Okay, here begins the part where these next few one-shots will be like a mini-series segment, mainly M through U. I've had the idea for this one and the next one since this story even started. XD

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

M: Miss

Genki shifted slightly from his place in the doorway with a frown on his face and bitterness shining in his eyes. It was one of those rare days that Yosho was out and so Genki could actually be in Holly's home. Normally, that would be something to cheer about, but as the young man watched his girlfriend yanking clothes out from her closet, he felt his stomach drop. Even though Holly was struggling to collect a variety of her belongings, Genki found himself unable to offer any help. His feet stayed glued to the ground while his eyes stayed focused on the bags on Holly's bed, each of them brimming with clothing and food. Her eyes, each lined with tired bags under them, shone with the same emotions Genki's held as she turned to the young man and flashed him a sad, yet loving smile.

"It won't be long and before you know it, I'll be back," Holly spoke up, her tone laced with hesitation.

"…four months is a long time," Genki replied in a hollow tone.

"…I know."

The stairs creaked and moaned as the couple made their way down from the upstairs, their arms full of bags and necessities. Outside of the home was a large wooden cart with Centaur standing with the reigns in his hands and Suezo sitting in the front with a solemn look in his eyes. He often got in fights with his friends, but he never knew leaving them for such a long period of time would be so painful. It was true that after Moo's defeat they had all been separated and in that time he at least had Golem to travel with, but he had missed everyone dearly. With a sigh, the eyeball monster slowly hopped off from his perch before wordlessly taking the bags from Holly's arms and tossing them into the back of the cart followed by Genki, who mimicked his actions.

"So… everything's packed?" Suezo asked to break the silence.

"Yes, I think that's all we'll be needing," Holly replied softly.

"Don't worry; I'll deliver you safely to the FIMBA region where Captain Horn will be waiting at the docks to take you to Age Island," Centaur spoke up with a sad smile at seeing everyone so down. "I know this is difficult for everyone, but you're doing a wonderful thing, Miss Holly."

"Thank you, Centaur. I just hope everything will be okay."

After a sudden wave of natural disasters, Age Island had been almost completely wiped out of the monsters once living there. In an act of desperation, the locals had set out to contact Holly, whom was known for being able to locate Mystery Disks using a Magic Stone. Unable to deny their plea for help, Holly agreed to go to Age Island to help search for Mystery Disks in order to regain the balance. Although it was for a limited time, parting ways was a heart breaking thing for them.

"Make sure you're eating right while I'm gone, okay?" Holly said with a smile.

"Don't worry; I will," Genki replied with a sad chuckle.

"And could you check in every now and then on my father?"

"Of course, though he can't know that."

"Don't do anything dangerous, either."

"I'll try not to."

"And make sure to go to bed at a decent hour."

"I'll try to."

"Also, try not-"

"Holly! Don't worry, I'll be fine!"

"Just hear me out, okay?"

"…okay."

"…please, try not to forget about me, okay?"

Genki felt himself blink in surprise at Holly's words while the young woman shifted her gaze to the ground. She looked defeated, her hair being slightly messy while her skin was paler than usual. Her arms hung loosely at her sides while her legs wobbled slightly almost as if they were about to give out. When the young woman lifted her head to meet Genki's eyes, he felt his heart crumble at seeing the look of desperation and longing held within them.

"What do you mean by that?" Genki asked with a confused frown. "We've been dating for over 4 years now."

"It's just that… four months is a long time and a lot can happen. A new, beautiful girl could move into town and… well… you might forget me," Holly said with a saddened glance.

"Holly, I could never forget about you! Even if we were apart for years, I would never feel any less about you," Genki replied as he pulled the young woman into a tight hug; one in which she was quick to accept.

"Thank you, Genki… thank you…" Holly whispered as she buried her head into her boyfriend's firm chest.

"If you keep hugging me like this, I'll have to force you to stay," Genki joked in a feeble attempt to lighten the mood, though it seemed to work as Holly giggled softly before pulling away.

"I guess you're right. When I get back, I'll cook us a huge feast!" Holly announced with an impish smile as she climbed onto the cart with a helpful push from Genki while Suezo hopped back to the front of the cart and Centaur prepared to head out.

