Disclaimer & Warning: Same as always.

Author's note: Here it is folks. This is the last chapter of SAINU. Sorry it takes forever for me to update, but my dog (the inspiration for this story) died so I kind of lost the mood to write and I'm also very busy lately. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers.

Chapter VIII – All's Well That Ends Well

"…exactly. Touya said that it was all thanks to Sibe that he and Ashiwara-san were able to find me in time before it was too late."

Even from few paces away from the door, Akira could already hear Shindou's loud voice as the young man talked to his friends about what happened two days prior. It seemed that ever since the news spread out that Shindou Hikaru had been committed to Tokyo Hospital, his friend's room was always filled with many people during the visiting hours. Akira knocked before opening the door. And when the room's occupants saw who was coming, they became silent.

Shindou, who still wasn't allowed to leave his bed, waved at him cheerfully, while most of the people around his bed only nodded at Akira with respect. These were the friends from the 5-dan Go Club at Haze, so most of them only knew him as Touya Akira, the fabled Go prodigy. The only person who greeted him was Shindou's childhood friend, Fujisaki, who he would always remember thanks to the cat's fur incident.

"Touya-kun, I'm really glad to see you again. I was hoping that you would arrive before we have to leave because I want to thank you personally for saving Hikaru's life. Without you, he would surely die," said Fujisaki sincerely, ignoring Shindou's protest.

"Y-you're welcome. But I think the one that you should thank the most is Shindou's dog. I was only helping… along with Ashiwara-san, of course," stuttered the now blushing Akira. Even after all this time, he was still not used to attention and he could feel without seeing all the stares that were directed toward him.

"Oh don't be so modest, Touya-kun. The dog found him but you and Ashiwara-san were the ones who saved Hikaru," replied Fujisaki.

Before Akira could retort any further, she cheerfully announced that she had to leave and after saying a quick goodbye to Shindou and the others, she left. The others soon followed until only Akira left in the room.

"So, any news?" asked Shindou eagerly as Akira took a seat on a metal chair next to his bed.

"Yes, good news in fact and more than one. Ogata-san called this morning. He said the police had finally caught your kidnapper last night at the harbor when he was trying to board a ship to Taiwan," answered Akira calmly.

"Really? How? Why wasn't I told about it last night?" spluttered the 5-dan.

"Well, it was only by chance that they were able to catch him actually. He was so well prepared, complete with fake ID and whatsoever. It was just his lack of luck that one of the other passengers, who happened to be an off duty detective, recognized his face from the wanted database and called his colleagues at the base right away. I don't know why they dont't tell you about this. Perhaps they want to wait until at least you're discharge from the hospital."

"Hmph! So what are they going to do to him? I hope he'll spend the rest of his life in prison."

"According to Ogata-san he'll be prosecuted with two charges, kidnapping and attempt of murder. I'm sure with the two of them combined; he will end up staying in prison for a very long time. In fact, a lifelong sentence is also possible if I'm not mistaken."

"Possibility eh? But I guess that'll do for now," answered Hikaru dejectedly.

"I have another good news for you," added Akira with a smile, trying to lift his friend's mood a bit. "Your parents are returning to Japan to visit you. They'll arrive the day after tomorrow. So at least you'll have your mother to take care of you when you get out of here."

"Ugh! Please forgive me if I'm not too excited with that prospect after my father's rejection to even try to pay my ransom. Mom is fine I guess, but the fuss that she'll shower over me doesn't worth even a bowl of the tastiest ramen in Japan," answered the young man on the bed.

Hearing that, Akira only raised his brows with a disbelieving expression.

"Really, Touya. Right now, I don't want to see them. Besides, I got you to cook for me and do my laundry, and of course Sai to cheer me up and play Go with me, so I don't actually need them," added Hikaru with a wink.

Akira was about to protest that he's not Shindou's servant, but suddenly his rival changed the topic of their discussion.

