Author's Note:

Well, I got in the mood to make this after reliving some Hamtaro episodes, and remembering that Stan and Pashmina were my favorite couple. This is not a fic for fans of P+D or P+H. So, if you are one of them, dont flame this. I wont tolerate it.

This chapter was mainly influenced by the song "Cherry Blossom Epitaph" by Behind Crimson Eyes.

Rai-Rai

Chapter 1: Cherry Blossoms and a Pink Scarf

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It was a very colorful day by the Ham-Ham clubhouse. It had become that perfect time in spring where the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, creating a bright redish-pink color to fill the land. This was also a time for romance, as many couples would stroll through the small orchid known as the "Meadow of Love". Everyone had seemed to be struck by this season, even the Hams.

Down in the clubhouse, there was a busy day of planning going on for a party to celebrate this glorious time of year. The party was to be held in the clubhouse, where couples could enjoy the evening with each other. But, it was not only a time for love and enjoyment. This also made for some competition. The main tension was caused between two different groups. Boss and Hamtaro trying to win over Bijou on one side, while Dexter and Howdy fought over Pashmina on the other. But most of the heat was between Howdy and Dexter, who at the moment, were fighting over who was taking her to the party.

"Im taking her, and theres no way Im letting you stand in my way!" shouted Dexter.

"In yer dreams, Bookworm. I know Pashmina wants me." said Howdy.

"What would she see in you?" Dexter returned.

"Simple. Im a funny guy, and yer boring and unenjoyable!" Howdy exclaimed, laughing.

It went on and on for hour just like that, but everyone seemed to just ignore it. Hamtaro, Boss, and Oxnard were busy hanging decorations, Maxwell was planning out the night with Panda and Cappy, Snoozer and Stan were both asleep on one side of the room, and Pashmina, Bijou, and Sandy were all sitting at the table, watching Dexter and Howdy make fools of themselves. Pashmina watched with a look of annoyance as they seemed to fight for hours, like little toddlers.

"Wow, they can really go at it, cant they?" asked Bijou.

"Im surprised you can put up with it Pash." said Sandy.

Pashmina sighed, and looked over at Sandy, and said, "You are so lucky you got a normal one," indicating Maxwell.

Bijou and Sandy giggled.

"So, which one are you gonna take to the party?" asked Sandy, obviously anticipating the answer.Pashmina sighed again and said, "I dont know. I dont really want to take either of them...I mean look at them. They are like children!"

She directed attention over to them, where Howdy and Dexter were yelling louder, while Hamtaro and Oxnard were trying to break it up.

Sandy nodded, and said, "Yeah, but you cant go alone, can you? That wouldnt be any fun."

At that moment, a loud bang made everyone jump. Apparently Dexter had tried to throw a book at Howdy, who was now mocking him for his bad aim. She glared back over and dully said, "Actually, I can."

All the commotion had awaken Stan, who now looked around at what was happening.

(sigh) Theyre fighting again...cant a Ham get a little sleep around here? he thought, still groggy.

Boss had started yelling now, and thrown them out of the clubhouse for a while. Just then, he looked over at the table where the girls were still chatting. Sandy and Bijou were still laughing at the scene. But, Stan's eyes were only concentating on one thing, and one thing only. Pashmina.

It is true, he talked to a lot of girls, being the flirt he was, but there was something about Pashmina that was different. He had always seemed to get a happy feeling everytime he was around her. He just assumed it was a small crush so he tried to ignore it, but after it kept getting worse, he had just accepted the fact that he had more than just a crush on her. He was in love.

He really wanted to tell her how he felt, but he felt a bit embaressed, so he just hid his feelings. Besides that, he didnt want to get mixed up with Dexter and Howdy. The last thing he needed was to compete with those 2 for a girl. But, the more time he spent trying to ignore his feelings towards her, the larger his desire for her grew. It had almost gotten to the point where he desperatly needed her. He felt that if he didnt do anything soon, he would end up doing something too rash.

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Later that night, Stan sat in his cage, and stared at the wall, deep in thought, just as he had been doing every night lately. And, he would think about the same thing every night. It was to the point where all he could think about was Pashmina. He couldnt get her off his mind.

Why cant I stop thinking about her? I mean, it wouldnt work out between us...would it? She probably thinks of me too much as a flirt to give me a chance...right?...

With that, he slowly drifted off to sleep, not knowing that he would soon be given dreams of his one desire.

Oh, God. I suck so bad at romance...