Disclaimer: I do not own this story. Not planning to own it, but I love the story.

All setting and characters are taken from Hotta Yumi and Obata Takeshi's Hikaru no GO

Author's preamble: This story is different from the original story, although some settings are taken from the original and use here.

Chapter 5: Hikaru and Akira have met. I don't like to refer to the orginal manga but I still find it hard to make the story without using their Go game as reference.

I just started learning GO few weeks ago and although all I see in it is like XOX game I used to play

nOTE: I don't know how to make Hikaru rude...urgggh!- so hard.

You would notice how Shindo tells the story, he pays attention to his surrounding, regarded each of them with respect, although he often acts rude and blunt in his words and actions.

I tried to still make Shindo persona same as in the manga. but it might take a while before I get it. ALSO I'll tell you before hand that the story may progress slowly, as I need time to think, explain, introduce, whatever writer oddity i need when progressing the story.

*BOWS*

Chapter 5

Playing

Touya Akira...Touya. I'm sure I've heard this name before. Looking at the boy infront of me. I don't know why but when Go and Touya put together-

It sounds like "Goya', I'm not dumb, even if i put 2 together, they end up referering to food. I wasn't suprised. Food is everything to me, I think of it 24/7. I even dreamed of it.

'Hikaru-', Sai's voice brought me back to reality.

'Sorry Sai- I got lost in thought', I look apologetically. I should focus on this game or Sai is going to nag me again.

'Hikaru-put the black stones where I tell you to, kay?'

'sure- no prob- I can do just that'

'you sure- you've never played before, placing the stones on different corners is a basic in GO'

'Sai who do you think I am?' I huffed

'Someone who doesn't know how to play GO', he pointed out, matter-of-factly

"I've seen a Goban. it's measure by 19X19 grid.", I reached out into the 'Goke', lifted a black stone using my thumb and index finger. " Believe me when I say I don't forget everything I've seen, even if I wanted to- Now where do I place it?"

Sai got quiet, I sneak a peek at him, and saw he was smiling, almost to tears. Geez, he was this happy to play again.

"Wipe your tears and let's play", i reminded him, snapping him out of his tearful moment.

I thought as I look at Sai, if he got a body, I would have wipe his tears by now. Man or not. he looks beautiful what ever he does

"14-16, komoku"

Touya responded with a 4-6 hoshi

"14-3 komoku"

As the game progressed longer, Shindo got even more confused. He couldn't follow the game at all.

Pachi.

Touya responded with 4-4 hoshi

"15-13 mokuhazushi"

He glanced at Sai and saw his childish expression replaced by a serious one, the same way he saw his opponent, across the mat. He glanced at Touya, he's expression the same as Sai, when he studied Touya's face. He notice his Green fringed hairstyle make him look like a girl, with pointed-sloped green eyes and pink lips.

He mentally slapped himself.

"Why am i thinking this kind of thoughts in a game", he scolded himself. He likes girls and guys with feminine features, he knew his preference long ago. But Touya Akira- serious, beautiful, with feminine features- He's just his type. he mentally slap himself twice-.

"Why am I thinking of such things- su-surely. I couldn't have been attracted with... a boy". If we weren't playing Go right now, he would have slammed his head on the table right about now.

"Hikaru-what's wrong?", Sai asked, sounding anxiously. Shindo freeze, shut off his mind from Sai

" HOLY CUDFISH! - He couldn't have heard my rumblings", he sneak a glance at Sai and he was looking at him worriedly.

"I'm fine- just got confused by the game. that's all", Shindo buried those thoughts from before, careful not to look at Touya and focus on the game.

He decided to study the board. Black has gained momentum and white fighting back but to no avail. The game was nearing an end.

"Sai black is winning- you're winning", I couldn't look even more glad. even if white fights back, it's already weak, It has already lost the game. It has no choice but to surrender.

"Hikaru-" I heard Sai's voice, I glanced at him and saw him looking suprised, His eyes directed at me

"What-"

"I have lost" , I heard Touya mumbled. Hearing his voice just made me freeze right there

I look at Touya, saw he's head down, hands clenched into a fist. I just met him today, if I'd known better, I could guess Touya is about to punch me. But I couldn't be sure with him, it is only my usual observation from people I met on the mat.

Shindo grew up with Mitani, he studied Karate. He got used to people's expression and actions that small gestures like -when a person looks murderously at you, clench his fist, grit his teeth- that person is going to punch you, kill you or beat you to death.

