I'm so tired from school. I really just want to drop out, but I know I can't since I'm too proud. XD Time to vent a little!

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

E: Envision

"Just one more!"

"No way! You're so drunk I'm amazed you're even standing!"

"Come on! I'm fine!"

Suezo's slurred plea for another drink went unheard by Hare, who was currently the one maintaining the open bar at the annual New Year's Eve festival in Toriyama. The rabbit monster let out a snort as he watched Suezo try to reach for another pitch of ale, but he was quick to smack the eyeball monster upside the head and with that, Suezo hobbled back into the crowd to either try dancing with beautiful ladies or to pass out somewhere. Either way, Hare didn't care as long as he wasn't the one dealing with him. The intelligent monster let out a low chuckle as he shook his head with amusement before scanning the festival with a grin on his face. It had become tradition for friends of the rebels to stop by Toriyama on New Year's Eve to celebrate and to have a good time. Hare could see Kato helping Falcon cook some food for the festival goers while Ducken helped coordinate the playing band. Things were going smoothly for once and even Tiger was enjoying catching up with Gray Wolf over a keg of liquor. Life was good.

"You never told me how you managed to defeat Moo the last time, Genki."

"Really? I'll tell you all about it then, Granity!"

Hare's attention was pulled away from his other friends as he turned to where he heard the voices, but he stopped in mid spin as he caught sight of a lone figure sitting at an empty table. Holly was slumped down slightly as her eyes gazed forward intensely as if she was facing a deadly foe. A mix of the night sky along with the burning torches all around the area made her eyes look so deep with a mixture of confusion and shame. Hare, after quickly locking up the bar area for a moment, was fast to walk to the girl's side before sitting down next to her with a concerned expression on his face. Seeing Holly down was one of the worst things in the world and Hare couldn't not try to see if he could help.

"Holly? Why are you sitting by yourself?" Hare asked with puzzlement as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder and even though she jumped slightly from the touch, he didn't let his hand drop.

"Oh, Hare! You startled me!" Holly said with a chuckle as she was snapped out of her trance. "Um, what was it you asked me again?"

"I asked you why you're sitting all alone over here." Hare repeated.

"Oh… it's nothing." Holly replied with a fake smile.

"Now, your act can fool just about everyone, but I'm a genius, remember? You can't fool me so easily."

"There's no getting past you, is there?"

"Nope. So, tell me what's going on. We're friends, right?"

"I hate it when you guys pull the friend card. It always makes me feel so guilty." Holly stated with a huff.

"We know; that's why we use it. So spill." Hare replied with a playful wink, one in which caused Holly's eyes to brighten faintly.

"Alright, you win." The brunette said with a sad smile before her gaze once again drifted to where it had been before, and Hare was quick to follow her view. Out in a small area designated as the dance area, Genki and Granity danced slowly with one another with smiles plastered on their faces as they talked about old and new adventures.

"Wait… are you jealous?" Hare asked in surprise as he looked over to his friend. Holly was the kind of person who never got jealous over anything. Even thinking such a thought about her was strange and seemed wrong.

"That's just it; I'm not sure. I mean, Genki and Granity have always been close and it's never bothered me before. Even last year at the New Year's Eve festival, him and I were already dating and I had no problem watching them dance even when Granity got a bit tipsy and was hanging all over him. They're just two friends hanging out and having fun after not seeing each other for a while. But now…" Holly trailed off with a saddened sigh, and Hare was more surprised when she quickly wiped away a lone tear that had almost fallen.

"Oh, Holly… Don't feel bad about it. You have every right to feel the way you do." Hare tried to speak soothingly as he carefully wrapped his arms around the girl and brought her into a comforting hug.

"But, Hare, it's not that easy! Now, when I see them together, I find myself comparing her and I. I mean, she has a much better figure than me, her breasts are larger, she's more elegant, she's strong, she's smart, and she's courageous… I mean, look at me! I'm so plain and I don't even have the courage to face my own father about my relationship with Genki. I can't compare to her! I don't even know why Genki is even dating me anymore…" The wielder of the Magic Stone choked out as she buried her face into Hare's warm chest.

