The Wild

The Wild

Hatochiisai & Mally-chan

YAOI WARNING

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

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Chapter 22

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Just before the meat was finished, there was a knock on the front door. A moment later, Tuc hopped into the kitchen. 'It's the lunkhead's mama and her suitor, and the two mates who help care for the lunkhead.' He announced.

Ryou laughed softly and washed his hands once more, before hurrying to greet them at the door. "Hello... why the sudden visit?" he cooed stepping aside to let them all inside.

Inogawa smiled. "I wanted to check up on your mate. How is his pneumonia?" He asked.

"Nearly gone... I made sure he stayed in bed." he cooed smiling. "I think he's napping right now… try not to wake him." he added smiling.

Inogawa smiled. "Well, I'm gonna have to. I have to give him a check up." He said. "And Sachiko wanted to come and observe Marik in his own... umm... territory." Hinaru smiled.

"And me and Rem just came to visit. She misses her lion." Zaine said with a grin. "How are YOU doing, squirt?"

"I'm fine." Ryou said softly, closing the door behind them, as Hinaru and Inogawa went into the lion's 'den' so to speak. "I was just cooking dinner." he added smiling. "Has Ahmose found a cure yet? I'm... rather tired of being at this stage of my life. I hated it the first time around, I don’t like it any better now."

Zaine grinned. "He's managed to get the birds back to normal Ryou. Just this afternoon. And apparently, you and Tachi are next on the list. He'll get to you within the next day or two."

Ryou perked up. "Really?! Oh wonderful!" he said clapping his hands together before leading Zaine and Rem to the table and asking them to sit. "I'm sure Marik will be glad to hear that." He cooed, as he began making a fresh salad. "Master Pegasus as well."

Meanwhile, Inogawa and Hinaru were trying to wake a sleepy lion, who at the moment was whining and pawing at them, burying his head under the pillow. And to their amusement, Hunter mimicked Marik almost exactly.

Hinaru chuckled softly and gently shook Marik. "Time for your shower!" she sang, knowing that would get his attention.

"NOOOOOO!!!" Came the howl from under the pillow. "NO SHOWER!!!" And Hunter began to yowl, which got Xanga going. Inogawa laughed.

"Yup, Shower time." Hinaru teased and tugged his tail lightly. "If you don’t get up, I'll bring in the squirt gun again!"

"MAOO!!" Marik cried, and shot off of the bed before scuttling under it. Inogawa grinned at his wife.

"You are SO mean..."

She pulled a squirt gun from her bag and grinned. "You haven't seen the half of it." She said pointing it under the bed, before letting loose a barrage of squirts. "Out!"

"NYAAAAOOOO!!!" Marik howled, and darted out from under the bed and dashed from the room on all fours, shooting down the hall, across the living room, and into his kitty house.

Ryou blinked and laughed. "Marik! I thought I said not out of bed!" he scolded playfully. "Come now, do you want to eat dinner or not?" he added smiling. "Let the doctors do their job."

Marik just cried and meowed from in the kitty house, not happy about his scary wake up call. He slowly peeked out of this house, shivering and mewling.

Ryou giggled and stooped. "C'mere Marik... do you want a bit of lamb before I cook it?" he said holding up a small slab he'd trimmed from the second rack of lamb he was getting ready to prepare.

Marik sniffled and looked at what Ryou had. But it wasn't the sight of the fresh lamb that brought him out of hiding... it was the sight of Rem.

"Mama!!!" He cried, and ran into the kitchen and up into her lap, nuzzling and mewling as he sought comfort from the woman.

Rem laughed and took the lamb from Ryou and offered it to Marik. "Hello sweetie... why are you hiding in your kitty tree? Don’t you want to make sure you're better so Ryou won’t make you stay in bed all day?" she cooed.

Marik just mewled, and Zaine looked up when Hinaru and Inogawa walked in. "Good God woman, what did you do to the poor thing?!" He laughed, looking at Hinaru and waving a hand at the shaking lion who had his face hidden in Rem's shoulder. "He's traumatized!"

She laughed slightly. "He's just upset because I got him with a squirt gun." she said shaking her head.

Ryou burst out laughing. "Oh HONESTLY Marik. What if I tell Malik what a big pussy cat you are? Scared of water guns... Brave mate indeed!" He said laughing harder.

Inogawa chuckled. "Sachiko, you KNOW he hates water... and to wake him up like that? It was mean..." And he walked over and pet Marik on the head. "Hey there, tough guy... come on... calm down, it's okay."

"I just got back at him for weeks of doing much worse to the hospital linens." She said wrinkling her nose.

Ryou gagged back a laugh. "SALAD!" he yelped trying to avoid another laughing outburst as he went to work making said salad.

But at the word 'salad', Marik turned and made a face of distaste. "Mehhh..." He grumbled, making everyone laugh.

Rem tapped Marik's nose. "You have to eat some Marik... it makes Ryou happy, and that's what mates do for each other." She cooed as Inogawa began giving him a checkup.

"He can eat the salad when I'm done with him." Inogawa said. "Marik, why don't you come into the bedroom with me and Sachiko, okay?" Marik sniffled.

"C-Can Mama come?" He asked, eyeing Hinaru suspiciously.

Hinaru laughed. "I won’t squirt you anymore." She said surrendering the gun to Zaine, who chuckled and playfully began squirting Sparkle and Skitter, who chittered and scampered playfully around him.

Marik nodded. "Okay..." He mumbled, and slipped from Rem's lap. First he trotted over to Ryou and circled him with a loud purr, rubbing against his legs, then headed back to the bedroom for the checkup.

Ryou giggled softly after his mate, before placing the second rack of lamb in the oven, and basting the other. "It smells good..." he cooed happily.

