Okay here's Chapter 5
Sorry I was gone long on this story.
Thanks to those who review/fav/alert or simply read my story.

So my story update pattern will be like, Silver Particles, Is It Always About Go?, Heroes Blood, and then The Red Flash Alchemist.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hikaru no Go.

If there was one thing Sai missed correcting Hikaru while he was partially raising her, it was her laziness. The Go ghost been lenient towards the girl especially her puppy-dog-eyes. Infant-Hikaru wide gem-like eyes were huge! Sai couldn't say no to those eyes, he almost fainted from the cuteness when he witness those eyes shining with tears. Don't let him get started with her pouting lips. To be honest he always had a weakness towards children. Every innocent children are absolutely adorable! Although his Hikaru is the best, even if she initially started looking like a boy at a young age.
He hanged his head down in dismay, his little sister change her mind about taking the pro exam again! He whimpered, Akira is definitely angry about Hikaru. The two teenagers were filling out Hikaru's registration forms and went over the guidelines, it was until Hikaru became indecisive with her chose. Akira gave her two days to consider her future, Sai watched as she became excited then instantly changed into disgust. A certain blonde glasses wearing pro in a white suit was out hounding for any news about Sai. They were located nearby the internet cafe, spying a group of insei children playing Go. One of them commented about learning a move from Sai. She saw the man ruthlessly demanding answers from the boy. The little kid pleaded that he meant he learn a move to use from Sai's kifu, the creep was reluctant to let go of him. If all pros were like this, she does not want to be in it. She was thinking how to break it to Akira, unexpectedly the wind caught her papers and a nearby dog just happened to be there. When Akira came over at her grandfather's home at the last day waiting for her answer, she awkwardly rubbed her neck claiming a dog ate her registration papers. Akira had no problem replacing them because he grabbed extras. Then Hikaru claimed she doesn't know her information, the dark green haired boy just stared at her like she was kidding. Who does she think she is fooling? She knew her own information a couple days ago?! The next incident, she always manages to spill dark coffee on the forms. Akira wanted to throttle her after the fourth attempt. After that Akira questioned Hikaru about her choice in taking the pro exam, the girl adamantly claim she had a twin who used her phone. She was floored when Akira pointed out she doesn't even have a twin, oh she had forgotten Akira knew her well.

A shouting match escalated between them, Hikaru was stubborn enough to challenge Akira to rock-paper-scissors. She surmised that this was the only way to get Akira off her back about the pro exam. Sai sighed when they started arguing again. Apparently for Hikaru to win on their third match, she jabbed her fingers into Akira's side. Right where his pressure-point is located at. He yelped and shouted at her for cheating. The devious girl snickered claiming he was a pansy. Sai reprimanded the girl, "Hikaru! Stop messing with Akira."

He pity the young boy, his pupil took a liking to make the other boy uncomfortable.

"Gah,... Shindo! Do you even have any sense of moral?" The boy accused.
The blonde fringed girl stared at him in feign shock, blinking she tilted her head. "But Akira! I have enough that if I ever should expose it." Hikaru paused, "you'll develop a huge headache the size of Everest."

Akira redden as he seem close to his boiling point. "I consider that to be impossible." He glared straight into Hikaru's eyes, anything is possible with her mental state. He dreadfully recollect their argument over what came before, a chicken or an egg. He had to confiscate all her electronics that allow access to the internet until she cools down. The dark hair boy gawked at his rival's idea of an egg dinosaur with a chicken dinosaur that day.

She shrugs her shoulder, "I just don't want you to stop working." Akira was about to comment, when will she stop viewing him as a robotic toy, except she beat him to it, "Dude! You act like an old man." She complained. "Who lit your tampon on fire?"

Baffled, the Go pro cast her a murderous scowl. "SHINDO!" He exploded. "I am not a girl!" He ignores the old man comment, but Hikaru has a tendency to compare him to a girl. He gets tired hearing them from her, it's an attack to his masculinity.

'HhhiiiiKKKaarrruu!' The ghost cried, how did he raised her wrong? He at least made all his lessons Go and non-Go related to be interesting, he was successful in changing her wardrobe so far. She's not one for dresses, she prefer yukatas and kimonos. Her junihitoe apparel and shrine maiden outfit is worn in special occasion. Appearance-wise she can pull-off being a court-lady from his era. Music skills is above average, calligraphy is beautiful, good taste in literature. Her behavior is remarkably impeccable, except not towards Akira.

