Twilight Menagerie

Twilight Menagerie

Mally-chan and hato chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing. Nothing at all

YAOI WARNING!!!

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Chapter 18

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Constantine yawned calmly, giving Marik another long bath, awaiting his mate's awakening.

"Murrooww...” Marik whined, annoyed at being woken. But to his surprise, he heard himself. He blinked and flicked an ear. "Murr?" He looked around, but was still blind.

Constantine chuckled. "Oh, awake now huh?" He said gently tugging Marik's ear. "I take it you can hear hmm?" he asked, resuming the bathing session.

Marik mewed and ducked down, away from Constantine's tongue. "Uh... uh-huh...” He whimpered softly, huddling down, scared.

Constantine tugged Marik's ear and once again began bathing him. "Take your bath like a man you wimp." he said calmly. "Unless you'd rather I went back to teaching you painful lessons." he added warningly.

Marik froze and stiffened. "Murrrrrrr...” He whined, but stayed still and let Constantine bathe him, and soon enough, a small purr could be heard from his chest.

Constantine chuckled. "See? You like being with your own kind." He purred in Marik's ear. "There's... a certain feeling inside you... a feeling of completness... a rewarding feeling that can only be granted by another lion." He purred, grooming Marik's ears.

"Lions are for lions Marik... I know you think you love that Rabbit... but I can prove you wrong...” he added calmly. "Do you know where Lions originate?"

Marik blinked and flicked an ear as Constaintine licked it. It tickled, and he pulled away with a mew and shook his head, then scratched his ear. "... Africa...” He said after he settled down again.

Constantine nodded, resting his head against Marik's back. "A land full of magics, strong beliefs and all number of gods." Constantine said calmly. "In Africa, certain tribes have adopted a way of telling whether a person was lying or not. Do you know what they did?" He said calmly.

Marik blinked his blind eyes, and shook his head.

Constantine chuckled. "In Africa, if a man or woman was thought to be lying, they would take a normal spoon, and roast it in the fire, until it glowed red... and have the person lick it. If they were telling the truth, the spoon would not burn them." he explained calmly. "And, it works. If you speak the truth, the spoon doesn't burn." he gently licked Marik's ears. "But, something tells me, you are not confident in your love of that rabbit to lick a heated spoon." he said chuckling.

"Murrrr...” Was all Marik said. His throat was still too weak to do much vocalizing. He pulled away from Constantine's licking, and growled slightly.

Constantine tugged him back over. "Oh? Am I sensing a challenge? Fine... I knew you'd ask. I've got a spoon and a candle." he said chuckling and standing. Moments later he returned, curling up around Marik and holding the spoon over the flame. "I dont want to see my precious mate hurt... so I'll tell you right now Marik... if you agree to lick this spoon, you're going to hurt yourself...”

Constantine smirked. "We'll start with the truth." he said holding up the heated spoon. "or as you like to think, a lie, now...” He took Marik's hand and held it to the spoon handle. "You dont really love that rabbit... if it's true, then you'll be spared a nasty burn... otherwise...” he chuckled.

Marik growled again and leaned away. "Like... hell...” He managged to get out.

Constantine smirked. "Lick it, and if it burns, I'll leave you alone. I'll let you have your rabbit back... but if it doesn't, you have to admit it." Constantine said chuckling darkly. "Or is this that you know it will not burn... and are just clinging to hope?" he asked, holding the spoon over the fire once more, while he waited.

Marik growled and left the bed, stumbling blindly over to the corner. "Its... a load of... shit...”

"SO you are afraid." He said calmly. "I'll be sure to tell that rabbit of yours you had so little faith in your love you wouldn't even do a simple test." He said boredly. "I'm sure that will go over well... especially since you're probably going to be nothing to him soon enough.."

Marik growled. "I don't beleive... in the stupid... test...” He snarled.

"Oh it's fine. I'm sure it wouldn't matter anyway. Dartz is wooing that rat of yours... I heard that they shared some passionate kissing on Dartz's desk." he said chuckling. "apparently he offered Ryou a garden filled with vegetables and roses, daily grooming, a bigger room, and more friends...”

Marik's head whipped around and he stared at Constantine with wide, unseeing eyes, and his ears were straight up. "W-What?!" He choked out, distress apparent on his face and in his tone.

"Oh yes, it was all over... the entire staff was quite happy that Dartz was content, it seems he pinned that little rabbit of yours and gave him a searing passionate kiss, tongue and all...” he teased. "and that little rat was panting like a bitch in heat afterward."

Marik shook his head with a whimper. "N-No... Ryou... loyal...” He managed to get out. "Loves me...”

Constantine smirked. "Care to test that?" he said amused. "Because, according to what I've heard, he's not going to be loyal much longer... but then again, he might have some brains. Dartz is his second chance at the high life...” Constantine said thoughtfully. "He could leave you for Dartz... after all, if I heard right... weren't you fired from your job? Some dominant mate... with your submissive supporting you...” he chuckled darkly.

Marik stared blankly towards Constantine's voice in horror. How did he know?! Marik slowly turned away in shame, his mind and heart racing...

Constantine laughed harshly. "A little bunny told me.." he teased. "when he was telling me about Dartz...” he added smirking. "he told me everything... You lost your temper and it cost you your job...” he said licking his paw slightly. "He told me more than that too... told me about the oil massages Dartz gives him... how he's an amazing kisser... the gifts he's been showered with...” Constantine listed calmly. "He's never looked more delicious... I had half a mind to eat him... his fur and hair were illustrious... he looked well worth the possible millions Dartz is spending to groom him and care for him...”

Marik curled up tightly and hid his fac in his paws. 'Be quiet... please... just shut up!' He was crying in his mind, trying to block out Constantine's words. He was unable to hold back a dry sob of worry... HAD Ryou betrayed him?! Was this Pegasus all over again?! He couldn't take it if Ryou rejected him... like he had over the phone from the Carribbean... Marik couldn't handle the agonizing heartbreak...

