Conflicts Arise

Granity knocked on his door softly.

"Who is it?"

"Its me Genki…please I, Tiger, and Greywolf wish to speak with you."

"Come in then" all three walked in noting he seemed pissed. A sketchbook lay face down on the bed.

"Listen we will go with you. Your right we've lived in peace too long."

"Peace is fleeting, Granity"

"I know"

"And so do we." The brothers chimed.

"Alright, then I'm glad you three still have some back bone. Then again you were the bravest of the bunch." Tiger smirked along with Granity.

"What do you propose we make a deal with."

"Like I said food. I think I can manage to get that for us…I'll figure out how in the morning…. my brains half dead." Tiger chuckled.

"Then rest kid your need it."

He nodded as they left heading back down stairs. The others who'd stayed at the table looked over at them.

"You're going to cause problems for us all." Suezo pointed out.

"Maybe but Genki knows more about them then we do whether its a guess or not. If we make a deal with them for safe passage they won't retaliate. He doesn't seem to have a battle plan you know." Granity pointed out. "Besides, Genki is right peace is fleeting. It won't last long and if no one stands up the raptors may decide to come here on their own." Holly's eyes widened a moment, she had not thought of that.

"You will bring them here though…"

"I doubt he would do that, Holly. Besides, we could try making a treaty with them like he said. It would protect this village." Granity stated.

"We don't know this will work…." Suezo protested.

"And we don't know that peace will stay with us either. Least Genki still has some guts." Granity, Tiger, and Grey Wolf left headed for bed. Holly slowly rose taking care of things before heading up stairs to sleep. The others doing the same. With a sigh of frustration Holly drifted to Genki's door. Softly she knocked unsure if he was still up.

"Yes?"

"Genki, may I please come in?" her voice soft and gentle.

"Come in." as she entered and closed the door, she noticed he was drawing in his sketchbook. He never looked up at her. "What do you want to talk to me about?" he seemed to know her reason for coming.

"I wanted to talk to you about confronting the raptors."

"Go on" most of his attention on his sketchbook.

"I don't think it is wise to provoke them."

"I am aware. I am not going to provoke them. Merely buy passage to the junk yard and back."

"Genki, they could come after us…"

"I doubt they will. We are no threat to them."

"You don't understand…"

"I understand more then you think, Holly." He looked up at her now. She could vaguely see the hurt in his eyes. "I may have not been for awhile but that doesn't mean I have not gained knowledge over the years. And I am the one who knows the most about the raptors." He sat the sketchbook face down on his bed rising to walk over to the window, his back to her now. Holly slowly walked over to the sketchbook, picking it up she looked at the images he had drawn in it.

"Maybe so but we can't jeopardize this village." He noted the tone of disturbance in her voice. Turning he saw her with his book. Her eyes held confusion in them. "Why do you draw such horrific scenes…."

"I only draw that when I am angry. Not all of the pictures in there are angry ones."

"Yes, I know…but why do you seem to like drawing…werewolves."

"They are a fascination." He walked to her, gently taking the book from her hands and laying it on the bed again. "I said I wished to talk with you tonight."

"That you did."

"Ask what you wish to know. I will not lie to you." He sat on the bed and indicated for her to sit as well.

"What's your family like?"

"I live with my sister, Christina. My dad died in a car accident couple of years ago…." He paused, "and my mother and I have fought ever since. She became overly protective of me…we get into a lot of heated arguments. We never stay mad at each other long but…I don't think I could handle living with her again." He looked down to the floor, feeling Holly's hand on his comfortingly. She hesitated with her next question.

"Are you and Vivian…involved?.." he looked at her obviously surprised.

"No, we aren't…Vivian made a couple of passes at me but I have no interest in her."

"Why?"

"She is too controlling for my tastes." She nodded and bit her lip.

"So, do you have a boyfriend, Holly?" she was genuinely surprised at the question.

"No, not for a long time…I tried a relationship a few years ago…it ended badly." It was his turn to hold her hand. She smiled softly to him. "What about you? Any special girls?"

"No, I have never taken a girlfriend. Most who were interested in me we not my type. And those who were didn't like the fact that I was so busy."

