A/N: Yes, I know, late update. I really have no idea where this is heading now. Nothing's been planned beyond this point. Thanks for the patience guys.

Meeting

On the agreed date for his meeting with Touya Koyo, Hikaru was feeling slightly nervous. It was not because he would be discussing Sai with someone, but it was because there was someone he could talk to about Sai. He felt rather excited and all together made quite the sight to the passersby. It was one of a young man in his twenties walking around stiffly with a huge grin pasted on his face, making for an interesting sight. Hikaru quickly realized his erratic behavior from the all the curious stares he was garnering attention from, and instantly composed himself before quickly heading down the street to the Touya residence.

With the Touya's address in hand, and a map application opened on his phone, he steadily navigated through the maze of streets before him. It did not take long for him to reach the gate signifying the entrance to the Touya residence; it was a black wrought iron gate, hinged to the white walled fence surrounding the plot of land, a nameplate hung on the wall with the name "Touya" inscribed. The feeling of nervousness crept upon Hikaru once again; he was there, standing just a few metres away from where Touya Koyo was waiting just inside the house. Taking a few moments to calm himself, he then rang the door buzzer, alerting the residents of the Touya house of his presence at the gate.

It was a few moments before there was an answer from the intercom. "Yes? May I ask who this is?"

"A-ah," Hikaru stuttered, before clearing his voice and answering clearly, "I am Shindo Hikaru. I believe I have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Touya Koyo today at around this hour."

"Oh yes, Shindo-san!" the voice of the woman on the intercom exclaimed. "Please come in! My husband has been expecting you."

"Thank you," Hikaru replied, now smiling a little in relief even with the feeling of nervousness still fluttering about like butterflies in this stomach. He pushed the gate open and took a step into the front yard of the house to be met with a vision of nature; a path made of flat rocks placed upon soil paved its way towards the front door, the yard itself was styled with many well groomed plants and a few trees all around.

Shrugging himself out of staring at the details of the yard, Hikaru continued his way to the front door where a woman in what looked to be her late fifties to be standing and waiting for him. He smiled at the woman, and gave her a bow in greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Shindo Hikaru. And you are…?"

The woman smiled back at him, "The pleasure is all mine, Shindo-san. I am Touya Akiko, Touya Koyo's wife." Gesturing for Hikaru to follow her inside the house, she continued speaking, "My husband is waiting for you in the study room. Please follow me."

Hikaru nodded, taking his shoes off and following the woman to the designated room, trying not to be curious and glance about the hall they walked down. They stopped shortly after the walked, and Akiko opened a wooden sliding paper screen door.

"Dear, your guest Shindo-san has arrived," Akiko announced to Touya Koyo who sat within the room. She turned and gestured for Hikaru to enter the room, "Please take your time. I will be back shortly with some drinks for you."

Hikaru nodded and said his thanks to the woman, walking into the room to find Touya Koyo sitting in seiza before a goban. It seemed that the man had been reviewing a game while waiting for his guest to arrive. Hikaru walked to closer to the retired professional Go player, and bowed giving his greetings.

"Touya-sensei, it is good to see you again, and in good health," Hikaru said, a small and seemingly sad smile on his face.

There was silence for a few moments before Touya Koyo replied, his voice low and rough, "And the same to you Fujiwara-kun. No, it's Shindo-kun, isn't it?"

Touya Koyo looked up at the young man and gave a small smile, he gestured to the cushion set out on the opposite side of the goban before him. "Take a seat Shindo-kun, we have much to discuss."

"Yes, sir," Hikaru agreed, taking the seat across the goban, sitting cross-legged. They sat there for a while in silence, Touya Koyo staring at the board before him, and Hikaru trying hard not to fidget nervously.

A sigh.

"There is much I would like to know," Touya Koyo broke the silence as he spoke. "But much time has passed since then."

More silence was met with Touya Koyo's statement, Hikaru only nodding in agreement. His hand fisted, grabbing his pant leg, not knowing how to reply to such a statement, not knowing where to start in talking about himself and his relation to Sai.

"How is Sai?" This time, Touya Koyo asked a question, giving a starting point for Hikaru.

"…he passed not long after your match with him," Hikaru replied, the feelings of sadness that he'd kept under guard now erupting inside of him, tears starting to form at the edges of his eyes.

"I see," Touya Koyo said his voice slightly softer, understanding to a degree how the young man must have felt. And how he must feel now, having to bring up those memories and feelings associated once again.

The two sat in relative silence once again. Both were in mourning, one for a dear friend, and another for the loss of a great rival.