The Wild

The Wild

Hatochiisai & Mally-chan

YAOI WARNING

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

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Chapter 27

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Marik purred and nuzzled Nadira, then turned and trotted out of the caves and over to the group of males. They all began to begin the pre-hunt affection ritual, sniffing and rubbing on each other, before finally turning their attention to Abazu, leading the hunting party.

Abazu chuckled and nuzzled each of the hunting party. "Today, we're going to try to fetch ourselves a nice pair of boars. I've heard the supply ships have released several today." He said smiling at Marik. "So we shall feed ALL our hungry tonight."

Marik grinned and lashed his tail. "Told ya." He said, and the other males snickered at the young lion's cocky attitude. "Too bad we can't have barbecue sauce with those ribs..."

Abazu rolled his eyes. "Cocky thing." he teased and turned. "Let’s go." And he began walking, the other males following behind.

Marik trotted and romped about, however, sniffing at everything on the trail, but as he didn't make any noise the other males allowed him to do so.

In the distance, several loud howls were heard, as well as squeals. "Heh, it seems the wolves have found themselves a boar of their own." Abazu commented softly.

Marik suddenly froze, his nose to the ground. "Murr? MAO!!!" He yelped, then surged forwards, darting around the leader with a roar.

Abazu jumped out of the way, startled, before he followed, the other lions in hot pursuit of their younger friend. "Marik!"

Marik streaked through the jungle as fast as he could, going after the scents he had picked up.

The other lions kept as close behind as they could.

Ahead, the three wolves were chasing and snarling at a pair of white and black blurs, which were darting through the forest as fast as they could.

Marik's eyes widened, then narrowed and he gave a furious roar that echoed through the jungle... a roar that Ryou would NEVER mistake...

Ryou's ears shot up as he ran, and he turned sharply, darting past the startled wolves and under the roaring lion, Tachi hot on his heels. "Marik!" he squeaked delightedly, though he pressed low to the ground, swallowing hard at the wolves that were closing in.

"He's OUR meal..." They growled, tails lashing and teeth bared.

Marik growled and moved off of Ryou and Tachi, stalking towards them. "He's MY MATE!!!" Marik roared. "Back off now or YOU will be my meal!!!"

The wolves all three lunged at Marik, working as a pack, a unity to take down the single lion.

Marik met their attack with a furious roar, taking down one with a powerful swipe from his paw, before turning on another with claws and teeth.

The third wolf however met Marik with a powerful bite to the arm, clawing him in the side, while the first slowly got up and lunged again. About this time, the other lions roared furiously. The wolves' eyes widened, and suddenly the three gray hunters ran, tails between their legs.

Marik roared after them, then turned and rushed over to Ryou and Tachi, beginning to sniff them both all over, searching for any injuries.

Ryou grinned and nuzzled Marik. "Don’t ever leave me again!" he whimpered latching onto him in a big bear hug.

Marik blinked, then closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Ryou, returning the hug. "Ryou... are you okay?! What are you doing here?!"

Ryou littered Marik's face with kisses. "I came looking for you... I was miserable without you..." He mumbled ears drooping. "I love you how you are, flaws or not!"

Marik blinked. "Oh, Ryou..." He mewed softly, gently petting Ryou's cheek. "I... I was going to come home... I was! I'm sorry I upset you that much... I just thought that we... needed some time apart..."

Ryou shook his head. "Never again! No matter what you think! I love you!!" he clung to Marik tightly.

Abazu smirked. "Well, it seems your little lover braved dangers to come see you, you should tell him all about helping keep the pride alive." He said grinning.

Marik smiled and purred, nuzzling Ryou. "Ryou... baby... I think you're a little... over dressed..."

"YOU are naked." Tachi said in Ryou's defense.

Ryou giggled. "I think you've got to be kidding, there's a crowd." Ryou added shaking his head.

Abazu burst out laughing. "Young love. Marik, why don’t you take your friends back to the den, we will finish the hunt, and I'll gather some fruit for your little friends."

Marik looked up. "Really? Okay!!" He exclaimed, but then blinked. Tachi looked terrified as one of the male lions sniffed over him, tail lashing in interest.

Ryou grinned slyly. "Ohh Tachi, you made a friend..." he cooed as the lion gave Tachi a quizzical look and continued sniffing at him.

Marik snorted. "Samba? What are you doing?" He asked.

"I smell a female on him!" The elder (though not by much) lion gasped. Marik blinked, then sniffed Tachi.

"Oh! That's Kumani!" He said, and Samba looked at Marik, curious.

Ryou giggled. "She's single, if you're interested." he cooed to Samba. "I'll have to take Tachi to the bunny meadows tomorrow... I doubt anyone would be out this late..." he said licking Tachi's cheek. "Is that ok?"

Tachi gulped and nodded. Marik chuckled. "Gonna get Tachi some tail?" He asked his mate, nuzzling the white bunny.

Ryou nodded eagerly. "Tachi wants a mate... and I bet one of those bunnies would love to have him."

Marik smiled. "I'm sure they would. But for now, let me get you two to the den, where you'll be safe."

Ryou nodded eagerly. "Yes please!" he squeaked happily, nuzzling his lover as the other lions went off to finish their hunt.

Marik smiled. "Stay close then, you two." He said, and turned, trotting off the way he had come.

Ryou hopped beside Marik and on Marik's other side was Tachi. "You look so happy...." Ryou said softly. "Did you miss me?"

Marik smiled. "Very much." He said, looking at Ryou. "How did you get here? How did you know where I was?"

"Rem figured it out." Ryou cooed. "When she said she thought this was where you were... I came."

Marik blinked, then smirked. "I should have known Mama would give me away..." He chuckled.

Ryou nuzzled up to Marik as they neared the dens. He gave a big yawn. "I'm so sleepy..."

Marik chuckled. "Well, you can sleep in the den."

"Oh gods! We're going into a LION'S DEN!!!" Tachi wailed.

Ryou nodded eagerly and grinned. "The lions won’t eat us, I promise. Marik will protect us!"

Marik smiled. "Yep!" And he walked into the den, calling to his family. "Murrrrumph!"

Akello bounded forward and nuzzled Marik, purring. "Hi big brother!" he said eagerly. "You brought your bunny!"

Marik grinned. "Yeah! He came all the way across the water to find me!" He said, purring and nuzzling the cub. "Ryou, this is my little brother, Akello."

Ryou blinked. "Little brother?" he asked inching forward to sniff at Akello. "You mean from the adoptive family you got?"

Marik smiled and nodded. "Yes. I also have a little sister, Shanti."

Ryou grinned and gave Akello a little lick. "Nice to meet you." he cooed as Shanti loped forward and pounced on Marik's head.

"Big brother!" She mewed. "You're home!"

Marik laughed and lifted his head, tossing it back and sending the little cub tumbling onto his back. "Yep! I brought someone with me, too!"

Ryou giggled as Nadira approached and shook her head smiling. "I thought you said your mate wasn't here..." She said smiling. "And who's this other one?" She said sniffing at Tachi.

Marik smiled. "This is Tachi. And Ryou found out I was here and stowed away on the supply boat." He said. "I guess Tachi came with him..."

Ryou smiled and nuzzled Marik. "So... where do we sleep?" he asked softly, tugging his lover's ear in his teeth gently.

Marik smiled. "Over here!" He trotted over to his family's part of the den and flopped down, sending Shanti tumbling off of him. He turned and pinned her with a paw. "Whatcha gonna do now?"