Constantine flicked his ears slightly. "I even heard that they ended up in Ryou's bedroom... I'm sure that ended just swimmingly for them. Kissing the whole way... Ryou utterly naked the whole time. He loves it when Dartz bathes him...” he said yawning. "He's warmed up to him so much... eating fruit from his hands and nuzzling him... cooing sweet nothings in Dartz's ears...” Constantine laughed loudly. "It seems the ONLY one around here who wont accept change is you...”

"NO!!" Marik wailed, clamping his paws down over his ears and shaking his head. "No no no!! You're lying!!!" His throat ahced horribly from his cries, but Marik didn't even notice it...

Constantine smirked. "Care to see for yourself?" He said smirking. "RAFEL!" he roared loudly. OH this was perfect. Ryou was likely getting his daily bath and grooming from Dartz... if Marik saw them like that, he'd give up. "RAFEL!"

Constantine smirked at Marik once more. "We'll go see this lover of yours, you'll see for yourself, he left the runt for a more worthy 'provider'."

Marik whined. "I want out!!" He cried, beginning to paw at the door and mewling for Varon or Amelda to come save him from Constantine's verbal torture.

Rafel chuckled, opening the door and grabbing Marik by his mane. "What is it Constantine?" He asked calmly.

Constantine chuckled. "Marik seems to have a bit of trouble believing me... would you mind taking us to the bathing chamber where Ryou is?"

Rafel smirked. "Not a problem." he said reaching up and harnessing them both.

Constantine smirked. "You probably cant see him, but you'll hear him... you'll know for sure."

Marik shook his head frantincally and huddled down on the floor like a paper weight, and dug his claws into the floor. "N-No! I don't... I don't wanna!! I want my cage!"

Constantine laughed. "Too late Marik... it's time you faced up to the facts. Ryou hates you... you let him down too many times, and he left you...” he hissed as Rafel lead them to the elevator.

But Marik didn't budge. "Mroooowwl!!!" He howled, clinging to his spot on the carpet and raising hell verbally, waking any sleeping hybrids. Malik and Bakura watched Marik throw his little fit.

"What's with him?" Malik asked, and Bakura sighed.

"He's been given more lion DNA." The skunk explained. "He's probalby gotten his hearing back, but he's probably still blind."

Rafel chuckled and let Constantine walk to wait by the elevator. "Come on you little bastard." Rafel said grabbing MArik's tail and bending it painfully. "Walk!"

Marik yowled and turned, snapping at Rafel, but refused to budge. "No! I... I can't see!" He whined pitifully. "Just... Leave me alone! OW!! That hurts!!! MAAOOO!!"

Rafel kicked Marik in the back end, bending his tail. "You'll hear then. Now MOVE!" he hissed dangerously.

Constantine laughed. "That's so pathetic...” he purred calmly. "You're acting like a spoiled baby, come on now."

"NYAAO!!" Marik yowled, and stumbled forwards from the kick. "I don' wanna!!" He wailed, dropping to the floor and flattening himself down again.

Constantine rolled his eyes and stepped forward, picking Marik up by his scruff. "Come on you, I'm tired of my mate sobbing over this little rat." he grumbled around Marik's neck, carrying him to the elevator, and inside. "Just come on, it's amazing how little faith you have in this so-called love of yours...”

Marik mewled like a scared kitten the entire elevator ride down, and when the doors opened, he followed along as he had done since he was blinded; pressed into Constantine's side, only this time, he slunk along with his belly to the floor...

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Ryou was fast alseep in bed, curled up with Tuc and Nod. Dartz slowly poked his head into the room. "Ryyyyoooouuu...” He sang teasingly in a soft tone... so soft, Ryou might wonder if he had actually heard it.

Ryou groaned softly, his ears twitching to life at the faint sound. He raised his sleepy head for a moment, his mid-day nap ruined, looking around dazedly before flopping back into the bed, mumbling.

"ryyyyyooooooouuuuu...” Dartz sang again, grinning.

Ryou's ears twitched again. "go..away...” Ryou mumbled in the pillow. "I'm tired...” he coughed a few times, his throat still quite sore. "ouch.."

Dartz chuckled and walked in, striding over to the bed and sitting on the edge, stroking Ryou's side. "awww... does the little bunny have a sore throat?" He asked, waving a tantalizing peice of carrot cake around under Ryou's nose.

Ryou groaned and sniffed softly, before trying to nip at the cake, quite taken with the smell of it. "mmm... it smells good...” he cooed.

Dartz smiled and let Ryou eat it from his hand, stroking his hair the entire time. "Would the little bunny like a bubble bath?" He asked.

Ryou yawned, licking his lips and sitting up sleepily, his hair sticking out at odd angles, from bedhead. "ahh... bath...” he mumbled rubbing his eyes. "I... I suppose...” he mumbled yawning again, before flopping back into the bed and nuzzling the pillows.

Dartz grinned and scooped Ryou up into his arms and spun him around with a playful 'Whoooooooo!', then headed for the door, covering Ryou's face with little teasing kisses.

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "stoooop." he whined rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "you know... hate it...” he coughed and whimpered softly, ears drooping.

"awww... Dartz pouted slightly. "Hate what?" He asked.

Ryou grumbled softly, giving Dartz an incredulous look. "kissing me...” he coughed once more and curled up in Dartz's arms.

Dartz sighed, disappointed. "Okay...” He mumbled, pouting.

Ryou sighed and flicked his ears. Despite there being no sounds... or scent... something felt wrong... and it bothered him. He flicked his ears more, listening.

Dartz smiled and entered the bathroom. "My poor blind bunny. He can't see all the lovely bubbles... and... treats...” Dartz teased.

