Man, these lunch breaks are really letting me move along on this story! At this rate, I may even have it done within the next month or two! One can only hope, right? ^_^ This one is short, sorry! Thank you so much for reading!

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

O: Oppose

Holly smiled giddily as she looked down at the small diamond ring resting snugly on her finger, almost as if it had always been meant to reside there. Both her and Genki couldn't thank Tiger enough for tracking down the mugger and getting their money and the engagement ring back, though this made him the first to know about the couple's new step in their relationship. Soon after, they broke the news to the rest of the rebels, all whom gave them their congratulations and acceptance. Even Suezo, whom Holly had almost been sure would have opposed it, gave them his blessings, though not before threating Genki that if he ever hurt her, he would wake up one day without his manhood. Still, things had fallen into place, all except for one thing.

'I need to tell my father,' Holly thought to herself with a small gulp as she paced the floor nervously. 'He has to have gotten a little more accepting of my relationship with Genki by now, right? I mean, we've been dating for over four years!'

Holly sighed as she grabbed a worn broom before sweeping the floor of her kitchen even though it was already clean. Maybe it was from anxiety or maybe it was from fear, but the young woman found herself trying desperately to find things to keep her mind off of the situation. It was a tough spot to be in, for she was beyond happy to become Genki's fiancé, but breaking the news to her father was a frightening task that had been weighing on her for several weeks. As the young woman began to wipe down the shining windows, she felt her breath quicken as she spotted her father trudging up the dirt road and heading toward the house. With one last glance down at the diamond ring, Holly swallowed her fear and began to make some tea; something she always did when she had to speak to someone about something important. As the water began to boil, the young woman could feel her body go ridged as the door swung open and Yosho walked in carrying several bags of random goods.

"Holly, can you believe they're selling cobs of corn by the dozen? It was such a good deal that I had to buy some," Yosho spoke as he placed the bags on the kitchen table before stretching his tired back. When the older man noticed Holly pouring some tea, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "You normally don't make green tea this time of day. What's the occasion?"

"I was, uh, hoping I could talk with you," Holly replied hesitantly as she placed the tea cups on a small serving tray. Part of her was scared to death of her father's reaction, but another part of her was relieved that he was sober otherwise he would probably get violent.

"Of course. Come; let's sit at the table," Yosho spoke softly as he took the bags of groceries and placed them on the floor before taking a seat and looking up at his daughter expectantly. The young woman was quick to avert her gaze down at the tray of tea in her hands before she set it down and took a seat across from her father all the while doing her best to not look nervous and to keep her engagement ring hidden for now. Steam rose up steadily from the cups of tea as Yosho took one before taking a small sip; all the while Holly was busy trying to think of a way to break the news to him carefully.

"…how's the tea?" Holly asked with a nervous smile while she picked up her own cup and gently twirled the contents to keep her mind preoccupied.

"Delicious, as always. Something tells me that you didn't sit me down to talk about tea, though," the older man replied with a shrug before taking another sip of the warm liquid.

"Well, uh, you got me there," Holly chuckled lightly while fidgeting anxiously in her seat.

"So, what's this all about, Holly? Has something happened?" Yosho asked quickly, his eyes shining in a cross between worry and suspicion.

"Yes, in a way. It's not a bad thing, though!"

"…Holly, I don't know what kind of group you've been hanging out with, but I know you've been up to something lately," the older man spoke up gruffly with piercing eyes that caused Holly to physically flinch under his hard stare.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you've been acting weird for the past few weeks. Don't think I didn't see the puncture mark on your neck you were hiding and the way you flinched anytime pressure was put on your side. Has someone been beating you?" Yosho asked sternly while he clenched the tea cup so tightly Holly could have sworn she heard it crack slightly.

"W-what? No! Honest! No one's been beating me!" Holly exclaimed quickly.

"Then what happened?"

"I… I was walking with Genki a few weeks ago and this guy grabbed me and…" Holly trailed off as she felt a shiver go up her spine as the memories of being mugged scattered in her mind.

"…and what?"

"…this man held me at knife point and forced Genki to give him all his money. Once he was done he pushed me up against a wall and ran away, though Tiger caught him later. That's where those injuries came from, I swear," Holly explained quickly.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Yosho asked with a frown.

