The Jungle

The Jungle

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 26

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Seto flipped open his cell.

"Kaiba he-- MARIK!! NO!!! DON'T PUSH BUTTONS IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO!!! MOKUBA! GET OUT OF THE CAGE, YOU’RE NOT A STRIPPER!!! Kaiba here...." Seto muttered, embarrassed.

Rem laughed softly. "Marik can be a handful." She said amusedly. "I was wondering if you would mind stopping by... there's something I think you should see." She said smiling broadly. "Try to come as fast as you can, but make sure they're dressed, it is store hours."

Seto blinked. "Oh really? What is it, has something -- Dammit Bakura! No! For God's sake, you've been here ten minutes and you're already getting into the vodka?! THAT IS NOT FOR YOU, PUT THAT STUFF AWAY!!! What is it, what's happened, Rem?"

Rem laughed. "You'll see, just hurry." She said shaking her head. "And keep Bakura out of the booze."

"No shit. He's enough trouble as it is. I'll be right there." And he hung up. "Okay boys, that was Rem. She wants us to come see her right away! And it's business hours... Marik, Bakura, you'll need to change to your shorts." Bakura and Marik charged across the club and outside, heading for the helicopter, shedding their clothes until they were in their boxers. Mokuba climbed in after them. Seto smiled and looked at Yami.

"Are you okay to fly?" He asked.

Yami nodded slightly. "I'll be fine... but I think I'm going to have to ride home... that fall kinda... hurt." he said sheepishly, lifting his left wing. He folded it once more and chuckled. "So just save me a seat on the way back ok? I'm getting a little tired anyway."

Seto smiled. "You don't have to fly to the shop if you don't want to. I'm VERY proud of you for flying so well on the way here." And he leaned over and kissed Yami's cheek.

Yami laughed. "I'll be fine... just let me rest after this." He said firmly. "My wings will need it." With that, he walked outside and with a few flaps was already waiting in the air for Seto and the others. "Get a move on Kaiba." He said chuckling.

Seto shook his head, mimicking Yami's chuckle. "Yeah yeah, keep your pants on." He said, getting into the chopper and telling the pilot where to go. The chopper lifted off and within fifteen minutes, it was setting down. But the thing hadn't even touched the ground before Marik and Bakura leapt from the thing and dashed for the door, Seto shouting and cursing at them.

Inside the pet shop, people screamed as the doors slammed open to admit the skunk and lion (who held his bunny plushy by the ear in his teeth).

"REM!!! REEEEEMMMM!!!" The pair shouted, looking eagerly for the woman. They spotted her and changed direction, slipping and sliding as their claws skittered over the floor. They charged towards her on all fours, calling her name, Marik making eager lion noises. As they got closer, Marik dropped his plushy and both took flying leaps, tackling her and bringing her down, and were soon covering her face in loving licks, nuzzles and purrs.

"EEEK!! Hahaha!!! you two calm down!" She said shoving them off playfully. "You have to calm down!" She scolded amusedly. "You're scaring the customers, is that any way to act?"

Yami huffed, walking in calmly. "Ra, she says to act civil, and you two barrel in like wild animals... very classy." He said, folding his wings, breathing a bit harshly from the flight.

Rem laughed and scratched Bakura's ears. "Well, I have something I asked you to come see, but you have to be very calm ok?"

Bakura purred and leaned into the scratches while Marik gave her another lick, before turning and trotting off to reclaim his bunny. He picked it up in his mouth and looked around at all of the people watching him, lashing his tail, and got quite a few laughs and 'awww's. He shook his mane, then turned and trotted back over to Rem, nuzzling her, purring.

Seto finally entered, panting. "Bakura! Marik! Next time, WAIT!!" Mokuba followed Seto in, looking around, curiously.

"What did you want to show us?" Bakura asked.

Rem laughed. "Something VERY special." She said getting up and slowly walking back to Marik's old cage. "Marik... I want you to look around... and tell me what is familiar." She said, amusedly. It would take him a moment to notice the small fluffy white ear tip, just barely visible from Ryou's old cage, and the smile that would come afterward would make everyone's day.

Marik blinked and cocked his head, lashing his tail. He dropped his plushy and looked at Rem.

"It's my old cage." He said. "And the hole Malik dug in it. Of course it’s familiar, I lived in there for three years."

Rem laughed. "Look around more sweetie, what else is here?" She said motioning to his cage, Ryou's old cage, Bakura's old cage and Yami's old cage. "What do you remember?"

Marik sighed and picked up his bunny as he paced along the cages. "Ryou's cage..." He said in a low tone, taking the bunny and clutching it to his chest as he sat down. "Bakura's cage... and... what is that thing in it?"

"Hedgehog." Mokuba said, reading the label. "And there's a cockatoo in this one!"

"That was Yami's cage." Marik said, then looked at the label on Ryou's old cage; there was none. He sighed and looked over it. The water bottle was there, a few toys, an of course the log... Ah... that log... He remember the hot steamy night that he and Ryou had spent together under that thing... then, he saw the food dish; it was full of fruit. He frowned.

The cage wasn't labeled, but there was food in the dish. He frowned and lifted his head, looking at the log. He slowly stood upright to see, and then lifted himself onto his tip toes. His breath caught in his throat and his heart pounded when he saw a small little tuft of white...

Rem smiled laughing softly. "Why Marik... do you see something?" She said playfully, scratching his ears. "Something very special?" She said turning and smiling back to Seto and Yami. "We have a very special guest today." She said, fixing his hair with her hands. "Someone very special, but you have to be VERY calm ok? Out little guest is very stressed out... so you need to be calm, be quiet and be gentle... okay Marik?" She said scratching his ears.

Marik turned large disbelieving eyes on Rem, his shaking hands clutching his bunny even tighter. Bakura looked up at Seto with wide eyes as well.

"Muuurrr?" Was all Marik managed to get out.

"Now Marik, that's no way to tell me what you want." Rem said tapping his nose. "You're a person, now act like it." She added smiling and running her hands over his hair once more, smoothing it out until he looked as perfect as he could look on such short notice.

Marik gulped. "R-Rem... is that... is it....?" And he looked down at the bunny in his claws.

Rem gently pulled the bunny plushy away and pulled a set of keys from her pocket. "Why don’t you go in and see?" She offered, jingling the keys.

Inside the cage the barely visible ear twitched slightly at the soft sound of keys, before settling back into the shavings.

Marik gulped and slowly crept in, dropping to all fours and sniffing. His eyes widened and his ears perked. He would know that scent anywhere. It was Ryou. His heart pounding, he called out, gently.

