The Jungle

Bunny

Mally-chan and Hato Chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing within this fic.

YAOI WARNING

Pegasus/Ryou, Marik/Ryou, Bakura/Malik, Seto/Yami

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Chapter 20

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Pegasus climbed out of his limo, and at a small jingle, Ryou hopped out. He was once again in his little bunny suit, gloves and booties, and was wearing his harness. His tail was flicking non-stop and his ears were perked up and trembling in his excitement; Pegasus was sure that his bunny would wet himself on the ride over he was so excited. But now they were here, and Ryou was finally going to meet his new playmate. Pegasus headed for the door.

Dai met Pegasus at the door and smiled. "Well what do we have here?" he said stooping to look Ryou over. "Well looks like you finally shaped up didn't you little guy?"

Ryou backed away from Daisuke and behind Pegasus, remembering him most clearly, including the pain and fear he felt so strongly.

"Heh heh... I get that a lot." Dai said standing and leading them to Malik's room. "He's got his hearing, and I think he might be able to just barely see... which is a bit off schedule, but that may be because of the interference he had to start with, when it came to his eyes. I don’t think he'll be hurting you though. He's just been napping the whole day." Dai said, opening the door and flicking on a red light, so Pegasus could uncover Malik's eyes without damaging them, if he so desired.

Pegasus smiled at Dai. "Thank you. Come on, Ryou..." And he walked into the room. Malik lifted his head when they entered, and one large pointed ear on the top of his head flicked at hearing a jingling noise.

"Malik?" Pegasus called, gently. "Can you hear me?"

Malik growled softly and laid his head back down in response, agitated at being awakened from a nap.

Ryou hopped forward cautiously, tilting his head to the side and sniffing Malik slightly. "Malik...?" he said softly, remembering Marik suddenly and tilting his head even farther to the side.

Malik groaned and sat up, sniffing pointlessly in Ryou's direction. He grunted and in a heartbeat, lunged forward and trapped the now petrified rabbit beneath him, trying to get a scent, despite his dulled nose.

Pegasus darted forwards and seized Malik, heaving him off of Ryou.

"NO!!!" He shouted, plopping Malik down in his nest of bedding and giving him a harsh slap on his backside, avoiding his half formed tail.

Malik yelped in pain and growled, curling back up in his blankets and pulling them over himself.

Ryou whimpered, panting softly and nuzzling into Pegasus, more frightened by Pegasus' sudden reaction of spanking. "M-master Pegasus he didn't mean it... he... just wanted to s-smell me..." he whispered giving Pegasus a gentle look. "H-he... doesn't know who I am." he added, slowly inching forward once more and licking Malik's cheek slowly.

Malik groaned softly and once more tried to get a scent on the strange licking creature.

Pegasus slowly knelt and watched. "Malik?" He called gently. "Can you hear me? This is Ryou. He's going to be your new friend. Be nice..."

Malik's ears twitched slightly, and he lunged forward once more, pinning Ryou, but then began hurriedly feeling his face and ears. His expression changed to shocked disbelief.

Pegasus blinked and watched, wondering what on earth was going on, so he listened in on Malik's thoughts.

'Ryou! Ryou, Marik wants you to come home! Please! He is waiting for you!' his mind was screaming as he slowly backed away from Ryou and grabbed the lion plush toy. 'Lion! Lion! Look, it's a lion! It's Marik and he wants you!'

Pegasus frowned. "Malik. That's enough of that. I don't want you upsetting or confusing my bunny." He said, sternly.

Ryou looked at the lion sadly for a moment before gently taking it away to replace it with the small human plushy in Malik's hands, looking at Pegasus and smiling softly, despite the slight sting in his heart from being reminded of Marik.

"Master Pegasus." he said softly.

Malik frowned and shook his head. 'LION! Marik! Marik!" he shouted in his mind, shaking his head and pawing around desperately to find the lion once more.

Pegasus smiled. "That's a good boy, Ryou." He praised, petting Ryou and offering him a little blueberry.

Ryou nibbled it and nuzzled Pegasus, looking at the lion doll mournfully for a split second before smiling at Malik and licking his ears, beginning to mother his new companion.

"Master Pegasus... can I stay and take care of him?" he asked after a minute, carefully grooming the beautiful sandy blonde ears. "He's so lonely and I... I remember how badly I wished someone would stay with me..."

Pegasus blinked. "You mean... overnight?" He asked, a bit stunned.

Ryou nodded. "Please?... I... I don’t like it here... but he must hate it even more..." he said nuzzling Malik and tucking him into the blankets more, hopping over to the treats Pegasus had brought and nudging them over to Malik.

"I... I'd like to stay with him so he isn't lonely or scared.... I bet he'd feel better if he had a friend with him." he said softly, struggling to try and open the tupperware bowl with his paws. "I know I would have felt better if you would have stayed with me over night."

Pegasus frowned and thought this over. "Well... I will see if Daisuke is okay with it. If he is, then you may stay..." And he stood to go speak to the man, but snatched up the lion, bird and skunk plushies, taking them out of the room with him.

Malik frowned, unable to find the lion he slumped down as Ryou once again began to groom him.

Dai smiled and stopped observing a new hybrid when Pegasus approached "Has he behaved?" he asked calmly.

Pegasus snorted. "He was a bit alarmed by Ryou's presence at first, but I think he's quite glad he is there. Ryou is already quite taken with him, and has asked if he may stay the night with his new companion. I told him that I would speak to you about it. Is that possible?"

Dai nodded. "He can... but you might want to leave him some bedding and blankets of his own, as well as something for him to eat, all our creatures at the moment are carnivores, and we didn't buy provisions for herbivores such as Ryou." He said calmly. "It might be good training for Malik; with Ryou there, he'll walk as he should , and Ryou will teach him how to act properly since he acts properly by nature now."

Pegasus nodded. "Very well. I will see some dinner for Ryou sent over. I will also give him a little talking to. Thank you." And he turned and headed back to Malik's room.

Ryou nuzzled into Malik's hair and giggled, laying half on top of him in a playful snuggle, gently chewing on one of Malik's ears, which caused the youth to tug away from Ryou.

Ryou giggled softly, he would stop if it bothered Malik, but he could see the tip of Malik's tail swaying contentedly and smiled, chewing more.

Pegasus walked in and smiled at the pair. "Well, Daisuke has given his okay. Ryou, you may stay here with Malik for the night. But you must be a good bunny. I want you to start to teach him how to properly behave. I want Malik to be a good boy." And he pet Malik on the head between the ears. "And if he is, then we will go to Paris."

Ryou gasped and tackled Pegasus in a loving nuzzle. "He will be very good !" he said eagerly, turning back to Malik and tugging his ear lightly. "You will be good so we can all go to Paris!" he cheered, licking the ear as Malik rose to all fours, arms and legs quivering slightly, not used to standing in such a way, and weak from lack of use.

Ryou smiled and began grooming Malik's back lovingly. "See Master Pegasus? He's very good."

Pegasus smiled and looked over Malik, his drooping ears and tail, shaking legs and lowered face, which Ryou encouragingly licked. Malik's ears perked up slightly and his tail wagged a bit as he turned his face into Ryou's little licks.

"You are such a good bunny, Ryou. You're going to be a very good friend for Malik. I hope he will be as good a friend to you." Then he looked at Malik. "Malik... come here... c'mere, boy..." And he made a little kissey noise.

Malik frowned slightly and backed up, ears tilting back slightly, his legs suddenly gave out from under him and he fell to the floor with a flump.

Ryou frowned and nuzzled him softly. "He hasn't moved very much... I don’t think he knows how to walk...." he said softly, laying next to Malik and smiling slightly.

Pegasus smiled and moved closer, opening the tupperware and pulling out a little bit of steak. He offered it to Malik.

"That was a very good try. You'll get it." He encouraged, petting Malik's hair.

Malik sighed and looked away. 'I don’t want to get it. I'm not an animal. I'm a person, who you kidnapped to MAKE into an animal.'

Ryou gently tugged one of Malik's ears, frowning at his sad expression. "He looks sad..."

Pegasus nodded. "Well, so were you when you in his position. He'll be happy when we get him home and get him used to everything. Come on, Malik... you need to eat, okay? We want you to be a strong boy." And he pressed the meat against Malik's lips.

