Disclaimer & Warning: Same as always.

Chapter V - The Dog VS The Ex-Meijin

As they had predicted, the Go world was in an uproar by Sai's return. Many people, both pros and amateurs were in line to play the great Internet player. Unlike last time, now Sai only appeared at night and in the weekend or Sunday, because Hikaru and Akira were busy with their careers as Go pro during working days.

The two teens had to sacrifice their sleeping time for that. At fisrt, Hikaru insisted that he could handle it by himself. But after lacking sleep four days in a row, he finally admitted defeat and asked for Akira's help. Akira, being eager to learn more from Sai, agreed to help without any persuasion. So now, the two young pros took turn every night.

And true to his words, Akira took a good care of Sai. The teen refused to simply feed him with dog food and insisted to buy fresh ingredients and prepared the food by himself. He also bought many kinds of vitamins for Sai. Hikaru got the duty of washing Sai once every two days. Sai knew that the extra work made the young men tired but not even Hikaru ever complained about it and for that the Go master was very grateful.

Sai was so filled with joy every time he played that after finishing his games, especially a really good one, he would run around the room, yowling with joy. Akira was shocked the first time he saw that but it didn't seem to have the same effect on Hikaru, who simply shrugged and said that Sai was already like that even when he was still a ghost.

To say that he was happy was probably an underestimation. He really missed playing Go when he was in heaven and now he could play many good Go players both from Japan or other countries. Although he must admit that he hadn't played the one that he wanted to play the most. But hopefully he would play him very soon, now that said person was back in Japan. In fact, right now Akira was not at home because he had to wait on the airport for his parents that would arrive today from China.

Before he left this morning, Akira had promised to inform his father that Sai was back on the net and wanted to play the Ex-Meijin again. And just thinking about having a rematch with him made Sai's body tingled with anticipation.

But then his daydreaming was interrupted abruptly by Waya's loud voice. Today was Sunday and some of Hikaru's pro friends usually came to play every Sunday morning. But today there were only Waya and Isumi. And right now, they had finished playing and discussing about Sai instead.

"Yeah, he totally creamed Ochi last night that I'm sure the midget must have stayed in his toilet for hours after the game!" Said Waya gleefully. "I mean he ask for it. Even Ogata-san couldn't beat Sai, so what makes he thinks that he can."

Isumi only listened quietly while sipping on his soda, but Hikaru looked a bit uncomfortable. He was still felt a bit wary every time someone talked about Sai around him, afraid that they might be suspicious that he knew Sai or worse, that he was Sai. So he decided to change the subject.

"You know, Touya-sensei return to Japan today. That's why Touya's not home. He is waiting at the airport with Ogata-sensei and Ashiwara-san right now." He said out of the blue.

Both Waya and Isumi looked confused for a while but then the older pro decided to just accept this abrupt change of subject, knowing his host seeming discomfort at the previous subject.

"Yes, I've heard about that. They said that he just partook in another big competition there and now he's returning to Japan to have some rest." Answered Isumi.

But Waya didn't seem to get it and after getting out of his confusion, said, "I wonder if he and Sai will have a rematch. You guys still remember their game a few years ago right? Man, that was an awesome battle between two Go masters."

Hikaru answered him with a frustrated sigh and Isumi simply rolled his eyes at the red hair denseness. He then decided to take a pity at Hikaru and attempted to change the subject once again.

"It's a wonder that you respect Touya-sensei but dislike his son so much." Said Isumi with a small smile.

"That's because Touya is an arrogant brat who thinks that he's above everyone else just because he's Touya-sensei's son." Answered Waya while petting Sai's head.

Hikaru was about to protest when he heard Waya's answer but Sai had been quicker than him. The Husky bit Waya's right hand, which had been petting his head. It wasn't anything serious but enough to cause red bite marks on the teen's hand and made him yelped in pain.

"Your dog is crazy Shindou! It just bit me without any reason!" Shouted Waya. He then moved as far away as possible from Sai.

"Well, you shouldn't have insulted Touya in front of the dog. After all, he is the one who feed Sibe." Answered Hikaru with a mocking smile.

"I thought he's allergic to furry pets? I can still remember a half-dead Touya from the time when he had to take medication for allergy just because he stood too near with your friend's cat. Isumi-san even managed to beat him by 4.5 moku back then." Said Waya, his mood lightened a bit by the memory of Touya's defeat to Isumi.

"A win that I'm not very proud of." Interrupted Isumi. "I want to defeat Touya-kun, but not when he was like that. The poor guy could barely see straight during that game."

"Well he had taken a vaccination and I always keep Sibe clean." Answered Hikaru, ignoring Isumi's interruption. "And Touya actually likes Siberian Husky, so he didn't mind feeding Sibe. He wasn't too happy at first but now he's fine with it."

"I can imagine his displeasure. It was rather irresponsible for you to buy a dog and bring it home without consulting to him first just because you think that you deserve a gift for your promotion." Admonished Isumi.

Hikaru could only grin to that. He told his friends that he just bought Sibe on his way home from the Sushi restaurant. He thought that the real story was a bit weird and Touya agreed with him. So they decided on this story instead.

