Twilight Menagerie

Twilight Menagerie

Mally-chan and hato chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing. Nothing at all

YAOI WARNING!!!

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Chapter 23

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Many days passed, and this became nearly two weeks... and Ryou grew accustomed to living with Pegasus again. He called Rem every day to check on Marik. Although he made seemingly no progress, it eased his heart to hear his soft mewing.

This afternoon though... Ryou was bored. Pegasus had been gone all day at work, and despite Ryou's pouting, had left him home alone. Ryou wrinkled his nose while nuzzling a very VERY bloated Nod. "And Tuc thought Precious was chubby..." he teased, laughing when she tried to nip him. "I'm sorry! I know you're sensitive..." he cooed licking her cheek.

Nod seemed to moan in pain. 'Lets see you bear your young in mass groups...' she grumbled softly, starving, but unable to stand much anymore. Her babies would be born within the next few days. Ryou nudged Tuc. "Your wife beckons." he said grinning.

Tuc looked up from where he was playing with Precious. He sighed and hopped over, nuzzling her. Precious ran over as well, licking his mother all over her face. Pegasus walked in at that point and smiled.

"My dear Ryou..." He said with a chuckle. "That is the roundest rabbit I have EVER seen! You must get Tuc fixed or she'll die from excessive breeding! I would think that Tuc and Nod would have the intelligence to limit their screwing until Tuc gets fixed."

Nod squeaked in agreement. 'I'm swearing off sex until you stop knocking me up!' she said nuzzling Tuc just the same. 'I don’t think I can handle another round like this...' she added groaning slightly.

Ryou laughed. "Master Pegasus shame on you! They've not had any sex in a long time!" he scolded playfully, carefully picking Nod up and carrying her to the small cushioned pet bed. "Poor Nod..." he cooed, laying her down comfortably, setting a stick of celery next to her. "Eat that... it's got a lot of water in it to make you feel better."

Nod began nibbling agreeably, quite hungry.

'And I hear it has NEGATIVE calories!' She crunched. 'I could use that!'

'... she's been around you humans for too long.' Tuc snorted, rolling his eyes.

'PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!' Precious demanded tackling his father.

Ryou laughed, giving Precious a lick that sent him bowling over on his side in surprise. "Don’t torment your father." he said smiling and standing, blushing and dusting off his maid-outfit. "Master... you really need to... buy me more clothes." he said pulling the skirt down slightly, though it was still nearly too short. He hadn't worn this little treat since their vacation in the Carribean...

Pegasus laughed. "Why on EARTH would I want to do that?" He asked, propping his chin in his hand and bracing his elbow on his desk. "I mean really... You're just so cute! LOOK at that skirt! And your TAIL!!!"

Ryou blushed and covered his tail, which raised the skirt's hem in the front, which sent his hands whipping to the front to pull it down, which in turn raised the hem in the back. "You horrid horrid dirty..." he squeaked, hurrying from the room to Pegasus' room, to search out something a little more covering.

Pegasus dropped into his chair, laughing, and Precious ran over for some much desired attention. Pegasus smiled and pulled the rabbit into his arms, cuddling him.

"Your big brother sure is funny, isn't he, Precious?" He asked the rabbit.

"I AM NOT!" Ryou howled storming back in and thunking Pegasus on the head. "Don’t make fun of me!" he huffed. "I'm going to take a bath." he added wrinkling his nose and walking out once more.

Tuc licked Nod's cheek and curled up near her. 'He's sure got a spiteful streak in him.' he said amused.

'that he does...' she sighed, flopping onto her side to rest, unable to get comfortable on her stomach now...

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

Marik woke from his nap in his pet bed in the corner of the living room when Rem walked in. She walked across the room and into the kitchen. Marik's eyes widened and filled with tears. He mewed sadly; she hadn't acknowledged him in the room!

Rem sighed softly. "Marik." She called, making soft kissey noises. Ever since the night Ryou had refused to go home, Marik had been acting just like a lion cub...

"Maariiiik" She called once more. "Come here Marik sweetie."

There was silence for a bit, and then she heard a tiny meow. When she turned, Marik was peering around the corner and into the kitchen, looking hopeful. It brought back memories if when Marik HAD been a scrawny cub, often weak and sick and frightened to the point that she often brought him home with her to care for him in his first year at the pet store.

She sighed. "Marik honey... I know you can talk... would you mind talking with me for a little while?" she asked, scratching his ears. "I'll give you treats." She bribed.

"Mao!" He exclaimed excitedly, and trotted over to her, sitting and pawing at her legs, his tail wagging eagerly.

Rem picked him up. "No yummy treats until you talk with me. Then you can have all the tasty treats you want!" She said carrying him into the living room and sitting on the recliner, petting him. "So... talk."

Marik curled up and purred, licking her chin and mewling.

Rem tapped his nose. "Marik, I said talk. You don’t want to make mama angry do you?" She said calmly. "Now, why don’t you tell me how you feel?"

Marik blinked at her, then pounced and covered her face with happy playful licks, in the mood to play.

