Lace Veils and Trench Coats [Hanajima/Uotani, Fruits Basket]

[bloody-petals.livejournal.com]

Title: Lace Veils And Trench Coats
Author: bloody_petals
Pairing: Hana/Uo
Fandom: Fruits Basket
Spoilers: No huge ones, but references to the manga published thus far in America.
Notes: Shojo-ai pairing



Lace Veils and Trench Coats




Part One

The Black Flower and The Loud Fish







Hanajima Saki

Nicknames: Hana-chan, Wave Girl

Age: Sixteen

Special Attributes: "Denpa Waves" or Psychic waves that allow her to feel the emotions of others and cause hallucinations. They are also a defense mechanism she uses to protect herself and her friends.

After harming a boy when she was younger, Hanajima declared she would never take her powers lightly. She secluded herself for a long time, for fear of losing control over her deadly abilities. This lasted until she met Uotani Arisa and Honda Tohru. The two girls broke through Hanajima's barriers, and the three of them became a trio of best friends. Even still, Hanajima tends to wear all black, as her proof that she is a "sinner".

Weapon of Choice: Denpa Waves

"Aura" Colour: Black











Uotani Arisa

Age: Sixteen

Nicknames: Uo-chan, Uotani, Yankee

Special Attributes: A longer skirt for symbolizing her independence, an "I'll-kick-your-ass" attitude.

A former gang member, Arisa is often called a "Yankee" due to her behavior. She mellowed out a bit (meaning she left her gang) after meeting Honda Tohru and Tohru's mother, Kyoko, who was a gang leader back in the day. Steadfast, loyal, and the kind of girl who knows how to have fun, Arisa (called Uo) is the second member of the group of friends. (This group is Hanajima, Uo, and Tohru) Uo is often seen wearing a trench coat, usually with the Japanese kanji for "Red Butterfly" emblazoned on one sleeve. For those who don't know, the "Red Butterfly" is Honda Kyoko, Tohru's mother. The title is her gang title from when she was a part of a suicide squad.

Weapon of Choice: Either a lead pipe or her sarcasm.

"Aura" Colour: Red



Part Two

Entwined in the Garden of Roses



I became a Furuba fan almost instantly. One of my good friends enlightened me by handing me one of the mangas, and I've never stopped buying them (and actually, I recall trying to steal that manga from her). And believe me, that's not the greatest thing for my bank account. Of course, I had to see the anime. I borrowed it from yet another friend, and returned it (reluctantly) seven months later.



For me, the hook wasn't necessarily in the story. It was in the characters. The characters were just so unique, so rounded, that I immediately fell in love. The Fruits Basket gang is just one of a kind.



Hana and Uo attracted my attention very quickly. I'm a big fan of sarcasm, and of anything to do with the paranormal. So, it's natural that I was very aware of Hana and Uo. They quickly became some of my favorite characters in the manga. (Because I fear for my life, I will not disclose my favorite character.) When I began to look at the two as good character models (I'm an author in my spare time…I guess), I began to see how well planned all the characters were. So the love just deepened.



I first became a fan of Uo/Hana very early on. I've always been a femmeslash girl, and those two simply struck me as the type that would love each other unconditionally and with understanding that no one else might achieve. Their different situations spoke of the understanding necessary to become intimately involved with each other. Also, something in me just can't resist the 'Goth girl' getting together with the 'Yankee bitch'. My Uo/Hana craze was cemented when I wrote my first Furuba fanfiction, featuring the pairing. I still feel that "Speaking Over Smoothies" is one of my best works today.



After that, I began to search for more Uo/Hana fictions. Sadly, they're an endangered species. But I'll keep looking until the end for that sacred garden.



Part Three

Among the Roses They Cry





There is a vague bit of canon subtext for the Uo/Hana pairing. (That is, if you peer at it with your eyes almost shut, or with your eyes crossed). One of the first things I would have to admit is that there is a lot more canon bits pairing the two girls with other characters in the manga. For Uotani, the canon pairing of choice is Kureno, the Zodiac rooster and one of Akito's favorites. For Hanajima, the subtext is actually shojo-ai, and it deals with Hanajima and Tohru. Even still, I still find moments of Uo/Hana in both the manga and the anime. I'll be looking at parts the manga. I would also examine the anime, but I do not own it or have it immediately available to watch and analyze. Sorry about that.