"Genki, why didn't you pray with us?" he blinked at her.

"Well…. I am not sure who you are praying to really…"

"To mother earth of course." She looked at him surprised and worried at the same time.

"Holly what religion are you?"

"Gaiain why?"

"I am not the same religion as you. I pray to Father God. I'm a Christian…" Holly averted her eyes.

"This is never going to work…" she tried to leave but was stopped.

"It will only not work if you block it. We may not have the exact same belief but I promise I will never try to convert you. I won't interfere in your beliefs. All I ask is the same respect in return." Holly looked away, his brow furrowed as he pulled her to him gently hugging her. "Just think it over, ok?" she nodded, he let her go and she walked out of the room. Holly please keep an open mind…I need to know I can trust you with everything… he stripped down to his boxers and laid down to sleep.

Holly walked into her room slightly shocked still. How can I be with him when he doesn't believe in you Mother? Can we live side by side and not believe the same? Can we be together and have a family when he believes differently? Holly now got ready for bed and lay down thinking on this a little while longer. Praying to her Mother for guidance she drifted off to sleep.

When morning came, Holly noted Genki wasn't up yet. Going to his room she knocked gently. Receiving no answer so went in to find him asleep still. Shaking her head she walked to him, shaking him awake.

"Good Grief Holly it's six in the morning…. go back to bed…Zzzzzz."

"Get up, Genki!" his eyes glanced to her.

"Do you ever sleep?"

"Yes, but not like you."

"You can't expect my body to corporate when I am used to another time schedule." He turned over trying to sleep again.

"Genki, get up. I will not say it again."

"You're going to get me sick." This surprised her.

"How?"

"From lack of sleep."

"Genki, you're being ridiculous." He muttered something in another language. "What did you say?"

"Never mind" he stood up angry and walked to the window. "Holly, I think the sun has more sense then you. It's not even up yet." His anger surprised her.

"What is your problem?"

"I am not a morning person. I hate mornings exactly why I work evenings and nights. I have the most energy at night." He gritted his teeth, even his sister knew better then to get him up at this hour. Holly slowly approached him placing her hand on his shoulder.

"You're not at home anymore. Now get used to it."

"That will take time."

"I doubt that."

"You take a person from the far north and put them in the hottest region around here they would die from the heat. Their body would be too used to cold to be able to deal with heat. Your body is used to getting up at this time mine is not. It takes time to readjust Holly." He looked at her now his eyes showing his frustration and anger.

"Why are you so angry?" he looked away.

"I am frustrated…. I automatically get angry when I am frustrated."

"Genki, you are not impressing me. You say you want to relationship yet you are yelling at me."

"I am not yelling. And I would never force you to get up super early if I knew you were not used to it." His eyes showed ferocity she had never seen before. "I do want a relationship, however, I also need you to be understanding. You were last time we saw each other." His voice dropped to a whisper now. Holly looked away, maybe I am being too hard on him… she felt his arms slip around her waist; she looked up at him quizzically. "I will always love you. No matter what you do. Please try to be understanding with me. There is a lot you don't know about me yet. There are some things I have never told anyone…because I never trusted them enough. I would like to trust you in the way I have never trusted anyone else. A complete trust." She looked up into his eyes seeing longing and a sort of loneliness in them. Without thinking she learned forward and kissed him softly. His hand came up to her shoulder blades, holding her close as he returned the kiss. He let his love flow within him all anger dissipating. Holly couldn't help herself, the feeling of love and completeness washed over her. When Genki pulled back breaking the kiss gently she could see happiness and calmness in his eyes. His moved to caress her cheek for a moment. "Thank you, Holly. You are the only one I want to be with," His voice just above a whisper. A blush appeared on her face as she merely hugged him.

What am I doing? Why did I kiss him? We don't even know things will work out…Mother do you want me with him? He noted she was still a little tense and attempted nothing that would upset her. "You're a beautiful woman, Holly, and a strong woman." She pulled back to look at him.

"Thank you, Genki. No, please get ready…I will meet you down stairs."

"Alright," his smile as gentle as his eyes. He released her letting her leave, as he got ready.

