Twilight Menagerie

Twilight Menagerie

Mally-chan and hato chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing. Nothing at all

YAOI WARNING!!!

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Chapter 13

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Dartz knocked lightly on Ryou's door and entered at the soft call.

"Good afternoon, Ryou." Dartz smiled, and Tuc and Nod quickly retreated under the dresser. "I have been told that your mate is doing better and is no longer in any danger of... dying." Dartz said calmly. Between pneumonia and the genetic tinkering that Daisuke had done, Marik had been in a very worrisome state over the last four days. "He has stabilized." Dartz told Ryou.

Ryou gave him a relieved look, though sad. "D-does he still... not want to see me?" He asked, ears drooping. "B-because I'd... like to go see him...” he mumbled looking down. "It's all my fault he got so sick in the first place...”

Dartz sighed. "He has stabilized, but is still not in any condition to be expressing desires such as that. Poor Amelda has been tending to him 'round the clock because the poor thing cannot even express the most basic desires such as thirst or hunger. He has been asleep, and when awake, he has been delirious." Dartz said. "But... I was told that he has been calling out for you in his delirium... and for your friends Malik and Bakura, and someone called... Rem?"

Ryou nodded. "Please... can I go see him?" Ryou asked sniffling. "Please... I have to!"

Dartz sighed, then smiled and nodded. "Of course." He said softly, and held the door open for Ryou.

Ryou got to his feet and hurried to Dartz. "Please... take me to him as quickly as you can!" He pleaded eagerly. He hurryied to the elevator unguided and waited beside it, beginning to groom his ears.

Dartz chuckled and followed Ryou, pushing the button and stepping into the elevator with the bunny when the doors opened. They waited quietly as the elevator carried them up to the dormitory and when the doors opened Ryou was off like a shot, running towards Marik's cage, which he soon found to be empty.

Ryou looked at the cage worriedly, his ears falling back against his hair and bristling slightly, before giving Dartz a frightened look. "Marik... w-where is Marik?!" He asked biting his lip.

Dartz smiled. "He has been moved to an isolation unit so he can rest and be cared for properly without everyone staring at him." He said, walking to a door in the corner with a one way window on it. "Over here, Ryou."

Ryou followed slowly. "C-can I please go in?" He asked, completely disregarding the window, much more worried about his mate.

Dartz smiled and unlocked the door, then opened it. Inside, Marik was curled up in the corner in a pet bed that sat on electric heating pads, and was wrapped up in an electric blanket; a humidifier hummed in the other corner, making breathing very difficult for Ryou, but it was helping to ease Marik's breathing by loosening the congestion within his lungs.

Ryou coughed softly, and hurried over to his lover, hugging him and sniffling. "Oh Marik, I'm so so sorry...” he mewled, licking his cheek. "Please... g-get better!"

The lion stirred slightly and drew in a deep raspy breath before coughing violently. He moaned miserably, and slowly his eyes opened and stared blankly across the room and at the wall. Dartz watched silently from the doorway.

Ryou gasped softly and nuzzled Marik. "Marik... Marik it's me! I'm so sorry Marik please forgive me!" He whimpered, hugging his mate softly, sniffling and beginning to cry, coughing occasionally because of the thick moist air.

"Murrrrrrr...” Was all Marik said, blinking at the wall with a blank look on his face. He grimaced and closed his eyes, giving another harsh cough. "R-Rem... . don't... feel good...” He moaned.

Ryou sniffled shaking his head. "N-no it's Ryou... it's me Marik... Ryou...” he said sounding slightly hurt, despite knowing Marik was delirious.

Dartz sighed. "I... don’t think he recognizes you as being here, Ryou...” He said softly, and Marik moaned and squirmed within his blankets.

"Rem... Rem... Wanna... go home...” Marik called, starting to lift his head and search blindly for the woman. "Want... Ryou...”

Ryou smiled slightly and crawled into the bed with Marik and nuzzled him, beginning to groom his lover. "Marik... i-it's ok... I'm here... I'm here...” he mewled lovingly, sighing and nuzzling into his mate, doing everything in his power to let Marik know somehow he was being loved...

Marik's delirious calls slowly quieted and he stopped his slight struggles and relaxed, and had soon fallen into an easy sleep, purring softly at the grooming. Dartz smiled as he watched Ryou tame the restless beast with his gentle love.

Ryou sniffled softly and nuzzled Marik once more, before sighing contently. He gave Dartz a grateful look. "I... I think he's forgiven me... h-he wanted me...” he whispered, cuddling into his lover.

Dartz forced a smile. "I'm glad." He said softly. "Are you ready to go?" He asked.

Ryou shook his head. "Please... . I... I'd like to stay with Marik...” he said giving his lover a worried look. "... I... I want to be here when he wakes up... when he needs me...”

Dartz frowned. "Ryou... you might get sick." He said.

"I don’t care... I love him...” Ryou said gently brushing some of Marik's bangs from his eyes, before beginning to scratch that spot behind his ears that he adored. "I'd do anything... for him."

Marik's purring got louder, and even in his sleep he leaned into the scratching and his tail, hanging out of the wrappings of the blanket, weakly twitched and thumped the floor.

Ryou smiled serenely. "My precious mate...” he cooed.

Dartz frowned and slowly closed the door, letting Ryou alone with his mate. He justified this angry decision with the idea that this would be the last happy moment Ryou would have with his mate ever again...

Ryou cooed to Marik, grooming his ears before slowly lolling to sleep as well, hugging Marik and curled up into his mate. "I love you...”

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

Marik opened one eye as the door to his room creaked open and Varon entered with a thick beef broth with small bits of ground beef and vegetables and filled with medicine and vitamin powders. Varon looked at the lion, only his eyes visible as they peered out from under his blanket hood and over the edge of the pet bed.

"Here... this'll make you feel better ok?" He said softly, reaching forward and petting Marik slowly. "Would you like to see Ryou later?" he added scratching Marik's ears.

Marik purred loudly and licked Varon's hand. "Yes." He said in a slightly raspy voice. "I feel much better, thank you." And his tail lightly thumped the floor. He liked Varon, and had gotten to like him even more over the past week and a half that the young man had cared for him through his illness. He had even gotten Marik a little bunny plushy when Marik had told him about the one that he had treasured while Ryou was still with Pegasus.

Varon smiled. "Alright... I'll see about getting him to visit, if you eat that soup. You need to get better." He said firmly, scratching Marik's ears again. "Besides, it'd make Ryou sad to see you so sick without eating. I'm sure he'll be eager to see you."

"Murrrrrumph!" Marik exclaimed happily and began to lap up his soup, purring in contentment the entire time. A growling noise was heard from in the vicinity of his stomach, making Varon laugh. Marik simply continued to eat, glad to be filling his hungry belly.

