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 27

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Ryou was brought out of his nap by a deep loving purr and tender licks, a rough tongue grooming his ears. Marik's scent filled his nose and the lion's body warmed Ryou.

Ryou yawned and nuzzled into Marik opening his eyes and smiling warmly. "Marik...” he said softly, eyes seeming to sparkle with all the things they'd been void of not more than a few hours before. "good morning...” he said sitting up and stretching out, long ears stretching as well, the tips quivering from the effort.

Marik chuckled. "More like good evening.” he said, watching as Ryou looked around at the large King sized bed that they were in. "Did you sleep well?" Marik asked.

Ryou nodded, looking around the lavish room. He squeaked. "We.... slept on the bed?” he asked, looking at Marik and blushing deeply. "oh, how I've missed beds....” he mused.

There was beautiful red carpet, gorgeous wood paneling and furniture. Seto really lived it up! His house was as lavish as Pegasus' but... this was Marik's own personal suite, almost qualifying as a house of it's own.

"Marik... th-this is just your room?” he breathed, awed. "You... you've changed so much! You wear clothes... and you walk... you're so TALL!" Ryou turned and smiled the warmest smile he'd ever smiled. "You're so tall and handsome... I can hardly believe you'd give up a life where everything was handed to you freely... for.... for me." Ryou sniffled and tackled Marik into a hug, placing hundreds of butterfly kisses over his face and neck.

Marik caught Ryou with a purr, then gave a playful growl as they tumbled around on the bed, half wrestling, half cuddling. Marik finally pinned Ryou and nuzzled him.

"I'd give up everything for you.” he purred, tail lashing. "I love you." And he dragged his tongue up Ryou's face. "And yes... I wear clothes now... and I walk... and yes, I am tall.” he chuckled. "I didn't know how tall I was. You wouldn't believe how weird it was to stand up, and suddenly be looking DOWN on everyone... It was... so... unexpected..." And he grinned. "And yes, this is my room. For as long as I am here... But I hope that won't be much longer. See... Seto has bought a club. And it's going to have a hybrid theme. And not only that, but hybrids will be hired. And they will work, and get paid, and... And I want to work, Ryou... for you. And I... I'll buy us a home... and we'll travel... And do everything you ever dreamed of doing..." And he purred and began grooming Ryou's face and ears.

Ryou nuzzled Marik and kissed him. "A... a home for us? Just ours....” he said dreamily. "We could work for a living... and live together....” he sighed, closing his eyes and imagining what it would be like. "It sounds so wonderful... I'd give anything to be with you forever like that...it's so amazing how much you've changed. You used to not care at all, you were glad that everything came so easily to you...."

Marik smiled. "I know. But then, I met you. And I had to work for you.” he snickered and gave Ryou's ear a teasing nip. "And when I finally got you, I remembered how satisfying working hard for something could be. And nothing would make hard work more satisfying than having your happiness as my reward..." And the lion purred and began licking Ryou's face again.

Ryou giggled and squirmed. "Maaaarrrriiikkk!” he whined softly. "I just had a bath this morning!” he squirmed more, giggling just the same. He slowly stopped struggling, laughing and flicking his ears. "I've been so lost without you... I... I lost myself... I just blindly listened....” he murmured, looking at Marik mournfully. "Rex... and Pegasus... I just couldn't fight them... they beat me into submission... I couldn't take it. I gave up...” he looked at Marik and smiled. "I gave up so much, but I... I want it back."

Marik smiled and nuzzled the bunny, hugging him. "And I will help you...” he whispered. "I wish you could stay... but Malik will help you!" And he smiled down at Ryou, flicking an ear. “And you need to help him. Help him be a good pet around Pegasus... but when that bastard isn't around... let him help you be human... Can you do that for me, Ryou?" Marik asked.

Ryou nodded slowly. "It's.... hard to hide things from him Marik... he can read minds....” he breathed softly. "He knows what I'm thinking... always... I had to force myself to not think of you....” he mumbled sadly.

Marik smiled sadly. "But you did it... And... that's good.” he licked Ryou's cheek. "I'm sad that you had to force yourself to not think of me... but I'm glad that you did... so you didn't get hurt...” he sighed and laid his head down, resting his chin on Ryou's chest. He smiled. "I love you..."

Ryou nodded and nipped at one of Marik's ears playfully. "We'll... get a house... just big enough, not too big or too small.” he cooed dreamily. "It will be heaven... you and I.... and we'll work at this club, work hard! We'll work and work and once we have enough, we can go travel together.... see the sights.” he sighed and gazed into Marik's eyes lovingly.

"I love you so much..."

Marik smiled. "I love you too... So... What do you want to do at the club? Bakura and Yami are fighting over being the bar tender. And I wanna be the bouncer!!!" The lion gave a dopey grin. "What will you do?

Ryou squeaked softly. "A... a bar? but... aren't those dangerous?” he asked softly, ears tilting back in his nervousness.

"It's going to be a dance club." Marik said. "Not a bar. But there will be a bar IN the club... You could be a cute little waiter and serve little snacks..."

Ryou shook his head quickly. "I... I don’t want that. People touch me enough without being drunk... I don’t need drunkards touching me too.” he said wrinkling his nose.

Marik snickered. "Awwwww.... I'd keep an eye on you...” he said, nuzzling Ryou again.

"Oh I'm sure you would.... right on my furry little tail." Ryou huffed playfully.

Marik laughed and rolled off of Ryou, flopping onto the bed next to him. Then, he reached out and tugged Ryou's tail.

"It's CUTE!!!" Was all he said.

Ryou crossed his arms and looked away. "Don’t look at my tail you drooling beast.” he grumbled softly. "EVERYONE looks at my tail. I should have it cut off!"

Marik's eyes widened. "Noooooooo!!!!” he whined, grabbing Ryou's tail and holding on to it. He gave Ryou a wide eyed look. "Not your tail!!!"

Ryou squeaked loudly. "Ahh! let go!” he yelped squirming. "You'll mess it up!"

Marik snickered. "Oh... I'm sorry...” he said, and began to gently smooth the fur on Ryou's tail.

Ryou grumbled and began fixing it himself. "Why is everyone so obsessed with my tail?” he grumbled, ears twitching. "I won’t be a waiter, people would touch me, and grab my tail all the time. I'd sooner die!"

Marik smiled and laid his head down, purring softly and just... staring at Ryou.

"It's cute...” he murmured.

Ryou bushed and looked behind him, turning back to Marik. "What... are you looking at?” he asked softly.

Marik smiled. "You.” he said, his eyes half closing as he purred a bit louder... he seemed to be unable to stop purring when Ryou was near him...

Ryou blushed more and nuzzled Marik. "Let’s run away...” he whispered softly. "Let’s go now... just you and I... far away from our troubles..." Ryou nuzzled closer. "I won’t ever have to leave you again... it will be just us..."

Marik smiled sadly, reaching out and running his claws through Ryou's hair. "We can't.” he replied. "Rem will get in trouble for letting you come with us... Seto will be in trouble... And who knows what Pegasus would do to Malik..." The lion sighed and closed his eyes. "We have to stay..."

Ryou's ears drooped. "I... I don’t want to go back Marik... please don’t make me..."

Marik winced and looked away. "I don't want you to go back, either... but if you don't... what will happen to Malik?"

Ryou sighed softly, sniffling. "Marik... if I go back... I may never see you again...” he mumbled pathetically. "When... when he talks I listen... I can’t ignore him. I do what he says, I don’t even know why..."

Marik smiled and took Ryou's hand. "You will see me again.” he said, softly. "You and Malik can work together. How about this, Ryou... Every night... before you go to bed... You tell Malik one reason that you love me. And he can tell you one reason why he loves Bakura. And that way, you will be helping each other remember, and hold on... Will you do that for me?"

Ryou sighed softly. "He... he's taking us to Paris... what if he never comes back Marik? What if he decides to stay there?" Ryou said softly. "What if I can never come home to you... and we never end up back together?"

Marik frowned. "He can take you anywhere. I don't care where it is, I will follow. I will NEVER let you get away." And he smiled, then darted forwards and tackled Ryou, sending them both tumbling off of the bed, Ryou landing on Marik's chest. Marik smiled up at him. "Never." And he gave Ryou a long lick up his face.

Ryou giggled and nuzzled Marik joyfully. "You... you would REALLY follow me to Paris?” he asked thoughtfully. "How romantic...” he said, suddenly becoming oozey and just melting into Marik's arms.

Marik chuckled. "I would REALLY follow you to Paris.” he said. "But for now, we get to spend some time together... and I can think of two little white bunnies who probably miss you...."

Ryou's ears perked up immediately. "Tuc and Nod!” he gasped sitting up immediately. "Where are they?! Are they ok?!"

Marik purred and nuzzled Ryou, getting off of him. "This way. C'mon!” he said, slowly standing. He reached out a hand to Ryou.

Ryou looked at Marik nervously. "Um... b-before we go see Tuc and Nod… maybe... we should um... focus on that for a bit." Ryou said sheepishly.

Marik smiled. "Sure.” he said, then held out his other hand. "Just take my paws...” he said. "I'll help you..."

Ryou laughed softly. "Paws?” he said tilting his head to the side. "I suppose some things never change...” he giggled.

Marik blinked, then blushed. This time, HE was the one wearing the sheepish grin. "Yeah...” he said. "I may be trying to be human again, but I still embrace the lion in me. Now stop teasing. Come on." And he reached out further to Ryou.

Ryou smiled softly. "Just don’t embrace it so much you get the urge for rabbit on your menu.” he said giggling and taking Marik's hand warily, a little unsure about the idea of walking again.

Marik grinned. "Hey. I have a rabbit free diet!” he said, gently pulling Ryou up. "I stick with beef, pork and poultry that get purchased at the grocery store, thank you."