"Murrrrrrumph!"

Rem crossed her arms. "Now you know what I just told you." She scolded softly, though she was smiling. "Act like the person you are." She said chuckling. "He's sleeping under the bedding." She added, whispering amusedly.

But Marik didn't seem to hear her. He slowly crept across the wood shavings of the cage, until he was within a foot of Ryou's ear.

"R-Ryou?" He called, almost expecting this to be a different bunny, all of this a cruel joke on him.

Ryou's ear perked up slightly, followed by a soft yawn. He stretched under the bedding and sat up dazedly. "mmm..." he mumbled looking around, catching sight of Marik. He yelped, jumping and thunking his head on the underside of the log, before hunching down and backing up, frightened and beginning to growl, still half asleep and not recognizing Marik.

Marik's eyes widened. It WAS Ryou!!! His ears perked up excitedly and his tail begin to wag.

"Muuurrrrrumph!!!" He exclaimed, excitedly.

Ryou lunged forward and bit Marik, still half asleep and dazed, but he froze; his teeth sunk into soft flesh, but the scent of sand, sun and sandlewood filled his nose. Ryou mewled softly, closing his eyes and letting go, beginning to nurse the wound he'd just inflicted. That scent was special to him, he could never hurt someone with that wonderful beautiful scent...

Marik blinked a moment, still not sure what had happened. But then, he looked down at stared at Ryou licking his fore arm. And he smiled. He slowly lay down and purred loudly, nuzzling and licking Ryou's face, but then, he leapt forwards, flinging his arms around Ryou and hugging him tightly, unable to hold back his tears.

"Ryou!" He cried. "Oh, Gods, Ryou!!!"

Ryou squeaked, shocked out of his dazed tending of the wound. "Ahh! L-let go!" He wailed squirming immediately. "I am not to be touched!" he hissed, kicking at Marik shaking his head. He slowly calmed however, when Marik did not listen and he finally got a good look at the lion clutching him.

Ryou stared for a moment, his empty eyes sparkling with some of the life that had been stamped out of him so long ago. "Marik...." he said almost too softly to hear.

Marik loosened his hold, allowing himself to move back so that he and Ryou could get full views of each other. He grinned, tears flowing down his face.

"Ryou... Gods... Ryou..." He gasped, unable to form a sentence in his overwhelming joy.

Ryou blinked a few times shaking his head, staring at Marik wide eyed. He felt so much all at once. Overjoyed that Marik was here... and ashamed and pitiful for failing him as a mate. He backed up slightly, further into the log. "M-Marik..." He whimpered sniffling softly. He looked down and his ears drooped. "I'm so sorry..." he said after a moment.

Marik blinked, then grinned and lay down on his belly, shuffling in after Ryou.

"For what?" He asked. "Don't apologize... I... I'm so happy to see you!" He said. "Please don't hide from me!"

Ryou inched farther back, still remaining hidden in the log. "I'm so sorry..." He said, tears beginning to trickle down his cheeks. "P-Pegasus...." he whimpered looking away, unable to even begin to say what he'd become.

Marik reached out, grasping Ryou's upper arms and licking the tears from his face.

"Shhhh....." He crooned, purring. "Shhhh... I don't care. I don't care Ryou. I love you. And as long as you still love me, that's all that matters..."

Ryou sniffled, hugging Marik suddenly, beginning to sob into his arms. "Marik I'm so sorry!" he sobbed shaking his head. "I sh-shouldn't have ever tried to make you something you're not!" he sobbed louder. "W-what example am I, I'm.... just a stupid little bunny..." he said closing his eyes and sobbing harshly.

Marik closed his eyes and held Ryou, purring. "No... no, baby... you were right... you were right all along. Don't apologize. You have started something greater than you can imagine... You have given me my humanity. And I'm so happy you did...." He licked Ryou's tears away. "I'm so happy you did... I love you." And he kissed Ryou.

Ryou sniffled pulling away from the kiss and crying harder. "H-how can you still love me? I'm no lover... I'm a slut..." he muttered, ears drooping. "Malik was right... I'm just a stupid bunny whore... Pegasus' lapbunny..." he turned away from Marik, ashamed and began to cry harder. "Marik... I'm so sorry... I'm... I don’t deserve your love...." he said shaking his head. "I... was not a good lover..."

Marik's eyes widened. "Malik called you that?!" He gasped, then cuddled up to Ryou. "Ryou, you are NOT a whore, or a slut... And you do deserve my love, because I have chosen you to receive it... I love you... Do you love me, Ryou? Please... please say that you do..." the lion gasped.

Ryou sniffled softly and looked at Marik. "I...." he said softly, looking down. "Y-you... want me?" he asked sniffling. "Y-you still love me... knowing.... what's happened to me? What I've done? What a filthy whore I am?"

Marik smiled and nodded. "Of course I still want you!" He said, nuzzling Ryou and purring. "I want you more than anything! I love you! You are not a filthy whore, and you haven't done anything wrong! I know what has happened. I know you have been left with not other choice. I am not angry at you, and I do not blame you... I love you. Please... please say you love me..."

Ryou offered Marik a weak smile. "I... I st-still love you..." he said softly, sniffling. He nuzzled into Marik's arms and sniffled softly. "Marik... I've missed you..." he whispered, beginning to groom his lover's ears. "B-but... I... I don’t think there's any humanity left in me..." he mumbled, resting his head on Marik's shoulder. "I'm a good bunny..." he said laying down and curling up. "R-Rex's been glaring at me.... since I got here... he wants to hurt me...." he said, trembling slightly at the idea.

Marik let out a low growl, moving over Ryou and hanging over him, protectively. "He will not touch you..." Marik said, his very voice vibrating with his growl. "Not if he wants to stay in one piece."

Ryou grinned and nuzzled Marik lovingly. "Marik..." he cooed, beginning to bathe him lovingly. "I've missed you...."

Marik's growl changed to a purr as he looked down at Ryou and smiled. "I've missed you too..." He said, nuzzling Ryou and licking his face, then kissing him.

Bakura crept into Ryou's cage and made his way over to the log. He blinked and peered under. His eyes widened. He turned back to Rem, Seto and Mokuba, and a few other curious viewers, blushed and grinned, then moved his tail to block their view inside the log.

"Let's give them their privacy, people!" Bakura giggled. Mokuba brought his hands to his face and started shaking his head yelping 'oh, eeew, please!' Seto's eyes widened.

"Bakura! They... they're not.... ARE THEY?!" Seto howled, mortified.