Varon smiled once more, before excusing himself from the room. He walked to the elevator, waiting calmly until he reached the floor Dartz's office was on. He stepped off and walked calmly into Dartz's office. "Sir? The lion wishes to see the rabbit...” he said calmly.

Dartz looked up. "Oh does he? He is doing better then?" Varon nodded. Dartz frowned. "Hmmm... I will think about it...” He said slowly. "Perhaps it would be best if the lion got a bit of exercise and fresh air... it's a wonderful day out today, it's gotten quite warm. Perhaps later this afternoon at the warmest part of the day you should take him out to the common yard to get some sun and fresh air."

Varon nodded. "Yes sir, oh, and Ryou's bath will be ready in a few hours. I'll put him in the blue room, he seems to like that one." He said chuckling. "Well, I've got to get back to work, it might be good to tell Ryou he's going to visit Marik. I'll get him ready to go outside...”

Dartz nodded. "Varon, wait." He said, as the young man turned to leave. "That new lion we just received a week ago... How is he behaving?" He asked.

"He's behaving fine sir, aside from being cocky and self centered." he replied looking rather annoyed Dartz had asked. "I don’t much care for him."

Dartz chuckled. "Go ahead and let him out into the common, as well. Take him out there first, please." He said. Varon nodded and left, and as soon as he did Dartz called Rafel in.

Rafel came in, eating a breakfast bar. "Yeah?" he asked around his food, looking irritated he'd been called out of his snack for work.

Dartz raised an eyebrow. "I wish to test the submissive trait that Daisuke introduced to the golden lion." He said, which he now called Marik ever since the black maned lion was brought in. "I want you to take a message to the dark lion...”

Rafel nodded. "Alright. What's the message?" He asked calmly, growing curious and amused by the situation.

"I want him to trigger the golden's submission. The trigger is apparently the act of a dominant bite to the neck. He will be rewarded for taking part in this test." Dartz said, looking Rafel in the eye.

Rafel chuckled. "I see... let me guess, you plan on letting that rabbit witness this little fiasco?" He said smirking wickedly. "My, you've become quite devious to get that hare's attention."

Dartz chuckled. "He's NOT a hare, Rafel. He's a rabbit. There's a difference. Now deliver that message to the Dark lion, please."

Rafel rolled his eyes. "Yet I hear no denial." He mumbled going to talk to the dark haired lion.

Said lion was on his back staring at the ceiling, bored. When Rafel appeared in his window, he craned his head back and looked at the man.

"MUST these kimonos be so short?" He asked, gesturing to the kimono that was wadded up in the corner of his room. He was completely naked.

Rafel groaned. "Look, it's either the kimono or run around naked. I personally don’t give a damn what you do." he said calmly. "I have a message for you."

"Oh?" the lion asked, rolling onto his stomach and looking at Rafel with slight interest. "Spill it."

"Well, our boss has a liking for this bunny Ryou, your job is to bite his lion mate on the neck. Then do with him what you want. It will trigger his submission." Rafel explained. "You'll be rewarded for your help of course."

The lion's ears perked and his eyes widened. "Did you say... bunny?" He said in a low tone. "With a... LION mate?" His eyes darted around the room as he processed this. "Does this bunny by any change have a... fennec friend?" The lion asked.

Rafel nodded. "Yes, that'd be the rabbit and his friends." he replied calmly. "Why?"

The dark haired male slowly grinned. "You have yourself a deal...” He chuckled with a sinister gleam in his eye.

Rafel smirked. "Make it look authentic... The boss wants that rabbit for himself, and the only thing keeping him from getting his way, is that lion." he said chuckling and opening the door. "Put on the kimono, we're gonna get you outside."

The lion grinned and pulled on his kimono. "Let's do this...” He said slowly.

Rafel lead the lion out to the commons and smirked. "Have fun." He said smirking. "I'm sure the other lion will be along soon enough, followed by the rabbit."

The lion smirked and made his way out to the yard, other hybrids shrinking away from the steely glare of the large beast.

It wasn't long before Marik was brought out. Varon smiled, patting Marik's head. "Don’t overdo it. You're still sick, but you could use the exercise." he added calmly. "Dartz said he'd bring Ryou out a little later. Try to look your best ok?" he said nudging Marik. "It will make his little day to see you."

Marik purred and rubbed against Varon, then made his ways to the doors and slipped outside. He found a nice patch of sun in a bed of newly grown clover, and flopped down with a contented purr. The black maned lion watched him from across the yard through narrow golden eyes.

It wasn't long before Ryou hopped outside, Dartz standing back to give him room. "MARIK!" he called eagerly, hopping forward quickly. "Marik!" he mewled gleefully, joyful to even see his mate, let alone have him so close!

But suddenly, there was a large body blocking his way. Ryou skidded to a stop and looked up, then froze. Familiar eyes glared down at him, and a low growl was heard.

"Well well well... what do we have here...?”

Ryou squeaked and backed away. "C-C-Constantine...” he whimpered, ears back, eyes wide and fearful. "W-what are you doing here?!"

Constantine grinned and slowly moved towards Ryou as the bunny backed away. "Claiming what's mine...” He growled in a low tone. "So stay away." He smirked.

Ryou gave Constantine a confused look. "B-but there's nothing here that... that IS yours...” he said softly, pausing in his backing away.

Constantine chuckled. "So you say...” He hissed. "But without Alexander, Boudiccea and Ceiridwyn, I've been... lonely...” He grinned. "So I made a new... friend. And imagine my surprise when I discover that it's the disgrace himself...” The lion gave Ryou an evil grin. "So I took it upon myself to... rehabilitate him."

Ryou shook his head. "No... Marik's MY mate!" he said, ears bristling. "Y-you leave him alone! He loves ME."

Constantine snickered. "Not anymore." He said and shoved Ryou to the ground, then turned and made his way over to the lion lounging in the sun in the clover patch. He let out a call and Marik lifted his head, ears perked in obvious interest. He turned and watched the larger male approach, and rose to his paws.

The darker male reached Marik and purred in a friendly manner, sniffing him and rubbing cheeks. Marik closed his eyes and relaxed at this lion's friendly attention. Constantine smirked to himself and began to lick Marik's face, rub against him, then start to groom his ears. Marik purred loudly and turned his head, licking at Constantine in return.

Ryou shook his head. "B-but Marik...” he mewled, inching forward. "I... I thought you loved me!" he said, eyes brimming with tears. "P-please! Tell me he's lying! Y-you're still... still MY mate... right?" he asked, tugging his own ears.

But Marik couldn’t hear him…

Constantine gave a playful growl and pushed Marik over. The smaller male bat at his face from on his back on the ground. This was new to Marik; he had never met another lion before, so this was quite exciting. The pair began to playfully wrestle, and it ended up with Constantine standing over Marik, straddling his hips. Marik was on his belly and turned his head, giving Constantine a slight snarl to warn him that he didn't like the dominance that the larger male was beginning to exert.

