Test of Faith and Endurance

Holly woke in the darkness of her and her loves room. Her body ached all over but comforted by the warmth of the lover's body. Her eyes rested on the still form of her future husband who still slept as her side. A sigh escaped her as her hand moved to grip the crucifix around her neck. *God I know we don't know each other well yet but please keep us safe under your wing while we fight Lopez and Mu. We can't do this alone. Protect Genki and our child, I fear for both their lives. In Jesus name amen. * Glancing at her lover again she shifted to lay her head and his chest. The sound of his strong heart calmed her worries for now. Her hand moved from the necklace to her womb. * Is Genki right? Should we stay here? He seems adamant that we should stay here for our daughters sake but… there is something he is hiding…maybe he has felt too much pain from his world. Is he running from it in hopes of finding peace? But that doesn't sound like him. He has never run from anything in the past. * Another sigh escaped her lips; lying there she felt the rise and fall of his chest, the beat of his heart. His arm wrapped around her gently.

"Love what's on your mind?" a voice came as a whisper in the darkness.

"I…want to know why you seem to be running from your world. Is there no good in it?" her voice equally as soft. He was silence a moment, his hand moving to rub her back softly.

"There is good in my world…" she looked through the darkness with her cat like eyes seeing pain in his. "I would rather not be in a world that only seems to cause me more pain. We are safer here, I don't want to risk you or our child in such a dangerous world." His eyes closed as he held his grief back. In an instant he felt Holly's soft sweet lips on his, love touching his heart, healing some of the old wounds caused by pain and hardship. His hand came to her neck holding her in place. Knowing he needed her love now more then ever she gave it to him freely, making out with him gently. Astonished at just how gentle he was being. His touch never felt so soft and gentle to her as it did now, feather light on her skin. She loved the feeling of his touch but reluctantly pulled away, now she knew why he was being so gentle. Fear, pain, and love filled his eyes. Her instincts and body took over as she pulled him to her and laid his head on her own chest. Gently caressing his cheek, ear, and neck as she soothed him with a calm and gentle voice and soft fingers. Her right arm around his waist holding him as her hand caressed his spine lovingly. He held her tightly letting her do what she wanted.

"Love please let me take your burden." * Seems my bond with him is helping him stay calm. I'm glad it does help; I know I can feel his hearts heaviness in my breast. *

"Holly I'm afraid I'll fail you and the others…what if I can't beat Mu?"

"Shh…" her voice came out placid, "you'll win don't worry Genki. I can feel it. I'll be right there with you, I promise." He nodded relaxing with her. "We all know you can do it. We'll stay here as you wish and get married after peace is restored."

"Thank you Holly"

"Mhm." To her own amazement Genki drifted off to sleep again in her arms. * He's exhausted. He does so much more then the rest of us, but never complains. I think I'll delay the journey a bit so he can rest fighting Lopez now would be suicide. * Laying her head on the pillow she sighed before letting her eyes close to rest along with him.

The next time Holly opened her eyes the suns rays shown through the curtains not their room. Her eyes fell on Genki's still sleeping form. * I hope he is all right * her concerns apparent because of his need for rest. Softly her lips descended on his getting a response slowly form him. When she pulled away he gaze up at her loving and groggy.

"Genki are you alright? You seem so tired."

"I'm fine sweet heart. Just really tired." Her eyes showed concern "everything will be fine Holly. I'll just need some rest. We could all use some so we'll rest up before we go after him ok?"

"Genki are you sure that's all it is? You have been exhausted ever since the battle with Ishan."

"I know; it'll be fine." He kissed her forehead. Then went to stand but Holly took hold of his arm

"Genki please don't lie to me.

"I'm not Hol. If there is something wrong I don't know what it could be." She nodded and let go; raising her self and going over to get dressed. Genki waited for her by the door before they headed down stairs.

Dianna greeted them with a smile. "Its great to see the both of you are recovering nicely."

"Its great to be recovering" Genki smiled back Holly nodding her agreement. Genki took his seat at the table Holly right by his side. Siren placed a bowl of grits down for them both, which Genki took little time in coating the syrup before eating. Holly was still not used to his world's food and took her time in preparing and eating it. Suezo hopped over to them.