"NYAO!"

Rem sighed and gave him a slight swat. "Marik, it's time to be serious." She warned. "Now talk to me, or I'll be angry with you for being a bad kitten."

Marik stopped and blinked up at her sadly. Then he slowly slid out of her lap and scuttled into his pet bed, curling up and staring at her with worried eyes.

Rem sighed. "Fine Marik... don’t talk to mama. I'll be here when you want to." She said turning on the TV, and proceeding to ignore him.

Marik whimpered and sat there for a while, then began to mewl and whine; he hated it when Rem ignored him, and she knew it. The lion's eyes filled with tears and he began to cry.

"Mao.... Mao.... Mao.... Mrowl.... Murrrrr.... Mrow...." He continued on and on, but finally mewled "Mama..."

"Yes?" She said turning from the TV to Marik. "Are you going to talk with me now? Or should I just get back to my TV show?" she asked calmly.

Marik's eyes widened a bit and his lip trembled. He whimpered and his ears lay back a bit. He looked extremely torn.

Rem turned back to the TV. "Whenever you're ready..."

"Mama!!!" Marik wailed, distressed. He ran over to her and placed his head in her lap, staring up at her and mewling.

Rem sighed and scratched his ears. "Marik honey, I've given you over two weeks to gather yourself... but it's time you started talking again... understand? If you love mama, you'll start talking to her."

Marik stared at her for a while, then slowly crawled into her lap and purred, nuzzling her and licking her face.

"I love you, mama..." He mewled softly.

Rem smiled slightly. "Marik... I want to know how you feel. How do you feel?"

He smiled and curled up, purring. "Warm..." He sighed, flicking the tip of his tail.

Rem scratched his ear. "You shouldn't act like a kitten Marik… you're all grown up now... don’t you want to go home with your mate?"

Marik blinked up at her and cocked his head. "Huh?" He asked, flicking an ear and purring, leaning into the scratching.

"Your mate... you remember don’t you? Ryou. He's waiting for you to come home." she replied softly. "Don’t you think it's about time you went home?"

Marik blinked a couple more times. "Who?" He asked, confused.

Rem blinked as well. "Marik, your mate. The one you love most." She said shaking her head. "Don’t you remember him?" She produced a small tattered bunny plushy. "Your bunny, your mate. He's waiting on you to get well and come home."

Marik meowed and batted at the plushy. "Food?" He asked, perking up and looking at Rem, eagerly.

Rem gasped. "No! Not food!" she said shaking her head. She picked up her purse and began digging through it, before producing a picture of Ryou curled up, sleeping soundly in a bed of wood shavings, in the bunny suit. "Ryou! See? He's the one you chose to be your mate."

Marik blinked and sniffed the picture. He frowned and cocked his head, looking at it. "Bunny?" He asked, looking between the picture and plushy.

Rem nodded. "Yes... he's a bunny. He loves you very much, and you love him." She said calmly. "If you promise not to hurt him, I can take you to see him... would you like that?"

"Hunt bunny?" Marik asked, looking at her.

Rem frowned. "No. No hunting bunnies. Bunny is your mate... your companion." She corrected. "Understand?"

Marik blinked. "Friend?" He asked.

Rem nodded. "Yes, he's your friend. Do you want to go see him?"

"MAO!!!" Marik exclaimed, purring and rubbing against Rem. But then, he froze and turned, his eyes fixed on something out of Rem's view. "Murrrrrrrrrrrr...." He growled, slowly getting out of her lap. Then he roared and charged. A moment later, he whined.

"MAMAAAAAA!!!"

Rem blinked and got up, to see what had happened. "Marik?" She called, looking for him.

Marik ran over and held up his paw... with a squashed roach on it. "Murrroooooooowwww!" He whined.

Rem groaned. "Marik that's gross!" she said shaking her head. She pulled a small cloth from her pocket and wiped the smushed bug-remains away. "Don’t do that anymore, that's what happens when you pounce on things. They smush... and you don’t like smushed things on you right?"

"No..." He pouted, and sniffed at the rabbit plushy in her lap. He frowned and grimaced, backing away, shaking his head. "Murrrrr...."

"What's wrong?" She asked, putting the cloth in the trash.

He slowly lay down, clutching his head and breathing harshly. "Left..." He moaned. "park... rain... men... My bunny!!!"

Rem nodded. "Yes... you remember... you love this bunny... because you love Ryou." She cooed. "He's waiting on you... do you want to go see him?"

Marik slowly stopped moaning and relaxed. "Mama?" He asked, looking up. "Hungry..."

Rem laughed softly. "Would you like to eat lunch with Ryou? I bet he would be delighted to see you." she said patting Marik's head. "He's missed you so much..."

Marik blinked. "Okay." He said softly, lifting his hind leg to scratch his ear.

She smiled warmly. "Now, don’t you hurt the bunny... he's very gentle and soft... understand?" She said getting him a coat, as he was already wearing a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. She couldn't have him naked in her house...

"Understand? He's very small, and weak...you have to be CAREFUL with the bunny."