Ryou blinked and nodded, beginning to groom Malik's ears. "Poor Malik..." he said softly. "He must be so sad...." Ryou said looking a bit sad himself, his ears drooping, remembering all the human things he missed doing.

Pegasus smiled at Ryou. "Well, he'll be much happier with you here, Ryou." He said, and pet Ryou's hair, then looked back down at Malik. "Ryou will teach you to be a good boy." He said, still trying to get Malik to accept the meat. "Come on... I know you're hungry..."

Malik turned away once more, his stomach growling loudly in protest of his actions.

Ryou blinked and nipped him on the ear. "Why don’t you eat if you're hungry?" he said, looking at Pegasus a bit bewildered. "Is he sick?" he asked softly, licking the nipped ear in apology.

"No, I think he's just being stubborn. But if he doesn't want a rubber feeding tube down his throat then he will be a good boy and eat." And Pegasus pressed the meat to Malik's lips again.

Malik growled slightly, but accepted the meat, chewing silently, looking sour. 'threatening bastard...' he thought pouting. 'Just cant let me die peacefully... no you have to drag out the remainder of my miserable life as some half-assed animal.... thing.'

Ryou nuzzled Malik, ears drooping when the fox pulled away, growling softly and crawling back into his nest of blankets, laying down and sighing.

"He's.... so sad...." Ryou said looking near tears himself. "... master Pegasus... does he hate me?" he asked softly looking down. "Why is he so... upset?"

"I'm sure he's just scared. Are you sure you want to spend the night with him, Ryou?" Pegasus asked, petting Ryou.

Ryou nodded. "I hated it here... and... well... maybe if I stay... he'll feel better." he said softly, licking Pegasus' cheek. "But keep that horrible man away...." he said fearfully, his ears flattening back against his head. "He doesn't like me..."

Pegasus chuckled, and hugged Ryou. "Okay. I have to go. You be a good bunny. I want you to teach Malik to be a good boy, okay?" And he made Ryou look him in the eye. "Do you understand?"

Ryou blinked and nodded. "I'll... I'll try..." he said nuzzling Pegasus once more. "I... I'll get my bunny bed and blankies... a-and chewies right?" he asked suddenly.

Pegasus smiled. "I'll bring them to you myself." He told Ryou, and stood, petting his head. "You be good, and I'll be back soon. Try to get Malik to eat, okay?" And he smiled down at Ryou. "Who's my good bunny?"

Ryou grinned and hopped up slightly. "Me! I'm your good bunny!" he cheered.

Pegasus knelt and hugged Ryou, kissing his cheek. "That's right!" He praised. "You are my little angel with a fluffy tail!" And he flicked Ryou's tail.

Ryou squeaked and scampered away doing cute little hops and scampering around playfully. "I'm a good bunny!" he said tumbling over and rolling around on the floor stretching.

Pegasus laughed. "You be good and play with Malik, okay?" He said, walking to the door. "I'll be back. And I'll bring a special treat for you and Malik..."

Ryou sat up and nodded. "I'll be good!" he said proudly and hopped over to Malik and curled up next to him. "You'll see I'm a good teacher!"

Pegasus smiled. "Good boy." He said, and left the room.

Ryou looked at Malik and nuzzled him softly. "You... can hear me? Right?" he asked shyly, sitting up and grooming his friend's ears for possibly the 5th time.

Malik's ear twitched, and he nodded, sighing and laying his head down.

Ryou looked around, noting that Pegasus had left the red light on for Malik's eyes. He gently tugged the blindfold off, knowing the light wouldn't harm Malik's eyes. "Can you see too?" he asked, slowly.

Marik frowned, then slowly blinked his eyes open. He frowned and narrowed them , trying to focus. But after a bit he sighed and shrugged, holding out his hand and tilting it back and forth.

Ryou smiled a little. "Can you say anything at all?" he said, trying to gauge just how long it would be before Malik would go home with him.

Malik frowned again and his throat made several small convulsions and he exhaled sharply several times, but all he managed were a few weak whimpering noises. Then, he sighed and let his head drop again, ears and tail drooping.

"Ohh..." Ryou said softly and curled up around him. "It's ok... that part takes a long time to come back..." he mumbled, his own ears drooping a bit. "Why are you so sad?" he asked slowly.

Malik heaved another large sigh and turned his head slightly, reaching out and groping, then finding the fox plush. He set that down before Ryou, then let his head drop again.

Ryou frowned softly. "You don’t look so bad..." he said gently tugging one of Malik's ears. "They are very pretty... and when your tail's done growing it will be so beautiful... it looks very soft..." Ryou said gently petting it.

"You're sad because.... you don’t get to be human anymore..." he said frowning himself. "It.... takes some getting used to... b-but it's not so bad..." he added after a moment. "Master Pegasus... well.... he'll take care of you."

Malik scowled and let out a half snort half rasberry, shaking his head and making a face.

Ryou pouted. "I know you don’t like him... b-but I wouldn't lie... he's a very good master. He'll even let you have the human things you want... if you are nice to him." Ryou said softly. "Besides... you get a warm bed... and food.... it's not so bad as it seems."

Malik growled and turned away from Ryou, huddling under his electric blanket.

Ryou pouted. "What's so bad about that?" he said softly, peering into the blanket-cave. "You could have anything you wanted."

Malik shook his head and growled again, digging his claws into the blanket and slowly dragging them back, ripping the fabric. His back muscles were well shown as they grew tense.

Ryou squeaked and backed away a bit. "A-are you angry with me?" he asked suddenly, unable to stop himself.

Malik's body slowly relaxed and he shook his head. After a moment, he turned and moved close to Ryou again. He reached out and touched Ryou's face. Gently, he began to feel Ryou's face, his cheek, his eyelids, his forehead, then his ears and hair. He frowned slightly in concentration and moved his hand over Ryou's shoulder, then up his neck and chin, and back to his cheek.

Ryou blinked and sat still as Malik felt his face. "I... look funny?" he said softly as Malik 'saw' with his hands more than his eyes.

Malik blinked, then smiled and let out a silent giggle before shaking his head 'no'. He sighed and lay his head down again.

Ryou smiled and scratched Malik's ears. "Are you ... very upset because you're not... human anymore?" he asked softly. "I... I promise it's not as bad... as it seems right now."

Malik nodded and hid his face in his folded arms. A moment later, he slammed his fist down onto the floor and began to shake with sobs, only heard as harsh breathing.

Ryou inched forward and hugged him, sniffling himself. "Please don’t cry... I promise you won’t be sad... I'll help you be happy again..."

Malik continued to sob, but he slowly turned and cuddled up to Ryou, nuzzling his head into Ryou's chest and under his chin.

Ryou gently rubbed Malik's back. "It's ok... shh..." he whispered lovingly. "What made being human so very special? I promise you won’t lose it!" he said hugging Malik tightly. "Master Pegasus is a very good person.... I promise you he will make it right...."

Malik gave a harsh sob and shook his head. He wished beyond all else at that moment that he could speak. That he could make Ryou see the truth. To tell him that Marik loved him, and was trying to become human again for him. FOR RYOU!!

Ryou sighed softly. "I... miss... a lot of things about being human..." he murmured, letting his ears droop slightly. "But... I... can’t leave Pegasus...." he said slowly. "He... well..." he sighed and nuzzled Malik. "I... won’t be leaving him. I make him happy... and he gives me back... the things I long for."

Malik frowned and shook his head, desperately. He wanted to scream at Ryou that Pegasus was a bad man! That he was lying to Ryou! The he only cared about himself... but he couldn't... And he shook his head and moved away from Ryou again.

Ryou sighed softly. "I...." he said laying down. "wish you weren't so sad..." he finished a moment later. "I don’t know how to make you happy... I don’t know what to do..." He looked at the fox toy and sighed. "Master Pegasus took your toys away, I... will give you some of my chewies."

Malik sighed and didn't respond, he only curled up tighter.

Ryou sighed as well. "You... had a very pretty lion doll..." he said softly, laying down on the floor and curling up. "I... used to have a lion friend... but he went away... and Master Pegasus... hates him..." he said somberly. "I... am not allowed to see him anymore..."

Malik's ears shot up and he whirled, grabbing Ryou's hand and holding on. His eyes stared at the blurry shadow that was Ryou, and nodded.

