The last chapter was kind of dramatic, but from this point in it will be more of random moments in Holly and Genki's relationship as it develops. There will still be a few chapters that are rather dramatic, but there will be more sweet moments.

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

C: Cardinal

The air outside was chilly and crisp as a lone figure climbed out a window from a second story house before landing gracefully on the ground below and taking off into the dark night. Several crickets chirped with anticipation as the figure cloaked in black garb ran toward the town ahead that was lit up with lanterns and candles. The sight was always one that was comforting, but nothing was as mind easing as seeing the large building in the middle of town that housed most of the heroes who took down Moo. With a nervous shuffle of their feet, the person gently knocked on the large doors before taking a step back to wait for an answer. Luckily, someone was fast to answer their calling and the door flew open to reveal Genki who looked rather surprised at the late night visitor.

"Holly? What are you doing here? It's the middle of the night!" Genki asked with a confused frown as he surveyed the young girl in front of him. Holly was wearing her old black cloak she had worn during their journey when the weather became extremely cold. When she pulled the hood of the cloak down, Genki could see the bags under her eyes from where sleep had once again evaded the brunette.

"I'm sorry, Genki. I just… I couldn't sleep." Holly replied with a sullen sigh while she held the end of her cloak tightly in her pale hands while her gaze stayed glued to the ground as if she was ashamed of herself.

"Well, come inside or you'll freeze!" The boy quickly ushered Holly in before closing the door behind him and leading her to the couch in the living room. Their relationship was, as most could all it, a forbidden one that left both teenagers emotionally drained. Holly's father was still against the arrangement, but for once in her life Holly wasn't backing down. Most times the girl would wait until her father was asleep or had gone out to slip out her bedroom window and her feet would always lead her back to the home where her boyfriend resided in. Even Suezo would stick up for two when he had the chance, though Yosho wouldn't listen to the eyeball monster. Because of this, sneaking out was the only thing Holly could do to see Genki. They had been doing this routine now for months, but it never got easier and whenever Holly got caught, it was hell to pay. It was even worse when Yosho would catch her when his breath reeked of stale alcohol, but the young girl wouldn't give in.

"Genki, I shouldn't have come here. I'm sorry. I just… wanted to see you even if it was just for a moment." The wielder of the Magic Stone confessed with a sigh as her cheeks flushed a little red for a second before she stood up to leave, but Genki was quick to grab her wrist.

"Don't go, Holly! I don't mind, really! You know I wouldn't miss seeing you for the world!" Genki exclaimed with a worried look to the brunette, for he knew things at her home weren't quite as she had imagined they would be when they first unlocked her father. With a comforting smile from Genki and a sudden need to be there, Holly slowly sank back down into the couch with a timid expression on her face.

"Thank you." Holly whispered and, before Genki could react, the young girl scooted closer to him before laying her head on his shoulder. The act was simple, but neither of the two had yet had enough courage to do anything beyond hold hands with the constant fear of Yosho walking in on them. Genki could feel the heat radiating off Holly's fragile form and with a sudden burst of courage, the boy hesitantly wrapped his arm around the girl's waist. Although a little shocked, Genki could sense he had done something right when Holly released a quiet sigh of joy before she wrapped her arms around his chest.

"…how are you feeling?" Genki asked quietly as he kept his gaze on Holly's elegant and now peaceful face.

"Much better now." Holly replied with an impish giggle and her smile would widened each time she would see Genki hesitantly go to stroke her hair, but his courage would fail him at the last minute. With a small giggle, the brunette buried her face against the boy's chest like a playful kitten as the feeling of security and warmth filled her senses. "I wish we could always be like this…"

"We'll get our chance someday just as soon as we can prove ourselves to your father." Genki stated with a sad smile, for deep down he had a gut feeling that day would never come. "I don't mind, though. As long as I get the honor to even see you, I'm happy."