Yami chuckled slightly. "Seto this is Ryou we're talking about." he said, walking over to his old cage and looking at the cockatoo interestedly. Ryou giggled softly at the comments the others made and looked at Marik mischievously. "It's... tradition.... I think that we have a little fun under this log." He whispered giving Marik a sincere smile.

Marik's face split into a wide grin. "Oh really?" He asked, purring and thumping his tail against the sides of the log. "Hmmm... I suppose we could... have some fun..." And he nuzzled Ryou again before tugging his ear with a playful lion meow.

Ryou giggled and squirmed under Marik, gently nipping one of his exposed nipples, looking feisty yet amused. "I've missed you..." he said nuzzling him once more.

Marik growled playfully and tumbled over Ryou, licking and nipping at his chest and shoulders, and eventually beginning to rub against him.

Ryou shivered and his ears quivered a bit. "Marik..." he said closing his eyes, enjoying being so close to his lover, touching him, being touched... the very scent of him was a dream come true. "You're real..." he mumbled softly, running his hands into Marik's hair and sniffling softly, licking his cheeks. "You.... you're really real..." he said, smiling as broadly as he'd ever smiled. "And... you're here, with me.... just for me..."

Marik blinked, then laughed. "Of course I'm real!" He exclaimed. "Did you only just now figure that out?" And he nipped Ryou's ear teasingly. "And I am just for you... for ever and ever and ever..." He purred, showering Ryou with affection.

Ryou grinned and hugged him tightly. "I'm afraid... I don’t want to wake up if this is a dream..." he whispered in Marik's ear, gently tugging it. "Malik told me so much... I didn't believe him..."

Marik blinked, then moved away a bit. "Didn't believe him?" He asked, curiously cocking his head. "Didn't believe what? What did he say?"

Ryou sat up slowly, stretching. "He... said you.... were trying to be human just for me..." Ryou said after a moment. ".... I guess the boxers are human." He said giggling slightly.

Marik blinked, then looked back his boxers that had a winged pig pattern. He grinned and blushed slightly, chuckling. "Ah... yeah... well, we don't often go out into public fully dressed and walking upright. It's not exactly how people normally see hybrids, but... I do have clothes... and I do walk upright... and... I can use a fork when I eat now! AND I can use a toilet!!!" Marik exclaimed, proudly.

Ryou grinned. "You have... clothes now?" he asked, curiously. "Can I see?" he added eagerly, ears perking slightly.

Marik grinned and nodded. "You really wanna see?" He asked. "Do... do you wanna see Bakura's too? And Yami! Yami is here! And so is Seto Kaiba! When Malik was taken away, Seto adopted us!! Come see everyone!" Marik said, now shaking in his excitement. He began making excited lion noises and nudging Ryou out of the log.

Ryou squeaked and scooted back into his log. "I can’t..." he said beginning to tug his own ears anxiously. "I... want clothes too..." he mumbled, raising his hands and listening to the tinkle of small bells, attached to his little bunny gloves.

"Awww...." Marik cooed. "But Ryou... you look so CUTE!!!" He said, and barreled through Bakura's tail and out of the log. "C'mon c'mon c'mon!!!" He called, romping around in excitement before tumbling to a stop and poking his head into the log again, grinning at Ryou.

Ryou smiled softly and shook his head. "I... I'm shy..." he said softly, hunching down and beginning to rebury himself in the bedding.

Yami chuckled preening his wings and watching the whole thing. "Seto, it's good to see him happy..." he said after a moment.

Seto smiled and nodded, eyeing Marik's tail that was wildly swinging back and forth. Bakura snickered down at Marik's flying pig boxers. The lion had taken Ryou's left ear in his mouth and was gently tugging it, trying to get Ryou out of the log. Bakura turned and dropped to all fours, running to the other side of the log and bursting in, intending on scaring Ryou out.

"BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!!!" He shouted, charging at the bunny.

Ryou yelped and immediately took refuge under the bedding, tugging Marik forward into the log by his ear, and whimpering at the slight pain he got from the experience.

"Boys boys!" Rem called, tapping her foot. "Don’t you think you should let him get used to you? You can play games after you get home." She said smiling.

Marik yelped as Bakura skidded, and they cracked skulls.

"YOU MORON! OWWW!!!" Marik howled.

"Fuck, Marik! Your head is fuckin' hard!" Bakura yelped, and both backed out of the log, grimacing and rubbing their heads. Seto laughed.

Yami snickered as well. "Brilliant." He said amusedly.

Rem laughed as well, walking into the cage and gently digging Ryou up, and scooping him into her arms. "You two need to calm down, he's part bunny, he's very skittish, you should know better than to scare him." She said scolding Bakura slightly.

Bakura growled and muttered, but then looked up. He saw Ryou, and he grinned.

"THUMPER!!!" He cried joyfully, getting to his feet and running over, hugging Ryou and nuzzling him, licking his cheeks. Seto quirked and eyebrow.

"I didn't know Bakura liked Ryou that much." He said, looking at Yami,

"He did. He didn't like to admit it, but Ryou just has a charming affect on people." Yami said letting his wings droop slightly. "Nnn... my wings are so tired..." he mumbled, tilting his head to the side at the Cockatoo, who giggled and inched closer, mimicking Yami.

"Oh I think I like this chick, she's got a good sense of humor." Yami added as the two of them began conversing on feathers and preening.

Rem laughed. "Bakura! Bakura! Calm down!" she said carrying Ryou from the cage. "You have to calm down before he can leave."

"Leave?" Marik asked, anxiously trotting after Rem, still on all fours. "He's leaving? Already?! But Rem! I've only seen him for a few minutes! PLEASE!!!" And the lion's eyes began to fill with tears.

Rem chuckled. "Marik... where's Pegasus?" she asked amused.

Marik blinked and looked around. "Huh? I dunno... where is he?"

Rem laughed. "Then who could Ryou possibly leave with?"

Marik blinked again.

"Murr?"

"You moron!" Bakura snapped, smacking Marik. "She means us!!!" Marik's ears perked and his eyes widened.

"Ryou's coming home with us?!" He exclaimed.

"Wait... he is?" Seto asked, looking at Rem.

Rem nodded. "He can, but just for tonight, and only if Seto will let him."

Ryou looked at Marik pleadingly, tugging his own ears and whimpering softly. "Marik...." he mewled, squirming in Rem's arms slightly, wanting to be nearer his dream come true.

Marik and Bakura both turned and ran to Seto, prancing at his feet and making eager pleading whimpers, and pawing at his pants. Seto raised his eyebrows and backed away.