"By the way, how's Sai doing? I kinda miss him," sighed Shindou.

"He's fine. I left him with Ashiwara-san at the apartment and he doesn't seem to mind. He was rather agitated if I might say. But I think that's because he's worried about you," answered Akira reassuringly.

"So, I guess despite this whole mess, everything will be alright, eh? I really hope that he'll stay for good this time. I still have nightmares from his departure a few years ago, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle it if he leaves again," said his friend softly, a look of apprehension clouding his face.

Akira only nodded slowly at his friend's show of emotion. Shindou was a happy-go-lucky kind of person who rarely worried about anything at all, so this display showed how much he cared about his teacher.

"It's alright. I'm sure he'll stay this time."

To be honest, Akira also wasn't sure about that? He wasn't even sure if the Go master himself knew that he was going to stay for good or not. But his rival didn't need anymore thing to worry about right now. He was already depressed enough without adding this matter to the list of his problems. So, with a smile of assurance he added, "After all, his goal is to reach the Hand of God, right? And to reach it, he'll need to play many more games with my father. So, I'm sure he's not going anywhere until then…"

Akira was about to say something else, but suddenly the hospital door opened and two of Shindou's friends, Waya and Isumi, entered the room. Waya didn't even try to hide the look of dislike from his face when he saw the raven haired Go pro. Isumi gave him a nod of acknowledgement and greeted him by saying, "Touya-san" softly.

Seeing that his presence would only cause awkwardness, Akira decided that it was time for him to leave. He quickly rose from the metal chair and said that he needed to leave because he was already late for a study session. And, after a wave at Shindou and a quick bow to Isumi-san, he left the room.

When the door closed behind him, he could hear Shindou's loud voice as the 18 years old reprimanded Waya for his rudeness.

"Waya! How many times have I told you to stop being rude at Touya, besides he was the one who saved my life! Can you at least…"

Akira couldn't hear the rest of the sentences because he was already too far from the room. But he couldn't stop a small smile from appearing at the corner of his mouth as he walked to the elevator.

000

At the apartment, Ashiwara was lounging on the sofa, dozing off with the newest issue of Go Weekly on his lap. A look of relaxation graced his face. On the contrary, the little husky that sat near his feet looked far from calm. The dog, or to be more exact the ghost that inhabited the dog's body, had felt constant anxiousness ever since his bleached bangs friend had been admitted to the hospital.

He was worried about Hikaru, yes, but the main reason for his anxiousness was not the young man, but the fear that he had lost his purpose to stay on Earth and would be summoned back to heaven soon. After all, the reason that God had sent him back was to ensure Hikaru's safety and now he had completed that purpose.

Anytime now, they could call him back, and he might not even have a chance to say goodbye to Hikaru and Touya-kun before he had to leave. He was so busy worrying, that even Touya-kun realized his unusual behavior and the young man seemed reluctant to leave Sai all by himself.

True to his fear, suddenly a bright light engulfed him until he was unable to see Ashiwara or anything else in the room. When the light subsided, Sai was no longer in the apartment room and, he realized belatedly, now stood on two feet.

When he finally recognized the room where he was in and the entity who sat in front of him, Sai fell to his knees and bowed as deep as he could, his face nearly touching the floor.

"Kami-sama…" he said reverently.

"Fujiwara no Sai!" boomed the voice from the throne. "I see that you have succeeded in protecting your former pupil, even though you also had selfishly used the chance to pursue your life's goal of reaching the Hand of God."

Hearing that, Sai's face grown pale and he quickly tried to defend himself, "Kami-sama, please forgive me. I know it was wrong of me to do that. But, I really…"

Before he was able to continue his sentence, God stopped him with a wave of His hand. "Worry not about it. I have decided to be lenient and forgive you for that. Don't you think that you would be summoned long before this if I wish to punish you for that."

Sai was so relieved to hear that answer and he started to smile, but God wasn't done talking yet.

