The Wild

The Wild

Hatochiisai & Mally-chan

YAOI WARNING

Disclaimer: We do not own Yugioh. If we did, it would not be for public television.

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Chapter 11

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Pegasus, Seto, Rem, Yugi, Mokuba, Syrus, Otogi, Inogawa, Zaine and Hinaru sat around the living room at the bed and breakfast with Jennette and Emiko, waiting for their hybrids to return... they had been gone for three hours, and the group was worried.

Jenette sighed softly. "We really should go look for them. Hybrids in Europe aren't considered humans yet, for all we know they could have been sent to the pound." She said softly.

Rem nodded. "Or perhaps hurt. It's very unlike Ryou or Marik to stay out long. It's cold outside, Marik would want to come back soon, and I'm sure Yami would be dead tired by this point, the sun's been out of the sky for a while now..."

Seto sighed and stood. "Then let's go." He said. After speaking with the owner, he returned with flashlights. "Everyone take a partner." He said. He and Jennette partnered up, Yugi and Otogi, Mokuba and Syrus, Pegasus and Emiko, Rem and Zaine and Inogawa and Hinaru. They all trooped out of the house and began to walk in the direction that the twelve hybrids had taken. They walked for nearly half an hour, calling to the missing hybrids before a sound was heard. Seto, who was in the lead, shined the flashlight up ahead, picking up some glowing eyes. And everyone froze.

"Rem..." Seto gasped. There, a few yards before them was a pale child looking to be about two years old with white hair and a white bushy tail, with a black stripe going down his body. The creature whined and held a chubby paw up to block the light from his eyes.

Rem blinked and hurried to Seto's side, her eyes widening. "Aww how cute..." she cooed handing him her flashlight hurrying over, stooping to pick up the small hybrid. "Well hello there..." she said softly. "What's your name?" she asked. "Do you think someone abandoned the poor thing?" she asked, the idea that this could be anything more than a lost child not even crossing her mind it was so outrageous.

The little skunk child blinked at the woman, then slowly gave her a tearful smile.

"Rem..." He cooed and cuddled into her chest, beginning to suck his thumb and clutch his tail like a blankie. Seto and the others all stared in amazement.

Rem blinked and carefully took off her jacket, wrapping it around the small skunk. "B-Bakura?" she asked softly, eying the off-colored skunk slowly. "Is... that you?"

The little thing blinked, then grinned and flung his hands into the air. "Ba-Kra!" He cried, giggling, then threw chubby little arms around her neck. And a moment later a rustling was heard. Bakura turned, sniffing, and he smiled.

"Malik!" He squealed, bouncing in Rem's arms, and a moment later and small child crawled out of the grass on all fours, in a large, very familiar shirt. Lavendar eyes blinked up at the group from a tan face surrounded by platinum gold, and massive ears perked as his tail began to wag. The little boy gave an excited yip and tumbled towards the group, tripping on the lilac shirt.

Rem couldn't help the soft giggle from escaping her lips. "Oh my goodness..." she said stooping to pick up Malik as well, quickly wrapping him in her shirt as well, to keep them warm. "They're... babies..." she said softly, nuzzling them. "But... where are the rest of them? We have to find them before they get sick!"

Seto looked pale. "This... isn't possible..." He gasped, but Pegasus ran forward.

"Ryou!!" He called, desperately. "Ryou! Baby!!! Where are you?!" He disappeared into the darkness, only the light from his flashlight letting people know where he was. They quickly began to follow.

There was a soft mewling from the bushes, several feet ahead, the clothes Ryou had worn strewn and dragged towards the bush, underneath a small shivering, naked bunny hybrid lay curled up and looking utterly terrified.

He backed up away from the light of the flashlight's beams, whimpering.

"Oh God..." Pegasus gasped, and knelt, finding a certain little black bunny curled up with Ryou. "Ryou... baby..." The man crooned. "Come on... c'mere... it's master. Come on... My precious baby bunny. Come here... Who's my good bunny?" He cooed softly, hoping to coax Ryou out.

Ryou whimpered softly, looking at Pegasus fearfully, shaking, no quaking in fear. He cuddled into Tachi and sniffed at Pegasus slowly. "Good bunny..." he mewled softly, in the most adorable voice. He nudged Tachi slightly and looked at Pegasus again. "Good...bunny?"

Pegasus finally reached under and quickly wrapped firm, but gentle hands around Ryou's cubby tummy and lifted him into his arms, quickly cradling the bunny and holding him inside of his jacket. "Good bunny..." He whispered as Emiko ran over and dropped to her knees, gathering Tachi in her arms.

Ryou shivered against Pegasus' chest and mewled softly, clinging to him, cold as a little naked baby could get.

There was more mewling, and another trail of clothes that lead to Kumani, who was trotting around on all fours, nudging a group of birds, who had huddled together, and long since gone to sleep. She mewled worriedly and whimpered. "up...?" she whimpered pawing at them, which only caused the five sleeping avians to chitter annoyedly in their sleep, and readjust their wings.

Seto slowly approached the five little birds who were sitting crouched down, hiding their faces in each others' wings. But as he got closer, they all stirred and looked up. Upon spotting Seto, then began peeping loudly and shoving at each other, looking up at the man and opening their mouths. Seto stared and his eyes got large.

"Holy shit..." He squeaked, and Jennette ran over looking for her four baby birds. They all got even more eager and began moving towards her, mouths agape, waiting to be fed.

Rem chuckled softly. "You' d better give him something Seto, or he'll get loud." She warned.

Kumani mewled softly once more, looking up at the group of adults. "up...?" she mewled again, pawing at the leg of Emiko.

Emiko quickly knelt and scooped up Kumani, too. Inogawa and Hinaru stared at the five baby birds, Hinaru now holding Malik, who was starting to doze off, and Zaine was holding Bakura who was playing with the man's face. They were still missing Ivy and Marik. A moment later, Ivy's head popped up from behind the altar in the middle of the clearing.