"Hey, hey, knock it off!" He ordered. "Of course Ryou can come with us." And the hybrids cheered, Marik letting out a joyful roar that drew the eyes of everyone in the shop.

Rem laughed. "Alright then." She said grinning. "Marik, why don’t you and Bakura go get him situated so you can take him home. Remember, it's JUST for tonight." She added warningly. "He has to be back here, before Pegasus comes back for him."

Marik and Bakura nodded, then both turned and charged out of the pet shop. Seto blinked, then looked at Rem.

"That's not what you wanted them to do, is it?" He asked in a dry tone.

Ryou giggled softly and squirmed in Rem's arms, finally managing to get loose, and hopping after them, slipping slightly on the tile before bolting out the doors after Marik, much like Tuc and Nod chased him.

"I know he's eager to be with Ryou..." Rem said laughing softly. "It seems Yami's made a friend as well." Sure enough, Yami was crooning and chittering with the Cockatoo, both seeming greatly enthusiastic with each other.

When Ryou hopped out of the Pet Shop, Marik and Bakura were no where in sight. And of course, this upset the poor bunny. But a moment later, the door of a helicopter opened and out emerged Bakura, fully dressed in his black leather pants and red button up shirt, boots and trench coat. And Marik followed a moment later in his jeans, white shirt (unbuttoned) brown leather jacket and hiking boots.

"Hey, Thumper! What do you think?" Bakura called, striking a pose. Marik grinned and stood behind Bakura, staring at the asphalt bashfully...

Ryou grinned and nodded eagerly. "You look pretty." he said amusedly, hopping past and nuzzling Marik's legs. "Marik..." he cooed, making soft noises that signaled he wanted picked up. "Marik... You look so wonderful!" he said, hopping slightly.
Marik grinned and knelt, wrapping his arms around Ryou and hugging him. "I'd pick you up and hold you..." He said. "But I'm not that balanced yet. I don't want to hurt you..." Bakura grinned.

"Let's go back in! Show off to ol' Rex and Company!" the skunk said with a grin, and Marik nodded and stood.

"Yeah! And Rem has my bunny!!!" The lion exclaimed. He looked down at Ryou, and held out a hand. "C'mon... Stand up." He said with a smile.

Ryou looked at Marik and whimpered softly, backing away. "I can’t." he said looking away. "I... I cant..." he hunched down and backed under the helicopter whimpering.

Marik smiled and knelt. "Why?" He asked. "It's only been a couple of months for you... I learned, and it's been three years for me." He flicked and ear.

Ryou shook his head sniffling. "I'm a good bunny..." he mumbled pathetically. "I'm a good bunny..."

Marik frowned. "No you're not." He said, softly. "You're a person, Ryou. A human. I know you can do it... please?" And he stretched a hand out to Ryou again, smiling. "Please, love?"

Ryou's ears drooped slightly, and he trembled. "D-do I have to?" he asked softly. "I... I'm not allowed..." he added beginning to tremble. "R-Rex will... hurt me..."

Marik smiled. "No he won't!" He said. "I'll protect you, Ryou. I promise. Please... just try? Rem will be so proud of you! She knows the truth now... she will be happy to see you walking." And the lion gently took Ryou's little paw into his hand.

Ryou sniffled softly and pulled back slightly. "b-but... I'm not supposed to..." he said softly, biting his lip, looking as though he were caught between wanting to please Marik, and wanting to be the good bunny he'd been trained to be.

"Ryou..." Marik said, letting go of his hand and moving back. He stood up. "Look at me." He held his arms out to the side. "Look at me and see how much you have changed me. You showed me that I am not an animal. I'm not a pet. I am a man. And so are you. All you have to do is remember that." He smiled.

Ryou nodded slightly. "I... I will... I will walk... b-but can it be j-just you and I?" He asked, trembling slightly his voice fearful. "J-just you and I u-until I'm ok?"

Marik blinked, then smiled and nodded. "Sure." He said. "We'll try it later, when we get home. Come on, now. Back inside." And Marik waited for Ryou to emerge so he could walk beside him. They re-entered the Pet Shop, where Bakura was showing off his boots and jacket to Rem, and telling her that his ass looked good in those pants.

Ryou smiled and giggled when Yami commented that his ass was hardly visible because of his big 'fluffy' tail.

"Ryou, I want you to be good while you stay with Marik, and don’t forget to come back, if Pegasus sees you gone, it'll be both our necks. I'm taking a big risk doing this Marik, don’t you forget either." Rem said smiling at Marik. "You look fabulous." She said scratching his ears lovingly. "My favorite little lion."

Marik melted under the scratch and purred loudly.

"Hey Rem?" Bakura said. "Why IS Ryou here? And... where's Malik?"

Rem and Ryou both frowned. "He... wouldn't eat." Ryou said softly, looking down. "He got really sick... because he wouldn't eat."

Bakura's eyes widened. "What? He starved himself?! Where is he?! Will he be okay?! Why did he do that to himself?! What happened?!" Bakura cried, immensely distressed.

"He'll be ok... b-but he's gotta stay under special care... Pegasus took me here, to make sure he could watch Malik until he got better." Ryou said softly, ears drooping. "I'm so sorry... it's my fault.." he said looking down.

"What?" Marik gasped, looking down at Ryou. "How?"

Ryou sniffled. "I...." he shook his head and looked back at his cage, wanting to crawl under his log suddenly, feeling lower than scum. "I..."

Rem picked him up and cuddled him. "I'm sure it wasn't something he meant to do." She said calmly. "And as long as Malik is ok, things will turn out right."

Bakura wasn't satisfied however. "What happened, Ryou?!" He snapped. "Why would Malik do that?! What happened?!"

"Bakura..." Marik whined, not wanting him to upset Ryou.

Ryou began to sob. "I'm sorry!" he wailed, clinging to Rem and crying into her chest. "I'm sorry!"

Marik's eyes widened and he quickly moved over, letting Rem continue to hold Ryou, but he wrapped his arms around the bunny and purred and crooned, nuzzling and licking his face, trying to comfort him.

"Shhhh... it's okay, baby... I'm sure you didn't do anything wrong... what happened? You can tell us. You know we won't blame you..."

Ryou whimpered and shook his head. "I'm sorry..." he mumbled, unwilling to tell his loved ones just how... lost inside the bunny he'd become. "P-please... don’t ask...."

Marik slowly took a breath, grounded his feet, and took Ryou from Rem, cuddling Ryou in his arms. Bakura's eyes widened and he moved closer, holding his hands out to support Marik if he lost his balance. The lion purred gently.