"Hikaru- what's wrong?", Sai asked anxiously. I ignored him and fixed my eyes at Touya. I racked my brain, thinking of ways to handle the situation peacefully at the same time befriending this boy I grew attra-no- interested in.

Saying "I like you, please go out with me", sounded like a minefield exploding. I couldn't risk it. In fact,I would be stupid to even ask it in this situation.

"That was a good game, almost made me run for my money", I said casually, easing the atmosphere.

Touya didn't respond , he just sat there in silence.

"Sai, did you beat him that badly?"

"He's young but his skills were sharp, like a beast, if I didn't crush him, he would have bitten me instead", Sai explained seriously, but he's tone gave a profound respect for Touya.

"So you did beat him that badly", I symphatize with Sai, I had never lost in a fight except against my brother and Oyabun. Sensing you're enemy was strong enough to defeat you. You have no choice but to break them before they could crush you.

I sighed, now the minefield had already exploded before I could step on it.

Sai's win was good luck , Touya's loss was bad luck, and I was out of luck.

I gently placed my hand on Akira's head, pat his head and took my leave. I'm not good in comforting someone, but to him, that was all i could do in that situation.

I quickly left, ignoring the glances of the old man, whom I completely forgotten were there, in the first place.

When I got out from the salon. I smelled like old man and cigarettes. I check the time and it was already quarter to noon.

Mitani and I have agreed to meet quarter to noon that day and I am already late for the running.

"Sorry Sai- Let's stop playing GO for today- ", I rode my skateboard and head to Mitani's house, I look at him and grinned playfully, " It's my turn to play"

after an hour I reached Mitani's house. riding an electric skateboard do you wonders, I could build an electric keyboard factory and I'll be rich.

Mitani's house isn't grand like hours but he's house is more frightening than ours. Why?-

I knock 3 times on the wooden gate, it swung open, what greeted me on the other side of the gate, were 2 middle age man with full body tattoo + 1 guy in his late 20's with only a shoulder covered tattoo.

Sai gasped and flail in panic. he was screaming, "Yakuza! Yakuza! Hikaru- Danger!", I simply chose to ignore him, though I still kept a close watch on Sai.

The 3 men took a step towards me, I just stood there calmly, while Sai stood between me and them, he look as if he was ready to defend me while shaking in fear, even if he's a ghost. I smirked, enjoying every moment. It was just hilarious

"Master Shindo, it's been a long time since your last visit", the guy with a shoulder tattoo greeted me.

I grinned, " Hey Jin-san, long time no see- I see you've got more tattoo than before", I nodded to his shoulder. He held his chin up looking very proud.

suddenly a hand slapped me on my back, I gritted my teeth, and endured my stinging back. even from years of experience and training, it still hurts when you get hit.

"Crap- It's just old man Takiya", I frowned, straightened myself, "growing old are we? - you hit like a girl this days". I was careful not to show my pained expression. This is the reason why I seldom visit Mitani's house-to be precise "Yakuza Household- Main branch Family". They hit people easily, as normally as drinking tea.

"hahahahha", standing beside old man takiya, a middle aged guy laughed loudly, almost as if you can hear it from a distance.

he lock my neck in a grapple and mess my hair. I could only flail and curse under my breath.

"Let go of me old man Gorou",

"Heard you almost died Kiddo", old man Gorou said still grappling me

"Dying once should teach you to respect your elders", old man takiya added

"Do i look the type to be in a death bed to you", i replied still struggling to free myself from his grasp. while Sai bang him on his back, though i doubt the old man could feel it

"Not quite. you look too fine to me" , Gorou replied

"heard from the young master, your heart almost stop.- It's a miracle how quickly you recovered from that-running about, picking fights after you left the hospital", Jin pointed out

I scoffed, " I'm a Shindo, stopping my heart is not enough to kill me. burn it in your empty brains old man", old man Gorou grip got tighter, I gasped for breath. Is this old man trying to kill me, just because I didn't die at the hospital. In your stinking breath-

I reached for his arm and bit him. underhanded but I'm a kid. he release me from his grasp and i took a step away from them.

I glared at him, while Sai was busy arguing with them to be gentle to me or else how can he play GO. I rolled my eyes, focused my gaze at the old man, and they burst out laughing.

I don't know what's funny but they seem to have a shared understanding of it and laughed.