Ryou blinked and pulled his hand away. "No. No, the lion is bad... and I'm not allowed to even think about him. He's bad and not my mate." Ryou said softly, looking away, heart aching at saying those words, but wind unwilling to say otherwise, and suffer another beating.

Malik's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He began shaking his head wildly and grabbed Ryou's shoulders, shaking him slightly.

Ryou yelped and pulled away quickly. "Stop it..." he asked softly. "What's the matter?"

Malik began to whimper slightly, and frantically felt around, trying to find the lion plushy. But then he remembered that they had been taken, and he stared in the direction of the door in despair.

Ryou blinked. "Are you upset because I don’t like the lion anymore?" he asked suddenly, puzzled by the fox's strange actions.

Malik whirled back to face Ryou and nodded, desperately, shaking slightly.

Ryou sighed. "He's not my mate." He said once more. "Pegasus is my mate."

Malik shook his head and laid his hand on Ryou's chest, over his heart.

Ryou sighed softly, gently pulling Malik's hand away. "No. He's not my mate... I will not leave Pegasus. He is my mate, and I am his." He said firmly. "You shouldn't think such things either, Master Pegasus can read your mind..." Ryou said softly. "He knows what you think..."

Malik's eyes widened and he gasped, slowly reached up and touching his own head, eyes asking Ryou if he was serious.

"Yes, he can read minds... he answers me when I don’t say things out loud... he knows what you think... and the lion is not to be thought about." Ryou said firmly. "Pegasus doesn't like him, I don’t like him either anymore." Ryou said laying down. "Bunnies and Lions aren't supposed to like each other." Ryou added. "Lions eat bunnies."

Malik stared at Ryou in horror, then scowled and his eyes filled with tears. He raised his hand and before Ryou could move, slapped him across the face. Then he turned and got up, stumbling away and into the wall, hitting his head. He winced, and moved a few paces along the wall, then collapsed and curled up, his back to Ryou. And he shivered and cried. Marik was fighting all he could to get Ryou back, and here, Ryou had forsaken him. Marik had been thrown away in exchange for a slave keeper...

Ryou whimpered softly, backing away from Malik, sitting in the opposite corner and curling up fearfully. He rubbed his cheek and sniffled softly, suddenly wishing Pegasus was back and he could go home. This new hybrid... didn't like him at all.

Ryou bit his lip, his ears drooping. How could he tell Pegasus he couldn't teach the hybrid to be good? How could he possibly keep his word? The fox didn't want anything to do with him now, and he hit him!

Malik began to sob again. What was to become of him now? What was to become of Marik? That lion lived in the hope of being reunited with Ryou. Of being his mate. That only made Malik cry harder; Marik was living for a false hope. He wanted to scream at Ryou. How could he just turn his back on Marik?! HOW?! Did Pegasus really have that much influence? Was Ryou really that brainwashed? And how long before he himself, Malik, became nothing more than a pet, brainwashed into worshipping his master?

Ryou sniffled softly and curled up tighter into the corner, fearful of another slap from the fox. "You are not a good playmate.... you are a bad bad bad fox!" Ryou said sniffling. "You're mean and horrid! You don’t hit!"

Malik winced. He felt bad for hitting Ryou, but he also wanted to scream right back at him. He began to cry harder from frustration, and the anger boiled in his body, forcing him to his feet again. He began to mindlessly sob and rapidly pace back and forth, not even noticing that he was doing so on all fours. With a thud and squeak, he banged into the wall. He backed up a few steps, then changed his direction and began to trot rapidly in the new direction, once again running into the wall.

Ryou whimpered softly and rose, inching closer to Malik and gently tugging him by his ear, leading him back to his warm blanket-cave. He sniffled softly. "At least you can walk now..." he mumbled somberly, curling up near the blankets and sighing miserably. "I was... supposed to teach you to be good... b-but you don’t even like me... Master Pegasus will be so disappointed in me..."

Malik shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't like Ryou, he just didn't like what Pegasus had done to him. But how to get that across to the bunny....? Malik sighed. All he could do was to show Ryou, in a way that Ryou would understand. 'Fuck it all...' He mentally growled, then cuddled up to Ryou and licked his cheek.

Ryou sighed softly and licked Malik back gently. "It's ok... I'm not a very good bunny..." he mumbled gently pressing Malik's shoulders down, half climbing on top of him and beginning to groom his ears again, intent on making them perfect somehow. "You don’t have to like me... I don’t want to make you..."

Malik rolled over under Ryou and licked his chin, then nuzzled him. Somehow, he just felt that it was the right thing to do. Then, he wrapped his arms around Ryou's shoulders, and hugged him.

Ryou smiled and nuzzled into Malik. "Thank you... please try to be good for master Pegasus... I told him I'd try to help you feel better, and behave..." he said softly curling up on top of Malik and licking his cheek. "You have pretty eyes..."

Malik blinked, and then, to Ryou's amusement, looked down and blushed.

Ryou giggled softly. "They're very pretty... the prettiest purple eyes I've ever seen." He said softly. "I didn't think foxes had purple eyes..." He added thoughtfully. "Your ears are pretty too... they match your hair, and I bet once your tail's done growing, it'll be luxurious and soft, and fluffy." he said once again gently pawing Malik's tail. "I bet once you get a mate, he or she will love your tail so very much!"

Malik blushed even darker, but then looked up and smiled, nodding eagerly. His tail wagged. He pat his own chest and nodded.

Ryou giggled and batted lightly at the tail. "You have a mate already?" he asked eagerly. "oooh... is it a boy or a girl? Oh you have to tell me!" Ryou giggled once more, glad to have something to talk about.

Malik smiled and sighed, then shrugged. Then he pointed back and forth between Ryou and himself.

Ryou grinned. "A boy?! ooooh.... I bet he's a very handsome fox. He has to be! He just has to, if he's got such a pretty fox like you as his mate." Ryou blurted.

Malik giggled, then shook his head. He tugged on of his own ears, then held up his fore finger and thumb about an inch apart.

Ryou blinked. "he's smaller than you?" He looked thoughtful. "That can’t make mating very interesting..." he said, trying to piece together just how that'd work out. "If he's smaller, how come you're so pretty? is he prettier than you? Oh... maybe YOU'RE the alpha...."

Malik giggled and shook his head. He tugged Ryou's ear, then made the 'little 'gesture again.

Ryou blinked. "oooh. his EARS are shorter?" He asked curiously. "So... he's not a fox like you then?"

Malik shook his head.

Ryou squeaked. "oooh, when you get your voice you'll have to tell me all about him!" Ryou said leaning forward and licking Malik's cheek again. "Until then... I'll try very hard to know what you mean... I can’t read minds like master Pegasus can though..." he added calmly.

Ryou grinned. "You know, he's taking us to Paris. I bet you'd like to see Paris right? We'll get to see so many neat things... and foxes are popular pets there.... ooooh." Ryou said suddenly. "Maybe you'll be a hit with some of the vixens there."

Malik's eyes widened and he blushed again, shaking his head. But then, he turned and faced the door and growled.

Ryou blinked and looked at the door. "What's wrong?" he asked curiously, sitting up and listening for danger.

The door opened and Pegasus walked in.

"I'm back!" He called.

Ryou hopped to Pegasus and grinned. "he's feeling better!" he said proudly. "He's... a little grouchy.... but I think he feels better now..." he added quickly. "We talked. He's going to be hot with all the vixens in Paris master Pegasus! He has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen!" he said delightedly hopping back to Malik and licking his cheek.

Pegasus blinked, then laughed. "Oh is he? Malik, are you going to be a ladies man?"

Malik turned pink and crawled into his blanket-cave, trying to escape Pegasus' gaze.

Ryou giggled. "He's so handsome...." he said longingly. "If Pegasus wasn't my mate, I'd be giving him lots of looks." Ryou said blushing. "Did you know he has a mate too?!" Ryou blurted. "His mate isn't a fox though... he said his mate was a boy though... isn't that nice?"

Pegasus blinked then frowned. "Oh really? I was not aware that he had any... attachments..." He said slowly, approaching the two hybrids. Daisuke and another man entered, carrying Ryou's toy chest and bunny bed. "I brought your things, Ryou." Pegasus said, then lifted a shopping bag. "And some dinner for you."

