Sacrifice

Marik sighed and paused in his gardening to look up at Ryou. The boy was in the rabbit pen, cuddling and grooming them all. He had been very upset after the terrifying attack of the ghostly indians, even after coming home and finding everything was okay. He wouldn't stay alone at night anymore... Marik had slept on the floor in Ryou's room the past couple of nights, warmed by rabbits cuddling up to him.

Ryou sighed and cuddled Tuc looking sad. "I was in town today..." he said after a moment. "Yugi was really upset...Yami hadn't come home, and when he went to Ahmose's house...their guns were on the floor and the windows were broken."

Marik sighed. "Things just keep getting wierder and weirder..." He said, pulling a weed.

Ryou nodded. "I'm almost too afraid to let the bunnies outside..." he sniffled and kissed Tuc's nose. "You poor things..."

Marik sighed and nodded. Suddenly, all of the bunnies froze and stood, ears up and noses twitching. Then, began to run frantically, heading inside.

Ryou blinked nervously when Tuc squirmed out of his arms and into the house. "We...should go in." he said looking around. "I've never seen them do that before..."

Marik nodded, as even Angel leapt off of his head and charged for the house. He and Ryou quickly went in...

Once inside, Ryou shut the door and hugged Marik looking upset. "What if it's those indians again?" he gasped. "Maybe they're what happened to Yami and Ahmose!"

"Shhhh... Just... get under the bed." Marik said. "Like the rabbits."

Ryou nodded sniffling before disappearing into his room to hide.

There was a long eerie silence, before a soft hissing filled the room.

Marik looked around, frowning as he stood at the bedroom door, which he had closed.

The hissing slowly grew louder, and he caughht sight of a snake's tail, slipping in from the bunny-door.

Marik's eyes widened and he held tightly to the hoe he was holding.

The hissing grew steadily louder and before Marik could blink, the snake lunged forward, toppling furniture and snapping it's jaws down on his head and torso (hoe included!).

Marik immediately screamed bloody murder, kicking and flailing.

Of course his muffled screams were heard, and followed up by Ryou's as well as the terrified squeals of the rabbits.

Marik thrashed, hearing Ryou.. "RYOU!!!" He shouted. "AHHG!!!"

The snake's tail whipped around Marik's feet and was cramming him quickly down its throat. It seemed to be in a hurry.

"GOD!!! WHAT THE FUCK?!" Marik howled. In the bedroom in the meantime, rabbits were flying everywhere, squealing in fright, darting in here and there to bite the snake that was devouring Ryou.

The snake hissed as it crammed Ryou down it's throat before beginning to snap up the bunnies, the movement causing snaps to be heard. Ryou's bones breaking from the coiling and uncoiling.

The rabbits squealed in terror, now just trying to stay away from the snake.

The snake hissed and whipped it's tail forward, tripping three rabbits and lunging forward, snapping them up in an instant. The speed of the snake was incredible!

Many rabbits began to hide IN the bed.

The snake flipped the blankets from the bed, snapping up more. It wasn't long before the snake had devoured all of the poor creatures...

Then, the house was silent...

Ryou awoke with the sun, the bunnies sleeping soundly around him. He groaned and sat up looking around. "Where....am I?" he gasped looking confused. "Marik?! Marik!" he mewled terrified. He did NOT take sudden drastic nightmarish changes well.

But Marik wasn't there... little Angel was hopping around squeaking anxiously, calling for her adopted 'daddy'... but she couldn't find him... and she wasn't going to just run off into this strange place all alone, so she just ended up hopping in circles around her family, looking around for Marik.

Ryou picked her up and held her. "Shh...it...it's ok..." he bit his lip looking around, not daring to move. He just sat near the fountain, like a deer in the headlights.

Slowly, the other rabbits began to awake and crowd close to Ryou, frightened.

Ryou scooped them all up, clutching them and watching wide-eyed as indians walked the streets. Female indians giggled softly at the sight of the meek youth, clutching the cute furry creatures. One female blinked and turned scurrying away.