"MEW!!!" She cried, and began wrestling with Marik's forearm.

Ryou grinned, curling up next to Marik and nuzzling into him as Akello pounced on Marik's arm and began tugging his ear in his teeth.

"I'll save you!" he mewed proudly.

Marik grinned and turned, swiping Akello's paws out from under him, pinning both cubs down and chuckling. "Gonna have to try harder than THAT!"

Tachi in the mean time was huddled against the wall, looking terrified.

Ryou blinked and got up, looking at Tachi worriedly. "Tachi calm down... if they were going to hurt us, they would have by now." he said hopping over to Tachi and nuzzling him. "C'mon... lay down with Marik and me..."

Tachi gulped and wedged himself BETWEEN Marik and Ryou, shaking.

"Hey... it's okay." Marik said. "My family won't hurt you..." He said.

"I don't think I'll get any sleep tonight..." Tachi whimpered.

"You're safer in here than you would be out there." Marik pointed out.

Ryou nodded and nuzzled Tachi. "I'll take care of you too... I promise. C'mon... calm down. You lived with Kumani a long time and she didn't scare you like this."

"Kumani wasn't a whole PRIDE of lions!" Tachi squeaked. "Oh, Miss Emiko will flip when she finds out I practically ran away with you..."

Ryou shook his head. "Not when she sees you with a mate, she'll be thrilled!"

Tachi blinked, then smiled and blushed a bit, settling down. "We... we can go find the other bunnies tomorrow?"

Ryou nodded. "First thing tomorrow!" he cheered. "We'll find you the best bunnies to mate!"

Tachi grinned and flicked his tail excitedly. Marik chuckled, then turned and licked Nadira's chin, purring.

Nadira smiled and nuzzled her son, grooming his ears. "He's a fine mate. I never thought a lion could find such a good match in anything but another lion... but you did well for yourself son..." She purred.

Marik grinned and purred even louder, lashing his tail and going back to playing with Shanti and Akello while they awaited the return of the hunting party.

The hunting party returned within the hour, and were proudly carrying a pair of boars, which were eagerly cleaned and distributed. Even Abazu was proudly eating a large hunk of meat. Nadira nuzzled Marik, setting a large chunk of meat before him. "Here sweetie." she purred, setting smaller chunks in front of Akello and Shanti, before eating her own chunk.

Marik purred and tore into the meat with fervor, and Tachi's eyes widened. "Is... is he.... EEEWWW!!!"

Ryou giggled softly shaking his head. "You'll get used to it." he cooed licking Tachi's ears to calm him. A lioness approached them not long after and presented them with a large leaf, which was wrapped around several fruits. "Your dinner." She purred giving them both a playful lick, then turning to get her own bit of dinner.

Tachi squeaked at the lick, but quickly nosed the leaf open. "Oooooh..." He cooed, and snatched a pear, beginning to munch right away. Marik chuckled at Tachi, and smiled at Ryou, licking the blood from his lips.

Ryou picked up an apple and began nibbling it. "It's been a while since you've eaten meat like that..." he said smiling. "It's... good to see you enjoying the things you used to love again."

Marik smiled. "I haven't been able to STOMACH raw meat ever since... well... I don't know if I ever told you this but... Constantine fed me rabbit meat... soaked in your blood, Ryou... and told me that it WAS you... and I had... killed you..." Marik shuddered.

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Well I hope you at least thought I was delicious." he teased nuzzling him. "But it's good to see... that you've recovered."

Marik frowned. "I nearly lost my sanity right then and there... and I haven't been able to eat raw meat since... but they helped me get back to it." And he turned and licked Nadira's cheek.

Nadira nuzzled him. "My little Marik had so much inside of him... but Abazu helped him find himself again... despite all of it." She purred flicking her tail. "He's my precious wonder-child."

Ryou giggled and nuzzled Marik. "He's MY precious wonder-mate."

Marik blushed and giggled, which made Tachi lift an ear and raise an eyebrow, then topple over laughing.

Soon the den grew dark, and the lions began curling around their families and sleeping. Nadira curled around Akello and Shanti, nuzzling them while Ryou nuzzled up to Marik and Tachi. "I love you Marik..." he cooed softly. "Angel misses you, you should go home soon..."

Marik yawned. "We'll... talk about it tomorrow okay?" He sighed, curling around the two bunnies. "While... Tachi chases some tail."

"Hey!"

Ryou giggled softly and nuzzled Tachi, laying his head on the black bunny's shoulders, nuzzling his body against his big loving mate. "Tomorrow..." he mumbled starting to doze.

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In the morning, Marik rose with the sun, stretching and heading out of the den to relieve himself in the jungle. He gave a wide yawn and lashed his tail, before heading over to a tree just out side of the den and clawing at it, sharpening his claws.

Ryou hopped out of the den not long after, yawning and rubbing his eyes, his clothes quite dirty from the previous day's activities. "Good morning Marik." He cooed softly, yawning again and sleepily nuzzling into his lover's side.

Marik turned and smiled, purring and nuzzling Ryou, rubbing up against him, trying to cover Tachi's scent with his own. "Good morning, gorgeous." He chuckled. "Wanna take a bath? There's a little creek not far from here..."

Ryou nodded smiling. "Anything to get you to stop being jealous of Tachi's scent..."

Marik blinked, then smiled. "I'm not jealous." He said, shaking his head. "I know he's lonely. I understand why he chases you. And I trust you not to betray me with Tachi."

Ryou gave Marik a broad grin. "It's good to hear that... what about Pegasus?" he said flicking his ears.

Marik smiled. "He's your mate, too." He said. "As long as you're honest with me, and tell me, I have no objection to your being with him, too."

Ryou grinned and tackled Marik, giving him a passionate kiss. "Oh God Marik... you got your confidence back..." he mewled littering his face with licks and kisses. "I adore you!"

Marik blinked, startled by the sudden attack, then laughed. "I adore your too, baby. But I STILL think you're over dressed for island life." He teased, tugging at Ryou's top.

Ryou nipped his fingers gently. "Down boy." He cooed hopping off of Marik and flicking his tail at his lover. "I promised to take Tachi to the bunnies."

"He's not awake yet." Marik said, flipping back onto his belly and standing. He turned and chuckled when a little cub stumbled out of the den and to the nearest bush. When the cub was done, Marik roared and charged at him.

The cub's ears perked and he gave the cutest roar of a mew, and charged Marik in return. Ryou blinked, laughing when the two lions ended up wrestling playfully.

Marik grinned and purred, pinning the cub and licking him, then turning and smiling at Ryou, letting the little cub up.

Ryou smiled back. "So... where's this creek?" he asked as the cub scuttled away giggling. "I could use a bath..."

Marik chuckled and turned. "This way." He said, turning and leading Ryou into the jungle and within two minutes, they arrived at the creek. Marik immediately waded in, lapping at the water and swinging his tail about above the water.

Ryou giggled. "You look so silly..." he cooed shaking his head, slowly shedding the clothes and wading in. "Eep! Cold..." he squeaked as he waded in further, beginning to shiver slightly.

Marik smiled. "The ocean is warmer, but the salt irritates my skin..."

Ryou nuzzled up next to Marik and sighed. "At least YOU'RE warm." He cooed contently.

Marik chuckled and turned, licking at Ryou's cheek, then grooming his ear. Then he began to scrub himself with sand from the bottom of the creek bed.

