More fluff time! Remember, time moves rather fast in this story so their ages are always going up a bit. Like in this chapter, it's already been a year that they've been dating now. Just a heads up, is all. ^_^ Also thanks so much for all the support! Your reviews are what keep me writing! I hope this chapter is to your satisfaction!

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

D: Date

"I'm happy the rain stopped so we could finally take a walk!"

"Me, too! It was getting kind of cramped being stuck indoors for so long."

Spring was a time of wonder and beauty as new flower buds began to make their way into the warm sunlight and the grass was losing its dainty brown color while switching to a more lush green. Since Moo's defeat, things had calmed down in the world and it seemed almost like it had all been one horrible dream. To the rebels who defeated the King of the Baddies, though, it was anything but a mere nightmare. Even after a year, the group still stuck close to each other out of habit and were always on alert for any danger. Two of the group members were on alert for other reasons, however. Holly smiled softly as she walked close to Genki's side while occasionally her boots would splash in a muddy puddle of water. The rain had kept everyone locked indoors, so the couple hadn't seen each other for the past week and even though it was risky, the two were more than ready to take a walk together even with the fear of being caught in the back of their minds.

"…hey, Holly?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Do you remember what tomorrow is?"

Holly chuckled quietly before she took Genki's hand in her own and gave it a gentle squeeze. "How could I forget? It's been a year since we've been a couple. The time went so fast!"

"I know what you mean. Time flies, huh?" Genki replied with a grin, but suddenly his face got serious as he cleared his throat and tightened his grip on Holly's hand. "Holly…?"

"…yes?"

"Since it's our one year anniversary and everything, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to go to dinner with me? You know, as a date?" Genki asked with one of his trademark grins that melted Holly's heart every time he flashed it her way. Because of their unusual situation with Holly's father, the couple never had the chance to go to a formal dinner together. The opportunity to do so was too good to pass up.

"Really? Oh, Genki! I'd love to!" Holly exclaimed with excitement, but all at once her eyes fell downcast and a frown crossed her face. "But… what about my father? I don't want to get you into trouble…"

"Don't worry, Holly! I've been planning this out carefully for the past month!"

"Really? That long?"

"Yup! Here's the plan: You tell your father you're going out to dinner with Suezo to celebrate the anniversary of Moo's defeat. Meanwhile, Hare and I go to Golem's restaurant to grab a bite to eat after a day of working and we just happen to run into you guys. Then Suezo and Hare just happen to want to go to the bar section of the restaurant so we just happen to be left alone. Life is full of coincidences, huh?" Genki said with a playful wink.

"That actually sounds like it'll work!" Holly replied with a giggle. "Alright, it's a date!"

That was twenty seven hours ago. With a half hour to go before he had to leave to go meet his date, Genki was quick to turn to his fellow rebels for assistance in getting prepped for his first true date, but asking Hare and Tiger may have been a mistake. What started as a simple question of attire had since then turned into a complete battlefield.

"No, the tie looks more professional!"

"Maybe, but a bowtie is way classier!"

"Yeah right! Maybe if he wants to be a comedian! If he wants to look spiffy for his date, the tie is the way to go!"

"He'll look like a stuck-up business man if he wears a tie! The bowtie will make him look more relaxed!"

"You don't know anything about dressing up, rabbit!"

"Oh, and you're any better, mutt?"

Genki sighed as he watched Hare and Tiger once again begin arguing. He was already nervous beyond words and the added stress wasn't helping the boy in the least bit. Even back in his world, Genki was never one to get dressed up. Now looking at himself in the mirror, he felt a strange chill run up his spine at seeing his reflection. His normally messy hair was combed back and although he hated it, the others insisted he do so. His normally baggy white t-shirt and brown shorts had been replaced with a simple black tuxedo Hare had obtained for an occasion like this, though he had to admit he didn't mind the suit so much. With a small smile, Genki slowly placed his orange hat on top of his head where it always resided, but he let out a yell when Hare quickly snatched it off.

"Hey! What's the big idea?" Genki growled angrily as he grabbed his hat back from the rabbit monster.