"Miss!" She cried, calling for her mistress. "Miss!" Emiko gasped and stuffed Kumani and Tachi into a startled Otogi and Yugi's arms, before rushing over to her little skunk.

Rem looked carefully. "Marik? Where are you kitten?" She called, parting bushes and taking careful steps, looking for the likely lion cub. "Come here sweetie, do you want to get warm?" she called once more. "Come to mama!"

After a moment there was a little mew coming from the left, just out of sight. And then there came a tiny cry. "Mama!!!" Rem followed the sound, which she realized was coming from above her head. She reached a tree and shone the light up into it.

"MAO!!" The tiny cub cried, clinging to the branch and hiding his eyes, shaking violently, his little lion teeth chattering with cold. "Mama!!!"

Rem reached up and plucked the small lion down. "Oh you poor thing!" she cooed hugging him to warm him. "Zaine loan me your jacket please."

Zaine nodded, removing it around the squirming Bakura, handing the warm coat to Rem, who quickly wrapped Marik in it. "That's my favorite coat Marik, so no giving it your own personal rinse cycle please.”

"Mama!!" Marik wailed, and clung tightly to Rem, hiding his face in her chest and mewling pathetically.

"Is that everyone?" Mokuba gasped softly, clinging to Syrus and looking around. "How... How could this happen?"

"Look at this place." Yugi murmured. "Those torches... the altar... Footprints in the ground..." He sniffed. "A pagan ritual? I heard people still do this kind of stuff..." He looked around. Seto in the meantime removed his own jacket and knelt, wrapping Yami in it and picking him up, still pale and shocked. Jennette was wrangling her four birds with help from Inogawa, who took the males while Jennette got the females.

Yami peeped at Seto and glared slightly, pointing to his mouth, becoming impatient with his caretaker. "Ahh!" he squawked loudly.

Rem laughed. "I told you, he's going to get loud if you don’t feed him."

Seto gulped and nodded, petting Yami awkwardly.

"Okay... when we get home I'll feed you... but there's nothing here now..." He stammered, then turned to Inogawa and Jennette. "What the hell do I feed him?!"

"Guess this means that the tour of Europe is cancelled..." Yugi gulped.

"Yugi... this is gonna be more entertaining that any Tour of Europe!" Mokuba said.

Ryou yawned softly, nuzzling into Pegasus, his shaking had since vanished and he looked up at his master with wide crimson eyes. "hungie..." he whimpered softly, popping his thumb into his mouth and beginning to suck on it ears wiggling curiously around, listening to the many sounds of the night, including the crickets.

Pegasus looked down at Ryou, worried. But the man completely melted at the sight of his precious baby bunny.

"Okay, baby." He cooed. "Let's get you home." And he led the way back to the house, cuddling Ryou the whole time. "We'll get you a warm bath and then get you fed." He sighed and slowed to walk with Rem, Zaine and Hinaru, looking at the curious Bakura, a sleeping Malik, and the shaking Marik, still mewling into Rem's chest.

"What do you think, Miss Rem?" He asked softly, listening to Seto curse as Yami began to fuss louder.

Rem snickered softly. "That Seto's never had to deal with a bird before, at least not a baby." She said giggling when Seto cursed loudly, from Yami having bitten his finger. "Honestly... I'm not sure what to think. I don’t know how we're going to get them back to normal... they... might have to grow up again." She said cooing to Marik softly, cradling him and nuzzling his little chubby cheeks.

Ryou peered over at Marik and squeaked, giving a delighted baby giggle. "KITTY!"

Pegasus blinked and laughed at that.

"That's right, Ryou! Kitty! Lion kitty! Marik! Can you say Marik?" He asked the bunny, and Marik slowly peeked out upon hearing his name.

Ryou grinned broadly and nodded. "MARK!" he said loudly, completely getting the name wrong, but coming so close it was just cute.

Pegasus and Zaine laughed, and Zaine looked down at the skunk in his arms.

"I guess it's back to Japan, eh?" He said, looking at Pegasus, who nodded.

"Absolutely. Immediately. First thing in the morning." He said, and Emiko walked over.

"How... are you getting home?" She asked, and Pegasus looked at her.

"My private jet." He said. "May I offer your passage back to Japan?"

"Oh, that would be so wonderful." Thee woman gasped, smiling in relief as she cuddled Ivy, who was watching Bakura intently.

Ryou whined loudly. "Nooo!" he whimpered. "NO!" he thrashed slightly and pouted. "Like!" he sniffed at the air and gave Pegasus a pouty look, trying to say he liked it where they were.

Yami flapped his little wings and squawked loudly. "AHH! Hungry!" he whined loudly "AHH AHH!" he squawked pointing at his mouth.

Seto groaned. "We're almost there, Yami! Calm down!" He pet the bird, who still fussed.

Pegasus sighed and pet Ryou. "Sweetie... we must go home." He said, kissing the bunny's forehead.

Ryou pouted softly. 'I like it here...' he thought softly, able to think in full sentances, despite his inability to speak them. "HUNGIE!" he squealed loudly, deciding to join Yami in his fussing, as babies tended to do.

The group picked up the pace and got home. The owner nearly fainted at the sight of half her guests suddenly as toddlers, but at Pegasus' command she got to work in the kitchen while baths were run for cold hybrids. Pegasus set Ryou into the tub, and Bakura and Malik were plunked in as well. But Marik took one look at the water and FREAKED.

"KITTY!" Ryou squeaked, splashing in the water amusedly. "KITTY!" he mewled, wanting to play with his kitty friend, whom he enjoyed so much.

Malik growled playfully, yapping at Bakura before pouncing on him in the water and tugging his ears, nuzzling him. "Kitty!" he giggled wagging his wet tail.

