Genki's Challenge

2 Hours Later..

The rebels sat around a fire, while Holly and Genki where sitting beside each other and Genki had a protective arm around her. They had traveled most of the day and now the sun was starting to go down. Managing to cover ten miles they were all very tired and hot, since they were in the middle of a jungle. Tiger broke the silence, "Well Genki, it seems you finally have someone who cares about you. What's going to happen if you have to go back?"

"Yeah Tiger, I do." Genki looked at Holly then said, " I'm not going back, there's nothing in my world worth going back to."

"What do you mean Genki? From what you told me about your world. It sounds like it has lots of stuff to go back to. What about your friends and remaining family?" Holly said surprised.

"Well, I guess there are a lot of cool things. It's just you're my family, all of you. I don't have anything or anyone left in my world that is worth going back to that means more than you guys do to me. I have a great dislike for my remaining family, and I don't really have any friends. I want to be here, with my new family" He looked around at all of them.

"Thanks Genki." Holly said and kissed his cheek.

"Where did you two run off to yesterday?" Hare asked

"I chased Holly into the woods. We just stayed out there since I didn't feel like dealing with anyone else at the time." Holly now looked to Genki slightly surprised at his lie, since it was she that didn't want to deal with them not him.

"Well you better take care of her or your going to be in a lot of pain. Got it?" Suezo commented eyeing the two with a bit of jealousy.

"Yeah I got it, Suezo. I'd never let anyone or anything hurt Holly."

Yawn "We should get some rest." Holly said not wanting to have another argument start.

"Right" Genki replied. Holly took his hand and pulled him over to her sleeping bag. Genki looked surprised but laid down beside her. He gently pulled her close and kissed her. She didn't resist at all, but was beat red when the kiss ended. He smiled gently, caressing her face with his hand. She smiled back and whispered to him when everyone else was asleep, "Why did you lie? It was me who didn't want to deal with them not you." He leaned over and whispered back,

"I know but I didn't want you to take the blame for that. They might think something is going on or that something is wrong." He began to kiss her neck gently. She nodded but pushed him away from her neck,

"I'm not ready for that yet, please just be patient." He nodded,

"Ok, I will." Then she put her head on his chest. Genki just smiled and held her close. "Good night Holly. And sweet dreams."

"Good night to you to Genki. I love you."

"I love you too." She soon fell asleep listening to his strong heartbeat knowing she was safe with him. He fell asleep soon after.

In the morning…

Holly was the first to wake. She was still in Genki's arms, who was still a sleep. She shook him gently, and then whispered. "Genki, wake up its morning."

"Hmmm. Oh good morning Holly."

"Good morning Genki. Sleep well?"

"Yeah. With you by me I didn't have any nightmares."

"That's good." She gingerly kissed him and he kissed back. Soon he French kissed her, she pulled away a little but then decided to kiss back that way. After a few minute she broke of the kiss, breathing slightly elevated.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were going to kiss me back when I did that."

"I wasn't sure about that. I'm not too comfortable with it."

"You won't be unless you try it you know"

"Well I guess we should get up before we wake the others." Genki gave her a suspicious look. "What???"

"I think you're just embarrassed to be caught kissing me in front of the others."

"Yes, I guess I am. I just am not sure about this yet." Her voice was quite.

"I'm sure but if you're uncomfortable with it. I won't force you to do it." He said getting up. "Later we can have some time to our selves. Ok?" Wink

"Ok I guess" she hesitated

" Let's start some breakfast. If you want I could help." He said changing the subject.

"Of course I can cook, being a bachelor I had to learn. Well I'm no gourmet chef but my ex-girlfriend always said it was good."

"Hhhmmm. Well I'll give you a chance Mr. Chef." They made breakfast, Genki made the pancakes and Holly made bacon and sausage.

The others woke up with the smell of cooking food. They all took a second glance when they saw Genki was cooking.

"Since when do you cook?" Tiger asked.

"Since I was 14. Don't worry I refined my cooking over the years." Genki replied flipping the pancake up into the air and back into the pan.

"Wow. Cool, chi"

"Where did you learn that, Genki?" Holly asked.

