I Do Not Own Harry Potter or Hikaru No Go

.-.

Harry's first memory of the Dursely's is being smacked in the head and told to stay in cupboard. He thinks he was four but he can't remember that. People ask if he remembers his parents or Voldemort's attack and all he can say is an honest no. Sometimes he gets faint memories of his mother's voice but that's with the Dementors.

But, none of these are his first memories. He has always remembered a board, a beautifully carved wooden board with grid like markings. And on the board are small black and white round pieces. When he closes his eyes he can picture these pieces and this board and he knows instinctively that it's a game. He can't remember the name but if he tries hard enough he can remember the joy he got from playing it though he himself had never played it in this life.

And the game stayed with him, in his mind, ready to be played. Sometimes when he was bored or sad or scared he'd just sit and close his eyes. The board would appear in his mind and he'd go through all the moves and all the strategies he could think of. There were a lot.

He loved the game because it was his. No one else knew about it (that he could tell) and no one could take it away (The Durselys).

.-.

"You want to use a computer?" The woman asked smiling. "That's okay, just make sure to give other kids a turn after you have had a while."

Harry thanked the woman profusely and scurried over to the line of library computer, slipping into one of the chairs. He looked at the computer screen and carefully clicked the icon for the internet. Luckily school had taught him the few basics to using a computer so he could at least use Google. Once on the internet he quickly started searching. Searching for a game that had black and white pieces and a grid. He was too broad in his description. All that came up was chess.

He searched for a while longer but found nothing. Disappointed, he left feeling as if the game he loved did not exist.

A week later he would discover he was a wizard. The hope that bloomed was not just that of a better life but that of finding his game. He did not find it.

.-.

"Do goblins by any chance have games?" Harry blurted out.

"Games?" The teller sneered.

"Like chess and such."

"Yes."

"Do you have any that involve black and white marble like pieces and a grid marked board?"

"No." The teller responded curtly. "Next!"

Harry slunk off, disappointed and stuffing his newly gotten change in his pocket. He might as well start getting his school supplies with the Weasely's.

.-.

It was in his third year that Harry decided his game might not be British or magical. Perhaps it was foreign. So he started doing rounds with all the kids in Hogwarts. If they came from a different culture he slyly would draw them into a conversation about their heritage and then turn the conversation to games, giving a description of his.

His answer came from a petite Japanese girl who was in Ravenclaw.

"Well, I think that might be Go." The girl hummed thoughtfully. "It sounds like Go."

Harry felt the giddiness rise and quickly sketched a few parts out.

"That's Go." The girl agreed. "It's a strategy game. It can be very popular in Japan, Korea, and China. They have national teams and everything."

Harry thanked her happily and left on cloud nine. He had a name for his game and it was not made up. His game was real. The happiness muted any and all anger that he felt about Sirius Black for a good month.

.-.

With his game's name in mind Harry once again returned to the internet. This time he searched for a way to buy a game board. He found one and quickly purchased the semi-expensive set. A month later it arrived in the mail. Harry carefully deleted the message from the post office that the package was in before the Dursely's heard, then snuck out one night to go get it. He knew if they knew they'd claim he stole it or stole the money to get it, so it was a secret.

When he finally got the beautiful board back to his room he relevantly set it up and just gazed at it. He looked over the entire board and all the small pieces and slowly he felt a smile spread his lips.

It felt wonderful.

.-.

"Arugh! This is so frustrating!" Ron grumbled biting his thumb as he looked down at the broad.

Harry sat silently across from him with a smile. Hermione eyed him and his sitting position.

"I didn't know you knew traditional Japanese games Harry." She said idly.

"Learned it a while ago." He smiled.

"Okay, I'm ready." Ron muttered slapping down another piece ungracefully.

Harry countered the move and won the game with three moves.

"I don't get it." Ron grumbled, "You suck at Chess, but you're really good at this game and it takes even more strategy!"

Harry just smiled and asked for another game.

.-.

Harry looked down at his writing with an odd frown. When had it gotten so good? He knew last year, just like every year it had looked like chicken scratch. But now, now it looked even and perfect. Like every letter was done with care.

"Hello."

Harry blinked and looked up from the park bench he sat at with his notebook. A man stood in front of him looking lost and stressed. He was on the short side and obviously Asian.

"Can you direct me to the bus station?" He asked, in a halting and confused manner.

"Of course!" Harry smiled. "If you go down this street about two block and take a right you'll find it."

The man's face brightened.

"Thank you!" he bowed. "I don't speak English that well and no one else could understand Japanese. It's a stroke of luck finding you my boy. Did you learn Japanese in school?"

"Um, no, not really." Harry stared blankly.

"Ah! I have to go. Thank you again!"

Harry stared after the man as he jogged away. Japanese? He'd spoken in Japanese? That wasn't possible. He hadn't studied a word of Japanese in his life. He looked down at his notebook and slowly put pen to paper. He chanted the word hello in his mind but thought, Japanese. What came out was perfectly legible English. He snorted at himself.