Ryou whimpered as he was pulled to his feet, and fell slightly into Marik's arms, his legs having gotten used to movement he'd been trained into. "Ahh!” he yelped, clinging to Marik, his legs shaking slightly from lack of proper use in so long.

Marik grinned and caught Ryou, holding him up. "Easy...” he chuckled. "It's okay. I've got you." And he looked down at Ryou, then cocked his head. "Wow... You're short!!!" And he giggled.

Ryou blushed. "I'm NOT short!!” he huffed blushing and looking away. "Yami's little brother is much shorter than me!"

Marik chuckled. "I know but... I'm so tall! And you're so... not!!! Lift your ears!" Ryou frowned, but did so. Standing straight up, the very tips of Ryou's ears were exactly at Marik's eye level. Marik grinned. "You're so cute and little and... and... BUNNY!!!" And he glomped Ryou tightly into his chest, purring loudly and nuzzling his ears, beginning to groom them thoroughly.

Ryou grumbled and gently nipped Marik's arm. "I'm NOT short!” he pouted, looking up at Marik and whining loudly. "You're just FREAKISHLY tall!"

Marik chuckled and shook his head. "Yes, I'm tall. But not freakishly. And you ARE short! You're tiny! Little! Itty bitty!!!" And he grinned, then knelt a bit and wrapped an arm around Ryou's thighs just under his buttocks. Then he straightened, lifting Ryou up so that they were eye level with each other. "But that's good... because I can do this." And he rubbed noses with Ryou. "You're not too small... but not too big. You're just perfect..."

Ryou blushed and hugged Marik tightly. "You've done so much...” he said, hugging Marik tightly, not just out of love, but fear he'd drop him or lose his balance. "Walking tall... wearing clothes... you really are a handsome person... are you sure you were homeless?” he teased kissing Marik lightly. "Because I've never met a homeless man who looked as good as you before."

Marik chuckled. "I guarantee you that I had no home." And he slowly set Ryou down onto his feet again. "Now... let's do this. One little step at a time, Ryou." And he slowly backed away from Ryou, holding Ryou's paws gently. "Okay... easy does it... one at a time... go ahead..."

Ryou's ears fell back against his hair and he took a nervous and shaking step, stumbling forward and whimpering. "Marik I'm going to fall!"

"Shhh... it's okay." Marik crooned. "And if you do fall... I'm right here to catch you.” he lifted Ryou's paws, kissing them lovingly. "I know you can do this... just... REMEMBER..."

Ryou's expression softened and he nodded slightly. Marik was right... he hadn't been... hopping that long. If he tried harder, he'd walk with Marik. He took another shaking step forward. "We... will walk together and work...” he whispered trying his best. "We'll... travel... live our lives the way we want to..."

Marik smiled. "We'll walk home from work together...” he continued. "Unless you're tired. Then I'll carry you... And we'll travel. We'll go to Paris... see the Eiffel Tower, and the Lourve... we'll go to Italy... Venice... Naples... Florence... Rome... New York City, and we'll walk through Central Park, and to Times Square and down Broadway... San Francisco, and we'll ride the Streetcars... We'll go dancing in Madrid... we'll... we'll see the white stallions perform in Vienna... we'll see castles in Germany... Tour the pyramids in Egypt and the Amazon in Brazil... and we'll lounge on a beach in Hawaii and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef off of Australia..." And slowly, Marik guided Ryou out into the hall.

Ryou walked shakily, but smiled at Marik. "We'll go see the other lions in Africa, so I can compare you.” he giggled. "To the other huge lions, and take pictures of you, and play didgerie doos in Australia...” he cooed, beginning to walk just a bit better.

Marik grinned and chuckled. "Play didjeree doos?” he asked, cocking an ear.

Ryou nodded. "yes, I'm sure you'd love that... those great big things... make a wooooo noise." Ryou said giggling softly. "They are huge things! You'd probably have a ball... you great giant of a man."

Marik snickered. "Hey now... I'm not THAT giant... Seto is taller than me... I'm just... ummm... well, I don't know how tall I am...” he grinned and scratched his head, letting go of one of Ryou's paws.

Ryou yelped and at that moment toppled over, falling flat on his tummy and looking up at Marik with an annoyed expression.

Marik blinked. "Oops!” he snickered, and knelt. "Sorry...” he took Ryou's hand and helped him back to his feet. "You okay?"

"Moderately irritated..." Ryou mumbled standing and pouting. "But I'm fine..." Ryou said softly, smiling slightly at the sheepish look on Marik's face. "I... walk a little bit." He offered softly, smiling. "And we'll walk together...."
Marik nodded and smiled, leading him down the hall. After they had gone a ways, Marik let go of Ryou's paws, so that they simply rested on his palms. "You okay?” he asked.

Ryou nodded slowly, his ears flattened against the back of his hear in unease. "Y-yes.... I'm ok...” he said, smiling slightly.

Marik smiled and led him a bit more, then let one of his hands drop from Ryou's. "You're doing great, Ryou...” he said. "You're doing wonderfully. Come on..." And he stepped away from Ryou completely.

Ryou whimpered softly, reaching for Marik and taking his first steps in weeks that were just his. "M-Marik! Don’t let me fall!" Ryou whimpered stumbling slightly.

Marik smiled, holding his arms out to catch him just in case. "You're doing great, Ryou!” he exclaimed. "Don't try to move too fast... just take it slow and easy, one step at a time..."

Ryou closed the space between himself and Marik, and hugged him tightly, sniffling into Marik's shirt. "Marik... I... I made it.” he said softly wiping away a few tears. "I love you...” he whispered leaning into Marik and smiling. "I... I would like clothes... like you." He added after a moment. "I feel silly walking around in a bunny suit, when you're in jeans and shirts."

Marik chuckled. "Awww... you look cute though...” he said.

"Marik, for God's sake, quit teasing him." Seto said from the doorway of his office. "If Ryou wants clothes, we'll get him some clothes."

Ryou squeaked, ears shooting up and immediately he dropped to all fours and scampered under the nearest object, which was someone else's bed. Seto had seen them?! Seen HIM?! He felt so nude in that bunny suit now...

Marik blinked, as did Seto.

"Ryou?" The CEO asked. "You okay?" The man and lion bent over to see the bunny.

Ryou whined. "Stop looking at me!” he wailed. "I'm naked! I feel so naked! stop stop!” he howled pulling the blanket down over their heads and under the bed.

Marik and Seto shared glances, then smiled and drew closer. "Ryou, come on. We're friends. It's okay." Seto said. "I'll get you some clothes if you would like me too..."

Ryou peered out from under the bed, wrapped up in the blanket, as though it were a robe, his ears sticking out the small face-hole he'd made. "I want clothes." he said firmly. "I'm naked."

Seto chuckled and turned, leaving. Marik dropped and purred, licking Ryou's cheek. A moment later, Seto walked in with an old light blue pair of pajamas that he had grown out of long ago. "Here. Try these." Seto said, holding them out to Ryou.

Ryou snatched them and disappeared under the bed, tossing out the old bunny suit and crawling out a moment later, smiling slightly, despite the shirt being far too large for him and slipping down one shoulder, the sleeves so long his hands weren't even visible. "Much better.” he said grinning.

The best part, no bunny tail to be seen.

But to Ryou's dismay, Marik and Seto look one look at his backside and burst out laughing.

"Ryou, I'm sorry, but it looks like you crapped your pants!!!" Marik laughed, and moment later, Seto had cut a hole in Ryou's pants and pulled his little tuft of a tail through it.

"There." Seto said. "Much better."

Ryou huffed and grumbled. "I hate that horrible little tail... everyone touches it." he said pouting and crossing his arms. "You're all cruel, how would you like it if I walked around goosing you all the time?"

Seto rolled his eyes. "Ryou, I didn't goose you... I only do that to Yami." Marik fell over laughing.

"I could have lived my whole life not knowing that you were goosing my friend's older brother." Ryou said calmly, looking exasperated. Yami walked by the door chuckling.

"He'll pay for it later Ryou!” he called in, on his way to stir up a little trouble, as the house had been calm.... too calm since Ryou got there. "I'm going to the kitchen."

Ryou blinked slightly. "Was that Mokuba with him?” he said tilting his head to the side.

Seto immediately whirled. "MOKUBA!!! Leave Yami alone!!" Marik laughed and kissed Ryou's cheek, then dropped to all fours.

"Come on.” he said. "Let's go see Tuc and Nod." And he trotted towards the door.

Ryou nodded and hopped after Marik, tackling him playfully. "We can do all sorts of things today, like roll around outside, play in the mud until we're both filthy, then take a bath together...” he whispered in Marik's ear, giving him an amused seductive look, before hopping off of him and down the hall to explore, and look for Tuc and Nod.

Marik's eyes widened, then he grinned. "Hey Seto! Can we make a mud puddle outside?!"

"No. I heard what he said. And no. You can have a bath together without mud wrestling first." Seto said as he walked down the hall.

"Awww...." Marik pouted, then ran after Ryou down the hall, and raced him down the stairs.

Ryou however easily won the race, he WAS a rabbit after all. He giggled and his little tail twitched eagerly. "...let’s make a puddle anyway.” he whispered amusedly, feeling a little naughty and frisky, since the threat of an immense beating wasn’t over his head. He'd not disobeyed a single order in weeks, and he REALLY wanted that mud fight....

Marik looked at Ryou, and grinned. "This way.” he said, leading Ryou out to the back yard. "But first...” he trotted over to the aviary and opened the door, ushering Ryou inside and closing the door behind him. He looked around, and then called to Tuc and Nod. "Murrrrrumph!!!"

Ryou squealed delightedly as two little bunnies scurried into view at Marik’s call and instead of tackling the lion, tackled him! "Tuc! Nod!" Ryou hugged them both and sighed contently. "Marik and my friends... my family..." he cooed lovingly, licking his bunnies, and his lover in turn. "I'm so glad you took care of them Marik..." he said smiling warmly.