She arrived at Bakura's house not long after, just as Bakura and Mikado were dressing, chattering eagerly in Aztec about the youth who looked just like Bakura.

"huh...looks just like me?" he gave Mikado a look. "Hmm...Ryou must be here."

Mikado's eyes widened. "Ryou? Oh! Take me to him! He must be scared to death!!! He's just as timid as those rabbits that follow him around!"

Bakura nodded chuckling. "He was so cute. I used to think he'd make a good pet." he said as he turned to the woman asking where Ryou was. He thanked her and she left. He turned to Mikado and took his hand. "C'mon...he's near the marketplace."

Mikado nodded, following Bakura and braiding his hair as they walked, tying it off with a strip of leather.

"You gonna tan leather with me again?" Bakura asked looking at Mikado curiously. "Oh yeeeahhh you're gettin fitted for a dress." he teased.

Mikado gave him a look. "Oh, shut up." He said.

Bakura laughed. "You sure I can’t take a peek?" Bakura asked giving Mikado a smile. "You'll be beautiful, even in a dress."

"Right..." Mikado snorted. But then, someone barreled around the corner and ran straight into Bakura. There was a crack as their skulls smacked together, and both fell flat on their backs, stunned. Mikado's eyes widened.

"... Marik?!"

Bakura groaned. "Damn you!" he howled kicking Marik off. "What the hell's wrong with you! OW....gods..." Bakura moaned out, rubbing his head.

Marik slowly sat up, and his scared eyes filled with releif. "BAKURA!!" He cheered, and leapt onto Bakura, planting a great big kiss on his lips. "I have never been more happy to see you!!!" Mikado's eyes widened, and he covered his mouth to hide his grin of amusement.

Bakura made a face. "I thought we discussed this!" he howled. "Don’t go kissin on me when you ain’t brushed your teeth!"

Marik just flung his arms around him. "I'm so glad to see you!!! Wait... YOU'RE dead, TOO?!"

Bakura rolled his eyes, grabbing Marik's nipple and twisting harshly. "Dead folks dont feel pain." he snorted shoving Marik off. "Why aren't you takin care of rabbitboy?"

"YEEEOWCH!!!" Marik yelped. "I got eaten by a giant SNAKE!!!"

"Yeah... same here. Sucks, doesn't it?" Mikado asked.

Bakura snickered. "I think a more appropriate term is it 'bites'." Bakura stood dusting himself off.

Marik also stood. "So... where are we, how did we get here, and what am I wearing?!"

"Buckskin pants and moccasins and a cotton cloak, apparently." Mikado said. "With lovely beads and feathers."

"... I feel like a turkey in mating season." Marik grumbled, and Mikado burst out laughing.

Bakura chuckled. "Funny, you act more like a turkey standing out in a rainstorm." he said smirking. "Lets go find Ryou before he has a heart attack."

Marik glared at Bakura. "You son of a-- Ryou? Ryou's here?!"

Bakura rolled his eyes and began walking again. "We were just goin to get him before you decided to try and kill me."

As they walked they came upon the marketplace, and sitting near a stall, looking terrified and wearing a small leather cap that was commonly found on farmers, sat Ryou. The poor boy looked near tears and was shaking like a leaf in the breeze.

"Ryou!" Mikado called, running across the square, smiling. Marik made to follow, but tripped and fell flat on his face.

Bakura chuckled, walking past Marik. "Turkey in a rainstorm." he said as he walked to Ryou's side. Ryou looked up and wiped his eyes.

"M-mikado?" he slowly calmed down. "Where am I? Wh-why is everyone dressed like that? Why did the snake eat me?" he sniffled. "I want to go home..."

Mikado winced. "Uhhh... sorry Ryou... I, uh... I'm afraid that it's my fault... and... I dunno if you CAN go home..."

Ryou looked at Mikado like puppy would look at it's master if it'd just been kicked. "C-cant...go home? B-but...my home! My little farm! It's all I had!"