"It does." Zaine said. "That lion eats better than I do!" He then quickly looked to see if Rem was out of ear shot with that 'oh shit, am I busted?' look.

Ryou giggled once again. "I've been cooking for myself since I was eight years old..." He said softly. "I've had years of practice." he added washing his hands and going back to the salad. "Would you like some salad?"

"Yes, thank you, Ryou." Zaine said with a smile. Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Marik was whining because Inogawa had told him to take off his pajama pants.

"I'm sorry Marik, but it's got to be done!" he chuckled waving the thermometer. "Until studies prove that your mouth will give the same temperature as your back end, we're using the back end."

Marik whined. "Mamaaaaaa!!" He cried, turning and looking at Rem.

'He could always stick one in each end and compare...' Tuc told Marik as he sat on Ryou's pillow. Marik glared.

"Shut up, Tuc."

Inogawa chuckled when Rem grabbed Marik and tugged his pants down, covering his face with kisses and pettings, while he snuck the thermometer in places less pleasant.

"Shh Marik it'll only take a second." She cooed scratching his ears. "I have some jerky..."

"MAO!" Marik yelped, turning and baring his teeth at Inogawa before turning back into Rem's loving attention, and in seconds was purring happily and lashing his tail (which Inogawa had to hold to keep from knocking the thermometer out).

"Have you decided on a day for your wedding yet?" Marik asked, looking up at Rem.

Rem chuckled. "Not yet Marik... soon." She cooed offering him the jerky. "Who's my cute little kitten?" she added in the excited voice.

"Mwee!!" Marik squeaked, and ate the jerky from Rem's hands, licking her fingers before rubbing his head into her hands. Hinaru watched interestedly. It wasn't often that she got to observe a hybrid in their home environment with their family.

Rem chuckled and produced another. "Greedy kitty." she cooed

"Mm-hmm!" Marik purred, eating it happily, but turning and snarling when Inogawa removed the thermometer. He once again flashed his teeth at the doctor, before tucking his tail between his legs and going back to Rem.

"Ahh he seems to have a reasonably normal temperature." He said pulling the lion's pants up for him. "Ryou's been a good caretaker." he added chuckling and warming his stethoscope and placing it on Marik's back. "Breath deeply." he said calmly.

Rem ruffled Marik's hair. "Ohh who's my kitty?!"

Marik purred loudly, meowing and batting playfully at Rem's hand. Hinaru laughed.

"Rem, Hideo can't hear him breathe when he's making all that noise!!!" She called.

Rem chuckled. "Marik do what Inogawa said." She instructed tapping his nose. "Then I'll give you your squeaky when he's done." She said pulling the wonderful squeaky from her purse.

Marik gasped. "MAO!!!" He blurted, and lunged for the thing. Hinaru laughed. THAT had sure backfired...

Rem hid it. "No no! Not until your finished with your check up" Rem scolded. "Now be a good kitty and let Inogawa examine you." She said keeping the toy hidden. "Or no toy, and no more jerky."

"Murrrr..." Marik whined, and slumped down onto the bed, holding still and staring at Rem. His only movement was the tip of his tail, flicking. Inogawa laid the stethoscope on Marik's back, and the lion inhaled.

"Ahh, his breathing sounds much better..." Inogawa said smiling. He finished the examination quickly enough, and wrote up a small prescription. "Go get this filled, take one every 8 hours and you'll be fully cured by next week." He said proudly.

And with that, Rem threw the squeaky across the room. Hunter darted out from under the bed after it.

"HEY!!!" Marik yelped and flew off of the bed, tackling Hunter and pinning him down. "MINE!!!" He seized his squeaky and began chewing the hell out of it!

Hunter leapt up and bit on the squeaky, clinging tightly to it by his teeth. 'Mine!'

Rem laughed. "Uh oh Marik, you have competition..."

Marik grumbled. "HUNTER!!" He cried, dropping the toy in the process. "It's MINE!!!"

'MINE!' Hunter cried right back, his little tail lashing playfully.

Marik whined and looked back at Rem.

Rem merely laughed and shook her head. "He's your lion, Marik." she said amusedly.

"M-My toy!!" He whined, and turned looking down at Hunter. "Come on, Hunter! That's my special toy! I'll get you another one!!"

Hunter picked it up, and scampered from the room, seeming to giggle at Marik as he went.

"MAOOOO!!!" Marik cried, and gave chase. He pounced and pulled the squeaky away from Hunter. "MINE!!!"

Hunter got up and pounced Marik right back, tugging the toy in his little teeth. 'MINE!' he squeaked.

Marik growled, loudly this time. He swatted Hunter to the floor, ran into the living room and leapt up onto the very top of his kitty house.

Hunter maoed and got up, scampering to the cat tree and beginning to claw-climb his way up. 'miiiine!' he roar-squeaked.

Marik stuck his head over the edge, and ROARED at Hunter as loud as he could... but unfortunately, he still sounded, well... goofy and no where near threatening... especially to the people in the house...

Hunter roared back, somehow managing to sound MUCH more fierce than Marik. 'MINE!'

Marik growled, swatting Hunter right off of the kitty house. "MINE!!" He shouted back as Zaine, Hinaru, Inogawa, Rem and Ryou all came in to see what all the commotion was. "MINE!!!"

Ryou yelped when Hunter landed on the floor, back first, with a loud yelp and whine. "MARIK!" he scolded loudly, sounding MUCH more ferocious than any LION in the house.

Marik yelped and quickly flattened himself down to the top of the kitty house, eyes wide. "Maooooo...." He cried.

"You hurt Hunter!" Ryou scolded, scooping up the whimpering bunny. "Over a SQUEAK toy! Apologize!" he ordered, looking furious.

Marik meowed in protest, hugging his toy. "He wouldn't leave me alone! I told him to! He wouldn't!" Marik cried.

