Summary: The journey of Sai and Hikaru continues when Sai returns. Encompasses the point from when Sai disappears to the Hokuto Cup.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, settings, etc. pertaining to the manga series, Hikaru no Go, by Yumi Hotta, and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.

Chapter Two: The Chosen Path

The next day, it was bright and early when Hikaru received his first visitors of the day, but only Sai was awake at that time, having let Hikaru sleep in as he needed the rest. He was wondering if that had been the wisest decision now, noticing Hikaru's visitors: Touya Kouyo and Touya Akira.

He nudged Hikaru gently, hoping Hikaru wouldn't do anything weird. Hikaru, he hissed. Hikaru. Wake up. Touya Meijin and Touya Akira are here. Hikaru's eyes flew open and Sai was quick to cover his mouth just in case. Don't do anything rash, Hikaru.

Luckily, Hikaru didn't blurt anything out and with Sai keeping him down, he didn't try to leap out of bed either. He glanced at them nervously, who were staring in surprise at his abrupt awakening.

The Meijin recovered instantly though, Touya not far behind. "Good morning, Shindou-kun. I heard about the accident. You are well?"

"Good morning," Hikaru returned to them both. "Yes, I am fine now. Thank you for asking," Hikaru answered. The formal words tumbled out of his mouth slightly awkwardly, but he was getting better at it. He had matured a lot from when he had been twelve and just a brat.

Touya looked dubiously at his casts and Hikaru amended his statement. "It doesn't hurt or anything if I don't move much, but I won't be able to play Go for a while on my own until one of my hands heal."

The Meijin nodded. "I have taken the liberty of informing the Go Institute of the unfortunate circumstances and they have adjusted the schedule accordingly. You need not worry about matches for the moment."

"Thank you," Hikaru answered, a little surprised. Then he remembered he needed to speak to the Meijin again. "Oh, Touya-sensei, about last time…" He trailed off with an uncertain glance at Touya.

"There is nothing to worry about, Shindou-kun," the Meijin answered. "I was not offended by your abrupt departure. You had other engagements after all. I only hope Ogata-kun didn't impede you. He can be a bit overzealous and sometimes loses his cool too easily. I should apologize that your visits to ask after my health deteriorated into an interrogation about Sai."

"I-It's okay, Touya-sensei, really. I had just seen the game between you and Sai on the net and I wanted to ask about it. It was a really brilliant game. I didn't think it would cause so many problems. I don't play netGo, but I heard about Sai from Waya and Touya. He really was really strong."

Hikaru was playing dumb, of course, pretending he knew nothing about Sai, continuing the story he had fed both Touya and Ogata-sensei. Touya was looking suspiciously between his father and Shindou, but he didn't say anything. The way they were talking, it seemed as if Hikaru really didn't have anything to do with Sai, but Touya just couldn't shake off the feeling that there was a connection between the two.

Ogata-san thought they were two separate people and Touya wanted to believe that too, since Sai seemed to have so much experience, but he couldn't shake off the similarities Sai had to Shindou. He didn't want to believe they were the same person, what with the contradictory things he always saw from Shindou, but it was also true that Shindou had grown a lot from that last Go tournament. He was a Pro now, and was catching up to him quickly.

Shindou seemed to know exactly what he was thinking, because he grinned. "You'd better watch out, Touya. When these two months are over, and I play again, I'll be stronger than ever. I'll be at your level in no time."

"I'll hold you to that, Shindou," Touya answered evenly, surprising them both. I'll see for myself just how great your strength is; which one is the real you.

Touya Meijin glanced at his son. He had been very glad the day Akira had finally found the drive he needed to move forward. He had been strong, yes, but had never had a rival to push him further. Now he did and with that, the two were one step closer to the Hand of God.

He stood up. "Take care then, Shindou-kun."

"Thanks for visiting, Touya-sensei, Touya."

Both father and son nodded and turned to leave the room, when Shindou called out. "Wait, Touya-sensei. Can I ask you something in private?"

Touya looked to his father. "I will wait for you outside then, father."

The Meijin nodded and headed back to Shindou, who blurted out in a rush, "Ano, I haven't been able to contact Sai yet, so I can't let you play him yet and I probably won't be able to visit him for a while, but when I'm healed, I'll ask him when he wants to play again, if that's okay with you. He really wants to play you again."