Mikado sighed and nodded. "I... I know... I'm sorry... I didn't know how this would all play out... see, when the phantom Aztecs attacked, Bakura... for me... sacrificed himself to stop it all before everyone was killed... and... I followed him. Here. To the Aztec Paradise. But I missed by brother and... well... my friends... and I asked the gods to help me and... well... apparently when they eat you, you end up HERE. I... I'm sorry Ryou... but... but maybe you'll like it here! You can still farm!!!"

Ryou sniffled. "B-but...that was my parents house..." he said sadly. "A-all I had to remember them by.."

Mikado smiled. "And I thought all I had to remember MY parents by was MY house... but Ahmose and I packed up and moved. And I haven't forgotten them." He said.

Ryou's lip trembled and he shook his head. "B-but...my bunnies lived there too!"

"They're all here with you, aren't they?" Mikado asked. "I'm sure Marik would build them a pen here, too. When you pick a house. There's a real nice one down by the stream near me and Bakura and Yami and Ahmose."

Ryou nodded and wiped his eyes once more. "Ok..." he said softly, watching Angel squeal and run over to Marik, hopping at his feet.

Marik smiled, scooping her up. "There's my little hairpeice!!!"

Angel licked his fingers and sat up proudly.

Bakura blinked. "Now you like wearin rabbits in your hair?"

Marik sighed. "I can't keep her out!!!" He howled, as Angel scampered up his arm and hopped onto his head. "See? When I try to take her down, she BITES!!!"

Bakura shrugged. "Well you might as well go settle in your new house." Bakura said before turning to hug Mikado. "And you have fun with those women. I'm going to work."

Mikado nodded. "Okay... I'll take them to where we live before I go fulfill my bargain." He said.

Bakura smiled. "Alright...seeya tonight." and he walked away, heading back to the tanners.

Ryou put his bunnies down, each eagerly hopping around, a lot less frightened now that Marik was there.

Mikado smiled. "This place is actually very nice. The only problem is that you have start out from scratch, but I'll help." He said. "Come on. On the plus side, you get to pick a house to live in for free!!!"

Ryou nodded and followed Mikado.

Meanwhile Yami was pacing in the house he shared with Ahmose, looking upset.

Ahmose yawned and rolled over, waking up. He blinked down at Yami.

"... Yami? Are you okay?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

Yami sighed and nodded. "Yeah..." he mumbled stopping to lean against a wall and look down. "Just...missin home."

ahmose blinked, then frowned slightly. "Home? Or... Yugi?"

"Both..." Yami said after a moment. "I dunno...I hardly fit in here."

Ahmose smiled. "Neither of us do..." He said. "Come up here and lie next to me for a while.

Yami sighed and climbed the ladder, sitting on the bed shaking his head. "I'm sorry Ahmose.."

Ahmose smiled, reaching out to Yami. "Give it time. We'll all feel a bit homesick for a while. But before you know it, you'll see this place as home."

Yami made a face. "It's not though. I'm not an indian.."

Ahmose sighed. "True. But Yami... we can make this our home. We can be happy here..." He said, taking Yami's hand.

Yami made a halfhearted face. "You..think so?"

Ahmose smiled. "I know I can be happy here... with you..."

Yami sighed again. "I hope I can be happy too..."

"Can you not be happy with me? Isn't that what you wanted? Or is my bony ass giving you doubts?"

Yami chuckled slightly. "No your bony ass isn't giving me doubts." Yami said smiling. "I...well I just feel weird. You know...maybe it's just nerves."

Ahmose smiled, pulling Yami down and kissing him tenderly. "I love you..." He whispered.

Yami smiled and nodded. "So..." he yawned and curled back up against Ahmose. "What should we do? I dont know the first thing about Aztec living..."

Ahmose smiled. "We find out what we're good at, and start working. You can cook. Maybe you should start there." He suggested.

Yami smiled. "You're just sayin that cause I take pride in my cookin'."

"Hey... I've loved EVERYTHING you've given me." Ahmose said, smiling back.

Yami laughed and hugged Ahmose close. "Now you're just trying to seduce me."

"No, I mean it!" Ahmose insisted, grinning.

Yami kissed Ahmose. "You spoil me with your compliments."

"I just tell the truth." Ahmose replied, kissing Yami back.