I frowned, I couldn't wait for them to stop laughing and ask directly, "hey- know where Mitani is?"

"His at the Dojo with Oyabun", Jin's the one who told me, while wiping his tears.

As I head towards the Dojo, Old man Takiya called out to me

"Why don't you consider joining the household kiddo- we could use spirited guys like you"

"spirited", i smirked, "if you only knew", i thought. I waved goodbye with a back of my hand, and headed towards the Dojo, dodging and hiding from the other Yakuza scattered around the house.

I could hear shinai sounds as it clashed with another. Mitani was sparring with someone. I wonder who?

As i sneak closer to the Dojo, my questions were answered when the sliding door fall down loudly and Mitani was lying on top of it.

I could clearly see the opponent he was against with. His Father -Oyabun- Mitani Kiyoshi-san

" What a welcoming performance for me, Mitani", I tease him, wearing a smug expression on my face, as I step towards him, " Need a hand?", i reached out my hand to him. He grunted and took it. I helped him up, which was easy than slamming him on the floor during sparring.

I bowed and greeted Mitani's dad, while he simply studied me from head to toe

"Heard you almost died, Shindo?", hearing his dad asked me that question, was easy to assume that everyone in the Mitani's household, heard I almost died, which in yakuza's language, "Hard to kill=You're Invincible".

"nah- the heavens realize the great me, is too young to die and throw me back down", I replied politely, with a nonchalant tone

"cheeky kid"

I glanced at Mitani, boy he looks like a battered kid on the streets

"It's a long time since Mitani and I sparred in Kendo", - along time in a kid's language is 3 months , " really liked to kick his ass again, don't you think so", I glanced at Mitani. He smirked and so did I.

It was long time since I practiced Kendo, I hate to admit it but I may have lose some skills here.

Mitani and I were sparring and Sai settled himself, and sat beside Oyabun

Mitani dashed and attack me, with quick steps, I dodged, rolled on the floor and got back on my feet.

"Not bad for a dying person", he commented, I swung my shinai and aimed it on his head, he sense where I was aiming , and we clashed.

LEft *pak*

Right *pak*

up *pak*

I back steps and lose my balance, Mitani saw it , and aimed his Shinai at me.

In that instant I use my left hand to push me sideways, lifted my feet and somersaulted. I swung my sword as hard as I can, hitting Mitani's sword and sent it flying away from us , hitting the sliding door with a loug *thuk*

We were both breathing heavily. " Say it"

"I have lost", Mitani clench his fist and grit his teeth. I grinned. Victory is so sweet, I can taste it. but what i could taste in my mouth was just sweat and saliva.

I slumped on the floor, tired and breathing heavily. 3 months is not a joke. I almost lost to Mitani. I was out of practice and my body is feeling that heavy.

"Don't get too cocky Shindo, that last move of yours suprise me- the next time I'll get you for sure".

"Yeah-yeah...the next time, I have to watch my feet- you were pretty quick there, responding to attack when I slightly lost my balance"

"hah- slightly- you did lost your balance- you were just lucky you won",

"Mitani-", I look up and face him, " I don't believe in luck, there is only skill"

mitani scoff.

Sai was dancing and cheering for my Victory.

"Now you know how good I am", i told him proudly

"Yup-youre so good, you could be a General in the Edo period",

"a general-don't like it but that sounds cool"

"I see your still far from there, Shindo", I look up at Oyabun. Standing besides me, leering.

"Oyabun- got almost beaten by Mitani there- should have been careful next time"

Oyabun didn't take a second and head chopped me. I covered my head and endured the pain. One of this days, I'll get stupid.

"ugh", i groaned painfully, " What was that for?" , I asked Oyabun, trying my hardest not to glare at him

"I was not talking about how you defeated my son- I was referring about you"

I blinked

"HUH?", was my genius reply

"something about you changed-you've become weaker", It took every self control I have to prevent myself from screaming back to Oyabun.

"I am not weak", I tried to say it as calm as possible.

"believe whatever you want- but you can't deceive me", I glared at him, menacingly. I have no idea what he's talking about but I'm not going to let that insult slide.

"Even if you're the Oyabun in this household- I will not be insulted by you", I gritted my teeth, clench my Shinai as hard as I can, my whole body shaking in anger.

beside me Mitani was silent, he didn't say anything nor dare even- Sai was frantic, fidgeting and trying to reason out with Oyabun -how i wasn't scared of ghost and etc. though Oyabun couldn't see him.