"That is fine, Shindou-kun. You shouldn't worry about that now. Worry about healing first. I can wait for a game as long as I can play Sai again. On the net or wherever is fine."

Shindou nodded and Touya Kouyo left. He then turned to his ghostly friend happily. "Isn't that great, Sai? You'll be able to play Touya-sensei again and I'll be able to play my matches again!"

Hikaru. The Meijin is correct. You should focus more on healing first. The game will not run away.

"But it's so boring here with nothing to do," Hikaru whined. "Let's play again, Sai. I think I'm getting better at this now."

You are definitely getting better, Hikaru, and you will continue to do so. You seem to catch on very quickly. This is your affinity for Go.

*Two months later*

Hikaru fell back onto his bed. Hikaru, Sai wailed. Don't be so careless. You just healed.

"But I feel fine," Hikaru protested. "I would be up for a few rounds of soccer if I felt like it. Let's play a game for real now, Sai. All my casts have been taken off, so we should do something to celebrate."

Sai was about to agree, when his mother yelled up the stairs. "Hikaru, you have a visitor."

"Oh, I wonder who it is," Hikaru pondered, exiting the room with Sai. "Isumi-san!" he cried in surprise. "When did you get back from China?"

"I just got back yesterday," Isumi answered. "I heard about your accident from Waya. I can't believe so much happened while I was away. Are you okay, Shindou?"

"Yep," Hikaru grinned. "The cast on my leg was taken off today and I feel so energized. I haven't been able to move this freely for so long."

"I can imagine," Isumi smiled too. He knew Hikaru wasn't the type to stay still. It could even be seen in his Go, his vibrant and always surprising tactics. He wouldn't hide and defend, preferring to lure, trap and attack. "I know this is sudden, but I just returned from training again and I need to see if I'm ready to take the Pro Exam again. I've regained confidence in my Go from that last game we played where I cheated and forfeited and now, I'm ready to try again. Play a real game with me Shindou, right here, right now."

"You've got it," Hikaru agreed. "Let's go up to my room."

Hikaru went first. "How was China, Isumi-san?"

"It was great," Isumi answered as he lay down a stone next. "I played against young Pros everyday. Seeing them made me determined to continue walking the Path of Go. The Pro Exam won't be the end of the road. It continues forever, with all Pros walking the same path. I will be walking on that path with the rest of you, I promise."

"Then let's all walk it together: you, me, Waya, Touya and everyone else. We'll play hundreds and thousands of games against each other from now on. We'll both start again from here. I'll be starting my games again tomorrow and you'll take the Pro Exam. We'll be waiting for you, Isumi-san."

"Okay, then." The game continued.

After the game, Isumi stayed to talk. "Are you still chasing Touya Akira?"

"Well I haven't been able to for the past two months, but he said he would be waiting for me to catch up, so I'm going to do it. I won't stay behind him forever."

"You'll have a long way to go though, being a beginner dan, still. Touya's already a 3-dan."

"He is? Wow."

"He's playing a match today actually; the third preliminary finals. If he wins, he'll join the Honinbo league."

"Argh! That bastard. He's doing this on purpose, running ahead while I couldn't play. Well, whatever, I'll catch up to him in no time. I don't plan on being left behind, just as much as he doesn't plan on letting me surpass him. The only compromise I see is that we walk together on equal footing then."

Isumi didn't know what to think. When Shindou had first joined the Insei and had said he and Touya were rivals, it had seemed so hard to believe, yet Touya's behaviour seemed to indicate that they were. Even more, now Shindou's strength had surpassed most of the Insei he had studied with and within such a short amount of time too. The rumours that had seemed so false now seemed to ring with truth.

"Isumi-san? I'm sorry, but I have somewhere I need to go right now."

Isumi nodded. He had a feeling he knew where Shindou had to be right now. "I should be getting home too. I'm glad you're okay, Shindou."

"I am too. I'll see you later, Isumi-san."

*Go Institute*

Shindou rushed through the doors, panting after having run all the way here. Sai had been berating him the entire trip, yelling about how he had just healed and shouldn't be overexerting himself like this. Shindou could care less at the moment. He had to see Touya. He had something to tell him.

