This one stemmed from a comment made by Lacygrey: "I'd love to see how you depict Akiko's reaction to Hikaru turning up to visit Kouyou in hospital!" I was writing one about that, then I got to thinking about all the other times she would have met him and this one was born! enjoy ! And others to be coming shortly.

*The mystery of the introduction of Shindo Hikaru extended beyond just the few that happened to be watching his fateful game against Akira.*

Akiko walked slowly up the sidewalk to the Go Salon she and Koyo owned lost in thought.

"Excuse me!" a boy suddenly shouted, she didn't react quick enough to get out of his way and they collided on the street corner.

"I'm sorry," she immediately apologized, quickly regaining her bearings to help the boy off the ground. He looked to be the same age as Akira and his bangs were bleached blond, "are you okay?"

"Yeah," his voice was low, embarrassed, and his cheeks were turning a light color of pink.

She smiled, despite his slightly unorthodox appearance he was a nice boy, she noticed he seemed to be in a bit of distress.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look a little anxious, is there anything I can help with? My husband owns the Go Salon over there; we can stop in and get you a drink or a snack?" She noticed him instantly tense when she mentioned the Salon.

"No!" he nearly yelled and took off again running down the street.

Akiko watched him go with a worried look; she could have sworn she heard a voice say, 'Hikaru! She was so nice to you! Go back and apologize…' before it faded away with the young boy as he turned the corner.

She was still thinking about the strange encounter when she opened the door to the Salon.

"Akiko-san!" the receptionist greeted, "I wasn't expecting you today! I was just about to take Akira-kun home."

"I had some free time," Akiko replied lightly, "is he in his usual spot?"

Isikawa nodded with a smile, "always before a big match."

Akiko smiled back and went to go grab her husband from his private practice room in the back. Before she got there, however, she noticed a crowd gathered around a board in the back all talking in hushed voices.

"Akira!" she gasped, the crowd parted instantly for her once they realized who she was, "what happened?"

"Mother… I…" he looked like he was in shock.

"Toya-san!" one of the regular customers spoke up, "It was incredible, this boy, same age as Akira-sensei here, just beat Akira-sensei! He said he had never played before!"

Akiko blinked, "really Akira?"

Her son could only nod.

"Akira this is good!" Akiko smiled at her son's affronted face, "If someone your age is able to play at your level then you may have just found a friend."

Akira blinked up a her, looking as if to question her sanity, "friend?"

Akiko sighed, "or a rival," she conceded, "Go is not a solitary game you know, it takes two people to play, and if there is no one on your level to challenge you to grow you cannot improve nearly as quickly," She saw determination spark in Akira's eyes, "There's my Akira back again," she smiled, "Now let's go get your father, it's time for dinner."

As she walked away with her hand on Akira's shoulder she heard one of the men say quietly, "she's one amazing woman, I would never have the guts to interrupt the Meijin during any sort of serious practice, especially before a big game."

"Yeah!" another replied, "plus did you see the way she handled Akira-sensei? He was in shock and then she walked in and he perked right back up again."

Akiko was much to controlled a woman to let a grin toy with her features in such a public setting, but it didn't stop her from grinning on the inside in the studious silence of the back halls as she opened the door to Koyo's private area. If she didn't take care of her boys who would?

Akiko's there to pick up the pieces. :) Review with comments, suggestions, constructive criticism, I don't really care what, it makes my day anyway! Until next time!