Ryou perked up and grinned proudly. "Dinner for me.... mmmm…" he said hopping up into Pegasus' arms. "Does... him having a mate bother you...?" He whispered, feeling filled with jealousy. "... you weren't going to mate him were you! No!" Ryou continued to whisper, sounding jealously mad. "MY Mate." he said firmly.

Pegasus blinked down at Ryou, surprised. But the evil curiosity in himself couldn't help but ask Ryou, "And what if I was?"

Ryou gasped, ears falling to droop lower than they had in a long time, his eyes suddenly filling with tears. "M-master... Pegasus.... b-but... but I'm your mate..." he said, sniffling. "Y-you're m-my mate... j-just mine..." he said, big tears starting to roll down his cheeks.

"I... I am not good... good enough for you anymore?"

Pegasus smiled and cuddled his bunny, curiosity satisfied for now. "You are more than good enough my precious little bunny." He crooned, and kissed Ryou's cheek. "I got Malik just for you, because you were lonely. I will not take him as my mate... unless you want me to. And then, he would be your mate as well." And he hugged Ryou. "I would not just toss you away. You are my own baby bunny, and I love you." And he kissed Ryou's cheek.

Ryou turned pink at the idea of being mated to Pegasus AND Malik and shook his head bewildered. "Him too?!" he blurted, before lowering his voice. "Master Pegasus is too much for me! I cannot have TWO mates..." he said, looking utterly confused at the idea. "Master Pegasus is my mate, and that is all my mates!" he whispered, hoping Malik had heard none of this talk.

Ryou's cheeks however, were still stained crimson at the idea of the escapades that his master would conjure up if there were more than just the two of them.

Pegasus chuckled. "Well, we shall see, little one. Do you like your new playmate? Is he nice?"

Ryou nodded. "He hit me once... but he's ok now.... I think he was just mad because I did something he didn’t like..." he said nuzzling Pegasus, the blush slowly fading from his cheeks. "Like when you touch my tail... only I would never hurt my master."

Pegasus nodded. "I see." He said, then smiled and gave Ryou's tail a teasing little tug, being much more gentle about it than usual.

Ryou wrinkled his nose and squirmed, hopping down from Pegasus' arms and into his bunny bed. "What is dinner? Is it as delicious as last night?" he asked, ears perking to standing almost completely up. "Is it just as yummy?!"

Pegasus chuckled. "I'm afraid not." He said, kneeling and pulling out a plastic container. "I didn't have enough time to get you something that special. But I think you will like this." And he set out a salad that had cabbage, carrots, celery and tomatoes in it, and, to Ryou's delight, shredded cheese, crumbled hardboiled egg and bacon bits. "There you go!" Pegasus said, petting Ryou on the head.

Ryou grinned and began nibbling at it immediately, as though he had been starving all day. "mmmmm" he hummed in approval. "It's delicious!" he said swallowing the bit of celery he'd been nibbling on.

He picked up a piece of tomato and hopped over to Malik and nuzzled him, offering him the tomato, which ended up in a showing that much resembled a kiss.

Malik chewed the tomato, and his face filled with a slight bewilderment, seemingly undecided on whether he liked the fruit or not.

Pegasus laughed. "I’m not sure if tomatoes are in Malik's prescribed diet, Ryou. I brought him a special dinner, too." And he walked over to Malik and knelt, petting him on the head. "I brought this just for you. You be a good boy and take care of my bunny tonight, okay?" And he set down the container and opened it, revealing a grilled chicken breast, a small bit of beef (with a vitamin pill hidden in it) and lamb and some green beans. Last, Pegasus set down a little bowl of milk.

Malik tried to sniff the contents and sighed, turning away from it. He couldn't identify it, and he really wasn't sure he was willing to eat something he couldn't identify.

Ryou grinned and snatched a green bean from Marik's bowl and nibbled it.

"Ryou!" Pegasus scolded, playfully. "That's Malik's dinner! You go eat your own!" And he gave Ryou a tiny slap on the behind before turning back to Malik. "What's wrong? I know you're hungry... C'mon... I brought it especially for you..." He picked up a piece of warm chicken and swiped over Malik's lips to give him a taste of what it was.

Malik sighed and accepted the piece of chicken, chewing slowly. He was hungry... and it was delicious to his self-starved taste buds and stomach.

Ryou nibbled on his salad and grinned. "You put bacon bits in it!" he said nibbling a few up greedily, glad to have a bit of meat-like substances in his diet. "mmmm"

Malik gave a silent laugh at that.

Pegasus smiled and pet Malik. "Ryou doesn't eat much meat. Would you mind if I gave him a small bit of your chicken, Malik?" He asked.

Malik flicked an ear and shook his head. 'Go ahead, I'm not going to eat..'

Pegasus frowned at that. "Well, thank you, you're a good boy." And he pet him again, picking up a piece of chicken and turned to Ryou, walking over to his bunny on his knees. "Look what your friend is letting you have." He said, and held the little tidbit of meat out to Ryou.

Ryou sniffed it, before eagerly taking the special treat and munching quickly. "Mmmm...." he hummed flopping to the floor and swallowing the chicken. He rolled onto his back and stretched, inviting Pegasus to rub his tummy. "I'm a good bunny! Thank you Malik!" he called proudly.

Pegasus chuckled and rubbed Ryou's tummy, bending over and whispering into his ear.

"Malik isn't eating, precious. Please try to get him to finish his dinner. He's going to make himself sick if he doesn't eat, baby..." And he kissed Ryou on the nose.

Ryou nodded. "Ok... you'll come back in the morning?" he asked, sitting up and shaking his head a bit, his ears flopping from side to side. "Or in the afternoon?"

Pegasus smiled, and cuddled Ryou. "I will be bringing you both some lunch." He said. "Now... you be good and play nice with Malik. Don't let him over exert himself, okay?" Then he looked back at Malik. "Malik, you be nice to my bunny. If you hurt him, I will be VERY upset. Play nice and make friends, okay?" And he reached out and scratched Malik behind the ears.

Ryou grinned and nuzzled Pegasus once more before he left, and he looked at Malik. "Malik... will you please eat?" he asked softly, picking up another piece of chicken and offering it to him.

"It's very yummy, and you are so thin...."

Pegasus smiled and walked over, kneeling next to the two hybrids. "I have to go. Malik, you be good and eat, okay? Ryou, take care of your friend." And he gave them both a pat on the head, and kissed Ryou's forehead. Then, he kissed Malik's forehead. "You two be good." He said, then stood and left.

Ryou nuzzled Malik softly and pressed the chicken to his lips. "Mmmph..." he mumbled around the meat.

Malik sighed and turned his head away, making a face and pawing at his forehead where Pegasus had kissed him.

Ryou tried once more to feed him the chicken, pouting. "Mmmph!" he mumbled, pawing at Malik's forehead himself, before turning his head to face him and pressing the meat to his lips once again.

Malik made a face, but then gave a sigh. His ears drooped and he opened his mouth, taking the meat and chewing it, glaring in Ryou's direction.

Ryou smiled. "Please eat... if you get any thinner you'll die... please....?" Ryou asked, curling up next to Malik and smiling softly. "You're too pretty to be so thin." he added smiling warmly. "You'll ruin your pretty fur and then you won’t be so beautiful. I love foxes..." he said, beginning to bathe Malik.

"Foxes are so smart... they're tricky and smart, and the most beautiful creatures on the earth.... well... most beautiful SMALL creatures..." Ryou said, correcting himself.

Malik blinked and slowly turned to Ryou, his eyebrows furrowed. He nodded slightly, hoping to get Ryou to continue. To satisfy the bunny, he nosed around and found the lamb and began to eat it.

Ryou smiled and continued to bathe Malik. "What's your favorite animal?" he asked softly, licking between Malik's shoulder blades, seemingly unsatisfied with their level of cleanliness.

Malik sighed and shrugged, nibbling a few green beans. After nosing around a bit more, he found the bowl of milk and reached for it, picking it up and sipping from it.

Ryou blinked and took the bowl away, placing it back on the floor. "You're not supposed to drink like that... " he said softly.

Malik frowned and reached for it again.