Ryou did the same, shivering slightly the whole time, before wading back to the bank and soaking his clothes, washing them. "Do you like it here?" he asked softly, as he washed.

Marik smiled. "I do. The pride has helped me so much... and I feel so much more at ease here... but... I missed you..." Marik said, wading over to Ryou and kissing him gently. "PAINFULLY so... I missed you so bad..."

Ryou grinned. "I missed you so much... Pegasus was worrying about me... I was so lonely without you... I couldn't DO anything... just miss you." He said, letting his ears droop a bit. "I was absolutely miserable without you... you're my world!"

Marik smiled. "I... I was starting to think that you didn't want me anymore... that I was... too much trouble... too disappointing... I thought that you might be happier without me. So I decided to leave for a while, and then come back and see what you wanted. Guess I got my answer before I was ready for it, huh?"

Ryou sighed softly, nuzzling Marik. "You had your answer before you even left..." he cooed smiling. "I love you, disappointments or not." he said sighing. "Now don’t ever leave me alone again! What if I had been inexplicably kidnapped again? Who would protect me then?"

Marik frowned slightly at that. "There are people at home that I trust to protect you in my absence." He said. "Pegasus... Seto... Bakura..." He smiled. "Khan. And now? Tachi. He kept you company while I was gone?"

Ryou blushed softly. "Yes..."

Marik smiled. "He... kept you happy?"

Ryou smiled softly. "He did his best."

"And he didn't screw you, right?" Marik asked.

Ryou grinned and shook his head. "No. I just teased him."

Marik blinked, then laughed. "What would Pegasus say? Oh yes... Ryou!!! NAUGHTY bunny!!!"

Ryou laughed softly. "Honestly."

Marik chuckled and climbed out of the creek, shaking himself off, then heading back to the den.

Ryou hurried after Marik shaking off as he went. "Wait up!"

Marik slowed down until Ryou was with him, chuckling at Ryou's wet clothes that the bunny was carrying. "Why don't you just get rid of those? We're on a hybrid paradise island! Everyone runs naked around here!!! See? Tachi has the idea!!!" And sure enough, as they reached the den, they were met with the sight of a dozen little cubs chasing a naked Tachi around, while two other cubs played tug of war with what was left of Tachi's shorts.

Ryou sighed. "I like my clothes." he said calmly. "And I intend to take care of them."

Marik smiled. "Okay. But you may as well put them away. You'll ruin them out here." He said.

Ryou sighed. "You're so hopeless sometimes." he cooed, licking Marik's cheek. "But I intend to wear them once they're dry."

Marik frowned and pouted. "But what if I WANT you naked?!"

"Too bad?" Ryou said giggling and cooing at him. "Maybe where it's more... private."

Marik blinked, then slowly, a mischievous grin crossed his face. He leapt forwards, seized Ryou's folded clothes in his teeth and bolted.

Ryou of course was much quicker than a bulky lion and swiftly caught him and seized his clothing back. "NO!"

Marik growled playfully and tugged back, lashing his tail.

Ryou gasped. "Marik don’t you'll rip them!" he squeaked worriedly.

Marik snickered and just gave a goofy grin, wagging his tail and wiggling his ears. But he released them. "Okay. You can wear your boxers."

"I can wear all of it!" Ryou huffed, clutching his clothing. "I like them."

Marik frowned and pouted. "But I don't! I like your birthday suit!" And he grinned.

"No birthday suit for you." Ryou said and hopped off to hang his clothes to dry.

Marik chuckled and gave Ryou a pop on his naked behind.

Ryou yelped in pain and scampered off quickly. "Ouch!"

Marik chuckled and watched Ryou go... well... watched his ass...

"MARIK!!" Marik sighed and turned, smiling as the dark red headed lion, Samba, trotted over. "Hey... you know that female that the black rabbit smells like?"

"Huh? Kumani? Yeah."

"Well... hey... can you, like... introduce me?" Samba asked, and Marik grinned, glancing at Abazu and Nadira coming over, Akello and Shanti wrestling their way after their mother.

Nadira chuckled and nuzzled her son. "Your mate... is..." She looked thoughtful. "Interesting. He's gotten quite large as well. He's definitely a handful." She purred beginning to groom him. "It's good to have some life on this island."

Abazu laughed at that. "Don’t encourage them."

Marik grinned and looked at Samba while Nadira groomed his ears. "If we ever get the chance, you BET I'll introduce you to Kumani. She's so sweet. And really small for our kind... like me... if it weren't for Ryou... I may have ended up her mate!" And he purred and turned, licking his lioness mother's cheek.

Nadira chuckled. "Well I wish you would have, then I could hope for grandcubs." She purred amusedly.

Marik blinked, then chuckled. "Well... if you don't mind a bunch of hybrid rabbits... you have them!!! Me and Ryou have a dozen rabbits, and most of them are hybrids. One of them is part lion." He said.

Nadira laughed. "It's not QUITE the same sweetie." She said shaking her head.

Abazu laughed. "A rabbit lion? Sounds interesting."

Marik grinned and nodded, sitting down as Ryou came hopping back. "His name is Hunter. And there's a panda, an otter, a frilled lizard, a fruit bat, a tiger, a suger glider, a skunk, a fennec and a normal bunny, Angel. She's my little princess..."

"She's everyone's little princess, especially Spunky." Ryou corrected. "I don’t think he'd like you claiming princess of his mate."

Marik smiled. "She's my little princess. She always has been, and always will be. And Spunky is just that. He's our Spunky bunny."

Ryou laughed softly and nodded. "And they're finally mated. It's good to see them together."

Marik grinned and turned, nuzzling his mate and licked his chin. "They're all our babies." He said, then turned and licked Nadira. "And you'll love them, Mom." He said, but then stopped and his eyes widened when he suddenly realized what he had just called Nadira. He blushed.

Nadira grinned and purred loudly, giving him a lick up the cheek. "I'll be glad to meet them son." she purred nuzzling him. "Why don’t you go on a hunt for breakfast?”

Marik blinked, then grinned and purred even louder. "Okay! What do you feel like?"

"I feel like going to see the other rabbits!" Tachi announced, hopping over with three playful cubs on his back, trying to bring down their "prey".

Ryou smiled. "I'll take Tachi to the rabbits, Marik... could you get us breakfast? We won’t be long." He cooed licking his mate's cheek. "I'm starving."

Marik grinned. "I think you'll end up having breakfast at the rabbit field. But I think you should wait for me. You'll have to pass through the wolves' territory to get there."

"I'll get breakfast." Samba said. "If you introduce me to this... Kumani." Marik grinned and shot an amused glance at Abazu.

"Deal." He said.

Ryou smiled and licked Marik once more. "Well let’s go then..."

Marik smiled and turned. "Okay, boys, off of the bunny, please!" He said to the cubs on Tachi, and they all whined and clung, refusing to give up their "kill."

Ryou laughed at that as Nadira and Abazu pulled the cubs off manually, careful not to hurt Tachi.

Tachi giggled. "I think I'm their new practice-hunting victim..." Marik snickered.

"I think you are too..." He said. "Come on. This way." And he led them onto the hunting trail that led towards the rabbits.

Ryou giggled as they walked, eager to see how his own adoptive family had been since his last visit. He wasn't as close to his as Marik was, but he still felt close.

They soon entered wolf territory, but with Marik by their sides, the bunnies passed unmolested. And then, they entered the meadow that the bunnies had claimed as their own. Marik smiled and looked at Tachi and Ryou. "If they see me, they'll run. You two go ahead. I'll hop up in a tree and keep an eye on things, okay?"