Damn he hurt my eardrums. He's such a- She began only to be interrupted by a certain ghost. "Hikaru! Don't even start!" Sai chastised, Hikaru sweat-drop, she learn most of her swears from him.

Her right eyebrow twitch, can I at least punch him, or stuff him into a box and ship him to a pet shop? He can totally fit in there! Honestly there's so much I can take him being girly. Who the heck raised him? He's very oblivious to everything and all he cares is about a game! His name even sounds like a girl. Her brother chortled. "The two of you are complete opposites."

"Didn't you told me you are going to become a pro? You're going to be alright." Sai smiled. "Remember I disappear from NetGo two years ago. I doubt anyone will recognize my style." Sai tries to convince her, she glowers at him for believing that. Did he forget about his fans, and how they monthly watch a marathon of all his online matches. Sai shrink down from her gaze as he stammered trying to come up something convincing. "Um...well..." He coughed, "Since when did I taught you to back down."

Outside from the two conversation, Akira was grumbling to himself, Hikaru consistently have short attention span and drift off somewhere he doesn't even want to know. "Shindo, are you paying attention?" He waited for a response, he grew concern as her skin turned pale. Trying out her first name this time. "Hikaru, if you pursue to become a pro." Considering anything to easily bait her. "I'll buy you ramen each day." He propositioned.

Back to Hikaru, as she grew grim, uh...never. She said nervously, how did she got him worked up again? Sai gives her a chilling smile, "I didn't raise cowards, should we do more exercises?" He inquired, being in a Samurai clan has its advantages. Sweating a little. No! That will not be needed. She fretted. Let it be known that she's physically fit, but Sai's family fitness is outrageous. I'm going to become a pro, she insisted.

"Hikaru, if you pursue to become a pro. I'll buy you ramen each day." Stars replaced her eyes, she heard the word ramen. Someone is speaking her language! She snapped out of her imaginary world and lunge towards Akira. She clung to him close, resembling a koala bear. "Ramen! You bet I'll become a pro." She cheered.
Akira wonder, why he didn't turn insane yet? With all of Hikaru's bizarre nature, his mentality should had dropped. He shivers, pitying the fool who gets into a relationship with her. That person needs all the luck in the world to survive. "Umm...you smell like broccoli." Akira sweat-dropped.

Waya and Isumi had just finished their matches, the prelims getting intense, they needed a break and decided to visit their insei friends, who are participating in this year pro exam. Since Waya, Isumi, and Ochi passed the last pro exam. Everyone believes Kadowaki already won a spot. Maybe Honda, Nase or Fuku can manage to gain the last two spot. They weren't too sure this year, someone sponsored by Akira Touya, of all people! His suppose student had been reported to be a monster, not even the Ex-Touya Meijin knew what his son was up to, according to his pro students.
Waya has a strong suspicion the monster player could be the girl Touya brought last time. What was her name?...Shino,...no that's not right. Hmm...Shi-n..do, Shindo! Then again, he had been proven wrong, maybe it's one of Touya's lackeys from his study group.

"I wonder who's Akira Touya's student." Isumi said to Waya, breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Who cares. Maybe another arrogant Touya." Waya snorted.

Isumi shook his head, nothing will change Waya's opinion of Touya. Not even if Touya saves his life in exchange of his own, Waya will most likely comment "Better him than me." or "Good Riddance, the arrogant bastard is dead!"

"Waya, don't judge people because of their association to Touya." Isumi lectured his reckless friend. Waya ponder for awhile and beamed Isumi a grin. "Of course, they're not Touya!"

That was not what he meant, he was going to lecture him more, but he gotten interrupted.

"Hey Waya! Isumi!" The two boys stopped and turned around to see Honda waving at them. Did Honda got dragged by a horse? He must have lost his match today.

"Honda, bad day?" Isumi asked. Honda nodded, "You have no idea. My match was against Akira Touya's student. I didn't even have a chance, my stones suddenly died! I was mostly preoccupied fighting over the clusters on the right hand side of the board to pay attention to my lower half." He grimace when he remember he have four losses now. The two strongest players this year attain their spots to become new pros. The pro exam turn into a free-for-all for everyone else, he needs to step up his game.