Marik nodded. "Careful careful gentle." He said, purring and rubbing up against her. she smiled and led him to the garage, but in the doorway, he paused. She looked back at him to see what was wrong, but he turned around and ran away. A moment later he reappeared, the bunny plushy in his mouth, purring.

Rem smiled and opened the backseat door, letting him hop in. "I want you to promise to be extra careful Marik... ok? Promise to be really sweet and gentle. He's smaller than you... and he doesn't have claws or teeth like you do. If you frighten him, you'll make him cry. You don’t want to make the bunny cry." She said tapping his nose. "If you do a good job and be nice to the bunny, I'll give you a big juicy steak for dinner." She added smiling and getting in, starting the car while the garage door opened.

Marik mewed excitedly, and rolled down the window, hanging out as she drove down the street, roaring at anyone passing by and giggling when they jumped.

Rem laughed. "Marik be nice!" she said reaching back and patting him. They arrived at Pegasus' mansion and she parked. "Ok Marik... remember. Be VERY careful and gentle. Don’t hurt the little bunny." She cooed, knocking on the door. Once she'd explained they wanted to visit Pegasus and Ryou, the butler allowed them in.

Ryou and Pegasus were sitting at a small table on the balcony of his office, sharing a meal of salads and breadsticks. Rem smiled. "Hello Pegasus, Marik wanted to come visit Ryou today." She said nudging Marik forward.

Marik slowly peered out from behind Rem's legs, the plushy in his mouth. He stared at Ryou and blinked, cocking his head a bit.

"Murrr?" He said, looking up at Rem for reassurance.

Rem nudged him forward once more. "Say hello Marik. Ryou likes to talk." She instructed.

Ryou looked at Marik hopefully, ears back and eyes wide and hopeful. "Marik..." he mewled ears quivering slightly. "W-would... you... l-like to j-join us for lunch?" he asked biting his lip. "please?"

Marik blinked, then grinned around the plushy and purred. Loudly. Pegasus chuckled.

"Any progress with him, Miss Rem?" He asked, watching Marik closely as he tentatively inched towards the rabbit, sniffing.

Rem nodded a little. "He's talking anyway..." She said calmly. "I'm hoping a lunch with Ryou will jog him along." She added. "he had a breakdown... so he's... well he's curious."

Ryou watched Marik inch closer and when he was close enough, licked Marik's cheek slowly. "Marik..." he cooed nuzzling him.

Marik blinked, then darted forward, accidentally knocking Ryou over. But he dropped the plushy and began sniffing Ryou in fascination. For a moment there was a flash of recognition, but it disappeared almost as soon as it had come.

"Bunny?" He asked Ryou, backing away and sitting down, cocking his head.

Ryou blushed, adjusting his... well, maid skirt, as he'd STILL not found a suitable outfit. "Ryou." He said softly. "Marik..." he cooed, patting the cushion he was sitting on. "Sit with me?"

"Ryou?" Marik asked, and Ryou nodded. The lion smiled and sniffed his hair and ears, then mewed and tugged one playfully as he sat down. He turned and sniffed at the table, then gobbled up a breadstick like it was nothing.

Ryou nuzzled into Marik lovingly and sighed. "I want to go home with you Marik... can we go home... I'm sorry." He whispered kissing Marik's cheek. "Please... let’s go home." he mewled hugging Marik tight.

Marik blinked. "Come with me and Mama?" He asked Ryou, innocently, then turned and blinked when Tuc and Precious came racing out into the porch, chasing each other. A moment later, poor Nod waddled her way out.

"BIG bunny!" Marik blurted, staring at her with an amused grin.

Pegasus choked on his wine and burst out laughing.

Ryou squeaked. "Marik be nice!" he scolded. "Poor Nod's pregnant! She's going to have babies!" he said crossing his arms.

Nod glared slightly, clicking at Marik and Pegasus. 'when I can move more... I'm killing you both, and leaving pebbles in your shoes!'

Marik blinked and crept over, sniffing at Nod.

"Babies?" He asked softly, moving closer. "Bunny have babies?" He got right up next to her and smiled, sniffing her over. He turned back to Ryou. "Babies in her tummy?" He asked.

Ryou nodded a little. "W-well yes... She's got babies in her tummy. She'll have them soon." He said softly, ears back worriedly. "You shouldn't bother her. You might hurt her children."

Marik blinked. "Careful careful gentle." He assured Ryou, laying down before Nod and gently purring, grooming her ears. Pegasus chuckled.

"He certainly is... juvenile..." He said, looking at Rem.

Rem sighed. "He's like a cub... he doesn't even really remember Ryou being his mate..." She said sighing.

Ryou's ears drooped, he looked away hurt. "I see..." he mumbled sniffling softly. "Marik..."

Pegasus frowned. "What about... others?" He asked. "Did he know you? Have you tried having Bakura visit?" He asked, watching as Marik began to give Nod a grooming all over.

Rem shook her head. "I haven't tried that. He wanted to meet the bunny." She said calmly. "So we came to meet Ryou for lunch."