Marik smiled and settled down on the ground, Ryou cuddling into his side, giggling as the bunnies eagerly licked his face and tugged his ears.

"They missed you." Marik said, licking Tuc, Nod and Ryou.

Ryou grinned proudly. "I'm glad. I missed them too!” he said gently nipping their ears in return. "I was so lonely without them... I worried that they'd die of loneliness... I thought I would." Ryou admitted sheepishly. "I feel badly that they couldn't come back with me... Pegasus was cruel...” he said picking up his beloved bunnies and hugging them close. "Tuc and Nod.... oh I missed you both...” he said longingly.

Marik smiled as he watched them, and at a rustle, looked up and smiled as Bakura appeared. Bakura was smiling at Ryou.

"Marik has taken very good care of them.” he said.

"You helped." Marik added, purring as Bakura came over and greeted him with a nuzzle. Then Bakura turned and nuzzled Ryou, licking his cheek.

Ryou grinned at Bakura and licked him in return. "I thought you weren't very fond of me...” he said playfully. "You never seemed to care much at the pet shop."

Bakura blinked, then smiled and blushed. "Yeah, well... y'know..."

"Falling in love with Malik has mellowed Bakura out, big time..." Marik said, and Bakura grinned.

"Yeah... I don't have to hump Mr. Fluffles anymore." Bakura said.

Ryou burst out laughing. "I thought you said you used it as a pillow Bakura.” he said amused further.

Bakura grinned and blushed darker. "Yeah, well... when you've been trapped in a cage all alone for two years, even your pillow starts to look sexy... And add a sexy lion living next door to you, and, well...." The skunk shrugged and twitched his tail. Marik snickered.

Ryou snickered. "Pillow humper.” he giggled, gently nipping Bakura's ear. "I'm glad you've mellowed... Poor Malik probably had to deal with you until you decided to relax.” he said smiling. "It's a refreshing improvement."

Bakura rolled his eyes, but smiled and nuzzled Ryou, giving him a little skunk purr. "We missed you.” he said, looking down and gently head butting Tuc, then pinning him for a moment before letting him up, only to get tackled by the bunny. Bakura smiled and dropped, letting the bunny think he had knocked him over. Tuc ran back over to Ryou, bouncing as if to say 'look what I did!!!'

Ryou laughed and clapped. "My precious strong little bunny...” he cooed picking Tuc up and laughing. "Have my wonderful lion and skunk friends been taking care of you and Nod?” he said nuzzling the bunny before putting him down and tickling the little bunny until it scampered away.

Bakura and Marik both smiled and relaxed. "Go play with them, Ryou..." Marik said, nudging his bunny. "They've missed you so much..."

Ryou grinned and chased after Tuc and Nod, the three of them tumbling and chasing each other, tackling and hopping around in a cute display of affection, until the two small bunnies were completely tuckered out. Ryou picked them up, carrying them carefully to a soft mossy patch.

"Poor things... I've worn them out...” he said licking them carefully. He nuzzled and cleaned them, until they fell asleep for their afternoon nap, before turning on Marik. "You owe me a puddle.” he said hunching down playfully, tail flicking eagerly.

Bakura blinked. "Puddle?” he asked.

"We're gonna wrestle in the mud." Marik explained. Bakura's eyes lit up and his ears and tail perked.

"Really?” he asked, eagerly. Marik nodded. "SCORE!! Can I play?!" Marik snickered and looked at Ryou.

"Is that okay with you, Ryou?"

Ryou nodded eagerly. "Of course!” he said grinning. "C'mon lets get the biggest muddiest puddle we can!"

Both hybrids grinned, then leapt up, stripped naked, and ran out of the aviary.

Ryou giggled, folding their clothes neatly, before stripping as well, hopping after them eagerly, carrying their clothes and setting them on a stone in the yard, where he was sure they'd remain clean.

"So...” he said grinning and hunching down. "Where should we make this big muddy puddle?” he asked curiously, looking around the vast yard.

Marik watched Bakura run off, and a moment later he came back tugging the hose in his teeth. He dropped it on a patch of dirt, then disappeared again. And moments later, the hose started spraying water.

"SCORE!!!" Marik howled then leapt at the dirt and began stomping it into mud.

Ryou grinned and hopped in too, helping Marik make the sloppiest goopiest mud as the water spread and soaked the ground, forming a large mass of muddy water and mucky gooey mud.

Ryou giggled as the mass was finally larger than they'd ever need for just the three of them. He tackled Marik suddenly and grabbed a huge glop of mud and smeared it all over his chest. "I gotcha!"

"BONZAAAAIIIIII!!!!" Came a sudden shriek, and Bakura came flying over some bushes and landed smack in the middle of the mud, splashing it all over Ryou and Marik. Marik laughed, then growled and pounced.

Ryou squealed and giggled as he began quickly throwing glops of mud at Bakura and Marik, trying to protect himself from their inevitable tag-team attack on him. He giggled and tackled Bakura, dropping the biggest glop of mud yet all over his hair. "Gotcha!"

Bakura turned and tackled Ryou, sending him face first into the mud. Marik roared and tackled Bakura, and the pair slid across the slick muck.

Ryou wiped the mud from his eyes and darted forwards, tackling both hybrids giggling as they were all showered with mud and goo.

Yami landed in a nearby tree, watching the whole fiasco with mild amusement. "Kaiba's going to have your heads for that....” he said warningly. "I'm sure he didn't give you permission to make a big muddy grassless spot in his perfect yard, let alone soak each other in goo."

All three looked up at Yami. Then, Bakura grinned. He looked at Marik. Marik grinned. They looked at Ryou.

Ryou giggled. "Don’t look at me, he's YOUR room mate."

Yami preened quietly, having stopped paying attention to the others for the moment, quite content sitting in the tree.

Marik and Bakura gathered up mud balls in their hands, then whirled.

"EAT MUD, BIRD BRAIN!!!" Bakura screamed, and the pair lobbed the mud at Yami.

Yami squawked, falling from the tree his precious wings COVERED in mud. "You little rat bastard!” he howled charging at the two who'd thrown the mud balls, wings shaking. He tackled them to the mud and picked up a huge glop and rubbed it into Bakura's face fiercely. "You got me FILTHY!” he howled. "I'll NEVER get all that out of my wings!"

Ryou howled with laughter and tackled Yami to the mud getting him all the dirtier. "Mudfight!” he squeaked ducking a flying mud ball from Marik, that landed on Bakura. Within moments the four of them were in a whirlwind of flying mud and filth, each of them blackened with the rich mud.

Seto was calmly walking down the hall when with a splat, a mud ball struck the window he was passing. The young man froze, and his eyes widened. He slowly turned and looked at the mud oozing down the window.

"Oh, fuck berries....” he groaned, and walked over to the window, peering out. He saw the four hybrids wrestling in the mud, and moments later he had thrown the window open and stuck his head out.

"NO!!! NO NO NO NO NO!!! STOP IT!!” he roared. All four froze. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?! GOD DAMMIT!!! YOU FOUR ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!!!" The hybrids' ears all shot forwards, then tilted back as they all ran in a half panic.

Yami squawked lightly. "Dammit! Now look what you've done!” he howled, running with them into the aviary and trying desperately to get himself into a tree with his heavy mud soaked wings, and failing miserably. "Dammit!"

Ryou giggled as he scampered into a small cave in a tree and peered out with amused eyes.

Bakura and Marik, however, decided to run to the wrong place; the house. Moments later, Ryou and Yami heard Seto exploding in curses as the two hybrids streaked through the house, tracking mud EVERYWHERE.

Ryou giggled loudly, Yami settling for climbing into a tree the old fashioned way, and sitting on the highest branch he could attain, chuckling slightly. "Busted.” he said amusedly. Even though they'd face some serious lecturing, it was almost worth it to know Bakura and Marik were getting it first.

Ryou grinned at Yami. "Poor Marik....” he said covering his mouth to hide some of his giggles. Yami laughed.

"Bakura had it coming.” he said trying to shake the heavy mud from his wings, which were drooping from the immense added weight of water and mud.

By this point, Bakura and Marik were bolting out the back door again, Seto on their heels. The pair all but flew across the yard and into the aviary, where they ended up huddled together under some large ferns against the back wall, each trying to hide under and behind the other. And that was where Seto found them, their muddy track leading right up to their oh so obvious "hiding place". The pair stared up at him with wide eyes that only got wider as they flattened their ears to their heads, their bellies to the ground, and tucked their tails between their legs.

Ryou giggled softly, deciding to join his lover in trouble. He crawled out of his hiding place and hopped over to Marik nuzzling him, giving Seto 'the eyes'. "Thank you...” he said softly, in a heart-melting voice. "I've had so much fun... I've missed doing the things I really wanted to do... with the ones I love most.” he said, nuzzling Marik and cuddling up to him.

Yami watched from a nearby tree, unwilling to try 'flying' down and not really liking what he knew was coming to him, a hand washing courtesy of Seto himself. Seto scrubbed damn hard! His wings were NOT meant for scotch brite steelwool scrubbers!

Seto frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. "Ryou... Mokuba gives me that look. Yami gives me that look. The fuckin' skunk and lion give me that look. You think I don't know what you're trying to do?! All four of you, outside right now! GO!!!" Marik and Bakura darted away immediately, still low to the ground with their tails tucked in.

Ryou grinned and stopped, rubbing against Seto's pant leg, muddying him up, before giggling and scampering out after Marik.

Yami chuckled softly from his tree. "I'm not going Seto.” he said calmly. "I couldn't get out of this tree if you paid me."

Seto glared up at Yami. "You are NOT coming into my house covered in mud. So if you just want to stay up there and be miserable, that's your choice." Seto said, and followed the three other hybrids out of the aviary.

Yami grumbled softly, and climbed out of the tree, tumbling the last bit of the way and landing with a thump on his back end. His clothes soaked in mud, his wings soaked in mud, his hair.... he was not a happy birdy.