Ryou nipped him sharply. "You're not supposed to!" he said shaking his head. "Pegasus will get mad if you keep doing that..." he added, licking the nipped ear apologetically. "Please don’t."

Malik huddled down, facing the bowl and staring at where he knew it was and just... stared.

Ryou smiled. "You lick it." He said beginning to bathe Malik's back once more. "It's not that hard." he added quickly. "Once you finish your milk, we can talk about all kinds of things."

Malik frowned and snorted, then puffed out air, blowing his bangs out of his face, but they just fell right back in. He turned and found the beef, cramming it all into his mouth at once.

Ryou giggled and poked Malik's cheek. "be careful… don’t choke..." he said gently brushing Malik's bangs out of his face. "You have pretty hair too.... I bet your Mate loved to look at you." he said laying down and closing his eyes. "Do you think he liked looking at you?"

Malik sighed and nodded, swallowing the meat and the vitamin pill that he never even noticed. He lay his head down and his ear twitched. He made a face and sat up, then lifted his leg and scratched like a dog. He smiled and sighed in satisfaction, then lay down again, closing his eyes lightly. A moment later, they shot wide open. 'Oh great Ra, did I just do that?' He thought to himself.

Ryou giggled and gently batted at Malik's ears. "See? You're getting the hang of it!" he said proudly. "It's not so bad as it seems. You get good food, a nice home.... all that you could ever want, and all you have to do is be nice."

Malik rolled his eyes, then closed them and banged his head against the floor a couple of times.

Ryou squeaked and stopped him, kissing his forehead. "Don’t hurt yourself! Please take it easy..." he said pulling the blanket over Malik more. "Why don’t we do something you like... what would you like to do?"

'Break out of this Hell Hole and go find Marik and Bakura...' Malik grumbled to himself. But he shrugged and sighed, turning and lapping from his bowl of milk.

Ryou sighed softly. "You... want to go home..." he said ears drooping a bit. "Do you know the way?"

Malik shrugged again. He knew where his home was... it was where he was NOW that he wasn't sure of...

Ryou frowned and sighed. He liked his new friend very much... but.... if he didn't want to be there...

He bit his lip. "I... I am a good bunny..." he said softly, ears drooping slightly. He looked at the small window just out of reach, large enough that either of them could escape from.... if he were to tell Malik where it was.

Malik sighed again, then pouted slightly and shifted his position. He relaxed, but not for long. He started squirming and making faces.

Ryou looked away from the window to Malik. "What's wrong?" he asked softly, gently tugging his own ears.

Malik whined and squirmed again, then got up and looked around, whimpering.

Ryou blinked and raised one ear halfway, tilting his head to the side. "What's wrong Malik?" he asked again, puzzled by his friend's behavior.

Malik sighed and pranced in place awkwardly, biting his lip and whining, his tail between his legs.

Ryou blinked then laughed. "Oh! You have to go to the bathroom!" he said proud to have solved the riddle. He hopped over and gently tugged Malik by his ear to a rather large litter box and hopped out of it.

"See? Here." he said turning around to give Malik his privacy. "I'm not looking so you can have your privacy...." he added quickly. "I think they should make them with walls."

Malik frowned and pawed around, but then began making sputtering noises. When Ryou turned around, he saw Malik with wide eyes, red cheeks, and was shaking his head rapidly as he backed out of the box, horrified at the very idea of using a litter box.

Ryou frowned. "It's either the litter box... or you'll just make a nasty nasty puddle on the floor and crawl around in it until it dries up and is stinky for days and days!" he said beginning to groom his own ears. "Which is worse?"

Malik whimpered at the idea, then sighed and his ears an tail drooped in resignation. He crawled back into the box.

Ryou turned once again, giving his companion the privacy he needed. "It's better than the floor." he said softly, grooming his ears serenely.

Malik made irritated grumbling noises as he did his business, then neatly buried it before hopping out of the litter box and looking around. But he couldn't see much of anything. His nose quivered as he tried to smell, but he couldn't. His ears perked and twisted around a bit, and then he sighed and began walking around the room, blindly.

Ryou hopped after and tugged his ear lightly. "What are you looking for?" He asked nuzzling him. "I will be your eyes, until you can see.... if... you let me." he said licking Malik's cheek.

Malik paused, then smiled and nodded, nuzzling Ryou. A moment later, he reached out and felt Ryou's hair, then his ears, smiling slightly.

Ryou giggled and inched closer to Malik, letting him pet and feel him to his heart's content. "Why do you do that?" He asked, flicking an ear, tilting his head to the side curiously. "Am I soft or fluffy? Or do you just like my big floppy ears?"

Malik grinned and continued petting Ryou's hair. Then, he blinked and slid his hand down Ryou's back until he found the tail. He blinked, and his grin widened as he felt it.

Ryou twitched. "Dooon’t!" he said twitching. "don’t touch!"

Malik giggled and stopped, smiling at Ryou and licking his cheek.

Ryou looked at Malik calmly, looking back at the window debating within himself. "Malik... if you got out... w-would you be able to see danger?" he asked biting his lip and tugging his own ears.

Why was he considering this?! Pegasus would be furious! He was a good GOOD bunny!

Malik blinked and one of his ears twitched. Then, he shrugged and cocked his head, wondering where THAT had come from.

Ryou raised a hand and swung it quickly at Malik, being careful to stay in front of his eyes. He had no intention of hitting his friend... just seeing if he could see the impending slap.

Malik blinked and one ear twitched. He frowned and raised a hand, groping around and finally finding Ryou's hand. He felt it, and cocked his head again, wondering what was going on.

Ryou sighed, almost delighted that Malik couldn't see, and he had an excuse to not help him.

"I... I cant let you outside like that...." he said sighing in relief. "I'm a good bunny." he added, nuzzling Malik. "You would be smashed by cars before you would see them."

Malik gasped and stared down at Ryou. Then he grabbed his shoulders and shook him slightly. He pointed Ryou, then touched his eyelids, then pointed to himself. His ears were quivering in excitement and his tail was wagging eagerly.

Ryou shook his head. "I... I... I can’t..." he said pulling away slightly. "Master Pegasus would be furious with me.... a-and I would not know where to take you...." he said softly, laying down and trembling slightly, from inner turmoil. "I... I want to help you.... t-to go back to your mate… b-but master Pegasus... he'd.... he'd..."

Malik whimpered and began prancing in place, his mind racing as he thought.

Ryou whimpered softly, remembering the last time he went outside without permission. "I... I can’t please... Master Pegasus will be furious at me for even thinking about it! Please!" he whimpered, begging Malik. "He will call me a bad bunny... a-and I don’t want to be bad anymore... it hurts...." he said curling up into a tight ball, trembling.

Malik cuddled up to him and nuzzled his ears. But after a while he took one of Ryou's ears in his sharp teeth (that he wasn't aware of yet) and gave it a little tug.

Ryou yelped painfully and whimpered loudly. "My ear!" he whimpered following Malik's tug, trying to lessen the pain. "P-please let go! It hurts!"

Malik immediately let go and began licking the spot.

Ryou whimpered softly and twitched. "Please don’t bite so hard.... you have sharp teeth." he said softly. "I... I know you want to leave… but I wouldn't know where to take you.... a-and I cant... I have to stay with Master Pegasus..."

Malik blinked and reached up, feeling his teeth. His eyes widened when he felt the sharp points. Then he began to pet Ryou gently, nuzzling and licking his cheek to say he was sorry.

Ryou sniffled softly and nuzzled back. "It's ok... you didn't know..." he whispered. "Please don’t ask me to go outside anymore.... i-if.... if you... still want out... when you can see...." he started whimpering. "I... I might help you.... b-but I can’t.... I have to stay with Pegasus..."

Malik shook his head and ran out in front of Ryou. He began pacing and bouncing around, his body full of tension and frustration with the desire to tell Ryou of Marik's love for him, and of the relationship between Bakura and himself. His tail was wagging like crazy and he was making tiny whimpers and whines.

Ryou smiled. "Calm down... what are you trying to say?" He asked curiously. "Is it very important?"

Malik nodded fiercely, trying to figure out how he could talk to Ryou without his voice.

Ryou blinked. "Without your voice.... hmmm." He said thoughtfully. "Have you ever played charades?" He asked suddenly. "That's a good way to tell me things without you voice..."