"Marik he's less than one tenth your size! He just wanted to play!" he scolded glaring. "How can you make up excuses when you hurt someone?! Say you're sorry! He's just a kid!"

Hunter gave Marik big sad eyes. 'I... just wanted to play with it too...' he pouted, ears and tail drooping.

"I said I would get him his own toy, but this is MINE!!!" Marik howled, clutching his toy tightly, his eyes welling with tears. "I didn't MEAN to hurt him! I just wanted him to leave me alone!!!"

Ryou glared and hugged Hunter. "You're not very nice." he huffed, carrying the bunny to the kitchen, leaving Marik atop his tree with the precious toy, alone just like he'd wanted.

Rem frowned and shook her head.

"Murrrrrrrrrrr..." Marik whined, and slowly slipped off the top of his kitty house and retreating into it, leaving his favorite squeaky lying on the top. Inogawa sighed and looked at Hinaru and Rem, while Zaine followed Ryou to see if he needed any help and if Hunter was okay.

Ryou sighed rubbing Hunter's back softly, looking for broken bones. "Are you ok?" he asked softly, letting Hunter nibble on a piece of bacon.

Hunter purred softly. 'I'm okay... my back hurts... but I'll be fine...' he pouted, looking droopy.

Ryou smiled and carefully rubbed Hunter's back until it wasn't sore anymore. "Why don’t you go play with Xanga? She'll play nice with you." he cooed, once Hunter finished his bacon, and put the little lion-bunny on the floor, watching him roar proudly and scamper off to play with Xanga.

Zaine sighed. "Marik is very possessive with his toys." He said calmly to Ryou. "Probably because the other hybrids would steal his toys... or so Rem told me." He said.

"That's no excuse for hurting family or friends." Ryou said softly, busying himself with preparing dinner once more. "There's never an excuse for that..."

Zaine nodded. "Well, you also have to keep in mind that Marik is young again. He's at that reckless age, and he doesn't know his own strength... remember... he wasn't a lion at this age." He placed a hand on Ryou's shoulder. "He didn't mean to..."

"I wasn't a rabbit at this age and I know better than to throw small animals off the top of large cat trees." Ryou said back wrinkling his nose. "It's common sense, it's MORE than common sense, it's the sense God gave ROCKS." he grumbled.

Zaine sighed. "He's just a kid now Ryou. He never had siblings... pets... a mother. Come on... can't you cut him a little slack?"

Ryou huffed slightly. "I never had pets, siblings or a mother either." he said coldly. "She died before I was even old enough to remember her.”

Zaine blinked. "Really? But... you had a steady home."

"IF by home, you mean a place where I slept at night then yes I had that." Ryou said beginning to chop some fruit. "I had no father to speak of... he's always on expeditions. I've been cooking for myself since I was eight, because FATHER was never around to do it for me, I've lived alone since I was eight."

"Hmm... I see... so you have no sympathy for Marik whatsoever."

"He's not the one that fell on the floor back first." Ryou said softly, flicking his ears. "He had a hard life, I will sympathize with that, but I didn't have a cushy pillow life either, and even I know at this age that you don’t pick on things smaller than you."

Zaine chuckled. "Apparently, the little thing was picking on HIM and trying to steal his toy!"

"No excuse." Ryou said calmly continuing his work.

Zaine sighed. "I see. So what about your mate now?"

"What about him?" Ryou asked calmly. "He's got his toy, and his privacy."

"Uhhh... he's hiding and crying, I think... And he left his toy behind..." Zaine mumbled. "Rem gave it to him to reward him for being good for Hideo, and Hunter came and stole it."

"He'll get over it." Ryou said calmly. "I'm not going to console him for doing something he should have known better than to do."

Zaine sighed and shrugged. "Okay..." He said, sitting down at the kitchen table.

"Ummm..." Inogawa said in the living room, looking at the women. "What now?"

Ryou laughed. "You're welcome to do whatever you need... I'm serving dinner soon." He called out.

Inogawa sighed at Ryou's answer. "I meant about the lion hiding in his kitty house!" He called back.

"Oh, Whatever you want." He called back once more.

Inogawa looked at Rem and Hinaru. "Well? You're his mama..." He said to Rem, then to his wife, "And you're his shrink. And you're both women. So I'll leave it up to you two..." And he headed into the kitchen.

Rem sighed and shook her head. "I'm not getting involved." She said sitting on the couch. "This is between him and Ryou."

Hinaru nodded frowning. "Same here."

Zaine and Inogawa glanced at each other with amused looks, then turned as the little bunny door was heard opening. And in came Spunky.

"Is... is he wearing a... bow tie?" Zaine asked.

Ryou looked and smiled. "Aww look how handsome he is." He cooed. Rem smiled.

"Aww he's adorable!" She said clapping her hands. "When did you get so cute little guy?" She said reaching as he hopped past and scratching his ears carefully. "You're absolutely adorable."

'Don't messup my hair!!!' Spunky squealed, and pawed the black tuft on his forehead back. He squirmed. 'Ryou! Did Malik groom me good? Will Angel be happy?' He gasped.

Ryou laughed and nodded. "You look handsome." He encouraged. "Angel will love you!"

Spunky squeaked and wiggled with glee, while Zaine grinned and looked up at Ryou. "Angel?" He looked down at Spunky. "Uh oh... the little man gonna go a courtin'?"

Ryou nodded. "Tomorrow in fact." He said smiling. "We're going to the rabbit shows."

"Ah." Zaine said with a grin. "So that's where the little run-away went... figures..."

Ryou laughed softly. "She's the prize winning champion 'Belle'." He corrected. "And Spunky's going to win her heart with his dazzling good looks!"

'And with a den!' Spunky squeaked eagerly, hopping in Rem's hands. 'I made her a den, Ryou! With moss carpet and decoration, and Daddy and Malik are gonna get us push lights and a bed!!!'

