SHADOWY GO

Chapter4: Bleached.

That same afternoon after lunch he went to the small park between Shinjuko and Yogogi near the Docomo Tower instead of going to Shibuya's place. It was only about a ten minute walk from where he lives. There's a small basketball court there where the neighboring kids usually play and he knows most of them.

"Hey Shindou! Play one on one with me!" A kid shorter than him shouted as he motioned him over. "We'll do 7 point game, 3 point line, winner's out and no fouls. I'll let you go first Shindou, I feel generous today."

Hikaru just stared at Kunieda for awhile, for some reason he didn't want to play. That's why he didn't go to Shibuya's in the first place even though he knew they would be waiting for him, but he really didn't feel like hanging out with those two for now. What's wrong with me? But maybe he ought to go, maybe he will feel different once he's there.

"I can't right now, I have to meet up with some friends at the Tokyo Station but I'll take you up on that another time. Ja ne!" Hikaru hurriedly walk away in case Kunieda will try to talk him out of it.

"Hikaru, what's wrong. I feel you are troubled." Sai whispered softly in his head.

"That's what I wanna know. You don't have anything to do with it, do you?" Hikaru in a suspicious tone.

"Hikaru baka!"

"I resent being called baka by an idiot. I just want to make sure."

"Are we going to your friend's house again and play that tiring game."

"You're just lazy Sai, I mean what do you expect from someone who wants to play some board game all the time."

"Hikaru is being mean again. I have you know that my training was much more gruelling than yours." Said Sai in a high handed manner.

"Oh yeah? What kind of training did you have, how to hold a stone between your fingers?" Hikaru answered in a satisfying way.

"I came from a warrior clan, it is customary that we master the sword before we're eighteen." Sai now sounding important.

"Really? And did you... master it?" Hikaru just trying to annoy Sai.

"Well, not by much but I was good with the naginata." Sai said in his defense.

"Isn't that a woman's weapon? Sai you're really lame." Hikaru's voice evident with satisfaction.

"Hikaruuuu! Waaahhhh!" Sai wailed.

"All right, all right, I'm sorry. I was just trying to get a rise out of you. I meant nothing by it so stop the ruckus, OK? You're very noisy."

"Hikaruuu... meanie!"

"Hey Sai, how come you remember all those things? I thought you said you can't remember much of anything." Hikaru wanted to know.

"They come and go, I remember how I lived back then but I can't really remember details. They're just impressions... like dreams." Sai explained.

xxxxxxx

Hikaru found himself at the entrance of Shinjuko Station twenty minutes later. He boarded the fast train and in about five minutes, he arrived at the Tokyo Station. Shibuya's family lives in a high rise condominium south side of Tokyo Station. The building has a huge sport complex at the roof for its residents. The people who lives there are not poor and the only reason they were able to set foot at that place was Shibuya. Hikaru was standing across the street of that building debating whether to go in or not. "They must have started already, I'm almost an hour late," he thought.

"Hey Sai, let's just go somewhere else. I'll show you around. Other than the usual route we take from going to school and back we really haven't been anywhere."

"Really Hikaru? Ohhhh! Hikaru, Hikaru, Hikaruuu..." Sai sounded happy like an idiot, and it made him happy too.

"Hey Sai, do you want to play some go?"

"Go Hikaru? But you said only in the morn..."

"That's alright, we don't have to." Hikaru interrupted Sai.

"Hikaru... waaahhh!" Hikaru let Sai wailed for a minute before appeasing him.

"I knew you gonna do that." Hikaru said laughing. "I'm sorry Sai, I can't help teasing you. You're so easy to rile."

"But Hikaru, are we really going to play?"

"Let's just walk and look around Sai, enjoy the sights. The game can wait."

xxxxxxx

Hikaru showed Sai the beautiful tall buildings within the vicinity of Tokyo Station, the metal sculptures and faces etched in metals, the streets lined with trees but Sai was not really impressed, he prefered the natural beauty of the imperial garden of Shinjuko. Hikaru mentioned another imperial garden nearby but it would take the whole day to explore it and so decided against it. He took Sai to the arcade instead where he and his friends usually hang out and played Tank! Tank! Tank! He let Sai do the shootings while he controlled the tank and Sai went crazy screaming like a banshee over the large spiders, the mechanical dinosaurs and other weird creatures. For the first time Sai forgot about go for awhile, it was obvious he never encountered a video game before. It was already four so they decided to stop and look for a place where they can play go.

"But Hikaru how are we going to find a place to play igo?"

"That's easy, we go back to the train station and look for the taxi waiting area. We'll ask a taxi driver if he knows of any place where people play go."

"What's a taxi, Hikaru?"

"Well it's like a cart without the horses. What did you use for transportation back then?" Hikaru asked.