Malik blinked, then turned and banged his head on the wall a couple of times, then sat down and exhaled, forcing himself to relax and think. Then, he held up one finger.

Ryou blinked. "First?" he asked hopping over and kissing Malik's forehead better.

Malik shook his head and held up the single finger again.

Ryou blinked. "One?" he asked curiously.

Malik sweatdropped. Did Ryou not know how to play charades? 'One word, fuzz butt! ONE WORD!' He tried a different thing. He held out his arm and placed two fingers on the inside of it.

Ryou laughed awkwardly. "I... never was very good at this game... I'm sorry if I frustrate you..." He said apologetically. "Um...." He tugged an ear and thought hard. "Blast.... I knew I should have paid more attention to Yami when he taught me this game..."

Malik groaned and flopped to the floor, ears drooping. Ryou drooped too, upset that he had disappointed Malik. Then, Malik's ears shot up. He leapt up and began prancing again, his tail wagging in excitement.

Ryou pouted slightly. "what now?" he asked disheartened.

Malik held a hand up to one of his ears.

Ryou nodded. "Yes I know, you have ears, and I'm listening." he mumbled, pawing at a pebble on the floor.

Malik stared at Ryou, mouth open. Then, he made a frustrated noise, punched the wall, and wandered into the corner, flopping down facing the wall, obviously giving up.

Ryou sighed softly and hopped over to his small bed and curled up inside of it, pulling the blanket over himself and laying his head down, miserable he'd been unable to figure out what Malik wanted to say.... and feeling worse for having frustrated him so.

Malik got up again and began pacing, frustrated that he was unable to successfully communicate with Ryou. 'Stupid rabbit.... suggests charades and then doesn't even know how to play... Gods, what did Marik see in him?!' He thought to himself, thoroughly irritated with Ryou at the moment.

Ryou covered his head under the blanket and whimpered. "I'm sorry..." he said softly. "Please don’t be angry... I didn't much... care for games like that..."

Malik snorted and kept pacing, his new claws clicking on the cold tile floor. He couldn't believe it. All that time and effort that had gone into Marik trying to get his humanity back was all because of this bunny. He had tried desperately to find him, and now they were in the same room and Malik couldn't even tell him about Marik.

Ryou sighed and yawned softly. "I'm... not a very smart bunny..." he mumbled sadly. "but... I'm getting smarter... I do what I'm told."

Malik let out a large sigh. How could he get Ryou to bring Marik up again?

Ryou sighed himself. "I sometimes wonder... if I was meant to be this way..." He said in sorrowful thought. "If... I was fated to end up this way...."

Malik echoed Ryou's sigh and sat down, his ears drooping as he stared at the floor.

Ryou's ears drooped. "I used to dream of traveling... seeing the world..." he mumbled laying his head on the side of his bed. "I was going to finish school... go to see the world... it would have been wonderful..."

Malik's head jerked up and he turned and stared in the direction of Ryou, his ears perking. Marik said he was going to travel with Ryou.

Ryou smiled sadly. "Pegasus said he'd take me to Paris..." he added sighing softly. "Its not so bad... he treats me well... and he's taking me to Paris... just to make me happy." he said softly, looking at the floor, heart aching for a moment, longing for sharp claws and wild manes...

Malik sighed and stood, padding across the room and over to his food. He nudged it with his nose towards Ryou, then smiled and wagged his tail, silently saying 'Have some chicken!'

Ryou shook his head. "No thanks..." He mumbled yawning softly. "I'm sleepy..."

Malik sighed and nodded, but nudged Ryou's cheek, licking him.

"You shouldn't make me think of him on purpose... it's cruel..." he said softly, burying his head.

Malik blinked and made a confused noise, nudging Ryou again.

Ryou sighed. "what?" he asked softly, sitting up slowly. "Is something wrong?"

"M-Mur....." Malik squeaked, his ears quivering. He nuzzled Ryou and licked his face, frantically trying to get him to talk.

Ryou nuzzled back. "It's good you can make some noises..." He said, gently touching Malik's throat. "You might get your voice back soon. It will be good to hear your voice."

"Mrrrrrrrr....." Malik whined, trying to get Ryou to talk about.... ANYTHING that might lead to Marik.

Ryou groaned softly, laying back down and curling up under the blanket. He'd figured out at this point what Malik wanted, but couldn't bring him self to let his heart into the subject... not with Rex and Pegasus' wrath facing him if he even thought of the lion he'd loved so long ago.

"No." he said firmly. "I... I wont."

Malik whimpered and then let out a small bark, his tail wagging hopefully. He began licking Ryou's face insistently.

Ryou squirmed. "stop it stop it!" he whimpered, escaping under his blanket. "I just had a bath! I have to stay clean!"

Malik smiled and wagged his tail, then pounced and began tickling Ryou.

Ryou giggled and shoved Malik off quickly, tackling him and putting HIM through tickle torture. "Don’t tickle me!" he said giggling softly.

Malik squirmed and wriggled out from under Ryou. He bounded halfway across the room, then turned to face Ryou. He lowered his chest to the ground but kept his backside up in the air, his tail wagging as he waited for Ryou to come play.

Ryou grinned and tackled Malik once more, both hybrids tumbling across the floor and giggling. Ryou laughed and nipped Malik's ears softly, in a playful manner.

"Malik is a good fox! Good Fox!" he cheered, pinned beneath him and softly kicking at him playfully trying to shove him off.

Malik licked Ryou's face, then leapt off. He tugged Ryou's tail, then ran.

Ryou squeaked then darted after Malik, tackling him again and giggling, pinning the fox and sitting on his chest proudly. "Ha ha, I got you!"

Malik smiled, but it faded into a look of almost sadness.

Ryou frowned and got off of Malik's chest an tilted his head. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

Malik sat up and looked at Ryou, his eyes pleading. He took a deep breath and held up one finger.

Ryou pouted softly. "one word..." he mumbled sighing and laying down.

Malik grinned and nodded, then lay two fingers on the inside of his arm.

"Two syllables..." Ryou mumbled, watching Malik from his spot on the floor. Malik lifted a hand to his ear. "Sounds like...." Ryou said. And Malik pointed to himself.

"Fox?" Ryou asked softly, grooming an ear slowly.

Malik shook his head and waited for another guess.

"Malik?" Ryou said guessing blindly.

Malik nodded eagerly, his tail wagging.

Ryou blinked. "I... don’t know any words that... sound like Malik." he said confusedly. "Except Malik."

Malik snorted and took a step closer. He sat down, then shook his hands, saying start over. He lifted a hand up to his ear again.

"Sounds like?" Ryou said sitting up and beginning to groom his other ear.

Malik smiled, then lay down and stared at Ryou's silhouette, which was slowly becoming less and less blurry.

"lay?" Ryou asked softly, tugging at one of the gloves with his teeth, wanting to take it off.

Malik nodded, but then made a gesture with his hand to encourage Ryou to keep guessing. He was on the right track...

He got up, and lay down again.

Ryou blinked. "down?"

Malik shook his head, and encouraged Ryou to continue guessing.

"sleep?" He tried again.

Malik shook his head.

Ryou sighed. "I don’t like this game..." he mumbled softly.

Malik whimpered and stared up at Ryou, desperately.

Ryou sighed. "I told you... I am not allowed." he said shaking his head. "You're purposely trying to get me in trouble."

Malik shook his head and whined.

Ryou shook his head. "Malik... I can’t... I told you Pegasus will get furious with you. I'm now allowed. It...." He looked down miserably. "It doesn't matter what you have to say..."

Malik slammed his fist into the floor in frustration. 'FUCK IT!!!' he shouted at himself, and returned to his blankets on the floor, sighing and curling up under the warm electric blanket.

Ryou hung his head and hopped back to his bed. "I'm sorry Malik... but... Pegasus is my mate, and my master..." he mumbled sorrowfully. "It doesn't matter what you have to say about him.... I.... I.... I don’t love him." Ryou said shedding silent tears, mourning the imprisonment to Pegasus.

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

Malik twitched an ear and woke up, lifting his head and looking at the door, growling.

Ryou yawned softly and rolled over in his bed, one stray ear poking out from under the blankets listening to the sound of footsteps. "mmm..." he mumbled curling back up and starting to snooze again, recognizing the sound of the footsteps.