Ryou whimpered softly watching, pulling some relief from the snarl. "M-Marik...” he breathed, ears back once more. "P-please... I... I t-trust you...” he whimpered laying down and sniffling. "Please... c-come t-to talk to me...” he breathed, looking back at Dartz worriedly. "D-Dartz... '

Dartz watched silently. Constantine snarled back, and made his move. He bent over and bit Marik's neck like a lion would bite a female during the act of mating. Marik's snarl turned into a whine and he slowly lay down and rolled onto his back, showing submission to Constantine. The black maned lion growled dominantly, and Marik mewed and pawed at Constantine, who looked over at Ryou and grinned, then turned and dropped onto Marik, kissing him forcefully. Marik arched his back in confused protest for a moment then relaxed and submitted.

Ryou gasped. "MARIK!" he whined loudly, shaking his head. His mate... he was gladly laying with someone... someone other than... than him. At this point, the tears flowed freely. "O-Oh god!" he choked out, forgetting hopping, he got up and ran from the sight, he brushed past Dartz, through the common room, and out the door.

He was blinded by his own tears, and ran feebly back to his room. "T-Tuc!" he wailed, running inside, throwing open the bathroom door and scooping up his friend. "T-Tuc!" He sobbed, burying his face into his friend's fur, crying.

Tuc blinked, confused and only half awake. Nod also blinked, and looked for Tuc who had suddenly disappeared from her side. Tuc finally registered Ryou's sobs. The bunny blinked and began licking Ryou's tears away, nuzzling him.

Ryou sobbed harder. "I... I saw him Tuc...” He choked out. "M-Marik… h-he's in love with a lion! H-he... he was happy! He was eagerly laying with him...” He wailed, shaking his head. "I... I trusted him!" he sobbed harder, clutching his friend close, trying to keep himself from hyperventilating in his tears. "A-all those days... . th-that he didn't want to see me...”

Tuc blinked, and shook his head as he tried to process this. 'It can't be. The lunkhead is loyal to you and you alone! It must be a trick! Don't beleive it, be true to your mate!'

Ryou shook his head. "I-It's not! I watched him! He was laying outside, a-and that horrible lion from b-before… the one who said lions only love lions... h-he was there...” Ryou said wiping his eyes, sniffling. "He told me while Marik wouldn't see me... th-that he had been seeing him... th-that Marik was HIS mate now...” he sniffled and hugged Tuc. "Then he… he went over… Marik didn't fight him at all... he... he welcomed everything!"

Tuc frowned. 'Hair boy did it.' He said. 'The one with the hair that looks like the strong smelling stuff you put on the stick that makes you foam at the mouth.'

Ryou shook his head. "H-he was nowhere near them Tuc... Marik did it... H-he did it all by himself.." he sniffled, hugging his friend, his tears slowing, though his ears were still drooping. "My... My mate doesn't love me anymore... wh-who can blame him? I was keeping him from... from being good... m-maybe Constantine was right... maybe he's be-better off with other lions...” he said sniffling.

Tuc snorted. 'He's too much of a teddy bear for that.' He said.

Ryou sniffled. "He sure LOOKED happy...” he mumbled. sadly. "You should ha-have seen him...”

Tuc sighed. 'The lunkhead loves you.' Was all the rabbit said.

Ryou sniffled and shook his head. "He loves that other lion... I... I saw him! I... wouldn't have... if I hadn't seen it... .Tuc I SAW him...” he mewled wiping his eyes. "I saw him with that other lion."

"Ryou... I... I am SO sorry...” A soft voice said, and Dartz looked at Ryou from where he was in the doorway. "I... I'm sorry." Tuc's ears flattened and he began to squirm and click.

'Liar... you had something to do with it. I know it! Get out!'

Ryou glared at Tuc. "Hush you... he didn't do anything!" he said, scolding his friend. "Pleas... Tuc just... please? I cant handle it right now...” he mumbled sniffling. "We can get back to that once I'm not about to DIE." he added, choking back a fresh wave of sobs.

'HE DID IT!' Tuc insisted. 'Get away! I know you did it! Get away!' The rabbit fussed, and Nod watched, then thumped her own foot. Dartz took a few steps towards Ryou and Tuc went ballistic. He slipped out of Ryou's arms and both he and his mate charged Dartz, growling and clicking angrily. The man yelped, and leapt up onto the bathroom counter to escape the furious rabbits.

Ryou sniffled and picked up his friends, stuffing them under the counter and closing the cabinet door. "SHAME!" he scolded sniffling. "I CAN’T deal with you two charging at him, I was THERE! HE didn't do ANYTHING! He hardly even breathed!" he scolded, pressing his forehead against the cool wood of the cabinet. "I cant handle anything anymore...” he mumbled, fresh tears slipping down his cheeks.

Dartz slowly slipped to the floor and gathered Ryou into his arms. "Shhhh... Oh Ryou, I'm so sorry... I'm so so sorry...” He said, standing and cradling Ryou. "I'm so sorry baby...”

Ryou sobbed into Dartz's arms, clutching him. "H-he... he... I saw him...” he sobbed. "Why...?”

Dartz smiled in satisfaction. "C'mon... why don’t we go give you a bath...” He suggested.

Ryou nodded sniffling. "A-alright...” he mumbled sniffling and slowly standing, his legs a bit unsteady from his shock and loss.

"Here... I've gotcha...” Dartz said, picking Ryou up and rocking him. "Would you like to see your fennec and skunk friend, maybe?" He asked, carrying Ryou from the room and down the hall.

Ryou shook his head. "N-no... not right now...” he mumbled sniffling. "If they saw me like this...” he let the sentence hang, and buried his face into Dartz's shirt. "w-why did he do that...?”

"I don't know, Ryou...” Dartz said, taking Ryou into the blue bathroom. He stripped Ryou and set him gently into the tub.

Ryou sniffled and looked at his reflection in the water, and looked away almost wincing at the sight of himself. "Marik...” he said softly, sniffling.

Dartz smiled and gently began to wash Ryou's hair. "My poor little angel...” He said softly. "I am so sorry you had to see that... I can't believe he would... betray you like that...”

Ryou choked back another sob, giving Dartz a look that seemed caught between utter devastation and something akin to illness. "Why...?” He asked once more, burying his face into his hands to hide soft sobs. "Why...”

Dartz sighed. "I don't know... I can only imagine what you're going through... And your little friends aren't even offering you comfort... it's horrible...”

Ryou sobbed harder. "B-But... I..I love Marik... I thought... h-he promised... a-after everything that's happened... WHY?!" Ryou glared at his reflection and wiped his eyes. "I-it's me... I'm a bad mate! I... if I was a lion he'd love me!"