"I look forward to that!" Genki grinned, but he was caught off guard when the young woman quickly leaned down to catch his lips against her own. When the surprise wore off, the young hero felt his heart flutter before he kissed his girlfriend back while resisting the urge to pull her off the cart and make a mad dash away so she wouldn't have to leave. After several moments, the couple slowly broke apart from their blissful moment, the only things waiting for them being aching hearts and longing nights.

"When I come back, I'd like to do that again, too," Holly giggled bashfully as her cheeks flushed red.

"That's a coincidence, because I feel the same way," Genki grinned playfully.

Holly grinned down at her boyfriend, but as if suddenly realizing something, the young woman quickly extended her hand to behind her head until her trademark ponytail came undone in a slightly messy mass of hair. Before Genki could question her, Holly grabbed his arm before tying her red ribbon around his wrist and kissing the top of his hand.

"I'm leaving my hair ribbon with you as a way so you can remember me while I'm away," the young woman spoke with a sad smile, but she felt her eyes widen when she felt something warm being placed on her head. As the brunette slowly reached up to take a look, she felt her breath catch in her throat as she looked down at a worn orange hat in her hands.

"Don't you forget about me, either!" Genki exclaimed with a wryly smile. "And that hat will keep you safe."

"Oh, thank you, Genki! I'll make sure to keep your hat safe so when I return it to you, it will be just the same as it is today," Holly replied blissfully as she held the hat close to her chest; her heart pounding like a sledgehammer.

"Alright, Holly. We have to go before the sun sets!" Suezo called out to the brunette. "See you later, Genki! Make sure to keep the rest of the guys out of trouble!"

"I will! Have a safe trip, Suezo! I trust you'll keep Holly safe?" Genki replied with a grin.

"You bet!"

"Yes, we will both ensure Miss Holly's safe arrival and return," Centaur spoke up as he placed his spear in the cart and grabbed the reigns of the wooden transporter.

"Thank you," the young man smiled, knowing Holly was in good hands.

"Good bye, Genki," Holly spoke softly, her eyes shining with despair at having to part ways with the man she loved, but the orange hat in her hands caused her to stay strong knowing that he would be waiting for her when she returned. As she felt the cart jerk slightly from its beginning journey, the young woman felt her heart break as Genki waved weakly to her.

"Bye, Holly," Genki replied hoarsely while the cart began to roll away down the dirt road while beginning to pick up speed, the one he loved most getting farther and farther away from him as each second past. After the cart was almost completely out of sight, the young man bitterly shoved his hands in his pocket and kicked a rock in the road as he cursed at the unfairness of it all. After a moment, though, his eyes widened as he fished through one of his pockets before pulling out a small black box, inside resting a small diamond ring. It wasn't much due to his low salary, but the young man had worked extremely hard to earn enough to buy the small ring in his hands. With a gulp, the young man felt his head spin as he remembered what he was supposed to do and what he hadn't done; the anxiety and sadness of the timing causing him to forget.

"HOLLY! WAIT!" Genki shouted as he tore after the cart like a madman, the wind whipping into his sides and his lungs working as fast as possible. The cart, however, seemed to go farther away no matter how fast the young man's legs were taking him. With the cart being too far away for anyone to hear the young man's voice, it only continued to go until it disappeared into the horizon, leaving Genki to slump to his knees and allow his lungs to take in some much needed air.

"…Holly… will you… marry me…?" Genki wheezed out quietly, though the only response he received was the wind howling around him, as if it was laughing at his misfortune.

Aw, I thought the end was kind of adorably sad. XD So yeah! The title "Miss" wasn't actually about Holly and Genki missing each other; it was about Genki missing his chance to propose to Holly. This was a pretty short one. Oh! The FIMBA region is where the first Monster Rancher game takes place and Age Island is where Monster Rancher Advance 2 takes place; both games in which Holly is your assistant, which is why I chose them. Just a shout out, is all! XD Also, if Centaur was my friend, I'd have him pull carts around for me, too! He'd be so handy! XD Thanks for reading!

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3