Rem giggled and carefully set Marik in the tub, holding him there firmly, though letting him rest his arms on the side of the tub as though he were climbing out. "Take your bath for mama, and I'll be very happy with my little kitten. Understand?'

"Mama!!" Marik wailed, thrashing. "Monser! Monser!!! Out! Mama out! Monser!!!" Pegasus blinked.

"I think he's referring to his experience with "Nessie" this afternoon." Pegasus snickered, and Zaine laughed, trying to pry Malik and Bakura apart and bathe them.

Rem nuzzled Marik and gently began dipping her hand in the water and lifting it over Marik's back and rubbing his back with the warm water. "No monsters Marik...this is just bathwater. See? Ryou's having a bath too, and he's not scared." She cooed.

Oh Ryou was FAR from scared, he was hobble hopping around in the water, splashing and just generally having an adorably good time. He squeaked and tumbled over his own legs and slid through the water slightly, giggling. "YAY! AGAIN!"

Marik watched Ryou, then slowly settled down. Rem began to bathe him, and Pegasus Ryou. But a few minutes later, Marik's eyes widened, his ears shot up and he gasped, looking at Rem.

"I pee-pee!!!" He squeaked, looking surprised. All was silent. Slowly, Zaine and Pegasus turned and stared at Marik, then looked down at Ryou, Malik and Bakura, and lifted them out of the water.

Rem sighed and drained the tub, filling it and draining it again. "Sweetie you need to TELL mama when you need to pee-pee." She said ruffling his hair, and beginning to bathe him again, in the now clean water. "You can’t just potty in the bathwater. You'll get sick!"

Marik's eyes filled with tears and he scooted to the far side of the tub, whimpering and beginning to suck the tip of his tail. Ryou, Malik and Bakura were set back down into the tub, and Bakura looked up at Zaine.

"Pee-pee!" He announced, and Zaine quickly picked him up and rushed him to the toilet, getting there just in time. Pegasus sweatdropped and looked at Rem as he bathed little Ryou while Malik chased his tail.

Rem patted Marik's head. "Sweetie, mama's not mad. Understand? Why don’t you play with Ryou for a little while?" she offered, the little bunny watching Malik, before trying to catch his little tail hopelessly. "He looks like he's having fun." she cooed scratching Marik's ears. "Plus, he likes you."

Marik blinked and looked at Ryou. "Bunny?" He asked, cockin his head and letting his tail fall into the water. "Bunny... hunt bunny?" He asked, looking up at Rem.

"Nooo." She said shaking her head. "Bunny is your friend, you don’t hunt the bunny. You protect the bunny. Understand?" She cooed, watching Ryou topple over giggling. "He's your very own bunny to love forever. Understand? He's your bunny to be friends with, and be happy with."

"Tect bunny?" Marik asked, pawing at the water. He looked at Ryou, then slowly crept over and began sniffing him while Zaine plunked Bakura back into the tub and bathed him, then Malik. Then he gathered them up and lifted them out of the tub, carrying them to the bedroom and drying them off.

Ryou squeaked and looked at Marik flicking his ears. "Kitty." he cooed licking Marik's cheek lovingly. "Pretty."

Marik blinked, then smiled and purred, nuzzling Ryou.

"Awwwww..." Pegasus cooed. "Aren't they just precious?"

"AH!!! GODDAMMIT!!" Pegasus and Rem blinked at Seto's yelp from the hall. "YAMI!!! COME BACK HERE!!!"

Yami scuttled into the bathroom, flapping his little wings as he toddled.

"Mine!" he chirped plopping down behind the shower curtain in hiding, and beginning to play with the new 'toy' he'd found. Seto's necklace.

Pegasus snickered as Seto stormed in.

"Where is he?!" He demanded.

"Seto. He's a small child. Be patient with him." Pegasus said, lifting Ryou from the tub and wrapping him in a towel. "Baby hungry?" He asked the little bunny. "Who's my good bunny?"

Ryou squeaked and giggled licking at Pegasus through his squirming. "Me!" he squealed delightedly, clapping awkwardly. "Good bunny!"

Behind the shower curtain soft peeping was heard, and Yami had once again fallen asleep, clutching the small pendant, which he'd been admiring. Nothing was broken, and he was hugging the small duel monsters card-shaped pendant.

Seto sighed and peeked in, shaking his head and scooping Yami up. "Guess he's not hungry anymore..." He mumbled, stroking Yami's damp pin feathered wings.

"Out! Out mama!" Marik mewled, trying to scramble out of the tub on his own.

Yami cooed like a dove in his sleep, nuzzling into Seto's warm embrace, as Rem pulled Marik from the tub, wrapping him up. "Do you want to cuddle with your bunny tonight when you sleep?" She asked tapping his nose. "Remember you have to be a big boy, and keep the bunny safe forever and ever." She said scratching his ears. "That's your job kitten..."

Marik blinked and grabbed Rem's shirt in his little paws. "Mama..." He murmured, almost sadly. "Want Mama..."

"awww..." Pegasus said from where he was kneeling by the bed, tickling Ryou's tummy.

Ryou squealed and squirmed, getting up and scampering across the bed, tripping over the covers and landing on the pillows, little rump in the air, his fuzzy tail flicking madly.

Rem laughed, finally finished drying Marik off. "You sure Marik? You can always sleep with mama, but the bunny doesn't live with mama, so you can’t always sleep with your bunny." she said softly. "Plus, you'll get mama all day tomorrow."

Marik shook his head and clung tighter to Rem.

"Mama!" He cried. "MAMA!!!" Pegasus smiled from where he was pursuing Ryou.

"I'm sure this is traumatizing them, Miss Rem... becoming such small creatures. And being out there... Ryou was hiding under a bush and Marik was up a tree... I'm sure he wants the sense of security that he gets from you."