During the second manga, Arisa and Saki visit Shigure's house to decide if the home is a suitable place for Tohru. They spend the night, and they have small side conversations all throughout the night. A major moment struck me, however, when they are speaking to Yuki and Kyo about whether or not it's all right with them for Tohru to live in the house. They seem very much like a married couple during that instant, protective of their child. This quiet moment of similar thought ties them together closely. It's a unique bond that doesn't always occur, in friends or even in family. It takes a great understanding of the other person to think of a third party so deeply and similarly.





A lot of the Uo/Hanajima pairing seems to manifest in small movements or expressions. When Uotani is talking about meeting Kureno, and how much she likes him, the look on Hanajima's face seems to be shocked pain, and almost a touch of loneliness.



The girls also share many moments in conversations, when they speak about things that no one else seems to understand. They also banter playfully with each other in conversations at times.



A prime example is in the seventh manga. This is the manga that glances back into Uo's past, looking at her life in the gang and when Kyoko and Tohru began to change her opinion on life. After her flashback, though, she is confronted with three young Yankees while out with Tohru, Yuki, Hanajima, and Kyo. After she ignores the punks, the young girls follow the groups, trying to get Uo to face them. When Uo again gets lost in memories, Hanajima takes the time to play with the young Yankees. When Uo returns to reality, Tohru informs her that there's a situation. The following conversation ensues:



"Lighten up, Hana, they're just kids."

"My, my. I'm just playing with them…"

Right after that, Arisa just slightly smiles. The banter is a cute aspect of their relationship.



I find that most of the pairing comes from small, meaningful moments like that.



Part Four

A Bracelet of Roses



Now, I've not met that many Hana/Uo fans, because they seem to be an endangered species (Let's face it, the main focus is usually on the Sohmas and Tohru). Still, they are out there, and the group seems to be growing. Okay, maybe not growing, but that's probably because it seems to be a pairing that no one really seems to think of.



Quite a few people support Hana/Uo because of the safety the two girls seem to find with each other. Though the girls are so different, they connect. The relationship would be full of unique twists, turns, and special moments, from Uo's protective outbursts to Hana's calm use of her Denpa waves.



Though both girls live in different worlds with different problems, they each have an inner strength that pulls them through. The trio of friends is a large part of this inner strength, but as Tohru gets drawn farther into the Sohma family, you see much more of Hana and Uo talking together alone.



Something that probably needs to be clarified right now is that I can't precisely explain my love of this pairing. It's just kind of something that happened, and I've never been able to let go of it. Both of the girls are beautiful people, inside and out, with their human flaws. Together, they complement each other in perfect shades of black and red.





Part Five

An Endangered Red and Black Rose



Sadly enough, I couldn't even find a Livejournal community for this pairing. When you search Google, you don't find anything (well, I haven't, at least). This pairing is very much endangered: in all my time shipping them, I've seen maybe four or five fictions containing this pairing.



So, I will provide you with the sparse links that I've accumulated, and if you know of any that I've missed, please do share!



Fanlistings:



Those Who We Must Protect



Fanfiction:



Lace Veils and Trenchcoats-- An archive for Uo/Hana writings or writings with Uo/Hana implications. And yes, I do run it. Be aware of the possibility that this link is wrong, because fanfiction.net was acting a little strange.



Livejournal Communities:



arisa_flowers--Yes, again, this is a community I run.

The fact that I run most of the links on here makes me want to cry. But I won't.

Comments

[honorbound.livejournal.com]

Yay! Nice pairing. ::laugh:: I really like this essay. You've gotten the reason that I like the pairing down exactly--the friendship and trust becoming more. (Come to think of it, a lot of my pairings are that way. Hmm.)

Really good work. ^__^

[bloody-petals.livejournal.com]

Haha, thanks. And lots and lots of thanks for editing for me, my dear Ambika! You're such a livesaver! (And, ohhh, I made it before my deadline!)

[honorbound.livejournal.com]

Yaay! And it's not a problem. I like editing for you. ^__^