"Anyway, as I said. I really wonder if Touya-sensei will have a rematch with Sai. I mean, I'm sure it will be a great game…" Blabbered Waya. Spectacularly ruining his friends' attempt to change the topic.

Hikaru put his face in his hands in a defeated stance and Isumi could only sweat dropped. Sometimes, Waya could be so insistent.

000

Akira's situation wasn't much better from Hikaru. He had already been sitting for an hour on one of the airport seats and Ogata-san, who was sitting next to him, couldn't stop talking about Sai. Fortunately, Ashiwara didn't seem to be that interested on the topic and chose to read this morning's newspaper instead.

"Are you sure Shindou-kun never mention anything about Sai to you, Akira?" Ogata asked with suspicion in his eyes.

"I've told you many times, Ogata-san. He knows nothing more about Sai than you, me, or Ashiwara-san." Akira answered with a convincing smile, hoping that the smart guy won't be able to see behind his lie.

"But I'm so sure that he at least has some connection to Sai!" Hissed Ogata.

"Stop pestering Akira, Ogata-san. Even if it's true that Shindou-kun has any connection to say, he won't tell Akira about it." Said Ashiwara while eyeing the newspaper in his hands with distaste.

"I guess you're right, that brat won't…" Answered Ogata but then stopped in mid sentence when he saw the look on Ashiwara's face. "And why are you starring at the newspaper like that?"

"Ah, nothing. I'm just concerned by the lack of good news on the paper lately. I mean, it's the Sunday paper but look at these news: A building was destroyed by fire in Fukuoka, a robbery in Osaka, and yesterday, a Tokyo mental institution patient ran away. This country is getting more and more dangerous every day." Mused Ashiwara.

Ogata and Akira could only stare at the 8-dan. Sometimes, Akira worried that his friend cared too much about so many things; perhaps that was why he couldn't have a maximum result on his Go. And at times like this, Akira was very grateful with his own one mindedness for Go. He continued his musing for a few minutes until the speaker above their head announced the arrival of his parents' plane.

"That's their flight number. Let's go!" Ordered Ogata to his two companions. And all of their previous conversations were instantly ceased.

000

The road was not too crowded and they made it to the Touya residence in no time. Both of Akira's parents looked slightly tired but content, especially his father, and Akira couldn't help but felt grateful to Sai, who was more or less the cause of his father's early retirement.

Ogata and Ashiwara had left; and both he and his father were sitting in their playing room when Akira finally dared to speak about Sai to the older man. He tried to choose his words carefully, not sure how to start the conversation

"Father, do you remember an internet player called 'Sai'? You've played him once when you were hospitalized five years ago." Said Akira, his eyes watching his father's face, looking for any emotion.

He knew very well that his father remembered about Sai. In fact, he was sure that the retired pro was still waiting for Sai to return after all these years. He could still clearly remember the night when he saw his father sitting in front of the goban, with only one stone on it. Waiting for a non-existent opponent. When his father only nodded, Akira continued.

"Well, he's back now on the net. And he really wants to play you again."

"Did Shindou-kun ask you to pass this request?" Asked his father knowingly.

"Yes, father. He has finally told me that he knew Sai." Answered Akira.

"And why he doesn't come here himself to ask me like the last time?"

"He's afraid of Ogata-san. He has suspected that Shindou has connection with Sai." Akira couldn't help smiling at this. His rival had vehemently refused to come when he told him that Ogata-san would also be there.

"Does Shindou-kun tell you why Sai had disappeared all this time?"

"He just said that Sai really had to leave back then. But he didn't tell me why or where did he go. So are you going to accept father?" Akira knew that it wasn't polite of him to ask so abruptly like that but this questions were starting to make him felt uncomfortable.

The Ex-Meijin stayed quiet for a few minutes but then he finally gave his answer.

"Yes. I return to Japan because I want to rest and I still don't like the way this 'Sai' hide his true identity but I also have to admit that I really want to have a rematch with him."

"Thank you father." Akira said with a small bow. "Will you be able to do it next Sunday?"

Once again, his father only nodded. Akira bowed once again before excusing himself out of the room to help his mother preparing dinner in the kitchen. After his son left the room, Touya Kouyo only sat and stared at his goban until his wife called him for dinner.

000

"So what did he said? Did he agree?" Asked Shindou the moment Akira opened the apartment door. As an answer, Akira only smiled and gave a thumb up.

"Great!" Shouted his rival. "You hear that Sai? You can finally play Touya-sensei again!"

Sai almost never barked but in his joy, he actually barked a few times as he ran around the room until he got tired.

"We'll do it next Sunday, at 2 p.m. I'll let him use my notebook because he doesn't have one. So I will stay with him during the game. Are you sure, you can handle this by yourself?"

"Of course. It's not as if this is the first time I'm going to help Sai play him on the net. It went perfectly fine the first time." Answered Shindou with indignation.

"Good. Everything's set then. Let's just hope that no one will get suspicious after that." Replied Akira.