Rem chuckled and nodded. "It's alright sweetie." She cooed softly. "Come on then. follow mama to bed?" she said opening the door to Pegasus' room and holding it for him. "Lets go."

Ryou squeaked and flicked his ears, dislodging his face from the pillows and hopping towards the side of the bed after Mairk. "Kitty!"

Marik looked back and smiled.

"Night night!" He called to Ryou, and trotted out the door. "Hungie, Mama! Want bunny."

Rem chuckled softly. "No sweetie, you don’t eat bunny. You protect bunny. Understand? No eating bunnies. You eat cows." she said opening her door for him to trot into. "Hop up on the bed and we'll go to sleep."

Ryou teetered on the edge of Pegasus' bed and squeaked, scrambling to back up so he wouldn't fall. "Ah! ouch!" he whimpered teetering more.

Pegasus laughed. "You're okay. Come here, Ryou." He said, beginning to make a little nest out of blankets and pillows for the bunny.

"No mama. Want bunny! My bunny!" Marik mewled, crouching and concentrating on the bed, making several jumps that he stopped before finishing, not confident enough with his jumping prowress.

Rem blinked. "Don’t you think you should have asked him to come too, if you wanted him?" She asked scratching Marik's ears. "I don’t think Ryou minds sleeping with you, he loves you."

Marik blinked. "Want my bunny!" He sniffled, eyes filling with tears. He turned and went to the door, pawing it. Rem opened it and Marik toddled down the hall not to Pegasus' room, but to the room he and Ryou had been sharing. He meowed and pawed at the door.

Rem blinked. "Oh!" She said laughing. "Okay Marik I'll get it, go back to the bed." She instructed, walking inside and grabbing the plushy and carrying it back to her room, giving it to Marik, who had obediently gone back and hopped onto the bed. "Feel better?"

Marik mewled and reached for the plushy. "Bunny! Bunny!" He squealed, and purred loudly when she gave it to him. The bunny was now much too big to be held in his mouth; it was half Marik's size! But the little lion cub clutched it tightly, smiling and purring. Then he smiled up at Rem.

"Hungie. Hungie, Mama!"

Rem scratched his ears and walked to the small suitcase she'd packed, pulling one of the jerkies she'd brought. "Ok sweetie, nibble this. Tomorrow you'll get a lot more food, but I don’t want you getting a full belly tonight... you might get sick and that wouldn't be fun."

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Ryou hopped along Pegasus' bed sniffing around, ears still swiveling and twitching, standing high on his head in his curiosity. "FAT!" he blurted, sniffing at Precious. "FAT Bunny!"

Pegasus blinked, then burst out laughing.

'I beg your pardon?!?' Precious gasped, staring at Ryou.

"Fat." Ryou said again, sniffing at Precious. "Big FAT FAT!" he giggled pawing at the chubby bunny. "Fat fatty fat fat! TOY!" he squeaked and pounced on Precious beginning to groom the 'fat toy'.

Pegasus laughed and plucked Ryou up. "Wanna go see the other bunnies?" He asked the bunny, and carried Ryou to where all the bunnies were. He opened the door. "Tuc! Nod? I have a, ummm... a surprise." And he walked over to the bed and set Ryou down before Tuc, Nod, Dust, Spunky, and all the other babies.

Ryou sniffed at Bushou, his eyes widening. "FAT!" he blurted again, hopping towards him before spotting Spunky. "KITTY!" he squealed pouncing on the poor thing, picking him up by his tail, in his mouth and dragging him over to Pegasus. "Pretty kitty!" he mewled, around his mouthful of fur.

Spunky yowled and struggled, and Pegasus quickly took him from Ryou.

"No, baby. Skunk bunny." He said. Tuc and Nod stared at Ryou, stunned. There was no mistaking that scent...

Nod grinned at Tuc. 'SEE?! I told you he's your kid.' she said calmly, flicking her ears. 'Now you've got the chance to raise the poor runt up right!'

Ryou licked Spunky, before spotting Angel and cooing. "Pretty!" he cooed plucking her up gently by her scruff and hopping to Pegasus. "Mine."

"Um, yes baby. Now put the bunny down. They don't want to be held like that." He placed Ryou down by Tuc and Nod, who were now almost as big as Ryou.

'This... isn't possible...' Tuc gasped, sniffing Ryou.

Ryou blinked before sniffing Tuc back. "Fat." he mumbled licking his ears. Nod licked Tuc as well.

'Well, this time we really DO have to take care of him Tuc, look at him, we're half his size!' she reasoned. 'He needs a mom and dad...'

Tuc twitched. 'Did he just call me fat?!'

Nod chuckled. 'well you have gained a bit since you were fixed dear...'

Tuc drooped. 'Hmmph... wonder why...' He grumbled.

"Come on, Ryou. Time for bed. Do you want the bunnies to sleep with you?"

Ryou nodded eagerly. "Fat and kitties and pretty and...um..." he looked at Skitter confusedly. "...um..." he looked at Pegasus confusedly. 'what's that one again?'

Pegasus laughed. "It's bed time." He said, picking Ryou up. "Let's go." He turned and carried Ryou from the room. Tuc and Nod looked at each other, and charged after them.

It was like a stampede of bunnies, that ended up on the foot of Pegasus' bed, Ryou curled up in the center of his nest, with the bunnies slowly picking places amongst him to curl up as well. Tuc and Nod took the spaces nearest Ryou's face. 'Sleep well little one.' Nod said licking his cheek. 'Tuc and I will raise you up right, just like real parents.' she cooed lovingly, having that motherly tone in her appearance. 'Right Tuc? You were just saying you wished you had another little one to baby.'