Isumi eyes narrowed, "more people to watch out for huh?" The amount of potential in the Go world remain stagnant, Touya debut didn't exactly raise new waves in the Go world. His ascension through his pro career, helps state how he is the strongest in his generation. Japan standards lowered when the ex-Meijin retired. The only thing Japan can claim is the Saint of NetGo named Sai, known pros figure he is japanese after small chat with Zelda and Akira online years ago, but since his disappearance, Japan's small Go community has nothing better to boast against China or Korea.

"Honda, I'm sure you tried your best." Isumi gave his friend a reassuring smile.

Honda let out a breath. "No kidding, even Waya couldn't hope to win."

An irate Waya turn away from their conversation. "Just watch, I'm entirely sure his student is weak. A newbie can't hope to achieve beating the great awesome Waya!" He gave a cheeky grin, "I'll show him how a real Go pro plays!" Imagining how after his greatness, Touya's student will bow down to him and says he's the better pro. He wants to see the bastard enrage that he stole his follower.
An unsure chuckle came out of both Honda and Isumi, Waya is in his phase again. "Anyway, was he really that strong?" Isumi inquired.
A bead of sweat roll down Honda's forehead. "It's actually a she, and she's possibly at the same level as Touya." Isumi mused, who have ever thought that strange out-of-place girl can be that good. He has an urge to play her now, he wonder how he will fare against her.

"Wait! It's that girl at the tournament, right?" Waya gawked.

Honda nods answering whatever both Isumi and Waya is thinking. Perplexed, Waya conclude the girl is weird after all. He thought she was a simple girl who doesn't even know Go exist until Touya forced her. Damn, her looks are deceiving.

"I guess things got more interesting." Isumi laughed. Shaken, both Honda and Waya shouted. "Don't jinx anything!" Begrudgingly Waya rather not have another monster like Touya wiping them out. One is all the new and older pros can handle.

.

Someplace else

"H-ha-aAchoo!" a certain blonde sneezed.

Akira worryingly glance at his companion, he doesn't want his rival to be sick, and if she is. He's getting away from her for awhile, no way he's going to catch her disease. Frowning, half concern about her health, and half weary. "Hikaru, are you okay?"
Sniffing a couple of time to make sure she doesn't have a runny nose, she gives him an exasperated smile. "Yup. Someone out there is talking about me."

Not really convince, he shoots her a wry smile. "Maybe we should cancel the shopping trip." He said hopefully. "Maybe you should go home and rest."

Contemplatively going over the pros and cons. One hand she gets rest, the other hand she'll forget to shop later, one side, her mysterious sickness will be cured, the other side, dreadful doctor visit. If she does go shopping with him, she gets to shop for new sports gear, also there's that new shooter game in the arcade. She needs a kimono for her shodan match, something more blinding than she already is. Then she remember Akira's fashion taste... No! She's not going to have him dress like that. Hikaru needs to fix his wardrobe soon, her feminine slave needs a girlfriend. Huh...I never played matchmaker. Can't be THAT hard to match him with someone. Oh! Maybe Akari can be his girlfriend, but doesn't she have a thing for Mitani-jerk. Nah, she said he's with Kaneko didn't she...I have to get them together. She clapped her fist to her hand, it's about time to get Akira to loosen up.

Almost certain about her health. Hey Sai, am I sick? The miko in England's Asian community said you can tell since I'm one of your reincarnations? Closing his eyes, concentrating on Hikaru's life-force, Sai felt the tiny thread connecting their souls together, originally it wasn't there because his soul was bounded to their goban. Fourteen-year-old Hikaru panicked when Sai starts turning more translucent and Shusaku's blood was fading one afternoon. It was by chance the miko introduce them to a practitioner of magic, Hikaru would had called bullshit, but if a ghost can exist, why not a magic person? He shown her how to recharge Sai's ability to manifest and stay connected to her as the new bounded thing Sai needs. The 'magician' said Sai's previous temporary host must had made a wish for her ghostly companion to find someone else to complete the ghost life-long wish, hence the invisible blood she sees on the board. She had been asked questions if she could be able to see other souls, nope she was unable to see others. The miko said it was selective that she would start seeing a ghost of her past life who didn't want to fully move on, and Sai should be lucky he met two of his reincarnations. Hikaru was skeptical of why she didn't have his or Torajiro's memories, the kind lady answer that she and Torajiro only share at least one fragment to Sai's soul. All three of them are different people despite sharing similar souls. The miko explain maybe Sai's past-self didn't had any regrets to remain in the world, and obviously he doesn't have any memories of their life. They're souls just recycle and gain different experience, also Sai who's currently with her is a piece from his original soul that did move on. Hikaru is only housing Sai's will to play more go in order to reach the divine move.