"I didn't want you to worry about me," the brunette replied softly before she took a small sip of her tea. Deep down, she knew Yosho would kill anyone who touched her and after being Moo, him killing another person was the last thing his already bad reputation needed. "Really, everything is fine now."

"If something like that happens again, you have to tell me! Promise me you'll tell me."

"…okay, I promise."

"Good. You always hide your feelings, but it's not healthy," Yosho spoke as he continued to stare at his daughter with a questioning look, as if he was searching for an answer that just wasn't there. "…Holly?"

"Yes, father?"

"The mugging isn't what you wanted to tell me, is it?"

"…not quite…"

"Don't tell me you're pregnant!"

"What? No! It's not like that!"

Holly felt her heart almost stop until she took a quick drink of the tea and forced it down her throat even though it stung. She could feel the heat rush up into her face while she avoided any eye contact with her father. It was the moment of truth, and she didn't feel like she was quite ready for it. Still, it was now or never, and Holly slowly extended a shaky hand out to her father until it was resting on the smooth table top; her delicate hands unmoving and the small diamond ring exposed.

"…is that…an engagement ring?" Yosho whispered in shock.

"Y-yes. That's why I was out with Genki that night… he asked me to marry him…" Holly spoke up nervously while trying her best to keep her composure.

"…no… no! You didn't! You didn't agree to it! You couldn't have!" Yosho exclaimed as he slammed his tea cup down on the table and brought a callused hand up to run through his unkept hair. "Tell me this is a joke! Tell me you took the ring and told him no!"

"…I said yes, father… I said yes…"

"Damn it, Holly! How could you? You're throwing your life away!"

"But I love him, father!"

"Don't say such ridiculous things! You don't know what you're saying!"

"Yes I do! I want to have a family and spend the rest of my life with him!" Holly exclaimed, and she felt a knot form in her stomach as the moment reminded her too much of the time she first told her father she was dating Genki. She was however, extremely surprised when the older man let out an almost defeated sigh before shook his head slowly.

"…fine…"

"… you mean it?" Holly asked in surprise as she felt her eyes widen in shock at her father's sudden words. Normally, he was not one to give up so easily, and the young woman could feel a chill run up her spine.

"Go ahead and ruin your life! Run off with that boy! See if I care!" Yosho shouted bitterly as he threw his arms in the air in frustration.

"Please… father…"

"Don't call me that. You're no daughter of mine anymore."

"W-what?" Holly stutter in horror, her knees felt of jelly while her heart just about shattered at her father's harsh and careless words.

"You heard me. Get the hell out of my house!" Yosho growled angrily.

"You're kicking me out? But, father-"

"GET OUT!"

Holly felt fear rip into her body as her father towered over her like some kind of beast, and the young woman was quick to scramble to her feet before plowing out the door and bolting down the street. She didn't know how long she had run for, but when her legs finally gave out she slumped to her knees on the hard cold ground before burying her face into her hands and sobbing softly to herself. She knew she would return to the house later when Yosho was sure to be passed out so she could collect her belongings, and a sense of dread filled her entire body. What would she tell the rest of the rebels? How would Suezo react? Better yet, how would Genki react? With a small sniffle, Holly slowly turned her hand around so she could see the glimmering sparkle of the small diamond ring, and she felt a weak smile play across her lips as another tear made its way down her cheek.

'Things have always been hard for us, like finding the Phoenix, beating Moo, trying to save my father from the Mystery Disk… It always starts out hard, but eventually things fall into place. I know things are hard now, but I can't give up…' Holly thought quietly to herself as she slowly got to her feet and began to trudge toward Hare's home, where she knew she's be welcomed with open arms and loving smiles.

Sorry for this fast paced chapter. I'm at the end of my lunch break here. XD ripitupgenki gave me the idea to add in the little fact that Tiger hunted down and got back Genki's belongings, including the engagement ring. ^_^ I know this one was dramatic. Sorry about that! XD Times were different then, though, and often times the father chose who a daughter would marry, so Holly going against that is probably considered not normal. I think the next 2 or three chapters won't be so sad/dramatic, but I already know S and T are going to be pretty intense. XP

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3