Ryou grinned. "Well she'll love it!" He encouraged further. "All the comforts of home, in her own home!" he cheered softly.

Spunky chittered in his excitement, making Rem, Hinaru, Zaine and Inogawa all laugh.

Ryou giggled as well. "Do you want some dinner?" he asked smiling and setting out three small bowls of salad for the bunnies.

"Oh, that's very kind, Ryou, thank you." Zaine said with a smile. "Is there anything we can do to help you get it on the table?"

Ryou smiled. "No, I've got it covered." He cooed beginning to set the table, and place the delicious smelling dinner.

"Looks excellent Ryou." Inogawa said. "Sachiko never makes stuff likes this. She's too tired to cook half of the time when she gets home..."

Ryou laughed softly. "I enjoy cooking." He said softly, beginning to serve each person at the table politely.

"We can tell." Zaine said with a grin. "Oh wow, smells great..."

Ryou giggled and nodded. "I've had years to perfect the recipe." He cooed blushing. "Dig in."

And they all did, loudly praising Ryou's cooking, and all of the baby bunnies now grown.

"Ryou, you are the Bionic Bunny!" Inogawa said. "Taking care of all these rabbits, maintaining a home, and taking care of that goofy mate off yours!"

Ryou blushed and shook his head. "It's not that much work." he said bashfully. "Honestly, most of the work takes care of itself!" He giggled and waved a hand, before taking another bite of his salad. "Besides, if it weren't for Marik, I'd still be with Master Pegasus." he cooed.

No one said anything to that. They all just sat around quietly for a while, eating until the silence was broken by Trigger and Bushou squabbling.

After a few moments, Ryou sighed. "Marik are you going to come out and eat, or are you skipping dinner?" He called. "I'm not cooking anything else tonight."

A moment later, Marik slowly peeked into the kitchen. "I... I'm not in trouble?" He whimpered, huddling there on all fours with his tail between his legs. "You're not mad at me?"

"Oh I'm still mad at you, but I'm not going to cook again, so maybe you should come over here and eat it instead of huddling in a cat tree like a big sissy." Ryou said calmly. "Because if you miss dinner, then you're just going without."

Marik's ears and tail drooped. "B-But... Murrrrrr...." His head fell. "Please don't be mad at me... I didn't mean to..."

Ryou merely turned back to his meal. "We all have to take responsibility for our actions."

"I'm sorry...." Marik whined.

Ryou began eating once more, coldly not gracing Marik with a response.

Marik drooped dramatically, then slowly turned and shuffled away, belly to the floor.

Zaine sighed and raised an eyebrow at Rem.

Rem sighed and shook her head. "Marik, come on, join us for dinner... we miss you."

But Marik didn't answer.

"There he goes again..." Zaine mumbled, and Inogawa turned and looked at his wife.

"Maybe you should..." He trailed off.

Hinaru sighed. "I'm not sure I should step in honey..." She said shaking her head. "This is an issue they should work out together... when they are ready. If I step in, it will only stoke the fire."

Inogawa sighed and nodded. "Alright..." He said, and went back to his dinner. But the atmosphere had gotten a bit tense and awkward, and it remained that way for the rest of the meal.

Ryou gratiously saw his guests out and sighed. Marik had not joined them for dinner, his meal sat growing cold at the table. "Marik, your dinner is cold." He called.

Marik still didn't answer. Tuc and Nod hopped into the door way and looked at Ryou, silently.

Ryou sighed. "He still upset?" he asked softly, ears drooping slightly.

Both nodded, and slowly, one by one, all their children gathered around, staring up at Ryou.

'Is daddy gonna be okay?' Sugar asked after a moment. 'He's always sick and sad...'

Ryou sighed softly. "I don’t know..." He said frowning.

All the bunnies drooped.

Ryou sighed softly. "I will talk to him..." he mumbled shaking his head and going into the bedroom, shutting the bunnies out. "Marik?"

His response was a sniffle from under the bed, and then Ryou noticed the tuft of Marik's tail poking out.

"Y-yes?"

"Your dinner... is cold... go eat." Ryou said softly. "You need your strength."

"... not hungry..." Marik murmured, and his tail flicked a bit. "Are you mad at me?"

"Please eat." Ryou said frowning. "You need to."

"Are you mad at me?" Marik asked again.

Ryou sighed. "Yes Marik."

"Murrrrrrrr..." Marik whined, and the tuft of his tail disappeared underneath the bed.

"Marik.... just because I'm mad at you doesn't mean you can pout about it all day and hide beneath things." Ryou said softly. "You have to come out and face the world, and redeem yourself."

"I said I was sorry!" Marik cried.

"Sorry doesn't make it better Marik!" Ryou said shaking his head. "Apologies lose their meaning, if you do things you KNOW you shouldn't. It becomes just empty words!"

"So are you telling me not to apologize?!" Marik shouted from under the bed.

"I'm telling you to not do stupid things!" Ryou shouted back.

Marik winced. "I... I'm sorry..." He whimpered. "I don't mean to it just kind of... happens..."

"You have to stop it from happening." Ryou said softly. "What if you would have broken Hunter's back?”

"Murroowww...." Marik whined, and slunk out from under the bed, scuttling over to Ryou. "I... I would never forgive myself..." He gasped, huddling against Ryou's legs.

"Well you could have! He's a rabbit Marik, a small rabbit less than one tenth your size. He wanted to play, and you hurled him off the top of that cat tree!" He scolded. "You have to know right from wrong... you have to know your limits... to know better than that..." He sighed. "THAT is why Pegasus always comes to the rescue... he knows his limits, and what is right from wrong... he learned. You have to learn that too..."

