Hikaru no Go – German King


Summary: Tragedies hits Hikaru one by one, and all he has left is Go and memories. He will grow older, he will grow colder, but he will also take you by storm. AU. No pairings decided as of yet.

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I don't own Hikaru no Go

Hikaru's thoughts and talking with Sai

Sai speaking

'Other's thoughts'

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Thank you to all my readers ;D

And a BIG 'thank you' to 9tail- Naruto for betaing my chapter again even if I give her the shortest dead lines ;D

Previously

"So you have decided then; you're not going to become an insei? What about Pro then? It can't be fun only to play old men and NetGo? You won't reach your potential only playing against amateurs. You need to loss and fight your way to the top to really improve."

"Don't worry, I'll become the best by my own powers."


And I'll help you reach your goal too!


Thanks Sai...want to play a game after dinner?


YESSSSS! Hurry and eat!

Chapter 15

Sai looked around the crowded and smoked filled room. They, Hikaru, Heihachi, and Sai the friendly ghost, where back at the Heart of Stone Go-salon. After the successful outing some days ago, both Heihachi and Hikaru had decided to return to the salon.

They had arrived two hours ago, and Hikaru had played three quick games against some...rather poor players really. And two longer games; one against the manager whom was one of the best at the salon and the other against a bald man named Soga-san. Sai had used the time much like he didn't last visit: drifting around and enjoying the atmosphere. Heihachi spent his time looking proudly over at his grandson and playing some games to prove that he still had it. He had trained and raised a Go-genius after all!

One of Hikaru's first opponents for the day, Doushima-san, was standing outside the salon puffing on his cigarette. The owner had asked them to be careful with the smoking. The Go-kid wouldn't come back too often if they made him cough up a lung every time he came over after all. Besides, he could use some fresh air himself and Shindou-san had been glaring daggers at his smoke when he brought it out.

But damn, that kid could wipe the board with him. How many years had it been since he lost with that many moku? Maybe he should have resigned before yose but... Damn!

"Man, it's really starting to get could outside." A dark haired man said out loud as he came around the corner. Doushima grinned around his smoke. The salon was always more lively when his man came around, which was quite often now a days.

"It is nearly December Kawai-san, of course it's getting cold."

Kawai blinked his eyes twice behind his dark sunglasses, and dragged his taxi-hat further down on his head. He nodded to Doushima and stepped into the doorway with him.

"Nearly yes, but still November. The Gods could refrain from sending us the bitter and cold winds prematurely."

"Whatever you say...By the way Kawai-san, do taxi drivers usually have this much time off? You been here nearly everyday lately."

"Hyahahaha! I'm just a bad worker."

The lesser player huffed around his cancer-stick and pulled a grin at the thought of the man’s reaction to what he was about to tell him.

"The kid's here."

Kawai who had been in the process of walking into the warmth of the salon, turned in the door and looked strangely at him.

"Huh?"

"You wanted to play him right? The Go-kid, Shindou-san's little genius, 'cause he's here right now."

Kawai blinked once more before the light in his head turned itself on and he practically sprinted into the salon. Leaving a humming Doushima behind. The taxi driver had been turning up to the salon several times a day after he had missed the kid's entry into the Go-salon some days ago. He had heard the rumours about him before, and now that he was there he wanted to test his skills.

Hikaru was playing a rather slow game against an opponent that didn't want to resign even if he had lost 9 Hands ago.

Old men can be so stubborn sometimes...

...He might not be good enough to notice that he had lost. Not many can read so far ahead like us Hikaru. Just...keep it up...or something...

Gee Sai, thanks for the wise words. Now I might die enlightened...

Sai had his most snarly comeback at the ready –really he did– when both he and Hikaru was pulled out of their thoughts by a new arrival. Or rather Hikaru's opponent was pulled out of his chair by the new arrival.

"Play me!" The wild man who held Hikaru's old opponent up by his shirt, barked at him as he threw the poor man away like yesterday’s news. The beast sat himself down on the chair opposite of Hikaru and glared at him like his was offended just by his existence.

"Kawai-san!"

"What!?" Kawai snarled down at the man he had manhandled just a moment ago.

"I was playing a game! I know you're better then me and I would have let you switched too, but how can you be so disrespectful? I still had a chance of comeback."

"Ha! You had probably already lost and not figured it out yet, or the kid went easy on you." He said with a dismissing wave of his hat. "Now, play me!" He turned back to Hikaru ignoring the man on the floor whom was being help up by the manager. Poor players like him, just brought forth poor games. If the kid was as good as he claimed (Hikaru hadn't actually said a word yet...), then he, Kawai, would bring out his best.

Who is this scary man Hikaru?

Like I would know. I haven't seen him before.

Oh...but didn't that poor man call him Kawai-san? Can he be the same Kawai-san that your opponent last time said was going around bragging that he would crush you if he got the chance?

He does seem like the type...

"Why should I? You clearly have no respect for neither Go nor me."

"I have plenty of respect to give, but you have to earn it. I've heard things about you kid. They say you are as good as any insei and that you can play multiple opponents at once. I want to test that skill."

"Is that so...then be my guest." Hikaru mentally rolled his eyes and spared his remarks for Sai’s ears only. There was no need to tickle the roaring dragon.