Ryou blinked. "treats?" he asked tilting his head to the side confusedly. "why?"

"Because." Dartz said, setting Ryou into the warm, bubbly bath. "I love you...” And he offered Ryou a little chocolate covered cherry.

Ryou sighed, blushing slightly. "Wish... wouldn't... say that...” he mumbled, daintily nibbling at the cherry.

"But it's true...” Dartz whispered into Ryou's ear. "You will be mine... I WILL win you... no matter what it takes...”

Ryou gasped softly, Dartz's breath tickling his ear, and sending a shiver up his spine, despite himself. "M-marik...” he breathed, shaking his head, a dark blush decorating his pale cheeks. "You... can’t."

"Oh, but I can...” Dartz hissed, slipping a bit of chocolate covered strawberry into his own mouth, then kissing Ryou, letting him taste and feel the strawberry, offering it to him.

Ryou mewled pathetically, ears falling back against his head as he took the strawberry, chewing and blushing. He shivered and looked down, despite being unable to see. He felt so ashamed... Marik was his lover, and yet he'd let this man touch him...

Dartz gently kissed Ryou again, melted chocolate smeared over his lips. "Shhhh...” He hissed, slipping his tongue into Ryou’s mouth and gently cupping his cheek.

Ryou closed his eyes, submitting to the kiss, despite his inner demons. He felt tears stinging his eyes once more. 'Marik... ' He pulled away slightly, licking his own lips and shivering. "Please...” he pleaded softly. Wishing for no more sweet torments.

But no sooner had the word passed his lips then Dartz sealed them with another deep passionate kiss, his free hand rubbing Ryou's chest, firmly.

Ryou gasped into the kiss, ears beginning to qiver despite all protests in his mind. he struggled softly, trying to push Dartz away. He couldn't do this to Marik, he needed Marik, Marik needed him...

Dartz began washing Ryou gently, stroking over and over again every spot that made him blush and moan and shiver, and he frequently dotted Ryou's face and neck with gentle kisses.

Constantine chuckled, as they approached the bathroom. "Well Marik... looks like your little bunny is having fun... let me paint you a scene...” he purred. "Ryou in a beautiful bubble bath, neck and chest smattered with sloppy apparently... chocolatey kisses...” he chuckled. "oh, and what's that smell, that sound?"

Ryou gasped softly gently shoving Dartz, panting and struggling with inner turmoil and outer pleasure. "P-please...” he breathed, squirming.

Dartz covered Ryou's mouth with his own and slid his hand down the bunny's chest and belly, until finally curling his elegant, well manicured fingers around the boy's length.

Ryou yelped softly, panting harder into the kiss and squirming more. He grunted and tried to pull away before Dartz could cause his body to betray him further.

Constantine smirked. "Oh wait, now Dartz has him... soon we'll hear Ryou's heated moans...” he cooed to Marik, peering around the doorframe to see Ryou in the bath tub.

Marik shook his head. "N-No...” He gasped, huddling down flat on the floor again. "I don't beleive you... you're a liar!!" Inside, Dartz began to slowly coax Ryou into a state of arousal.

Ryou's squirms increased, his panting starting to turn into soft mewls of pleasure. "D-Dartz...” he whimpered shaking his head, ears back in tension.

Constantine chuckled. "Listen... he's panting like a bitch in heat... mewling for his mate's touch... hear it Marik?" he teased coldly.

Marik stared off into darkness in total and utter shock and devastation as he did indeed hear Ryou. And his moaning broke the lion's heart. "But he... loves... me...” Marik whimpered, large tears forming in his eyes.

Constantine gently nuzzled Marik. "Marik, he loves Dartz now. You're my mate." he said calmly. "Lions and Bunnies would never work, and it's clear now... he's a pet Marik... we are wild and primal... lions belong with lions...” he hissed in Marik's ear, beginning to lick away Marik's tears.

Ryou moaned and squirmed, shaking his head, shoving Dartz. "D-Dartz!" he yelped bucking his hips and trembling. "P-please!"

With a heartbroken cry, Marik shoved Constantine away and lunged for the door, only to run face first into the wall. But when he recovered, he found the door and burst into the bathroom.

"WHORE!!" He screamed, stumbling about blindly. "How could you?!" Dartz stared, startled by Marik's sudden entrance. "You promised you'd never leave me!" The lion sobbed, getting dangerously close to toppling into the large bathtub.

Ryou's ears shot straight up and he gave a strangled gasp, squirming loose of Dartz, staring in Marik's direction horrified. "M-Marik! B-but! I... I'm not!" he coughed and clutched his throat shaking his head. "I'm not a whore!" he choked out tears rolling down his cheeks.

"YOU LIAR!!!" Marik screamed. "YOU BASTARD!!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!" The last two comments were aimed at Dartz... but poor Ryou had no way of knowing it. "I'LL TEAR YOU APART YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!"

Ryou gasped, tears rolling down his cheeks. He whimpered backing away from the sounds of Marik and mewling pathetically, trembling. "B-but Marik I...” he whimpered. "I don’t u-understand...”

Constantine however, smirked from the door at Dartz, flicking his tail amusedly, loving this little drama-comedy as it unfolded.

"I'LL FUCKIN KILL YOU!!!" Marik screamed, and made a blind pounce... landing in the middle of the tub, splashing Dartz and Ryou and soaking them completly. A moment later, the lion surface, paddling around hopelessly. "MROOOWW!!! MREEOWW!!! MAAO!! MREEEOWL!!" He called, begging Constantine to come help him out of the water... despite his current heartbreak, the one thing on his mind right now was to get out of that blasted water!!!

Ryou squeaked loudly, trying to climb out of the tub desperatly, not desiring to die today, thanks to Marik's poorly directed insults and threats. Ryou yelped, panicking when he bumped into Marik, in his hurry to get out. He froze and trembled like a leaf in the breeze. "D-dont!" he whimpered crying softly.