"Hey freak!"

Harry winced at the sound of Dudley and his gang.

"Whatcha doing?"

Harry gave a cry of protest as his book as ripped from his hand.

"What the hell is this?" Dudley scowled. "Your freak language?"

Harry stared at him in a numb sort of shock. He couldn't read it. Even though it was as neat as could be, Dudley couldn't read it.

"It's Japanese." Harry said still in shock. "I can write and speak Japanese."

.-.

Harry looked at the game bored on the screen and then quickly clicked his mouse on the sign-up button.

Ron still played Go with Harry during the Hogwarts year but he was getting predictable. And then Harry had learned about the online Go. He'd quickly come to the library and a computer. He filled in the information needed for an account but paused on the user name. What could he use?

Stared at the screen a moment. The letter S seemed to be perfect but what came after he couldn't remember. He slowly typed in Sirius. The wound of his godfather's loss was still fresh but when he looked at the name section all he could think of was the letter S. The only really name he knew with the letter S was Sirius.

He clicked create the account and then began his Go. He already knew this would be a rarity as he didn't spend much time in the summer at the Durselys and the library and that his guards would not let him out every day, so he took his time with the games and enjoyed every second.

.-.

Harry ran a finger through his hair and admired how long it had gotten.

He'd woke one day and looked in the mirror and felt the reflection he was looking at was not all him. He had stared at the reflection for an hour before deciding his hair was not the right length. He'd been growing it since. He'd even brewed a mild potion that sped up the growth of his hair. It now reached just past his shoulder and was cut nicely. It got straighter with every inch too, the weight of it weighing down the mess.

A week later he'd thumbed his ears feeling odd. He'd gotten his ears pierced the same day.

"Can I help you sir?"

Harry looked at the store clerk and smiled looking about at the jewellery on display. He knew what he wanted would cost a pretty penny but he was ready to indulge himself at least once this time.

"I'd like a pair of your earrings." He said.

"What pair sir?" the man asked politely.

Harry pointed to the pair of glistening ruby studs on display. The man quickly pulled them out and Harry paid. The man offered to wrap them but Harry refused. He walked out of the store and slid them into his ear, tossing the box straight into a trash can feeling a bit more complete as he walked away.

A week later he purchased contacts, the glasses feeling too heavy on his face.

.-.

"What is this?"

Harry blinked and found himself staring at Voldemort. They stood in a room that was a traditional Japanese room by the looks of it with ink paintings and mats and a screen. A Go board sat in the middle of the room, the pieces ready and shining. A fan sat beside the pillow Harry would sit on. On the wall was a lute and a calligraphy set sat off to the side. A few scrolls with Japanese writing were spread about.

"It's my mindscape." Harry said.

Voldemort spun to him, a sneer on his handsome face. He had somehow regained his youth at some point in this war.

"Really Potter? Japanese." He sneered.

He picked up a scroll and Harry caught the words. They were written records of some of his memories.

"I did not know you wrote and spoke Japanese." Voldemort muttered.

Harry shrugged. Then he forcibly threw Voldemort from his mind. He had never quite mastered occlumency, but he could grasp it when needed. He felt a calm wash over him as he stared at the room. It looked so familiar.

.-.

"What will you do Harry?" Hermione asked softly.

Harry glanced up at her from where he tossed his robes off to the side. Going through his trunk had proved annoying. He had decided instead of packing he may as well start getting rid of the things he would no longer need since he had graduated.

"What will I do what?"

"After you leave." Hermione said. "I know you turned down the invitation to join the Auror training program. And I know you broke up with Ginny before you even started dating her. You dated her because she asked, not because you wanted."

"I don't love Ginny." Harry agreed. "And I am not joining as an auror."

"Then what will you do for a living?"

"I'm rich enough not to have to work and my great grand children would still live comfortable without me or my children, or my grandchildren ever working." He said cheekily.

"I know." Hermione frowned. "But you would get bored."

"Yes." Harry agreed.

"So why not the aurors?"

"Because that's not what I want." Harry responded. "I'm going to Japan Hermione."

"You're going to play this silly game of yours aren't you Harry." She sighed.

"It's not silly." Harry said hotly. "And in Japan, China, and Korea, it's a career!"

"Harry are you actually good enough to make it a career?" She frowned. "You've only ever played Ron."

Harry said nothing about the online go. He glanced about and found nothing else of his. The only thing not in his pile to get rid of was his set of battle robes. Though they had been cleaned he could still see spots of blood and smell the battle on them. They had been returned to him like some sort of trophy for defeating Voldemort. He didn't want them.

"I think I am good enough. So I'm going to try." Harry said snapping his trunk shut.

.-.

