Fwew, time to take chapter Q on! I promise this one isn't a sad one and it even has some underlying humor in it, as a bit of a break from that past few serious chapters. Thanks so much for reading this! I appreciate any reviews, too! Ripitupgenki, you're the best! :D

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

Q: Quirk

Holly fiddled anxiously with the hem of her white dress as she looked down nervously at her matching white shoes. Her heart raced with every passing second and she hated to admit it, but she felt sick. Her stomach was knotted up and full of butterflies while her head was light and clouded with emotions. She never would have guessed she would be standing where she was now, but now that she was there, she was completely frightened. Her palms were warm inside the white gloves she wore that went up to her elbows and because her hair was down, it clung to the back of her neck, hence causing the young woman to feel even warmer. Her dress was an elegant white that bellowed out and trailed off behind her as she walked, though Holly wasn't use to wearing such attire and this only caused her to become more nervous.

'Breath, Holly, breath! Get a hold of yourself! You can do this! ...what if I trip in front of everyone? Oh, that would be so embarrassing!' Holly thought nervously to herself as she paced the floor quietly with the only sound being the clacking of her shoes as they connected with the hard tile floor and her heavy breathing. 'I don't want to embarrass Genki, either. Of all the days to get so nervous, why did it have to be my wedding day?'

The bride-to-be sighed softly as she pulled aside a curtain and peaked down the church aisle where everyone she had ever met sat patiently while peaceful organ music played in the background. She couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at seeing Gobi clinging to Mum Mew's arm while already crying softly, even though the wedding had yet to even start while the cat monster only patted his back comfortingly while sweating slightly in embarrassment. The larger monsters, like Astro and Falcon, sat in the far back so the rest of the crowd could see the ceremony. Colt, Fairy Hare, Tama, and Sandra talked merrily with one another as they stood at the front of the church, serving as Holly's bridesmaids. In back of them, Granity watch the girls talk among themselves with a smile on her face, and Holly felt her own smile broaden at seeing her maid of honor. Even with her past of feeling inferior to the Pixie hybrid, she knew she made the right choice on who would be up near the alter with her, for she was one of the greatest allies and friends Holly had ever met.

"No, Golem should go in back because of his size!"

"I get that, but you should be next to Suezo because of your height!"

"No, I should be in front to keep the balance!"

"You wouldn't know balance if it shot you in the face, mutt!"

"You want to try that theory, bunny?"

A smile graced Holly's lips as she spotted Golem, Tiger, Hare, and Suezo standing at the end of the aisle as the groomsmen and she couldn't help but laugh at seeing Tiger and Hare arguing over where each of them would stand. Even in a moment as holy and peaceful as a wedding, the duo still couldn't help but find something to argue about. Mocchi stood off to the side dressed in a small classy suit with a pillow in his hands, and Holly could feel herself resist the urge to run out and hug the adorable little ring bearer. Before Holly could turn her eyes away, though, she felt a blush creep across her face as she watch Genki walk up from his place in the back to break up the oncoming fight. It was a rare occasion for the young man to dress up, and seeing him in a black tuxedo with his hair combed back and his dress shoes shined caused Holly's heart to race. This was their day, and nothing could change that.

'I just wish I wasn't stuck standing alone like this! I wish I could go out there and socialize a bit,' Holly sighed as she pulled her attention away from the church room, leaving her to, once again, pace the floor by herself. As the feeling of loneliness began to sink in again, the brunette felt the corners of her eyes sting as her gaze shifted to her side where normally a daughter's father would be there to walk her down the aisle, but that spot was empty and void. '…father…'

The young woman's heart fell slightly at the thought, but she felt her mind whirl as the organ music began to get louder and for the room to fall silent. She wished she could look out to see what was going on, but she knew if she did, someone would surely spot her and that would be even more awkward. Holly felt herself growing bored, and she felt her curiosity being perked as she could hear someone addressing the crowd, most likely some form of priest.

'What's he saying? Why does the bride have to be excluded from all of this? When I said I'd like a traditional wedding, I didn't think it would be this traditional! Just one last peak and I swear I'm done,' Holly scowled slightly as she slowly parted a small section of the curtains to get a view of the wedding's start. Everyone was silent, as if waiting for the Phoenix to be resurrected. She could make out the view of her friends and, from the looks of it, they felt rather out of place as she watched Tiger shifting in discomfort while Suezo continuously averted his gaze elsewhere. 'After all our years of adventuring, I guess they're not use to this kind of thing either. I'll have to thank them for going through with this…'

"Today is a special day that many of us knew would happen even before the two people getting married knew," Durahan spoke up loudly and triumphantly as if he was addressing a military army while he slammed his hands down on the alter, causing everyone in the room to jump in their seats from surprise. "They have been forever fated to be together, against all odds and dangers!"

'Wait… Durahan is the one who's marrying us? Since when is he legally able to do that? Why doesn't anyone tell me these things?' Holly thought to herself with a raised eyebrow at seeing the proud warrior now dressed in holy garb. It was odd sight to see and Holly was sure she wouldn't forget it for a very long time. 'Next thing I'll know, Lilim will become a nun… yeah right, that would be the day.'