Constantine merely snickered silently from the doorway. This was better than chasing down food.

Marik, in his desperation to get out of the water, didn't even bother to think... he just acted; he tried to climb on top of Ryou, forcing him underwater...

Ryou struggled sputtering and choking on water, much too weak to support Marik. He groaned and slipped out from under Marik, popping up coughing and choking, barely able to breathe and completly waterlogged. "h-help...” he mewled softly, leaning on the nearest edge of the tub and choking on more water, feeling like he'd just cheated out of death.

"MAAAOO!!!" Marik continued to call, now frantically paddling about in circles, and beginning to panic completely. Dartz quickly pulled Ryou from the tub and into his arms, backing away into the corner and watching Marik.

Constantine strolled in calmly and pulled Marik carefully from the water. "Calm down...” he purred, nuzzling Marik despite his being soaked.

Ryou choked, coughing and crying. "Marik...” he coughed more.

Marik mewled and huddled down, shivering, then crawled under Constantine, curled up, and cried. Dartz rocked Ryou gently, crooning to him and trying to calm him down while Marik's heart wrenching sobs echoed off of the walls of the bathroom.

Ryou whimpered squirming. "M-Marik.." he choked out, sobbing softly. "I… I'm not a whore!" he squirmed more. "Y-you dont really think that d-do you?!" he squirmed loose of Dartz and began hopping blindly around, trying to find Marik.

Constantine groomed Marik lovingly. "Back off rat, he's my mate, he doesn't want you anymore."

Marik remained huddled where he was, sobbing with his face hidden in Constantine's stomach.

"I wanna go!" He wailed between sobs and hiccups. "Keep him away from me!! I wanna go back to... to our cage!" Dartz frowned and quickly went after Ryou.

Ryou froze, whimpering. "B-but Marik... I... I thought...” he stammered, blind eyes wide and filling with tears. "I thought that...”

Constantine chuckled. "Thought what?" he sneered, nuzzling Marik lovingly. "Don’t cry... you have a right to be angry with him... you're the predator... he's the prey...” he whispered in Marik's ears. "Teach him what happens when you wound a Lion... teach him that you're proud to be who you are, and that trashy little whore-bunnies are meant only for other little whore-bunnies." he hissed in Marik's ear strongly.

Marik slowly turned his head, blind eyes darting about. "W-What? But... I can't...” He bowed his head, trying to contain his heartbroken sobs. "I love him...” He whispered, then turned in Ryou's direction. "DAMN YOU!!! How COULD you?!?"

Ryou whimpered again. "B-but Marik!" He stammered, ears falling back. "I... I didn't!" he wailed.

Constantine licked the water from Marik's fur slowly. "You love someone who dumped you for something better? It's time to get up Marik... it's time that you stopped being the runt... it's time that you be a lion...” he hissed nuzzling him. "This rabbit... this creature mocked you, pretended to love you... he was just using you." He whispered giving Marik tender lickings and nuzzles while talking. "But when he found out you weren't very good at being a lion... he left you... left you for humans...” he hissed, growling softly.

"Stop crying and stand up, be proud and punish him for doing that... then we can go back to our cage, and I'll take care of you." he breathed. "Let your instincts tell you what should be happening... you should be stalking him now... hunched and ready... pouncing and tearing through flesh... a meal." he hissed once more, stepping off of Marik and pulling him slowly to his feet. "Smell him out... tear his flesh, for tearing your soul...”

Marik twitched slightly and sniffed the air for Ryou's scent, beginning to growl. Dartz simply watched as the lion turned towards Ryou, unsheathing his claws and taking a few hesitant steps forwards, but soon lowering his head and lashing his tail. His head turned side to side, trying to get a mental map of the room and then, trying to pinpoint Ryou and his own position in it. Then he turned, and faced Ryou; He now knew exactly where the rabbit was, and he growled menacingly.

"N-Nothing... but a rabbit...” He snarled, stalking towards Ryou, keeping his eyes shut so he wouldn't try to use them. "A whore!! Just a filthy whore... you'll fuck anything, won't you, Ryou?!"

Ryou's eyes widened in shock. "N-no... Marik... p-please...” he whimpered, backing away from the sounds of Marik's growling. "I... I'm not a whore... p-please!" he gasped sharply, having ran out of room to back away. "D-dont!"

Constantine smirked, sitting proudly, watching Marik stalk his prey. "Don’t listen Marik... any whore pleads like a bitch to escape punishment. Teach him his lesson." he commanded proudly.

Ryou shook his head beginning to tremble. "Please! No! Y-you don’t understand!"

"I don't understand?!" Marik hissed, and lunged. Ryou squealed and tried to get out of the way, but Marik's pounce was perfect; he brought Ryou down and pinned him, easily. "What was it, Ryou?!" He shouted at the rabbit. "Because I lost my job?! Because I didn't have a way to support you?! Am I not HUMAN ENOUGH?!?!" He screamed, digging his claws into Ryou, tears flooding his own face. "BECAUSE I COULDN'T SAVE YOU FROM THESE BASTARDS?!?! AM I TOO WEAK?!? IS THAT IT?! OR JUST NOT SEXUALLY SATISFYING ENOUGH?!?"

Ryou gasped painfully, whimpering and struggling. "I-it wasn't any of that Marik! You don’t understand please! J-just listen!" he whimpered pathetically, sobbing.

"Don’t show weakness Marik, we're kings of beasts, all the world over! Lions don’t ask rabbits questions.." he growled in authority. "We do not answer to whores Marik... we're above that...” he added smoothly.

Ryou trembled. "Stop it! I'm not a whore! I-I'm not a whore! Stop telling him to hurt me!"