"Come on, Ryou... please. We have to know what happened to Malik..." He said.

Ryou sobbed into Marik's arms softly. ".... I... I don’t know why... I'm so sorry.... p-please don’t hate me..." he said looking at Marik, as though his heart were about to break. "Please... I'm sorry!"

Marik licked up Ryou's tears. "Ryou... Why would I hate you? What are you talking about?"

Ryou looked away. "Pegasus... t-told me to.... to... train him..." he said softly, sniffling and shaking like a leaf. "I... I don’t know why.... I... I…"

Marik frowned. "Train him? How? What did you do?"

Ryou shook his head. "Please stop...." he mumbled pathetically. "Please... I... I don’t know.... I..." he began to tug his own ears harshly. "I'm... I'm a good bunny... a... a good bunny!"

Marik frowned. "Ryou... what happened to Malik?" He asked, more firmly this time.

Ryou squirmed suddenly, shaking like a leaf. "S-stop!" He said frantically. "I... I..." he squirmed more, struggling to get away. "I need my master!" he wailed suddenly, looking caught between terrified, hurt and desperate.

Marik frowned and turned, carrying Ryou slowly back into his cage and over to the log. He knelt and crawled under it, cuddling Ryou, purring to him, and nuzzling him.

"Shhhh.... it's okay..." He cooed. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to upset you... it's okay... I love you, Ryou..." A moment later, Bakura crawled in from the other end. Marik blinked, ready to chase him out, but he relaxed when Bakura cuddled up to Ryou as well, wrapping his tail around the three of them, and nuzzling Ryou as well.

Ryou whimpered softly. "please... I'm sorry..." He mumbled burying his face into Marik's shoulder, sniffling softly. "He... he didn’t do what he was told... he... wouldn't eat the food... he got sick... it's my fault... I... I shouldn't have given him the gross food..." he mumbled sniffling. "P-Pegasus said to train him... I... I can’t help.... but listen..." he murmured softly.

Marik nuzzled Ryou and purred loudly, licking his face. Bakura sighed and smiled.

"Malik is stubborn like that..." He said, softly. "Don't feel bad." And the skunk began to gently groom the bunny's ears.

Ryou sniffled and nuzzled Bakura. "He said you were sexy." He said, hoping the meager compliment offering, would help console the skunk. "He'll... be ok. He just needs to take it easy... I promise to make sure he gets better..."

Rem sighed softly, shaking her head. "He'll be hard to get back to himself..." she said softly.

Seto sighed. "Well... Did you ever think that Marik and Bakura could come this far?" He asked her, smiling. "I mean... you had Marik for three years in here... Bakura for two..."

"Yes, but they were created back when it was much less complicated..." She said shaking her head. "Times have changed drastically... Daisuke is able to alter their perception of things, their very personalities.... and Ryou...." She sighed. "He will need so much support..."

Seto smiled. "Don't you think he has it?" He asked, looking at the log where the three hybrids cuddled together. "And he'll have Malik, when he gets better... and Yami and me... And Yami's little brother, Yugi... they were best friends before this happened, y'know..." Seto glanced over at Yami, who was still with the cockatoo.

Yami grinned and flapped his wings lightly, stirring up a breeze, as the cockatoo mimicked him more. "Ra I love you!" he chirped amusedly. "You're completely understanding!" he added.

The Cockatoo chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Can’t help but compliment a sexy creature like yourself..." it cooed. "I'd nest with you any day of the week..."

Yami blushed darkly and cooed back, as it was what was naturally meant to happen. He was a cock, and she was a hen after all.

Rem laughed softly. "You'd better do some thing with him or I'll have baby chicks running around my pet shop."

Seto turned and his eyes widened. "H-HEY!!!" He howled. "YAMI! Come ON!!! She's not blue, she's PINK!!!" Seto whined, and Mokuba pointed at his brother and burst out laughing. And moments later, three heads poked out of the log to see what was going on.

"Oh... Now THIS should be interesting..." Bakura snickered, perking his little ears.

The cockatoo cooed back and pressed her hands to the glass, giving Yami a seductive look. "How'd you like to do a little flyin' with me?" She cooed spreading her wings lightly, which bared colors that only they could see.

Ryou giggled softly at the slightly dazed look on Yami's face. "Is he ok?" He asked, watching the whole scene with mild intrigue.

Rem laughed. "You do know that cockatoos primary colors in bird vision is hues of blue and purple?" she said amusedly. "Not just pink and white."

Seto growled. "FUCK!!!" He yelped, getting several scathing looks from people around the shop. Marik cracked up.

"Okay Ryou... see, birds can see these ultraviolet colors, right? Yami likes blue. So Seto got this stuff that would make HIM ultraviolet blue! And me and Mokuba put it on Bakura, and Yami went NUTS!!! Latched onto him and wouldn't let go! Seto had to go after him with a Super Soaker to get him off of Bakura!!!"

"SHUT UP!!" Bakura snapped at the lion.

Ryou giggled and nuzzled Bakura. "I'll have to tell Malik about that." He said smiling. "He'd love that story."

Yami cooed melodically at the cockatoo hen, giving her a love-struck puppy look. "Flying is good...." he mumbled, letting his wings droop casually, unfolding them slightly to show off his own colors.

The cockatoo chirped softly, looking him over approvingly. "Pretty bird..." she said stretching her left wing out, watching as Yami mimicked her motion, looking like he was in a trance.

Ryou blinked. "That's cute." he said softly, giggling and nuzzling Marik. "But... he is ok right?"

Seto sighed and muttered to Rem. She giggled and muttered back, and Seto strode across the pet shop and into her office. He emerged a moment later with a squirt bottle. Mokuba took one look at it and smacked his hands over his mouth to keep from laughing. Seto walked right up to Yami, lifted the bottle, and squirted Yami in the face.

"DOWN boy!!!" He ordered.

Yami yelped and squawked, shaking his head and looking confused. "Ra dammit Seto stop DOING that!" he howled, snatching the squirt bottle and turning it on the wielder, soaking Seto as much as he could, as quickly as he could.

Marik, Bakura, Ryou, Mokuba and Rem all burst out laughing as Seto tried to wrestle the thing away from Yami. He finally got the thing and put Yami in a headlock, squirting him in the face, over and over and over again.

"Keep your damn hormones in check, Yami!" He ordered. "Or I WILL have you chemically castrated!"

