Title: Unfolding Fan
Series: Hikaru no Go
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of Hotta and Obata
Notes: General fic. The first line of this fic (slightly modified), as well as its inspiration, is from Muri. Love and my heartfelt thanks!
Warning: Some angst.
Summary: More than twenty years later, Touya mopes about his life. Shindou is there.

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Touya never would admit it aloud, but if there was a cure to the mid-life crisis, it could be found in Shindou Hikaru. Even at the age of thirty-seven, the other pro always seemed to be two steps ahead--and sideways--of everyone else in the Go world. Two years ago, fresh from numerous victories around the world, Shindou had confounded the expectations of Go watchers and fans worldwide by moving back to Japan, and proceeding to challenge the top players for their titles.

In a way, it was as though he had never left. Touya had heard more than enough stories about how Shindou's reputation was scaring off the younger, less confident players, a strange echo of what it had been like when Shindou started challenging the title-holders at the age of eighteen. Worse; unlike twenty years ago, Shindou was now more than capable of backing up his brash claims.

Such as the one he had just heard Shindou make. "I'm going to defeat you by fifty moku. Prepare to surrender!"

"Sensei!" A younger voice moaned. "Have mercy!"

"No way. Who was the one who boasted that he could defeat me if we played blind Go?"

"I... I... Touya-sensei, you're here!"

Shindou, who had looked up at his student's greeting, turned in his direction before reaching up to pull off the blindfold placed over his eyes. "Touya, you're here," he said.

For a disconcerting moment, Shindou looked exactly the way he had when Touya had met him, at the age of twelve. It had to do with the open, juvenile delight in his eyes, Touya decided. "My appointment ended earlier, so I came by to see if you wanted to play a game," he said, sitting down opposite his rival.

Shindou grinned. "With you, always." He aimed at a look at his student, who was attempting to inch away. "Kuroda-kun."

Kuroda straightened miserably. He was sixteen and looked it: all gangly limbs, with a worried-looking face that still retained slight traces of puppy fat. "Yes, sensei?" he replied.

"We'll play next time. An even game."

Kuroda looked pathetically relieved to be let off the hook. "Yes, sensei," he said. "I... I'll make you and Touya-sensei tea!" he said, rushing to the back of the Go salon.

"And remember to wash the stones!" Shindou called after the teenager, who turned to bow hurriedly in acquiescence, before he grinned at Touya. "I love doing that," he said with a cackle.

Part of Touya wondered why Shindou's students remained with him if they were so easily intimidated by him. "Kuroda-san is already playing in the second preliminaries of the Meijin tournament. He's a good player. You shouldn't scare him like that."

Shindou looked innocent. "I'm toughening him up!" he said. "You know as well as I do how weird the top players can be."

Including you, Touya thought.

"Besides," Shindou turned a laughing glance in the direction of the kitchenette. "I wonder how long it'll take him to realize that he doesn't really have to jump to my every command. When that day comes, he'll be someone to reckon with." His gaze was serious now.

Touya nodded in agreement; at that moment, Kuroda came out of the kitchenette, a tray in his arms.

"Touya-sensei, your tea," he said, putting down a white porcelain cup. "Sensei," he added, serving Shindou with a similar-looking cup, who nodded as regally as a king. Touya found himself overtaken by the urge to snort.

With the tea served, Touya expected Kuroda to leave them to their game, but Kuroda paused by his side. He looked at Kuroda inquiringly.

"Touya-sensei," Kuroda was turning a bit red. "I just wanted to say that I heard that your father was in hospital, and I wanted to give him my regards..."

"Go and visit him if you want to show your concern!" Shindou snapped, and Kuroda jumped.

"Right away, sensei!" he shouted, then flushed a deeper red, turning to Touya. "I mean, Touya-sensei, if he's allowed visitors...?"

Sensing that Shindou was on the verge of jumping up and cracking open his student's skull with his fan, Touya said, "I think it's better if you wait until he's better, Kuroda-san. I'll send along your regards. Thank you for your concern."

"Of course, thank you," Kuroda bowed a few times in succession, glanced at Shindou--and the fan in his fist--and removed himself with alacrity.

Touya found Shindou studying at him with an exasperation that was familiar and at the same time, strangely touching. "You shouldn't shout at your student like that, Shindou," he chided.

Shindou shook his head. "You're just as diplomatic as ever," he said.

Touya wondered if Shindou putting a sarcastic slant on his advice, or referring to his words to Kuroda.

"Really, you should have told Kuroda to fuck off," Shindou went on. The latter, then. But Shindou was talking again. "You have more than enough to handle at the hospital without having to manage my student's little crush on you."

"Shindou!" Touya was not sure what he was protesting to.

"If it weren't for the fact that you come over so often, I think Kuroda would totally ditch me to join your discussion group."

"Shindou." But he said in the most level voice he could manage.

"Sorry," Shindou said after a second. "It's just that..." he struggled for words. "I can see what a strain you're under, Touya, and I think the less you're bothered by young fools like Kuroda, the better."

They were silent for a few seconds. Touya reached for his tea, wanting to occupy his hands, to stop them from shaking. "His heart is much too weak," he said. "Even a heart transplant wouldn't help now--his body has been under a huge strain for a long time. Mother is as strong as she can be, but even she knows... he can't go on." His fingers trembled over the edge of the teacup-and Shindou's hands were there, covering his. He met Shindou's open gaze. "I'm frightened," he admitted.

"I'm here," Shindou whispered.

------to be continued-------