Twilight Menagerie

Twilight Menagerie

Mally-chan and hato chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing. Nothing at all

YAOI WARNING!!!

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Chapter 28

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When Marik and Ryou entered the Bunny Room, Nod was grooming her babies. All but one. The little lion bunny was waggling his little tail in the air, hunched down and pouncing back and fourth between two bits of woodshavings. "muurrrph!" he squeaked biting down on one and shaking it 'visciously'.

Marik smiled. "Murrrrrrumph!" He called to the baby, and the lion and tiger both perked up and looked at him. The lion ran over to the side of the nesting box, mewling. Marik smiled and scooped him out, settling down and grooming him, purring.

The little lionbunny swiped at Marik's tongue squirming and mewling. 'lemme go! I'm hunting things!' he squeaked angrily. 'I just HAD a bath!'

Ryou giggled picking up the regular bunny, who was quite content recieving her bath. "You're going to be spoiled if you let Nod bathe you 24 hours a day." He cooed to her.

'Nuh uh! I've gotta be the prettiest! I can only be pretty if I keep my fur white as white!' she aruged squeaking and flicking her ears. 'unlike that little lion thing.' she said glaring at the lionbunny.

The lionbunny squeaked and hunched back. 'I'm plenty clean! You're just jealous!'

'of that matted fur and grimey color? no thanks!'

Marik blinked. "What are they saying? I can kind of understand this little guy..." He licked the lion bunny's head. "but..."

Ryou laughed slightly. "She's saying he's filthy and grungy and he's arguing with her." Ryou said picking up a little pastel violet ribbon and tying it around the bunny's neck. "There, pretty as a present!" He cooed as she hopped slowly around, still stumbling slightly, unused to moving about on her own. She gave the little lion a snooty look and hopped past in a very show-rabbit-esque way.

Ryou laughed. "She's quite fond of herself isn't she...?" He said shaking his head, watching as the little lionbunny gave her a goofy look, watching like a dork.

Then, the lion sprang after his sister. He tackled her with a little "roar" and ran off, dragging her ribbon with him. Marik rolled over, laughing. The tiger began mrowling and pawing at the plastic side of the nesting box to get out, and the fennec joined her a moment later.

The little girl rabbit clicked at him, thumping her foot. 'give that back!' she squealed angrily. 'pretty ribbons are for pretty bunnies! Not filthy little...things!'

Ryou picked up the tiger and fennec and grinned. "Hello there!" He cooed licking their cheeks and putting them down, watching them walk awkardly, trying to hop, before giving up to plod around on all fours, flicking their tails. Both beginning to sniff around in curiosity.

Nod shook her head. 'that little normal one, I think Daisuke mixed her up with mine. She's completly different from the rest...different scent...different eyes.' She said flicking her ears. 'but I love her just the same. Some bunny's missing out on a goofy little girl somewhere. I'm lucky to have her.'

Ryou laughed scratching Nod's ears. "All mothers say that."

'She's just like her mother.' Tuc said, nuzzling Nod. He looked over his children, at the ones laying with their mother, and the ones chasing each other around the bunny room.

Nod licked his cheek. 'I don’t know if she's mine though...she's so different. Even from Precious....' Ryou laughed.

"Well if she's not, then by logic of transferrance, either you, or Tuc got more than one night of fun." he teased.

Nod gave him a flat look, before looking at Tuc. 'I KNEW you were making googoo eyes at those garden bunnies! Admit it!' she said though she seemed amused.

The girl bunny caught up to the lion and nipped him on the tail, snatching her ribbon back. 'rotten little mangey cat.' she grumbled hopping away.

Tuc turned and hopped out of the box and over to his little girl. 'I heard that, missy!' He said, giving her a little nip. 'Be nice to your brother.' He looked at the lion. 'And you be nice to your sister.'

She huffed. 'he started it! I was just minding my own business and he stole my ribbon! He's a mangey little matted furball!' she said clicking. 'I just want him to leave me alone! Why can’t he tease the other cat-thing! or that...one with the really huge ears?!'

Ryou laughed, shaking his head. "Well...she certainly is...different." he nuzzled Marik.

Marik chuckled and scooped up the lion as he hopped by. "C'mere you! My little hunter bunny...." He licked him. "Hmmm... Hunter. How's that, Ryou? For a name?"

Ryou laughed. "You should ask him don’t you think?" he said flicking Marik's ears. "He's your little friend."

Marik smiled and nuzzled the lion. "Like that, Hunter?" He asked the bunny. He turned and caught up his sister with her ribbon. "C'mere angel..." He said, nuzzling her, and he tied the ribbon around her neck again. "There... aren't you pretty?"

The girl squeaked proudly, puffing out her little chest. 'of course I'm pretty.' she began to groom herself. 'I'm very pretty!'

Ryou laughed. "She said 'of course'." he translated.

"Can I learn to talk to them, Ryou?" Marik asked, nuzzling the little girl. "Sweet little angel... Hunter, say hi to your sister." The lion bapped her on the nose and ran. Marik sighed and shook his head.