Yami growled and hurled his weight onto Seto, knocking them both to the floor. "It's not my HORMONES dammit!" He growled, elbowing Seto in the gut. "I just like looking at that color!" he grumbled, huffing. "It's not MY fault you can’t see it!"

The cockatoo huffed slightly, crossing her arms. "Butt out, he's not your type anyway, blandy." she said her wings fluffing up slightly.

Seto glared up at her.

"And you would fuckin know this because....? Fly up into your little tree before I make you into a big bucket of KFC fried chicken!!!" The CEO snapped, then looked down at Yami. "And YOU control yourself. You look like an idiot drooling over her!" And he gave him one more squirt for good measure before getting up off of the floor.

The cockatoo huffed slightly and glared at Seto, defiantly. "I know because you're not anything he'd be looking for. You're not a hybrid, you're not a bird, and you are simply ugly." She said calmly. "There's no bright coloration, you're not physically desirable and poorly proportioned." She added, deciding to take Seto down a few notches on the ego ladder. "You're an ungangly colorless, loudmouthed, insensitive by the look of it, bossy buyer."

Ryou's eyes widened. This wouldn't end well, and by the look of if, it wouldn't end 'moderately ok' either. He inched closer to Marik and whimpered softly, knowing shouting was to ensue.

Seto looked at her, then smirked. "And you're an insecure bitch who has to rely on coloring to attract a mate, because you certainly won't be doing it with that personality." Seto replied, calm as ever. Then he eyed her. "Or that face... did those morons actually try to give you a beak, or did your nose always look like that?"

"OHHHHH!!!" Marik and Bakura chorused.

"SETO, SCORES TWO!!! BITCHY CHICK, ONE!!!" Bakura announced happily. Seto chuckled, then offered Yami a hand up.

Yami stared at him a moment, unable to decide if he should take the hand or not. Seto and that girl were FIGHTING over him, and by all means it was really boosting his ego, which had been more than a little violated after being changed into a bird.

The cockatoo growled. "Oh and you're much better helmet head?" she huffed. "The way you're fawning over him, I bet you special ordered him." She hissed.

Yami's eyes widened a bit and he had to hold back a chuckle. This was rather entertaining... and nothing was more interesting, than how Seto handled himself when angry.

Seto whirled and slammed his fist into the side of her cage, right in front of her face.

"SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH YOU ARROGANT HEN!!!" He roared. Marik, Bakura and Ryou threw their ears up in surprise and their jaws dropped. Rem saw this and giggled; they had done it all in unison.

"HE WAS NOT SPECIAL ORDERED!!! GODDAMMIT, I LOVE HIM!!! I LOVED HIM BEFORE HE BECAME A HYBRID, AND I LOVE HIM AS A HYBRID!!! IF HE WEREN'T A HYBRID, YOU WOULDN'T GIVE HIM A SECOND GLANCE!!!" Mokuba's jaw dropped as well. Seto took a few deep breathes. "The difference between YOU and ME, bird, is that you LUST for him because of WHAT he is... I LOVE him for WHO he is... no matter what form he may take..." The three hybrids under the log started looking back and forth between the two birds, eagerly awaiting their reactions.

Yami chuckled slightly. "Seto..." he said rubbing his ears slightly. "If my ears weren't ringing.... I'd whisper sweet nothings in your ear.... but I can hardly hear myself think...." he said grinning.

The cockatoo growled at Seto agitatedly. "Seems I struck a nerve..." She hissed glaring at him. "You were the one to cause his becoming a bird weren't you?" She scoffed. "Some lover... he'd be wise to watch his wings, unless you suddenly crave fried chicken..." Yami looked to Seto, slowly standing up and stretching his wings slightly a bit surprised at Seto's reactions to her provoking. "You're the lowly type of person, who claims to love after fucking up, to hide the fact..."

Seto snorted. "I would give my life if it meant sparing Yami of this..." He growled, then turned and looked at Yami. "And besides. He knows I like hot wings..." And he winked at the male hybrid. Then he turned back to the female. "And who said I was hiding? I fucked up. I know that. I'm not trying to hide it. So you say to me whatever it takes to make you feel better. In the end, I know who he would choose. And it's not you." He smirked. "After all... only a week ago, that skunk, over there... he caught Yami's interest even more than you are. Isn't that right, Bakura?"

"SHUT UP!!!" Bakura howled, tilting his ears back.

"HAH!!!" Marik laughed. "It's true!!! It's true!!!" Seto smirked and looked at the bird.

"So face it, sweetie... he finds a... 'boring, bossy gangly blandy' and a skunk more interesting that you." And Seto turned. "Ryou? Are you ready to go?"

Yami chuckled softly. "Seto be nice." He said shaking his head and smiling, looking a great deal happier than he had in days. Something about Seto being so adamant and proud to fight over him just made his day.

Ryou nodded and hopped out of the log, his ears having fallen back against his hair. "I'm ready!" he called eagerly.

Yami chuckled softly as they began walking out. "You certainly were fierce about that..." He said slyly. "Why the sudden emotional outburst? She ruffle the feathers you don’t have?" Yami cooed resting his chin on Seto's shoulder.

Seto rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up and get in the chopper..." He grumbled. "Jeeze... and I thought Bakura was the oversexed one..." He shook his head and looked at Rem. "Thanks for calling me. I'll have Ryou back first thing in the morning." And he looked down at the bunny who was hopping around Marik and Bakura as they brushed the wood shavings off of their clothes.

Ryou nuzzled Marik, and eagerly hopped into his lap inside the helicopter. He sat happily there, nuzzling his lover. "Marik..." He mewled softly looking at Marik completely love-struck. "You love me.... and came back for me... and try so hard to be human for me...." he mumbled resting his head on Marik's shoulder.

Yami sat in Seto's lap and looked at him smugly. "Thanks..." He said after a minute. "It was almost like old times, watching you decimate someone who spoke poorly of you."

Seto blinked, then gave Yami a look.

"You over grown stuck up peacock..." He grumbled, then kissed Yami. "Did... did you really find her that... desirable?" He asked, softly.

Yami blushed lightly. "Sexually, no. I've told you... it doesn't make me want to hop in the sack when I see those colors..." He replied in equal softness. "I just... it feels very fuzzy and warm." he said chuckling slightly. "Like falling in love. but not... I just want to stare at it until my eyes fall out."

Seto chuckled at the mental image of Yami's eyes falling out and bouncing away. "Okay..." He said, stroking Yami's wings as the pilot started the prop. Suddenly, there was a roar from the back seat, and a moment later, Marik flashed by with a howl of 'MY BUNNY!!!' He flew into the Pet Shop.