"My first job was at a restaurant. It served breakfast, lunch and dinner. So I had a lot of practice."

"Did you ever catch any thing on fire, chi?"

"Yes I did. When I was in home EC I flambéed the taco mix our group was trying to make. Although we all found out it wasn't really my fault. Some guy in the group put tequila in the pan, to add flavor he said, and it caught on fire."

"Home EC, what's that?" Holly asked.

"It's a class everyone takes in school to show them basics, like sewing, cooking, and how to eat healthy. Since people in my world have a habit of not eating healthy."

"What's tequila, chi?"

"It's alcohol. Right Genki?" Hare said.

"Right Hare, it is." Genki confirmed taking the pancake and putting it on the done stack. Then pouring the last of the batter in the pan. "I just got an idea."

"What is it Genki?"

"Well the next time we stop at a town. I'll get some ingredients so I can make you guys a pizza, shouldn't be too hard to do. I'd just have to make a oven."

"Pizza??? What's that and just how can you make an oven." Hare asked with a quizzical look on his face. Holly gave Genki a look as if he were nuts.

"Well Hare, A pizza is made of dough and it has tomato sauce and cheese on top of it. Most of the time people also have meat or vegetables on it too."

"That doesn't explain how you're going to make an oven to cook it." Holly interrupted.

"Well in Mexico people make ovens out of clay or mud. People in the desert use sand. You can either use the sun's heat or build a fire under the main platform to cook it."

"And just where did you learn this?" Suezo asked skeptically.

"At school in social studies. And before you ask it's the study of other cultures." They all gave him a doubting look. "What is it with you?"

"What do you mean, chi?"

"The fact that you have no faith in me whatsoever on this, Mocchi, that's what I mean."

"Well it sounds a little far fetched Genki." Hare said as they all nodded in agreement.

"I'll tell you what then. I'll make a bet with all of you. Each one of you can get one favor out of me. It can be anything you want, as long as its not involving my belongings or running around naked in front of everyone, Tiger, Hare." Tiger's and Hare's smirks faded. "Other than that I'll do anything if I lose."

"And if you win" Hare asked.

"Then I get a favor from you. Sound fair enough?" all of the rebels though for a moment, then agreed. Hare got the map and looked for the nearest town.

"Well the nearest town is 3 miles from here. So you can get your supplies there." Hare announced.

"Ok then. Why don't we eat breakfast and start on our way. Then I'll have the time I need to construct an oven and cook it in time for dinner. It's not like we know where our enemy is anyway so time isn't a problem. Though I did wish we knew something about our enemy. It would make it easier to come up with combat strategies."

"Combat strategies?" Holly asked. As they all began to eat.

"Yeah. It's just it would help to know what we're up against so we can fight them if the need or opportunity arises." He replied.

"I wish you hadn't said that. I don't want a another war period." Holly added looking a little discouraged.

"Well, war can be a bad thing, but it can also be good. If the Americans had never started a war against the king of England they would still be under his control today. However they did, they freed themselves from his hold and have one of the most powerful nations in the world."

"They went against their king? Why?" Holly asked totally astonished.

"He didn't care about them. He just wanted more money from taxes and they got tired of it." Genki answered. The others just looked at him in confusion and astonishment. Everyone had finished eating and was packing up. Finally Suezo broke the silence.

"Well they must not of been very loyal if you ask me. You said they actually won. How?" Everyone started walking.

"What is this History Class 101? It wasn't about loyalty, a king should care for his people; he is a leader and a guardian of his people. Yet their king took a lot of money and they never got anything back, not even protection. They won by using what we call guerilla warfare as well as the normal British Tactics. They also had superior leaders planning the battles such as George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette and Nathaniel Greene. Plus, by the end of the war they had the support of the French, another country, who lent them ships and personnel that helped win the war. Now the Americans have their own nation, the United States of America, which is where I lived. They vote to elect leaders of almost every branch of government. The government was split into three branches to prevent one person from taking control. The branches are Judicial, or the courts (the highest of which isn't elected), Legislative – the House of Representatives of the people and the senate, and Executive – the president who is like a king with limited power. There's also the Bill of Rights, which tells some fundamental rights that can't be taken away."