"He doesn’t NEED to tell me!!!" Marik shouted, backhanding Ryou. "It's OVER!!! Do you fucking HEAR ME?!?! I never want to see you again!!" And he flung the rabbit to the floor. "YOU LITTLE BITCH!!! I was faithful to you!!! TO YOU!!! I gave my body to no one but you!!! How many have you been with other than me, Ryou?! HOW MANY!!" He shouldered Ryou to the floor as soon as the poor rabbit mananged to get up. "That fuck Pegasus, this bastard, Dartz!!! The people you should HATE always end up fucking you!!! Well I've fuckin HAD IT!! You've broken my heart too many times Ryou! You won't do it again! I FUCKIN' HATE YOU!!!"

Ryou choked back sobs. "Marik b-but I!" he stammered, standing shakily on four legs sore and hurting. "I didn't!" he wailed. "I didn't!" he sobbed, limping slightly backwards. "Please! I didn't...” he choked out, beginning to cough once more.

Constantine smirked at Dartz as if to say 'see?'. "Is that all you have for him Marik? For all the pain he's caused you? For all the heartache, for ruining your life. If it weren't for him, you would have never been in all the pain you've been in... with Pegasus, with Malik...” he hissed smirking. "Your master wouldn't have been harmed, if it weren't for this little wretch."

Marik shook his head. "I could have been HAPPY if it weren't for you!!!" The lion shouted, fueled by Constantine's words. He pounced Ryou again and began slamming him into the floor. "I could have been happy!! But you showed up in that Ra forsaken store and turned my life upside down!! And then you left me!!! You went with that fucker Pegasus! And then you came back, only to leave again!!! I fucked you, and you left!!! Is that why you came back?! To get fucked?! And then you tell me that you're never coming back?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT KILLED ME?!? Do you know how happy you made me when you were finally mine?! But you can't be happy with just one cock up your ass, can you?! CAN YOU!?!?" He shoved Ryou again, and with a splash, the bunny toppled into the tub. "I'M SICK OF YOU USING ME!!! I SHOULD HAVE LEFT YOU WITH PEGASUS!!! AS HIS PET!!! HIS FUCK TOY!!! I HATE YOU!!" And he seized Ryou's hair in his fist and forced his head under the water and held it there.

Constantine laughed and Ryou struggled, biting Marik's arm in defense, struggling away and climbing from the tub, coughing and choking on water.

"I heard... that after this little rat pleaded with his master Pegasus for a friend... that's how you lost your master… isn't it Marik? Malik will never be human again, because this little RAT had to have a playmate... but when Malik wouldn't obey Pegasus, I heard he starved him... nearly KILLED your master. Just toying with him... with you...” he hissed chuckling more.

Ryou coughed weakly. "S-stop!" he whimpered, coughing and just managing to get good fresh air into his lungs, finally done choking on water.

Marik screamed and launched himself at Ryou, flinging the rabbit back into the tub and sat on his chest on the top step, once again holding him under the water, and this time, Ryou couldn't bite.

Dartz stared in shock and looked up at Rafel, then back down. Ryou was struggling desperately, and Marik was once again sobbing hysterically. Finally, Dartz snapped out of it and ran over, jerking Marik away and dragging Ryou from the water, clutching him to his chest.

"GET AWAY!!" He shouted at Marik. The lion stopped and whimpered at being yelled at, and slowly sunk to the floor, screaming and sobbing, unable to do anything else at that moment. Dartz backed as far away from Marik as he could, clutching Ryou to his chest.

Constantine strolled calmly to Marik and nuzzled him. "Come on Marik... lets go back to our cage... leave the whore to his lover...” he hissed, licking away Marik's tears. "I'll take care of you... I'll help you...” he whispered, gently lifting Marik to his feet by his scruff. "Do not cry over him... he's an evil little creature... deceiving you all this time...” he added in a purr.

Rafel chuckled, picking up the harnesses of both lions and pulling slowly. "Alright you two enough mauling rabbits today...” he said clicking his tongue as Constantine began to walk.

Ryou sobbed, choking and coughing, clinging to Dartz and shaking like a leaf. "Marik.." he sobbed after the retreating lions. "I... I didn't...”

Slowly, the lion's heart wrenching sobs faded as Marik allowed himself to be led back to the cage he shared with the larger male, pressed into said male's side the entire way. Dartz slowly relaxed, still holding Ryou tightly. The man had been rendered speechless...

Ryou shook his head, trembling and squirming. "Marik... Marik!" he shouted sobbing. He squirmed more, wanting to follow his lover, despite his injuries and fear. "Marik… c-come back...” he sobbed, breaking loose of Dartz's grip and hopping with a limp to the door. "Marik!" he wailed pathetically, ears up, trying to find his mate. "Please! Marik!" he sobbed stumbling down the hall, seeking his lover, the reason his heart beat.

"Marik!"

Dartz quickly followed, chasing the rabbit. He scooped him up and turned, running back to Ryou's bedroom. "No, Ryou, no...” He gasped as he ran. "He'll kill you! He tried to kill you!"

Ryou sobbed loudly, burying his face in his hands. "B-but... he's my mate...” he whimpered through his sobs. "Why did you stop him?!" he said suddenly, sobbing harder. "I-if Marik wants me dead then I want to die!" he wailed hitting Dartz in the chest, though it was weak and feeble, the struggles of a lost child.

"Can you imagine the guilt he'll face when he calms down?!" Dartz gasped, and this time, he was being as honest and sincere as he could. He had been badly rattled by the lion's sudden attack, and found it impossible to try to lie to Ryou at the moment. "He'll hate himself for trying to hurt you, he still loves you! What would happen to him if he calmed down and had to face the realization that he had killed you?!"

Ryou sobbed weakly. "I wish Master Pegasus was here...” he whimpered. "I... I want to go home... I hate it here...” he shivered. "I h-hate it... it hurts...” he mumbled brokenly. "Stop talking about it... please... I... I want to forget...” Ryou whimpered, squirming, wanting to seek shelter under his bed.