"HEY!" Mikado shouted, sticking his head into their house, scaring Yami and Ahmose to death. "Ryou and Marik are here!!!" And he was gone, helping the new arrivals to choose a home.

Yami groaned. "First thing I want....curtains." he grumbled.

Ahmose chuckled. "Well... I'll see what I can do." He said, kissing Yami's nose. "Come on... we won't get anything if we just lay here."

Yami sighed and nodded. "Yeah..." he sat up, climbing back down the ladder and exiting. He blinked as the little rabbits were prancing around in the grass, nibbling and drinking from the stream while Ryou and Marik were staring at the prospective home for them.

Ahmose walked out and looked around. "... It's looking like home already..." He snickered, watching the bunnies running all over the place.

Ryou gave Ahmose a nervous smile. "I...I hope it starts feeling like home soon..."

Marik smiled. "We'll MAKE it our home." He said. "I mean... that is... if you... want to make it OUR home... if you want it to just be YOUR home, we can... be neighbors again."

Ryou blinked and shook his head. "I... kinda like you spendin the night." he said softly. "I feel safer knowing you're here for me.."

Marik grinned. "Well... if you want to live together, then... we'll live together!"

Ryou nodded and blushed. "Uh huh..."

Marik also blushed, but grinned. Ahmose turned and looked at Yami, a knowing smile on his face.

Yami smiled a bit too. "Young love..." he said softly. "Ryou deserves someone good for him...but who'd have thought a bum like Marik would tickle Ryou's fancy."

Ahmose snickered. "Shh! Be nice!"

Yami laughed again and shook his head. "Well...maybe we should go find work so we dont have to starve."

Ahmose nodded. "Agreed." He said. "Come on." And they wandered away.

"So... this is where you want to live?" Mikado asked Ryou and Marik.

Ryou nodded and offered a meek smile. "I suppose.." he said looking around. "I...could farm right here. " he said nodding more. "The...the land looks fertile."

Mikado smiled. "This is the Aztec paradise. It IS fertile. And the stream is right there... Look... why don't you put your rabbits in the house, and I'll take you to Bakura's family. I'm sure they will help you with work so you can at least have SOMETHING to barter with to begin building your lives up here. Then I have to go."

Ryou nodded and opened the door, calling the bunnies one by one by name. Once they'd all went inside he followed Mikado to Bakura's home. Where he ended up weaving baskets as Mikado had the night before. However...Marik wasn't really the basket weaving type.

He got very frustrated very quickly, so the woman laughing sent him out to work with the men. Marik walked over to Bakura, grumbling.

Bakura snickered. "Suck at basket makin' do ya?" he said shaking his head. "Takes hand-eye coordination."

Marik just gave him a look. "Oh, shut up."

Bakura smiled and handed Marik a bone tool, teaching him how to peel away the flesh of a hide, before setting him up to work on his own hide. "If you can finish the hide before sundown, then the women will give you an already finished hide as payment." Bakura said calmly.

Marik nodded, and got to work. Mikado in the mean time, reached the place where the women who had bartered with him last night were. He walked over to them.

The ladies all smiled and welcomed Mikado before offering him an already nearly-finished dress to put on. Once on, they began altering it to a specific height, and making adjustments.

Mikado just sighed and stood there, hoping to God that Bakura hadn't followed him... he'd have to hurt him...

Hours passed slowly the women working tediously on the dress.

"Ohh hey now..." Bakura purred from the doorway, smirking. "Working overtime are we Mikado?" he added eyes clearly grazing over Mikado's body. "Mmmm...you make a beautiful woman too."

Mikado's eyes widened and he stiffened, then slowly turned his head.

"... GET OUT OF HERE!!!" He howled. Ahmose and Yami suddenly appeared, laden down with things they had traded for after being paid for doing odd jobs for the elderly men all day (since Ahmose could actually communicate with them).

"... Mikado?" Ahmose asked. "What are you doing?"

"... Paying for your blanket and pillows." Mikado growled. "Shut up."

Bakura chuckled. "Such a pretty model." Bakura said snickering.