"Oh, Genki, that's so sweet!" Holly smiled giddily at the boy's statement and suddenly the situation didn't seem quite as bad. The romantic side to Genki was there, but sometimes it was hard for the boy to express it especially since his girlfriend's father was against it. "Yeah, I'm just happy being able to be with you like this. I like being so close to you, you know? I always feel safe with you."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Something about that statement made Genki's pride swell and for his courage to go up a peak. A calm silence fell between the two as they remained nestled in each other's arms until Holly shifted slightly and a small sigh left her lips. After a moment, Genki couldn't help but look down at the girl in his arms and a sudden wave of concern washed over him as he noticed the now nervous look on Holly's face. "Holly? Are you alright? Is something wrong?"

"…you're so sweet, Genki. Right away you always ask me if I'm alright." Holly chuckled softly at the boy's concern. "I'm alright Genki, really. I was just thinking that I should leave soon before my father realizes I'm gone. If he found out, well, you know what would happen."

"I guess. I wish you could stay longer, though." Genki said and, from the sound of it, he spoke with a bit of plea in his voice. With a reluctant sigh, Genki let his hold on Holly loosen enough for the girl to get up from their comfortable embrace before he stood up to walk her to the door just like every other time they were in this situation. With a saddened expression, Genki pulled Holly into a tight hug; one that Holly was quick to return with just as much emotion.

"We'll see each other again soon, Genki. I just know it." Holly mumbled quietly as she buried her face in the nape of Genki's neck. Her warm breath caused pleasurable chills to go down the boy's spine and it took all of his willpower not to force her to stay in the embrace.

"I know. I just hate seeing you go like this." The boy replied with a sigh as he opened the door politely to go with their regular routine. Something was different this time, though, and Genki could feel the pit in his stomach tighten as he watched Holly walk out of the house, but not before turning around one last time.

"Good night, Genki, and sweet dreams." Holly whispered with a sad smile. Before she could turn to leave, though, Genki did something he wasn't quite expecting himself to do. Normally, he'd watch her silhouette disappear down the gravel road before solemnly going back to bed while dreading their departure the whole time.

This time, however, his nerves took over and he quickly ran in front of her before leaning up to catch her lips against his own. Even now with puberty hitting hard on the two teenagers, Genki was still an inch or so shorter than Holly, but that didn't seem to matter as Holly's shocked eyes slowly closed before she pressed against the boy a little firmer. The kiss was a tad awkward, and neither of the two knew what to do or when exactly to break it off. The warmth from each other's breath was captivating and the silence of the atmosphere made the moment even more serene. After a minute of standing out in the cold with their lips locked in a simple yet loving kiss, the couple slowly took a step backwards before staring at the other with gaping mouths and wide-eyes.

"…wow…" Genki whispered numbly as he kept his gaze focused on the girl in front of him whose face was almost as red as Falcon.

"Did… did we just kiss…?" Holly asked nervously as she played with the hem of her cloak with anxiety.

"I think so."

"…was I good?"

"Yeah! Was I?"

"I thought so!"

The two teenagers looked at one another bashfully while trying their best to stay calm and act as if the kiss wasn't such a landmark. Still, it was a difficult task and Genki couldn't take any more of the emotional strain. With a loving smile, Genki gave Holly's hand a gentle squeeze before he went back inside the house to avoid any more awkwardness.

"So, uh, have a safe trip back, okay? And you have sweet dreams, too." Genki said with a smile before shutting the door quietly behind him. With a sigh of relief, the boy slowly slid down against the door before looking down at his hands with surprise. 'I actually did it! I kissed Holly!'

As Genki was thinking joyfully to himself, he didn't know Holly was still outside with a shocked, yet extremely happy look on her face. When Genki slowly got up to head back to bed, he felt his smile spread into a grin as he heard the faint, but easily audible sound of Holly's cheer; one in which he was positive she didn't think he could hear.

"Yes!"

So, yeah, this one is kind of short, but sweet! In this, the term cardinal isn't the bird; it's another word for 'first'. So they finally got around to having their first of many kisses to come. I'm in a fluff craze! XD The next chapter will also be a happier one. Thank you for reading and reviewing! You guys are awesome! ^_^

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3