"Wow, that's definitely a different government." Hare piped up.

"What are some of the rights, Genki?" Holly asked.

"We have freedom of speech for one, which also covers the freedom of expression. Freedom of religion is another, along with freedom of press, assembly, and petition. The rights have their limits of course. As long as you aren't infringing on anyone else's right in what you are doing or perform a violent act, you can do it."

"You mean you can say anything you want as long as it doesn't result in violence?" Tiger asked.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. There are other rights as well like the writ of Habious Corpus"

"Habious Corpus???" Golem asked.

"Its Latin for the right to be present in the court when you are being tried. Also in a court case you have the right to a speedy and fair trial, by jury and you are innocent until proven guilty. In a criminal case the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person on trial committed the crime. In a civil case they just have to get the jury to think your guilty whether there is a doubt or not."

"It sound like the people who made the government made sure the people would be protected even from the government itself." Hare commented.

"Well, that was the idea." They were all silent for a while.

Then they finally came to the village. It was a small community of people. Markets lined the main street. Holly and Genki went together to find the ingredients. The others went to restock their supplies. Genki wrote down what he needed and they split up to buy what was needed. Since Genki had no money he managed to sell a few rare items to some vendors. A gold pocket watch, Silver knife with zircons embedded in the handle, they man thought they were diamonds and Genki wasn't going to say any different. A nice leather belt with gold and silver buckle and some throwing stars that he showed them the use of. In all the vendors gave him 16000 Golds. Then he went to get what he needed. With in and hour he met back up with Holly, who had found everything on her list. In the meantime Tiger, Greywolf, and Suezo went to get some more supplies. Golem and Mocchi went to the meadow near by to look at flowers. Hare on the other hand went to the market to look for good investments. They all met back up in an hour and a half, after which they left the village. After walking through the woods for most of the day they soon stopped by a crystal clear lake and Genki went off to build the oven, the others beginning to talk while he worked.

Genki looked at the soil beneath his feet it was clay like and strong built. "This is perfect," he said to himself. He looked around seeing a lot of nice stones. Then looked into the lake seeing the sand. He went over and began moving the stones, stacking them so a medium sized opening was left in the base, in the front. Then place a large slab on top of the base for the cooking area, which he had washed off. Then stacked stones around it to make the cooking chamber. Placing another large slab on for the top. He then proceeded to fill in the holes with wet sand that soon dried and hardened in the hot sun. He stacked wood in the base that he lit for the heat needed, then he left the oven to heat up.

Next he took out his bowie knife and carved a pizza spatula out of a piece of a log he had found, it had been in good shape. He smoothed the wood by putting some sand on the board and rubbing it off. When he had finished he went and got the others.

They were impressed with the oven and spatula but still doubted him. Genki lit the fire in the oven bottom. Holly looked over the spatula trying to figure out how he had made it and got it so smooth. Hare looked over the oven with fascination and interest, while the others just watched what was going on.

Genki mixed the ingredients for the sauce together. Tomatoes turned into sauce, Paprika, Pepper, Garlic, and a few other spices. Then mixed the crusts ingredients. Flour, yeast, salt, eggs, among other things. Holly was watching his every move with great interest. She wondered how he knew how much of each item he needed. He wasn't looking at a recipe or even any notes. Genki put his hands in flour and kneaded the dough a bit. Then began spreading it out into a circle. Much to Holly's surprised he tossed it up into the air with a spin. Then she realized that it made the dough spread evenly out into a big circle. Genki made 4 circles of dough. Next he took the sauce and spread it on top of the dough. Then sprinkled cheese over it. And lastly put some chopped ham, sausage, onions, and mushrooms on top of the cheese. Holly gave him a suspicious look. "Don't judge a book by its cover Holly." Was all he said, before he picked up one of the pizzas in the spatula and placed it in the oven, the remaining three soon following. Then Genki commented setting his watch "They should be done in a half an hour to forty-five minutes. Why don't you guys at least help me make some wood planks or something to set them on when they're done."

"Ok, chi. I help."