"Holly, don't you for a second start doubting your relationship with Genki because you don't think you're good enough. You have it all wrong! It's true, Granity is very attractive and powerful, but you are too! Granity was born with powers because she's a monster, but you've had to struggle your whole life and because of it you're stronger than any woman I've ever met. And you're beautiful, too. Hell, any of the guys in our group would kill to have a date with you!" Hare replied with a wryly smile and his grin only grew as he heard Holly giggle softly against his chest. Her grasp became weaker for a moment, though, and Hare felt worry rise into his chest.

"But, Hare, I'm a horrible person."

"What? Why would you say that?"

"Granity has been our friend for so many years and without her, we would never have been able to beat Moo. We've always had a good relationship, but lately I've been finding myself hating her because of how close she is with Genki. She's my good friend, though, and I don't want Granity and Genki to stop being friends because of me! Oh, Phoenix, what's wrong with me? Why do I feel this way?" Holly mumbled shamefully as she let out strained sigh. The situation was like nothing she had ever gone through before and it was more frustrating than anything.

"…Holly, I know what your problem is and things won't get better until you admit it."

"Really? What is it? Please tell me!"

"…You have been friends with Genki for years now and you've developed feelings for him over the past couple years. Even at the festival last year, you were still at a different stage in your relationship which is why you didn't feel jealous of Granity. Things have changed, though, and it's time now for you to realize it."

"…realize what?"

"You're in love with Genki."

"WHAT?"

Holly felt the color drain from her face as she stared at the rabbit monster like he had sprouted another set of ears. She always knew she had a crush on Genki and, since they started dating, it had always been that way. Their relationship was simple, consisting of just two teenagers with crushes on one another. Things couldn't get much easier than that. The step from crush to love was a huge leap to take, and suddenly Holly felt butteries start forming in her stomach and for her heart to beat faster. Love always was like something from a fairy tale; it was something so beautiful and pure that it couldn't possibly happen in real life. Now, though, the girl realized it had been sitting in front of her the whole time and all she needed was someone to help open her eyes.

"Do… do you really think so?" Holly asked with a gulp.

"Think? I know so." Hare replied with a shrug.

"Oh, Phoenix… Do you think Genki feels the same? What if he doesn't? What should I do?"

"Come on, Holly. You have plenty of time to think it over later, but for now enjoy the festival so wipe away that frown and tears." Hare said softly as he gave Holly a soothing pat on the back before he lifted his hand to brush away a few stray tears from Holly's face. "You need some time to think things over. If you ever need someone to talk to, though, you know I'll always be there and so will the others."

"Thank you so much, Hare. Really, I appreciate it a lot." Holly said with a serene smile while she straightened her hair and wiped her eyes. "You're right; I need to enjoy the festival."

"Anytime. Now that everything's taken care of, how about honoring me with a dance?" Hare spoke up with a wryly smile as he stood up before extending his arm out to the brunette.

"I'd be delighted to." Holly grinned as she hooked arms with the rabbit monster who then led her out to the dance floor. When Hare placed both his hands on the girl's waist, Holly gently placed her hands on his shoulders and the duo danced slowly, but enjoyably with one another while other couples began to dance around them as well. While she danced with her comrade, Holly couldn't help but glance over at Genki and Granity every so often. The two seemed happy as they talked with one another and even though Holly knew both Genki and Granity would never betray her, she still felt that strange feeling tugging inside her as she watched the pair. Her heart would flutter with each glance she took at Genki, and the realization of it all finally sunk in and it both excited her to no end and scared her to death.

She was in love with Genki Sakura.

Another short one-shot! Realizing that you don't have a crush on someone and that it's actually love is probably one of the most wonderful, yet scariest things in the world. XD I really love Holly and Hare banters so I'm glad I finally got to write one for this story. So Holly finally realizes she's in love with Genki. Does Genki feel the same? Oooohhh, suspense! …not really. XD This chapter was actually going to be the opposite with Genki realizing he loves Holly by talking with Tiger after watching Holly and Hare dancing, but after reading ripitupgenki's stories that hint at Granity/Genki, I couldn't resist this. XD Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3