Ryou laughed. "you can learn...if you can understand what he's saying then you'll learn." He cooed licking Marik's cheek.

Nod glared at Hunter 'Shame on you! Why can’t you play nice with Angel?' she scolded. 'now you go play nice or I won’t give you as much dinner as everyone else!'

'Lunkhead will feed me!' Hunter replied, hopping over to Marik. 'He fed me while you were gone!'

Nod clicked at him warningly. 'Hunter! Do what I say!' she said clicking more.

Ryou snickered. "looks like Hunter's in trouble."

Marik grinned and watched the tiger and fennec come hopping over. "They're all so cute..." He said, sighing. "Our own babies to take care of..." He purred.

Ryou giggled blushing. "I suppose, but you might not want to tell Nod that, she'll bite you for it." he said amusedly, as Nod gave Marik a angry look.

'like hell they're YOUR babies!'

Marik laughed. "But aren't Tuc and Nod kind of like our babies?" Marik asked.

'It's the other way around you lunkhead.' Tuc snorted.

Ryou laughed. "I think we should give up...heh before we make them furious with us. They're jealous." He cooed nuzzling into Marik.

Marik grinned and nuzzled Ryou back. "Shall we take our family home?" He asked Ryou, purring, then smiling at Tuc and Nod. "Take the proud parents and their babies home?"

Ryou nodded kissing Marik. "I'd love to go home...I've been itching to cook and sleep in my own bed for a long time!" he said proudly. "I was thinking of making Roast beef and mashed potatoes for dinner...sound good?" he cooed, flicking his ears.

Marik grinned. "Sounds great." He said, and stood, picking up the pet bed. "Let's load up out little family and take them home then." He said with a smile, and lay the bed down before Nod. "Hop in, girl. I'll carry you home."

Nod hopped in and squeaked eagerly.

Ryou plucked up the remaining babies and plopped them into the bed. "Lets go home..." he cooed happily.

Marik nodded and stood. "C'mon Tuc!" He called happily, and headed out the door, smiling down at the babies and their mother. "They're beautiful, Nod."

Nod cooed proudly, grooming Hunter, who was mewling in displeasure and squirming to get away.

Ryou yawned and flicked his ears. "Lets hurry home...I'm getting sleepy..." he murmured stretching and wincing slightly. "ahh, stitches..." he grumbled wrinkling his nose.

Marik looked at him, worried, as they walked down the hall. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Ryou nodded. "Yes...I wasn't injured badly like you were...but so many stitches!" he grumbled. "I can’t even wear pants, the hems bother me." he grumbled, motioning to the onsie. "Master thought he'd be funny and make me wear this.' he added sourly.

Marik chuckled. "and now you get to walk home in it." He teaseed.

"No he won't. You're both injured and you have week old bunnies with you, I'm having my driver take you home." Pegasus said, coming out of his office.

Ryou blushed. "Master! We'll be fine! I've been dying to walk around outside for ages!" he said crossing his arms. "Besides, We're people now, I want to go out and walk home just like any other normal person." He grinned.

"No Ryou. Please humor Master. You're injured. I want my driver to take you home." Pegasus said. "He's waiting out front for you."

Ryou sighed and wrinkled his nose. "Alright alright..." he grumbled flicking his little tail. "C'mon Marik...lets take a limo ride home." He said smiling slightly.

Nod flicked her ears. 'Ohh, sounds snazzy. Hear that little ones? We're going to ride in a very special car. You have to behave like good little bunnies!' she said proudly.

'FOOD!' Cried the panda, burying his face into his mother's belly. Tuc sniffed.

'That one's such a glutton...' He said, and watched the otter sniff Angel's bow. Marik grinned down at the babies as he followed Ryou down to the limo and climbed in. He sighed, wistfully.

Ryou blinked and nuzzled into his lover. "Marik...Pegasus said that we should see a psychiatrist..." he said softly. "You..wouldn't mind would you?" he asked softly.

Marik's eyes nearly popped out. "See a WHAT?!!" He roared, and Nod's babies began to cry.

Ryou squeaked. "Marik don’t be so loud!" he scolded. " You're scaring the babies!" he added crossing his arms. "I'll go too, we'll both go. Pegasus said it would help us get over things in our pasts." he added. "plus, it will help you control your temper!"

"But but but... Ryouuuuuuu...." Marik whined, lip trembling. "I... I don' wanna!!!" He clutched the pet bed, whimpering.

Ryou pouted. "Marik...please...?" he said, breaking out the big sad eyes. "You'd do anything for me right?" he pleaded sniffling.

Marik whined and his ears drooped as he stared at Ryou. "but... I don't NEED therapy!" He whimpered. "Ryou... oh, c'mon... please, I don't want to!!"

Ryou looked away. "I bet Bakura'd go to therapy if Malik asked him..." he mumbled his ears drooping. "Fine...I'll just go by myself..." he added sniffling, really laying it on thick

Marik frowned. "fine." He grumbled. "Have fun with Bakura and Malik." He pouted, petting Nod.

