---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 19:45:14 -0400
From: jrhaye@earthlink.net
To: fanfic@fanfic.com
Subject: [FanFic] [Ranma 1/2]
Author's Note: I am not subscribed to the mailing list, but I
would appreciate any comments you may have. So please feel free
to e-mail me at jrhaye@earthlink.net with my name on the
Subject line. Thanks! ^_^
- - - - - - - - -
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Rumiko Takahashi,
Shogakukan, Viz, etc. and are used here without permission or
intention of profit. For reader enjoyment purposes only.
Note: A hanami is simply the viewing of cherry trees in bloom.
People gather and have picnics under the trees, and there is
usually singing and drinking.
__________________________________________________________________
Hanami
A Ranma 1/2 FanFic
By Stephanie A. Gonzales
_________________________
Under cherry trees
there are
no strangers.
-Issa
_________________________
Akane was in her room trying to decide what to wear.
She went into her closet, pulled out several outfits and tossed
them on her bed, some more formal than the rest. Akane sighed.
An evening gown to the park? What are you thinking? She hung
the dress back up. Normally, trips to the park were a casual affair
- just wear whatever you were comfortable in. Today was
different, however. For her family, this was a special occasion,
one they celebrated every year around this time. And this evening
would be the first time they share it with the entire Saotome
family; not just Ranma and Genma, but Nodoka as well. Akane
sat down in front of her closet and peered in. A flash of colored
fabric caught her eye and she rose to touch it. Her kimono. The
last thing her mother had made for her before she died. It had
been unfinished until only recently, when Kasumi had found and
finished it for her...
Akane pulled it out and lay it on the bed beside her other
outfits. It was ivory-colored, with small dark blue and pale yellow
flowers at the bottom. With its deep blue sash, it made an
interesting contrast with her more modern clothes. She stood
there trying to decide which to wear when she heard a knock at
the door.
"Akane, we'll be leaving in about fifteen minutes," came
Kasumi's voice from behind the door. "Are you ready?"
"Hai, almost, oneechan."
Akane turned back to the bed and picked up a sundress.
"I'm not looking forward to this," she said quietly to
herself.
Ranma, dressed in one of his newer chinese-styled shirts,
was downstairs watching TV and waiting to leave. For him, the
best thing about a hanami was the food. And with Kasumi _and_
his mom doing the cooking, there was sure to be a feast. Not that
he had anything against looking at and enjoying the cherry
blossoms, it's just that there was really no meaning attached for
him. In all the years on the road with his father, they never just
gathered with other people expressly to view the trees and their
blossoms. Of course, Ranma knew it was more of a social thing,
but that's just it. Until they came to Nerima, he had never settled
in one place long enough to do these kinds of traditional, social
things. His first real hanami had been last year with the Tendo's,
but it hadn't ended too nicely. He and Akane had ended up
arguing, after he had said something.... What had he said,
anyway? Well, maybe this year will be different, he thought.
Ofukuro's(*) here. That ought to be cool.
Ranma thought about his mother. They were still getting
to know each other after such a long separation. He wondered
briefly what his life would be like if he had grown up with her
near. I certainly wouldn't have this curse, he thought. He looked
down at his clenched fists. It would be so easy to blame his father
for all the bad things that have happened in his life. But at least,
because of him, I met Akane... Ranma blushed as he realized
what he was thinking, then his stomach growled. I'm hungry,
that's it. Making me delirious, he lied to himself.
His mother and Kasumi entered the room carrying several
bags of food. Ranma turned off the TV and walked over to them,
taking hold of the bags.
Nodoka smiled up at her son. "Where's your father,
Ranma?"
"I think he and ojisan went to get some sake. They said
they would meet us at the park."
"Oh, so you'll be escorting us there by yourself, Ranma-
kun," Kasumi said cheerfully.