Tuc sighed. 'This wasn't what I meant, but... I will care for him like his father...' The rabbit said, and Pegasus watched the bunnies settle. In Hinaru and Rem's room, the women were settling in, and Marik snuggled up to Rem, clutching his bunny and sucking on his tail, while Inogawa and Zaine set up a little nest where Malik and Bakura curled up together. Seto had also made a little nest and tucked Yami in, and all over the house the shocked but enchanted owners and caretakers settled down with the small creatures that had done the enchanting, and for a few hours, all was peaceful.

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Yami yawned softly, his head peeping out of the small nest of blankets and pillows Seto had arranged on the bed. His hair was messy, unkept and his wide curious eyes, reminescent of Yugi's were looking around in slight wonder. It wasn’t long however, before he gave a loud, though adorable crowing, peeping and flapping his wings. He was hungry.

Seto jerked slightly and opened his eyes. He turned his head and looked at Yami, stretching and hobbling about in his little nest, peeping and flapping naked pin-feather wings.

"Urrg... go back to sleep, Yami..." Seto grumbled, and pulled the pillow over his head.

Yami peeped at him, flapping his little wings again. "Ahh!" he whimpered softly, turning something Seto would never imagine having to see, on him. The most adorable puppy eyes the planet had ever seen... putting YUGI'S puppy eyes to shame.

Seto stared at Yami, then sighed and sat up, hearing footsteps in the hall and peeping from other little birds.

"Okay, Yami." Seto said, and plucked the bird up out of the nest, walking to the door in his pajamas and out into the hall. There was Jennette, tired and ruffled looking, holding Isabel, with Melody, Dmitri and Dante toddling after her, peeping.

"Them too?" Seto yawned.

Jenette nodded slowly. "Yup...they're just kids though...so I'll just feed them, and back to sleep they'll go til about noon..." she mumbled heading to the kitchen to request food for the birds.

Yami peeped softly in Seto's arms, yawning cutely and clutching his pajama shirt in slight fear of being dropped. "yum."

Seto smiled. "Ummm... so... what do they eat?" He asked, setting Yami down on the dining room table where Jennete was setting her little ones.

"apple sauce, bananas...mushy stuff full of vitamins that no NORMAL kid would want." She explained calmly, as the cook came out, presenting each bird with applesauce, banana slices, kiwi slices or in Yami's case, papaya bits.

"Do we have to feed them?" Seto asked, then sighed as Yami tilted his head back and opened his mouth, peeing and flapping his arms and wings. "Guess that's a yes..." He grumbled and picked up a bit of papaya, dropping into the gaping mouth and watching Jennette with all of hers. He sighed. "Here... Let me help." He began to feed Yami and Melody both.

Jenette chuckled softly. "Even though it's annoying, it's refreshing to see them so young and...adorable." She cooed softly, as she worked. "It kinda makes up for all the times they did something wrong."

Seto smiled and dribbled some applesause into Yami's mouth. A few minutes later, when the birds were showing signs of being full, a little coo was heard from the doorway. Seto and Jennette turned, and there was little Tachi, blinking his big brown eyes at them, his ears cocked comically.

"Come on, sweetie..." Emiko yawned, walking in with Ivy and Kumani in her arms. "Morning, Jennette... Mr. Kaiba." She said, and set the babies on the table. A curious Tachi nibbled at some of Isabel's pin feathers, and she shrieked and scrambled away.

Yami yawned and wrapped his pin-feathered wings around himself and began making soft purring cooes, signifying he was once again asleep...as young birds tended to do that more than ANYTHING...

Jenette chuckled as her birds soon followed his example. "Well...looks like we're done feeding them." She said as even Isabel began cooing softly in her snoozing.

Seto sighed and looked up, smirking when a bleary eyed Zaine and Inogawa stumbled in with a snoozing Bakura and a wide eyed Malik, whining for food.

"How'd you sleep?" Seto snickered.

"Shut up." Zaine growled, and plopped Bakura onto the table. The little skunk jumped awake and began to whine for food as well. Inogawa slumped into a chair, holding little Malik on his lap, and the fennec yipped and smacked the table top eagerly with his chubby little hands, looking around at everyone and wagging his tail.

Rem came in a great while later, followed by Marik, she didn't seem tired, and actually was smiling. "Good morning!" she said smiling and plucking up Marik to set him at the table as well. The cook was rapidly bringing out plates for baby hybrids as well as adult humans. "how did you all sleep?"

People grumbled and bitched under their breath, and Hinaru laughed as she walked in as well.

"Come on, honey..." She teased, kissing Inogawa on the cheek, then looking at the cook. "I think some coffee might be in order." The cook chuckled merrily to herself and nodded, heading back into the kitchen. Marik yawned and flopped down on Rem's placemat, curling up with his bunny plushy and sucking the tip of his tail, beginning to doze off again. Seto smirked and sat down as well, and everyone else soon followed his example, Zaine beginning to play 'which hand is the grape in' with Bakura.

Rem gently shook Marik awake once her plate arrived, deciding to share her breakfast, and offering him a small sausage link. "Sweetie, lookie it's some yummy sausage!" she said smiling. "It tastes really good, you want some?"

Jenette chuckled softly, watching the other hybrids.

Marik lifted his head and sniffed at the thing, then nibbled it from Rem's hands and licked the juices off of her fingers, purring. In the meantime, Bakura had discovered the grape in Zaine's left hand.

"You found it!" Zaine cheered. "Ah, wait... but what's this?!" He closed his hand, shook it, and opened it. The grape was gone.

"AAH!" Bakura cried, and pounced on the hand, looking over it, under it, and lifting it up so he could see between all the fingers. His eyes were wide and his mouth open in amazement. "Grape!!" He gasped, and checked Zaine's other hand, but the grape was nowhere to be seen.

He looked at Rem, sitting next to her fiance, and pointed at Zaine. "AHH! Gone!!" He gasped, and Seto, Emiko, Hinaru, Inogawa and Jennette all snickered behind their hands. Zaine looked quite amused and quite proud of himself at stumping the little skunk.