Ryou nuzzled Marik again, giggling softly. "That was so fun...” he whispered lovingly. "Thank you...” he added grinning broadly.

Marik smiled, but immediately hid behind Bakura when Seto walked over. "Okay. All of you, in a line.” he said, picking up the hose. "Bakura, get out from under Marik. Now." Bakura slowly obeyed and got a face full of water. Seto glared at the skunk as he hosed him down.

Yami glared out from the aviary, not about to get hosed, it was NOT in his 'proper care' listing of bathing. Not to mention the cold water from the hose would give him a chill so bad he'd have pneumonia for weeks.

Ryou giggled and tackled Marik nuzzling him while they waited for their Turn. "We got so muddy and filthy...." he giggled playfully. "You look so silly! And poor Yami!” he said falling off Marik and giggling more. "Poor Yami, that was so mean of you to do that to him, but he looked SO silly!"

Marik grinned and nuzzled Ryou, but turned when Bakura let out a shriek as Seto sprayed his 'equipment' with the frigid water on the way to his tail. Marik laughed, but got a mouthful of water as Seto turned the hose onto him.

"Bakura, get into the pool house bathroom." Seto ordered, and Bakura slunk off.

Ryou grinned and tackled Marik while he was being sprayed, efficiently bathing both of them in the water. He grinned, glad to have his fur not matted with mud, though sad his fun was over for the time being. "Thank you Seto!” he called tugging Marik to the Pool house bathroom eagerly.

Yami glared slightly from the Aviary door. "You know you can’t spray me with that hose, I'll get sick...” he called, seeming to pout slightly. "Can... I have a bath in the house?” he asked, though he hated the idea of it. He knew Seto would scrub him down personally, and it was anything like his last bath, there would be mass amounts of bubbles and harsh scrubbing.

Seto sighed and shook his head. "Yami, I'm sorry, but that mud will completely wreck the plumbing. You have to hose down out here.” he said.

"The water's too cold!” he said firmly. "It's not a matter of me wanting to or not, I'll get sick! Didn't you pay attention when Rem told you how to care for birds? No direct cold water or cold drafts!” he grumbled. "I didn't even WANT to be in that mass of mud! Bakura covered me in it!” he said trying pathetically to shake out his wings. "I hate being dirty and you know it!"

Seto frowned. "I saw you rolling around in the mud and flinging it everywhere Yami, Bakura did not make you do that.” he dropped the hose. "I cannot let you bathe in the house until you get as much mud off of yourself as you can. I'm going to make sure the other two--three, get cleaned up." And he turned and headed for the pool house.

Yami's wings drooped lower and he sighed softly, retreating miserably back into the aviary, to wait for his wings to dry enough he could begin preening away the filth. Damn his bird genetics... what he wouldn't have given for the ability to be sprayed off with that hose like the rest of them. As it was his favorite leather pants and shirt were likely ruined.

He looked at a tree, but sighed and just sat down, too tired to bother trying to climb it again.

Meanwhile, at the pool house, Seto had seen the three hybrids into the large hot tub sized bath tub. Bakura was begging for Seto to turn on the jacuzzi, but all he got was a look in response.

"Okay you three... Start scrubbing." Seto ordered. "I'm not letting you out of there until you're all clean!"

Ryou grinned broadly and began washing Marik's hair straightaway, eager to please his mate. Plus, it was a chance to be near him, and groom him.

"I'm having so much fun...” he cooed joyfully scrubbing Marik's scalp gently, surprised at how soft and wonderful Marik's hair was, even when wet.

Seto quirked an eyebrow, but smiled as Marik closed his eyes and let out a deep, loud purr, obviously enjoying the treatment. Bakura stared, and whimpered.

"Me next?” he asked, obviously wanting to experience Ryou's "grooming" for himself. Seto lifted a hand to his face to hide his amused grin.

Ryou giggled and nodded to Bakura, having just finished Marik's hair. He scooted through the water and began sudsing up Bakura's hair as well, massaging and scrubbing his scalp, ears and the back of his neck.

He giggled and gave Bakura's ears a gentle tug, before soaping them up too, until Bakura's hair was so covered in suds, it looked like he had completely white hair and ears.

Marik and Seto both snickered at the purring trill Bakura was giving, enjoying the grooming just as much as Marik, if not more. His tail that had been sticking up out of the bath slowly began to tremble and go limp until it sunk into the water and curled around Ryou's waist.

Seto grinned. "As long as he has made it available, Ryou... wash his tail?" The CEO asked.

Ryou giggled and nodded, immediately beginning to wash the tail under the water, using his fingers to comb through it and wash away all the remaining dirt and mud. It was a surprisingly soft tail, and he had a hard time getting it to uncurl from around his waist.

He hummed softly, washing Bakura's tail to absolute imacculatness. "There...” he said flicking his ears a bit. "Squeaky clean tail."

Bakura purred again and turned, this time curling his body around Ryou and nuzzling him, licking his cheek in thanks. Marik laughed.

"I don't think Bakura has ever had his tail groomed by someone other than Rem and himself.” he said. "But now it's your turn, Ryou!" And Bakura and Marik both attacked Ryou's head and began to gently and thoroughly clean his hair and ears together, each taking half of his head. Then, Bakura went back to licking and nuzzling Ryou's face while Marik shampooed Ryou's little tail. He laughed.

"Look at his tail!!!” he squeaked, and Seto and Bakura peered down at the thing, seeing the soaking fur droop, revealing the little pink flesh and bone that made up his tail.

"It looks like a hamster's tail!!!" Bakura giggled.

Ryou blushed darkly and swatted them both away, shrinking away and pouting. "Stop it!” he pouted covering his tail with his hands. "I'm very sensitive about my tail...” he mumbled, ears drooping.

Bakura blinked and cocked his head, flicking an ear at Ryou.

"Why?” he asked, as Marik began to wash Ryou's back.

"Cause...” he mumbled beginning his nervous habit of tugging his own ears again. "I don’t like people looking at it, or touching it... Pegasus never leaves it alone... it makes me CRAZY." Ryou said shaking his head. "It bothers me when people touch it... I wish I didn't have one at all. I'm NOT a hamster..."

Bakura frowned, then nuzzled Ryou, purring to him. "Sorry... But it's cute! You shouldn't hate it... You should be proud. And I'll try to remember. I won't touch it without your permission... okay?" And he licked Ryou's nose. Marik chuckled as his hands drifted across Ryou's shoulders and began to soap up his arms.

"Can I?" Marik asked. "I mean... I AM your mate... right?"

Ryou grumbled. "No one touches the tail!” he said stubbornly, looking away and crossing his arms, looking cutely stern.

Marik's ears drooped and he pouted. "But... I'm your mate!!! I promise I won't be grabbing it every time I see it!!!" Bakura snickered.

"Oh, let him alone.” he said, scooting around the pair and beginning to wash Marik's back, making the lion start purring again.

Ryou laughed softly, before looking around. "Where's Yami?” he asked looking at Seto confused. "Isn't he coming in too?” he asked softly, worried about one of his old friends.

He crawled out of the water and shook out his hair, gladly accepting a towel from Seto and drying himself off.

Seto smiled down at Ryou.

"He's being difficult.” he said, turning and watching Marik and Bakura washing and grooming one another until they too crawled out. Marik shook the water from his body and mane. Seto's eyes widened.

"BAKURA, NO!!!" But he was too late. Bakura shook himself, drenching the bathroom thanks to his tail. Seto sighed and tossed towels at the pair. Marik ran to Ryou and began rubbing his bunny down, while Bakura started chasing his tail with a towel, having trouble finding a good angle.

"Could you help him, Ryou?" Seto asked.

Ryou laughed softly and pounced on Bakura's tail, beginning to towel it dry. "Poor Bakura...” he cooed fluffing the tail dry with the towel. After a few moments, be backed away and the tail was slightly damp, but otherwise dry.

Bakura grinned.

"Thanks. Aren't you glad you don't have this tail?" And he waved his tail at Ryou. Marik snickered as he gently dried Ryou's tail.

Ryou scooted away from Marik. "Hey! I said no touching!” he huffed, turning on him and glaring. "No touching!"

Marik blinked and pouted. "I... I was just drying it...” he whimpered, his ears drooping. "I'm sorry... Don't you... trust me?"

Ryou shook his head. "It's not about trust, you're not allowed to touch my tail, neither is Pegasus."

Marik frowned and continued to pout. Bakura sighed and shook his head, then began to dry his hair.

"Ryou... I think Marik could use some help drying off." The skunk said.

Ryou nodded and nuzzled Marik gently beginning to dry his hair. "I'm sorry Marik...” he whispered nuzzling his neck. "I... I just don’t like it. Pegasus grabs it all the time... and it hurts. It's not a tail meant for lots of touching..."

Marik nodded. "I won't hurt it..." Marik said softly, peeking out from under the towel on his head and licking Ryou's chin. "But... I love you... And I love every INCH of you!!!” he growled and tackled Ryou to the floor, nipping playfully. "And I want to touch every inch of you..." And he ran his hands down Ryou's sides.

"Keep it in the bedroom, boys." Seto said, rolling his eyes. Bakura snickered.

Ryou blushed darkly. "Marik!” he whined loudly. "Seto's right...” he whimpered pouting cutely. "Besides, we need to help him get Yami clean. I feel bad for him...” he said softly, licking up Marik's chest, stopping at his lips to kiss him deeply, on one slow motion.

Marik let out one of the loudest purrs that any of them had ever heard from the lion as he wrapped his arms around the bunny and kissed him back, both ending up right back on the floor. Bakura raised his eyebrows and Seto rolled his eyes, sighing.

Ryou giggled softly. "Let’s help Seto clean up Yami...” he cooed softly. grinning and gently nibbling on Marik's ear. "Then I think we can have a little... private time...” he cooed so softly Marik barely even heard it.