"I think my son is used to having beautiful women
surrounding him," said Nodoka, laughing as Ranma blushed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Visions of Shampoo,
Ukyou and (he shivered) Kodachi chasing him while Akane
looked on angrily, danced in his head. It's not like he enjoyed all
those girls hanging around him. They just wouldn't go away.
Nodoka continued. "I just meant that you've been living
here for about a year now. Aren't you used to escorting the
Tendo girls?"
"Oh, well, yeah, I guess so." Ranma let out a breath. "So
when are we going? Aren't they ready yet?"
He was answered by a voice coming down the stairs.
"Ranma just wants to go now so he can eat," called Nabiki.
"Obasama, I hope you made enough food. Ranma and Ojisama
have a habit of eating everything in sight."
Ranma was busy trying to form a suitable retort when he
noticed Akane descending the stairs. She seemed a bit quiet,
which didn't fit with the occasion. Ranma frowned and wondered
what was wrong. Then his stomach growled again, reminding him
that it was empty.
Nodoka laughed. "I think that's our cue. Let's go girls.
Come on, Ranma."
(*ofukuro=mom)
The final rays of the sun were casting a golden glow over
the area when they reached the park. They noticed that many
other people were already there. Ranma looked around and
spotted his father and Soun sitting under one of the larger cherry
trees.
"Looks like they started without us," Nabiki commented
dryly, noting the open sake bottle.
"My, I hope they ate something beforehand," Kasumi said,
hand to her mouth.
Nodoka looked at the two men and smirked. "It would
serve them right if they're too sick to eat."
"That's okay. It just means more for me." Ranma glanced
over at Akane and waited for her to roll her eyes. Akane just
gave him a small smile and looked away. What is _with_ her? he
thought to himself.
The light of the moon, added to the many lamps, served
to illuminate the park and the many revelers who were there to
enjoy the cherry blossoms in the warm early evening. Among
them, Akane recognized some of her classmates. She smiled and
waved whenever she made eye contact with one of them, but
inwardly, she felt little joy. She used to love this time of year
when she was younger, but now...well, now things were different.
Akane looked up at Ranma, who was finishing his dinner and
talking to his mother. He looked so happy, being with Nodoka.
Somewhere, in the back of her mind, an old memory came
struggling up to the surface. A memory of sitting in her mother's
lap. Of a song that her mother sang to her. Of a happiness that
was taken away...
Akane set her teacup down and looked up at the cherry
blossoms. She was about to lose herself in half-forgotten
memories when Kasumi's voice broke through her thoughts.
"That's right, Ranma-kun, this was our mother's favorite
time of the year. That's why the hanami is so special for us. We
do this to honor her." Kasumi looked at Nabiki and smiled.
Ranma blinked as he noticed Nabiki's smile. It wasn't the
normal smirk that he was used to seeing from her. It was a real,
honest smile, reflecting the kind of emotion that Ranma had felt
when he'd been reunited with his mother. He then looked at
Akane. She was smiling too, but somehow, it looked forced.
That wasn't the Akane he knew. Something was wrong. He
wanted to know what it was, but didn't know how to ask. As he
watched her, Akane looked away and went back to finishing her
tea.
"Akane," Kasumi called, "I just realized that you finally
decided to wear the kimono that Okaasan made for you."
Ranma turned back to Akane and noticed what she was
wearing. It looked familiar. He tried to recall where he'd seen her
kimono before...
He was helping Kasumi clean out one of the closets when
he came across a wrapped bundle of cloth. "Kasumi-san, what's
this?" He handed it to her.
She opened the package and unfolded an unfinished
kimono.
"Oh my. I remember this. It was the kimono that
Okaasan was making for Akane." Kasumi paused and Ranma
thought he saw a tear forming in her eye. When she spoke again,
though, her eyes were dry. "Okaasan passed away before she
could finish it."
"I thought Akane was still little when your mother died."
Kasumi clutched the material. "She was. This was for
when she got older. Akane was so excited about it, always
jumping around and wanting to wear it, even though it was too
big. But I guess she must have forgotten about it by now."