Ryou licked Marik's cheek before eagerly hopping out into the field. Once they were in the clearing, it became quite clear that rabbits were the kings of THIS area. Males, females, and small bunnies all hopped too and fro, nibbling clover and purple flowers.

A little tiny baby bunny suddenly popped out of the clover right in front of Ryou and Tachi. His wide brown eyes blinked up at the two teenage bunnies, and he smiled. "Hi!" He chirped, flicking a little gray and white flecked ear. "Is nummy! Want some?" He asked, holding up a clover blossom and flicking his little tail.


Ryou grinned and nodded stooping down to take a nibble. "Oh it's very yummy. Thank you." He cooed licking the little rabbit in gratitude.

The bunny squeaked and giggled. "I'm Kenji! Who are you?"

"I'm Tachi. This is Ryou!" Tachi said, grinning at the little hybrid.

Ryou grinned and nuzzled the little bunny. "Tachi's looking for a pretty bunny to be his friend, do you know where the pretty bunnies are?" he asked laughing softly.

Kenji blinked the thought a bit. "Yeah!!" And he turned and began hopping through the meadow awkwardly, obviously younger than he appeared.

"Wow... I wonder how big hybrids are when they're born... and how fast they develop... He looks like a miniature two year old!" Tachi whispered to Ryou.

Ryou giggled and nodded. "They're very small... I was this big." he said holding his hand about a foot above the ground.

Tachi grinned. "What about me?" He asked.

"Pretty bunny!!!" Kenji squealed suddenly, and leapt onto a little tan bunny... the same size as Kenji himself. Tachi blinked and sweatdropped.

Ryou burst out laughing. "Awww they start young." he cooed licking Tachi's ears. "That's adorable.

Tachi laughed. "I'm looking for someone more... my age." He said to Kenji.

"Ohhh... okay!" And off the baby bunny went again. Tachi blinked, and he and Ryou followed. Tachi's ears perked and he began to smile when a lovely gray female bunny came into their view.

Ryou grinned. "Don’t get ahead of yourself, there's lots of ladies here." He said nudging Tachi. "Make sure she's single."

Tachi giggled. "She's cute!" But then, Kenji let the bomb drop. He took a flying leap and landed on her.

"Mommy!!!" He squealed, and Tachi sweat dropped yet again.

"Oh boy..." he muttered.

"Mommy pretty!" Kenji called to Ryou and Tachi.

Ryou laughed and shook his head. "No no we mean pretty bunnies who are our age, and NOT your mommy." he corrected Kenji once more, giggling.

Tachi blinked and smiled at the mother, who was trying to figure out what was going on.

Ryou laughed. "My friend here is looking for some pretty and sweet rabbits, he's single you see…" he explained grinning.

The mother blinked, then laughed. "Oh dear... and my Kenji is advertising me?"

Ryou laughed. "Yup, you wouldn't be able to help us would you?"

She laughed. "Many of the young single females gather over near the willow to the east of the field. The males, if you're interested..." She winked, "Are over at the north."

Ryou bowed and grinned his thanks before dragging Tachi east, which was closer. "Well let’s see what can be seen."

Tachi grinned and followed, after thanking Kenji's mother, and when he saw the group of a dozen or so eligible bachelorette's, his ears rose to a new high and his tail began flicking and quivering like Ryou had never seen before.

It was a proverbial harem. The females were gathered near a small creek, some bathing, others nibbling on the green clover. They were giggling amongst each other, and when the men approached, they looked up blushing, before beginning to chitter and giggle amongst each other.

Tachi gulped and looked at Ryou with wide eyes. "What do I do?!" He gasped.

"Smile." Ryou said grinning. "They're checking you out."

Tachi's eyes widened. "They are?!" He squeaked, then took a deep breath. "Okay... here we go..." And he turned and smiled slightly, hopping over to the group of girls. "Hi." He said, posing slightly like the male rabbit he was.

The girls giggled and soon were upon him, sniffing and giggling. "Oooh he's so cute, look at that black fur... isn't that odd?" One girl squeaked, while another fawned over him. "I think it's cute." Another girl gave Tachi a teasing kiss. "He's absolutely gorgeous!"

Tachi grinned. "I'm Tachi." He said. "I just came to the island yesterday with a friend. He came to find his mate... I came TO find a mate..."

The girls all giggled again and fawned all the more. "Ohhh well you came to the right place…" They all cooed beginning to groom, tease, kiss, and playfully grope. "We're all single, and you're more than welcome to stay here with us."

Tachi grinned. "I just might do that... You know, I TRIED to get my friend there to be my mate... but noooOOOooo... he was loyal to his mate! A lion, no less!!!"

Ryou huffed slightly and rolled his eyes, before hopping off to find his adoptive mother, leaving Tachi to brag to the lovely young does.

He headed towards what seemed to be the day care center of the meadow, filled with females and their little ones, with a perimeter of males keeping watch.

Ryou hopped inside slowly, and after the males determined he wasn't any harm, he headed amongst the females, looking for his old mother, sniffing around hoping to catch her scent.

"Ryou?" Came a small voice, and Ryou turned, seeing one of his little sisters. "Ryou? Is that you?" The tan little thing slowly hopped over and sniffed, then smiled. "Ryou!"

Ryou grinned and nuzzled the little bunny. "Where's mommy?" he cooed licking the tan child.

The bunny giggled. "This way!!" She hopped off. "Mommy!"

"Hiroko?" Lena called, and then, her eyes widened. "Ryou?!" She gasped, and darted over, wrapping her arms around him. "RYOU!!! I thought the lion had eaten you!!! You went to talk to him and I never saw you again!!! And... you got... big.... again..."

Ryou nodded grinning. "This is how I'm supposed to be." he said calmly. "and Marik is my mate, he'd NEVER eat me." He said grinning. "In fact, none of the lions will ever eat rabbits. They made me part of their pride and promised they'd never ever eat anyone."

Lena's eyes slowly widened and her mouth opened in amazement. "W-What?" She gasped. "What do you mean the lions won't eat us?!" All the other rabbits grew silent and turned.

"They said they won’t eat us. We're safe, they'll protect us!" Ryou said excitedly. "They won’t eat us, they'll be friends."

Lena frowned and slowly shook her head. "That's impossible. They're lions... we're rabbits... Predator and Prey, Ryou... They won't ever agree to that..."

"They already agreed to that." He corrected. "They're eating fish, boars and deer."

Lena frowned. Then, an older male hopped over. "You have a good outlook on life... but I think you are too optimistic for your own good." He said. "The lions will come. They do not come often because we are in the wolves' territory... but they will come. They always do..."

Ryou shook his head. "It's true! I can prove it!" he said firmly. "My mate is part of their pride! I'm part of their pride!"

The rabbits stared. "YOU are a part of the Island Pride?!" Someone scoffed. "I think you've lost your mind!"

Ryou shook his head. "I'm not crazy! It's true and I can prove it!"

The rabbits all murmured.

"So prove it." Another male said.

Ryou pouted. "Marik!" he called loudly. "They don’t believe me!"

"Who doesn't believe what?" Came the call from the trees, and all the rabbits ears shot up, the babies running to their mothers.

"They don’t believe I'm part of the pride, or mated to you!" Ryou called back his ears drooping.

"They have noses! Tell them to smell you!" Marik called back, and all of the rabbits blinked, and the more adventurous ones crept up to Ryou, sniffing.