Ryou sniffled again. "Poor Marik... h-he doesn't even... remember me..." he covered his face, crying softly. It hurt his heart to have his mate so close, but literally unable to be near him. He didn't remember anything of him! It hurt so deeply... to know Marik didn't know.

Marik turned and looked at Ryou. His ears shot up and he quickly ran to Ryou, mewling and licking his face. Pegasus watched and slowly smiled as Marik continued to mew and nuzzle Ryou, licking away his tears.

"Don't cry, bunny..." Marik cooed. "why are you crying?"

Ryou cried more. "Marik... you don’t remember me at all?" he said sniffling and looking at him hurt. "Y-you don’t remember the pet shop? T-the night under the log? Our...our home?" he pleaded gently gripping Marik's shoulders. "You... you have to remember me... please tell me you didn't forget me..."

Marik blinked. "I know the shop." He said. "I stay with Rem cuz' the others are mean to me cuz I'm too little..." He said, and drooped.

Ryou sobbed louder, pulling away from Marik, burying his face in his hands. "He... He's forgotten me!" he wailed in a heartbroken voice. At that moment, he genuinely wished he'd drowned when Marik had tried to kill him. He'd never imagine what it'd feel like to love someone so much... and just be completely forgotten. It hurt more than anything.

Marik's eyes widened and he turned running to Rem, mewing. "He doesn't like me! Why doesn't anyone like me? I didn't MEAN to make him cry! I was gentle! I promise!" He wailed to her, and Pegasus sighed.

"Come here, Ryou." He said softly, opening his arms to the boy.

Ryou sobbed, crawling away from his cushion, curling up in Pegasus' arms and sobbing into his shirt. "Why did he forget me?! I... I wasn't a bad mate... I just..." he sobbed harder.

Rem petted Marik calmly. "He likes you Marik. He loves you... you hurt his feelings because you can’t remember him." She explained calmly. "You're his lifemate... he loves you with all his heart. It just hurts his heart, that you can’t remember him." She scratched his ears. "Do you understand?"

Marik blinked. "He's my... mate?" He asked, cocking his head and looking over at Ryou. then, he yelped and stumbled, his face twisting in agony. He dropped to the floor and clutched his head, groaning. "He left! I woke up and he was gone! No!" Marik cried. "He left!!! Why did he leave?! I have to find him! Ryou!!" And he began whimpering and slowly relaxed and quieted until he was curled up, mewling pitifully.

Rem stooped and hugged him. "He's your mate Marik... he misses you..." She whispered. "Do you remember him? A little?" she asked, while Ryou continued to sob, un-consolably into Pegasus' shirt.

Marik continued to mewl softly, like a kitten. He winced and shook his head a bit. "I... remember the... shop..." He moaned. "I remember... Bakura!" He suddenly gasped, looking up with wide eyes. "I remember Bakura!!! Can we go to the shop? Can I see him?"

Ryou let out a pained wail.

Rem nodded. "We can go see Bakura, but he's not at the shop anymore sweetie… he's with his own mate." She said scratching Marik's ears. "He's mated to your friend Malik... do you remember Malik?"

Marik blinked. "... Who's Malik?" He asked, cocking his head. "When did Bakura get a mate?"

Rem shook her head. "A long time ago." She said calmly. "After you mated Ryou." She said calmly. "Are you sure you don’t remember Ryou?" She said pointing to the bunny, who's sobs were dying down, fatigued from emotional torments, to the point that he was beginning to doze off, clutching Pegasus.

Marik whimpered and looked back and forth between Ryou and Rem. "If he's my mate... why don't I remember him?!" He cried, beginning to get upset.

Rem scratched his ears. "You got very upset at him... because you thought he'd cheated on you." She said calmly. "So upset you almost killed him." She added. "But he didn't cheat on you... you were tricked into thinking he had." She hugged him. "When you came here, to get Ryou back, to go home with your precious bunny... he told you he was scared of you... he wanted you to get better... so you wouldn't get so angry." She explained further. "It hurt your feelings that he had gotten scared of you... since you've always protected him with your all..."

Marik frowned. "Why would I try to kill my own mate?!" He cried. "How could I be tricked into that?! If I loved him I would never hurt him!"

Rem hugged him close. "Another lion tricked you... so you'd leave Ryou alone... so an evil man could take him away from you. Someone else wanted your mate." She said softly. "Do you understand? The other lion convinced you that Ryou was in love with the man, that you weren't good enough... and you got angry... you thought you'd heard Ryou having relations with the man... and attacked Ryou..." She rubbed his back. "You did hurt him, because you loved him so MUCH... you were upset he'd leave you... but he'd never leave you. He loves you with all his heart."

Marik whimpered. "Another... lion?" He gasped, looking devastated that one of his own kind would do that. Then he slowly made his way over to Ryou and purred, nuzzling him. "I'm sorry..." He whispered. "I'm sorry I hurt you... I'm sorry I don't remember you... I'll try to remember... I will. Please don't cry..."