"Hush now...” Dartz said softly. "His disloyalty is no one's fault but his own. One day, he will realize what he gave up, and he will have to live with the regret." He said.

Ryou sniffled. "M-maybe... i-if I apologize... if I… if I promise to be good...” he whimpered feebly. "I... I love Marik...”

"Shhhh... I'll look into this... relationship between your mate and this other lion... I'll find out just what happened, okay?" Dartz said softly.

Ryou sniffled and looked at Dartz gratefully. "Thank you...” he mumbled wiping his eyes. "... I wish Marik loved me... I wish I was a lion... th-then I'd be better than that awful Constantine...”

Dartz blinked. "You know that lion?" He asked, blinking.

Ryou nodded sniffling. "I met him... a few months ago, when my master took us all on a vacation... he insisted lions only mate with lions... c-called Marik a disgrace because he mated me...” he mumbled looking down, ears drooping.

"I... I see...” Dartz said slowly. So... this was more devastating to Ryou than he had anticipated... Good. He rinsed Ryou's hair, then began to wash his body, gently.

Ryou's sobs had died down, though his sniffling was still quite clear, and he was rubbing his sore red eyes. "Marik...” he mumbled pathetically. He sighed and sniffled once more. "th-thank you...”

"Of course, little one...” Dartz said. "I hate to see you like this." He finished washing Ryou and lifted him out of the tub, wrapping him up in a towel and carrying him back to the bedroom, here he had to leap onto the bed with Ryou to escape Tuc and Nod's attack.

"Are your rabbits always this vicious, or do they just not like me?!" He asked, looking down at the furious creatures.

Ryou sniffled and glared at them. "If you don’t leave him alone... I... I'll send you away!" he said angrilly. "I don’t care what you think he's doing, right now I just want some peace!" he hissed, ears bristling, clicking at them.

Tuc and Nod stopped and stared at Ryou, eyes wide. 'Send us... away?' Nod squeaked, alarmed.

'You wouldn't.' Tuc gasped.

Ryou glared at them. "Try me...” he growled softly. "I want some peace, some quiet, and some time to gather myself, and if you have brains in your heads, you'll go INTO that bathroom, and STAY there until I come get you!" he hissed, glaring.

Nod slowly began to back away, looking frightened, but Tuc thumped his foot.

'I WON'T leave you alone with HIM!'

Ryou clicked at him. "If you don’t leave, Nod will be very upset when I send you away!" he hissed warningly.

'He's no good! No good!' Tuc insisted, and Nod hopped over and tried to nudge him towards the bathroom. 'You're betraying the lunkhead! YOU!'

Ryou hissed and lunged forwards snatching Tuc by his ears and literally tossing him out the door, not hard or with intent to hurt him, but he did toss him out of the room and shut the door, and pushed Nod into the bathroom and shut her in. His ears were back, obviously he was stressed and cross.

Immediately, Nod was squeaking in distress and Tuc was growling and clicking, and both began frantically pawing at the doors. Dartz watched, quite baffled by the entire thing.

"Uhhh... what's going on?" He asked.

Ryou sat on the bed trembling slightly, though it was hard to tell whether it was from anger, or fear. "They don’t like you." he said softly.

"I noticed." Dartz said dryly. "What do you plan to do with them?" He asked, looking back and forth between the doors that separated the two upset rabbits.

Ryou sniffled. "I... I don’t know...” he mumbled. "They're my friends...”

Dartz nodded. "I know... And they seem to care about you...” He said. "I could... send them up to the skunk and fennec again...”

Ryou sniffled. "Maybe if you... could put a cage in here... I'd hate to lose the only company I get during the day...” he mumbled. "Your visits are nice... but they never last."

Dartz thought a moment, then smiled and nodded, beginning to brush Ryou's hair. "Okay." He said softly. "I'll have one sent in by tonight."

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

Constantine smirked at Marik. "Congratulations disgrace... you're finally less of a smudge on the breed than you were moments ago." he said chuckling and baring his teeth. "And that little rat finally has a clue."

Marik blinked confused. "W-What?" He asked, sniffing at this strange lion who had managed to... subdue him so easily; Marik was still confused by his own sudden submission. "Who... ARE you?! What are you talking about? And... WHY did you... KISS me?!"

Constantine chuckled and laid down on top of Marik, his tail swishing like a lion who'd caught his prey and had it in his jaws. "Just someone who owed that little rat some payback. He was helping you disgrace our kind." he said calmly. "Lions belong only with lions."

Marik stared at Constantine, but then, slowly, the pieces came together. He remembered the phone call he had received from Ryou when the boy was on vacation with Malik and Pegasus... Ryou had told Marik that he had met a pair of lions who had told him that it was disgraceful for a lion and a rabbit to become mates... They had hurt him... Marik's eyes widened. It couldn't be...

"You... told Ryou...” He blurted, shocked.

Constantine nodded giving Marik a sinister smirk, showing off a very intimidating pair of canines, in the process. "Yes, it was me. Now maybe that rat will get a clue and stay out of the affairs of a breed that SHOULD be eating him." He hissed, dragging claws down Marik's torso. "You disgrace, you should know better...” he growled.

Marik hissed at the sting, but a rage rose up in him like a blazing inferno. "You... son of a BITCH!!" He roared, and flung Constantine away, leaping to his feet and pouncing, fangs and claws bared. When Ryou had first told him of this lion he had told Ryou that he would kill it. And he had every intention of doing so.

Constantine was up in an instant and out of the way, pouncing on Marik once he'd landed, both paws on his throat. "You think you can harm me? Runt! You're nothing but a rabbit loving runt of the litter." He hissed smirking. "Useless wretch. It's no wonder you chose a rabbit, you're hardly fit to mate any lion! Should have died during the hybridization process!"

Marik roared and turned, sinking his teeth into Constantine's right wrist and tucking his legs up, digging the claws of his toes into the larger male's abdomen. Fire burned in his eyes as he glared at Constantine, but he was quickly tiring due to his illness.

The other hybrids in the yard had all rushed out of the way and were huddled together watching the two male lions fight, and the hybrids inside had their noses pressed to the windows, as did Rafel, holding a tranquilizer gun, and Daisuke.

"Shall we let them duke it out for a while?" Rafel asked, his tone full of amusement; he wanted nothing more than to see Marik get his ass kicked by Constantine... and maybe get fucked, too.

"By all means." Dai said calmly, amused as well.

Constantine roared loudly in Marik's face, and slashed him with his claws. "Runt! How DARE you try to fight with your superior!" he roared, biting down on Marik's neck once more, only this time squeezing, meaning to kill the lion beneath him.

Marik's eyes rolled back and he let out a distressed whine as his submission was triggered again, and he withdrew his teeth and claws from the larger male and went limp beneath him.