Ryou blushed. "Marik now they're sniffing at me!" he whined embarrassedly when the bunnies all slowly gathered, sniffing at him.

"GOOD!" Marik called, stretching in his tree, quite content to watch from where he was.

"Mama! Smelly lion!!!" A little one gasped.

Ryou blushed. "Marik's my mate, and he's a lion.” Ryou said once more. "The lions made me a pride member, and they PROMISED never to eat rabbits again because of me."

The rabbits murmured amongst themselves, obviously not believing Ryou.

"Marik cant you just come over here?" Ryou mewled. "I'll give you a big kiss!" Ryou added teasingly.

Marik sighed. "I don't wanna scare all the rabbits!" He replied, but a moment later dropped out of the tree and slowly made his way onto the meadow. The rabbits all squeaked and gasped and huddled down, grouping together and watching the lion approach.

Ryou however eagerly hopped over to Marik and tackled him in a big hug, playfully tugging his ears. "I like it better when I know you wont get stuck in the tree..." he whispered giggling.

Marik snickered, and let himself fall to the ground at Ryou's tackle. "It depends on the tree. The trees out here are nice and spacious. The trees in domino are cramped and easy to get stuck in." He said, letting Ryou tug his ear.

Ryou nuzzled Marik once more before turning to the other bunnies. "See? He's not eating me."

Marik chuckled. "I can though... I'm gonna eat your face!!!" And he tackled Ryou and began kissing him passionately, but soon backed off and tugged Ryou's ear, purring loudly. The rabbits watched with nervous amazement.

Ryou blushed and giggled, shoving Marik. "You'll scare them if you say you're going to eat my face and tackle me like that!" he giggled amusedly. "He won’t eat anyone, Marik eats vegetables like me." He cooed to the bunnies.

The rabbits’ eyes widened and nearly popped out, their ear perking up. Marik groaned and rolled his eyes. "Only when you make me, Ryou... only for you..."

"Think I could talk you into a demonstration for my friends?" He cooed. "It won’t go unrewarded." He added with a sexy look.

Marik blinked, then frowned and eyed Ryou. "What kind of demonstrat-- ooh..." He flopped down into the clover and squirmed around. "Oooooh... this is comfy!!!"

Ryou sighed. "Marik eat your vegetables!" Ryou scolded crossing his arms.

Marik blinked up at Ryou. "WHAT vegetables?" He asked, looking around. "I am NOT eating clover!"

Ryou pointed to a nearby berry bush. "Fruit and vegetables. Eat it." He said sternly. "Or I'll put my clothes back on."

Marik snorted. "If you can FIND them..." He snickered, but made his way over to the bush and sniffed at the berries. He nibbled one, and his tail lashed a bit. "Ooh..." He said, and began to daintily eat them off of the bush.

Ryou grinned at the rabbits. "See? He eats fruits and vegetables, and he's my mate." Ryou said once more. "And his pride promised not to eat us!"

Marik smiled at the rabbits. "It's true! No eating rabbits!" He announced, before eating more berries.

"See?" Ryou said eagerly. "We're all safe!"

Little Hiroko hopped out slowly, blinking at Marik. She looked up at her big brother Ryou.

"L-Lion... nice?" She asked.

Ryou nodded. "He loves bunnies." he said grinning. "We have a whole family of bunnies who he takes care of. They're his babies!"

The little girl bunny smiled and slowly crept over to Marik. The other rabbits seemed to hold their breathes, and Lena looked ready to snatch her daughter and run.

However Ryou grinned broadly when Marik stopped eating his berries to look at the curious baby rabbit that had hopped forward and was sniffing at him. He was even more proud to see his mate pluck a berry from the bush and give it to the little bunny.

Marik smiled as the little bunny gasped, then squeaked and ate the berry from his fingers. The lion purred loudly and slowly lay down, sniffing at her, and then he nuzzled her and pulled her close, beginning to groom her. She giggled.

"Mommy, his tongue feels funny!"

"See?!" Ryou said eagerly. "He's a good lion."

Lena blinked, then took the plunge. She slowly hopped towards Marik, eyes wide. Marik looked up at her and flicked an ear, then smiled slightly.

"I know you... you were Ryou's mother when we were little!" Lena blinked, then slowly smiled and nodded.

Ryou hopped forward and nuzzled Marik. "I told you he loved me." Ryou cooed to his adoptive mom. "He'd never hurt me... I adore him."

Marik purred and licked Ryou's cheek, and slowly, the rabbits hopped closer, sniffing curiously at the lion.

Ryou nuzzled into Marik as the bunnies began to explore the fact he wasn't going to attack. "My big tough mate...." He cooed proudly

Marik snickered. "Your big tough mate is currently surrounded by little gentle rabbits. I think my 'tough' image is gone..."

"Say that to all the people you've mauled to protect me." Ryou cooed proudly, licking his cheek. "I couldn't have asked for a better mate."

Marik smiled and purred, nuzzling Ryou while the rabbits all sniffed him over. Marik blinked when a few little bunnies played with the tuft of his tail.

Tachi hopped over not long after, covered in hickies, blushes and looking delighted. Ryou giggled. "Looks like someone had some fun."

Tachi grinned. "I think I'm gonna... date a while... before mating." He giggled.

"And just think you didn't even MEET the men." Ryou laughed.

Tachi's eyes widened. "Oh YEAH!!" And he whirled and darted away, making Marik burst out laughing.

Ryou laughed and kissed Marik's cheek. "We have work to do tonight... think we can find a secluded romantic spot?" he cooed grinning. "I can dig us a nice little den... and we can have a 'honeymoon' type celebration." He giggled. "You... me... the moon... and no one else."

"Ooooh..." Marik cooed, grinning and sidling closer to Ryou. "That sounds good to me..." He purred, licking Ryou's cheek and lashing his tail, eagerly.

Ryou smiled and nuzzled Marik contently. "It's good to have you back in my life Marik..." he mumbled softly. "I was absolutely miserable without you."

Marik smiled and purred even louder. "Really?" He asked, softly. "Seriously? You really missed me that much? You... you didn't want to go back to Pegasus...?"

"You're my mate as much as he is. Did you honestly think I'd be content losing half of my reason for living?" Ryou said rubbing noses with Marik. "I love you."

Marik smiled and giggled slightly. "I love you too..." He purred, then jumped and yelped, turning. He smiled, seeing a little black and white spotted bunny jumping and batting at the tuft of his tail.

Ryou laughed. "Aww you've made a friend." he cooed grinning. "I'm glad that you've been accepted by my bunny friends..."

Marik chuckled. "I'm not sure if I've been accepted yet..." He said, glancing at the several adults watching carefully, just waiting for him to lunge at the baby bunny. But he just waved his tail around for the little tyke to play with.

Ryou chuckled. "Well... they're not screaming in terror... so... um, score one point for us I suppose." He giggled licking Marik's cheek.

Marik smiled and turned. "Okay, kid... I need my tail back. But you can play with it later."

"Awwww..." The bunny whined, but hopped back to his mother.

"Where to?" Marik asked, grinning at Ryou.

Ryou grinned back. "I dont care... some place private?"

Marik grinned. "Well... there are lots of private places here on the island... but then again, there are no doors you can lock..." He stopped and blinked. "Except... in the mansion! It's empty! We can go there! BEDS!!"

Ryou laughed and nodded. "Oh yes! Oh please! I would love a nice bath and a bed!" He chirped eagerly.