"Palaquins?" Sai replied.

"Well there you go. It's a palaquin then." Hikaru very proud of himself that he was able to answer. "Let's pick up something to eat on the way, I'm hungry."

xxxxxxx

The driver told him there are plenty of go clubs in the area but the nearest is opposite the Mie Bank building, and that building is next to this station. He thanked the driver and went on his way. He could feel Sai bursting at the seams, this ghost is really hyperactive. The only time he was still was when he's playing go. They found the place, actually they've already passed by this area. They just didn't know it was a go club since he had never been in one before.

"Now Sai, I don't want you to go overboard like you did with Yuuichi san, OK?"

"But Hikaru, it's not my fault. He wouldn't resign when he knew he already lost the game."

"Well you could have gone easy on him, you know."

"I can't do that Hikaru, that's not the way it's done. I'd be disrespecting Yuuichi san if I do that."

"You go players are really weird, do you know that?"

Hikaru stopped talking as he swung the heavy frosted glass door open. Directly in front was an inquiry desk that ran parallel with the wall. "Ah, hello! Welcome!" The lady behind the desk greeted him. She was about in her twenties, has short hair and a kind of face that smiles easily.

"Ohhh geez, Sai. They are almost the same age as Yuuichi san." Hikaru said as he turned to his right surveying the scene that is now in front of him.

"Hikaru igo has no age limit." Sai said with self importance.

"You're just saying that because you're probably much more older than all this men put together."

"Hikaruuuu..."

"Is this your first time here?" The lady asked.

"Yeah, this is my first time in a go club actually. I've never been in one anywhere." Hikaru replied turning back to the lady at the counter.

"Well then just write your name here and your go level."

"What do you usually write for go level?" Hikaru having no idea what she meant, he never heard of that one before.

"It's your rank or how strong you are." The lady explained.

"Oh is that right?" Hikaru looked like he understood, he took the paper and was about to write on it when he stopped to think for awhile.

"I can't use my name for the obvious of reasons and I can't use yours either, Sai."

"Why not Hikaru? Nobody will know me."

"Oh yeah? Yuuichi san knows you as me. If any of his buddies are here, I mean how many people do you think play go?"

"It's because you told him a lie Hikaru." Sai in an accusing manner.

"What lie? It was the truth at that time."

"Let's just use another name Hikaru. It's not a problem, is it?" Sai asked worried, he really wanted to play.

Hikaru's smile was so wide, Sai was afraid he's thinking of doing some mischief. "I just have the thing, Sai. You write for me." Sai took the pen using Hikaru's left hand and wrote the name Hikaru dictated. "Captain? I don't think that's a level Hikaru."

"Oh yes it is! Just take my word for it Sai. I live in this time longer than you so I know better." Hikaru's grin was like a cat that just got the mouse.

"If you say so Hikaru." Although Sai didn't believe him for one bit. He had a feeling Hikaru was up to something.

"And that would be 500 yen." The lady said.

"500? I have to pay 500 yen? Let me see if I have enough." Hikaru said while mentally swearing.

"We're not coming back here, Sai! You hear me? Yuuichi san will have to do for you!"

"I'll give you money, Hikaru. My family has plenty." Sai trying to placate Hikaru.

"You don't even have a body for me to sell." Hikaru snarled.

Hikaru smiled as he handed the lady the 500. And that's when he noticed a kid at the very back. "Hey look there's a kid!" He exclaimed.

"Who me?" The boy pointed at himself. Apparently he heard him.

"Can I play him..." Hikaru read the name tag "...Ichikawa san?" Hikaru asked.

"I don't think you should, he's..." Ichikawa trailed off as she got interrupted.

"Looking for an opponent?" The boy approached them, he was just about his height. "Sure I'll play you."

Hikaru ended up following the boy to the very back. "My name is Touya Akira."

"Just call me... Ichigo. I'm in the 7th grade."

"Oh, I'm still in the 6th grade." The boy smiled.

They took their seats opposite each other. "So how strong are you?" The boy asked.

"Strong enough." Hikaru answered.

"Why don't you put down 4 or 5 stones then." The boy offered.

"I don't need a handicap, we're about the same age after all."

"Yeah, you're right but you go first." The boy handed him the bowl with the black stones.

xxxxxx

"So Sai, what do you think? Is he any good?"

"He's brilliant Hikaru, his moves inspires me."

"What about Yuuichi san compared to him?"

"Hikaru, there's no comparison. Yuuichi san is very predictable."

"Ohhh this is amusing. He's trying to play shidogo with me."

"What's that Sai?"

"A teaching game, Hikaru. The aim is to teach to guide, not to win.

"What are we doing now?

"Why I'm playing shidogo too."