"That treatment you gave him seems to be very affective." Rafel complimented.

"Powerful stuff, science...” Daisuke said chuckling. "It's the one determining factor in anything...”

Constantine growled and craned his neck, hoping to break Marik's neck in his jaws. "Die... Die because you have no place here. Runt of the litter, you disgrace the name of lions everywhere, you mated a lower creature, you defend that walking appetizer." he hissed biting harder. "Die...”

Rafel frowned. "He's going too far, now... Dartz won't like that lion killed...” He stepped out the door. "What's going on here?!" He demanded loudly, turning the gun on Constantine. "What are you doing?!" Marik whimpered slightly at the pain in his neck, waiting to feel it snap at any moment.

Constantine snarled lightly, but let Marik's head drop back to the ground. "Teaching this runt a lesson." he hissed, turning on Marik and glaring, yet doing nothing. "Runt... you should have died...” he grumbled, stepping off of him and sitting down, wishing he'd managed to kill him before Rafel stepped outside.

Rafel walked over and pet Constantine. "Good boy... No killing other hybrids. I would think that you two would be friends...” Marik whimpered and slowly got to his feet and slunk away. "Good job." Rafel said to Constantine. "Keep that mangy beast under your thumb... You now own him. But no killing him. Got that?" He asked, looking down at the lion.

Constantine smirked. "I own him hmm? I've always wanted a toadie...” he chuckled. "Maybe I could get him to cage with me... like a little servant." he added amused. "I'm sure a few beatings, and he'll be acting like a true lion." he added, smirking and trotting after the injured Marik. "What's wrong runt? Accepting that you're not the dominant mate you thought you were? The only reason you were dominant was because you were mated to such a weak creature. Any self respecting lion could have seen that." he teased, grinning wickedly.

Marik glared at Constantine and growled, backing away uneasily... this larger male seemed to have a powerful influence on him and Marik couldn't understand why or where it came from... he didn't remember the incident with Dai injecting him when he was sick... he had no idea what was wrong with him...

He continued backing away until he was up against a wall, and then he gave a warning roar and swiped at Constantine with his claws.

Constantine dodged them easily. "What's wrong? Scared? You should be...” he hissed darkly, moving forward until his forehead was against Marik's, pinning his arms back behind him. "It's time you came back to what you really are. A lion. It's time you took your place in a pride. Something you've been lacking for apparently far too long."

Marik growled again. "Get away from me...” He snarled. "Do not touch me, and you stay away from Ryou... or I'll kill you myself...” He struggled to free himself from Constantine's grip.

Constantine laughed. "You? Kill me? Don’t waste your time dreaming. I own you!" he chuckled. "You couldn't harm me any more than the rabbit could. You're weak, you're sickly, you're a RUNT." he added amusedly. "You're the sad excuse for a lion that somehow survived the process of becoming a hybrid. You should have died, you're too weak in every way. Pathetic."

Marik began to shake... those words were far too familiar, and he was starting to have flashes of back when he had first been placed in the pet shop... back when he was weak and badly malnourished... when he was exactly what Constantine was calling him now... a weak, sickly runt.

Constantine chuckled and lunged forward, biting his neck once more, harshly. "Now runt, you're my little bitch now, you'll be MY mate...” he said flicking his tail amusedly. "You'll stay in my cage, do what you're told and live like the ratloving runt you are, until you EARN the respect any lion deserves... until then you'll be called runt, treated like the trash you are, and used for whatever I desire, any time I desire it." he hissed in Marik's ear, drawing his claws harshly down Marik's chest once more.

Marik squeezed his eyes tightly and shut and clenched his teeth as a loud whine escaped his throat.

"N-No!" He whimpered. "I... I don't want... I won't! I am RYOU'S mate...”

"Not anymore." Constantine smirked, biting harder. "You're my mate now, you pathetic thing. I'll turn you into what you really are. You'll realize what it is to be a lion... you'll love me for it." He chuckled giving Marik a very dark, sinister look. "Accept it, you couldn't defend something like that rabbit even if you wanted to, runt. He's better off without the likes of you. If it weren't for you, he would have had that rich man to care for him... pampered all his life content in his own little world of love. You introduced PAIN into his world. You shattered HIS paradise."

Marik stared at Constantine with wide eyes, shaking his head.

"N-No...” He whimpered. "No, he... He's... happy with me... We... No...” He squirmed, trying to get away. "Where is he? He's... supposed to be here! I'm supposed to see him! Get away!"

Constantine smirked. "He saw enough of you, in fact, so much I doubt he'll ever want to see you again." He said lashing his tail slightly. "Face it, he's no longer any of your concern. You're my mate, and he's seen that... it's time you let go of the creature you're so insistent on making miserable. This is HIS second chance at being happy... if you love him at all, you'll let him recieve that chance...”

Marik stared as he peiced this together. "Ryou... he... saw... NO!!!" He planted his feet on Constantines' chest and sent the lion flying backwards, and Marik charged for the door, eyes wide and desperate. "RYOU!!"

Constantine was on him in an instant, roaring and digging his claws into Marik's back. "Runt! You are MINE now... Ryou is a thing of the past." he hissed flipping Marik onto his back and snarling in his face. "He's going to be happier without you, you pathetic frail creature. What could you offer him? A meager existance if even that. Sickly little runt... .Leaving him is the only way to ever pretend to provide him with a life worth living. He'll be pampered, loved, provided for. He will always have a warm bed, a roof over his head, food to eat." Constantine said chuckling. "You couldn't even provide that. He cannot eat what you eat, you know it probably pains him to see you... eating that meat, eating the flesh of other living things...”

Marik growled. "I supported him fine! I worked! I had a...” He slowly trailed off. Yes... He HAD a job... Marik's determination was replaced with overwhelming confusion and doubt, and he turned his eyes away from Constantine. "I... love him...” He whispered pathetically.

Constantine laughed. "Love and a subway ticket will get you a ride on the subway." he said chuckling. "Your love is worthless, pathetic, USELESS! You cant survive on love, it wont fill his stomach, keep him warm, safe...” he hissed. "Right now it's his chance... Dartz will take your place...” he said smirking. "He'll be safe, fed... happy...” he added smirking. "It's his second chance at happily ever after... if you love him, you'll let him have that happy ending... after all, if you let him go, you can let yourself believe you at least provided him that."

Marik shook his head, his eyes darting around wildly as he tried to think of an argument, but everything he thought of was immediately shot down by his own doubts. He could protect Ryou! But... he had failed to protect Ryou from being kidnapped and brought to this place... He could provide, he could! But not without a job... and he had been fired from the only job he could ever possibly have... who would hire a hybrid? Without a job he couldn't feed Ryou... keep him clothed, and in a warm home... he couldn't... Marik closed his eyes. He couldn't do anything...