"They were two young children who were on a deadly quest to find the legendary Phoenix in order to defeat Moo. They went through many hardships and struggles, but that didn't weaken their bond at all. In fact, it only made them grow closer!" Durahan announced proudly as he whipped out his sword and swung it epically in the air for dramatic effect, though it only proved to scare the crowd. "Their journey to defeat Moo may have come to an end, but their journey in life is only beginning today! This is a day that all of us will remember; the day two heroes unite in their quest to find eternal happiness!"

'He may be really over dramatic and a little over the top, but I actually find it kind of sweet how intense he is over this,' Holly thought to herself with a chuckle as she watched the warrior swing his sword again while just missing slicing Hare's tie off. As the young woman closed the curtain, she felt her body freeze as a hand flew over her mouth and a strong being pulled her away until she was far enough from the church entry when they released their hold on her. Holly felt goosebumps form on her arms as she slowly turned to see who her assailant was, and she felt her eyes widen as she subconsciously gripped the sides of her dress.

"…father?" Holly whispered quietly. Yosho stood before her with a tired expression on his face while his eyes shone with an unexplainable amount of sadness. He looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks, and Holly couldn't help but worry that he could pass out from fatigue at any moment. Still, she felt shame wash over her body at remembering the man's harsh words toward her all those months ago, and Holly slowly averted her gaze to the tiled floor below.

"Holly…" Yosho trailed off, his voice speaking her name so gently almost as if saying it any louder would shatter her very soul. "I'm sorry I pulled you away like that just now. I didn't want to startle you and have you scream, though."

"You came? But, why?" Holly asked in surprise at seeing her father standing in front of her, for he was the last person she expected to ever show up to the wedding after all that had happened. Part of her was scared to see the outcome of his arrival, but another part of her was curious and couldn't help but hear him out.

"I… I got the invitation," the older man spoke quietly.

"Invitation? But, I didn't-" Holly started to speak until her eyes grew wide in realization. '…Genki.'

"Holly, I… I'm so sorry for everything. I know I don't deserve it, but please forgive me. These past few months without you with me have been hell. I realize how selfish I've been, but I don't want to lose you. I've put you through so much pain and I can't go back to change what I've done. I've been sober ever since you left and I got myself a job so I could make you proud of me for once. I understand if you can't forgive me or don't want me here. I just wanted to see my daughter on her wedding day, no matter how short of a time it may be," Yosho spoke sternly, yet with a tone of desperation that Holly had never heard from him before.

"You… you just called me your daughter," the brunette whispered quietly.

"I know I did. I understand if you don't want me as your father, though. I've done some horrible things that-" Yosho started to speak until Holly flung her arms around the older man before burying her face against his chest, not even letting the man finish his sentence.

"I've never stopped being your daughter. Not for a second," Holly whispered softly while Yosho stroked her smooth hair gently, just as he once use to when she was younger.

"Holly… I don't deserve someone as kind as you in my life," the older man replied as he held the young woman in his arms a little tighter.

"Don't say that. You're here today, right? You've made changes to your life, too! We've been through so much… I know we can make it," Holly spoke with a loving smile, though both daughter and father turned their heads when the curtains flew open and Falcon peaked his head through.

"Holly! You were supposed to walk out when the organ started playing again, and that was five minutes ago!" Falcon whispered hoarsely until his eyes widened at seeing whom she was hugging, though he shrugged it off and disappeared back behind the curtain.

"Oh! We need to go!" Holly exclaimed as she grabbed her veil off of the chair before placing it on her head and straightening out her dress. Her heart was pounding from nerves, but somehow it was almost soothing, especially knowing who it was waiting for her at the end of the aisle.

"…we?"

"I… I was hoping you'd walk me down the aisle," Holly admitted with a blush.

"…it would be an honor," Yosho replied as he extended his arm out, in which Holly was quick to grab it and snuggle up close to his side. Part of her wasn't sure just what Genki had put in that invitation of his, but she'd have to remember to thank him greatly for it later. As the father and daughter walked slowly down the aisle while glancing at the surprised and gawking expressions they received, Holly felt her heart flutter as Genki flashed her one of his trademark grins; one of his smiles that he only flashed her way, and Holly was quick to return it. At him spotting her father, Holly felt her eyes widen in suprise at seeing Genki's smile only widened at the new arrival, and Yosho, though hesitantly, returned it. Deep down, Holly knew one thing for sure: she owed Genki big time.

So, that one was happier! You don't get to see the rest of the wedding, but you can imagine things went well. Yosho finally caved in and came to accept Holly's feelings, though not without a helpful nudge from Genki. ^_^ Quirk has several meanings, but it can also mean a sudden change in behavior, which is applying to Yosho, in this case. Why did I put Durahan as the priest? Because I think he'd be an awesome one who would go on tangents about his epic battles. I would love for Durahan to marry me off! XD

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3