"Will this take long?"

xxxxxxx

Akira was a little amused by this new kid who wanted to play go with him. Apparently he's new in the area and didn't know who he's playing with. It would not be boasting to say that there's no kid yet within his age group who would be able to defeat him, that's just fact. And almost all people who played go or wants to play go has heard of him either as the Meijin's son or by his own merit. He didn't want to scare him off so he decided to play a teaching game to gauge his strength.

They were at it for twenty minutes when Akira realized that the kid was really strong. He easily deflected his attacks, his defenses were so solid he can't get through to them, and he places his stones with such certainty in places that he could only place his own stones at a point where his opponent's previous move dictates, or loose a territory. And that's when he realized the kid had been leading him and not the other way around.

From then on Akira started to get serious, if he wants to win he needs to use all his skills to come out as the victor. Akira felt that he just came up against a brick wall he couldn't break through. Only his father and the other higher dans had he ever felt this way, never with a kid or the amateurs that frequent his father's establishment. He usually go through his opponent's defenses like a hot knife through butter but that's not the case now, no matter what he did he felt inadequate. Every move he makes has no effect, he's like a wave crashing against a solid cliff. He might poke holes at it but that cliff would still be standing unmoved.

xxxxxxx

The game lasted for two hours with Sai as the victor. The other patrons of the salon were all agog as they surround the players and couldn't believe their beloved Akira sensei just got his ass kicked by some no name kid from out the street.

"Did you loose Akira kun?"

"Impossible, Akira kun to have been defeated?"

"By two moku, you say?"

"The kid had black, right?"

"How many handicaps were there?"

"But it's only two moku, if you count the handicap..."

"And if you count the komi..."

Akira's fists slamming on the table shut them all up. Hikaru stood up and started to inch his way out of the crowd that formed around them. "Look at that Sai, I think we upset him. I never thought he would be a poor sport." Hikaru mentally communicated to Sai.

"Where are you going?" Akira shoot Hikaru with an intense gaze.

"It's six thirty, it's time I head for home." Hikaru felt like he had been caught doing something illegal which starting to piss him off.

"Not yet, we'll play again. I want to make sure you're not just a fluke." Akira demanded.

"I really need to go, or I'd be in trouble." Hikaru tried to explain.

"Are you afraid to play me again?"

"Afraid? Didn't I just kicked your ass?"

"Then play me again, prove it to me that you can do it again."

Hikaru was truly pissed now. Doesn't this brat have a high nose or what? "Sai! Play him and finish it quickly. I think we can still make it if we catch the seven o'clock train. It's gonna be cutting it close. I hope mom is in a good mood or I'll be in major trouble."

"Are you sure Hikaru? We could always walk away."

"Walk away? How about I kick your ass instead? And you'd better not loose or I'll have you exorcised in a most painful manner."

"Hikaruuu..."

xxxxxxx

The crowd around them has doubled, it's seems like a major battle was being held but the silence was what makes it unnerving. If it wasn't for Sai, Hikaru would have bolted a long time ago.

"Hey Sai, how are we doing?"

"We're doing great Hikaru." Hikaru could feel the satisfaction in Sai's voice.

"You like it like this, huh? With people watching."

"I've always enjoyed the games arranged for the Emperor's entertainment, Hikaru."

"This is not for me, I hate being alone in the center of attention like this. It makes me nervous."

"Don't worry Hikaru, I'm with you now."

"Yeah, I'm glad for that Sai." Hikaru could feel a burst of happiness from the ghost.

Akira on the other hand has his hands full. He challenged this boy, hoping to prove to himself that maybe it was just because he underestimated him the first time, and that he didn't play seriously enough at the beginning, was the reason he lost. Now he could see it, he never did have a chance.

It seems he's in a hurry to defeat me, Akira thought. He didn't establish any territories but went on directly attacking me and his attacks are fierce. He establishes a territory only after he goes after one of my formations. He's all over the board, his moves has no shape, he's like a ghost.

"I... I have nothing." Akira finally acknowledged after more than thirty minutes of intense fighting. He could hear the people around him breathing again. It seems they'd been holding their breaths all this time.

Hikaru looked at the clock and his heart almost stopped. "Ohhh shit! I'm so gonna get it for this!" It was already way past seven. Hikaru scrambled out of his chair and walked out of there as fast as he could. The only thing occupying his mind was trying to come up with an alibi why he was late. Back at the club, Akira was still staring at the board while the people around him was still full of excitement.

"That kid couldn't have been a beginner..."

"Akira kun's strength is near that of a pro..."

"That kid's ability is the same as Akira kun..."

But Akira knew better, he was well and truly beaten. He played his father all the time and the higher dans too. That kid is more than a pro, he's more like a title holder. At that age to have that kind of skill is next to impossible. Who is he? Akira stood up and went to the desk.