Marik smiled. "Let's go then." He said, and turned, leading the way to the mansion. When they got there, everything was quiet and dark inside, and it was all locked up. Marik frowned, and began messing with the lock with his claws.

Ryou watched quietly flicking his ears. "Are you sure we should... well… break in like this?" He asked softly. "I mean... it’s locked up..."

Marik snorted. "No one's using it." He said. "And the owner is in jail."

Ryou nodded slowly. "Alright..." he said uneasily. "If you don’t think we'll get in trouble..."

Marik growled slightly as he worked, then let out an "Ahah!!" And a moment later, the door swung open.

Ryou grinned and hurried inside. "Oh wow... it's bigger than I remember..." He said softly, looking around the darkened mansion.

Marik smiled. "Well... let's go find a bathroom, eh?" He meowed, and trotted off up some stairs, sniffing around.

Ryou hurried after him, nuzzling into his side as they went. "You know... it's not so bad... being alone with you on this island..." He cooed grinning. "I could get to like it."

Marik grinned and entered a bathroom. "I could, too... let's see if the plumbing works... yay!" He cheered, when the water turned on when he turned the faucet.

Ryou grinned and watched the tub fill with nice hot water. "ohhh..." he cooed, practically orgasmic at the idea of a normal hot bath.

Marik smiled, and leapt into the tub, lapping up the water happily, then lay down in it. "Come on in!!!"

Ryou eagerly hopped in and sighed. "Ahh... Hot bath..." he sighed leaning against Marik. "It's good..." he cooed licking his cheek. "Do you think there's soaps around here somewhere?"

Marik hopped out of the tub, letting poor Ryou topple over into the water. He came back a moment later with all sorts of soaps and shampoos.

Ryou grinned. "Oh wow!" He said delightedly. "Which ones smell the best?" He said beginning to sniff each.

Marik chuckled and hopped back into the tub, relaxing and stretching out, purring loudly.

Ryou found a suitable soap soon, and began grooming himself, soaping himself up in the only substance paler than his skin, soap bubbles. "Mmmm...."

Marik smiled and hooded his eyes, purring loudly as he enjoyed the warm waters and watching his mate happily bathe.

Ryou rinsed himself off and shook his hair a bit, before nuzzling up to Marik, clean and smelling of sweet honeydew. "I'm so happy...Clean and fresh...."

Marik smiled. "You smell good..." He purred, then chuckled. "Unlike me..."

Ryou laughed. "Then get some soap, and make yourself smell better." He giggled. "You've grown so much... I remember when I used to have to practically kick you out of our home just to get you near water..." he cooed

"Murrrr..." Marik whined, and began sniffing at the soaps, and finally picked one. He made a face, but began to bathe himself.

Ryou smiled and watched Marik bathe, helping him with hard to reach places, such as his back, giving him a slight massage to soothe the poor kitty for having to take a bath.

Marik ended up curled up at the bottom of the tub, purring loudly and swishing his tail around, eyes closed.

Ryou laughed. "Finish your bath you pile of fluff." He giggled kissing Marik's cheek.

Marik smiled and purred, turning and licking Ryou's cheek. Then he hopped out of the tub and shook himself off.

Ryou sighed. "Though… you still haven't out grown that..." he grumbled pouting.

Marik blinked and looked at Ryou. "Well... doYOU see any towels around here?" He asked.

"I'm sure the police didn't confiscate them when the woman was arrested!" Ryou squeaked shaking his head amusedly.

Marik snorted. "Well, I don't feel like hunting them down." He said, stretching and shaking himself again.

Ryou sighed and climbed out of the tub, and dug a towel out of the linen closet. "Real hunting." he said rolling his eyes.

Marik snorted. "The bunny hunts for household supplies, the lion hunts for food." He said, walking into the bedroom that the bathroom was attached to. Ryou heard him messing around, and when he had come into the room, Marik had lit a fire in the fire place and was lounging on the rug before it.

Ryou sighed softly and hopped onto the bed, curling up happily under the sheets. "I love beds..." he cooed nuzzling into the pillow. "So comfortable..."

Marik smiled and purred from his spot on the rug by the fire, but said nothing.

Ryou yawned softly and shook his head. "Do you wanna spend the night here?" he asked after a few minutes. "This can be our home, until Rem gets here."

Marik blinked and turned back to Ryou, blinking. "Mama is coming? And... and what about the pride?!"

"Yeah… this place is gonna be turned into a federal reserve!" Ryou said proudly. "The pride will have plenty of food and love!"

Marik's eyes widened. "Are... are you serious?!" He gasped, leaping to his feet and shaking in excitement.

Ryou laughed. "Why would I lie?" he asked flicking his ears. "She'll be out here sometime next week."

Marik began to prance in place, shaking even more. "A hybrid reserve?! So... the government will take care of the pride?! And all the other hybrids out here? And Mama's gonna come out here?! WHY?! To find me?!"

"She's in charge of it all. She's the boss." Ryou giggled. "Calm down or you'll wet yourself."

"The government HIRED MAMA?!" Marik gasped, prancing and dancing about, obviously ecstatic. "Murrrumph!!!!" He exclaimed. "MURRRRRRRRRUUMPH!!!!"

Ryou laughed even harder shaking his head. "Marik she's not gonna be happy if you get too excited all over her fancy new carpet!"

"Mao!" Marik exclaimed, and took a flying leap onto the bed, tackling Ryou and licking him all over, mewing and shaking and pawing at him, happily.

Ryou licked back shaking his head and nuzzling his lover. "Honestly..." he cooed sighing. "You're sometimes just like a kitten..."

Marik smiled and purred, curling up around Ryou and grooming him, mewling. "I love you..."

Ryou yawned and nuzzled into Marik kissing him. "I love you too."

Marik smiled and kissed back, boldly slipping Ryou some tongue and running a paw down his mate's side before coming to rest on his hip.

Ryou blushed softly and giggled. "No flowers or chocolate?" He teased kissing Marik's cheek. "Cheap date."

Marik snorted. "Hey, I got you into the house for a bath, didn't I?"

Ryou licked Marik's cheek. "Well... I am hungry." he said thoughtfully. "Want some dinner before the entertainment?" he said giggling. "Unless you intend to cook it afterward."

Marik blinked and groaned, looking down at his... excitement. But after Ryou gave him "the eyes" he sighed.

"Okay, okay..." He mumbled.

Ryou grinned and kissed him. He LOVED making Marik wait until the poor lion was near pinning him to the wall and taking him in the moment in a wild and ravenous-lion way. He adored it, he didn't do it often, but he adored it! "Oh good! Do you think you can find some good meat? I'll make us a wonderful dinner! I'm sure there's still pans in the kitchen..." he said smiling brightly.

Marik blinked. "Ummm... I'm gonna have to hunt..." He said. "But let's see if there's any meat in the freezers."

Ryou shook his head eagerly. "No! I wanna see my big strong mate bring in something he caught himself!" He said excitedly. "I wanna see what you can do!"

Marik blinked. "Ummm... okay..." He said. "But... I don't know what I CAN bring in, really... I mean... we're in a food shortage right now, and..."

Ryou nodded. "I know. Just bring in something small, like those squirrels you always loved chasing." Ryou cooed. "Or a bird, or something." He offered.

Marik smiled and nodded, then turned and loped out of the room and down the stairs, trotting out the door.