He stopped at the sight of Kurabawa-sensei and another man about to leave the building. "Ah, um…" Shindou stopped to regain his breath.

"Shindou-kun," the man started in surprise. "What are you doing here? Weren't you still healing?"

"Well, I just took off my last cast today," Shindou answered sheepishly.

I told you Hikaru. You just healed. You shouldn't be running around so much. You're so reckless.

The man seemed to have the same train of thought. "Then what are you doing here? You should be at home-"

He was stopped by Kuwabara's hand, the old man looking at Hikaru with knowing eyes. "If you're looking for your rival, he's on the fifth floor."

Hikaru paused for a millisecond before the words hit him. "Thank you!" he shouted behind him as he ran off again, ignoring the first man's shout that he shouldn't be trying to kill himself so soon.

"Leave the child, Sakamaki-san," Kuwabara ordered. "He will be fine. You can see it in his eyes that his final path has been chosen. Now it truly begins."

"What do you mean, Kuwabara-sensei?" Sakamaki asked in confusion.

"I mean the road to the Hand of God," Kuwabara answered. "It has appeared for the two of them to walk together. Go cannot be played alone. One genius, as Touya Akira used to be, cannot play a great game. You need two equally blessed players. Touya Akira chose his path long ago, but he could not truly start it until he had someone worthy enough to walk the road with him. With Shindou Hikaru's choice, they can now start."

"You mean…" Sakamaki stared back at the steps Shindou had just ascended. "Shindou-kun is on the same level as Touya Akira? But he's only a beginner-dan!"

"For now," Kuwabara corrected. "My intuition is never wrong. Shindou Hikaru's path now cannot be changed. He is determined now to walk the same path as the rest of us, alongside Touya Akira. However," a glint of steel in his eyes, "I definitely won't make it easy for them."

Hikaru was feeling tired now and his recently healed limbs ached. His leg wasn't used to so much movement all at once after having been immobile for so long, but he pushed forward. Sai had stopped yelling now, knowing that Hikaru had to do this, had to tell Touya of his decision himself. Hikaru had been going back and forth, gaining interest and giving up Go for so long that it never seemed as if he took it as seriously as Touya and the other Pros did, but he had come to a fork in the road now. After this path was chosen, there was no going back and Hikaru had already taken the first step forward.

Hikaru burst through the doors of the stairwell, catching sight of Touya at the elevators. "Touya!" he yelled out, not having enough breath to do anything else. He leaned back against the wall, taking the weight off his just completely mended leg.

Touya turned at the sound of Shindou's voice and caught sight of him hunched over. "Shindou!" he cried out in alarm and ran over. "What are you doing here? Your cast is gone," he noted belatedly.

"Yeah," Shindou huffed, still out of breath. "I just got it taken off today."

"Today?!" Touya exclaimed in outrage. "And you decided to run a marathon to see if you could break it again or something? You don't ever think with your head, do you?"

That's what I'm always telling him, Sai agreed.

"Hey!" Shindou objected to both their comments. Then he got to the point of his impromptu visit. "I just came to tell you something."

"Sit down before you kill yourself first." Touya pulled him forwards, exasperated. He led Shindou to one of the discussion rooms and they both took a seat. Shindou could now speak without having to pause to take a breath every few words.

"I had never really played Go until I was twelve and my first ever real game was against you," whether it was Sai playing or me, Hikaru added silently so only Sai could hear. "It wasn't something that interested me, but there was something about you that made me want to play too, play as seriously as you did. So I decided to become a Pro too so I could face you again."

Shindou smiled a little at the memories. "It was fun, it turned out. Go was fun. I had never thought of it that way before, but it was. I had thought that I would continue this way and catch up to you eventually, but then Sai-"

Hikaru, Sai gasped and Hikaru snapped his mouth shut.

Omigod, do you think he heard that, Sai? Hikaru asked worriedly.

I doubt that with the level of attentiveness with which he was listening to your story that he could have not heard it, Sai answered.

Hikaru looked over at Touya who was looking at him with those intense eyes again. "Did you just say something about Sai?" Touya asked rigidly.

"I-" Hikaru's mind raced for an answer. Sai, what do I say?

Sai had no answer, but there was perhaps a solution. Make something up. You've gotten good at lying now.