"Nigiri!"

It didn't seem the dragon had any patience to spare, the blood lust rolled off him.

"Are we playing even?” Hikaru asked with a calm voice, trying hard not to show how much he thought that to be a bad idea.

"Of course we are! I'm Kawai, the best player in this salon. I don't need to lay down stones against a brat like you!"

"Oh...well then. Be my guest."

After the nigiri Kawai ended with black and Hikaru with white. The man didn't wait for Hikaru to finish his 'Onegaishimasu' before he had placed his first stone.

My, someone is eager.

They had come twenty quick Hands into the game before Kawai slowed down his play and Hikaru had some time to study his opponent. The man looked more like a grim dog than a dragon really...or a goat. His thick dark hair was standing out in all directions, some of it short and some long with soft waves. His skin was much darker than Hikaru's and his mouth was surrounded by ageing-lines. He wore a suit and tie, but he was also wearing dark sunglasses...inside...But the thing that annoyed Hikaru the most were his goat beard and sideburns...Hikaru hated facial hair. When those ugly things started to grow on him he would shave them off faster than they could grow!

Nearly all of the costumers at the Go-salon were standing around Hikaru's current game; keeping score and trying to figure out where the child would play next. Would he go for the defensive 5-11 or start a new fight for territory at 14-9?

The ghost didn't share their thoughts, he thought Hikaru might see the opening at 4-6 and attack the black cluster of stones there. If anyone besides himself could see the spot then it would be Hikaru.

Hikaru, who is always playing a superior player in me will gain new strength here at these Go-salons. He can play many games against many different players here, some even games, but mostly handicap games. It's a good place to learn.

Right now he was trying his hand at an even game against the claimed best at the Heart of Stone; the taxi driver Kawai-san.

It was best to play an even game first if you weren't sure of your opponent’s skills. In an even match you can just protect an early lead, and you can beat your opponent with just half a moku. But the true game begins afterwards, in the handicap game that would soon be played between the two stubborn players. Kawai-san had refused to lay down stones, proclaiming himself the master of the salon. But if Sai had read correctly ahead in their current game then Hikaru would win with 18 moku. The brash taxi driver would soon see his error and lay down 2 stones.

Game number two would be much more entertaining and useful, both for Sai, Hikaru and the audience. In handicap Go with two stones it is as if you are giving your opponent 20 moku form the beginning. So you must go out of your way to grab territory. Basically, you become good at attacking. This becomes valuable in coming from behind in normal games.

Hikaru would actually learn how to beat Sai by playing handicap games against these players.

Pa-chi

Pa-chi, pa-chi

'Oh, I've never seen that hand before....shit! Concentrate on the game...he has me in a pinch here...Where? Where is the opening I need?'

Pa-chi, pa-chi

Pa-chi

Pa-chi, pa-chi

Pa-chi, pa-chi

'Arrrg! Christ....I'm going to lose...'

"You have lost. 18 moku; I believe a 2 stone handicap will even the game."

"Sure, sure what ever you say brat! I'll win this time."

"We have an even chance now yes, Kawaii-san."

"Well ye...What did you just call me? The names KAWAI not KAWAII! Do I look cute to you!?!?"

"No. Not at all. My mistake, onegaishimasu."

The claimed best was frothing at the mouth while their audience giggled...Which made Hikaru freaked out, who would have thought others than Sai giggled...Grown men should really refrain from such activities. It was creepy, unhealthy and just plain wrong.

Kawai eventually calmed down and lay his two black stones down on the upper stars.

I'm under a 2 stone handicap now, this will be the true 'even' game. But he is good, I can't play normally. I have to go after the win.

'Heh, for me to be placing stones...how many years has it been? Well, I'll just have to do my best. The kid was just as strong as rumoured, more so even.'

"To beat me with a 2 stone handicap, you're impressive!" Kawai shouted with a grin and raised his hand to ruffle Hikaru's black hair. But something in the boy's eyes made him drop it uselessly to his side.

"Here, it's on me." He handed Hikaru a can of Coca Cola he had bough instead and stepped back from his personal space: The kid seemed to treasure it. Maybe he shouldn't have been so...eager before. But he just had to play him, he could stand there and watch Go get mistreated in the game between the Kid and Toraji-san. He had to get to him before any others could demand a game.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it, you just remember to come back here soon so I can kick you ass!" Kawai took out his taxi-hat from his back pocket and placed it on his head.

"...".Hikaru just gave him a deadpanned look and opened his Coke. The man was obviously delusional.

"...You! I just underestimated you, it won't happen twice!" The man snarled and put on his sunglasses with an angry twist of his wrist.

"We have already played twice..." Hikaru said with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders and went to find his grandpa; it was time to go home. He was hungry.

You want to play next time? I'll get grandpa to take us to another salon tomorrow. But remember to behave and cool down on the gore.

Sai blinked down at him for several seconds before his airy head processed the meaning of Hikaru's words. He would get to play real people!?!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Thank you thank you thank you Thank you thank you thank you Thank you thank you thank you Thank you thank you thank you Thank you thank you thank you Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

AN: Sorry for the wait! The poll is still up, can't believe some of you have answered 'God' and 'Santa'...those two were jokes...