A moment later the door opened, and in walked Daisuke. Malik flattened his ears back and growled, showing his teeth.

Ryou groaned and poked his head out from under the blankets and looked at Daisuke and growled softly himself, still half asleep. "What do YOU want?" he asked rudely, yawning widely.

Dai chuckled. "My, my... someone is being a rude little bunny..." And he shook his head. "What will your master think?" Malik growled again.

"That I have good judgment." Ryou mumbled glaring.

Malik blinked, then let out a hoarse giggle. Daisuke frowned and glared back and forth between the two hybrids. "Oh yes, you both think you're very clever." He grunted, and walked over to Malik, who laid his ears back and growled again. Dai knelt. "Let's see how your senses are progressing..." And he reached out towards Malik. But with a vicious bark, Malik snapped at Dai, who barely managed to jerk his hand back in time. "You little mongrel!" He shouted, and backhanded Malik, who yelped and tumbled to the side.

Ryou was on him in an instant, protecting his playmate by barraging Daisuke with at LEAST ten bite wounds in a matter of moments.

Ryou hunched down, making a loud growling-clicking sound, ears flattened against his head, fur bristled looking almost completely vicious, despite the adorable bunny outfit.

Malik shook his head and looked up, finding Ryou between Dai and himself. He blinked at the growling noise Ryou was making, and Dai stared in surprise and shock as well.

"Why you little rodent..." He hissed, and Ryou thumped a foot in warning as Dai approached. "BAD BUNNY!!!" He shouted. "BAD!!!" And he darted forwards and gave Ryou a harsh slap on the backside, seizing his ears when he turned to bite again. And Dai proceeded to spank Ryou.

Ryou bit Daisuke on the nearest body part he could reach, which was his arm, only he didn't just bite and let go, he bit down and locked his jaw, effectively biting a lot harder.

He growled even louder and began clawing his way away from Dai, letting go only when he was able to dart to the other side of the room and hunch down, thumping his foot in warning again. "You are not master Pegasus, you cannot HIT us!" he hissed warningly, showing NO sign of standing down.

Dai glared and growled. "You be a good bunny and stay right there." He snapped, then turned back to Malik who was cowering under his blanket but was baring his teeth just the same.

"Come on, boy... I just want to check your eyes and throat..." Dai said in an annoyed tone, cursing when Malik snapped at his hand again. "Damn it all!" He yelped, and tackled Malik, finally seizing him by the tail and the skin on the back of his neck. He stood, holding Malik who was whining loudly, and headed for the door.

Ryou raced after him and bit his leg. "Put him down! Not yours!" he howled, worried about what Daisuke was doing to Malik. "You're hurting him!" he howled biting down on Dai's pant leg and pulling backwards, preventing him from walking any further.

Dai howled as he almost tripped. Now the development labs were filled with Malik's piercing whines, Dai's angry bellows and Ryou's furious shouts. Hybrids in other rooms started to join in, all making noise until the labs were shaking with the atrocious ruckus. Other scientists and lab assistants came running to see what was going on, their hands over their ears. Finally, they came running, some taking Malik and carrying him away while others worked to detach Ryou from Daisuke's pants.

Ryou struggled to get away, trying to get to Malik. "NO! Malik Malik!" He called biting more people, desperate to get to his playmate and protect him from the people who were going to hurt him.

Only Pegasus was allowed to touch or spank them! No one else! "Malik!"

Ryou was forced back into Malik's room and the door was closed and locked. "Stupid rabbit!" Dai snarled at Ryou through the window on the door, then disappeared down the hall in the direction that Malik's whining was coming from. Malik yelped and began howling, but then his voice was muffled by a door closing, and a moment later Ryou could no longer hear him.

Ryou whimpered and pawed at the door desperately, before looking to the window...

Malik struggled and bit at the lab techs, trying to get loose. Ryou had protected him as best as he could, and he had to get loose and make sure the bunny was ok! It would kill Marik if his precious bunny was harmed while trying to save him, when he was supposed to be the one to save Ryou!

Fifteen minutes later and Ryou heard footsteps approaching the room. He stopped his pacing and ran to the door, hoping Malik was back. The door opened. But it wasn't Malik who came in, it was Pegasus. He smiled at Ryou's wide eyes and knelt.

"There's my good little boy!" He called, opening his arms to Ryou. "Goodness I missed you!"

Ryou whimpered and hopped into Pegasus' arms. "They took him! They took him away!" He said, big tears beginning to fall down his cheeks. "They hit him! They hit me!" he clung to Pegasus and sobbed, shaking with fear and worry. "Master please you have to save him! They're hurting him!"

Pegasus blinked and held Ryou, eyes widening at his trembling. "They took who? Oh, Malik? And who hit you?!"

Ryou whimpered and clung to Pegasus. "Daisuke! He hit Malik! I tried to stop him and he hit me too!" he wailed sniffling. "Master please they're hurting him!" his shaking intensified, showing his anxiety and fear. "They're killing him please! We are friends! My playmate!" he sniffled, tears rolling off his cheeks and dripping onto Pegasus's shirt. "Master PLEASE save him!"

Pegasus blinked, then chuckled. "I don't think they're killing him, baby, they--ah! Here we go..." And the door opened to admit Dai, who was carrying a growling Malik by the tail and the neck again. He set him down and the boy shot across the room and darted under his blankets, tail between his legs.

Ryou's ears fell back once more, bristling as he growled at Daisuke. "Bad man!" he growled, lunging for him, teeth bared and ready to inflict several new wounds to the source of his troubles, and Malik's.

Pegasus yelped and caught Ryou mid lunge.

"RYOU!" He howled. "NO!!!" And he slapped Ryou's bottom. "No biting!"

Ryou yelped and shook his head. "He's bad!" he growled, lunging a second time. He caught Dai's leg and bit down harshly.

Daisuke growled in pain trying to shake the rabbit off. "Filthy little rodent! Get OFF of me!" he howled painfully, knowing he’d need a day off... at least.

Pegasus growled and grabbed Ryou's tail, jerking it, then squeezing his jaw and forcing him to release Dai. Then he stood and held Ryou up by the ears. Ryou stared at Pegasus, who was glaring at him furiously.

"First, you tried to bite, which you KNOW is bad... and then you blatantly disobey me! You are in big trouble. You are a BAD bunny... And you will not be visiting your friend again. You will have to wait for him to be brought home." And Pegasus released Ryou's ears, dropping him. "Go to your bed!" He snapped, pointing to Ryou's bunny bed.

Ryou hunched down, whimpering and backing up slowly, crawling into his bed and laying down trembling in fear. He gave Pegasus a pathetic look. "h-he... he's bad.... h-he hit us... a-and h-he was hurting Malik.... I... I j-just wanted t-to save him..." Ryou stammered seeming to shrink even more and pull the blanket over himself , hiding under it and sniffling.

Daisuke growled. "That wretched little rodent is a little spitfire!" he said kneeling and clutching his leg. "How you manage to keep him from biting YOU is a wonder. The little bastard has raised hell in a matter of moments!" He raged. "Both of these foul little mongrels have excited the hybrids here, and I've more bite wounds than I've EVER had from ANY beast!"

Pegasus frowned and turned, glaring.

"And he tells me that struck both of them. Ryou and Malik both! How dare you?!" Pegasus growled. "I will not have anyone hurting my pets. I am sorry if Ryou bit you, he WILL be punished. I do not tolerate such misbehavior. But do not think to strike him again."

Daisuke frowned. "Sir, one bite, I don’t strike for." He said pulling up his pant leg, revealing several bite marks, then pulling up his sleeve, revealing a particularly nasty one. "Several however, and it's not me punishing him, it's me defending myself."

Ryou whimpered. "You were hurting Malik!" he wailed softly, his voice wavering in fear.

Pegasus grabbed Dai's arm, staring at the nasty bite.

"RYOU did this?!" He gasped, eyes wide.

Daisuke nodded. "Indeed he did. He was VERY upset that I struck Malik for the same reasons. My hand barely made contact and that little hellrat was biting me!" he said angrily.

Ryou shrank back whimpering into his bed. "Lie! You hurt him! Hit him so hard he fell down!" He sobbed, knowing his punishment would be fierce.
Pegasus slowly turned and glared at Ryou's bed.