Finding nothing disturbing in Hikaru to indicate any sort of illness, "You're healthy as a horse." Huh? She ponder if there's anyone who could be talking about her...nope not anyone she knows.

Akira is blinded by her wide grin, "Akira, we're shopping!" She exclaimed. Latching her arms around his other arm, she properly teaches him to drag someone correctly. "First thing on the agenda, we have to find a complementary kimono and hakama for you. We're matching for the ceremony, so NO ugly purple pink suits!"

"But Hikaru, I'm comfortable with my suits." He tries diverting her desire to dress him up.
Hikaru stops and stare at him like he's a nut-job, squirming from her daze look. "What are you thinking now?"

"Oh nothing, just envisioning you being green and purple. Where you turn into a skinny smaller version of the Incredible Hulk, and yell out "Akira Smash!" like a mindless idiot." Hikaru deadpanned.

The Go pro blinked not following what she meant, he should learn to never ask next time, must be one of her weird sarcasm again. Catching on that her companion didn't grew up with any knowledge about superheroes , she mentally face-palmed. "How about this. If you don't let me decide your outfit and wear it at the ceremony." She smiled sweetly. "I won't play with you indefinitely."
Threaten, the long hair boy study his female counterpart. He grimaced, she was dead serious about this. He nodded just like a well behave little puppy, questioning his rival, "why?"

Hikaru rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "It may be stupid, but I want our first photo together to be somewhat special. So I pick the pro ceremony... haha...er it's because you're my first male friend in Japan." She weakly finished.

A genuine smile sketch itself on Akira's face, his teal eyes seem brighter. "I may understand. You're also my first friend." He coughed. "Well not exactly a boy, but-" lost for words, he continues searching on how to finish his train of thoughts. "-if this will make you happy, I guess I'll do whatever you want."

She gladly jumped hug the feminine boy. Akira already prepared for most of her weight, shifted her to his left side. "Great! Lets go shopping then!" The whole day, Akira didn't mind as Hikaru continue babbling about non-Go related topics he gets confuse over. It was one of her most liveliest-self he seen her since her days taking the pro exams.

A/N: I should end it here, but since I was gone long...I guess I can make this longer.

"A team tournament between Japan, China, and Korea?" Isumi questioned.

Waya nodded, "I know about it." Staring off to space seriously, "Looks like the prelim to decide team members will be in April."

"I want to be in it!" Isumi said excitedly. Waya was quick to shot him down. "Didn't you hear Nase explain the age group is eighteen and under? You'll be nineteen."

Isumi sulked in a corner, "ah man, only juniors huh..."

Nase sweat-dropped along with Fuku. "Among this year new pros. Kadowaki is too old, and Honda is eighteen. Which leads to Shindo who just turn sixteen few weeks ago."

"Yea, don't you think they rush the exams early this year?" Waya asked. Fuku gives his opinion, "Not really. The administrators are probably busy. They push the first two prelims in the leagues ahead of schedule and will pick up the rest in December. The tournament is only a rumor."

Isumi shook his head, "If it was a rumor, they wouldn't made gaps giving players more breaks from the leagues. They probably rush the pro exam earlier this year to have more underage players to participate."

Question marks appear on top of Waya's head. "Now that I think about it. I heard the Korean players are strong." Isumi agreed, "China is the same too. Japan only has Touya Akira." The room became tense after that statement, it was true no one is on par in skills with Touya yet. Japan didn't have a shot in winning anytime soon. Waya slammed his hands on the table out of frustration startling Nase and Fuku. "Morishita-sensei says I still have room to grow, I'll catch up to Touya. I won't let Touya be the only dependable player Japan has!"

Waya expression turn serious, "I will be one of the team representatives!" More importantly, he won't let Ochi beat him. That mushroom head is already too cocky for his own good, one more boasting from Ochi and he will start shaving the kid bald. Funny, but Ochi sometimes reminds him of Krillin from DBZ comics or that insect dueler from a card game show.

"Remember that Chinese kid, Le Ping, that looks just like you?" Isumi choked in a laugh, he failed and ended up blown up in laughter. "If both of you get chosen as team members and play each other. That will be so hilarious!"