The women giggled and finally finished with Mikado, taking the dress off of him and bowing in thanks.

Mikado nodded back to them, before hurrying to the door, glaring at Bakura. "Not. One. Word." He growled, and Ahmose raised an eyebrow.

"SOOOO beautiful." Bakura said kissing Mikado's cheek.

Mikado flushed. "Yeah, yeah..." He grumbled. "Watcha got there, Ahmose?"

"A mortar and pestle, and some components to start making medicines." Ahmose said.

Bakura snickered, holding up two hides. "I'm on my way to deliver these hides I made to the carpenter." he said yawning. "I really worked today...I hate being in debt."

Mikado smiled happily at him. "I'll give you a massage when we get home. Ahmose taught me how. He's REALLY good at it." And he turned and gave Yami a pointed wink.

Yami smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't know… he never seduces me. I'm always seducing him."

Mikado laughed, turning and grinning at his flushing brother.

"Oh, shut up. Both of you." Ahmose grumbled.

Bakura snickered. "Are you stuck in a loveless relationship Yami?"

Yami pouted. "I feel so unappreciated."

Mikado laughed.

"ALL of you shut up!" Ahmose huffed.

"See?" Yami howled. "Spousal abuse!"

Ahmose's eyes widened. "S-Spousal...? WHAT?!" He turned and stared at Yami, turning red.

"Oooooh..." Mikado said, looking at the two with an amused smile.

Bakura chuckled. "Mikado likes MY spousal abuse..." he said giving Mikado a look. "And I rather enjoy abusing him."

Mikado's eyes widened and he blushed. Ahmose and Yami turned and stared.

Yami whistled. "Now THAT'S hot..." he whined. "Damnit you got the nice ass AND the masochist?!"

Mikado winced and groaned, but then turned. "Ahmose likes bondage and domination!!!" He blurted. Ahmose tripped and fell flat on his face. Mikado gave an evil grin.

Yami grinned. "oooooohhhh Ahmose...we need to go home now."

Ahmose slowly stood, gathering everything he had dropped, hiding his face behind his hair. Mikado snickered and looked at Bakura. "So. You had business, dear?"

Bakura snickered and walked off, leaving Ahmose to be dragged home by Yami.

Mikado smiled and followed Bakura.

Once he handed the hides to the carpenter, they thanked each other once more and Bakura began his walk to the bathing springs again. "Liking life here Mikado?" he asked after a moment.

"Yes. I am." Mikado said with a smile. "I could go without the cross dressing, but..."

"Really? I thought you looked molestable." Bakura chuckled. "You make a drop dead gorgeous woman."

"Oh, shut up." Mikado snorted, looking annoyed.

Bakura sighed as they reached the water, and he undressed before slipping in and slouching. "goooooods...." he moaned. "So much better."

Mikado smiled and stripped, slipping in next to him, before pushing him forwards and moving behind, him, having Bakura sit between his legs. He began rubbing his shoulders and nuzzling his jaw just below his ear.

Bakura groaned and closed his eyes. "Ohh you were right...." he mumbled sounding relaxed. "You've got very good hands..."

Mikado smiled. "Ahmose taught me well..." Mikado said, beginning to knead out all the tense knots in Bakura's back. "I love you..."

Bakura nodded. "Mikado...you complete this paradise for me." Bakura purred, turning to kiss Mikado's chin (since that's all he could reach at that angle). "I love you."

Mikado smiled and hugged Bakura from behind, nuzzling him with a happy sigh. Then, he gave a sudden giggle.

Bakura blinked. "Hmm?"

"Hmmmm..." Mikado mused, and then wiggled around a bit, and suddenly, Bakura found the boy grinding into his backside. "I think I LIKE this..." Mikado purred, licking at Bakura's ear and running his hands over his chest. A couple of the people around glanced at them, snickering in amusement.

Bakura grinned like a cheshire cat. "I know you aren't the dominant type...but that is very sexy..." he said, a hand slipping back between Mikado's legs to grope him. "And if you dont want to lose your virginity in a hotspring...you'll be careful about rousing fires."

