This story was thought up during a hurricane and I decided to go through with it. This will follow Genki and Holly's relationship through the alphabet starting right after the last episode of season three. What makes this different from stories like Delusions of the Heart, though, is that this takes into the thought that Genki DOESN'T return to his world and the length of these chapters will be rather short (I'm hoping to keep them between 1,000 to 3,000 words at most). Also, this story won't be following a plot. It just focuses on random moments in their relationship as they grow up. I hope everyone enjoys this and let's see how far I'll get with this story before I get bored! XD

Note: This story takes place after Season 3.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to own Monster Rancher or the characters. I'm just a huge fan. Tecmo owns everything. I just own the plot.

Moments We Share

A: Anxiety

A small fire crackled and sizzled in the middle of a smooth clearing that was littered with traveling supplies and tired heroes. The gentle feel of a calm breeze was a welcomed sensation and with every small gust of wind that came their way, the group of travelers would only sigh in relief. How long had it been now that Moo had haunted the world? How long had it been that people feared for their lives? No one could truly remember how long it had been since there had been peace instead of war, but no one really cared. All that mattered was that Moo's reign of terror was finally over.

"…and then Suezo walked right into the door like a complete idiot! Ha ha ha!"

"Watch it, pal! You're the one who pushed me forward like that!"

"I did not! I only gave you a friendly pat on the back."

"You're a liar, bunny!"

A small chuckle exited Tiger's mouth as he watched Suezo and Hare begin to bicker just like he normally did. For once, though, the wolf monster was just happy watching the group instead of jumping in like usual. With a keen eye, Tiger's gaze shifted from the two arguing monsters to the rest of the group who were watching the fight with amused expressions. Golem stirred a large pot of stew while occasionally glancing at his comrades with a wryly smile. Since he had been under Holly's cooking guidance, his food had become quite tasty and he often volunteered to cook in Holly's place. Mocchi was also at Golem's side as his official "taste tester" and from the looks of it, Golem's food had Mocchi's full approval for the night. Yosho, Holly's father, looked worn out and tired, but he held his head up with pride. The man who was once Moo found himself welcomed to travel with the group, but Tiger sensed the man knew he wasn't trusted by any of the rebels except his daughter. Yosho was a kind man, but Tiger could see he held a stern and unpredictable side to him. Part of the wolf monster couldn't help but feel sympathy for him, but he would never let that show. A small feminine laugh broke Tiger out of his thoughts before he turned to see Holly sitting next to Genki with her hand up to her mouth as she chuckled softly.

Out of the group, Holly and Genki were by far the most interesting to watch. Unlike any other interacting done within the rebels, the two young humans tended to break off from the social circle and have banters between only each other. They were always ready to listen to what the other had to say and no matter how irrelevant or random what they said was, the other would always listen inventively. Holly's eyes would dance with amusement as Genki told her about stupid stunts he had done as a child and Genki couldn't help but release a laugh whenever Holly told him about times in her village when she was a little more rebellious. Lately, however, Tiger noticed the duo had become even closer and had become a little bolder with their feelings. Wherever Holly was, Genki was at her side and whatever Genki was doing, Holly was right there ready to do the same.

"Golem thinks… we need more… firewood so… the stew can… be finished…" The rock giant spoke softly as he glanced slowly to his comrades. "We need… it quick… or the stew… will cool down… and it… will be ruined!"

"I got it last night, so I'll pass." Hare spoke with a shrug before he went back to arguing with Suezo who had, as usual, gotten extremely defensive.

"Don't worry; I'll get it." Holly volunteered with one of her trademark white smiles as she rose to her feet before brushing the back of her pants off.

"I'll come, too!" Genki quickly piped up as he bolted to Holly's side faster than Hare to a sack of gold coins.

"Are you sure? I can do it alone if you don't want to." The young girl replied with a shrug, for she didn't want to be a bother.

"It's no problem at all. Come on; let's get the best firewood out there!" Genki announced with a grin as he took Holly's hand in his own before speeding off into the dense woods; leaving a group of slightly confused rebels in their wake.

The woods were dark and quiet, causing a lump to rise in Holly's throat. Something about Moo's demise still didn't sit well with the young girl and, even though she knew the beast was gone there was something almost haunting about the darkened area. Her fears were washed away, though, as she realized Genki was still holding her hand and she could feel the heat emitting from him. Still, she knew she wasn't there to fawn over the young boy and the firewood still needed to be found. As she went to break her hold on Genki's hand, though, she found that his grip wouldn't allow her to do so and she couldn't help but feel a wave of confusion wash over her.

"Genki? Um… we need to get firewood." Holly spoke up quietly, but she was more surprised when Genki still didn't let her hand go.

"Holly… Do you… uh… never mind. What do you plan to do now that Moo is gone?" Genki said nervously as he kept his gaze on the brunette in front of him.

"I plan to go back to Toriyama to try and rebuild a life there. I'm going to get a house with my father and Suezo. I think the whole group is coming back to live there. Hare mentioned he was going to have a huge house built in the middle of the town for him, Golem, and even Tiger to live." Holly replied, but she couldn't help but feel that wasn't what Genki had intended to ask her.