"Oh, good God... like we're not coming back tomorrow..." Seto mumbled. Inside, Marik tore across the pet shop.

"REM!!!" He roared, coming to a stop before her. "My bunny!" And he began snuffling over all of her pockets.

Rem laughed. "Marik sweetie... your bunny..." She said pointing to Ryou, who was panting softly having jumped out of the chopper and hopped after Marik as quickly as he could.

"Marik..." Ryou whimpered, flopping down and panting.

"You have your bunny." She said smiling. "You should take care of him."

Marik smiled and purred, licking Ryou's cheek, but then looked up at Rem. "No, my plushy!" He exclaimed. "I... I want Ryou to hold it for a while so that... that when he leaves it... smells like him..." And Marik's ears drooped at the thought of Ryou leaving again.

Rem laughed softly, and pulled the small plushy from her pocket, giving it to Marik. "Alright sweetie... you give him a good time ok? It's the only day he'll have to be human until you get him back for good... make sure you give him the best day you can."

Marik grinned and took his plushy into his mouth, nuzzling Rem, then Ryou, before turning and trotting for the door, Ryou hopping by his side. Rem shook her head as they left, smiling. Outside, they ran over to the helicopter and leapt up into it, Seto glaring.

Ryou nuzzled Marik once more. "You're so tall..." he said laughing slightly. "I never would have guessed..."

Yami laughed and gave Seto a peck on the cheek. "let them have their fun..." He whispered. "They only get each other for a day..." he added nodding slightly.

Seto sighed and nodded in return. "Yeah... poor things..." He glanced back, watching Marik gently cuddle Ryou and cover his face with little kisses. Bakura sighed and watched the pair as well, while Mokuba just enjoyed the view as the helicopter lifted off.

Ryou nuzzled Marik lovingly. "So... you've been well?" He asked sighing contently, clinging to Marik slightly because of the chopper taking off. "You... look so handsome in those clothes...." Ryou added blushing. "Malik said you did..."

Marik smiled. "I've been great. But I missed you. And I'm glad that you think I'm... handsome..." And the lion blushed, making Bakura snicker. "I've been taking care of Tuc and Nod for you." Marik said, gently combing Ryou's hair with his claws.

Ryou smiled and sighed. "I'm glad... I missed them so much..." he said leaning into Marik's arms and yawning softly. "I'm.... glad you came to get me." He added smiling and nuzzling into his warm embrace. "Someday... you and I can do the things we used to talk about." He said dreamily, starting to want a mid-morning nap.

"Why someday?" Marik asked, nuzzling Ryou. "Why not now? I mean... I will get you away from Pegasus somehow. And I'll do everything to give you the life you deserve... And the life you want. So... tell me... what IS the life you want?"

Ryou yawned softly, his little mouth opening wide for such a powerful yawn. "Adventure..." he mumbled burying his head into Marik's neck and hair. "Travel.... and you...." he said softly, closing his eyes and laughing softly. "Someday... I'll have those things."

Marik smiled and purred, cradling Ryou and beginning to groom his ears and his face, gently. Bakura sighed and smiled slightly at the sight, but soon turned to look out the window, wishing that he had someone with great big ears that he could groom...

Ten minutes later, the chopper was setting down on the helipad in the yard of Seto Kaiba's manor. Seto climbed out and was followed by Yami, then Bakura. Seto watched his brother hop out of the chopper, then watched Marik slowly slide out with Ryou cuddled in his arms, his bunny plushy being cuddled by the bunny that the plushy served to remind him of.

Yami chuckled and cooed at Seto. "Aren't they cute together?" He said shaking his head. "I'm going to get a small fox doll for Bakura I think... he looks jealous...."

Ryou yawned softly, nodding off in Marik's caring grasp, feeling like he was already home. Home, safe and sound, and in the arms of his beloved.

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

Pegasus looked up as Dai came in wheeling a cart, and walked over to the nest that was lifted up onto a platform so that its occupant could be easily reached. Dai pushed aside one of the heating lamps aimed at the nest, then gently pulled the blankets from Malik's frail body. Pegasus moved forwards as Malik shivered, and gently stroked his hair.

Malik whimpered softly, shivering and opening his eyes slightly. He was still alive. He lifted his head slightly, but quickly laid it back down as a wave of dizziness hit him like a ton of bricks. His stomach was so empty it seared his insides. He was thirsty, hungry and confused. How had he gotten here? It didn't feel like sand beneath him anymore... it felt soft.

He tried to get up, and whimpered, slumping back into the nest, a tangle of IVs and blankets. "Wh-where....am I?" he moaned softly, closing his eyes and trying to overcome his own dizziness.

"Easy, Malik..." Pegasus crooned, softly. He gently stroked Malik's ears, then bent over and kissed his cheek. "You're going to be okay... just relax... Dai is taking care of you." And he looked up at Dai who switched out an empty bag of fluids for a full one, letting the liquid drip down a tube and into Malik's blood stream through a needle in his arm. The man then reached up and gripped Malik's neck, checking his watch and timing the fennec's pulse, then let go and stroked his side.

Malik sighed and looked away miserably. He'd lived... and for what? Just more time in a miserable existence of servitude... an existence where he was another person's pet. Malik sighed softly and opened his eyes to gaze at the blankets in the little nest. So... this was how it was going to end?

The life he'd had would be ended by this man... the person known as Malik Ishtar just... was gone? Bakura's heart would break if he saw him like this.... Malik shuddered softly and sniffled.

Pegasus smiled and kissed Malik's cheek again. "You're going to be okay... Ryou is so worried... He wanted to stay with you." Pegasus sighed and continued to pet the fox. He watched as Dai took Malik's temperature, and this time Malik did not freak at the presence of a thermometer under his tail. Dai then looked over.

"I'm giving him a feeding tube. Lift his head please?" He asked. Pegasus nodded and lifted Malik's head and opened his mouth, and a moment later the poor fennec found a tube being forced down his throat and into his stomach.

Malik choked slightly on the tube and looked at Pegasus pathetically. So this was what he was reduced to...? His ears drooped and he sighed once again. A fox just clinging to life by tubes and IVs... how grand a life he now led.

Bakura had fought so hard to be human, what if it was all for nothing? What if he never saw that beautiful black furred lover of his again....? Not that he wanted to be seen like this. Malik choked back a sob. 'I want to go home... t-to my sister... to Bakura...'