Rem laughed softly and shook her head. "Zaine don’t tease the poor boy... let him have his grape." She said softly, offering Marik another sausage. "Here sweetie, eat up. We have a long flight home." she said scratching his ears. "Who's my big strong lion?"

"Me! Me me me!!!" Marik cried happily, eating the sausage and cuddling his plushy. Zaine gave Bakura the grape. The skunk stuffed it into his mouth, then leapt at the man, crooning happily.

"They certainly are... affectionate..." Zaine chuckled, and Inogawa smiled from where he was giving Malik bits of his vegetable omelet.

"Ah... I see they beat us, Ryou." Everyone turned to see Pegasus walking in.

"The little rascals all woke us up crying for food." Emiko said with a smile as Tachi sat up and turned, sniffing the air as Ryou was carried in.

"Ah... Ryou was awake when I woke up. I turned and saw these big brown eyes staring at me. And when he saw me, he just smiled and hopped over and cuddled up to me… Then his tummy rumbled, so..." The man shrugged and sat down between Seto and Inogawa, holding Ryou in his lap.

Jenette blinked dumbfounded. "You mean to tell me he didn't wake you at all? Did he keep you up late? He can’t be that good, it's just impossible! He's what? Two?! Lucky!" she said, pouting at losing sleep because of the birds.

Rem chuckled. "Ryou's always been the most behaved of them all... Marik being the second most people-pleasing hybird." she explained. "It's only common notion that they'd be the most well behaved babies."

Zaine chuckled and shook his head. "He wasn't such a good baby in the tub last night. We had all four of them bathed and then Marik announces that he peed in the tub."

"Ewwwwww....." Yugi whined, walking in with Mokuba, Syrus and Otogi. They all sat down and were served. A fruit salad was set down for Ryou, and eggs and toast for Pegasus, who smiled and offered Ryou a little banana slice.

Ryou clapped his little hands and nibbled the treat from Pegasus, nuzzling into him. "mmm yum!" he cooed, cuddling into his master. "Thank." he cooed softly yawning once more, content and warm in his loving master's lap. "Yum?" he asked softly, wanting more.

Pegasus smiled and fed Ryou, and Hinaru took little Tachi into her arms to help Emiko, while Jennette took Ivy. The breakfast was calm and quiet aside from happy little noises from the babies, and soon, everyone was finished. Pegasus sighed.

"Well... I guess it's time to head back to Japan." He said, and looked around. "Can everyone be ready in an hour?" He asked. "I'm already packed, so I'll go to the store to get some diapers and things for these little ones and bring them back. When I get back I want everyone ready to go. Is everyone okay with that?" He looked around.

The group nodded calmly. "Of course Pegasus, would you mind picking up some blankets for the birds? They're a little cold." Jenette asked looking at the birds, who would shiver every few moments or so.

Rem nodded. "Marik and I are ready... he helped me pack and everything." She cooed, tickling the baby lion.

Dr. Hinaru laughed. "What she means by 'help' is that he kept us laughing by playing keep-away with socks." She announced, and everyone laughed when Marik perked up with an interested "Sock?"

Rem giggled softly. "Sorry Marik, there's no socks left." She cooed, petting him slowly.

Marik pouted and looked down, grabbing his bunny plushy and hugging it, purring. He smiled up at Rem.

"Mama... I love you." He got up, toddled to the edge of the table and hugged her.

"Awwwww..." Chorused the table.

Ryou blinked up at Marik, daintily nibbling on an apple slice. "Kitty...?" he mewled softly, flicking his oversized ears and looking confused.

Rem giggled. "Aww I think you made your bunny jealous Marik." She cooed, scratching his ears. "Do you love the bunny too?"

Marik turned and sniffed at Ryou, then blinked. "Bunny!" And he glomped onto Ryou and began licking his face. "Ry!"

Ryou blushed and giggled, nuzzling Marik. "Mark!" he mewled, nuzzling into him and clapping. "Mark pretty kitty!"

Marik blushed and purred, holding Ryou. "Mate." He said after a moment, and Pegasus blinked. "Mine!" And he glared at Pegasus and hissed at him. Pegasus blinked again, trying not to laugh.

Ryou giggled more and nuzzled Pegasus despite Marik hugging him. "Master..." he mewled licking Marik's cheek before he puffed up from anger. "Mark-kitty..." he cooed, giving him a little kiss on the cheek, drawing many more awww's from the table.

Marik grumbled and got up, pulling Ryou away from Pegasus and to his spot in front of Rem. Then he plopped down and hugged Ryou to himself. "Mine." He told Pegasus firmly, and gave a funny little growl. Pegasus looked at Rem, bewildered.

Rem frowned softly. "Kitten, Ryou is Pegasus' bunny too. He's Pegasus' precious baby bunny, you can’t just steal him away like that, you have to share nicely. Understand?"

Ryou blinked confusedly and mewled softly. "Master...?"

"Mine!" Marik yowled, and hissed at Pegasus, swiping at the man's hand when he reached out to pet the lion.

"Ow!" Pegasus gasped and jerked his hand back, inspecting the four little cuts that Marik's claws had made. "Ummm... I think I'll let him keep Ryou while I go shop for diapers."

Rem frowned. "Marik! Shame!" She scolded, bopping him on the behind. "Apologize!"

Ryou squirmed. "M-master ouch!" he whimpered, wanting to clean his beloved master's wounds.

"NO! MINE!!" Marik howled, clinging to Ryou. "Mine mine mine mine mine!!!"

"Ummm... about those diapers?" Hinaru said slowly, standing. She had a wet splotch on her shirt and held Tachi at arms length.