Marik grinned. "Okay...” he said.

"Can we use Super Soakers?" Bakura asked, looking to Seto. Marik laughed.

"No. Only I'm allowed to go after Yami with a Super Soaker." Seto said, and Marik and Bakura whined their disappointment.

Ryou laughed. "You two! Be nice! You've already soaked poor Yami with mud when he didn't want to play." Ryou said sternly, nuzzling both of them in turn.

"If you help Seto nicely with me, I'll... hmmm I'll do something you both want to do!” he said proudly, knowing they had a huge list of things they probably wanted to do.

Bakura perked. "A threesome?” he exclaimed. Marik turned and roared, knocking Ryou to the floor and huddling over him, protectively, baring his teeth at Bakura. Seto choked and turned, smacking Bakura.

"WHAT WOULD MALIK SAY?!?!” he demanded. Bakura whimpered and scuttled away, hiding inside a nearby cupboard.

Ryou burst into giggles. "Marik be nice!” he said loudly, amused greatly. "I'm not so sure Malik would appreciate you having fun with me Bakura.” he said crawling out from under Marik and hopping over to him, grinning sweetly and tugging his ears with his teeth.

"but if you REALLY want that...” he whispered looking amused. "You just convince Marik....” he added

Bakura slowly looked around Ryou and over at Marik.

"Try it, Flower..." Marik snarled. Bakura eyed Marik's teeth and claws.

"Ummm.... that's okay... I was only joking Ryou..." The skunk managed to squeak. "You can close the cabinet now." And the skunk did just that, closing the cabinet in on himself.

Ryou giggled and fell over shaking his head. "My Marik..." he cooed through his giggles. It took a while for his laughter to die down, but he slowly sat up and gave Marik the most amused loving look. "I'm going to go help Yami clean up...” he said after a moment, coughing slightly to stop his own amused giggles. "You can come if you want. Seto, you too, poor Yami must be miserable and you should feel badly for him.” he scolded slightly. "You're his mate aren't you? You should tend to him like Marik tends to me.” he gave Marik a loving look. "I love you.” he purred, hopping to his pile of clothes, and putting the oversized pajamas back on, and proceeding to hop back to the aviary, careful to keep his beautiful white fur gleaming and clean.

Marik smiled and dressed, then followed, Seto at his heels. They all went in.

"Yami?" Seto called, looking up and around in the trees.

"Lower." Marik snickered.

Yami sat on his knees looking utterly miserable and trying pathetically to wring the mud from his wings.

Ryou frowned. "Poor Yami... Marik don’t laugh at him!” he scolded, hopping over to Yami and looking at him with big sad eyes. "Oh Yami... I'm sorry... you're so messy...” he said softly, his ears drooping so low the tips of his ears touched the mossy floor.

Yami sighed and looked away.

Seto shook his head. "What on earth am I going to do with you, Yami...?” he asked, looking the bird over. "You're a mess..."

"Why didn't you hose him down?" Marik asked, lashing his tail.

"The cold water will make him sick..." Seto said.

Ryou smiled. "Well let’s get some buckets of warm water and sponges. We'll get him clean enough to go in for a bath.” he said proudly, surprised he had the capacity to think on his own, and suddenly looking quite proud of himself.

Seto smiled. "That's a good idea.” he said, then turned and wandered into the house to have the help bring out some buckets of warm water.

"Roar." Marik said suddenly, knocking Ryou over and kissing him. "OW!! OWWW!!! HEY!! COME ON!!!” he yelped and leapt away, Tuc and Nod chasing him, making angry noises. "I'm not hurting him!!! OUCH!! STOP!! DAMMIT!! I took care for you for the last month you ungrateful wretches!!!" Marik leapt up onto a tree, digging his claws in, and climbed up to a branch where he lay staring down at the bunnies. They waited, just daring him to come down again for a bit, then ran back over to Ryou, proudly.

Ryou laughed up at Marik, nuzzling his precious companions. "Looks like they still love me more.” he cooed giving him a longing look. "Come down and apologize?"

He picked up Tuc and Nod and began grooming them tenderly, as though they were his own precious litter of bunnies.

Marik frowned. "They BIT ME!!!” he whined. "I take care of them for a month, and then they ATTACKED ME!!!"

Ryou laughed. "Didn't you attack them when you first met me?” he asked calmly. "They probably thought you were after me, you did tackle me to the floor without any warning.” he reasoned, calmly grooming the small bunny ears of his companions.

"Come down... I'm getting so lonely down here...” he called longingly. Marik frowned and pouted, his claws gripping the tree tightly. But slowly, he sighed and leapt down, padding over again. But he paused about ten feet away, watching Tuc and Nod.

Ryou carried them over to Marik and gently licked his cheek. "I love him.” he cooed to them, gently putting them down and rubbing himself against Marik.

Tuc and Nod exchanged glances, as though they were contemplating this idea. After a moment however, they hopped forward and began licking and rubbing up against Marik in apology.

Marik blinked. "Yeah, yeah, you'd better be sorry you little midget rabbits.... OW!! Okay, okay! Geeze, I'm sorry!" Marik checked his hand where Nod had given him a sharp nip.

Ryou giggled. "You be nice to them Marik, once I'm gone I can’t protect you from their little bunny wrath.” he said amusedly.

Yami chuckled slightly. "He's got a point Marik...” he said smiling slightly.

Marik groaned. "Jeeze... when you leave, they're gonna either try to kill me, or they'll stick to me like glue...” he muttered, laying down. Bakura crept in at that point and looked around, before snitching a slice of a peach from Yami's food dish.

Yami frowned. "Hey! Leave that alone! The birds need that!” he called, glaring.

Ryou nuzzled Marik and tugged his ear, dragging him slowly away from Yami and Bakura, grinning when they were quite far away, and out of sight. "So...” he cooed, hunching down and wiggling his little tail.

Marik grinned and let out a low feral growl, stalking closer to Ryou. But he froze when Tuc and Nod's ears shot up.

"Oh good greif!!!” he yelped, when Nod made a mock charge, sending the lion leaping back. "RYOU!!! CALL THEM OFF!!!"

"RYOU! MARIK!!!" Seto called, coming back in. "Get over here and help!!!"

"FUCK!!!" Marik howled.

Ryou shook with laughter, falling over and rolling around amused. "Tuc! Nod!” he laughed, thoroughly amused at Marik being thwarted by his loyal companions.

He slowly regained control of himself and hopped back to Yami, amused at the soft and disappointed mewling Marik was making as he followed, pouting.

Yami blinked as Ryou picked up a sponge and began washing away the majority of the mud, with utter gentleness. A smile spread across his features. "Thanks...” he said softly.

Marik gave a defeated sigh and picked up another sponge, beginning to work on Yami's other wing. And moments later, Seto joined Ryou and Bakura joined Marik, and the four began to sponge Yami as clean as they could.

"Strip, Yami." Seto commanded, quite suddenly.

Yami choked. "Excuse me?! This... is hardly the time or the place for me to be nude....” he said turning slightly red.

"You are NOT going inside wearing your muddy clothes." Seto said, as Marik moved to Yami's tail feathers.

Yami grumbled slightly, wrapping his wings around himself, like a curtain and removing the clothes quickly, blocking the view of himself quite efficiently with his wings. Though he looked rather irritated.

Ryou giggled and smiled at Yami. "Seto can carry you inside and get you cleaned up in a nice hot bath.” he said proudly, looking just as proud as he could be. "You'll be clean in no time!"

Yami's eyes widened slightly, and he looked at Seto nervously, coughing slightly.

Seto chuckled. "Yeah. You'll be clean in no time." And he swept Yami up into his arms and carried him out of the aviary. Marik and Bakura snickered, then Marik turned and began to stalk towards Ryou again, grinning.

Ryou smirked slightly. "Maybe after we leave Marik....” he said motioning to Tuc and Nod, who were once again thumping distressfully, warning Marik that they would attack.

Marik immediately froze and stared at the evil bunny pair. "Right... sure...” he muttered, tucking his tail and slowly backing away.

Ryou laughed softly. "The only lion afraid of bunnies...” he cooed, nuzzling Tuc and Nod and gently tucking then into a small hole in a tree. "You two... I want you to take care of Yami's birdies ok?” he said nuzzling them, before hopping out of the aviary, towards the house.

He turned to Marik and gave him a seductive look, before darting into the house.

"Mur!!" Marik exclaimed excitedly, his tail and ears perking. Bakura snickered as the lion bolted after Ryou, then looked at Tuc and Nod.

"Well... guess it's just the three of us now, eh?” he said, lying down and curling up on the moss bedding.

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

Ryou laughed loudly and scampered down the hall and into Marik's room, slamming the door shut and giggling on the other side, playing hard to get.

He could hear Marik thundering down the hall, and the door burst open a moment later. Marik sniffed the air, then growled and looked around. He padded in and closed the door behind him. The room was darkened, as the lights were turned off and the curtains were closed. The lion let out a low growl, his yellow eyes glowing in the darkness as they searched for Ryou.

Ryou remained silent, barely breathing as he sat in his hiding place, a small cabinet near the back of the room. His ears flicked gently, picking up every sound Marik made, and detecting his every movement as it was made.

Marik sniffed the floor, searching for Ryou's scent. He smirked and took off his shirt, dropping it to the carpet as he passed, and slid out of his jeans. The lion was now naked as he searched out his prey. His tongue traced over his lips.

"Can't hide for long..." Marik rumbled, his ears turning in every direction, trying to pick up any sounds.

Ryou's breath was so soft it was unheard, though he couldn't hide his excitement, this hunt was so.... dominating and erotic. He closed his eyes, blushing softly at the idea of being caught. The idea was actually quite arousing. It was almost a feral form of foreplay that was more than effective.

