(These chapters will start out short, getting longer progressively as there is more story to tell after each. The more each character needs Hikaru, the longer and more detailed the chpaters get. I have written chapter…six, I think, and that one's long. Again, I don't own Hikaru no Go. So don't erase my fics. Please continue to read – especially this fic! Thanks!)

Chapter One: Fujisaki Akari

He could see his own house, the one three doors down from Akari's. His parents were talking to hers, but neither Akari nor he was there. Well, of course he wasn't there, this was about if he had never lived, right?

"Oh, no, we don't have any children," his mother said. "We just moved into the neighborhood, but we did see a little girl in your yard…."

"Oh, that's Akari," her mother said. "She's such a sweet little thing, but she's off playing with Touta-kun right now. He lives on the next block. They're so close, it's cute. They play all the time."

"If you ever need any help, let me know," urged his mother. "I've always wanted a child, but…things haven't worked out."

"Thank you," said her mother. "I'll bring Akari over later to meet you."

"That would be lovely…."

Elementary school, sixth grade. Touta was competely into karate and was looking forward to joining a middle school team next year.

Akari, of course, had to do everything Touta did. She took lessons, too, but she was miserable at it. Still, Touta was kind and generous, and did not point out how horrible she was. Instead, he let her try to fight him, and eventually they would give it up and collapse into a laughing heap on one of their lawns.

On Valentine's Day, she gave Touta chocolate and a good-luck card for his upcoming match. He accepted them gracefully and returned the favor on White Day, even sending a bouquet of flowers to her house so she could be surprised when she came home.

The two seemed to get along perfectly, even when Touta was often gone for a few days for a match in different areas of the country. He was becoming more known in the world of martial arts, and was even learning judo now. Even though he was gone, he called her at least once a week to ask how she was and if school was going well.

Akari confided her dreams to Touta, which included getting married, having children, and later in life traveling the world. He, in turn, told her his: to become one of the most famous martial artists of their time. The two admitted that Akari's was more probable, but both were excited for Touta's own bright future.

Touta was intelligent, physically gifted, and – above all – very kind. He was considerate to Akari despite their longer separations, especially when they attended different high schools. Still, once a month they would still do something together, like go to a park or the movies.

Eventually, Akari attended college while Touta was on trips abroad. He had become one of the more famous Asian martial artists now, and was considering opening a school back in Japan. When he was in his mid-twenties, he did just that.

The moment his place landed, Akari knew. He had called her right after his parents, after all. He inquired into her health and her new job as a secretary in a large corporation. Akari told him all was well – and she had just moved back into the neighborhood where they grew up.

He visited her there, and they went out for a nice dinner. Touta insisted on paying, even after apologizing for his long absence. He earnestly said that he hoped he hadn't hurt her feelings for not keeping in touch as well as he could have.

Akari was shocked. Touta had unfailingly called once every two weeks. He was as reliable as the clock. She said so, and Touta had asked if she would like to help around the dojo he was opening once in a while. Then, afterwards, he could take her out for something nice again. Akari had smiled, and accepted.

No one was surprised when they announced their engagement two years later, of course. They had gotten along perfectly since the age of four (when they learned how to share) and had kept in touch over the long years.

Akari did achieve her dream of a happy marriage and wonderful children, and Touta became the top karate instructor in Japan. Later, when the children were grown up and did have jobs, more than enough money had been set aside for touring the world. Touta had remembered, and had made sure to put aside some of his income every year for just that purpose.

When Akari finally died in a peaceful sleep after a life of happiness, she was content. And Shindou Hikaru had never existed, not for one second.

It had been short, a blur of life. No real dialogue, more like a slideshow of how Fujisaki Akari's life was great without him. He tried to convince himself that Touta didn't exist in real life, and that was the life that mattered. Besides, what guy could be that nice? He shoved the automatic suggestion of "Touya the mature gentleman" out of his mind immediately, and turned back to trying to find a way to bash the imaginary Touta. But already he was being thrust into another scene….

(Again, please review! I know people have put this on alert, but if you could review, too….  Also, after this I might be gone for a while…but I'll try and get a chapter in by Saturday. Since I'm not sure about Internet in the next week, no guarantees, but I'll try! Starting next Sunday, however, I will be gone for two weeks with absolutely no Internet access. Gomen! And thank you again for reading!)