Ryou however stood and giggled, hurrying to kitchen. He readied 'his' cooking area and then scurried outside to gather herbs, spices and vegetables for his meal. By the time Marik had returned, the house was filled with the desireable scents of foods and herbs. A salad sat on the table, there was seasoned red potatoes being mashed and the scent of onions and herbs to rub on whatever meat Marik brought in, was sitting in a bowl ready.

Marik smiled as he trotted in. He didn't have any luck hunting, so he made his way to the coast and went fishing, something he excelled at. In his mouth he carried a string of large fish.

Ryou finished the potatoes and smiled. "Oh fish!" He squeaked eagerly taking the fish and going to work on them. There was lemon and herbs, baking, frying and a whirlwind of activity that showed just what a master of the kitchen Ryou was. By the time he was finished he was proud to present something that could have easily passed for a fine restaurant's cuisine. Crispy fried fish, and a baked/grilled fillet of lemon zested fish with a creamy herb sauce, potatoes, salad and surprisingly, he'd dug up a fine wine from the cabinets.

Ryou blushed and smiled. "I... suppose it'll be ok to have some since it's just you and I..." he said softly. "If... you don’t have any objections that is."

Marik blinked. "Wow... ummm... sure thing... Ever thought about competing in Kitchen Stadium? On that show you like? Iron Chef, right?"

Ryou squeaked and turned red. "I couldn't possibly. I'm not even a chef! They'd laugh at me. You have to be a chef to even try to compete on that show, and I'm not anywhere near THAT good." he cooed, shyly.

Marik smiled. "Well, I certainly think you are, with what you whipped up here?!"

Ryou blushed more. "I was taught to cook at school in London..." he said softly. "Schools there are...much different than here. I would go to school for many months at a time and stay in the dormitories." he explained. "It suited well, as father.... well father's always gone."

Marik sighed. "Ryou... does your father even... KNOW about you? Being a hybrid an' all?"

Ryou lowered his eyes and winced softly. "I... I doubt it..."

Marik sighed. "It's been a few years though... haven't you seen him at all?!"

Ryou shook his head. "I...well...no..." Ryou pulled two wine glasses from the cabinet. "He's a busy man..."

Marik frowned. "We should... get in touch with him..."

"I haven't lost touch with him." Ryou said offering Marik his glass with an aromatic rose wine. "He just... never comes home."

Marik smiled slightly and took the wine. "Thanks..." He said softly, and sat down at the table with Ryou. "This looks GREAT."

Ryou smiled. "I try... you work hard... I think it's important to give you a good meal at the end of the day." He said softly, taking his seat across the table. "Dig in!"

Marik grinned and did so, and began purring right from the start, expressing his pleasure in the meal. He enjoyed both kinds of fish, and just for Ryou, ate all his veggies.

Ryou enjoyed his meal as well, and once both were finished, he collected the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. "Ready for desert?" he said grinning.

Marik blinked and looked up at Ryou. "Dessert?! You made dessert, too?!"

Ryou giggled softly. "Of course!"

Marik grinned and lashed his tail. "Alright!!!"

Ryou smiled and opened the freezer. Inside he pulled out a small bowl and began scooping the contents onto plates... when he turned around, there was warm gooey apple crisp with vanilla ice cream on the side, both sprinkled lightly with cinnamon. "This look yummy?" he cooed grinning broadly. "I made the ice cream extra creamy since I know you like dairy."

Marik's eyes widened and his ears perked. Tail lashing, Marik quickly plopped himself down. "Oooooh... it looks GREAT Ryou!!!" He exclaimed, and licked at the ice cream. "Mmmm..." He purred.

Ryou giggled. "I'm surprised you didn't smell the crisp cooking during dinner." he said beginning to nibble on his own sweet treat

Marik purred louder. "I was too busy smelling my dinner!" He laughed.

Ryou chuckled softly. "It's good to know I can still curl your tail with my cooking." he said getting up to offer Marik a glass of milk.

Marik accepted the milk eagerly, lapping it from the glass as if from a bowl until he could no longer reach the milk; then he had to drink it normally.

Ryou smiled, finishing his dinner before Marik and placing his dishes in the washer. "I'll let you do the dishes, since I cooked." he said grinning like a Cheshire cat inwardly. Oh he loved this game...

Marik blinked, then snorted, but he did the dishes without complaint.

Ryou however made a stealthy escape to sun room, and laid out in the remaining sun, stretching and beginning the meanest part of his game. The 'tease Marik until he practically explodes' part. Marik was still busy with dishes, but once he came in he'd see a sleek lightly moisturized nude bunny, lounging in the sun in the most erotic peaceful way.

Marik was a bit confused when Ryou was gone from the kitchen, but he soon put his nose to the floor and began tracking his mate down. When he entered the sun room, his slight purr turned into a predatory growl, and he lashed his tail as a lion-lust over came him...

Ryou flicked an ear, grinning inwardly. "SHHH!"

Marik's growl only got louder, and he slunk towards Ryou in a predatory stalking mode.

Ryou couldn't help his giggle this time. "I'm BUSY!" he cooed sitting up and giving Marik a coy look. "Cant you see I'm sunbathing?"

But Marik's only answer was the unmistakable growl and posture that let Ryou know that the lion was about to pounce, whether Ryou was ready or not.

Ryou however giggled and shot off like a bullet, hopping on Marik's back, over him and out of the room. The chase was on.

Marik roared and whirled where he stood, charging after Ryou, and to Ryou's shock, Marik was a lot faster than he used to be.

Ryou squeaked and giggled scampering under a couch just small enough that Marik couldn't fit under as well, and peered out with amused eyes, though he was panting in excitement. The hunt always made him eager to please... once his lover's meal was caught.

Marik skidded to a stop, threw himself down onto the floor and a paw darted under, snatching at Ryou's wrist.
Ryou giggled more and pulled his wrist away quickly before Marik could get a good grip. "Ha ha you cant geeet me!" he teased.

Marik growled, then smirked and threw himself against the sofa, which toppled over, leaving Ryou exposed.

Ryou yelped and scrambled away. "Cheater!" he called back scampering down the hall.

Marik grinned and went after Ryou as fast as he could. "All's fair in love and war an' all that!" He called after Ryou.

Ryou grinned and darted under the four poster bed in the master bedroom, once again the item was just a hair too small, and Marik got stuck trying to come under after his lover.

Marik roared and squirmed furiously. "Oh, YOU are the little cheater!!" He howled, thrashing, his claws tearing up the carpet.

Ryou giggled more, darting forward every so often to kiss Marik passionatly. "No I'm not!" he teased as Marik continued to squirm, only getting himself more and more stuck.

Marik growled, giving Ryou a look of determination, planting his feet and paws firmly on the ground, then, with a roar of effort, he slowly began to stand, lifting the bed a few inches. His muscles bulged and the veins in his arms and neck stood out, which... quite honestly kind of freaked Ryou out... almost as much as the fire in Marik's eyes.

Ryou squeaked and darted out from under the bed, which presented another problem...how was Marik going to put the bed back down, now that he was straining to hold it up? Especially how was he going to put it down without crushing himself or something. Ryou stared.

Marik groaned and slowly lowered the bed down, then squirmed and finally got out from under it. He gave a low 'murrrrr' and shook himself, then looked around for Ryou.

Ryou however had disappeared once he knew Marik was okay, leaving the tired hunter to a seemingly empty room once more...though he hadn't gone far.

Marik growled, put his nose to the floor and rushed after his mate.