"Shhhh...." Pegasus crooned, continuing to gently stroke Malik's hair. He held his head up, and one of Dai's assistants helped Malik to sit up a bit. Then, they stuck a funnel into the end of the tube and poured a thin chicken broth filled with vitamins and other nutrients into the funnel. It slipped down and into Malik's starved stomach.

"There now..." Pegasus said with a smile, kissing Malik's cheek. "I'll bet you're feeling better already. My poor little fennec..."

Malik couldn't hide the tears that slipped down his cheeks. He didn't want to be here anymore, he wanted to go back to Ishizu, have her yell at him for being irresponsible and smile about his plans for the evening. He wanted to see Bakura trying so hard to do the things he had been asked.

He wanted to go back to life before he'd been changed. 'I'm not yours... I'd rather die.' he thought, sobbing. 'just let me die, it's heartless of you to keep me alive in this misery...'

Pegasus sighed and continued to pet Malik. "Ryou misses you." He said, trying to get Malik to think of something else. "He's very worried about you... and so am I... Ryou will be heart broken if you leave him..." He told Malik, as Dai slowly pulled the tube from Malik's throat, making the poor fox gag. Finally it was out, and Pegasus gently lay Malik's head back down and covered him with the blankets again. "Rest Malik... and you'll be better before you know it..."

Malik hiccupped and groaned, curling into a tight ball, his stomach bothering him. It'd been so long since he'd eaten or drank that that small bit of broth, though wonderful, was making his stomach upset.

'please.... I'm begging you, if you have any humanity in you just let me die... I know you can hear me. Ryou told me you can read minds...'

Pegasus sighed and frowned, leaning over Malik, his lips nearly brushing one of Malik's ears. "I will not let you die..." He hissed. "You cost too much for me to let go to waste... and Ryou cares about you. I will not see him heart broken because you are too stubborn to accept your fate."

Malik's ear flicked. 'You're a cruel man...' Malik whimpered softly. 'You kidnapped him off the street... why?'

"Because I wanted him." Pegasus hissed. "I've wanted him for a long time...."

'Then why didn't you just take him, and keep him human? Why would you do that to him? Why would you take away the thing that makes him a beautiful person?' Malik made soft grumbling noises. 'Why would you have them turn him into a rabbit? If you wanted him that bad you could have probably said something to him, he's naive enough.'

Pegasus snorted. "I cannot legally own a human. He would have left me eventually. Now, he can't. I own him. And this way, he is loyal. He LOVES me... And you would be wise to learn to love me, too..."

Malik snorted softly. 'You may own him, and you might brainwash his personality and desires away, but he'll never love you. Someone beat you to him." Malik said raising his eyes miserably. 'Someone, that had sense to ask him, rather than try to own him.'

Pegasus glared. "They will never see each other again. Nor will you ever see your precious skunk again either..." He spat. "Forget him."

Malik narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Never is a long time Pegasus, and you've got a good record of not being able to control things.' Malik smiled slightly. 'He may not see him for a long time, but he'll see Marik again, and I'll see Bakura again, there's no stopping it.'

Pegasus snorted. "We'll see..." Was all he said.

'We'll see? Ha....' Malik said shaking his head softly. 'You can’t control him, you can pump him full of chemicals, change how he looks and how he acts, but you cant change his heart, and who he REALLY loves.'

Pegasus rolled his eye. "Maybe you haven't noticed. But who he REALLY loves doesn't matter. And if it becomes an issue, then I will deal with it... decisively...."

'You're not good for him. You don’t love him.' Malik growled weakly. 'You just want to own him, you have no intention of loving him, or giving him the things he wants in life. You're a selfish lustful bastard, who's only out for a good ride'

Pegasus growled. "Hold your tongue, brat..." He hissed. "Or you will find that what you are experiencing now is nothing compared to the misery I will put you through..."

Malik looked away. 'There's nothing left you can take away from me Pegasus.' he growled softly. 'Truth must sting you really deep, to threaten me blindly.'

Pegasus narrowed his eye at Malik and grabbed a handful of his hair, jerking his head up. "You would be wise to quit while you're ahead. They may belong to Seto Kaiba now... but you will find that if I wish it, even he will not be able to protect your beloved skunk and lion... one more word out of you and they will meet with a very unfortunate accident..."

'I'm not talking genius, I haven't said a word this whole time' Malik said smartly, wincing slightly.

Pegasus snarled. "I do not find you amusing. Keep it up, and as long as you're here, I'll see about getting you neutered!" He hissed, jerking Malik's hair again.

'you're the one who needs to be neutered.' Malik growled softly. 'No, scratch that, you need to be castrated. horny lustful kidnapper. You don’t love him at all do you?!'

Pegasus growled. "You won't believe me even if I say yes, so what's the point in telling you..." He asked, dropping Malik's head. "Now keep your thoughts to yourself, unless you have a masochistic streak in you...."

Malik's expression softened once it hit the soft blankets. 'Pegasus... why didn't you just approach him if you 'love him'? Even if you couldn't and he HAD to have this happen, why aren't you at least treating him like a human? You've taken away everything he ever hoped for...' Malik thought softly ears drooping.

'Why did it have to end up like that?' Malik closed his eyes and sighed. He just couldn’t understand why someone would... do that. Let alone do it to the point that several other lives were affected by it.

Pegasus frowned. "I have not taken away everything he wanted. I will give him what he wants. He asked for a companion. And I gave him one. It's not my fault if this companion tried to starve himself to death. He wants to travel, well, when you are well and behaving properly, we will travel. Whatever he wants... he will get. And he has learned that as long as he behaves, he will get what he wants."

Malik lowered his eyes and sniffled softly. 'I'm not seeing the bright side of this... for me....' he muttered looking away and curling up. He just didn't have the same fight in him he used to have... his own spark of 'life' was dimming, not just because of his condition, but because even Ryou had been pummeling him to submission, and he was running out of things to hope for.

Pegasus smiled slightly, feeling Malik's growing hopelessness. "That is because you are fighting this... surrender to your fate. You will find it so easy... and even a pleasant life. But you must first accept it. I will care for you until the day you die. You will want for nothing. I will give you your ever desire. Anything a fennec could want... I am offering you a gift. All you have to do is take it..." And he began petting Malik, feeling the boy beginning to fall asleep.

Malik closed his eyes, fresh tears rolling down his cheeks. "I... don’t want gifts... I want Bakura...' he thought softly. 'I... want to earn my own lot in life... with the one I love...' Malik felt himself starting to slip into the sleep he'd just barely woken from to start with. 'or die... loyal to myself...' he mumbled, not even managing to sound halfhearted.


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

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