"Ryou..." He breathed, his voice shaking in rage. "Come here. NOW!!!"

Ryou sniffled, crawling forward slowly, shaking in absolute terror, ears plastered back against his hair, frightened of the oncoming punishment. He sniffled, obeying his master, despite his desperate want to get far away to avoid the punishment.

Pegasus watched him come until the bunny was huddled at his feet. He bent over and gave Ryou a cruel smack to the backside.

"I am VERY disappointed in you, Ryou!" He snapped. "You have been a very VERY bad bunny! And you are going to be in a load if trouble when we get home! Now apologize! NOW!!!" Malik peered out from under his own blanket, and his ears went back when Pegasus spanked Ryou. He growled softly.

Ryou looked at Malik and shook his head softly, eyes pleading with him to just remain inside the blankets. "I… I... I-I'm s-sorry..." he stammered, voice quivering almost as badly as his body was trembling. Ryou looked at Pegasus with big pleading eyes.

"I.... I w-was scared... h-he was hurting Malik.... I... I di-didn't mean t-to hurt him..." he whimpered softly. "I... I j-just wanted him t-to leave Malik alone..." he pleaded softly, hoping to ease some of his master's anger.

Daisuke huffed softly, glaring at Ryou. "You're lucky you're not my rabbit, or I'd have made a coat out of you by now." he growled, standing and walking painfully to the door, going to get medical care in the facility while Pegasus dealt with the two hybrids.

"Fucker." Pegasus, Dai and Ryou all blinked and turned to look at the lavender eyes glaring out from under the blanket at Dai. Pegasus smirked.

"I see he's gotten his voice back..." He snickered, quite amused at Malik for the moment.

Ryou hopped over to Malik and shook his head. "No... don’t say that!" he said tugging his ear slightly. "Y-you have to be nice or you get in trouble like me!" he said pleading with his eyes. "P-please apologize..." he said softly, licking Malik's cheek.

Daisuke snorted. "And my wife would have a new fox fur stole." he growled storming from the room.

Pegasus sighed and shook his head. "Ryou. Say goodbye to Malik. It's time to go home..." Malik's eyes widened and he shook his head, staring at Ryou.

"D-Don't..." He gasped, barely able to speak. "Please don't leave me..."

Ryou sniffled softly and nuzzled Malik. "I... I have to... I... I was bad...." he mumbled, soft tears once more rolling down his cheeks. "Please don’t be bad... y-you're a very pretty, good good fox..." he mumbled hanging his head.

He looked at Malik for a moment, and smiled softly, laying down for a moment, before getting up and touching his own chest, being careful to hide the motion from Pegasus' vision, thinking about how afraid he was, not wanting his master to know in any way, the meaning of the strange actions. He quickly turned and hopped to Pegasus, sniffling softly.

Malik's ears perked and his face lit up in a smile. He burst out from under his blanket and ran to Ryou, nuzzling and licking him, hugging him. Pegasus smiled slightly, watching Malik.

Ryou looked up at Pegasus and sniffled softly. "I... I'm not a bad bunny, I taught him to be a good fox... I was scared..." he whimpered softly, giving his master pleading eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt him...." he said once more, gently nuzzling Malik. "S-see? I'm a good bunny... I... I protected Master Pegasus' fox from being hurt... a-and taught him to be good..."

Pegasus frowned. "You still bit. Only bad bunnies bite. Malik did not need protecting. Come on, now. We're going home." And he clipped Ryou's leash onto his harness and pulled him out of the room after giving Malik a pat on the head.

Ryou nodded and hopped after, sending Malik pleading looks before disappearing from his vision completely, hoping his message had been received loud and clear.

Pegasus led Ryou out to the car and opened the door, watching his bunny hop in. He told the lab assistants to put Ryou's bunny bed and toy chest into the trunk, and then he got into the car and closed the door. As soon as the limo pulled away, he glared at Ryou.

"You are in a LOT of trouble..." He growled. "Do I need to call Rem to bring Rex over, because I think you may deserve that!"

Ryou shook his head quickly. "N-no... I'm a good bunny..." he whimpered softly, sniffling. "I... I c-can prove I'm good..." he said laying on the floor of the limo fearfully. "M-master Pegasus I'm not bad I promise!" he pleaded softly.

Pegasus glared. "No, you are NOT a good bunny! You bit Dr. Daisuke! That was very VERY bad! And you ARE going to be punished!! Come here!!!" And he jerked Ryou's leash.

Ryou sniffled softly, inching forward. "I didn't mean to hurt him master... I was so frightened... a-and he hit Malik... a-and I just... I only meant to scare him away...." he said whimpering softly. "H-he's cruel.... h-he was horrible t-to me when... when I w-was..." Ryou sniffled, his ears drooping to the floor, and he nuzzled Pegasus's knee, big tears sliding down his cheeks. "I d-didn't mean to hurt him... I... I didn't mean to...."

But Pegasus seized Ryou by the ears and jerked him up onto the seat. He took off Ryou's harness, his bunny suit, gloves and booties, then flung Ryou over his lap and smacked his bottom.

"You were a BAD bunny!" He scolded loudly, and spanked Ryou again. "You do not bite!" Another spank. "You were a bad, Bad, BAD bunny!" Three more spanks. "I will not tolerate biting!" Another one. "Do you understand me?" And another.

Ryou whimpered loudly nodding. "Y-yes master! P-please f-forgive me!" he sobbed, trembling harshly in Pegasus' lap, wincing every so often from pain, and anticipation of another spank at even the slightest movement from Pegasus. "I... I a-am a b-bad bunny..." he sniffled. "I... I'm sorry..."

Pegasus growled and smacked Ryou again. "That's right." He snapped. "Will you bite again?" Another spank.

Ryou shook his head quickly. "N-never!" he whimpered trembling. "P-please forgive me master Pegasus!" he sobbed shaking like a leaf, clinging to him and beginning to pant, trying to calm himself down from the immense fright.

Pegasus frowned and raised his hand swatting Ryou's behind five more times. "Good. If you do, I'll have Rex speak to you." He snapped, and pushed Ryou out of his lap and to the floor of the limo.

Ryou gasped for the breath that hitched in his throat, sobbing so harshly he was having a hard time remaining calm enough to breathe, too sore and weak to move from the position Pegasus had shoved him down in.

He hiccupped and coughed softly still struggling to calm down enough to get enough breath to recover.

Pegasus spent the rest of the trip home completely ignoring Ryou. Once they were home he opened the car door and got out. He waited for Ryou to hop out, then slammed the door and walked up the front stairs to the front door of the mansion. He opened it and looked down at Ryou.

"In." He snapped. "And go straight to your room!" He watched Ryou creep up the stairs and scuttle past him. "Scoot!" Pegasus barked, and gave Ryou another swat to bottom, watching as Ryou squeaked and bolted across the hall and up the stairs.

Pegasus closed the door and followed, eventually walking into the Bunny room and over to the door of the nesting box, where the trembling wood shaving revealed that Ryou had buried himself. Pegasus closed and the locked the door, then left.

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

Review!!! If you don't, my co-author will cry!!!

Chibineko69: Glad you like it. And yes, Yami does squat when he perches.

lokivsanubis: there will be a Seto/Yami scene... eventually...

e.t.c.: Normal human size, but in the case of larger hybrids, they may grow a bit, like Marik. He grew a bit because male lions are huge. but he's not unnaturally lage. He's about six foot two or something... Ryou is a small animal, so he didn't change size; he can't shrink

itavita: No, Malik won't lose his spunk! That would be criminal! And no, Pegasus is not a complete asshole... usually...

sglily: yes, Malik is feisty, and no, Ryou won't be teaching PEgasus a lesson anytime soon... and yes, Ryou is becoming more and more like a bunny. He's being brainwashed. And Pegasus really does love Ryou, he's just, as you put it, a wacko. Ummm... and no... no bunions or linnies or whatever... sorry! But... there will be an alternative to children later on... kind of... but not til the sequel. ^.~

Sakura: Um... there will be no hybrid Peggy... sorry! But glad you like the fic! And I will keep posting chapters. After all... we are currently writing the um... fourth fic in this series... ^_^() The Jungle and the two sequels are already completed. ^_^()