Soft giggles were heard three doors down, in a familiar place....the linen closet.

Marik blinked, then grinned. He padded softly to the door, as silently as a lion could be, then flung the door open with a roar and pounced.

Ryou squealed delightedly and giggled, hugging onto Marik and licking his cheek.

"What kept you?" he cooed licking his lover, his hands already roaming over his body, his arousal quite present and clear.

Marik just threw Ryou to the floor and crushed him under his weight, kissing him fiercely, his own arousal pressed into Ryou's thigh.

Ryou moaned softly and squirmed beneath Marik, giving them both much desired friction against their throbbing arousal. "I love you..." he cooed kissing Marik over and over.

"If you want me to be gentle..." He growled in a low, almost murderous tone, "Then you had better run now, and keep running until you wear me out..."

Ryou licked his cheek. "Oh? Ok then." He giggled squirming as though he were going to run.

Marik released him and backed off, though it was quite obvious that he didn't want to; he was shaking in his predatory arousal.

Ryou hopped away slightly, raising his tail teasingly. "Poor predator..." he cooed flicking said tail. "Cant control the primal urges?" and he hopped slowly, tormentingly away.

Marik growled. "No." He hissed, then began to pad towards Ryou. "Run..." He hissed in a low, growling tone.

Ryou turned and kissed Marik, giving his mate an arousing moan. "I don’t want to ruin your evening early..." He cooed, before hopping away just a bit faster.

Marik roared and launched himself after Ryou, in a clear sign that this was Ryou's LAST chance to run before he pounded him into the floor with a feral force that Ryou had yet to experience...

Ryou giggled and scrambled away running down the hall and disappearing from sight.

Marik roared and raced after Ryou, recklessly skidding around corners, banging into walls and tables and knocking things down... it sounded like Ryou was being followed by a Hell Hound!

Ryou burst into giggles and turned racing up the stairs and disappearing down another hallway and seeking shelter under another VERY low bed.

Marik roared in frustration at this, and began slamming his shoulder into the bed over and over again, clawing at the wood frame in his efforts to get to his mate.

Ryou snuck out the side as Marik was fixated on the bed and scampered silently away down the hall, back down the stairs and out of the house.

It was several minutes before Marik went charging out the front door, too, nose to the ground. He snuffled around before picking up his mate's fresh, aroused scent, and charged after him.

Further away, Ryou hopped into a small brook, and stayed in it, his scent disappearing among the running water as he moved upstream, planning on doubling back to the house. Sneaky lil bunny.

Marik soon arrived at the creek and sniffed around for a while.

"Maooooo..." He whined. "Murrrr..." He raised his head and looked around, sniffing the air. "MURRRRRRUMPH!!!" He called.

Quite a ways up the creek, out of Marik's line of sight, Soft giggles were his answer. Ryou was still near.

Marik turned and darted after the giggles, growling in response to them. He burst through a wall of undergrowth, nearly landing right on top of Ryou.

Ryou was ready, and was off once more. Damn those fast rabbits. He full out ran back to the mansion and JUST as Marik was about to catch him, the door slammed shut, and the latch of a lock was heard. Giggles drifted out from the other side.

Marik yowled as he slammed into the door with a thunderous crash. "MURROWL!!!" He roared. Then, all was silent. Ryou panted there, listening, but just as he was beginning to wonder if his big oaf of a mate had knocked himself out, the window to the right of the door shattered inwards as Marik leapt through it.

Ryou shrieked in terror and once again the chase was on! He scrambled up the stairs and back to that same bed that had distracted Marik so well before.

But when he went into the room, he found the bed had been ripped apart by his mate, and would do very little to shelter him from the rampaging lion.

Ryou squeaked and doubled back around and as he ran back down the hall he jumped on Marik's head, down his back and over him once again, scrambling and nearly FALLING down the stairs once more.

"OWW!!" Marik howled, then turned and charged after Ryou again, beginning to pant and slow down. But then, he turned and leapt over the railing of the stairs. "GOT YOU!!!" Ryou looked up just in time to see Marik hurtling at him, before he was tackled to the floor. the pair rolled across the front hall before slamming into the wall, Ryou sitting on top of Marik. But Marik had a firm grip on Ryou's wrists. He blinked, then smirked, showing Ryou his teeth.

Ryou giggled and began tickling Marik, something the lion hadn't been predicting at all. Marik's eyes widened as he began laughing and squirming beneath his 'captor'.

Marik flung Ryou off, got up, and picked up his mate, slinging him over his shoulder, giving Ryou a nice aerial view of his nice tan ass.

"Let's go you..." Marik purred between pants. "You've worn me out..."

Ryou giggled and began nibbling at the base of Marik's tail. "Not too rough now?" He panted softly hanging quite contently from Marik's shoulder.

"Hey!" Marik yipped, jumping. "No biting my butt!" He scolded, climbing the stairs.

Ryou laughed and chomped lightly down in play. Not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to tease.

Marik growled, and gave Ryou a pop on the ass.

"Ow!" Ryou yelped popping Marik's ass right back. "Dont hit me!"

Marik growled louder, and groped Ryou this time. Then, he smirked, licked a finger, and slid it into Ryou.

Ryou yelped at that and squirmed. "Oh you're a horrible foul sex fiend!" he squeaked, blushing darkly and squirming to get away. "Horrid!"

Marik chuckled and slowly drew it in and out of Ryou. "Hey now... YOU'RE the rabbit..." He said, then turned and slowly ran his rough tongue over Ryou's hip and thigh.

Ryou squeaked louder, squirming more. "Marik stop teasing me!" he whined whimpering and growling. "It's not nice!"

Marik grinned and purred, walking into the room that they had pretty much chosen as their own, and flung Ryou down onto the bed, immediately lowering himself down on top of his mate, kissing him.

Ryou kissed back moaning. "I love you..." he mumbled softly licking Marik's cheek. "Never ever leave me."

Marik purred loudly, wedging his hips between his legs and tickling Ryou's inner thighs with the tuft of his tail.

Ryou giggled softly and squirmed. "Marrriiiik!" me mewled softly. "I thought you were going to be rough, and here you're tormenting me!"

Marik chuckled. "You wore me out!" He whined. "But if you want it rough..." And he gave Ryou a wicked grin, "Then you'll get it rough..." And he flipped Ryou onto his front, pulled the bunny up onto his hands and knees, and plowed into him, sinking his teeth into Ryou's shoulder, but was careful not to break the skin.

Ryou yelped and moaned loudly. Who said a shy little bunny didn't like it rough? He shivered as Marik began a needy pace. "Oh god Marik!" ye squeaked more turned on than he'd been in a long time.

Marik just growled in response, wrapping an arm around Ryou's hips to hold him still as he continued to thrust into him frantically.

Each thrust was pure bliss for Ryou, he moaned in delight as his prostate was stimulated time and time again. "Marik!" he moaned panting harshly, his ears and tail quivering at the stimulation he was going through. He shivered and moaned, whimpering in pleasure.

Marik was in the seventh heaven as well, his growls turning into plaintive moans as he lost control, pumping desperately into his mate with erratically timed thrusts.

It wasn't too terribly long before both deprived mates fell victim to their well-earned orgasms and collapsed to the bed. Ryou nuzzled into Marik and giggled. "We're gonna do that again..." He whispered, grooming Marik's ears. "And again and again...until neither of us can move for a week..." he giggled.

Marik smiled and opened his eyes, gazing at his mate. "I can't wait..." He panted.

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