Ryou wasn't the only one who was feeling it. Marik was sweating in his own arousal and in anticipation of when he finally caught his bunny. He darted under the bed and slipped out the other side within seconds, not finding Ryou underneath it. He crept towards a large arm chair in the corner and pounced, knocking it over with one powerful swipe of his paw, but nothing was under it. He growled and turned, looking around the room.

"I'll find you...” he hissed, and a growl followed that announcement.

Ryou swallowed hard, fighting to remain silent and not moan in utter ecstasy. Marik had him so aroused from the simple act of hunting him. He had to force himself to remain still, his ears quivering in need. The darkness of the room… the silence that was broken only by hisses and growls… the occasional toppling of furniture as Marik hunted him down… the heat of his blood as he listened to every movement... it was so powerful!

Ryou gently and quietly gripped the wood of the cabinet; this was more erotic than he'd EVER imagined, and they hadn't even touched yet...

Marik drew closer and closer to Ryou's hiding place, and Marik paused and moaned as he found Ryou's scent getting stronger. Ryou's sweat and desire permeated Marik's senses... he could literally smell Ryou's lust and could almost taste the sexual tension between them. His eyes fell on the cabinet, and he grinned, his fangs seeming to glow like his eyes. He reached out and laid his hand on the door, then dug his claws in and dragged them down the wood, right on the other side of the door that Ryou was clutching.

Ryou gasped loudly, which was followed up by soft panting. "Marik...” he moaned from behind the cabinet door. He was found, his heart was racing because he was the cornered prey, and it made his blood burn and his heart hitch in his chest. "You... found me...” he panted gently pawning out of the door, before darting away, eager to be chased down to the very last moment.

Marik grinned and watched the tail disappear around the bed. "Oh yes...” he growled in a deep throaty tone. "Run all you like... you will not escape me...” he called, beginning to pad after Ryou. Their first time together was soft, tender and gentle... Marik's lip curled in a leering grin. This time would be no such thing... the lion crouched against the foot of the bed, ready to charge. His tail's lashing suddenly stilled, and his muscles tensed.

Then, with a massive roar that rattled the window and scared Yami and Seto to death in the bathroom down the hall, Marik launched himself forwards, his claws digging into the carpet as he made a sharp turn, barreling around the corner of the bed and towards Ryou, who had frozen near the overturned armchair, his eyes wide and his ears straight forward.

Ryou gasped and just barely managed to elude a pounce, by hopping behind the chair, which is what Marik ended up capturing. He scampered quickly past him, his hormones were raging, and he’d never been more aroused in his life!

He turned a corner and just managed to elude another pounce he'd not even heard coming! He panicked and crawled under the sofa, barely able to fit, but more than welcoming the friction against his arousal. Better still was Marik would be unable to catch him for the moment.

Marik growled and crouched, his eyes fixed on Ryou under the couch. "You don't really expect to get away from me, do you?” he asked, a growl roughing up his voice. Then, he grinned. "Do you even WANT to?"

Ryou moaned softly, smirking at Marik seductively. "I'm away from you now aren't I?” he said calmly, stretching and rubbing himself against the carpet in a sexy show of pure animalistic lust and need, his arousal aching for the attention, and rewarding himself for outsmarting the lion.

Marik smirked. "Not for long...” he growled, and leapt forwards, shouldering the couch over. It fell back with a crash, leaving Ryou exposed.

Ryou squeaked and bolted away quickly panting softly and moaning as he ran, his body aching for attention, but his blood boiling with excitement and lust. Marik was his everything, and this was the most fun he'd had in so long, not to mention the most turned on he'd been in his life!

He gasped and whipped around a corner and hopped on top of various pieces of furniture, somehow managing to sit atop the canopy of the bed, hiding in the folds of the fabric.

Marik blinked and looked up, a bit confused as to how Ryou had gotten up there. "Mao?” he asked, cocking his head and lashing his tail, looking a bit too cute for the current situation.

Ryou peered down smirking. "Away..." he hissed, ears quivering.

Marik blinked, then grinned and crouched again, growling and lashing his tail, digging his claws into the floor. With another roar he leapt up, crashing into one of the bed posts and trying to climb up onto the canopy, his claws shredding it. With a crack from the bedpost and a loud rip, the entire thing collapsed, Marik getting tangled up in the shredded canopy. He let out a confused roar as he found the cloth covering his head.

Ryou laughed delightedly, managing to elude the lion's grasp once more. "Not a good hunter.” he called back teasingly, darting to hide again, in a particularly good spot, and remaining motionless within his ideal hiding place, swallowing hard.

Marik began ferociously fighting the cloth of the canopy, roaring, clawing and ripping at the fabric that did not want to relinquish its hold on the lion. There was another rip, and Ryou watched Marik charge across the room with the canopy cloth still over his head. And moments later he ran headfirst into the wall, dropping to the floor and not moving.

Ryou squeaked and his ears shot straight up, before he scampered over to his lover and hurriedly unraveled him from the canopy. "Marik?” he called softly, worried his lover had injured himself badly. "Are you ok?"

Marik's eyes snapped open and his fingers wrapped around Ryou's upper arms. "Gotcha.” he grinned.

Ryou blinked and he laughed softly, squirming slightly. "Sneaky...” he cooed nuzzling Marik. "I suppose you have got me... what are you going to do with me now?” he asked longingly,

Marik grinned and pushed Ryou to the floor, crouching over him. "Good question...” he growled, grinning and showing his teeth to Ryou. "I told you that you couldn't get away..."

Ryou groaned and arched beneath Marik, still fully clothed despite the lion's nudeness. "Yes... I'm yours.... but what will you do with me... now that you've caught me?” he moaned, his panting starting once more, ears quivering.

Marik grinned and ripped Ryou’s pajama shirt open and off. "I'm gonna eat ya!!!” he exclaimed, then began to playfully chew on Ryou's arm.

Ryou mewled softly, grumbling and looking at Marik needily. "You better eat every part of me or I will give you horrible indigestion." he hissed, squirming beneath Marik.

Marik laughed and lowered his head, then let his tongue fall out, dragging it all the way up Ryou's stomach, chest, neck and cheek. "Mmmm... White chocolate bunny...” he snickered.

Ryou shivered and his ears fell limply to the floor, his panting hitching for a moment. "I've missed you so much...” he groaned softly. "My lover... my mate...” he moaned softly, squirming once more, trying to rub himself against Marik. "Make me yours.... Make me not forget you again..."

Marik grinned. "Oh, you can guarantee that!!!” he said. "You will NEVER be able to forget me after this night..." And he placed his hand on Ryou's chest and gently dragged his claws down Ryou's torso, tickling him.

Ryou squirmed and giggled. "Marik!” he yelped, giggling. "Stop teasing me!"

Marik chuckled. "C'mon bunny...” he growled, nipping at Ryou. His claws caught Ryou's pants and began to shred them away.

Ryou yelped and shuddered as Marik shred the last remains of his pj pants away, leaving him exposed and vulnerable to his precious lion's 'attack'. "Marik...” he cooed squirming to get loose and touch him, desperate for him.

Marik grinned and began to lick Ryou's left leg, slowly getting further and further up, to his thigh. Then, he licked over Ryou's stomach and back down his other leg, purposely by passing Ryou's arousal.

Ryou whined loudly. "Marik!! You're being so cruel to your bunny!” he arched and tried desperately to cause some friction between them, desperate to ease his aching need. He squirmed to free himself from Marik's pinning, needing to touch, to be touched.... everything!

"How much do you want it?" Marik asked, his glowing yellow eyes slowly appearing from between Ryou's legs.

Ryou whined. "A LOT!” he whimpered squirming. "Please!"

Marik chuckled. "Hmmmm.... I dunno... Maybe I will just eat you..."

Ryou looked at Marik fiercely. "If you don’t EAT me right now I swear I'll go get Tuc and Nod and we'll EAT you!” he howled squirming more.

Marik grinned and growled. "Better run...” he hissed, in the mood for another chase. He wanted to catch his bunny on his own... without using underhanded tactics to trick him into coming to him.

Ryou moaned loudly and squirmed to get away, darting across the room quickly. Marik was so exciting, and arousing... and all his.

Marik grinned. "Five...” he began to count. "Four... Three... Two... ONE!!!" And he leapt after Ryou with a roar.

Ryou squeaked delightedly and sped up, eager to give his lover a long chase, or at least as long has he could stand before giving up in his lust.

Marik chased Ryou around the bed, under the bed, out the other side, around the over turned chair, and then out the door and down the hall. Yami stood in the doorway with a towel around his hips, Seto right behind him. They both stared as the little white bunny hopped down the hall as fast as he could, the golden lion racing after him, both completely naked.

Yami slapped his forehead. "Great... just the thing I needed to see.” he grumbled shaking his head. "My friend racing down the hall buck naked being chased by Marik, both with raging hard ons... nice.” he grumbled. "Next thing I know Bakura will suddenly waltz by doing the same. Hell, we'll ALL become nudists."

Seto rolled his eyes. "Keep your towel on, Yami.” he groaned, heading towards his bedroom. He knocked on Mokuba's door, and at Mokuba's call, poked his head in. "Mokuba. Do NOT leave your room until I say it's okay... TRUST ME!"

"Okay, Seto!" Mokuba called, and Seto closed the door, and then went to his own room.

"Come on Yami. We need to barricade ourselves in the bedroom before the shit hits the fan."

Yami laughed slightly. "I think the shit has ALREADY hit the fan.” he said shaking his head, shaking his wings out a bit. He happily obliged Seto however and went into the room to hide out until the two hybrids got out their sexual tension. "Ra... You need to get them their own house soon; I don’t think I can stand all of these horny hybrids running around... it is starting to disturb me."

Seto laughed. "Despite the fact that you're one of them?” he asked.

Yami began to preen. "I have YET to run through this house completely naked. But if you push it, I wouldn't mind being the one to disturb Mokuba more than he already is."

Seto rolled his eyes. "I'm sure you would.” he muttered.