Rem sighed. "yes, perhaps that would be a good idea... I'll work with Marik while you're gone." She said, plucking Ryou from him. "Shame on you Marik." She scolded, gettin up from her seat and walking towards the door, leaving the confused lion on the table. "Ryou is Pegasus' bunny too."

"Mama! No! Mine!!! Mao... MAO!!!" He began to run back and forth along the edge of the table, staring down at the floor... it was a long way down to a little lion cub. He whimpered as everyone else began to gather the other hybrids and leave. "Mama!!!"

"Rem?" Zaine called. "Marik?"

Rem sighed. "Marik are you going to share nicely?" She said putting Ryou down. "Or should I leave you here?" she added firmly.

Marik whined. "MINE!!" He cried, stomping a little paw. "Mine! Mamaaa!! Down! Want down!!!"

"Fine, I'll get you down, but I'm taking away Ryou until you are a polite kitty." She said picking him up and putting him down, picking Ryou up quickly.

Ryou blinked confusedly and clapped his hands, loving all this attention. "No more bunny until you behave." Rem said looking down at Marik.

"NO!!" Marik cried. "My bunny!!!" He mewled, and stood up, reaching up to the table top where his plushy sat on the placemat. "Bunny!"

Rem picked up the plushie as well, giving it to Ryou. "No. Not until you behave." She said calmly.

Ryou squeaked delightedly and hugged the bunny, beginning to groom it's ears, despite it's lack of fur. "Toy!"

Marik stared eyes wide, then dropped onto his little bottom, beginning to cry.

"B-Bunny!!! My Bunny! Bunny Mama!!! Bunny!!!" He reached up to her for his bunny, fat tears rolling down chubby cheeks.

Rem though, was a good mother...and held firm to her ground. "No bunny until you're sorry for not sharing Ryou. That was very naughty of you. Poor Pegasus' hand was bleeding!"

Marik's lower lip trembled, then dropped as he began to wail. Zaine sighed and carried Malik and Bakura upstairs to pack, and Inogawa carried up food for all the rabbits.

Rem sighed and put Ryou down again, picking up Marik. "Sweetie I'm sorry, but you have to share...you can’t always have it your way. Do you understand? You can’t just keep whatever you want all to yourself...you have to share special things, so other people can be happy too. You don’t want to make someone else sad, just so you can be happy do you?" She asked hugging him. "You have to share things special to you, or it won’t be so special anymore."

"Bunny!" Marik cried, reaching for his plushy. "Bunny!!! Mamaaaaaaa!!!" Pegasus left the house to go shopping. "Mama! Want bunny! My bunny! Mine!"

Rem sighed. "Promise to apologize to Pegasus when he gets back." She said firmly. "And I'll let you play with Ryou and your bunny again."

Marik frowned. "No! Bad man! Bad!!!" He shouted, bouncing in Rem's arms. "Want bunny!"

"No." Rem shook her head. "If you won’t apologize, then you don’t get the bunnies. That's mama's rule. Which is more important? Not apologizing, or not playing with your bunnies?"

"BUNNY!!! WANT BUNNY!!!" Marik screamed on the top of his lungs, beginning to throw a tantrum.

Rem frowned more. "No." She put him down and scooped Ryou up once more. "You're being a bad SELFISH little lion, and mama isn't changing her mind." She said turning and walking back to her room. leaving Marik to throw his tantrum alone, as all others had already migrated to their rooms.

Marik cried and screamed and scuttled after her, crying and mewling at the bottom of the stairs, before beginning to climb them, pausing on each one to cry for Rem.

Rem was in her room, the door open so when Marik arrived he could get in. "Aww Ryou what a sweet little treat you are. " She cooed, brushing his hair while he sat perfectly still. He was unbelievable. The perfect child it seemed. He was gentle, quiet, well mannered and behaved... it was almost unreal.

Marik's whining drew closer, and eventually he plodded into the room, panting. He frowned and after a few tries, made it up onto the bed and looked around for his bunny plushy.

Ryou was clutching the bunny, nuzzling it and playing with it. "Toy..." he cooed lovingly to it, hugging it tightly, beginning to groom it once more.

"Hello Marik, are you done having a tantrum?" Rem said calmly

Marik scuttled over to Ryou. "Mine!" He cried, reaching for his plushy. "My bunny!"

Rem gave Marik a look. "What did mama JUST say about sharing?" She scolded.

Marik began to cry, once again falling back onto his behind. And he sat there, and SCREAMED.

Rem however did just as any parent who read parenting books would. Acted as though he weren't even there. Giving attention to a child during a tantrum just gives that child what they want. Attention.

She continued to brush Ryou's hair. "You're such a sweet little thing..." She cooed picking him up and cuddling him. Ryou squeaked and nuzzled her. "Who's a good little bunny?" She cooed again rubbing noses with him.

"ME!" he squealed delightedly, licking her cheek.

Marik cried louder, getting up and running over. "Mama!! Mama!!!" He wailed, incredibly upset that Rem was loving on this OTHER hybrid. "Mamaaa!! UP!!! Up! Up!!! Me!" And he finally dropped and began to cry again. A moment later, Bakura appeared in the doorway, scowling.

"Loud!" He whined, and glowered at Marik. "Shhh!" He demanded angrily, and when Marik kept crying, he snarled. "SHHHHHH!!!" And when Marik again kept crying, he stomped across the room and scrambled up onto the bed. Then he walked over to Marik, and smacked him. "QUIET!!!" He bellowed. Marik was silent for a moment, staring at Bakura in shock, but then brought a paw up to his face where a hand print was appearing, and screamed bloody murder.

Rem continued to ignore Marik, but picked up Bakura. "Hello sweetie, do you want to take a nap? Seto's room is nice and quiet...Yami's sleeping like a rock...why don’t you go in there?" She cooed, scratching his ears. "Here, I'll even lend you this pillow and blankie." She said handing them to him.