"We didn't comb your hair back for nothing, Genki! You absolutely can't wear your hat, okay? I know how much you love it, but it would be completely out of place! Don't you want to look slick for Holly?" Hare spoke sternly as he still held onto the bowtie he had been trying to make Genki wear earlier.

"Well, yeah, I guess I want her to like how I look…" Genki admitted with a frown as he gave his hat one last glance before tucking it under his jacket. It pained him not to wear it, but at least he still had it near him.

"Good. Now… tie or bowtie?"

After another ten minutes of fighting about which to wear, the trio flipped a coin and soon Genki found himself wearing a bowtie while Hare decided to wear the tie just for kicks. With a wave of luck from Mocchi and Tiger, both Genki and Hare were off and running to the restaurant where they knew a certain brunette girl and eyeball monster were waiting for them. The restaurant was simple, but sweet as several tables were being waited on by waitresses. As the duo looked around for their companions, they couldn't help but smile at seeing Golem cooking in the backroom before he went to wait at the bar. Both made it a mental note to tell him, no matter how bad the food was, that the meal was delicious.

"Genki! Hare! Over here!"

With the sound of their names being spoken, Genki and Hare quickly turned to where the sound was coming from, but the scene made Genki take a second look. Suezo was sitting idly at a table as he waved to them, but that wasn't what Genki was looking at. Holly stood at the side of the table with a smile plastered on her face as she waved the group over. Her hair was without its usual ribbon and it hung loosely down her back. Instead of her baggy pants, Holly wore a simple red and black plaid skirt that went down to her knees while she wore a red shirt with black flat shoes. From her expression, Genki could see the bashfulness and nervousness gleaming in her eyes, and it made him feel a little better knowing he wasn't the only one. Still, to say she looked beautiful was an understatement in Genki's mind, but he found himself being snapped out of his thoughts by Suezo's voice.

"You know, you can stop gawking at her now." Suezo stated with a role of his eye.

"S-sorry…" Genki trailed off with embarrassment.

"Oh, Suezo, don't be like that." Holly huffed as she placed her hands on her hips. "Now, don't you have some place to go?"

"I'm going, I'm going…" Suezo muttered while he stood up from his seat before hopping to Hare's side. "You up for a round of shots?"

"You bet!"

Holly sweated slightly as she watched the two monsters head off to the bar, and she could already imagine the trouble the two would get into if they got intoxicated. It would be New Year's all over again, though luckily a drunken Colt wouldn't be with them. Before she could say anything, though, a smile fell on her lips as she watched Genki pull a chair out while motioning for her to be seated.

"A seat for the pretty lady?" Genki said playfully.

"Why thank you, good sir!" Holly piped up as she played along with a blush on her face while sitting down gently. With a grin of success, Genki quickly walked around to the other side of the table before taking a seat across from his date.

"So… do you have any idea what you want to order?" Genki spoke up to break the awkward silence. He had never been out to dinner before like this and he wasn't entirely sure what to do or what to say. The last thing he wanted was to make a fool out of himself in front of Holly.

"I'm not really sure. I don't really eat out much. How about you?"

"I have no idea, either. What about a drink?"

"I'll probably start with some water. What about you?"

"Same here."

The air filled with silence once more, but luckily a waitress came over to get them drinks and within moments she returned with two glasses of water. Genki found himself unable to look at Holly due to his nerves, so his eyes drifted to the water that was in front of him and he couldn't help but feel strange seeing his reflection. There he was; no hat, no casual clothes, and no courage. How was a gentleman supposed to act? Better yet, how did Holly want him to act? Was she happy with him? Was he doing something wrong? Unsure of what exactly to do, Genki coughed slightly before nervously reaching out for his glass while trying to maintain a proper disposition, but he felt his eyes widen in horror when the glass tipped over and cold water spilt across the table onto Holly's lap. Shocked at the sudden chill, Holly leapt to her feet with a surprised yelp and Genki was quick to grab some napkins and run to her side.