Mikado giggled. "And how do you know I'm not the dominant type?" Mikado hissed. "What if I take YOU?"

Bakura chuckled. "Then I'd gladly give MY virginity to you....then throw you down and fuck you right back."

Mikado's eyes widened and he grew tense and gulped. Then, to Bakura's GREAT amusment, the boy shivered, and... something moved against Bakura's backside.

Bakura chuckled. "Well...?" he hissed grinding back against Mikado suddenly. "Think you got what it takes?"

Mikado gasped and squirmed, trying to get away before he got MORE aroused.

Bakura however continued grinding against Mikado looking thoroughly amused. "Having second thoughts about being the 'dominant type'?" he taunted.

"No..." Mikado whimpered. "Just... let's bathe and get home... quick!!!"

Bakura turned on Mikado and pulled the boy to him, turning back around, forcing Mikado into his lap and grinding beginning to pump him under the water. "Well then lets get you all squeaky clean..."

Mikado yelped and flailed, falling off of Bakura's lap and topping backwards into the water. The men around them laughed.

Bakura snickered slightly as well. "Graceful."

Mikado gave him a disgruntled look.

"Annnd that was completly sexy." Bakura chuckled, leaning back against the side of the spring.

Mikado snorted. "Jerk."

">Will you be able to tame that one, Bakura?<" A man asked, grinning.

">Oh he's already tamed...you should have seen what I was doing to him last night<" Bakura replied snickering. ">He's just my type...the masochistic type.<"

"Ohhhhhh..." The men chorused, then laughed, grinning at Mikado. Mikado slowly looked at Bakura.

"What did you tell them?"

"That I'm going to have the unity ceremony with you soon." Bakura lied through his teeth, smiling.

Mikado eyed Bakura suspiciously, but he blushed all the same.

"Now get back over here and finish massaging me." Bakura said pointing to his back. "You got busy trying to seduce me and forgot all about my poor back.."

Mikado snorted. He sat behind Bakura again, (legs crossed) and began to massage his back.

Bakura continued snickering.

">See? Look at that...he's a good wife.<"

The men all burst out laughing at that.

">Bakura!<" One scolded through his chuckles. ">Do not disrespect your chosen mate...<"

">Tell that to the seamstresses, he was in a dress earlier.<" Bakura laughed.

The men all paused, then burst out laughing again.

"Why do I have a feeling that all of this laughing is at my expense?" Mikado huffed, pouting.

"Because you toppled over into the water like an idiot when you were TRYING to be sexy?" Bakura said shrugging.

">Isn't he adorable? You should see this thing he does in bed...<" Bakura added proudly.

"I WASN'T trying to be sexy. YOU were." Mikado snorted, scowling.

"That doesn't make you sound any better." Bakura laughed. "I try to be sexy, and you topple over into the hotspring."

Mikado growled, then jabbed a pressure point.

Bakura yelped and growled. "Watch it kid, or you'll be falling into the water again."

Mikado snorted. "YOU watch it." He snapped.

"Oooooohhh..." The men chorused again.

Bakura laughed and shook his head. "You started it."

Mikado opened his mouth to retaliate, but then closed it upon realizing that he had, indeed, started it.

"HA. see?" Bakura looked smug.

Mikado jabbed Bakura again, before grabbing the soap and washing his back.

Bakura snickered to himself at his little victory the whole time. Once Mikado finished, he once again put Mikado in his lap and bathed him (innocently this time).

Mikado enjoyed this immensely, and was all but purring when Bakura finished, cuddling into his lover's chest happily.

Bakura smiled and cuddled Mikado back. "Alright you...lets go home." he whispered, kissing Mikado's cheek.

Mikado smiled. "Okay..." He sighed, pulling his pants on, and they began to make their way home.

Bakura chuckled a bit. "I should tell your brother about how you were trying to be dominant. It was adorable."

Mikado gave Bakura a look. "Oh, shut up." He grumbled, blushing.

Bakura snickered and shook his head. "adorable."

Mikado snorted. "I should kick you..."

"You have. It does nothing." Bakura pointed out.