"I want my home... my master's bed... my friends...” he sobbed more. "I loved him!"

Dartz winced and wrapped his arms around Ryou, sitting on the bed and rocking the boy in his lap. "I know...” He said softly. "Shhhhhhhhh... Shhhhhhhhhhh... It's gonna be okay... Just calm down... shhhhhh...”

Ryou hiccupped softly, coughing and squirming loose, mewling for Tuc and Nod. He covered himself in the blankets and shivered, still dripping wet and his hops still had limps in them. "T-Tuc... Nod...” he mewled once more.

Nod came immediatly, rushing to her friend's side. She stared at him looking shocked. 'Oh my gosh... TUC!' She began thumping her leg. 'TUC!'

Tuc was there immediately. 'What happened?! YOU!!!' and with clicking growls, Tuc attacked Dartz, who howled and leapt off of the bed, trying to escape the killer rabbit. He thought it best to retreat, and so he did just that, leaving Ryou alone with the rabbits. Tuc thumped his foot at the door, then darted back up onto the bed and squirmed under the covers, beginning to comfort Ryou with Nod.

Ryou sobbed, picking up the nearest furry body and clinging to it like the frightened lost child he'd suddenly become. "H-he tried to drown me... M-Marik... h-he... wants me dead...” he said sniffling. "T-tuc he tried to KILL ME!"

Nod squeaked softly, nuzzling Ryou's sore arm. 'Tuc... do... you think he's telling the truth? D-do you think that lunkhead... actually tried to... '

Tuc stared down at Nod from where he was being squished in Ryou's grip. 'He's hurt. Claw marks. And I smell the lunkhead on him. Him and that... that... HUMAN!

Ryou sniffled, putting Tuc down after a few minutes and curled up, burying his face into the pillow, shaking and trying to calm himself. "I loved him... h-he tried to kill me! He said he hated me... told me to never see him again!" he whimpered.

Nod nuzzled Ryou and gave Tuc a worried look. 'Tuc... '

Ryou hugged Nod. "I-if it weren't for Dartz... I... I would ha-have drowned...”

'Why would he do that?!' Tuc asked, amazed by Marik's vicious attack. But Ryou could not see him... and could not see the question. Tuc looked at Nod as though she would answer him.

Nod carefully groomed Ryou's ears, until the youth had fell into soft snores, too worn out and emotionally drained to stay awake any longer.

'Tuc... I think Marik... has abandoned this little one as well... ' She said looking mournful. 'Maybe... it's time for a change... we need to find him a good stable mate... who... wont try to kill him.' She added, inspecting claw marks that adorned his arms, and chest.

'... I always thought that the lunkhead would be that mate... ' Tuc replied sadly. 'Something must have happened. the lunkhead would never attack Ryou for no reason... '

Nod frowned slightly. 'Maybe he just finally snapped... we both know he has issues with anger... ' she flicked her ears worriedly 'I always thought Ryou would be ok... with them being mates... b-but Tuc he tried to kill him... it doesn't matter what started it. If it weren't for that... ' she paused and wrinkled her nose 'human... then the little one would be dead.'

'But what pushed him to the point of snapping.' Tuc said, shaking his head. 'That lunkhead is gentle as a rabbit with Ryou.'

Nod sighed softly. 'I dont think it matters Tuc... if he tried to kill him, he's just not safe... ' she reasoned. 'what's to say he wont do it again?'

Tuc sighed. 'What will happen to Ryou now?'

Nod nuzzled Tuc and sighed as well. 'I dont know Tuc... he's got no one left... we're the only ones who are probably keeping him sane at this point... '

'I can't help but wonder if the lunkhead was sane... ' Tuc mused, cuddling up to Ryou and licking Nod.

Then, his eyes widened. 'The lunkhead tried to kill us... and the striped one saved us. And he nearly killed HIM! and the striped one is his best friend! Remember that?! The bird had to save us, and the striped one, and the tall one and his bother from the lunkhead! He was not sane when he did that! Remember? And remember what caused it?!'

Nod frowned slightly. 'Tuc... that makes things even worse! Maybe that lunkhead isn't the best mate. I mean... think about it... he's wigged out twice like this. Maybe we can find him a nice rabbit boy to settle down with.' She said mothering Ryou.

'Yes, but WHY did he wig out? Do you remember?' Tuc asked. 'He lost it because Ryou told him he wasn't coming back to him. I don't think Ryou told us everything... '

Nod flicked her ears. 'I think he did Tuc... he HATES that man. Ever since you were right about him last time, he's been nothing but cold to him.' she reasoned. 'The only time he's even remotely nice to the man is when he's first waking up, he'd been gone more than long enough to wake up.'

Tuc frowned and sighed. 'I don;t like this... ANY of it... '

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

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Malik, Kheti and Bakura lifted their heads, hearing Marik's hysterical sobbing. Bakura winced and forced himself to his feet, and limped to the front of his cage so he could see out, and Malik bolted for the window, poor Kheti toppling over as the lovely living pillow she had been leaning on suddenly disappeared.

"Marik!" Bakura gasped.

"Marik, what happened?!" Malik cried, shocked.

"M-Master Malik...” Marik wailed, pausing and turned in the direction Malik's voice had come from.

Constantine chuckled nuzzling Marik. "Oh he's fine... just a little distraught. He finally put that rabbit in its place." he cooed licking Marik's cheek lovingly. "He finally hurt him for hurting his precious master... his life... his heart.." he added nuzzling Marik.

Rafel laughed. "Nearly killed the thing." he added smirking. "I hope it dies... I've been wanting to give the carnivores Rabbit meat for a while."

Malik and Bakura stared. "Marik... you did... WHAT?!" Bakura blurted.