Meanwhile, Marik and Ryou had made their way to the complete other side of the house.

Ryou hopped quickly over furniture, hoping to slow Marik down on this chase, and scampered under another couch, but squeaked when he got caught halfway out the other end.

Marik followed Ryou over and under all of the furniture, knocking most of it over and breaking more than a few items. When he dove under the sofa that Ryou was stuck under, he yelped; he was now stuck, too. And to only further aggravate the lion, right in front of his face was a little white bottom with a fluffy tail flicking madly.

Ryou burst into giggles. "I'm stuck I'm stuck!” he giggled squirming. "Marik save me save me!” he added amused, and slightly tickled by his hair.

Marik growled. "You're not the only one!!!" And he grit his teeth, then groaned and got to his paws, lifting the sofa. "OUT!"

Ryou grinned and happily obliged nuzzling Marik as he set the couch back down. "mmm...” he murmured beginning to lick his back and shoulders, the chase over for the moment, and he knew those muscles must be sore. "Have you missed me while I was away?" Ryou cooed rubbing against him seductively, while giving him a long loving lick up his back.

Marik groaned and shivered, then growled and turned, leaping at Ryou who darted under the coffee table to escape. "I just had you shaking that little tail of yours in my face, and I intend to catch it!!!" Marik roared.

Ryou laughed and scampered away, hiding in one of the many closets of Seto's house. This one had a massive storing of pillows on the floor and Ryou tugged a blanket down and curled up among the strikingly white pillows, under the blanket, panting and waiting. There was no escape from this hiding spot, and if Marik found him...

Ryou groaned softly and covered his mouth to prevent himself from another outburst, lest he gave away his hiding place.

Marik skidded around the corner, and froze. The hall was empty. But there was a door ajar. Marik lowered his belly to the floor, his eyes glued on the door. And he slunk down the hall towards it, without a sound.

Ryou hunched down silently, ears twitching occasionally, unable to tell if Marik was coming or not. He bit his lip and peered out from under his blanket, curious.

"Hello, Thumper." Marik grinned, his face only inches from Ryou's.

Ryou squeaked, and nearly fell over himself, scrambling to get to the back of the closet, panting loudly. "M-Marik!” he yelped tripping and tumbling over the pillows, ruining the stacks, but making a convenient nest like crevice, and safely preventing himself from knocking harshly into the wall.

Marik grinned and slowly began to stalk into the closet, cornering Ryou. "No escape now, Peter Rabbit... Time to learn what happens when you play in Mr. Macgregor’s Garden..." And the closet grew pitch black when Marik closed the door...
Ryou's eyes widened in the darkness, unable to really see, he whimpered softly, ears standing straight up, twitching occasionally at the soft rustle of pillows, he inched his way to the side, gasping when he felt the cold wall touch his back, and he knew he was cornered, in every form of the word.

Ryou began to shake in excitement and in slight fear as he heard a deep growl that soon fell silent. He knew Marik was in the closet with him, but hey... it was a BIG closet... For a moment, he thought he caught a flash of eyes, but it was gone in an instant. He couldn't hear Marik, the lion had perfected his stalking technique; he moved without a sound. But suddenly Ryou tensed when he got a nose full of Marik's exotic scent, and a moment later there was a hot breath on his neck...

Ryou whimpered loudly, pressing against the wall, his ears falling back against his hair. "M-Marik...” he said softly, not knowing what was going to happen next. It excited him, and frightened him at the same time, not knowing what Marik had planned. He silently tried to inch along the wall and get away.

"Oh... you're not getting away..." Marik hissed. "This is as good a place as any to... take down my prey..." And with that, he pounced, bringing Ryou to the pillow and linen covered floor, pinning him there on his back. Then, Marik kissed Ryou deep and hard, sliding his rough tongue into his bunny's mouth and grinding his hips onto Ryou's.

Ryou moaned into the kiss, pressing against Marik eagerly. He panted softly once Marik pulled away, half to catch his breath, and half in anticipation. His predator... his master, his mate and he was more than glad to serve under Marik's order... because Marik would only ask his love. He cooed and nipped at Marik's neck lightly, licking along his jawbone and kissing him once more, closing his crimson eyes submissively.

With a low purring moan, Marik kissed back, and then began to lick Ryou's face and neck. "Once the lion has brought down his prey... He suffocates it... like this..." And he closed his jaws on Ryou's wind pipe, cutting of his breath for a few seconds. "When the animal stops struggling, the lion will drag it to a safe place to rest... but since we're already there, we'll skip that part...” he chuckled and slowly licked down Ryou's chest, dragging his fingers down the bunny's sides.

Ryou gasped softly, squirming slightly. "Th-then what?” he breathed, curious, fearful and eager all at once. Marik had him, putty in his hands, and he was content to be his lover's lunch... forever. In fact he relished the idea, longing to be the mighty lion's prey every night, especially during travel...

Marik let out a low chuckle. "Then we rip them open...” he trailed lower. "In the area where the skin is the softest... here..." And his claws traced their way down Ryou's inner thighs while Marik's rough tongue dragged up Ryou's erection.

Ryou's breath hitched in his throat, and he began to tremble softly. "R-rip them open?” he asked fearfully though the suggestion somehow sent a wave of heat straight between his legs, and he couldn't help the moan that escaped his throat.

"And then..." Marik growled. "We devour them!" And he devoured Ryou's arousal, swallowing around it and massaging it with his tongue, purring the entire time sending deep vibrations through Ryou's groin.

Ryou yelped, moaning loudly and thrusting his hips, groaning in delight. His pants were growing closer together as Marik 'devoured' him and he shook his head. "I... I will be your breakfast. Lunch and dinner... every day...” he moaned lovingly. "As often as you are hungry for me... just please devour me, every inch of me!” he breathed, gripping Marik

Marik purred louder, slowly drawing away. "Gladly...” he hissed, sucking his fingers into his mouth momentarily before going down on Ryou again. Being very careful to keep his claws sheathed, he slid a finger into Ryou, swallowing at the same time to distract his bunny.

Ryou yelped softly, moaning all the louder. "Y-yes! Oh Marik!” he mewled arching into the touches. "Please!" It was everything he remembered, feral, lustful and just as beautiful and loving as before, even if not so gentle.

Marik added in a second finger, and then slowly let Ryou slip from his lips as he felt the bunny reaching completion. "Oh... Not yet...” he growled thrusting a third finger into him, then lapping at the base of his erection, gradually moving to what hung beneath, giving agonizing licks that were slowly driving Ryou insane.

Ryou whined loudly, arching to get attention back on his aching arousal. "Marik please!” he felt tears welling in his eyes from pent up lust. "Please Marik!” he moaned louder than before, delighted that Marik still remembered where his most pleasurable spot was.

Marik chuckled and withdrew his fingers, flicking his tongue lower Ryou's entrance briefly before getting up and slowly circling Ryou, staring over him with lustful eyes and a predatory growl.

Ryou stared up at him, panting and moaning. He traced his own hands over himself, desperate to feel that heat on his skin. "Marik....” he moaned, his ears quivering sharply when he pinched his own nipples, before letting his hands roam further down his body. "I need you so much..."

Marik grinned, then darted around Ryou and pounced, flipping him onto his stomach and bringing him up to his knees. He purred and gave Ryou a slow, long lick starting at the base of his penis and slowly moving back, then up between his buttocks and tracing all the way up his spine. "Are you ready?” he hissed into Ryou's ears.

Ryou moaned loudly. "Yesssss...” he hissed back his whole body trembling with need. "Marik please!” he wailed, ears drooping into his face, from his inability to concentrate on anything but the massive need in his body.

Marik grinned and gave a growling purr, mounting Ryou and moving into position before finally thrusting, not wasting any time in completely sheathing his "lion hood" into Ryou's body.

Ryou gasped holding perfectly still, grunting slightly in lustful content for the moment. "Oh yes...” he cooed groaning happily.

Marik snickered. "Does my bunny like that?” he purred, grooming Ryou's ears.

"Yes... yes... more..." Ryou murmured dazedly. "Please..."

Marik growled and drew out, then thrust back in. And he continued these movements, not wasting any time in picking up a harsh rhythm of pumping in and out of Ryou's body. He wrapped arms around Ryou, holding him still as he thrust hard into his body, then growled and sunk his teeth into Ryou's shoulder, panting.

Ryou whimpered softly groaning loudly, the pain hardly felt against the immense pleasure. "Oh Marik!” he moaned closing his eyes and thrusting against Marik. He could hardly keep himself from collapsing against Marik's rough thrusting, but it felt wonderful just the same, and his release was so near... so close and so fierce.

Marik released Ryou from the grip of his jaws and began to feverishly lick at Ryou's shoulders, purring this time.

"I love you...” he panted, thrusting frantically. "I missed you... I don't want to let you go back to the horrible man who took you from me..."

Ryou shook his head, ears and hair flopping slightly. "Don’t.... let’s leave...." he breathed, his voice shaky from lust and pleasure. "Please... let’s go away from here... you and I.... build a wonderful life for ourselves...” he moaned loudly. "Even if it was out in the wilderness... I'd live anywhere with you, even a cave in a mountain..."

Marik groaned. "W-We can't...” he gasped. "You have to go back. For Malik. And Bakura. And all of us. But I promise... It won't, ah, be for long.... we're... we're so close... gods... I'm so close, Ryou...." The lion panted and his claws began to unsheathe as he gripped Ryou tighter.

Ryou whimpered softly, shaking his head once more. "Marik...” he said softly, moaning and arching, his tail twitching. "Please.... I... I...” he gasped and grit his teeth, his orgasm hitting him like a brick wall.

Marik whimpered and bent over Ryou, his thrusts becoming shallow and erratic. Then, he let out a massive roar as he finally thrust as deep as he could into Ryou and released two months of his pent up rage, frustration and separation anxiety into the one he had been longing for.