Kasumi held up the kimono. "Maybe I can finish it for her..."
Soun's voice snapped Ranma back to the present. "Akane,
if only your mother could-" He stopped suddenly and covered his
eyes with his arm, as the Tendo Falls kept him from continuing.
Normally, he could finish a sentence before the water works came
on. Must've been drinking more than we thought, mused Ranma.
Nodoka finished Soun's sentence. "If she could only see
how beautiful you look in that kimono, Akane-chan. Don't you
agree, Ranma?"
"What are you asking me for?" Ranma looked at Akane
again. Yeah, he thought. She is pretty cute...
Akane was on the verge of pounding Ranma again when
she realized that she had indeed picked the kimono to wear. She
didn't even recall choosing it. And now everyone was
complimenting her on it. This wasn't helping. All that talk about
their mother, all the memories that were resurfacing. She couldn't
take it. Akane abruptly rose. "I think I'll go for a walk."
Everyone looked up at her with questioning eyes, but she merely
turned around and left.
Nabiki turned to Ranma. "You'd better go apologize,
Ranma-kun."
"What did I do this time?"
"I don't know, but whenever she gets like this, it's usually
your fault," she said simply.
Ranma shook his head and stood up to follow Akane. I'm
never going to understand that girl, he thought to himself as he
left the families behind.
Akane walked along a small path that was bathed in
moonlight. It was a warm night, but the occasional cool breeze
kept it from being uncomfortable. There were very few lamps
around this area, but she didn't mind. It helped her be alone with
her thoughts. Soon, she reached a single young cherry tree away
from all the people. She looked up at the blossoms and could
barely make out their pink tinge. Several petals floated down and
softly rested in her hair. Akane walked up to the tree, leaned
against the thin trunk and closed her eyes. A tune formed in her
throat and she hummed softly to herself. It was a tune she hadn't
heard or thought of in a while; a song that evoked memories of
childhood. Of the little cuts and scrapes you got from running
around that suddenly disappeared when your mother came by. Of
playing outside with your sisters until it was late, then being called
inside for a dinner that was already on the table. Of watching
your mother make what was going to be the most beautiful
kimono in the world.... Unbidden, a teardrop escaped her eye and
ran down her cheek. Stop it, she told herself. Strong girls don't
cry. After awhile, she didn't try to stop the ones that soon
followed.
Ranma found her like this; alone and crying to herself. He
watched her silently. Something was making her cry, but what?
He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to help her. And until he
knew what was wrong, he didn't know what he could do. He
walked over to Akane, far enough not to interrupt, but close
enough to be there for her.
Akane felt, rather than heard, Ranma's presence behind
her. She smiled inwardly and sniffled, wiping her fingers across
her cheeks to clear away her tears. It never failed. Whenever
something was wrong, Ranma was always there for her. Could
she share this with him, though? Was she ready to tell him this?
Nobody, not even her own family knew how she felt. Could she
tell Ranma? She turned around and faced her fiance. He looked
like a prince, standing there a few feet away from her. The dark,
midnight blue silk of his shirt made him almost blend in with the
night. He wore a look of confusion, but Akane could also see
concern in his eyes.
Ranma took a step forward, then stopped. "Akane, are
you okay?"
She nodded and gave him a small smile. "I guess
everyone's wondering what's wrong with me, huh?"
"Well, I've been wondering that for about a year now," he
said, matter-of-factly. Then he realized what he said and closed
his eyes, waiting for the slap, or the punch or the kick into the
atmosphere that he usually got. Nothing came. He opened one
eye and looked at Akane. Funny, he thought. She doesn't look
angry...
"Ranma..."
Genuine concern gripped Ranma and he approached his
fiancee. He put his hands on her shoulders. "Akane, what's
wrong?"