"You tried to kill Ryou?!" Malik shouted. "Marik what the HELL is WRONG with you?!"

"I'll tell you what the hell is wrong with me!!!" Marik screamed back. "I'm fuckin' sick and tired of him fucking around with other people and messing with me! I'm sick of him breaking my heart, over and over and over again! I wish I’d never MET him!!!"

Malik growled loudly. "What was the damn point then Marik!? Why in Ra damned hell did you insist on him SO much?!" he hissed, ears back, tail bristling. "If you didn't want him then you shouldn't have BOTHERED with him!" he yowled furiously. "Fuck! Bakura and I could be fucking living the highlife somewhere!" he added smartly.

Rafel chuckled as Constantine clawed the glass of Malik's cage. "Shut up foxface. Don’t talk to MY mate that way." he hissed.

"With Pegasus I could understand!" Marik screamed back. "He didn't have a choice! But he was down there with Dartz! And he was letting him... And I... I just can't take it anymore!!! I HATE HIM!!! I HATE HIM!!!" Bakura stared at Marik, stunned.

Malik snarled. "You cant even see Marik! How do you know that was what was even going on!?" he hissed.

Rafel smirked amusedly. "He was moaning like a bitch... Dartz's little bitch. He doesn't want this lazy mongrel anymore."

Constantine growled slightly, guiding Marik to their cage. "Don’t listen to them... you did the right thing Marik...” he cooed warmly, licking his mate while Rafel unharnessed them. "What do you say we lay down and I'll groom away your troubles until dinner?"

Marik sniffled and nodded, cuddling up to Constantine, seeking out any kind of affection after having his heart shattered... again.

"Malik...” Bakura whimpered, watching Marik stay close to Constantine. "Oh gods... tell me this isn't happening...”

Spunky nuzzled Bakura worriedly. "daddy...” he whimpered softly, frightened by the whole scene.

Bakura slowly scooped up Spunky and cuddled him. "Malik...” He whined again, longing to be near his mate.

Malik sighed, calming down. "Bakura... it'll be ok... We'll be ok...” he said softly, offering a weak smile. "No matter what, I love you... just remember that ok? We don’t want to end up like that...”

Bakura shook his head. "Malik, but... how could this happen to them?!" He gasped.

"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough...” he whispered, looking at Spunky. "How is the famous 'talking' rabbit?" he asked after a moment, hoping to change the subject.

Bakura sighed and slowly curled up around Spunky. "Scared...” He said softly, nuzzling the baby bunny. "Shhh... daddy's here, Spunky... it's... it's okay...”

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

Yami gave the mass of string and twigs one last look over before smiling sheepishly. Despite being a bit inept at building... he'd managed to make a surprisingly... nice looking nest, on Seto's bed. He snickered. "Heh... I know exactly what he'll do. get irritated." he said shaking his head, and seeking out Seto.

It didn't take much to find the teen CEO, typing away in his office. "Seto...” Yami cooed from the doorway, smirking. "I finished it... come take a look... and try not to make fun of me... I've had a lot of stinging pride recently...” he mumbled wrinkling his nose. "Stupid bird DNA making me act like a freak...” he grumbling.

Seto looked at Yami and smiled. "really?" He asked, standing. "Okay, show me!" He followed his eager bird lover, but got a sinking feeling when he was led to his own bedroom. And then, he saw the nest... on... his... BED!!

"YAMI!!!" He howled. "MY BED!!!"

Yami snickered slightly. "Oh hush up I'll move it." He said laughing. "I just couldn't resist...” he wrapped his arms around Seto's waist and sighing a bit. "It's been a while since I got your goat... with everyone gone we haven't been fighting as much...” he added a touch of sadness in his voice. "I just needed a bit of... a pick-me-up."

"Yami... you built a nest. On. My. BED!!!" Seto complained. "Do you HAVE to piss me off to cheer yourself up?!"

Yami rolled his eyes slightly. "Can you honestly say you dont get a kick out of arguing with me sometimes?" he asked calmly walking over to the nest and carefully moving it off the bed. "Look see? No mess." He said pointing a wing at the bed, which had not a twig nor string on it.

Seto sighed and shook his head. "You suck...” He muttered. "But I'm glad you finished your nest. I would complement you on the... wonderful construction, but... I really don't know what IS wonderful construction in a bird's nest...” and he chuckled and shook his head at himself.

Yami blushed slightly. "Honest to Ra truth... neither to I... lets just... say it's really good construction." he said chuckling and moving the nest to a corner of the room and sitting on the bed. "I'm a little relieved... things seem to have calmed down...” he said after a moment. "Those weirdos dont seem to be staking your mansion out anymore." he added. "I havent seen any strange people or vehicles in a while."

Seto sighed. "but we haven't seen hide nor hair of the missing hybrids, either...” He frowned, then shook his head. "I hired a few more to replace the one's we've lost at the club." He said after a moment. "I've replaced...” He sighed and shook his head. "I've replaced Marik...”

Yami nodded. "It's alright, I'm sure when they get back we can squeeze him in helping Bakura... those two work better together anyway." He said nodding. "Seto... I know you hate talking about it, but I really think if you just let them catch me...” he said after a long pause.

Seto frowned. "Absolutely not. We have over 50 missing hybrids up on the web site now, and not a CLUE as to where ANY of them are! I don't want to add you to that web site, Yami...”

Yami sighed. "But if I had a tracking device... that site could go down...” he said looking out the window. "We'd know where they are... you'd be able to put a stop to it. I trust you enough to do it." Yami said chuckling. "Something I'd never have admitted before becoming your lover."

Seto frowned and shook his head. "I'm not letting it happen." He said softly. "We've lost too many friends. I am NOT losing my lover...”