Mikado narrowed his eyes, then gave Bakura a sharp kick in the ass.

Bakura grunted and slapped Mikado's ass in retaliation. "Watch it or I'll tie you up naked outside again kid."

"You said kicking you didn't DO anything." Mikado said smugly. "It certainly seems to irritate you."

"So does tying you naked to trees." Bakura said giving Mikado a look. "Wanna see?"

Mikado narrowed his eyes. "At this rate, we're BOTH gonna DIE virgins!!!"

"Naah," Bakura said waving a hand. "If I get really desperate I can find a nice woman."

Mikado blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "Then maybe I should have just stayed in the mortal world huh?! With my brother? Maybe I should never have come after you, hm?"

"You're the one that practically drowned yourself coming after me." Bakura said giving Mikado a look. "I was willing to give you that life you wanted with your brother...and you came after me anyway."

"Because I love you." Mikado said softly.

Bakura shook his head, and smiled at Mikado before pulling him into a hug and just hugging him, for a long time. "Gods I love you..." he whispered rubbing Mikado's back.

"That's all I need to know..." Mikado whispered, nuzzling Bakura.

Bakura sighed happily. "You already know I love you Mikado..." Bakura purred. "You just like hearing it every day." he chuckled and gave Mikado's backside a small swat. "And I spoil you so I keep saying it...everytime you want to hear it."

Mikado sighed and smiled. "Good... say it again..." He said softly.

Bakura chuckled. "Now you're just wanting to hear it to make me say it." he laughed kissing him. "Five times a day limit."

Mikado pouted at that.

Bakura chuckled and shook his head. "Alright....just this once." he purred kissing him again. "I love you."

Mikado sighed happily, hugging tightly to Bakura. He blinked and turned when he heard Ahmose shouting from his and Yami's house, "OUCH!!! Stop flinging that around!!!" Mikado giggled.

Bakura raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know?"

"I do..." Mikado said. "But I'll live." He said. There was another shout, from Ryou and Marik's house.

"SCAMP!!!" A moment later, a bunny charged out of the house, carrying a moccasin. Marik chased after him.

Bakura laughed. "Aren't you glad we're much calmer than those four?" he asked shaking his head and smiling.

"HAH!" Mikado laughed, throwing his head back. "Yeah right!"

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Ass."

Mikado grinned and walked towards their house, smacking his ass. "You love it!"

"So does Yami." Bakura said proudly. "But that's MY property."

Mikado giggled and walked into the house, sighing and looking around, happily.

Bakura followed and shut the door behind him. "Paradise?" he asked grinning.

"Hmmm... yeah..." Mikado mused, stretching.

Bakura chuckled. "Good. Because...I want you to stay with me in this paradise." Bakura hugged Mikado to him and smiled. "I want to share the rest of my days...with you."

"Sounds good..." Mikado said, and yawned slightly, cuddling into Bakura's chest.

Bakura sighed and kissed Mikado's cheek. "C'mon....lets go to bed."

Mikado nodded, stripping and climbing up into their bed, snuggling down with a happy noise.

Bakura stripped as well, climbing the ladder and laying next to Mikado, pulling the blankets over them both and hugging his lover.

"Love you..." Mikado mumbled softly.

Bakura kissed Mikado's cheek, closing his eyes. "Love you too Mikado."

Meanwhile, Marik had caught Scamp and the pilfered shoe, and returned home, holding the rabbit by the ears.

Ryou yawned in the doorway, though he was smiling. "Scamp...stop stealing Marik's things. Naughty bunny!"

Scamp chittered, squirming around. Marik snorted. "We need to see about getting them their OWN beds..." He said as Ryou climbed up to the bed, and Marik began to pass him the bunnies two at a time (by the ears).

Ryou giggled. "But then who'd cuddle up to me and keep me nice and warm?" Ryou asked as Marik finished, and the bunnies were curling up on either side of Ryou, looking content.

"Uh... me?" Marik asked, climbing up and starting to shoo the bunnies around so he had some room.

Ryou blushed. "People cuddlin is for married folks..."

Marik snorted. "Not true! And there's only one bed!!!"

