"Stephanie A. Gonzales" 

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.  Despite having
met her before as "Ranko", 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 thought, lying to himself.
     His mother and Kasumi entered the room carrying
bags filled with bentos.  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.
     Kasumi pressed her hand to her cheek.  "My, I hope
they ate something beforehand."
     Nodoka looked at the two men and smirked.  All
those two ever do is drink and play shogi, she mused, a little
irritated.  But it was nice to be with her husband again. 
Nodoka let a secret smile creep to her lips.  "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 turned and 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 away 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 slowly 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 into the branches of the tree.  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.  "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 Obasama."  Akane paused,
unsure if she should continue.  She saw Ranma watching her
earnestly, with a compassion in his eyes that she rarely saw
in him.  She lowered her gaze and spoke.  "I see you and
your mother together and I'm reminded that Okaasan is
gone."
     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'm really happy for you, Ranma.  I know how important it
was for you to be with her again."  
     The truth was, she was beginning to consider
Nodoka her surrogate mother.  And Nodoka certainly
treated Akane like a daughter.  She looked over to her
fiance again.  "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 looked up from his shirt and smiled at him. 
"Really?  I'm glad."  
     Now that's the smile I wanted to see, he thought to
himself.  He gazed into her eyes and noticed that the final
traces of her sadness had vanished.  In its place was the
reflected light of the moon...and something else...  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 brought a peaceful
joy to her heart.  "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, wordlessly,
Ranma took her hand.  Akane's heart fluttered and her
cheeks flushed.  She couldn't bring herself to look up at
Ranma, and instead, looked 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 Akane's
hand.  And he recalled her 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:  The initial idea for this story had been lurking in
the recesses of my brain for some time before I actually got
around to writing it.  Inspiration can come from the most
unexpected places...

Thank you to my partner up north, Michelle Mista (salamat
po, Mi-chan!) and Joseph Palmer who took the time to read
and comment on my story.  ^_^  Also thanks to Ross,
Sebastian, Don and Ben from the ML for their comments
and to my bro and sis.

"Hanami" story concept (c)1996  Stephanie A. Gonzales

All Ranma 1/2 characters (c) Rumiko Takahashi,
Shogakukan, Kitty Film,etc.

Please feel free to send any comments to  jrhaye@earthlink.net 
with the story name in the subject line.  Thanks!  ^_^

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