Yami sighed and nodded, offering Seto a smile after a moment. "Alright Seto... but you know how I feel on the issue...” he said standing and looking out the window for a moment, before turning and crossing his arms. "It's just we dont have any leads... over 50 hybrids... and not a single clue...”

Seto sighed and nodded, slowly sitting down on the bed. "I hate this...” He said softly. "I hate having to replace them... I hate not knowing where they are... I hate feeling so... helpless...”

Yami sighed as well, wings drooping. "Seto..they'll understand. We have to keep the jungle running... if not for the cause for our own hopes they'll be back soon...”

Seto sighed and nodded slowly. "Yeah... I know... I just... it's not the Jungle without them...”

Yami sighed as well. "Things will get better...” He said after a few moments of gloomy silence. "We'll find them. They couldn't be in better hands...” he cooed. "If there's one man who can get the job done, it's Seto Kaiba."

No sooner had those words left Yami's lips, than the windows of the bedroom shattered, admitting two large masked men in black with tranquilizer rifles. While both Seto and Yami sat stunned, the rifles were raised and two shots rang out; Seto yelped and recoiled as one of the darts struck him in the upper arm.

"YAMI!!!"

Yami hissed in pain. These constant shootings of Tranquilizer darts were never fun, or comfortable. He groaned and shook his head, feeling immediatly dizzy. "stronger darts...” He yelped when the men grabbed him and began pulling him back out the window.

"Seto!” He squawked, biting one man harshly on the arm. "Ra damnit let me go!” He howled, looking caught between furious, and about to pass out.

Seto stubmled towards Yami, but it was obvious that the dart was strongly affecting him as well. He went for the man holding Yami... and bit him.

Yami squawked more, struggling to stay in the safety of the Kaiba mansion. "Seto... !” He groaned struggles dying down as he slowly fell to the tranquilizer.

Seto stared at Yami with wide eyes, but his face was quickly turning pale, then gray... and then, the CEO collapsed and didn't move.

"Stupid git...” the other man snarled, kicked Seto as he passed. "Let's get the fuck out of here, we have what we came for."

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

That afternoon, the hybrids of the Jungle were all distraught. Seto and Yami hadn't shown up. Rem ushered them each into the large van she drove and they decided to detour to the Kaiba mansion. Once there, she turned. "I want you all to be very quiet, and watch eachother. Carnivores... I want you to be alert to protect the herbivores, Herbivores, I want you watching for any danger to alert the Carnivores... understand?" She instructed carefully. When the hybrids nodded, she fot out of the van and entered the mansion.

"Seto?" She called, beginning to search. She found him in his room. "Seto!" she gasped, rushing to him and shaking him slightly. "Seto wake up! What happened?!"
The CEO moaned and slowly rolled his head from side to side. He was deathly pale and soaked in a cold sweat. A touch to the forehead revealed he was suffering from a burning fever. A pair of tranquilizer darts lay nearby, and the windows were both broken. Red feathers were scattered about, but the bird they came from was nowhere in sight.

Rem frowned and hoisted Seto to the bed, covering him. "Seto...” she breathed, before leaving to get a cold compress. She hurried back and put it on his forehead. "Seto you have to wake up...” she breathed. "Wake up...”

Seto slowly opened his eyes, but then made a grimacing face.

"Y-Yami...” He groaned, opening his eyes again. But then, they rolled back into his head and the man began to convulse, before finally falling victim to a violent seizure.

Rem gasped and did her best to hold him still, while calling the paramedics on her cell. "Y-yes Seto Kaiba's been poisoned! I'm at his house! Hurry!" She said, hanging up the phone as the Seizures calmed, though Seto's twitching continued. "It's ok Seto... help is on the way...” She whispered, dabbing at his forehead with the cold compact.

When the ambulance arrived, the van full of hybrids totally panicked and stampeded up to Seto's room. The poor paramedics had to fight their way through the creatures and over to the bed where Seto was, and soon enough, Rem had herded the hybrids back into the car and followed the ambulance.

"What happened, Rem?!" Rex gasped.

She shushed the hybrids. "Work is cancelled tonight ok? Yami's been kidnapped, and Seto's been hurt." She explained as she drove them back to their homes. "I want you each to be especially careful. Don’t go near windows, stay out of sight...” She said calmly, helping each to the front door, like a presidential body guard.

By the time Rex and Rem got to the hospital, the doctors were on a roll. They had identified what had poisoned Seto and were flushing it out of his system.

"He'll be fine." A female doctor told Rem in answer to her request. "But the police will want to speak with you since you found him. Then you can go in to see him. But I can't garantee that he'll be in a talking mood...”

Rem nodded calmly. "Alright...” She said heading to the police. They asked the predictable questions, and she answered each calmly. It took nearly an hour before she was allowed to see Seto. He looked much better, his skin once again a healthy human color.

"Seto..." She asked softly, brushing some brown bangs from his eyes. "How are you feeling?"

Seto slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.

"They... took him...” He managed to get out, but his voice was tired and weak.

Rem nodded and stroked his hair. "I know... it will be ok...” She said soothingly. "We'll find him... but for now you need to get well...”

"No! They took him!!" Seto cried, getting upset and trying to get up. "I have to... find him!"

Rem pushed him back down forcefully. "Not right now little mister, you're going to rest. Yami would pitch a scene if he saw you trying to work after nearly being poisoned to death!" she scolded. "you rest for 24 hours at LEAST, then you can go work."

Seto shook his head. "I can't! Yami... MY BROTHER!!!" He sat straight up again with a shout, then waivered and went crosseyed. "WooOOooo...” Then he fell back onto his pillow.

Rem nodded. "I called the school before I got here... he's spending the night at a friend's house." She said calmly. "YOU need to rest."

Seto slowly sighed and nodded, closing his eyes. "Call... call Pegasus...” He murmured, before drifting to sleep.

Rem nodded and did just that.