Constantine smirked. "What? Nothing to argue? See? See what that love of yours is worth? Nothing." he said chuckling. "You fought so long and hard for that rat, and finally you open your eyes. It's time you let him go, a human can provide for him better than a misguided troublesome runt like you could. Think of how happy he will be. Warm clothes, a soft bed, fresh food every day made just for him. Dartz is Vegetarian I've heard... so he'll never have the pain of watching something else be devoured...” he said stepping off of Marik.

"Face the facts... Lions belong to lions, and that is how it will always be. You're no more suited to being his mate, than anything here... that rabbit is a human's pet. He's hardly a rabbit, you see how he walks, how he speaks to you...” Constantine stretched. "The only thing that could be his mate, is other rabbits, or a human... the boy has brains to pick humans... they can provide... something you can’t."

Marik slowly rolled onto his front and lay still, staring off into space with a devastated expression. He curled up and mewled, tucking his tail between his legs. He lay there for a bit, Constantine just watching him, then forced himself to his feet and slunk over to the door to get back inside, belly to the ground. He whined anxiously, pawing at it and finally getting it open. He then hurried to the door of the common and began to paw at it as well, mewling for someone to come take him back to his cage.

Constantine followed, proudly. "What? You're caging with me now... after all, you're my mate." he chuckled. "You'll be sleeping with me, eating with me... everywhere I wish to go... until you shape up into the lion you are." He said viciously. "And guess what? We're having live Rabbit for lunch once we get back to the cage."

Marik paled and shook his head. "N-No! Please! I don't WANT to share a cage!" He whimpered, and scuttled across the room and ended up under a sofa, shaking. "I want Ryou! I want my mate! Rem! REEEM!!!"

Constantine laughed. "Forget Ryou, he's not your mate anymore. You've been marked, you're MY mate... and it's time you accepted that, now why don’t you take that scrawny ass outside and work out. Lord knows you could use some muscle on those limp noodles you call arms."

Marik growled anxiously, trying to warn Constantine to keep his distance but it wasn't very intimidating. "I am NOT your mate!" He shouted. "Get away from me!" And he ran out from under the sofa, and in his desperation he sought sanctuary pressed between the wall and Daisuke's legs.

Daisuke laughed. "Seeking shelter with me? My how the tables have turned." he teased as Constantine drew near. "What do you say we take the happy couple to their cage Rafel?" He added chuckling as Constantine grabbed Marik by the neck and pulled him out from behind Daisuke.

"Come on mate... it's time for lunch." the black haired lion chuckled.

"N-NO!!!" Marik cried, beginning to struggle. "No! I don't want to! I'm not your mate! I don't want anything to do with you! Let me go!!!"

"Shut up, you mangy alley cat." Rafel growled, and kicked Marik towards Constantine. "You belong to the REAL lion now."

"NO!!!" Marik shouted. "BAKURA!!! REM!!! PLEASE!!!"

Constantine chuckled and pulled Marik towards the door. "You can’t defend yourself, so you call for the help of others. Some great mate for the one you 'love'd." Constantine sneered. "Come runt, it's time you got some meat on those bones."

Daisuke harnessed Marik and began leading him back to the dormitories, to his new room. With his new mate.

Marik fought harder. "NO!!! I WON'T!!! I DON'T WANT TO!!! VARON!!! NO!! PLEASE I... Oh... oh no...” His eyes widened, and then the lion barfed in the middle of the hall.

Constantine laughed at this, walking by proudly. "Nice runt. Way to promote just how sickly and pathetic an excuse you are for a lion." He teased, swatting Marik across the face with his tail as they passed. "I'll see you upstairs, and tell you what, I'll even catch your food for you, since I doubt you're capable." he said smirking as Daisuke dragged Marik forward, leaving the mess to be tended to by the next passing worker.

Marik lowered his head and closed his eyes, trying to fight down the nausea that was still assaulting him. He forced himself to stumble after Daisuke on shaking legs.

"P-Please...” He gasped. "Please don't make me...”

Daisuke chuckled. "Don’t worry, Constantine is a good strong lion, he'll take good care of you. It's what mates do." he said laughing. "Won’t you Constantine?"

The stronger lion smirked. "Of course, what are mates for?"

Marik raised his head and stared at Daisuke despairingly as they got onto the elevator. He made his way to the corner and huddled there, but Constantine padded his way over and forced Marik to the floor, then stood over him. When the elevator opened, Marik was dragged out and after Constantine, rather than back to his own cage. And it was then that Malik caught sight of the large male lion that had nearly raped Ryou and killed HIM only months ago.

Malik growled stepping forward. "You...” He hissed, ears back. "What are YOU doing here?!" he growled.

Constantine smirked. "Just here to take care of my new mate...” he said looking at Marik. "Isn't that right?" He asked firmly, chuckling. "After all, it's what you were meant to be, MY mate."

Bakura moved to the front of his own cage, eyes wide. "Marik?!" He gasped. The golden lion slowly lifted his head and looked at Bakura and Malik with bloodshot eyes, tears streaming down his face. He whimpered as Constantine drew nearer to him and quickly dropped to the ground, shying away from the touch of the larger lion. Bakura stared in numbed shock.

Constantine smirked. "Tell them Marik... Who is your mate?" he sneered, lifting Marik's face. "Tell them who owns you now...” he hissed, once again biting Marik's neck dominantly.

Marik let out a loud whine, his entire body shaking as he fought off the wave of helpless submission. He clenched his teeth, refusing to answer, but sent a look of distress at Bakura and Malik.

Constantine bit him again, and in a demanding tone snarled. "Say it."

Marik yelped in distress. "I... I don't... want to!" He whined.

"Do it!" he hissed, giving Marik a firm demanding dominant look. "Tell them who!"

"... Y-you do...” Marik whimpered. "You... own me...” Bakura's eyes widened.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?!" He screamed.

"Nothing." Constantine said smirking. "He's just decided to accept his own worthlessness. He's not a mate suitable for a rabbit. He needs to stick to his own kind." He said licking Marik's cheek.

Malik snarled. "Marik! What about Ryou!? How could you just leave him for this scumbag?!"

Marik looked at Malik, tears streaming from eyes filled with confusion, depression and anxiety. "I... I don't... want... I want Ryou! Please!" He cried, trying to crawl away from Constantine and towards Bakura.

Constantine stepped on his tail. "Oh? Really? Worthless runt, what makes you think you're even worth him batting an eye at? He's got something so much better... or maybe you really just hate him so much you have to drag him down with you."

Marik's eyes darted back and forth between Malik and Bakura.

"N-No... not true... it's not true... right?! Please say he's lying!!!" the lion begged.

Bakura stared at Marik, shocked at what this other male had reduced him to.

Daisuke laughed. "C'mon runty thing, it's time to go to your cage." He gave the harness a harsh tug.