"Holly are you alright?"

"Yes Suezo I'm fine." She gave him a one armed hug and left it at that. He watched Genki a moment before hopping away. Genki rose going to he window he noted the new fallen snow.

"We'll be staying here for a while to rest up. I think we could all use the rest."

"Alright we'll all take it easy then." Hasuka beamed he loved time off to be with his love. Dianna winked to him making him blush and her chuckle.

"Genki didn't you say you had something to show me?" Holly made up an excuse since the others were about to converge on questioning her about the child and what else they were planning.

"Oh yes, thank you for reminding me." He held out his arm as a gentleman might and she took it as he led her out of the room toward a small library. Dianna dragged Hasuka out of the room.

"What could he be showing her?"

"It's hard to say." He was calculating when Tiger interrupted his train of thought.

"It's really none of your business. Stop questioning Holly she is not a suspect in a crime she is our friend."

"Yes, my brother is right you irritate her with all your questions. Leave her be. She is still finding out what she wants to do. She doesn't need your distractions."

In the library Holly sighed.

"How did you know?"

"I know you well my dear. I know you hate playing twenty questions with them. They really should respect you more."

"They respect me Genki but they worry. They have noticed the changes in me. I'm not longer a naive and innocent girl and I think they miss that."

"They must accept change."

"I think they are afraid I will become some beast that kills for pleasure. They have never seen me fight like I do now. It bothers them, bothers me sometimes too." He pulled her into his arms holding her firmly but gently.

"I know how this hurts you Hol, I wish there were another way."

"I know you do Genki. I know you do. Now we better find a book or something before they catch on." He nodded scanning the shelves he pulled out a history book as she took a seat on the love seat. He came to sit with her showing things of his world to her and reading some of the contents to her.

Dianna had Hasuka trapped in the weight room.

"Why on earth…" she pressed a finger to his lips.

"Patience love. I brought you here for a work out." His eyes held a glint to them. A smirk spread across his face.

"And how do I earn a work out of another kind"

"By being a bad boy." He walked over to the bench press and placed exactly 150 lbs on the bar before lifting it and starting his work out. She smiled and headed over to her own bar and using the 120 lbs that was already on it. After they had done that they both switched to the treadmill for awhile before going for a leg workout on the slider. As time passed both became drenched with sweat.

"Lets see if you can out lift me" he smirked to her.

"Alright" taking a barbell and weighted it to 120 lbs lifting it easily. Dianna also lifted it easily. Increasing the weight as they went Dianna and he both began to strain. Reaching their max weights they smiled to each other.

"Looks like a tie. Maybe I'll let you be the winner here." Dianna conceded to him with a smile. Walking over to her his hand caressed her cheek.

"How kind of you." She pulled him back to the bench press where she lay down. Taking the bar and setting it on the floor he straddled her. "And what should I do with you?"

"That's your choice. I am your prize." Her eyes showing him what she wanted. Leaning down he kissed her softly his hands running over her chest. Whispering in between kisses.

"Then I will be creative with my reward."

After a week of rest and being trapped within one building almost everyone was irritable. Akka and Armaoq kept to them selves staying out of the group's sight. Nick took time out to read now as Genki continued his history lessons with Holly as and excuse to get away from everyone. The monsters noted the fact that Genki and Holly both were becoming reserved. Tiger and Greywolf knew they wanted time alone for a while and let it be Golem and Mocchi had agreed with the wolf brothers. After explaining to Mocchi that Genki still liked them he just wanted time to be with Holly Mocchi had fully supported the two taking off. Pixie teased Greywolf about acting fatherly to the young monster and had almost got a bite in the rear because of it. Suezo suddenly lost his temper and burst into the library where Genki was teaching his fiancée.

"Genki 'm not letting you take her away from us!" he yelled catching both off guard. He launched a tail attack at Genki when Holly stepped in catching them both off guard. He hit her square in the stomach making her double over. "This is your fault."

"No Suezo it's yours. Stop being so damn jealous your only hurting her." Genki kneeled at her side concerned deeply and worried about the child within is lover's body.

"I'm fine Genki really. Just got the wind knocked out of me." A glare came from Genki's eyes, a snarl erupting from his throat.