Marik bowed his head. "I... I'm sorry... I didn't WANT to play with Hunter! I wanted to be left alone with my toy! But he wouldn't give it back! He wouldn't leave me alone! I tried to get away but he kept following me and I... I..." Marik's eyes widened. "I... lost my temper..." He whimpered. "Oh gods... I did! I lost my temper!!! AGAIN!!! DAMMIT!!! Why can't I stop it?!"

Ryou sighed. "Marik... I don’t know..." Ryou said softly, looking saddened. "But you have to stop it soon... I can’t have another 6 months of hospitalization... for you...."

Marik let out a frightened cry at that. "N-No! I don't want to go back!!! I don't! I... gods..." He hugged Ryou's knees, and cried. "I... I'll never be good enough... never... no matter how hard I try I always fuck up! I love you... I love you..."

Ryou gave Marik a pained look. "Isn't there ANY human left in you?" He asked softly, sniffling. "Anything you can pull strength from? Was being a pet lion really SO wonderful that it's not worth the work... to try and be human?" He felt tears rolling down his cheek. "Or... is it that being a lion... is better than being a human...."

Marik sat on his knees and looked up at Ryou, crying. "I love you! I'm trying, Ryou! I am! But it's hard! It's so hard trying to be human! The others, they... I was barely human when I WAS human, Ryou!! I... I'm trying so hard... And I'll try harder! I will! Ryou, I--" He turned as he was cut off by violent wracking coughs.

Ryou sighed softly. "Marik... I don’t think you can try harder.... just please... get into bed... I'll bring your dinner." he said softly, ears drooping.

Marik slowly looked up at Ryou, tears running down his face. "You... you're giving up on me...?" He whimpered.

"I never said that..." Ryou said softly. "Now into bed with you..."

Marik shook his head. "Your eyes say that... and your tone..." He said softly, and slowly stood and backed away from Ryou. He lowered his eyes to the floor, then turned and got into the bed, facing away from Ryou.

Ryou sighed and left, getting Marik's dinner and bringing it back. "Here..."

Marik didn't respond at first, but then he turned and looked at Ryou. He got out of bed, took the plate, set it aside and slammed Ryou against the wall, kissing him forcefully.

"I don't care HOW hard it is!" He hissed, suddenly. "I don't care WHAT it takes... I will be the perfect mate you want me to be! I swear it!" And he kissed Ryou again.

Ryou gave him a sigh. "Alright...." he mumbled skeptically. "IF you say so."

Marik frowned. "You don't believe me?" He asked, looking a bit upset at this. "Do you have any faith in me at all?!"

Ryou sighed. "Marik... I don’t know... I try to… but I only have so much faith to give... I can’t keep facing disappointment after disappointment... and still be full of faith."

Marik winced and released Ryou, backing away. "I... I understand..." He said softly, staring at the floor. "I'm so sorry..."

Ryou shook his head. "It's alright Marik... just get healthy... we'll... work from there."

Marik sighed and nodded. "Okay..." He said softly, turning and sliding back into bed. "I think I can do that..."

Ryou smiled softly. "Thank you... I'll get you some hot tea... that will help with the congestion in your chest..."

Marik nodded. "Thanks." He said with a small smile. Ryou nodded and left the room. But as soon as he did, Marik leapt out of bed, dropped his pants and pulled on his jeans and a t-shirt, then grabbed his socks, shoes and jacket and slipped out the bedroom window.

Ryou however, came back moments later and panicked to see Marik gone. He turned to his family, "Has anyone seen Marik?!"

A dozen pairs of rabbit ears shot straight up into the air and they all looked back and forth between each other, and there were a lot of 'ummmm's and 'errrrr's going on.

Ryou whimpered and put the tea down, and hurried out the front door, to look for Marik.

But by then, Marik was all the way down the street and turning the corner. He hurried on his way, walking a few blocks, then crossing the street. And there, he faced his destination; The Jungle. Now all he had to do was sneak past Khan.

He made his way up to the door and when Khan seemed distracted, he made his attempt to sneak in.

Though he didn't get far, Khan grabbed him by his tail and plucked him carefully up. "Just where are you going little one?" he chuckled.

"MAO!!!" Marik yelped, struggling as he dangled by his tail from Khan's huge paws. "MAAOOO!!! LEMME GO!!! OW OW OW OW MOW!!!!""

Khan tossed him up slightly and caught him by the scruff. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

"Going to the bar!" Marik yowled. "Put me down!" And he flailed and kicked, much to the amusement of the numerous people watching.

"Incase you've forgotten Marik, you're underage." Khan said calmly. "I can’t let you in."

"But but but... I WORKED HERE!!" the young lion howled, thrashing in Khan's grip.

"But you don’t now." Khan said calmly. "Now why don’t you go home? I thought you were sick."

"Murrrrrrrr..." Marik growled, and GLARED at Khan.

Khan chuckled. "Now home with you." He said shoving Marik out of the club.

Marik growled and stumbled, flattening his ears and hissing at Khan. But he sighed and walked across the parking lot, kicking a can as he went. Then... he snuck around back and into the store room.

Of course Rex caught Marik at this door. "Whoa! Marik what are you doing here?! You tryin’ to start a lawsuit?!"

"No. I was looking for YOU." He said. "Khan kicked me out before I even got IN!"

"ME?" Rex said surprised. "What’s up?"

Marik sighed. "Rishid, the liger... is he still at the shop?"

Rex frowned. "No one is Marik... the shop was closed..."

Marik's ears shot straight up. "What?!" He gasped, eyes widening. "What do you mean it was closed?! Where is everyone?! Where's Rishid?!"

"I dunno kid... we all got sent to separate places... I'm stayin with a few others with Varon and Amelda..." he said shaking his head. "There is no more pet shop..."

Marik's eyes fell to the floor and he slowly backed away a few steps. "How... why?!"