Constantine smirked at Bakura and Malik. "Have a pleasant day." He said shoving Marik. "I know my mate and I will." he said giving Marik an amused look as they pushed him into the cage after unharnessing him, far from the sight of Bakura or Malik.

"Lunch is served." Rafel said, dumping a box of six live rabbits onto the floor and shutting them, and the lions in.

Marik stared at the rabbits in horror, then slammed into Constantine, crushing him up against the wall, then quickly herded the rabbits into the bed in the corner and sat guard between them and Constantine.

"I... I won't let you hurt them...” Marik whimpered, baring his claws and preparing himself for a fight.

Constantine smirked drawing near leisurely. "And what are you going to do to stop me?" he growled softly. "Love them? You cant even...” he pounced on Marik, using Marik's own body to crush two of the bunnies, their squeals of pain slowly fading as more pressure was placed on Marik's body. "Protect yourself...” Constantine chuckled.

Marik let out a scream of horror. "NO!! GET OFF!!! You're hurting them!!!" He cried. "Please!!!"

Constantine chuckled darkly, pressing Marik harder, a soft snap heard. "I'm not hurting them now." he said smirking.

Marik burst into hysterical tears. "DAMN YOU!!! YOU DEMON!!! I HATE YOU!! GET OFF OF ME!!!" He screamed, beginning to struggle and thrash. "GET YOUR DAMN HANDS OFF OF ME!!"

Constantine laughed, slapping Marik harshly. "It's time for a wake up call. This, do you see? This is what would have happened to that 'mate' of yours if you stayed with him. You would have ended up killing him. You can’t protect him, everything is against you. NATURE is against you. Give it up!" he said laughing richly, slowly moving off of Marik and turning him. "This, is the way things were meant to be. Now eat your food."

Marik's ribcage expanded and contracted with his deep harsh pants, and his wide devastated eyes stared down at the two small bodies that lay crushed and twisted before him... the bodies that he had tried to protect, only ending up as the weapon that killed them. A cry of horror escaped Marik and he threw himself away from the small bodies and huddled in the corner farthest from them, clutching another of the rabbits to his chest as his body trembled violently.

Constantine smirked. "Do you need to see again Marik? See what you do to the bunnies." he said inching closer and once again pouncing on him, another squeal of pain, followed by a sickening snap as Marik's body crushed this bunny as well, his hands crushed beneath his body, the poor rabbit crushed in his bare hands.

Marik let out a high pitched shriek of pain, not physical, but emotional. He began to thrash wildly, his heart in his throat as he continued to scream.

Bakura was pacing wildly, hearing his friend but unable to do anything, and Spunky was shaking in the bed, upset by Bakura's obvious worry.

Spunky squeaked loudly, ears back, tail bristling. He backed up on the bed, eyes pleading with Bakura to come protect him. He felt like he was in danger... and the feeling was not letting up.

Malik whined, gathering Dust in his arms and hugging him. "It's ok... its ok...” he whispered, scooting back to the bed and curling up tightly around the small frightened rabbit. "It will be ok...”

Constantine smirked, letting Marik up. "Admit that you don’t belong with the rabbit, and I'll let the other three live." he hissed smirking. "But if you keep trying to protect them, to touch them, be near them... I'll just have to keep showing you what a failure and a runt you are."

Marik stared down at the body of the little white rabbit in his arms as the tears flooded down his cheek and fell onto the soft fur. Slowly, Marik laid it down on the floor and backed away, staring at his own hands, flecked in blood that had come from the little rabbit's mouth. He ended up in another corner where he slowly curled up and wrapped his arms around his own body and began to rock himself, sobbing brokenly.

Constantine smirked. "Admit it Marik... look at the blood on your hands... that bunny died, because you tried to protect it. It's your nature to kill, it's in your blood...” He smirked. "I bet you have anger management problems...” he hissed in Marik's ear. "It's because... you're a killing machine...”

Marik stared at the blood flecks on his hands as Constantine told him to... He heard his words... And they made sense. And he hated it. Slowly, his hands lifted and fisted themselves into his hair, and he screamed the scream of the insane.

This only caused Constantine to laugh harder. "Eat your dinner Marik, before it gets cold." he teased, turning and tugging one of the other two dead bunnies over, and ripping it's flesh open, beginning to feast.

Marik clapped his hands over his ears and curled up tightly, screaming and crying.

"DAMN YOU!!!" Bakura screamed, starting to put his shoulder against the glass of his cage. "What are you doing to him?! Let him go! Leave him alone!!"

Constantine laughed harder. "I'm not doing anything. I'm just watching him kill these rabbits." He taunted, ripping a piece of meat from the rabbit and shoving it into Marik's mouth, forcing him to chew by covering his mouth and plugging his nose. "Eat it." He hissed.

Marik screamed again and thrashed his head, trying to spit it out. He tried to fight Constantine away, but the peice of flesh finally slid down his throat, and there he caught it and began to choke.

Constantine growled and slapped him once more. "SWALLOW IT!" he hissed baring his teeth. "Eat your food, remember the feel of the hunt, how good the fresh meat tastes...” He hissed darkly. "Remember the fun, the joy when you finally catch that prey... when you can eat it, it's hot fresh blood...”

Marik shook his head desperately, his mouth open in a silent cry as he struggled to breath, but the flesh was still lodged in his throat. He arched his back and thrashed his limbs as his face turned red, then purple.

Constantine rolled his eyes and rammed into him harshly, his body hitting Marik much like performing the heimlich. "Fucking runt." He hissed.

Marik yelped as the meat flew from his mouth, then collapsed, coughing and gasping for air, a pained whine coming from his throat with every exhalation.

Constantine kicked him harshly. "That, is for denying yourself, maybe next time you'll just eat your food. It's no wonder you're so sickly and weak... fucking runt." he hissed, going back to his meal, leaving Marik to whine. "If you don’t eat that rabbit, you will regret it." he added darkly.

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

A gentle knock was heard on Ryou's door, and a moment later Amelda poked his head in.

"Hey kiddo." He said softly, offering Ryou a kind smile.

Ryou sniffled softly, looking up from his place curled up on his bed, blankets pulled tightly around himself. "H-hello...” he mumbled, looking away.

"Heard that the natives are restless." Amelda said, holding up a cage.

Ryou nodded sighing. He got up slowly and took the cage. "I... think Tuc's outside the room somewhere...” he mumbled opening the cage and setting it in the corner of the room. He walked to the bathroom and picked up Nod, putting her in the cage, and shutting it.

Amelda sighed. "I'll try to find the little guy, then." He said. "What... happened? Dartz said that they attack him."

Ryou sighed, looking at nod sadly. "They don’t like him...” he mumbled slinking back to his bed and crawling in, looking like a truck had hit him, despite just being groomed. His hair was messy, his ears kinked and his eyes were red and bloodshot. Not a good look.