"You've done great, but now, the time has come for you to return to us. You can't stay on Earth any longer. You do not belong there. The boy will do fine on his own from now on."

Having his fear confirmed, Sai could only stared blankly at the ground for a few moments, but then an idea appeared in his head. He knew he was pushing it but there was nothing wrong with trying, right?

"Kami-sama, I know you had been very graceful to me for allowing me to help Hikaru, but may I be bold and request for something?" he said fearfully.

"What is it that you wish for, Fujiwara no Sai?"

"I wish that I can extend my time on Earth for a few more days? At least until I can give my proper farewell to Hikaru. That's all I wish for," answered the long haired ghost apprehensively.

"I have guessed that you will make such request," said God with a sad smile. "But I cannot grant it."

Sai's face fell immediately with that statement.

"To compensate though, I will grant you permission to say goodbye to the boy through his dream. You will be able to 'say' your farewell more properly that way."

That only lifted a little of the heaviness in his heart though. The last time he left, he also simply disappeared and then visited Hikaru in his dream to give the boy his fan, if he done the same thing again now, his young friend would be very disappointed. Of course, this time it'll be better because he'll be able to talk to his young friend.

Apparently God was able to sense his distress. Because He looked at Sai contemplatively and said, "Is it not good enough for you, Fujiwara?"

"It is, Kami-sama. But… I'm afraid Hikaru will be devastated if I leave him in the same manner as I did the last time. I was hoping that I can at least prepare him for my departure this time," answered Sai dejectedly. "But I will gratefully accept whatever decision that You've made."

"As I have said, your time on Earth has expired and to prolong your stay will only endanger your soul's existence. I am sorry that your time has run out before the boy can see you again, but there is nothing that I can do about it."

"Yes, Kami-sama. I understand." Sai could feel tears of hopelessness in his eyes as he accepted his defeat.

"I am able to give you another boon, though…" the voice in front of him continued softly.

Sai lifted his head so fast at those sentence that if he still had a body, his neck would surely break from the force.

000

Waya and Isumi-san had left after one of the nurses entered Hikaru's room and announced that visiting time is over. With a whine from Waya and a polite smile from Isumi-san, the two finally left and the nurse gave Hikaru his medicines.

He was already in a half-asleep state when he heard a soft voice.

"Hikaru… Hikaru…. Can you hear me?"

The soft voice sounded so familiar that even in his sleepy state Hikaru could still recognized it as Sai's. The 5-dan opened his eyes, but instead of the hospital room that he currently occupied, he could see the same meadow that he dreamt about when the ghost gave him his fan four years ago.

'Oh, no, no, no, no… Please don't let this mean what I think it is,' thought the young man fearfully.

"Sai? Is that you?"

"Yes, Hikaru. Please forgive me, but I was summoned back to heaven this morning. I had begged for more time, but it was not possible for me to stay longer," said the Go master sadly.

"Wait? Is this means that you already left Sibe's body? Why? I thought you would stay for good this time? I don't understand…" rambled Hikaru with growing panic.

"The purpose of my return was to protect you from the peril that you had faced and I had succeeded in doing so. You're safe now and my time has run out, I have to return. Please understand, Hikaru. I don't want to leave either, but I have no choice."

Hikaru was too tired to argue right now, and to be honest, he knew all along that this moment, sooner or later, would come. He also knew that Sai didn't lie when he said that he had no choice in the matter. If there was anyone else who wished as much as he was, or perhaps even more, that the ghost could stay, that would be the Go master himself. And he didn't want to spend his last moment with his ex-tutor with bickering and whining.

"I know. I just wish that you'll at least stay until you've reached the Hand of God this time. Touya-sensei won't be pleased when he finds out that you've left again," answered Hikaru sadly.

"I doubt that I will ever reach it though," said the ghost with a sad smile. "So I hope you and Touya-kun will be able to reach it someday."

"I promise to reach it Sai. I won't fail. Don't worry about it."