Ryou gave Marik a look. "Alright...but if you get roamin' hands then I'm gonna kick you.” Ryou warned blushing.

Marik laughed. "Okay..." He said, laying down beside Ryou, and the rabbits all swarmed to find a good spot again.

Ryou laid down, cuddling Tuc, and Angel clambored over Ryou to curl up against Marik's neck, under her 'daddy's chin.

"Hmm... night Ryou..." Marik mumbled, yawning.

"Night Marik." Ryou cooed, turning to kiss his chin and giggling, before dozing off.

As they were dozing off, Ahmose was mixing medicines, while Yami cooked.

"Smells good." Ahmose said, glancing up.

Yami smiled slightly. "I can only hope it tastes as good as it smells..." he said scooping the contents of his pot into a pair of bowls. It looked like spicy curry and cuscus. "I've never cooked with some of this stuff before...so be gentle." he said offering a steaming bowl to Ahmose.

Ahmose smiled. "Okay." He said, putting aside his mortar and pestle and trying the stuff.

It was smooth and spicey, and it had a sharp kick of peppers. Yami sat down and began eating his own. "Hmm..." he sighed. "It's not my best...but it's...alright I suppose."

"I think it's great." Ahmose complimented.

Yami smiled and nodded. "Thanks Ahmose...it means a lot.'

"You're welcome." Ahmose said, making an approving noise as he took another bite.

Yami seemed to relax a bit. "I...I guess I can get to like it here." he said after a moment of silence, as he ate. "So long as I have you loving me."

"Mmm... AND your cooking!!!" Ahmose said firmly.

Yami grinned broadly. "You know just what to say, to make me feel like a million dollars."

"To me, you're WORTH a million dollars." Ahmose said, smiling at Yami.

"Good. Cause if I wasn't worth somethin I'd feel pretty useless." Yami chuckled and continued eating. "It's good...to be here with you."

Ahmose smiled. "Marik and Ryou were brought... Maybe Yugi will be brought, too..."

"I hope so..." Yami mumbled. "It wouldn't be fair...if he wasn't."

Ahmose smiled, letting out a sigh of satisfaction as he finished his meal. He then yawned and stretched.

Yami yawned as well. "Call it a night?" he asked taking their empty dishes to the washing tub, beginning to wash them.

"Yeah..." Ahmose sighed. He walked across the room, stretching more as he went, then began to strip... slowly.

Yami blinked watching attentively. "mmm.... nice."

Ahmose turned and looked at Yami over his shoulder, and winked, before turning and walking out the front door.

Yami blinked, abandoning the dishes to follow dumbly...like mice to the pied piper.

Ahmose made his way across the small dirt road to the stream. He waded in, and then plopped himself down in the cool water, relaxing against the bank.

Yami followed plopping down on the bank and staring looking very pleased.

"Wanna join me?" Ahmose asked. "The water feels good... I'm sore..."

Yami blinked. "Naah... I'm more of a hotsprings person myself. I hate the cold."

"Well... I don't remember where the hot springs are. And the stream is just right out front so..." Ahmose shrugged, leaning back and closing his eyes, not noticing that Yami was just... staring at him...

Yami continued staring for a long time before grinning. "You're hot."

Ahmose opened his eyes and blinked at Yami, then snickered. "Ummm... thanks." He said, blushing a bit.

"Lets get hitched." Yami said after a moment.

"WHAT?!" Ahmose yelped, eyes wide.

"Lets. Get. Hitched." Yami repeated slower.

Ahmose just stared, mouth hanging open.

Yami blinked. "What? Dont you want to?"

"I... well... I mean... CAN we?!" Ahmose asked, stunned.

"Sure we can!" Yami said grinning. "No reason why we cant!"

"Um... well... I... I'll think about it..." Ahmose said slowly.

"Alright." Yami kissed Ahmose's cheek before standing and going back inside their home. He finished the dishes, before crawling into bed.

About ten minutes later, Ahmose returned and joined him, crawling into bed, not bothering to dress.

Yami hugged Ahmose close and cuddled up to him, falling into a peaceful sleep.