This was rather risky, but the match would be good for both his father and Sai-sensei and he was definitely willing to take a little risk to watch the two Go masters battled each other again.

000

The day of the game had finally come and Akira had left his apartment an hour ago. But it was still half an hour until the promised time. Hikaru looked both anxious and excited already. And the teen couldn't stop pacing the room and checking the clock once every five minutes.

Hikaru's feelings were nothing compared to Sai's though. His heart beat so loud and fast from anticipation and worry. And he had to stop himself a few times from chewing on Akira's slippers.

The anticipation that he felt was so great that he was sure that he would blabber excitedly if he could speak. But the worry was also there. He wasn't afraid to loose. With Go, a good game mattered more than winning or loosing. But he did afraid that the Ex-Meijin had gotten so much better during his absence that he no longer a match for the elder Touya.

He tried to squash it with the thought that he wasn't that out of practice himself. The last few weeks, he had played and beaten many professional Go players, including some titleholders like Ogata and Ichiryu. Besides, Hikaru had shown him many kifu of Touya Kouyo's games in China and he was sure that the two of them were still on the same level.

At times like this, he really wished that he could talk. At least, he would be able to speak what was on his mind to Hikaru. He was so engrossed in his self-pity that he could barely hear Hikaru's voice.

"…ai, Sai? Oi, Sai!" When he finally got Sai's attention, Hikaru continued, "It's time. I'm going to turn on the computer now. Are you ready?"

Sai nodded to the question and with his teeth, he moved the cardboard closer to the computer table while Hikaru turned the computer on and logged in to NetGo.

"Ah, Touya-sensei is already here. Let's play!" Shouted Hikaru from his seat.

'Here we go.' Thought Sai.

000

It was a beautiful game of attack and defense, and the two of them didn't make any mistakes. Touya Kouyo played amazingly and he had improved a lot since their last game. Now his playing style was a lot bolder and more creative. But Sai had his own practice himself and played brilliantly like he always did.

The territory difference between both players was almost equal and no one could predict who would win. One minute Sai was leading and the next it was Touya-sensei, and it kept going like that until the end of the game.

By the time the game was finished, Hikaru's palm was wet with perspiration and he felt so tired as if he was the one who just played the game. He could hear the phone ringing but made no move to pick it up.

Sai had won and Touya Kouyo had resigned from the game, but anyone who had watched the game would now how equal the two players skills were. The game was awesome and Hikaru felt a bit envious at the both players to be able to play a game at such a high level but he also felt happy for them. He was sure that if they kept on playing like that, one day they would reach the fabled Hand of God.

"Great game, Sai!" But the dog only stayed still and watched the monitor quietly.

From the look of it, he was sure that Sai was overwhelmed by emotion right now. And if he was still a ghost he would have cried like a baby but he couldn't, not in a dog's form. Hikaru couldn't help but felt sorry for Sai. His former mentor was a very emotional and expressive person so it must had been difficult for him being unable to speak or cry anymore. But at least he was sure that Sai must felt very happy for his win today.

000

The game had finally finished and even though, as usual, his father didn't show much outward emotion, Akira was sure that he was pleased with the game. The younger man could have sworn that he had seen a thin smile graced his face when he finally resigned.

For people who didn't understand it might seem weird to feel pleased after you had lost but he understood the feeling. For a person who was so used to winning, it was really a grace to finally found someone who was your equal, who could beat you fairly, and who could pushed you to move forward.

He was about to asked if his father wanted to discuss the game with him when his cell phone suddenly rang. And when he saw the name on the screen, he almost cursed. It was Ogata-san. He hurriedly excused himself from the room to answer the phone.

"Moshi moshi." He was trying to speak as casually as he could.

"Akira-kun, where are you? I called to your apartment but no one picks up." Came the reply.

"Sorry, I'm in my parents house right now and Shindou goes out with his high school friends so there's no one there." Lied Akira. He had always scorned Shindou for his tendency to ignore the ringing phone but now he was glad for it.

"You're with Touya-sensei? So you saw his game with Sai?"

"Of course. In fact, it was because of me that father could play Sai. I've decided to bring my laptop because I know that Sai usually plays on Sunday. I think there's nothing wrong with trying, I'm sure father would want to play Sai again." Answered Akira, thankful that he was careful enough to log in fifteen minutes before the supposed time so people wouldn't be suspicious that the game was already scheduled.

"So you mean that it was only by chance that Touya-sensei played Sai again?" Asked Ogata suspiciously.

"Yes. I mean we're actually waiting for him, but we're not sure if Sai will appear or not."

"I see. Do you know where Shindou-kun and his friends go?" It seemed that Ogata wasn't ready to give up.

"I'm not his mother, Ogata-san. I never bother to ask where he goes." At least it wasn't a lie. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to discuss the game with my father."

And without waiting for the reply, Akira hung up the phone. 'Wow, that was close' He thought as he re-entered the room.

TBC

That was a long and painful chapter but it finally finished. Thanks for everyone who had left a review.

I'm not giving the title of the next chapter this time, but I've left a clue in this chapter about what will happen. And no, it has nothing to do with Ogata…