have met in the center before, doesn't seem ready to go back yet."

"I see, but you could go back on your own if you wanted to, isn't it?"

"I guess so… why? Why the sudden interest? Surely you're not trying to get rid of me?"

"Don't be too full of yourself, Yongha. I was just curious; after all you're staying in Touya's home. Was just wondering how long you're going to be here." Hikaru mumbled out, thinking himself about the reasons why had Sai asked him to ask Yongha that particular question.

As observed by Sai, Yongha's eyes darkened at the mention of Akira while Hikaru was still lost in his own thoughts.

"Whatever. I may be staying longer, Suyon told me he wanted to come to Japan. I believe he wants to play Go with you."

"Suyon? Great!"

'Did you hear that Sai? Suyon is coming!'

Sai watched bemusedly as Hikaru's happiness went up a notch at the simple announcement as Hikaru chatter non-stop with the Korean, mostly asking questions about Suyon.

"Oh! We must hurry up and buy the tickets now since we did not reserve any, but since it's a normal weekend, I don't suppose there'll be a crowd…"

Hikaru trailed off while staring at Yongha contemplatively. Yongha only shrugged in answer. It seemed a bit stupid to point out to the dense boy that he is the native and not Yongha.

"Oh well, come on! Let's make a move."

But before Hikaru could drag Yongha off, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks immediately.

"Am I still invited?"

Even though surprised, Hikaru turned to the source of the voice immediately with a big grin on his face. Yongha turned too, but at a much slower rate with a slight annoyance in his face.

"Touya! You came!"

Akira smile softly at Hikaru's apparent happiness. Out of the corner of his eyes, Akira could see that the Korean was pissed at his arrival. Seeing that gave Akira grim satisfaction.

"Of course, how could I not? But of course if you did not look so forlorn yesterday, I might have not come." Though most would say those words flippantly, Akira said them with his normal soft, cultured voice, causing Hikaru to scowl.

"I was not forlorn, just disappointed."

Akira shrugged lightly, with the natural grace he seemed to be gifted with. "Same difference."

Hikaru snorted at Akira's reply, glaring at him playfully. Yongha's frown became more pronounce at the two boys' interactions.

"Akira-san, how did you managed to find us?" Yongha asked, careful to keep his tone bereft of any emotions except simple curiosity. Unfortunately, Akira could see through him as he turned challenging, gleaming eyes at Yongha.

"Shindou told me of course."

Hikaru was nodding at Akira's answer. "Yup, I told Touya… I hope you don't mind Touya coming along. After all, the more the merrier." Hikaru gave Yongha a winning smile which Yongha could not say no to, if he had the chance to, of course, for Hikaru had already turned back to Akira. "By the way, Touya, didn't you say that you had a function that you were required to go to? Where was it again?"

Akira sighed heavily. "In Kansai, I thought I told you just yesterday. Your selective memory loss is annoying… you do know that, don't you? Anyway, I had a chat with the organizers and found out I could decline. They just wanted me there for more publicity. When I told them I had something else on, they were quite alright with it. Besides, Yashiro will be there."

"Oh… Yashiro's hometown. True… he's a much more celebrated Go player there than either of us."

"Ne, ne. Who's Yashiro?" Sai asked while perching over Hikaru's shoulder, face turned to Hikaru happily.

'An exceptional Go player from the Kansai district. He's quite famous for using out-of-ordinary moves. He started a game with Honda with the first hand as tengen. And when he played with me, he started with 5-5. The best thing is Yashiro actually has the skills to back up such exceptional moves.'

"Indeed? So did you win?"

'Of course! Do you think I would lose just because it differs? Have some faith in me, please.'

Sai chuckled softly at the apparent scorn that accompanies those words.

While Sai and Hikaru was mentally conversing, the other two boys had taken to glaring at each other, neither one willing to back down. When Hikaru and Sai finally turned their attention back to them, needless to say, Sai was extremely amused by the whole situation. Hikaru took the whole scene into stride and proceed to hurry them, which in turn turned into dragging, towards the ticket counter while they continued glaring at each other.

"We're lucky! The next train leaves in fifteen minutes. Let's go, the platform is over there." Hikaru call out cheerfully, disrupting another staring match. Hikaru immediately walk towards the aforementioned platform without waiting for his companions or even a glance at them. Akira and Yongha could only smile wryly at Hikaru's usual behavior. Suddenly Hikaru turned back to them.

"Come on! We're going to have a blast in Hiroshima! Hiroshima, here we come!" Hikaru yell out happily before walking away again, causing people around him to either look at him with amusement or annoyance. Akira and Yongha both sweat-dropped at Hikaru action. As if suddenly realizing that both were sporting similar actions, each shot a glare at each other before swiftly following Hikaru, while trying to out-walk each other without being too obvious.

Sai, who had noticed both Yongha's and Akira's action, laughed quietly as he trailed after them gracefully.

They are going to have a blast at Hiroshima all right.

-owari-

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As usual, thanks to all my reviewers! It was good knowing that you enjoyed the last chapter, for I was a bit unsure of it. I lost count of how many times I wrote it just to throw it away again and when I finally have it going, how many it had me at a stump. All the same, thanks again! I hope you find this chapter satisfactory as well.