"Holly! I'm so sorry! Really!" Genki exclaimed in embarrassment as he felt shame wash over his body. He almost expected her to turn heel and leave in a huff, but to his surprise Holly only giggled softly as she thanked him for the napkins before wiping herself off.

"It's alright, Genki. Really, it's only water. No harm done." Holly replied with a warm smile while a few waitresses cleaned up their table from the spill. After a moment, the young couple slowly sat back down, though Genki couldn't help but feel guilty.

"I'm really sorry, Holly. Are you sure you're not mad?"

"Oh, Genki. You're worrying too much. Really; I'm fine."

"Y-you, know, you look really stunning, Holly." Genki spoke up suddenly while catching both Holly and himself off guard.

"Thank you, Genki. I'm not really use to dressing up, but I wanted to look nice for you. You look very handsome yourself. I really love your bowtie." Holly replied merrily as her cheeks flushed red at her words while Genki made a mental note to go with bowties from now on. "I'm not use to you with combed hair or you not wearing your hat, too…"

"I'm not use to it either." Genki replied glumly, and within his tone Holly could sense the slight dread it held.

"…why didn't you wear it?"

"I… I wanted to look nice for you and it wouldn't be very fancy of me to wear it, would it?"

"…you brought it with you, didn't you?"

Holly chuckled softly, knowing from the start he couldn't leave his hat behind, as she extended her hand while Genki laughed as he dug into the inside of his tuxedo pocket and pulled out his orange hat. It was beaten and worn, yet it symbolized every adventure he had ever been on. With a smile Holly leaned over the table before ruffling Genki's once neat hair; causing Genki to gape up at her in shock. Before he could speak, Holly lowered her head slightly before kissing his forehead and placing his hat on top of his head in one swift motion.

"Why did you do that?" Genki asked in surprise and although he was beyond relieved, he was also confused.

"Genki, I don't like you because of your hair or anything like that. I like you because of who you are and that's just the way I want things to be between us. So we don't look as fancy as the other couples eating here. Since when have we ever cared about fitting in?" Holly replied with a playful wink. "I want you to always be you and if that hat is a part of you, then wear it."

"You really mean that?"

"Of course. I like seeing you dressed up and all, but I'd rather see you happy." The girl spoke with a smile before she extended her arm out where a red ribbon was tied loosely around her wrist. "See? My hair ribbon is such a part of me that I couldn't leave it behind, either."

Genki looked at the worn, but cute ribbon on Holly's wrist and he was surprised when the girl took his hand in her own before bringing it up to rest on her cheek. A gentle smile was ever present on the girl's face as she let out a content sigh before looking at Genki with loving eyes.

"And Genki. I know you're nervous going on an official date with me and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, either. Just remember; it's just me. You don't have to try and act different or anything. It's just like normal except we're eating at a restaurant, is all. I'm still the same girl who's travelled with you for years and who's always looked out for you to make sure you weren't getting into trouble." Holly spoke with a chuckle as she slowly brought Genki's hand back down on the table.

"When you put it like that, it's not so nerve-wracking." Genki admitted with a smile. After a moment of silence, Holly slowly picked up her glass of water before extending it out to Genki with a wryly grin on her face. Her eyes sparkled with slight jitters, but they also shone with pure happiness and a hint of determination. It had been a year of slow going for their relationship, but she was ready to push aside their fears and strive for a real relationship as long as he was ready for the journey.

"Cheers?"

Genki's eyes gleamed at the girl sitting across from him and he was quick, though careful, to pick up his glass and extend it out to gently clink against his date's. The sound was quiet, yet meaningful and a playful grin found its way on Genki's face while he kept his eyes locked with Holly's. He, too, was ready to take on the world with Holly and he could feel that throughout the obstacles that would be thrown at them, they could make it.

"Cheers!"

As you can tell, I love bowties. :D Just some bantering and what not! XD These one-shots aren't full; they're just moments in their relationship since it would be too many words for me to write out their full date. I love nervous Genki. I think he's just so sweet. Now, though, the awkward ness between them is starting to disappear and they'll eventually be pretty casual with each other. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3