Ryou licked Bakura's cheek and smiled sweetly. "pretty kitty."

Bakura still scowled at Marik, and glared. Then, he pounced and began to beat on Marik, who screamed and yowled and fought back, and soon they were rolling all over, clawing and biting.

Rem sighed and grabbed Bakura by his tail, hoisting him up and carrying him from the room. "Don’t do that Bakura." She scolded as she walked down the hall. "If you want Marik to be quiet you can’t give him attention when he acts like that. It'll just make it worse. Just ignore him." She said putting him into Jenette's room. "Take a nap." She added calmly.

Once she shut him in, she began the walk back to her room.

When she got there, Marik was curled up tightly in the corner, sobbing and rocking himself. Ryou was still on the bed with the bunny plushy, and Tuc and Nod were with him, grooming him.

Rem sighed and sat back on the bed, plucking Ryou up and snuggling him. "You're such a well behaved bunny... do you like sharing your toys?" She asked softly, tapping his nose.

Ryou smiled and offered her the bunny, giving her a sincere look. "For you!"

Tuc and Nod snuggled with each other and watched Ryou in Rem's arms, and a dejected Marik in the corner, sniffling and crying.

"For me? Oh how sweet!" She cooed, taking it and making the plushie hop around the bed. "Here comes peter cotton tail ~ "she sang, while the plushie hopped.

Ryou squealed in delight and clapped his little hands. "Hop! Hop! Good bunny!" he giggled bouncing in Rem's lap delighedly.

Marik sniffled and rubbed his eyes, watching Rem play with Ryou. "Mama...." He whimpered, feeling abandoned. He slunk under the bed and curled up, sneezing at the dust bunnies.

"Marik sweetie, if you're done being bad, you can come up and play with mama." She said calmly. "Will you be a good kitten?"

Marik didn't answer. Rem had ignored him, therefore he would ignore her. Ahhh... a child's idea of revenge... Marik stayed under the bed, and was still there after Pegasus had returned and the car had been packed. In fact, everyone was IN the car, and Marik still refused to come out from under the bed.

Rem tapped her foot in the doorway. "Marik, if you don’t come out, mama will just leave you here. I'm very tired of you being a bad kitten. You've got to the count of three, before I leave you here. If you stay, you'll never see the bunnies again... you'll be all alone." She added warningly, stepping out the door. "One..."

Marik squeaked in fear and started out from under the bed, but finally backed under again, peering out of the woman. He stared at her, whimpering.

"Two." She said taking another step. "Are you sure you want to stay behind Marik? Mama isn't staying." She added calmly taking another step.

Marik gulped and sniffled. "Mama... no love kitten..." He whimpered, and backed out of sight.

"Mama loves her kitten very much, but mama doesn't love it when her kitten acts like a spoiled brat. Come on out, Marik sweetie, there's just one number left before you're left behind." She said calmly. "Besides, mama wants to go home with her kitten."

Marik was heard sniffling, then burst out from under the bed and leapt into Rem's arms. "Mama! Mama! Mamaaa!!" He wailed, clutching her shirt and hiding his face in her chest. "I love you..."

Rem smiled and hugged him tightly, kissing his cheeks. "Come on sweetie..lets go home..." She said softly, rubbing his back lovingly. "Back to where we belong." She added carrying him out to the car.

Marik continued clutching her shirt and hiding his face, even as they got into the car where all the babies were fussing and squirming in their diapers. Pegasus smiled at Rem and passed her one with a hole in the back. The man grinned and showed her the scissors.

Rem smiled and somehow managed to maneuver the diaper onto Marik despite his unwillingness to let go of her shirt. "All better. Marik, do you have something you need to say to Pegasus?" She asked sternly.

Marik frowned and curled up tightly, keeping his face hidden. He whined and began sucking the tip of his tail.

Rem frowned. "Marik, are you being spoiled again? There's still time for mama to put you back under the bed." She warned.

"NO!!!" Marik yowled, and dug his claws in. "NO NO NO NO NO!!!"

Rem winced slightly. "Then do what you know you have to do." She said sternly, pulling him off of her slowly.

"NO!!! NO!!! Mama! Mama! Mama!!!" He cried, reaching for her shirt frantically.

"Rem! Don't traumatize the little guy..." Pegasus said. "It's okay. Really. He's just a cub."

Rem sighed. "But if he doesn't learn the values that are important to learn as a child, it might affect him when we get them back to normal." She said softly. "He never had a real family, I'm hoping if I act like the mother he never had...that will stay with him.”

Pegasus sighed. "Marik? I forgive you." He said, reaching out and petting the lion cub's head. Marik ducked away and hissed at the man, and when Pegasus tried to pet him again, he bit him.

"Ow!" Pegasus yelped.

Rem grabbed Marik and bent him over her lap, giving him a spanking. "BAD!" she said loudly. "You do NOT bite people, no matter HOW mad you are, or HOW much you dislike them!" She scolded before putting him down and glaring. "You are a very bad kitten." She said calmly. "And Mama is NOT happy with you."

Marik yowled and scuttled across the car, ending up in Emiko's lap huddled under a confused Kumani.

"Miss Rem... please..." Pegasus said, laying a hand on hers. "That was my fault. I tried to pet him, he made it clear that he didn't want it, but I tried again. I shouldn't have pushed him. He's still part lion, Rem. If he feels threatened, he WILL attack..."

"Pegasus is right, honey." Zaine said, softly.

"That is no excuse." She said calmly. "He's still part human too, and he's just upset because I'm being stern with him." She added. "He's always acted that way when he's in trouble." She shook her head. "But by all means if one of you two want to take him in instead, feel free." She said raising an eyebrow.

"Rem, I really think it's best he stay with you." Pegasus said softly. "He's calling you mama. He won't want to be anywhere else."

"then hush up." she replied calmly.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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