Nase put in her cents into the conversation, "first I think you need to learn how to beat Fuku."

Waya glance at the game he's currently playing, aghast, how come he can never best Fuku? The young boy stared at Waya and laughed hard, "haha the Amazing Fuku strikes again!"

"ALL OF YOU ARE MOCKING ME!" yelled out Waya.

Silently Nase took the Go weekly magazine Isumi was holding and bobbed it on Waya's head, in a scolding tone. "Waya keep your voice down. This isn't a place to be loud like a whiny little kid."

Fuku was still amuse, he still can beat Waya even if the other boy is already a pro. Something bright yellow caught in his peripheral vision. Fuku observe the girl who came with Touya last time, and was his opponent on the tenth day of the pro exam. Fuku doesn't know about the foreign brunette girl dressed like she's into rock music. An odd pair indeed, "Hey it's Shindo and some girl." Fuku said out loud to the group.

Nase couldn't help but bounce in place, Shindo became her Go idol when after their game. The blonde was so kind to review and discuss the game, and after waiting with Shindo for Touya to finish his game. The two girls bonded over milkshakes and the latest j-pop music that were released.
Nase sped off, shoving Waya into Isumi. Fuku followed like a baby duckling after his mother.

"Hi Shindo! What are you up to, and hi there." Nase greeted the two females, Fuku wave excitedly behind his fellow insei.

Hikaru grin, recognizing the two insei from the pro exam. "Hello, long time no see huh?"

The brunette to her right wave not caring, "Hey there. I'm not into Go so please do not ask me for a game."

"Okay, I can handle that. I'm Asumi Nase," she pulled Fuku in front of her. "This is Yuta Fukui." The cheerful boy kept waving happily. Nase is use to it, the other two female found him peculiar. Hikaru guess he ate candy just like he did in the pro exam, it was an interesting speed Go match. After their match, she demanded a game from Akira playing moves in three second interval. The whole game turn into a gigantic mess, but she still won.

Megan scrutinize the duo in front of her, the girl doesn't seem...boring. The younger kid in front of her might cause a headache, but maybe a fellow prankster. "Nice to meet you two, I'm...how does it goes in japan...Benavides Megan. Sorry my japanese is not that proficient yet."

Both insei nodded, her words are a bit choppy. Nase chuckled good-naturedly, "are you waiting for Touya? Shindo I heard you'll be the first one playing in your Beginner-dan match. Which pro was it again?"

Hikaru put a hand underneath her chin, trying to remember who it was again. Where was Sai when she needs him, she blew a strand away from between he eyes. "Er...I believe it's Kuwabara Honinbo, and no." Hikaru busy herself fixing her long ponytail. "I don't know anybody by the name of Touya, it can't be the old man because I heard he retired?" Megan snickered to herself. Leave it to Hikaru still oblivious about Akira's family name, shoot Akari will win the bet if Hikaru learns this month. Megan winced imagining the purple head dressing her in cutesy clothing. "Are they your friends?" The blonde pointed.

Isumi politely introduce himself to them, while Waya is far away staying silent, studying the ornate blonde before him. He really cannot see her willing to play Go in her life.

"Eh?" a confused Fuku stared at the blonde. He decided to rephrase Nase question, "are you waiting for Akira then."

Fuku watch as the new pro face gave birth to a sinister smirk. "Why yes! I have to get him ready for a date with my friend soon."

Noise died out from the hallway for all those who heard their conversation. Isumi almost topple over Fuku, Nase was trying, key word 'trying', to fantasize Touya in a dating scenario. Waya is muttering how Touya is a lucky bastard, both of these girls are actually consider gorgeous for their age.

Fuku laughed turning his head towards the brunette, "congratulation on getting a date with Akira!"

What the H is he talking about? Megan thought, and glance at a shaking Hikaru. She swear the blonde will break her back if she keeps on hunching over. "Sorry I'm not the one going on a surprise date with him." She corrected the short boy.

"Sorry Fuku, but he's going on a blind date with my other friend." Hikaru finally gotten herself in control. Glancing at her friend, "You see her. She'll murder him if he talks about Go, she's not very into the game hehe..." No kidding Megan wants someone who isn't going to lead her to strangle them by the neck. It is already a hard demand.

"Huh," he blinked before smiling innocently. "Well good luck with that." Fuku predicted Touya won't last long on his date, but he won't tell the blonde shodan that.

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