"Er, I-I have to go," Hikaru jumped up. Sai hadn't meant that. Now Hikaru looked even more suspicious. "I'll tell you later."

He tried to race out, but Touya stood up faster. When he tried to swerve past him, Touya grabbed his arm. Hikaru cried out involuntarily and Touya let go immediately, a contrite expression on his face. Hikaru was confused. Hadn't Touya just been about to grill him for answers again? Why was he looking apologetic now?

"I'm sorry, Shindou," Touya stepped back. "I forgot about your recent injuries. Are you okay?"

Saved, Hikaru slumped with relief. "Yeah, it just got jolted again. But jeez, you, Ogata-sensei and everyone get so freaking violent at the mention of Sai. You always manhandle me asking about Sai this and Sai that, even after I keep telling you I'm not him. I don't play netGo."

There was a brief silence before Touya spoke again. "Is that what you were going to say?"

"Huh?" Hikaru was lost.

"You were saying something about Sai before. Is it because Ogata-san and I are always harassing you about Sai?" Touya looked at him.

Shindou was at a loss. "Something like that. I just couldn't stand it that he just disappeared and I instantly became a prime candidate as to who he was. Where do you get these ideas anyways? I mean, it's the internet. Sai could be a girl for all you know."

"I don't think you're Sai," Touya whispered. "Sai plays like someone with a lot of experience. You said it yourself. You've only been playing since you were twelve."

"Then what's with the episodes just because I say his name? That's why I can't ever even seem to say his name in front of people. You all freak out."

"You're a mystery, Shindou. You appeared out of nowhere and caught all the top Pros' attention, just like Sai."

"That's the basis of this craziness? A coincidence?"

"That and I know you're hiding something."

"So what if I am? Everyone has secrets. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's Sai's identity though."

Touya had nothing to say to that. That was a close one, Hikaru, Sai breathed out, a hand over his heart.

Tell me about it, Hikaru thought. Let's change the subject now before he thinks of another argument. "Anyways," he continued aloud. "Because of that," his 'that' referring to Sai's disappearance, but he let Touya believe it was because of their accusations against him, "I had planned to give up Go."

"What?!" Touya looked like he was about to shake him, but resisted the urge in lieu of Shindou's injuries.

"Chill out," Hikaru raised his hands. "I'm not going to," because Sai came back. "That's what I came to tell you. I've thought a lot about it and I thought I should tell you. I'm not going to quit Go. I'll walk this path forever. That is my choice. So watch out, Touya, because I'll be coming from behind you."

"Then come," Touya challenged him. He was relieved that Shindou was finally taking this seriously. He had thought he would be on this road on his own, forever waiting for Shindou to wake up. He had said he would no longer wait for Shindou and that was true. He had become a Pro before him and moved on ahead in the Go World, but when it came down to it, he had still been waiting for Shindou to join him someday, to speed past all the others and take his rightful place beside him.

The two went their separate ways after with the knowledge that they would both be chasing the same goal now. They had matches tomorrow after all.

*The next day*

Hikaru rose early for once, too energetic after conserving so much energy these past two months, even after having run so much yesterday, to stay in bed. He couldn't wait for his match.

Sai watched him, amused at his enthusiasm. "Sai, come on," Hikaru called, already heading downstairs. His mother was finishing breakfast.

"You're up early, Hikaru," she observed.

"Yeah. I haven't played any matches for two months. I'm about six matches behind all the other Pros, though they obviously don't all have six wins. I want to advance as soon as possible."

"Please remember to take care of your health, first and foremost, Hikaru," his mother cautioned him, though she was glad he seemed back to normal and was healthy again. After the accident, she had noticed that he was no longer in a slump, but had been too worried about his new state to ponder over it much. Now, she could clearly see that he had rid himself of whatever ailed him a few days before his accident.

"I will," Hikaru promised. "I'm off now."

He raced out the door and down the street, even with his mother yelling after him that he shouldn't be running so quickly yet. He slowed down to a walk since he was early and Sai had continued his mother's nagging.

"I'm fine Sai," Hikaru insisted. "My Go has improved again too, from playing mutual Blind Go with you. I still have a long way to go though."

We have time, Hikaru. You are progressing nicely.

Hikaru smiled at him. Thanks, Sai. They had reached the Institute now. "Good morning," he greeted Waya.