"Would it be okay if… I lived there too? I mean, with Hare and the others of course. I don't mean live with you. I mean, in Toriyama, you know?" The young boy asked nervously as the words seemed to tangle in him mouth before they came out.

"Of course, Genki. I was hoping you and Mocchi would stay in Toriyama, too." The wielder of the Magic Stone spoke with a giggle, though she couldn't understand what was so nerve-racking that Genki would have such anxiety. "Genki, what's going on? Is everything okay?"

"Um, Holly? Do you… uh… like… guys?" Genki asked suddenly as his face flushed slightly at both the question and how pathetic he sounded. It was a rare time when he and Holly were alone, though now he felt he was completely blowing his one chance since time was not on his side.

"… are you asking me if I'm straight?"

"I didn't mean it in a bad way! I was just, ya know, wondering…?"

"Well, yes, I do like guys." Holly replied with an uncertain look for she had no idea where this awkward conversation was going or where it had even come from in the first place. How they went from gathering firewood to her sexuality was beyond her, but she realized a long time that trying to understand everything that went on in the minds of the rebels was an impossible task.

"Have you ever… uh… liked someone? Ya know, as more than a friend?"

"Y-yes, I have. Why?"

"Do you… do you think you could ever like someone like… well… me…?

Holly could almost feel her heart tearing out from her chest at how hard it was pounding from Genki's extremely sudden question. The brunette could only stare at Genki in absolute shock while she watched him squirm uncomfortably from her piercing gaze. Part of her felt like pinching herself and when she would wake up, she would laugh at how stupid she had been for even believing a moment like that could ever happen to her. And yet, even after pinching her arm, she was still in the woods staring wide-eyed at a young boy who had spilled his most guarded secret with her. In her mind, she had seen this playing out differently. She had seen an older Genki rescuing her from a pack of evil monsters before swooping her downwards and stealing a passionate kiss from her lips. Instead, there was a young boy in dirty clothes who looked almost as frightened as she was as he still held her hand tightly. Somehow, though, Holly found her heart yearning more for this moment than the one her mind had fantasized.

"Genki, are… you asking me out?" Holly was able to choke out from the emotional overload that had burst in her brain and fogged her senses. She couldn't remember how long she had been harboring secret feelings for her comrade, but now everything seemed to slam into place so fast that she wasn't sure what was happening or what to do.

"Uh, well… I was thinking… maybe, uh… yes?" Genki's words came out jumbled and disorganized, but even the anxiety he felt didn't make him leave out his definite 'yes' to the girl's question. He had taken down countless monsters and had saved the world twice. For odd reason, though, asking Holly out was so much harder and it made it rather frustrating when his normally confidant words came out as timid gargling. Before he could curse at himself for sounding so insecure, Holly's hand squeezed his own before her voice broke the silence like a beautiful chime.

"Yes."

That one, tiny word left both teens speechless as they kept eye contact and tried hard not to let their weak knees fail them. They were young and inexperienced, but both could tell Genki's question and Holly's answer would change their lives forever. Something about it didn't scare them, though, and the anxiety they once felt was no longer there as the two laughed softly at how silly they must have looked before Genki tugged at her hand softly.

"You mean it? Really?" Genki asked with a childish grin as he felt Holly's hand tighten around his own and the very feeling made his heart flutter. It was an odd thought that Holly, the first person he had met in the world of the monsters, would also be his first girlfriend. He had no experience, and for now just holding hands was plenty fine by him.

"I wouldn't lie about something like this, Genki. I mean, are you sure you'd want someone like me?"

"Why wouldn't I? I was more worried you wouldn't want someone like me!"

The young humans laughed quietly together as things seemed to fall into place. They were both shy and unsure about relationships, but it was one journey both were more than happy to make together. Hidden emotions held back for so long felt oddly nice to have out in the open now, though both knew it would be a slow and gradual relationship. Somehow, though, the thought of being a couple seemed plain natural after all they had been through. If anything, it was as if they were only making it official and as if they had been together the whole time. They had been through so much together already, why not continue down the same road?

"So… now what? We go back to camp?"

"Actually, we still haven't gotten the firewood yet." Holly replied with a chuckle at remembering why they were out in the woods to begin with, but suddenly her eyes widened along with Genki's as they realized their original task. "Oh no! The firewood! Golem's stew!"

Back at camp, the rest of the rebels watched with sweat marks on their heads as Golem cried pathetically over his ruined stew that was now cold and unappealing. As soon as the two humans arrived back at camp they were barraged with complaints about taking too long to get the firewood, but Tiger watched from afar with a knowing smile on his face. 'It's about time, kid. You're new journey into life starts now.'

Okay, first letter done! Just your average Genki asking Holly out, although unlike most there was no kiss since I felt both would be way too nervous and would have way too much anxiety to kiss so suddenly. So, yeah! Quick chapters for a quick read! Thanks so much for reading and I hope I actually finish this. This story won't be updated unless I get a new chapter of DotH out first. Thanks again!

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3