"I know," said the Go master with a smile. Suddenly a flash of light could be seen not far away and Sai simply nodded at it. "Hikaru, I have to leave now. Please be strong until we meet again. Farewell my friend."

Hikaru was surprised when he heard the ghost's farewell greeting. "What? Sai, what do you mean until we meet again? Is that mean you'll return? Sai? Sai!"

But the long haired spirit had already faded and only gave him a cryptic smile as he disappeared completely from the meadow.

With a start, Hikaru woke up to see that he was still in the hospital room. Dejectedly, he simply stared at the ceiling for a long time, without acknowledging the wet trails of tears on his face.

000

Two years later

A rather annoying sound disturbed Shindou Hikaru's beauty sleep and the go pro swept his hand in irritation to the nightstand beside his bed. After finding the source of the disturbance, a rather ugly and big alarm clock that Touya bought for him, he whacked it and then mumbled incoherently.

But his eyes suddenly opened when he remembered what day it was and why he had set his alarm so early. May 5th. The most important day of the year for Hikaru ever since Sai had left. On this day last year he had the most amazing surprise that he wouldn't forget for the rest of his life, but dared he hope that this surprise would repeated this year?

Slowly and apprehensively he got out of bed and walked out of his room. It was still very early in the morning and even Touya hadn't waked up yet. Carefully, he approached Sibe's bed near the kitchen counter. He had decided to keep the dog even though Sai had already left. Surprisingly, Touya didn't protest when he told his rival about this decision. In fact, it was Touya who made the bed in the kitchen for Sibe, saying that it wasn't healthy for Hikaru to let it slept in his room.

"Sai?" whispered the two tone haired young man as he stood beside Sibe's bed.

Hikaru knew that he was pushing his luck, but he couldn't help but hope that Sai would return again this year. Last year, unexpectedly, Sibe woke him up early in the morning and pulled Hikaru to the goban in the living room. And the next thing he knew, he was playing against Sai again. Touya had been ecstatic about it too, and the two of them ended up spending that day playing go with Sai. But the day after, Sibe returned to its normal dog self, so the two understood that the miracle was only for a day.

That was why Hikaru and Touya took a day off today, and the night before went into a rather frantic preparation, just in case the Go master returned again this year. Touya even acted as far as making sure that his father, the ex-meijin, was in town for this occasion. So it would be a great disappointment if their prediction turned out to be wrong.

Hikaru tried to call Sai again, this time accompanied with a soft nudge at Sibe's body. The dog stirred and stared at Hikaru for a moment, but then it gave a happy whoop and ran to the living room. Hikaru ran after it and shouted a loud "YES!" when he arrived at the living room and saw that the dog was running around the goban.

Touya was awoken by all the noise and joined them in the living room not long after that. The sight that greeted him when he entered was that of his rival hugging the now big husky.

"Is that Sai-sensei?" he asked with a hopeful look on his face.

Before Hikaru could answer him, the dog gave a loud howl to affirm his suspicion. Smiling brightly, the now 9-dan Go pro approached with a wide smile.

"So is this mean that it'll be an annual event Sensei? Can I play you after you're done with Shindou? Oh, I'll call my father! You want to play him again, right?" bombarded the usually calm young man, while running to the phone to arrange a game between Sai and his father.

The day went perfectly after that. Sai played two games against Touya Kouyo and many games against Hikaru and Akira until he had to leave again. And even though the two rivals were disappointed when that happened, at least now they were quite sure that next year the Go playing ghost would return again. This only spurred them even more to improve their skills as much as they could to be worthy opponents for him the next time they played.

Of course there were many things that still made Hikaru worried, like what would happen when Sibe died and about Touya-sensei's declining health, but one thing he knew for sure was that even if Sai never reached the Hand of God, Hikaru would continue his effort until he finally reached it.

The end

AN: There it goes. I've finally paid my debt. I hope it's not a disappointment. To anyone who read it, thanks for your patience.