"Shindou," Waya called out. "Finally all better?"

"Yeah. Do you know who my first opponent is?"

Waya pointed him out. "I recognize him," Hikaru said. "He's the 2-dan I played at the Lions Tournament."

"He doesn't look too happy to see you though." Waya was right about that. The 2-dan was glowering unabashedly at Shindou with barely disguised loathing, before he abruptly turned away and stalked off.

"Why should he?" Saeki interjected. "I heard that when you two played at the Lions Tournament last year, Touya wouldn't stop bugging him about you, Shindou, even though he had been the winner. It looks like he's still sore about it. I overheard them talking about you being Touya's rival too and that got him even more pissed."

Shindou rubbed the back of his head. "Is that why he's glaring at me so much? Sheesh, Touya's causing me so much trouble even when he's not here." Hikaru, Sai started hesitantly, but was cut off by another voice.

"Is that so?" Shindou whirled around and came face to face with the object of his complaints. Sai, he wailed, why didn't you warn me sooner?

I tried, but it was already too late.

"Touya!" Shindou flushed. "Er-I mean, eh, heh, heh. Good morning."

So sorry for the indiscretion, Touya, Sai added. Hikaru didn't mean anything by it.

"Good morning," Touya greeted back cordially as if nothing had happened, before sweeping past them all into the playing room.

"Look at that cold bastard," Waya sneered.

"Well, he said good morning, at least," Saeki pointed out.

"Yeah, before walking past us as if we didn't exist," Waya argued.

"Come on," Shindou waved his hands, "Let's go too. The matches will start soon."

Waya grumbled, but complied. Shindou's opponent was glaring at Shindou even as he walked to his place. Shindou sighed. How troublesome. I hope his hatred doesn't throw off his playing. This is my first game back.

Hm, Sai mused in agreement. Go reflects one's inner soul. His is in turmoil right now. He may play an erratic game. However, that hatred may also manifest into a vicious attack scheme.

I guess I'll just have to see. Shindou sat down in front of his opponent, Murakami, if he remembered.

"Please," they both said and started. Murakimi started attacking immediately, but Shindou was ready. He calmly placed down a stone, to which Murakimi instantly placed another.

The game went on, with Murakimi trying to attack Shindou, only to lose him as Shindou escaped and gained territory elsewhere. He was like an elusive ghost, skitting across the board effortlessly.

Murakimi gritted his teeth. His tactic wasn't working. Shindou was too slippery for him to trap. Shindou had already gained too much territory as he focused on attacking him instead. He couldn't win this game.

He clenched his hands. "I have nothing."

"Thank you for the game," Shindou said.

"Thank you for the game," Murakimi repeated before storming out.

What did you think, Sai?

You did very well in evading him at every turn, Hikaru and gaining the advantage while you were at it. You stayed calm under all the attacks and didn't get caught even once, not even close. It was a very good game.

Really? Sai nodded and Shindou smiled sadly. I had wanted to ask you during my game in Hiroshima, because I thought that was a great game, but you weren't there at the time. I played speed Go because I had really wanted to get back to Tokyo and look for you again…

How about you show me the kifu when we get home? Sai suggested. I'll show you what you did wrong, he teased.

Hey! Hikaru huffed. Then he thought, Sai?

Yes, Hikaru?

Do you think that if I hadn't been looking for you, I would still have been able to play with the same determination, the same strength?

Of course, Hikaru. When you meet stronger opponents and are pushed to do your best, it becomes your motivation to do even better. It becomes a purpose in itself. Don't doubt your skill, Hikaru. I never have.

Hikaru smiled at him, reassured by Sai's words. Okay then. Let's go home now.

However, before they could leave, one of the managers came up to talk to him. "I'm glad you're all healed now, Shindou-kun. You even won your first game back; very good. There are those who have high hopes for you after all."

Hikaru blinked as the man walked away. I wonder who he was referring to. Oh well. Let's go home, Sai.

It was there that he discovered the schedule for the Meijin Tournament and his first opponent: Touya Akira. It looks like we're going to be taking the first step in our true rivalry sooner than I thought. I'll be ready for him though. I probably can't beat him yet, but I'll definitely give him a run for his money.

Let's practice then, Hikaru.

Yeah, let's.