Ryou nuzzled him weakly, giving him a heartbreaking devastated look. "Marik..." he mumbled curling up in his master's lap, crying softly once more.

Rem frowned. "He's waiting for you to remember him Marik... so you can go home."

Marik mewled softly. "I'll try..." He whimpered to Ryou, beginning to cry himself. Pegasus smiled and pet Marik, gently.

"You'll remember." He said. "You love Ryou too much not to." Marik gave him a half hearted smile and a purr, then licked Ryou's cheek.

Ryou however, exhausted had already fallen fast asleep, though there were tears on his cheeks, his expression was one of serenity. Rem smiled.

"That's why you love him so much... even when he's in pain...he's beautiful for you."

Marik smiled weakly and nodded. "I will remember..." He said softly, and moved back over to Rem, purring. After a moment, he looked up. "Mama. I'm still hungry."

Rem smiled and picked Marik up, hefting him into a hug. "Come on then sweetie... it seems the bunny's all tuckered out. We'll go get lunch out." She said smiling at Pegasus and leaving. Once she'd gotten to her car, she helped Marik into the front passenger seat and got in.

Marik grinned and purred, cuddling his bunny plushy. "Rem... My toy smells like Ryou!" He exclaimed, sniffing it.

"Yes it--" Rem stopped as her cell phone rang.

Rem answered it quickly. "Hello? Rem speaking." she answered calmly, scratching Marik's ears.

"Umm... Hello. It's Zaine." Said the man from the other end. "Uh... how are you?" Marik's ears twitched.

"HIIII!!!" He howled towards the phone, having recognized Zaine's voice. Rem winced at the shout, but Zaine laughed.

"He sounds like he's doing much better!" Zaine said with a grin. "He's talking again, then?"

Rem laughed shoving Marik off. "Yes, but he doesn't remember Ryou at all." She said dangling the bunny toy in front of Marik to distract him. "Ryou's absolutely heartbroken."

"That's a real shame..." Zaine sighed. "Well, listen. I'm in the area, and I was wondering..." He was sweating. "Would you like to... go grab some... lunch or something? Maybe we can meet and pick up food and... take Marik to the park or something since he's still clinging to you..."

Rem blinked and scratched Marik's ears. "I don t know...Marik's like a cub, he'd be very troublesome in such a big place..." She smiled though. "Maybe after I put him to bed."

Marik blinked. "I wanna play in the park!" He whined. "And I'm HUNGRYYYYY!!!"

"Well... maybe it will tire him out so he'll go to bed easier. Who knows... he may even co-operate for his bath." Zaine suggested, and Rem winced even before Marik could react. But react he did, as soon as he heard the word 'bath.'

"MAAAAOOOOO!!!" He howled.

Rem sighed. "Marik calm down!" She scolded. "I'm sorry Zaine, I really can’t do lunch right now… he's a handful on his own. After I put him down for the night is possibly my only free time until he remembers Ryou." She said once more. "He's just too juvenile right now for the park."

Zaine sighed. "If we keep him on a leash, I'm sure it would be good for him." He said. "We have to get him socialized again. Maybe we could let him chase a ball or something, or let him climb a small tree. He'd love the sun." The man said. "And don't you think he would refuse to go to bed if he thought that you were leaving him home alone? You said you haven't been to work much over the last week because he won't let you leave him alone and he's too scared to go to the pet shop. He has to get socialization somehow. In the park, he won't feel trapped, and he'll still be around people without actually BEING WITH them." Zaine said.

Rem sighed. "I don’t know... I really don’t feel like trying to catch him for a second time this week." She said rubbing her forehead.

Marik looked at her with big eyes and whimpered pleadingly, the bunny in his mouth.

"He's whining, isn't he?" Zaine chuckled over the phone. "And you won't have to catch him if he's on a leash. C'mon... think how happy he'd be! And I'll bring some burgers."

"BURGEEEEERRRRRSSSS!!!!" Marik roared, the bunny falling to the floor boards of the car, and Zaine jerked his head away from the phone, wincing at the noise.

Rem groaned. "Zaine honestly, you're getting his hopes up!" she scolded.

Marik was making excited lion noises and snuffling at the phone and licking Rem and whimpering. The man laughed.

"I think you might need to pull over, my dear." He chuckled. "C'mon... you don't have enough fun."

"Yeah!" Marik agreed.

Rem shoved Marik off and glared slightly. "You're both trying to bully me into this, and I won’t do it. I told you when I'm available, and that's final. Marik you can have hamburgers for lunch and play in the backyard." she said firmly.

Marik stared at Rem and his lip trembled and his eyes filled with tears. Zaine gave a disappointed sigh. "Okay."

"Can he bring burgers home?!" Marik asked, sniffing. "Come visit? I wanna play!"

Rem frowned and gave Marik a stern look. "If you're a good boy, I'll go visit with Zaine tonight, and let you spend the night with Bakura." She said calmly. "How does that sound? Burgers for lunch, and Bakura can spend the night with you."