"Gol …me …too" The three found a tree and Golem broke it into four straight boards. Genki took his knife and carved them into a circle that was an inch larger then the pizzas. Mocchi helped Genki make the planks rounded.

"They're all rough, chi"

"Not for long Mocchi." Genki said and walked over to the lake edge. Holly walked over with everyone else to see just how he was going to smooth them as he had the spatula. Genki put sand on top of the boards and rubbed it across them and on the edges. Then took them out of the water and dried them. Holly took one from his hand and inspected it. She gasped when she found out that it was smooth. None asked how he'd learn that or how he knew how to build the oven.

Suddenly Genki's watch went off startling everyone except Genki, who just turned it off and went over and checked the pizzas. They were all done so he took them out and placed them on the planks. Everyone waited patiently as he cut each into eight pieces. The pizzas had golden brown crusts, the cheese had melted so you couldn't see the sauce anymore, and the toppings were now stuck in the cheese. Everyone kind of looked at the curiously.

"Ok everyone pick a piece and let's chow down. There's enough for at least four pieces each plus some extra." Genki instructed picking up a piece himself. No one knew just how to eat it so they watched Genki and then copied what he did. Except for Suezo, Tiger, and Greywolf, who just gulped it down, and Golem who was eating his rocks. All of their faces lit up with the deliciousness of the meal.

"Wow, this is really good Genki." Holly commented with delight.

"Yeah" everyone else agreed. They all look over at Golem who finally picked up a piece and tried it. He nodded in satisfaction.

"Well, since everyone agrees that they like it. I guess I won the bet, didn't I?" Genki said. Everyone then realized that he was right. They had all forgotten about the bet. They weren't sure what he had in store for them. They weren't sure they wanted to know. Genki had already finished his four pieces and got up.

"I'm going for a walk. I'll be back in a little bit." He said and walked off at a leisurely pace. Holly and the others finished their food with in a few minutes after he had left.

Why didn't Holly believe in me? Oh well, I guess it was a bit far fetched. Genki thought to him self, I'll scare them a bit and then let them off the hook. I think I'll get to Holly the most, since she should believe in me. Just to make a point. Genki sat down on a rock and started thinking up some cruel favors from his friends that he could scare them with. Holly decided to go look for Genki. She found him sitting on a rock looking at the stars. She walked over and sat down next to him. He looked over and smiled. "Plotting your revenge I presume." She said jokingly.

"Yeah something like that. I have a good idea of what I'm going to do already." Winking at her.

"Do you know what you going to have me do?" She carefully asked.

"Yeah I have an idea. You want to know what it is?" Genki asked grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Do I want to know? Isn't that the question of the day?

"Yeah, I guess I want to know" She said with some confidence.

"Well you since you didn't believe in me. I was thinking of having you do something that you will have to learn to trust me for. I haven't decided what yet but if you come up with an idea let me know." Genki said laughing inside. Holly's face could tell him exactly what she thought and she was slightly scared now.

"Is it a sexual favor you want?" Holly gingerly said it was obvious she didn't like the idea at all. Genki pulled her into a hug.

"I would not force you to do something like that. It won't be a sexual favor. Maybe something to do with affection though." She hugged him tight she was shaking slightly even with that reassurance. "Holly, it's ok I'm not going to force you to do something you really not comfortable with."

"I know, I'm just afraid of disappointing you." She asked close to tears.

"Disappointing me? How?" He held her close rubbing her back gently. She whispered something into his ear, a few tears in her eyes. Then she burried her face in his chest.

"Holly, that's fine. It's nothing to be sorry about. If that's how you feel then I will support you. That's not as important as having someone to love. I would only be disappointed if you doubted me. I could never lie to you, and even if I could I wouldn't." He pulled her close, rubbing her back, and resting his chin on the top of her head. Soon she calmed down, still holding onto him though. Finally she let go and looked into his eyes. They held concern and love in them. She smiled at him. He leaned over and kissed her gently. She didn't resist instead she tilted her head falling into the kiss. When he went to pull away she stopped him making the kiss last a little longer. Then released him, he pulled back looking at her in confusion.

"Maybe it's time for me to let go a bit, I do need to learn to be more comfortable doing that." She smiled.