"We're human man, the government shut us down... selling humans is against the law..."

Marik sighed. "I see... okay. Well... thanks..." And he turned, buried his paws into the pockets of his overly large jacket, and walked away...

"What did you need with him anyway?" Rex asked blinking.

"Nuthin..." Marik mumbled, and disappeared. And forty five minutes later he was standing in front of the old pet shop, staring up at it. He sighed, and looked at the chains on the door, and headed around back. There, he found the back door and broke in, then walked through the back rooms and out into the main one. He looked around. It was dark, empty, and eerie. He made his way over to his old cage, and stepped in. He sniffed; Rishid's scent was still there, faintly. So many memories... He looked back at the cage that had been Ryou's and his eyes filled with tears. He sniffled and rubbed his eyes, then crawled into his cave, curled up, and cried.

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

Ryou whimpered, trudging back to their house, his feet aching. It was past midnight... he'd looked everywhere… and no sign of Marik. He let a few tears drip down his cheeks, before entering the house and closing the door. "I... couldn't find him..."

All of the bunnies drooped and scuttled over to Ryou, nuzzling his legs and making their own individual whimpering noises.

'He'll be fine...' Tuc said, trying to comfort Ryou.

Ryou sniffled softly and hugged Tuc. "I hope so..." he mumbled sighing.

He nuzzled Ryou. 'Maybe he went to his mama?' He asked, licking Ryou's cheek. 'Or even Pegasus. He went to him, once.'

"I looked... he wasn't there..." he mumbled sighing softly. "He's gone..."

'Not with Pegasus OR his mama?!' Tuc gasped.

Ryou nodded. "Not with either..."

Tuc drooped. 'Where would he go, then?' He asked.

"I don’t know..." he mumbled burying his face in his hands

Tuc and all the bunnies swarmed Ryou, nuzzling and licking and grooming him, crooning and squeaking.

'Maybe he'll come back in time to go to see Angel tomorrow.' Spunky suggested.

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

Ryou woke the next morning, ears drooping despite his attempts to seem happy. He had to smile for Spunky, who was eager to see Angel. "C'mon Spunky... let’s go pick those roses and cucumber..."

Spunky chittered and darted out to the garden with Ryou. He chose the best roses and cucumber and could hardly contain his glee. When the doorbell rang, he was the first there.

"Hello Ryou." Pegasus said with a smile when Ryou answered the door. "I have news about Marik."

Ryou blinked. "Y-yes?" He asked hopefully. "Is he ok?" he said, clutching the small basket of flowers and vegetables as Spunky hopped after him. "Where is he?"

"Well, I'm not sure." Pegasus said, taking Ryou's hand and pulling him from the house, Spunky, Tuc and Nod following. "I heard from Seto that Khan stopped Marik from entering The Jungle last night... and Rex told Varon and Amelda, who told Seto who told me that Marik had snuck in the back. They talked and Marik was looking for the liger, Rishid, and seemed devastated to learn that the pet shop had closed and everyone was gone. He ran off before Rex could find anything else out. So... he MAY have gone looking for Rishid."

Ryou sighed and looked down. "Thank you master Pegasus..." he mumbled, ears drooping further. "C'mon Spunky... lets get you to that bunny show..." he cooed, picking up the little skunk bunny.

Pegasus smiled and led Ryou towards the car. "I'll call Rem while we're on the way." He said softly, petting Ryou's hair. "Maybe she can guess Marik's intentions." He said.

Ryou nodded. "It's ok Master... he'll come home when.... when he's ready.." Ryou said softly and hugged Spunky, setting him in the basket and getting into the limo. Once he was situated, he began grooming Spunky carefully, and straightening his little bow-tie.

Pegasus sighed. "Are you sure? He IS sick... and he WOULD like to come with us, I know he would... I'm gonna call Rem..." And he picked up his phone and dialed Rem's number.

Ryou sighed. "Even if she could find him, what's the point? I'm so SICK of all of this." He grumbled crossly.

Pegasus sighed. "I know, baby..." He said, wrapping his arm around Ryou. "I know."

Ryou shook his head and nuzzled Pegasus. "I've about had all I can take of everything... Why can’t things just be NORMAL?! Am I just not supposed to have any hint of normality in my life?!" He sniffled. "I HATE this.”

Pegasus kissed the top o Ryou's head. "I'm sure Marik feels the same way, sweetie." He said, then turned when Rem answered the phone. "Rem? Hey, I got some information about Marik's disappearence last night. Apparently he went to the Jungle and talked to Rex about Rishid. He got all upset and ran off when he heard that the pet shop was closed. He may have gone looking for Rishid."

Rem frowned softly. "I see... Well... there's no way he'd know where Rishid went...." She said softly. "I'll check into it..." She added sighing. "How's Ryou holding up?"

"Not good." Pegasus said softly, hugging Ryou. "I think he's finally starting to... give up on Marik. I think we all know that if he does, Marik will give up on himself."

Rem sighed again. "I know... Marik's ties to humanity are so thin... he wouldn't even try without Ryou..." She shook her head, running a hand through her hair. "I'd hate to see him give up..."

"Well... if you find him, give me a call... and then, maybe see about taking him to talk to Hinaru or something. Find out what's going on and why he ran off." Pegasus said softly.

Ryou growled. "He ran off because he lost his temper..."

Pegasus looked down at Ryou. "Are you sure?"

Ryou nodded.

Pegasus kissed the top of his head. "It will all be fine, baby. Why would he be looking for Rishid? Do you know?"

Ryou shook his head. "I don’t even know him..."

"Hmmmm..." Pegasus mused thoughtfully. "Well... we'll find him." He said. "Right now, let's just think about Angel."

"YAY!!!" Spunky cheered, making Pegasus laugh.