Marik's ears perked up. "Bakura?! I remember Bakura!!! I can play with Bakura?" He asked, shaking in excitement to the point that Rem was starting to worry that he'd wet himself.

Rem laughed. "If you're good. Calm down! We'll get burgers for lunch, then when it's time for bed Bakura will come over and play with you, while I go out to meet with Zaine. How's that deal?" She said calmly. "Honestly you're both like children." She said scratching Marik's ears. "Does that suit you Zaine?"

Zaine smiled. "Sure thing." He said with a grin. "When should I pick you up?"

"Take her to a steak house so she can bring me home the leftovers!!!" Marik called to Zaine, and the man burst out laughing.

"how's eight?" She asked pulling up to Burger World. "I've gotta go, it's time to order. I'll see you then." She said quickly hanging up and placing her orders.

"I want the triple bacon cheeseburger and the mega mondo fries!!!" Marik begged, his tail swinging about wildly. "And a mega mondo shake and a twelve pack chicken nugget with honey, NOT honey mustard! And extra bacon on the burger! In fact... make it TWO!!!"

Rem sighed. "You'll be a fat little kitty." She said calmly giving him the nuggets, one burger a shake and small fries, that she ordered for him.

"Now remember, don’t make a mess in mama's car." She warned. "Eat slowly." She paid the woman and drove home.

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

Pegasus blinked when the door bell rang. A moment later, the butler called, and he answered the phone.

"Yes?"

"Masters Malik and Bakura are here to see Master Ryou." The man said.

"Send them up." Pegasus ordered, and a moment later Malik and Bakura came into his office. Bakura had Spunky in his arms and Malik had Dust. "Here to see Ryou?" Pegasus asked, and they nodded. "He's asleep in his nesting box in the bunny room with Tuc, Nod and Precious." He said, and the pair thanks him and went into the Bunny Room. Bakura smirked and knocked on the box.

"Hey kid. Wakey wakey!" Bakura called.

Ryou's ears perked, but he simply rolled over. Tuc however perked right up and hopped over to the door. 'DUST! SPUNKY!' he squeaked and hopped up a bit. 'You're going to be big brothers!'

"Holy shit Ryou!" Bakura blurted, staring at Nod. "What happened?! Did she swallow a basket ball?!"

Ryou groaned. "Bakura shut it... she's pregnant." He grumbled, burying himself further into the bedding. "Cant you see we're trying to sleep?" he added grouchily.

"Oh, fuck Ryou! How many times did Tuc stick it to her?! She's MAZZIVE!!!" Tuc glared at Bakura and thumped his foot, clicking.

Ryou growled softly. "Bakura you stop that!" he glared, sitting up, looking quite ruffled. "For heavens sake have SOME respect!"

"To what?! A fuzzy beach ball?!" Bakura asked, and Malik rolled his eyes.

"How ya doin, Ryou?" the fennec asked, setting Dust in the nesting box, where he made a beeline for his mother, and Spunky followed a moment later.

"Horrible..." Ryou mumbled looking down. "Marik doesn't even... remember me." he sighed ears drooping. "But he remembers Bakura..."

Malik's ears drooped, as did Bakura's.

"He... doesn't remember you?" Bakura gasped. "How is that... possible?!"

Ryou bit his lip for a moment, biting back tears. "I don’t know...I'd rather not talk about it..." he replied softly, picking up Precious to love on. "What brings you two here?"

Malik and Bakura crept into the nesting box and cuddled up to Ryou.

"We came to see you." Bakura said, nuzzling him, and Malik nodded, giggling as Spunky and Dust both seized one of his ears and tugged.

Ryou smiled and sighed disheartened. "Thanks..." he mumbled curling back up in the woodshavings. "How are you two?"

Malik sighed. "We're... good." He sighed. "But we miss you and Marik. Any idea-- OW!!" He winced, and jerked. "Okay you two... off!" and he shoved Dust and Spunky off of him.

"Look Ryou..." Bakura sighed. "We have our paws--"

"HANDS!" Malik corrected.

"Hands full with Spunky... We really can't handle Dust, too..." the skunk said. "We just don’t know how to care for a... bird."

Ryou nodded. "I don’t think Pegasus can handle another bunny....let alone a birdbunny." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe Seto would take him in...after all, he's got Yami. Yami's a bird, he'd be good for Dust." he suggested calmly, beginning to rebury himself in wood shavings.

Malik and Bakura looked at each other.

"Why didn't we think of that?" Malik asked.

"Cuz we're too stupid and horny." The skunk snickered, and Malik rolled his eyes.

"How've you been getting along with Pegasus' other hybrids?" Malik asked Ryou.

Ryou nodded. "Most of them have been hired at the Jungle, or other places that have caught on...have their own homes." he said softly. "So for the most part...it's just Pegasus and I." Ryou replied somberly. "It's alright...Nod needs the peace and quiet, she's pregnant after all."

Malik giggled. "She IS really big!" He reached out and gently rubbed her belly. "you can actually tell this time! No surprises one morning this time! Any idea how many she has this time?"