Ryou whimpered softly, riding out the waves of pleasure, as the pain from bloody claw marks and bite slowly set in. He curled into Marik's arms and sniffled softly. "I don’t want to leave you... I don’t want to go back... please... don’t make me Marik.... don’t make me...” he said, sniffling and clinging to him.

Marik groaned and finally pulled out of Ryou's body and flopped to the floor, pulling Ryou into his chest and cuddling him with a purr.

"You have to, baby... but not for long. I promise... Malik needs you."

Ryou gave Marik a heartbroken look. "But... I don’t want to... I need to stay with you... I can’t go back... if I go back..." Ryou shivered and tears began trailing down his cheeks. "Please... I lost you once... I lost everything because of that man... please don’t make me go back...” he sniffled pathetically. "I just want to run away... I don’t care if I am never human again... I just want away... with you. Anywhere... except with Pegasus.” he mumbled sniffling. "A cave, a tree... even a garbage dump would be home... just as long as I never had to leave you..."

Marik sighed and gently licked away Ryou's tears. "Baby... I love you. And I will not let him keep you much longer. I promise. But Malik needs you to help him. We can't leave him to Pegasus. Think Ryou... if you leave, what will happen? What will happen to Malik? Bakura?"

Ryou looked away sniffling. "I want to be selfish... I want to get away while I can... with you...” he mumbled, ears drooping.

Marik began grooming his ears, purring. "Think Ryou... how would you feel if you went back to Pegasus and he treated you with cruelty. He didn't love you, or pretend to love you... he blatantly abused you and used you... And you spent the rest of your life like that... That is the life that Malik will be fated to live out if we run away..." Marik hugged Ryou. "You have to go back..."

Ryou sniffled softly, curling up against Marik. "I still want to be selfish...” he mumbled sighing and looking at Marik miserably. "What if he really takes me away to Paris... and never comes back.... how would you find me?” he whispered, sniffling and clinging to Marik as though he'd be whisked away any moment.

Marik purred and nuzzled Ryou. "I have Seto. He will help me.” he whispered. "Don't worry. I won't let anything stand in my way of getting you back... I love you." And he began to soothe Ryou with gentle purrs as he groomed his bunny.

Just as Ryou was starting to relax, his eyes widened, as Marik began grooming the bite wound once more. "M-Marik..." he breathed, voice quivering, this time out of fear. "Y-you bit me..."

The lion blinked. "Huh? Oh, shit... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you; I... shit... lions umm... do that when mating..." And he purred and began to lick the bleeding bite wound.

Ryou shook his head. "Y-you don’t understand...” he said getting up and backing away slightly. "P-Pegasus... h-he'll see it... h-he'll know....” he said, beginning to shake like a leaf in a storm. "He'll know...."

Marik felt his breath catch and his skin prickle. "Oh shit...” he gasped. "S-Seto... SETO!!!" And he whirled and burst out of the closet, racing down the hall roaring for the CEO.

Ryou whimpered, scuttling after Marik, hardly able to keep up. "Marik!” he whimpered, tripping just as they reached Seto's door and tumbling over, thunking into it. "Ouch...” he mumbled, sitting up, having bloodied the door.

"SETOOOOOOO!!!" Marik roared, and began clawing the door. Inside, Seto poked his head out of the shower.

"YAMI! Shut him up!!!” he called. "I've got shampoo in my hair!!!"

Yami looked up from Seto's bed, happily reclining and looking at the latest duel monsters magazine. "Rinse it out.” he called back smartly. "I'm busy.” he added, purposefully being an ass, because Seto was so cute when he was angry... and plus, it was always fun to tick off the CEO of Kaiba corp.

"GODAMMIT, YAMI!!!" Seto howled. "IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE NEXT WEEK LOCKED IN THE FUCKIN' AVIARY....” he let that threat hang as he was interrupted. "OW!!! SHIT!!! NOW I HAVE SOAP IN MY EYE!! YAMIIIII!!!"

Yami laughed. "Fine Fine.” he said shaking his head. "But I better get a reward!” he called back, chuckling at the string of curses he received in reply. "I love you too!” he called, answering the door. "Seto said to shut up.” he said calmly, chuckling. "What do you need?"

"We have a problem..." Marik whimpered, and then glared as Yami stared at the claw marks on the door. "BIGGER than that, bird brain!!! Ryou... me an' Ryou were... umm.... doin' it and I... I.... SHIT!! Yami, I couldn't stop myself! The lion just took over and I bit him and he's okay but Pegasus will see and he's gonna know and, oh gods Yami, I fucked up, what are we gonna do?!?!" The lion cried, frantically

Yami blinked and looked at Ryou. "Ra....” he said shaking his head. "You fucked up BIG Marik.” he said shocked. "I don’t know what we can do... They won’t heal by tomorrow... and the teeth marks are too big to blame on any animal in that pet shop, PLUS the scratch marks... are... well, placed in an obvious place."

Marik whimpered up at Yami, then looked down at Ryou

"C'mon... we have to think of something!" The lion whined, starting to sweat. "I mean... what will Pegasus do when he sees Ryou?!"

Yami shook his head. "Marik, nothing in the pet shop was big enough to do that to him, plus Rem would be in trouble if we blamed another hybrid, PLUS Pegasus might try to kill whoever we blame!" Yami said worriedly. "I don’t know what you think I would think of..."

"You're smart!!!" Marik whined. "You're supposed to be able to think of something!!!” he turned and looked back down at Ryou with another whimper.

Yami sighed. "Marik there's nothing I can do. Do you want to blame someone else and have them killed?” he asked calmly.

Ryou's ears drooped slightly and he crawled under Marik, feeling the need for protection.

Unfortunately, Marik felt the need for protection, too. He started to shake, then threw back his head and wailed. "I WANT MASTER MALIK!!!" Seto emerged from the bathroom, wiping his face.

"What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

Yami sighed. "Marik tore Ryou up, and I told him there's not much we can do about it...” he explained.

Ryou sniffled softly and nuzzled Marik's arm. "Marik...” he said softly, slightly disappointed he had called for his 'master'. "Marik... please don’t..."

Seto blinked and finally saw Ryou's shoulder, and his eyes widened. "Oh fuck... MARIK!! WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!!!” he roared, moving towards the lion. Marik stared at Seto coming, then turned and scuttled away, belly to the floor. He ended up down the hall under a table, looking like a frightened kitten.

"I... I'm sorry!” he gasped in a high pitched voice. "I didn't mean to! What... what'll I do?! If Pegasus hurts Ryou, it... It's all my fault!"

Ryou looked at Marik sadly. "It's ok Marik. Pegasus won’t hurt me.” he cooed softly, knowing that was exactly the opposite of true. His mate needed help more than he did... help to become human again... to be his own man and fear no one else's actions. He sighed inwardly, he knew what to do to resolve the issue... but he didn't like it.

Marik shook his head, and once he realized that no one was coming after him, he ran to Ryou, knocking the bunny to the ground and smothered him with purrs and nuzzles and licks and kisses.

"I love you...” he gasped. "I love you... I can't bare the thought that I have caused you pain... please forgive me... I love you..."

Ryou smiled softly and nodded, cuddling Marik. "I'd like some clothes...” he said softly. "and.... maybe something to eat?"

Marik blinked, then looked down at Ryou and himself. And he turned red. "Ah... yeah... umm... clothes are generally a... GOOD thing...” he stammered, and Seto rolled his eyes, returning to the bathroom.

Ryou giggled softly. "You tore up my pants...” he added blushing and looking particularly amused.

Marik gave him a sheepish smile, then began to nudge Ryou, coaxing him to his feet. "Let's go get dressed, then...” he purred, and began to trot down the hall towards his bedroom.

Ryou scurried after him, closing the door behind them and cooing at his lover. "I'm so glad I got to see you...” he whispered nuzzling Marik. "Promise me you'll come see me.” he asked softly.

Marik blinked. "Come see you? How?” he asked, standing and rooting through the closet.

Ryou nodded, hopping over and slowly shakily standing himself, propping himself against the wall. "Yes... and Bakura too...” he said softly. "Malik would want to see Bakura..."

Marik frowned as he slowly pulled out a pair of pants. "Come visit you where, Ryou?” he asked softly. "I can't go to Pegasus' house... he... He'll kill me!"

"Not in the house..." Ryou said shaking his head. "In the back yard...there is tunnels underground... one of them leads out to a bush... No one is ever watching the back yard... you could crawl into the tunnel and stay in the den.” he explained slowly. "I could make it bigger, so you could wait for Malik and me at night..."

Marik's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "WHAT?! Ryou! I'm a lion! I don't go underground!!! We... we would get caught, I just know it! It's... it's... it's too dangerous, no... no..." But then he looked at Ryou and sighed, smiling. "But you know I'll do it anyway...” he mumbled in a defeated tone.

Ryou smiled. "I'll dig it up so there'll be plenty of room for you to sit or lay comfortably... it'll take a little while, but I should be able to get it done by tomorrow night." He said nuzzling Marik. "That way you can visit me, and Bakura can see Malik... we won’t be alone."

Marik smiled and nuzzled Ryou, purring. "I love you..." His whispered, and gently kissed Ryou before giving him a pair of pants. Then he pulled on a pair himself. "So... food?"

Ryou nodded eagerly, putting on the pants, laughing slightly at how much taller Marik really was, while rolling up the bottom of the pants so they'd fit him. "I want a salad... with breaded chicken bits in it....mmm"

Marik blinked. "Are you allowed to have meat?” he asked.

Ryou nodded. "I've had chicken before.” he said calmly. "Besides, I'm human too, I can eat whatever I want."

Marik grinned. "That's my boy.” he cooed, cupping Ryou's cheek in his paw and rubbing noses with the bunny before sneaking a quick kiss. "Let's go." And he took Ryou's hand and led him from the room.

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


Great news, people. I'M NOT LEAVING!!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!