When he came down stairs Holly couldn't help but blush. He wore a tight, blue sleeveless shirt with blue jeans, His tight shirt showing off his muscular upper body. Around his neck was a silver pendant on a leather necklace. The pendant was of a wolf's head with a spiritual symbol below it. He smiled to her gently. He helped her best he could. After breakfast he went to the barn to work on the iron bird.

When it was close to noon he heard a scream, Holly rushed to the barn.

"Genki, come quick the raptors are attacking the village." He was up in a flash, running as fast he could the other behind him as he came upon the village. He slammed his shoulder into the nearest raptor throwing it to the ground. The raptor hissed at him, letting out a loud series of noises it called other to it. The raptors attacked them all at once as Genki and the monsters fought them. Holly smacked one with a pan knocking it out. Tigers lightning took out two more as Golem hurled 4 into the air. Mocchi cried out as he was hit, Grey Wolf quickly rescued him. Genki gritted his teeth as he felt his blood flowing from a leg wound. Looking around him he noted he was surrounded. "Genki!!" Holly cried as the raptors ganged up on him. She heard his cry of pain as their claws sliced into his back, legs, and chest. With a loud yell he forced himself to his feet hurling the raptors in all directions. The others looked on as he singled out one raptor and slammed his hand into its neck, crushing its Tricia. The raptor gave a silent cry of pain and fell to the ground, suffocating to death. Another raptor called out and ran, the others followed. Genki collapsed to the ground panting hard. Holly ran to him looking over his wounds. "Tiger, get the doctor." Golem lifted Genki up and carried him back to the house as Tiger left to get help.

The Doctor came, shaking his head at the amount of damage he saw. He had to move fast and he knew it. He set strait away on trying to stop the bleeding. Soon he had sworn the boy back together and bandaged him. With a sigh of relief he walked down stairs. Holly and the others looked at him expectantly.

"He's in very bad shape. He lost a lot of blood; I did stop the bleeding. If he lives through the next few days he will be all right. Make sure you have someone with him at all times. Do not keep him on his back…he will suffocate, he is having trouble breathing. I will be back in the morning to check on him."

"Thank you, doctor" he nodded and left.

"Holly, you should stay with him" Granity volunteered. Holly looked over at her for a moment then nodded.

"I will." She walked up stairs to his room. Closing the door she looked at him, noting all the blood on the bed. Carefully she walked over and sat on the bed stroking his cheek. His eyes opened weakly for a moment, a wheezing sound could be heard from his throat. He shivered as Holly took his temperature. "You're like ice…here…" she gently moved him and climbed in with him. He winced as he felt her wrap her arms around him. She gently smiled to him, "Just lean against me, Genki. I'll keep you warm." He slowly leaned against her then relaxed. He still wheezed but it was less then before. Carefully she pulled the covers up around them and sighed. "I'm sorry Genki…you were right…peace is fleeting."

"I know…. you want…peace…but…the only…lasting…. peace…. can be…found…in your…. heart…" his voice a rough, forced whisper.

"Shh…. don't talk. Just rest for now, Genki." His eyes closed as he fell asleep. Slowly she drifted off as well, waking ever few hours to check on him.

In the morning Granity came in with the doctor. The doctor smiled as he came over to her.

"Don't disturb him if he is resting." She nodded as the doctor took his temperature. Next he listened to his heart and breathing. Genki woke when he felt the doctor taking his bandages off. Holly held him gently,

"Genki, just relax, I know it hurts but your bandages have to be changed." The doctor was surprised to see so much progress. His wounds no longer bled other then the spots where the scab was tore off with the bandages. They were all scabbed over and didn't seem to be infected at all. Holly seemed a little less mystified then the doctor and Granity.

"Holly, is this normal for him?"

"Yeah, he seems to heal faster then normal…he has since he was a kid. Not sure why."

"Well, looks like his gift for healing is really saving his life this time." The doctor now looked over his legs. Then helped Holly carefully move him, so the doctor could change the bandages on his chest. Genki was given a shot to help him fight off infection. "He looks like he'll make it. He will probably be cold for a while. You had a good idea with letting him use your body heat. Just make sure he doesn't move around too much in the next few days. Change his bandages daily, if you need me just come and get me."