Harry walked into the building almost warily. The person at the counter greeted him and he paid a donation, heading into the main hall. Filling the space were tables set with Go board. Kids of all ages were playing games, intensely. People were walking between the groups, watching curiously, or proudly, or even in a bored manner. Harry slipped into the crowd and peered at the games. A feeling of pride filled him as he saw the younger kids and even the older ones embrace the age old game.

Harry felt a smile tug his lips as he continued to watch game after game, silently telling himself where they had mistakes, what plays where good, and who would go on to make this a career and a passion.

Suddenly a voice reached his ear. Harry froze, his whole body seizing up. That voice. He spun in alarm and his eyes searched for the owner. They fell on a man showing two kids their game again. He was tall with black hair with dyed blonde streaks. He was laughing as a kid made a remark and showing him where to put a piece.

Harry didn't know why but suddenly he couldn't breathe. His chest seized up and he felt his heart clench. The pain wracked his body and he felt physically ill, like he was going to throw up.

He turned and ran.

When he was out of the room he covered his face with both hands and realized he was crying. Crying silently but with tears streaming down his face. His heart still hurt. One of the people in the entrance area kindly handed him a cloth and soothingly asked if he was okay. Harry waved off the kindness and thanked the man, wiping his eyes and putting on a brave face. He left right afterwards and tried not to think of the man that made his heart beat like it was about to break.

Somewhere in his mind he thought he felt heart sick or heart broken.

.-.

Harry held the fan tightly, squeezing it so hard he knew he was leaving imprints in his palm. He looked at the game that had engulfed both man's attention. Each move took longer and longer with more consideration.

Looking at the screen he wanted nothing more then to be there watching the game in person. He knew he would distract them though and he wouldn't be allowed anyways.

As the last move was made and the winner declared they started going through the game again. Harry stood and left the small sitting area, walking to the entrance of the building. From there he just sat in one of the chairs and waited. Almost an hour later, after the game had been thoroughly analyzed, people start to come out of the rooms chatting softly about the game. Harry sat and waited as people passed by and soon no one is passing by at all. He still waited.

Finally the person he had been waiting for exits the room looking thoughtful and a little stressed out.

"It was a good game." Harry said aloud as he stood.

"I know." The man said idly walking past him to stare out the door. "If I had done a few things different in the end I would have won."

"The man you were against was very good." Harry said as if to say it wasn't his fault.

"I know, but still." The man bit his lip thoughtfully tapping his fan to his side.

Then the man paused. Slowly he turned and laid eyes on Harry. Harry gave him a soft sad smile and the man's look made his heart clench.

It looked hopeful and lost and sorrowful and happy all at once and Harry felt Heart Sick again.

"It can't be." The man whispered, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Hello Hikaru." Harry said, the name slipping past his lips with a familiarity that sent warmth through his body and made his heart light.

"No." The man stared. "Are…are you really…"

He stared for another few long moments then steps forwards hesitantly. He reached out and Harry just stared into his eyes. The man grabbed a lock of his hair and pushed it back to look at his ruby studs. Harry smiled in amusement, lips twisting ever so slightly.

"What's your name?" He asked.

Harry smiled almost sadly.

"I believe you know me as Fujiwara Sai."

And all the man did was stare at him, looking shocked.

"Sai." He whispered.

Harry thought that the emotion in the man's voice reflected his own. It was a tangled web of every emotion. Emotions that made his throat seize and his eyes water and everything sharpen into focus on one thing.

"It's me, Shindou Hikaru." Harry said. "And I have missed you."

And then he was tackled in a rough hug and being squeezed until he couldn't breathe

"Sai. Sai. SaiSaiSaiSai." Hikaru muttered over and over and over again. "Gods I've missed you."

"I know." Harry whispered.

"How did you get here?" Hikaru asked leaning back just enough to see him. "And how did you get so short. And slightly foreign looking?"

Harry smiled at him and smoothed down familiar blonde bangs.

"I think reincarnation is the answer for my new existence." Harry replied.

"So you're not really Sai?" The man asked looking wounded.

"I am." Harry said. "I've got all his memories, his personality. The only difference is I was born in a new body, one Potter Harry, and have lived a new life. So along with my own memories I have a new set."

"How did you remember?" Hikaru asked breathlessly.

"Slowly." Harry smiled. "I always remembered Go but slowly everything else returned to me. I came to Japan to start a career in Go and saw you. And then I remembered."

"Gods Sai I missed you." Hikaru muttered into his shoulder as he engulfed him in another hug.

"I missed you too." Har- no, Sai- replied hugging him back just as fiercely. "And if you want, I'll never leave you again."

"Sai." Hikaru repeated hugging him tightly.

Harry-Sai felt his shoulder dampen and closed his eyes feeling his own tears.

"I missed you." Harry-Sai repeated.

And if he could help it he'd never miss him again. He'd never leave Hikaru's side again.

.-.

The End

.-.