Ryou nodded as Rem and Pegasus said their goodbyes. "She'll think you're so handsome..." He cooed to Spunky. "There's no way she wont love you this time!"

Spunky cheered happily, hopping about in his seat.

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

"What was that about?" Zaine asked Rem when she hung up the phone.

Rem sighed. "Marik's gone missing, ran off last night and never went back to his house. Ryou's worried, and seemingly pissed... and..." She sighed. "Someone needs to just tie him to the house like a dog. Ryou too."

Zaine chuckled into his coffee at that. "So we get to go find the hair ball, eh?" He asked, standing. "Well, let's go then. Where do we start?"

"As if I know." Rem said shaking her head. "The club I guess..."

"It's morning, no one is there." He said. "Why start at the club?"

"Because he was last seen there, he might still be sniffing around?" Rem said shrugging. "You have a better idea?" she added shaking her head.

Zaine shrugged and pulled on his coat. "What was he doing there?" He asked, grabbing the keys to his porsche.

Within ten minutes they were at the club, and Rem used her spare key to get in. But they soon determined that Marik was not there. Zaine sighed and looked at Rem.

"Now where?" He asked.

Rem sighed. "I'm not sure... maybe the pet shop?" she offered sighing. "I'm not sure where else to look..."

Zaine nodded. "Okay." He said and within fifteen minutes, they had arrived. They looked around, and in no time at all, found the back door open and claw marks around the lock.

"Hmmm." Zaine said with a chuckle. "I think we found him..."

Rem hurried inside and found him shortly after, curled up in his cage...

"Marik... it's time to go."

Marik moaned and curled up tighter, but then slowly raised his head and blinked his eyes open.

"M-Mama?" He murred. "Oh... what time is it?" He asked, getting up and stretching, then padding out of the cave and standing upright, scratching his head.

"Around noon..." She said softly. "Ryou and Spunky have already left to meet Angel..."

Marik's ears shot up and his eyes widened. "NOON?!?! Oh gods!!!! Ryou must be worried sick!!! I was gone all NIGHT!!! Oh shit, this wasn't supposed to happen!! I just... I just wanted to talk to Rishid!!!" He wailed, then broke down coughing.

Rem sighed and shook her head. "He's worried... and by the sound of it Marik... he's losing the will to keep fighting for you... you have to stop doing such impulsive things!" She said hugging him and patting his back. "Let’s get you to the bunny show..."

Marik let his head drop. "I know he's loosing the will to keep fighting for me... I saw it in him last night and it... broke my heart..." He said, and rubbed at his eyes while walking out to the car with Rem. "I... I'm starting to think that... maybe I should leave." Zaine's eyes widened. "Go back to the island... to the Pride... And leave Ryou with Pegasus..."

Rem frowned. "Marik... sweetie, whatever you do, I will support you, but I thought you loved Ryou..."

"I do..." Marik whimpered. "But I'm just... hurting him. And disappointing him over and over and over again..."

"What do you think will happen if you leave? Will you be happy?"

"Will I be happy if I stay?!" Marik spat, bitterly. "I can't do anything right... can't even control my own temper..."

Rem sighed. "Will you be happy if you leave?"

Marik sighed and crawled into the back of the car, curling up and hugging himself. "I don't know... I... I felt so... relaxed with the pride. As if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders... I didn't HAVE to be human with them. It was just so... easy and natural... but my heart ached for Ryou..."

Rem sighed. "Then maybe you should go back to them Marik..." She said softly. "If you will be happy with them, then that is what matters. You shouldn't stay where you are miserable..."

Marik shook his head. "I'll be miserable no matter where I am!! I can't take all the stress and pressure here! And I would be dying without Ryou THERE!!!" He sighed and lowered his head. "I think... I will have to leave the choice up to Ryou..."

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

Pegasus smiled and hung up his phone, looking down at Ryou as they pulled up in front of the convention center where the rabbit show was. "They found Marik. He was asleep in his cage at the pet shop." He said.

Ryou sighed, his ears drooping. "I... see..." he said softly, though graced the topic with no other words. He got out of the limo, and carried Spunky inside, smiling for the small bunny in his arms who would get his happy ending today.
Pegasus grinned and followed, holding Tuc and Nod in his arms, and they were shaking in excitement, thrilled to see their baby living out her dream.

It wasn't long before they found the booth with Angel, the bunny's fur had never been whiter, more shiny or healthy. Her claws were trimmed to perfection and she sat proudly in place, letting her caretaker pet her, and comb through her fur.

"ANGEL!!!" Spunky squealed, getting quite a lot of shocked attention. "ANGEL!!! BEAUTIFUL ANGEL!!!" Pegasus laughed, watching the bow-tied skunk bunny squirm, trying to get Ryou to move faster.

Ryou giggled softly. "Calm down or you'll mess up your fur." he said calmly. "You want to be handsome right?" He added, continuing to walk towards the beautiful 'belle' bunny.

The Frenchman grooming her watched the group come closer, and eyed the three wriggling rabbits.

" Hello...?" He said, looking at Ryou when the boy came over. "May I help you?"

Ryou smiled nodding. "I believe I should thank you... you've taken very good care of Angel..." he said softly. "She ran away and this one has been doing nothing but worrying." He cooed, holding up Spunky. "He's been trying to court her for weeks. When she ran away he was heart broken."

The man blinked. "This... rabbit is yours?" He asked, looking shocked and... well... heartbroken.

Ryou nodded. "Her name is Angel." He said setting Spunky next to her. Angel blinked.

'Spunky?'

Spunky was shaking in his excitement. 'Angel... beautiful! I'm so happy for you!!!' He squeaked, running over to her and nuzzling her. 'You're living your dream! This is so wonderful! I'm so proud of you!!!'