"Don't you ever touch her again until you can learn that she is in control of her life, not you! Stop trying to control her. She is not yours Suezo." Holly's hand took his making him look to her.

"Genki enough, please lets go see Aaka." He nodded lifting her into his strong arms and leaving with out another word. Paying no mind to the others how now stared at Suezo in disbelief. Tiger and Greywolf glared at him.

"You're a fool Suezo. Holly can do, as she wants, leave them be. He'd not taking her away." Tiger growled

"How can you say that? She rarely speaks to us."

"Only because we question her relationship with him too much."

"You could have killed her child Suezo. Use your head for once." Hare pointed to his own head patronizing the eyeball. Suezo looked to the floor crushed inside. * Will no one back me? Holly why do you choose him?… * he hopped off to his room as the others vented over his stupidity.

"Aaka, Holly was hit in the stomach." He rushed into her and Armaoq's room. With a gasp he spun around his face beet red along with Holly's

, which was now hidden against his chest. "I'm very sorry but this is an emergency." He felt a hand touch his shoulder.

"It's alright, lets go to the lab." She wore only a robe but that was better then the sight that had greeted him before. Walking with her he tried to remain calm for Holly's sake. Once in the lab he sat her down on the table. "Holly please take your clothes off enough so your womb is uncovered. I'll run an ultra sound." Holly did as she was told he abdomen already complaining at the movement. Feeling the icy lotion and device her mind flinched with fear. Genki sensed it and held her gently as Aaka worked.

"Shh…Holly everything will be alright." Doing a thorough job as usual Aaka smiled

"I don't see anything wrong. Your lucky only your upper stomach was hit." Holly glanced up at the screen seeing the life inside her for the first time she calmed.

"Thank you Aaka, sorry we interrupted you and Armaoq." She blushed, Genki did the same.

"No it is fine. This was more important child." She smiled gently to the young woman. Genki had a smile of his own.

"Aaka are you and you husband leaving us after this is over with?"

"Yes Genki we are. We don't like being around big group long term. We need some time alone."

"I understand just don't take off on us with out a good bye alright?"

"We won't" Armaoq came up next to her fully furred for once. Holly put her clothes back in place noting the older male kept his gaze averted till she did. *A true gentleman *

"You're better looking then any Nova."

"Of course. I was born this way not create." He grinned his canines showing, he glanced to his wife.

"Everything is alright dear."

"Glad to hear it… Holly trust your instincts they will be of great help to you as a mother." He smiled almost as a father would, Genki noted.

"I will."

"Get some rest child. You'll have a bruise I'm sure." Genki lifted her up with care seeing the two smiled at each other out of the corner of his eye. Holly allowed him to carry her though she could walk perfectly fine.

"They are perfect for each other", the wolf uttered softly.

"That they are love" the vampress smiled and he got on all fours. She rode on his back to their room where they could resume their activities.

Genki carefully lay Holly in their bed then lay down with her. She cuddled with him enjoying the feeling of his strong arms around her once again.

"Genki thank you. You're a wonderful husband. Please do not hold this against Suezo though."

"I won't. I just want him to back off. He thinks he owns you I think."

"I am not sure what he thinks." She laid her head against his chest.

"Well I hope he cuts it out whatever it may be." She nodded

"What if Aaka is wrong and something is wrong or goes wrong."

"Shh…Holly everything is alright she's not wrong. Don't start what Ifing on me all right. Just have faith."

"But Genki we have gotten nothing but grief every since…" he cut her off with a kiss filled with love. She was blushing when he pulled back.

"Holly God has given us much for the pain we suffer. We have each other, and now a child who will be with us soon. We have our friends. And our future looks bright. All Christians are tested some more harshly then others. Paul never had it easy and neither did Jesus. Don't ever give up on me Hun." He held her close his voice a whisper to her. Her eyes widened a moment then she smiled.

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"Its alright, it happens to us all at times." She yawned never feeling so tired before. "Rest now Holly. You need it."

"Only if you're here."

"I always am." He held closer nuzzling he before giving her a soft kiss. She closed her eyes and was out almost instantly. With a smile he closed his own eyes to rest with her despite it only being around eight o'clock.