Ryou shrugged slightly. "She said at least five. But I imagine it's hard to count something that isn't even outside of her body yet." he said when Nod grunted irritably. "You shouldn't touch her... she's due any time now... she's in a bit of pain. She's too heavy to hardly move."

"I'm guessing you had to lift her in here, then?" Malik asked, and Ryou nodded. "Shouldn't you keep her in a birthing box? Or a pet bed. It would be better for her." And he nuzzled Nod. "My goodness you're fat. I think you have more in there than just five." He kissed her pink nose. "Poor girl..."

Nod licked Malik's nose.

Ryou smiled. "I tried to put her in a birthing bed, but she insists on being with me and Precious..." he said softly. "She's such a little trooper."

Malik smiled. "Nod always was a sweetheart." He said, gathering her gently into his arms. "You really should be in a bed, angel." He told her, as Bakura leaned over to kiss her nose and groom her ears.

Ryou smiled. "Well... You two should take Dust to Yami...it's naptime here, and you're interrupting Nod's much needed rest." He said calmly. "She has to be well rested, or something bad might happen when it's time..."

Malik sighed. "Shall I put her in her birthing bed? You can just carry the bed with her in it wherever you go." He suggested.

Ryou nodded. "Fine... but be CAREFUL."

Malik smiled. "I would NEVER hurt Nod! Especially not when she's got lotsa little precious babies! No, not you, Precious." He said to the rabbit, who nipped his tail. He got out of the nesting box and carried Nod over to the birthing bed and gently laid her down. "You can hardly move on your own, can you, cutie?" He asked, massaging her extended belly.

Nod squeaked painfully and rolled slightly, baring her fully bloated belly. 'Lets see you move like this...' she mumbled yawning widely.

Malik giggled. "Poor girl..." He cooed, kissing her head. "I'll let you rest." He stood and turned. "C'mon, Bakura. Spunky! Dust! Let's go! Say bye to Dust, Ryou."

Ryou smiled and plucked up Dust, licking his ear. "You be good for Yami...he's a bird too, you'll have lots of fun there...and he loves preening as much as you do." he cooed nuzzling his once-pet once more. "Marik and I...w-we'll come visit once things are all worked out..." he whispered hugging Dust tightly. "Be good."

Dust licked Ryou's cheek and chirped softly, before hopping out of the nesting box after Spunky.

Malik and Bakura picked up the bunnies and waved to Ryou, leaving the room. They headed outside and began the trek to Seto's. Until Malik's cell phone rang.

"Hello? Oh, hi Rem.... sure." He turned to Bakura. "Rem wants to know if you'll uh... baby-sit Marik tonight while she goes out."

"Uhhh... sure?" Bakura replied, quirking an eyebrow.

"He says sure.... okay. Yeah. Bye." He turned to Bakura again. "She wants you there by seven."

"Hmmm... I'll head over now, then." Bakura said. "I'll see you later, babe." He kissed Malik's cheek, then went on his way. Twenty minutes later, Malik was on Seto's front porch, ringing the doorbell.

Yami was the one to answer. He blinked a bit. "Well...uh...Hi Malik." He said a bit surprised Malik had stopped by. "What's up?" he asked stepping aside to let the fennec in. He closed the door behind Malik and walked back to the sofa in the den and sat down. "Need anything?" He offered, motioning to a... decidedly un-Yami-like tray of... cookies.

Yami coughed. "I've got a sweet tooth sometimes too..." he said smiling and picking one up to nibble.

Malik snickered. "Actually, Yami... I brought someone to see you." And he held up Dust. The rabbit stared at Yami's wings, and he gave a little cheep, then opened his own wings to Yami.

Yami blinked at the rabbit. "...What on Ra's great Earth is it?" he said leaning forward and snatching Dust, looking quite infatuated. "Oh he's a little Casanova isn't he? Look at those bright colors!" he chirped at the proud little bunny.

Malik blinked and cocked his ears. "... He's white and gray, Yami. And that's Dust, Tuc and Nod's youngest. Daisuke got a needle into him."

Yami rolled his eyes. "Ugh... Birds can see colors you can’t." he grumbled. "I thought Seto told you about that....whole..." Yami made a face. "Bakura incident..."

Malik laughed. "Yes. So what colors on Dust do you see?" He asked.

Yami tickled Dust. "Mostly my favorites." he chuckled. "Blues, Indigos and a very interesting shade of green."

"Cool." Malik said. "So... do you like him?" He asked, hopefully.

Yami nodded. "Yeah... he's pretty cute. Why do you ask?"

Malik sighed. "Yami. Will you... like... adopt him?"

Yami blinked. "I don’t know...I really don’t think Seto would approve..." he said frowning. "In fact, I know he wouldn't. The idea of another bird in the house...he'd go ape shit on me."

Malik sighed. "Yami... no one knows how to take care of him. Ryou and Marik can't do it. They aren't in any position! And NOD is PREGNANT!!! She's stuffed like a pinata! She looks like she swallowed a watermelon! And me and Bakura... well..." He sighed. "Yami... please."