Amelda blinked and slowly walked over to Ryou. "What's wrong, little guy?" He asked gently, petting Ryou.

Ryou sniffled. "Marik... h-he doesn't love me anymore...” he murmured burying his face into the pillow. "He loves that other lion...”

Amelda blinked. "Other lion? You mean that Constantine fellow? Ew! How could he like HIM?!? That lion is a jerk!" And he made a face.

Ryou sobbed softly. "I saw him...” he mumbled, giving Amelda a grateful look, glad to hear he wasn't the only one who hated Constantine. "He was happy...”

"How could he be? That Constantine is bad news! He doesn't care about anyone but himself and boosting his own ego. Thinks he's God's gift to men just because he's a lion hybrid... That mate of yours is such a teddy bear compared to him, a real joy!"

Ryou sniffled, sitting up. "I saw him with my own eyes... he was purring...” he mumbled looking down brokenly. "He was letting that lion lick and nuzzle all over him... they even kissed...”

"Well... the licking and nuzzling things... lions do that when greeting each other... The kiss thing is a bit... wierd, though...” Amelda said slowly.

Ryou sniffled and looked away. "I saw them...”

"I’m not saying you didn't little guy...” Amelda said, pulling a little shortbread cookie out of his pocket and offering it to Ryou.

Ryou wrinkled his nose and looked away. "I'm not hungry...” he mumbled sighing. "I... I'd just like Tuc back...” he added sadly.

Amelda sighed and pet Ryou. "I'll go find him." He said with a smile, and left the room.

Ryou looked at Nod and sniffled. "I'm sorry...” he mumbled, ears back. "But... it's the only way to keep you from attacking Dartz...”

Nod flicked an ear, then curled up, missing her mate. A moment later, Amelda walked in with Tuc. "Caught him eating a plant down the hall." He said with a smile and placed the rabbit on the bed next to Ryou. Tuc looked at Ryou and twitched his nose.

Ryou picked up Tuc and hugged him. "Thank you...” he mumbled before rising once more, and putting Tuc in the cage with Nod. "I'm sorry... but... but until you can act civilized... I can’t... treat you like civilized creatures." he mumbled.
Tuc's ears drooped. 'By 'civilized' you mean 'be nice to the bastard', hm?'

Ryou sighed. "Until you act like you know you should, you're not coming out of there... you'll live like the rabbits you are, until you decide to better yourselves." he mumbled, not even gracing Tuc with a response to his question, or seeming to acknowledge he'd said anything at all.

Ryou turned to Amelda and offered a half-hearted smile. "Thank you...” he mumbled crawling once more to resume his place on the bed.

Amelda sighed. "I'll uh... go...” He said softly, and slipped out the door. Tuc sighed.

'I still stand by what I beleive.' The white rabbit sniffed.

"J-just shut up Tuc." he mumbled looking away. "I know what I saw. You don’t know what you're talking about."

Ryou grumbled softly.

'The lunkhead loves you.' Tuc sighed and turned, flopping down with Nod, his back to Ryou.

Ryou glared softly. "One more word... a-and I'll send you away. I d-don’t care where." he said warningly.

'Then you'll be alone.' Nod gasped, her ears shooting up in alarm.

Ryou glared. "I don’t care. I won’t be yelled at by rabbits about how I'm wrong. I saw what I saw."

'But... we love you.' Nod crept over to the side of the cage.

Ryou sniffled, looking away before turning back to glare. "Then stop acting like I'm lying, stop acting like somehow Dartz was behind it. I SAW him, if you loved me, you wouldn't scrutinize me so much!"

'I never said I didn't beleive that you saw him.' Tuc said, turning and looking at Ryou over his shoulder. 'I'm just saying that there are things going on around here that you can't see. And as you would put it, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.' The lunkhead loves you.'

Ryou growled. "I said one more word Tuc." he warned again. "I mean it...”

Tuc looked at Ryou, hurt, then turned away, as did Nod, cuddling with her mate.

Ryou sighed and curled up on the bed. "Thank you."

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

SQUEEE!!! Lookit all the reviews!!! *sniffles* I love you guys!!!

Andyouthinkimcrazy: Heh… you ended up hating Peggy? Wow… most people STARTED OUT hating him and then kinda got to like him a bit… And yeah, Marik IS adorable… I love him to death! Heh… no more evil Marik for you! WOOO!!! I like Kheti too, she’s got a great personality, and Rem just loves her “little” Marik. Heh… and yeah, Seto and Yami really are a stitch, aren’t they? Actually, Mally-chan’s Yami is a stitch. I can’t stop laughing at the things she has him say and do. As for a SetoxYami story… no. sorry!!!!

MenacingK: Oi… I know what you mean, school really takes it out of you… But I’m so glad you enjoy everything!!!

e.t.c. : meep! Yeah! Poor Marik! And hooray for reviews!!!

Yunasgrace: *sniffle* Why haven’t you been reviewing? Oh well… you are now!!! And yeah, Ryou is trouble, isn’t he? He’s a stubborn little guy. No, Dai isn’t gonna be a hybrid, sorry!!!

Meijimistress: Here’s the update, you get more!!! As for Marik makin it out okay… I ain’t sayin anything.

Rei: Thank you! ^_^

Wish He Was Mine: Yay for reviewing! Makes me so happy… ^____^ And yeah… poor Marik… sorry dear, but we like our angst… and yes… it will get worse before it gets better…

Demonchilde4: YAY!!!! Go computer!!!

Bishiekeeper: I think people all just got lazy at the same time… here’s an update! Yay!!!

MewMew2: Glad you liked the chapter. And as for Dartz acting like Dartz in the series… it’s a fluke. Neither I nor my co-author has ever SEEN an episode with Dartz… we just guessed… ^_^()

Lokivsanubis: Yaaaay 50th reviewer!!!! And yes, I am continuing the fic, dear. And yeah, school IS a factor… ::sigh:: And I won’t stop writing. Don’t worry.

Kamimei Tenshi: Here! An update!!! And he’s not gonna be THAT different, really… well… he WILL be different, but… for other reasons yet to be revealed… MUWAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!

RaveEchidna: I would NEVER leave my readers hanging!!! As long as they don’t leave ME hanging and give me yummy reviews!!! Muwahaha…. ::gathers reviews and hordes them away like a dragon hordes gold::

WoundedSouls: Yaaaay!!! Here’s an update!!! Woohoo!!!

Allie: Yeah, it was a horrible ending, wasn’t it… heheheh…. Just wait… we ain’t through with Marik, OR Ryou…

Blue: Next chapter is here, your wait is over!!!

Thank you all for the reviews, especially the new reviewers!!! Thank you!!! You all ROCK!!!