She looked up into his grey-blue eyes, searching for
something. Finding it, she took a deep breath and walked away
from Ranma, then turned back towards him and looked up at the
cherry blossoms. After a while, she spoke.
"Ranma, remember how Kasumi-oneechan mentioned that
this was my mother's favorite time of the year?"
Ranma nodded silently.
"Well, we would always come to look at the cherry
blossoms. She would make a very simple picnic meal and after we
ate, we'd just sit under the trees and she would sing to us. She
had such a beautiful voice." Akane paused a moment in silent
reflection. "That was my favorite part of the hanami. Even
though she sang at home all the time, there was just something
about the cherry blossoms and her singing...I don't know. It was
diffferent somehow."
Ranma watched Akane as sakura gently floated around
them.
Akane continued. "Well, after she passed away, we
continued the tradition, but it just wasn't the same. I mean,
Kasumi-oneechan would make the same things that Okaasan
made, but there was something missing. I only realized tonight
that it was her singing."
"But you didn't seem that sad last year," Ranma ventured.
"That's because I was too busy being mad at you," she
said, smiling.
They both laughed quietly.
"Now that I think about the past couple of years, I
suppose I didn't miss Okaasan as much as I do this year. I think it
has something to do with your mother. Having her here just
reminds me that I don't have my own mother."
Ranma was speechless. He had never thought that his
mother's presence could upset Akane. "I...I'm sorry, Akane. I
didn't..."
Akane quickly shook her head. "No, that's not it. I really
like her. She reminds me of Okaasan." She smiled. "Actually,
Ranma, if you think about it, we both lost our mothers at a young
age. Only you were lucky enough to have 'found' yours again."
Ranma considered this. Suddenly, he found himself
standing in front of her.
He was close enough for Akane to see the dragons
embroidered into his shirt. They reminded her of his hiryuu
shoten ha technique, but you really had to be close to see them.
"You know, she likes you too, Akane. She told me not
too long ago."
Akane brought her eyes up from his shirt and smiled up at
him. "Really? I'm glad."
Now that's the smile I wanted to see, he thought to
himself. He felt his heart do a backflip.
They stood there together, looking at each other as
blossoms floated down around them. No words were exchanged.
Unspoken feelings and emotions rode along with the petals on the
breeze, which enveloped the two in its cool embrace. Soon,
voices filtered over to the young couple and snapped them out of
their reverie.
Ranma spoke. "Maybe we should get back to everyone."
"Hai," replied Akane quietly.
They both returned to the path and started walking back.
"Akane," Ranma said hesitatingly, "maybe it's time to start
making some new memories. Happy ones to replace the sad, you
know?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right." She thought of her mother
again, and this time the memory didn't hurt. "She was beautiful,
you know. Okaasan..."
"Well from the pictures I've seen, I can see where you...uh,
I mean...I can see the resemblance." Ranma blushed.
They walked on in silence. Suddenly, Ranma took her
hand. Akane's heart fluttered and her cheeks flushed. She
couldn't bring herself to look up at Ranma, instead looking down
to their intertwined fingers. His words echoed in her mind.
'Happy memories to replace the sad.' Akane smiled. This one's
the first, Ranma, she thought happily to herself.
That night, Ranma lay down on his futon and replayed the
events of earlier in the evening. He had thought that a hanami
could have no real meaning for him. Then he recalled the
happiness he felt, being together with _both_ his parents, like a
real family. He recalled Akane, Nabiki and Kasumi singing their
mother's favorite song after he had brought Akane back. I never
knew she had such a beautiful voice, he mused. He recalled
holding her hand. And he recalled Akane smiling up at him.
It's got meaning for me now, he thought. Ranma smiled
and drifted off to sleep.
Finis.
July 15, 1996
End notes: Thank you to Michelle "Mi-chan" Mista and Joseph
Palmer who took the time to read and comment on my story. ^_^
Also thanks to my bro and sis.
(c)1996 Stephanie A. Gonzales
jrhaye@earthlink.net