I waved my Shinai and attack him,aiming for his head -or was I- couldn't tell, I was seeing red. Oyabun caught the shinai with his bare hands, shifted his foot and throw me off the floor. I was stumbling and rolling as I hit the sliding door with a loud *thud*,I could feel my back aching and stinging at the same time.

I groaned, cough off and struggle to stand.

"I suppose a dead boy, doesn't do well, compared to a living one"

"Dad", Mitani called out as he came over to help me up, "What are you talking about?"

"Yuki-", Mitani winced at his named, he doesn't liked being called his first name, it sounded girly and just doesn't suit him. I teased him when we were 7 and he almost chased me, claiming for my life until evening. He took that personally, he didn't even talk to me for a month, until my brother forced me to apologized to him.

"If you were paying attention, you could have notice- Shindo's attack were fast but it mask, his power, his lower body reacts late and slow, it could not synchronize with his attacks, that was why he was struggling during your fight- ", Oyabun pointed out

I didn't notice it but when Oyabun pointed it out, I realize that my attacks were not having any effect on Mitani-in fact, I was struggling to hold the Shinai properly. I glanced at Sai, he was looking majorly concerned, his forehead creased.

"Don't worry Sai- I'm fine", I assured him but the situation looks like I was reassuring myself "I'm fine"

"now tell me Shindo what really happened at Hokkaido, " His look is that of a prying beast, ready to pounce you, " Why did you collapsed?"

I was having a hundred pros and cons in my head. Should I tell him/ how did he know that?/ does he sense anything?/ he can see Sai/ he knows something/ Urgh! I don't know!

"uhmmmm- ", that uhhhmmm just had a million things put together. just couldn't bring the right words or the right lie. " I was knocked off by some books who fell on me- don't remember after that-my memory is abit hazy when i try to remember what happened". LIE- i remember the event perfectly, just don't know how to say it without them thinking I'm nuts, HEck! Oyabun already see me as weak, no need to add "nuts" in my description.

"So they say-, " but Oyabun's eyes were still fixed to me. " But how come you have an aura of death, emitting around you- did you really just collapsed by accident or did you experience something else?", that last question was dangerous. IF I say YES, I have to explain about Sai- not the right opportunity, IF I say NO, he'll think I'm hiding something. there's no 'other, please specify option here'

I tried to look as innocent and dumb as I can, which is easy to pull. I've been doing that with srangers and people outside the family. No need to look threatening while I'm a kid. It only adds up to more suprising events beyond my control, " I don't know"

Oyabun and I had a staring contest. you can't blink and the loser has to look away

"thought so" -still staring

"don't have any clue"- still staring

" are you sure?" -still staring

I shrugged but continued staring.

Oyabun smirked and break off the eye contact first. I blink quickly, trying to prevent my eyes from tearing.

Oyabun brushed some dust off his Kimono and strudded out of the Dojo, waving goodbye with the back of his hand

"That was intense", Mitani muttered

"More like dangerous", I told him, "I feel lke I'm going to be killed by his stares- Mitani, you're dad is scary"

he shrugged, "heard that a lot"

"I'll stop sparring with you if you turn like him"

"Huh- WHAT!"

I chuckled, "I'm kidding! even if you become as scary looking like your dad, I'll still hang-out with yah"

"thought so", then we both laughed. if Mitani becomes likes his dad. I'll move to England, that I'm sure of.

I gave Sai an apologetic look, he just sighed and slumped on the floor, looking relieve. I bit Sai was thinking about me, being beaten by Oyabun, then he couldn't play GO anymore. Its kind of vexing when I think that way.

Mitani and I resumed sparring, Him aware of my weakness and I trying to close the gap of ability between us.

"If I am weak, I'll get stronger. If I am slow, I'll get faster. I'll defeat anyone that stand above me. just watch me"

Pls leave your review after every chapter and please tell me if I'm doing a crappy plotline or i need to improve or anything you want to express

To avoid confusion: facts

Shindo, Touya, Mitani, Akari- they are 16 years old, 1st year highschool

I have to make them mature, change the time setting and plot so I can create my BL love story.

Shindo Haruki - 24, vice president of the Shindo company

Shindo Aoi - 20, University student- fashion design major & part-time model and designer of Shindo Mitsuko fashion line