She blinked and scooted away. 'Don’t mess up my fur!' she scolded. 'I want to win!' she added firmly. 'I'm going to be the most beautiful bunny in the whole wide world!'

Spunky gave her a bunny smile. 'You already are.' He said dreamily, as Tuc and Nod were set down by Pegasus, who began explaining things to the Frenchman.

Angel blinked. 'Why are you here?' she asked fixing her fur and turning to look at him.

'For YOU!' Spunky said. 'I had to come see you! I love you!!!' And he laid down the roses for her. 'I brought you these.'

Angel squeaked softly, but eagerly began nibbling the petals from the roses. 'They smell wonderful...'

'Almost as good as you.' Spunky crooned. 'I have a surprise for you at home...'

If Angel could be blushing, she would have been. 'At... home? But... what about him?' she asked looking to her caretaker. 'I like him...'

'But... what about me? Don't you... like me?' Spunky asked. "I love you..."

Angel blinked and sighed. 'Spunky...' She started. He'd been persistent through everything... She licked his cheek. 'Alright...' she cooed nuzzling him slowly. 'I will mate with you.'

Spunky's eyes widened and he squeaked. 'You WILL?!?!' He gasped. 'You... you...' and he let out a loud squeak and joyful hop, then darted forwards and kissed her.

Angel nuzzled him and gave him a kiss as well. 'Just because I know you'll just keep pestering me until you get your way.' she cooed and licked his cheek. 'You're handsome.'

Ryou giggled softly. "See? I told you..." he cooed watching the two young bunnies share kisses and cuddles.

'I made a den...' Spunky said softly to Angel between nuzzles. 'Just for you and me. And it's even better than Secret's.'

Angel giggled softly. 'I doubt that. Secret was a brilliant bunny...' She cooed licking his ears. 'But I cant wait to see it, just the same.'

Suddenly, arms wrapped around Ryou from behind. "And I made a den once, for just you and me..." purred the voice. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to share it with you last night..."

Ryou sighed softly, and he nuzzled into Marik's arms. "I wish you had been..." he mumbled, ears drooping.

"I'm sorry, love... I went to seek advice from Rishid, but... I couldn't find him. And I ended up falling asleep. I never meant to leave you all night. I'm sorry if I worried you."

Ryou sighed. "It's fine Marik..." he mumbled handing Spunky the cucumber. Angel squeaked and eagerly took dainty nibbles of it.

Marik tensed slightly, then let go of Ryou and backed away. "Ryou... do you love me?"

Ryou nodded. "Of course Marik... I love you, you're my mate."

Marik sighed. "Ryou... I know I've been nothing but a disappointment... constantly letting you down and hurting you... even thought I don't mean to..." Marik stared down and took Ryou's little paws into his own. "Ryou... I don't care what happens to me... but I want YOU to be happy."

Ryou's ears drooped more. "Marik... if that were true... then you'd try..." he mumbled pulling his paws away. "You... don’t try 100%... you always... only half." he mumbled sniffling. "I know you're half animal.... I am too… but I can make it work, Bakura can make it work... Malik can make it work... why cant you?"

Marik winced. "I... don't know..." He gasped, shaking his head. "Which is why I'm asking you now. What do you want. Do you want to stay with me...? Or... go back to... Pegasus?" Pegasus turned, eyes wide.

Ryou sighed softly. "Marik... I can’t make that choice for you." He said turning back to Spunky and Angel, who were happily in another world, one filled with love. "What you do, is your choice. If you stay or go, I will support your decision... As long as you make that decision... 100%."

Marik shook his head. "But that's just it... I can't!!!" He cried, wrapping his arms around Ryou. "If I go... I'll spend the rest of my days missing you and wanting you back... but there's just so much... pressure I have to endure if I stay..." The lion tightened his grip on Ryou. "I want to stay." He whispered, nuzzling Ryou. "I... I got that job at the zoo." He said, backing away and smiling. "And I will work hard to support you financially. But I need YOU to support me... emotionally." He stroked Ryou's cheek. "Can you do that? Can you be there for me? Help me?"

"Marik I don’t have anything left..." Ryou mumbled looking down. "I give you all of me... every day! And every day... only half..." he mumbled sniffling.

Marik twitched slightly and quickly jerked his paws away from Ryou and recoiled, backing up a bit. Pegasus glanced at Rem and Zaine, worried, and Tuc and Nod seemed to be holding their breaths.

"I... I see..." Marik said softly, staring hard at his feet. "I never realized I was... that bad..."

Ryou sniffled wiping his eyes. "Once we were together... you... just stopped trying as hard..." Ryou mumbled looking down. "Was I only worth working for when I was something you couldn't have? Or... is it that once you had me, I wasn't worth trying for anymore... I wasn't as wonderful as you'd thought?"

Marik looked up at Ryou and shook his head. "No! I... you're everything I wanted! You were never lacking Ryou... There's nothing wrong with you, I just... Everyone wants me to be human... and nothing BUT human! And I can't do that!!! Why does it have to be one or the other?! Why can't I just find a balance between the man and the animal?! Why is that forbidden?!"

"You don’t look for a balance! You rub against my legs, you meow for Rem whenever something goes afoul and you never stand up for yourself... or me." Ryou said ears drooping more. "I never said you couldn't be a lion... but you can’t be a lion... and pretend to take care of me. You have to find that same balance that everyone ELSE has found."

Marik recoiled as if he had been slapped, and lowered his eyes to the floor. He opened his mouth and tried to speak, but nothing came out. Finally, he gave Ryou a single nod, wringing his hands, then turned and walked away.

---

Sorry it's been so long since I updated. Last time I tried, the site was bein stupid and wouldn't let me. All thanks goes to dolphinsong on Deviantart for poking me and getting me to post the next chapters! And a sequel WILL be coming on He Among Us Without Sin!!!