Yami frowned and pet the small winged creature. "I don’t know Malik...he's going to chew me out if I keep Dust..." he said looking over the bunny once more. "He is really cute though..."

Dust licked Yami's hand and chirped at him.

Yami sighed. "Fine... but only because you're a friend..." he said smiling at Malik, before offering Dust a nibble at a sugar cookie.

Malik smiled and got up, hugging Yami. "thanks." He said, absent mindedly licking his cheek. "I owe you." And he kissed little Dust.

Dust chirped and licked Malik's cheek.

Yami began preening Dust's wings. "I'm going to get my ass chewed for this..." Yami mumbled while he preened. "I'll probably ask for some bandages as the return favor..." Yami added amusedly.

Malik snickered. "I'm sure Seto will be okay with it. Want me to hang around?"

Yami chuckled. "No it's fine...We'll be spitting fire at each other, I'm sure you'd like to not be around for it." He said calmly, tickling the small rabbit once more. "I'll take good care of him... he can sleep in that nest I made." he added smiling. "I'm sure all that string will just tickle him to death."

Malik smiled and nodded. "Okay." He said. "Good luck. I'm gonna head home with Spunky." And he smiled down at Spunky who was napping in his arms. "See ya." And he headed out.

Yami picked up the small bundle of feathers. "Don’t listen to Seto...he doesn't know anything about birds." Yami said calmly, peering into Seto's office. "Hey Seto..." he said softly. "I um...have a favor to ask."

Seto blinked, but continued typing on his computer.

"Name it, love bird." He said, continuing typing the letter to his lawyer in regards to the Twilight Menagerie situation.

Yami coughed slightly. "I uh... got a pet." he said after a moment. "I want to keep it."

Seto froze, and slowly looked up. "What?" He asked. "You got WHAT?!"

Yami flicked a wing slightly. "One of the bunnies from Ryou's rabbits...he needed a place to stay..." he said calmly. "I couldn't say no, Ryou would be heartbroken!"

Seto blinked and laid eyes on the rabbit. "Does he have... WINGS?! Oh God! It's a BIRD!! No! Yami, no! If it were a normal rabbit, maybe but... oh God. Give him back!"

Yami wrinkled his nose. "What... might I ask, is WRONG with birds?" he said glaring.

"They're a handful Yami. I have enough on my plate with YOU! I can't handle a rabbit bird!" He cried.

Yami shook his head. "I'm keeping him." he said firmly. "If you think you can face up to Ryou and give this bunny back to him after all he's going through, then YOU do it." He said holding out the bunny.

Dust cheeped at him softly, ears drooping.

Seto stared at the rabbit, and sighed. "Fine." He finally surrendered. "You can keep him."

Yami grinned. "Thanks Seto." He cooed at the bunny, rubbing noses with it. "He's the same colors as the stuff you wear..." He said after a minute. "I wouldn't have let you take him back even if you said you would... he reminds me of you."

Seto blinked, then groaned and let his face fall into his hand. "Great... a rabbit with wings makes you think of me... JUST what I needed to hear..."

Yami rolled his eyes while playing with the bunny. "I can think of someone who needs to stop typing at a computer." he cooed to Dust, who chittered gleefully.

Seto grunted. "I'm working on putting that Dartz bastard away for good." He snarled.

Yami chuckled. "Revenge huh?" he said letting Dust flitter over to Seto's desk and hop across the keyboard to look the CEO in the eyes.

Seto blinked and looked down at the rabbit. "Uhhhhhh...."

Dust chirped at him and stood on his hind legs, pawing at the air as if to say 'Pet me! Pick me up! You know you want to!'

Seto blinked again. "Yami, what's he doing?"

Yami laughed slightly. "I think he wants you to pet him Seto." he said shaking his head. "Why don’t you indulge the poor guy."

Seto slowly reached out and pet the creature, hesitantly.

"Like this?"

Dust chirped and licked Seto's hand, before nuzzling into him. Yami chuckled. "I'd assume so, since he seems to be pleased."

Seto blinked, then slowly smiled. "He does." He said, beginning to give the rabbit full strokes instead of small pats.

Yami walked over and leaned on Seto's desk. "See? He likes you... and you wanted me to give him back. Admit it, he's cute."

Seto frowned. "No. I'll destroy my image if I do." He said, thought his eyes sparkled with amusement.

Yami chuckled and kissed Seto's forehead. "Oh really? As many secrets as we keep between the two of us, one more won’t matter..." he cooed lovingly. "You and I both know you think this little fellow's cute."

Seto turned and caught Yami's lips in a kiss. "Yes. We do." He said softly, smiling.

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

Drago: Yep… Poor Marik needs a LOT of help.

K.E.Y. : Yeah, Marik has finally just lost it. And yes, it will take more than just a few naps to help Marik now. But we all know that Rem will take good care of him.

Andyouthinkimcrazy: O.o Why NOT leave him with Pegasus. Pegasus will take care of Ryou while Marik is taken care of by Rem.