"I never said you had to, only that I would like you to."

"I know. I want to for you and me both." He nodded before saying.

"Your beauty surpasses anyone else's beauty in my eyes, Holly. You know that right?"

"Well if I didn't, I do now charmer." She smiled at him, "Do you know poetry too?"

"O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright… beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!"

"Genki, that's sweet. Did you read Romeo and Juliet at some point?"

"Yep, it was required in school," He pulled her close and kissed her gently. "We should get back. I need to let the others know what they have to do."

"Ok" they got up and headed back to camp.

The others were very worried on what Genki would have them do. All except Mocchi and Golem. Tiger was about to go look for Genki and Holly when they came back. "Well did you figure out what you are going to have us do?" Tiger asked as if he'd die if he didn't know that second.

"Yeah I did Tiger. Come with me and I'll tell you what it is." Tiger walked off with Genki. Then came back and sent Hare over, then Mocchi, Suezo, Greywolf, and Golem. Genki told each of them separately so as not to cause problems with the others. Tiger had to be very nice to everyone in the group for a week. Hare had to not pick on Tiger for a week. Mocchi was going to be trained how to fight, by Genki, for a week. Suezo had to not yell or annoy anyone for a week. Greywolf had to help Genki gather firewood for a week. Golem had to help Holly gather herbs and vegetables when she needed for a week. Tiger, Hare, and Suezo weren't happy with theirs at all, but the others didn't mind. Mocchi was enthusiastic about his; he wanted to train with Genki.

They all told each other what they had to do except Holly.

"Genki, then why are you picking on me then? Mine isn't as simple as theirs' are." Holly asked.

"What do you mean? Genki what does she have to do?" Suezo asked in a normal volume level.

"If she wants you to know she'll tell you." Genki told Suezo.

"You didn't answer me Genki." Holly said a bit upset.

"Momentai would yah, Holly. The reason yours is hard is because you should have believed in me. If you told me you could do something, even if it seemed far fetched, I would believe you." Genki replied in a matter-a-fact tone. Maybe he's right I should have believed in him.

"You're right Genki. I should have believed you. I'm sorry."

"What does Momentai mean, chi?" Mocchi asked confused.

"Momentai means chill, everything's all right," Genki told the young monster with a smile a father might have. Holly noticed this but didn't say anything she just smiled to herself. When Mocchi was first unlock she felt like a mother taking care of him.

"Well are you going to tell us yours Holly?" Hare asked.

"Well let's just say Genki is thinking about having me do something that requires me to trust him a lot." Holly answered. Suezo suddenly knew what it was and blurted it out.

"You mean he asked you to rut with him!?" Everyone except Mocchi look over at Genki in shock. Then back at Holly.

"No not exactly. He's left mine open so far but assured me it wouldn't be that."

"Genki you're being ridiculous. Don't make her do that." Tiger scolded. Genki remained calm and then said back to Tiger.

"Tiger, I haven't even said what it is yet cause I'm still thinking about it. Besides if we're going to be with each other we should trust each other."

"I guess you do have a point," he said rather reluctantly.

"I think we should go to sleep. We will need the rest for tomorrow," She calmly said. Everyone nodded. All the monsters lie down and fell asleep soon. Holly and Genki shared a sleeping bag again. Snuggling up with each other before falling asleep too.

Genki was the first to wake. He looked at Holly who was still sleeping. He leaned over and kissed her gently. She woke kissing him back. He broke off the kiss smiling at her.

"Well good morning to you to Genki" she whispered. He smiled then kissed her forehead.

"We should get breakfast started." She nodded in agreement with him. They got up and started cooking breakfast, the smell waking up the others. Holly and Genki finished cooking breakfast in record time and everyone ate quickly. Holly and Genki sat beside each other as they ate. The others weren't sure what to say.

"Well, we should get going and see if we can find out anything about our enemy." Genki finally broke the ice.

"Right" Holly agreed looking over at the others, who nodded in agreement. As usual Genki, Holly, and Mocchi rode the bike and the others ran behind them. They tried to keep up as he set a fast pace west, toward the villages that were attacked.