"Thank you, Doctor Harvey"

"Your welcome, Holly." The doctor left as Holly helped Genki onto his side again and held him gently. He seemed tired, barely able to keep his eyes open.

"Rest, Genki. You'll feel better soon."

Genki got increasingly better over the next few days. He surprised even Holly with how fast he healed. Within a week he was moving around again, slowly but he knew he had to build his strength back up. Tiger and Grey Wolf both watched over him carefully as if brothers to him. Genki prayed at dinner though to his God, much to Holly's displeasure. Later that night Genki was in his room sketching when Holly came into his room. He looked up at her and knew something was wrong.

"Holly, what's wrong? Why are you up so late?" he knew it was close to one in the morning. She came over to him pulling him into an embrace. He gently held her ignoring the pain from her grip. "It's alright, Holly," His voice soft and calm.

"Genki…. I'm scared…I have been having the same nightmare for a week straight…" her grip tightened, he gritted his teeth and gentle stroked her back.

"It's alright, Holly…do you want to talk about it?"

"It's the same each time…a raptor and a werewolf are fighting… blood spills to the ground…then I felt myself forced to the ground." She began to cry. He gently pulled her closer holding her with strong and gentle arms.

"Just let it out, Holly." She sank to her knees. Gently he lifted her up, she held onto him tight as he sat on the bed with her. Patiently he held her and gently rocked her in his arms. Finally she looked up at him.

"Genki, I thought you were going to die…."

"It's not that easy to get rid of me."

"The doctor says you have a strong gift for healing…."

"Yeah, I do. Have since I was young." She blushed noticing she was on his lap.

"Genki…there is something you need to know…" she looked down a moment, "When I was still with my boyfriend he came home drunk one night…. he dragged me up stairs. I tried to fight him but he beat me then raped me…" she felt his arms pull her close in a comforting manner. "He hurt me so much…and in such a way…that I can't have a child." Her eyes looked to her lap, "my womb is barren because of the injuries he caused me…" She felt Genki's hand rub her back in a comforting manner. "If you're with me…I will never be able to give you a child…" she was close to tears and he knew it. She laid her head against his chest waiting for his reaction. She felt him hold her close with strong yet gentle arms.

"Holly, I am sorry for what he did…I wish I had never gone back to my world…so I could have stopped him…"

"It's not your fault Genki…the phoenix never gave you a choice." He was silent a moment.

"Holly, I love you and I always will. Even though you can't have a child, just being with you means more to me. I love you for who you are inside."

"But Genki…. the doctor said s…sex…would be painful for me…" she blushed embarrassed at what they were speaking about.

"Then we won't have sex. All I want is to be with you, Holly. I would never force you into doing something that hurts you. Nor would I have forced you if you were not injured." She looked up at him with eyes filled with surprise. "Holly, I mean it, I love you for you." She hugged him tighter then before.

"You don't know how much that means to me…. but…I want a child…" her voice grew sad.

"Holly, I will do everything in my power to help you have one. We could adopt."

"That's not the same…"

"I know, I know…. if I have to I will find a way to take you to my world and pay a specialist to help you no matter what the cost." She looked up at him again.

"Genki…" her voice filled with love.

"I want you to be happy, Holly." He smiled to her, gaining a smile in return. Hesitantly she kissed him, his eyes closed as he let her guide him. His hand stroked her back very gently. He felt her hand on his jaw holding him in place as she began to make out with him. She became more passionate with him, slowly pushing him backwards on the bed. He let her do, as she liked being gentle in return. When she broke the kiss she was blushing.

"Genki…I love you." Her voice very soft. His hand came up to her cheek gentle caressing it.

"I love you too, Holly. Stay with me tonight, I will keep you safe from your nightmares." She smiled nodding.

"Promise me you won't try anything."

"I promise. You will lead everything we do." He set his sketchbook aside and climbed in bed. She climbed in with him, a blush covering her cheeks. He blew out the candle and wrapped his arms around her, his hands coming to rest on her stomach. He knew she was still blushing even though the room was dark. "Just relax Holly, get some rest, you need it." He heard her sigh and felt her body relax as he did as well. They drifted off together.