"Ichikawa san, what was that boy's name again? Akira asked, he couldn't quiet remember his name.

"Let's see, he wrote... Kurosaki Ichigo, his level it says is... Captain?" Ichikawa's brows went up.

"What kind of level is that?" One of the patrons who was also interested in the boy asked confused.

"Did he leave an address or contact number?" Akira asked.

"No. We don't ask that kind of information from our customers Akira kun."

Akira ran out of there like the blazes to go after the boy, he must know where he can find him again. The train station, he said he needed to go home. After three minutes of running, he saw the boy about to cross the street. He hailed him shouting his name while running towards him. It was Sai who pointed out to Hikaru that the boy Akira from the go salon seems to want something from them. Hikaru turned to look and there he was approaching fast. And just like instinct when something comes at you fast, you either wait for it or you run. Hikaru chose to run.

"What did I tell you, Sai! All go players are crazy!" Hikaru as he was running towards the station. He didn't want that boy to catch up to him and ask a lot of questions or worst maybe try to play him again. He looks pushy and the type who doesn't take no for an answer. He turned a little to see if the boy gave up the chase and he was in shock to see that there's just two meters distance between them.

"Gyaahhhh!" Hikaru screamed, the shock added a burst to his speed. He cut through the lines of people and actually pushed a guy out of the way, inserted his train card, ran past through the turnstile, ducked among the throng of people and jumped to a waiting train, unaware of the people cursing after his retreating figure. The doors closed just as Akira cleared through a mass of people. Hikaru waived at him, blowing kisses, taunting him as the train went passing by. Hikaru was laughing hard at Akira's frustrated face.

xxxxxxx

Hikaru's laugh didn't last long though, instead of boarding the fast train he boarded the wrong train. The local train runs at the same speed as the rapid express but the local train stops at every station while the rapid express will stop only at certain stations, like from Tokyo Station straight to Shinjuko. It was close to eight thirty when Hikaru arrived home.

"Hikaru, where have you been?" His mom asked while she had him sit at the dinner table to have his meal.

"I'm sorry mom, I got caught up with what I was doing and forgot the time. I ran as fast as I could." Hikaru didn't have the energy to make up an alibi. He's plain tuckered out from running. The only thing that saved him was his constant play at basket, it gave him wind.

"I'll forgive you this time but do not do this again. And if you are going to be late, try to call so I won't get worried."

"Sorry mom."

"Your friends called, they were wondering where you were. They said you didn't show up." His mom said kind of worried.

"Hikaru, you're going to tell us if you have any problem, right? His mom really looks worried now.

"I don't have a problem mom, really. Where did you get this idea?"

"Well for one thing, we can hear you talking by yourself, Hikaru."

"Well that's just me trying to relieve boredom mom, you should try it. It's very effective."

"If you say so but you'll tell me if there's something bothering you, alright?"

xxxxxxx

After he had his dinner, he knocked on his sister's door, "Oneechan, you must help me I need a disguise." Hikaru clinging on to his sister's arms like a child, it's a strategy he perfected to get what he wanted when he was little.

"Disguise? What for? Are you in trouble?" Akari asked.

"I'm not in trouble, I just need a new look so people wouldn't recognize the old me." Hikaru lied smoothly.

"Hhhmmm, I really don't believe you but whatever it is, it couldn't be that bad." Akari concluded.

"Alright, but since you're a boy we really couldn't do that much unless you're OK with wearing make up?" Akari teased.

"No way, I'm not that desperate." Hikaru snorted right quick.

"How about we bleach your hair? I'll buy a bottle tomorrow."

"I can't wait tomorrow, I'm going to school tomorrow."

"Why are you in a hurry? Is this for school?"

"Well, kind of but not really."

"I have some left but it won't be enough for your whole head." Akari as she went to the connecting door to the bathroom.

"See? So if you can't wait for tomorrow I'll just have to do your bangs for now, how about it?"

"That looks plenty enough to me." Hikaru seeing that the bottle was still about half empty.

"Silly boy, we have dark hair. We need to bleach our hair several times before we can color it. I only use this stuff for highlights."

"Will I look different, you think?"

"Let's just try and see, if it doesn't work, you can always put on make up."

xxxxxxx

Akari had his brother's head under the faucet rinsing his hair. She never thought Hikaru would ask her to do this and she thinks it's cute, it's like having a sister. She dried Hikaru's hair with a towel and then blowed it dry. She refused to let him look at the mirror before it's all done. She then have him closed his eyes, guided him to sit in front of her dresser before telling him to open his eyes.

"So, what do you think?" Akari proud of her skill.

"It's perfect." Hikaru didn't recognize himself. He never thought he'd look good as a blond.

(End of Chapter4)