Ryou's ears drooped more. "I will, and you have fun staying home all alone." he huffed softly.

"Fine. I'll play with the bunnies." Marik snapped back, turning away. "I am NOT going to a shrink." He sniffed, his ears laid back. He continued to pet Nod.

Ryou huffed, looking away. "Fine, don’t. But don’t expect me to do anything YOU want either." he grumbled glaring away from Marik.

Marik growled low in his chest and the rest of the ride home was spent in silence. When they got there, Malik and Bakura were sitting together on a low branch in the tree on their part of the front yard. They waved eagerly when the limo drove up and Ryou and Marik got out. But then stopped and blinked when neither Ryou nor Marik waved back, and watched as the pair walked to the front door, separately, and went in, not even looking at each other. Both looked put out.

Malik sighed. "Those two are something else..." he mumbled rolling his eyes. "Sometimes I wonder about them..." he added leaning back on the tree branch, against the trunk. "I guess that just makes us special." he chuckled flicking his ears.

Bakura frowned. "Don't tell me they're fighing already! They just got back! I mean, GOD!! Marik was almost KILLED this morning!!! How can they do this?!" the skunk cried, watching Spunky dig in the dirt below him.

Malik shrugged. "We'd better leave em alone though...you know what they say, don’t ask, don’t tell." he said leaning forward to kiss Bakura's cheek. "Oh, speaking of telling, Kheti got in touch with her Mistress right after Marik’s trial! They talked for over an hour but… Oh guess what?!”

”What?” Bakura chuckled.

“They’re moving to town! Her mistress is looking for a place to buy for them, and Khilek is coming out with the kits! Ishizu is helping Kheti look for a job and is letting her stay with her until a home is found. Isn’t that cool?! We SO need to celebrate! I was thinking we could take a night on the town...buy some booze...do some provocative dancing..."

Bakura grinned. "Yeah... should we leave Spunky home alone, or ask Ryou and Marik to watch him?" He asked Malik.

Malik chuckled. “I think he's old enough to fend for himself for a little while. Right Spunky?" The little rabbit-skunk perked up.

"DADDY!" he cheered, puffing up proudly.

Malik laughed. "We'll put out some food for him, and make a comfy place near the tv so he can watch it if he wants." He said grinning. "He's a big boy 'daddy'."

Bakura sighed and nodded. "Sure." He said, hopping out of the tree and scooping Spunky up. "Let's get ready to go!"

While Malik and Bakura prepared for a night on the town, Marik and Ryou were just... not really doing anything. Other than avoiding each other. Marik was in the living room, setting the pet bed down in it's usual warm corner, and smiling, petting Tuc and Nod and hugging them and purring over the babies.

Ryou however had run himself a hot bath and was currently soaking away his frustration, as well as numbing some of the pain in his stitches. He sighed and flicked his ears. Why was Marik so bull headed!? A Psychiatrist would be just the thing to heal his soul...and he wouldn't even give it a try. His ears drooped and he laid his head against the side of the tub.

He had been relaxing for about fifteen minutes, when there was a little croon from the doorway. When Ryou looked, the little bunny otter had hopped in, sniffing the air. She made her way over to the tub and sat up on her hind legs, sniffing and giving a little trill. With a hop, she leapt up to the side of the tub, but slipped on the surface of the tub and fell into the water.

Ryou squeaked and picked her up quickly, holding her in the water, but safely above it enough she could breathe. "Hello there little one...what are you up to?" he cooed, licking her cheek. "You wanting to play in the water too?" he said grinning.

The little otter squeaked and pawed at the water, then cheeped and leapt from Ryou's hands, diving under the water and twisting around experimentally, beginning the process of learning to swim.

Ryou watched her carefully, smiling, he gently plucked her up once in a while, to make sure she was getting enough air. "You're such a good little swimmer aren't you?" He cooed nuzzling his little wet friend. "Nod would be proud."

But then, he heard a commotion. "Baby?! Baby, where are you!? Gods! Where did she go?! Baby!?" Marik darted by and into the bedroom, still calling frantically. Then, he burst into the bathroom. "Ryou, the otter has gone...." He blinked. "... Swimming?"

Ryou nodded. "She's fine. Now if you don’t mind." he grumbled looking away stubbornly.

Marik frowned slightly, and nodded. "Right." He said shortly. "I'll just leave her with you, then." And he turned and padded out silently, his ears back and tail lashing in agitation. He headed to the kitchen, hungry. He looked around for food, but everything in the refrigerator was expired. He sighed and looked in the pantry. Pleanty of food for himself and Ryou, but... He went to the bedroom and dressed himself, then walked into the bathroom. "I'm going to the store." He said. "We have nothing fresh in the house. I'll be back later." He turned and walked out.

Ryou stuck his tongue out after Marik was gone and he'd heard the front door close. "Stubborn predator!" he huffed, slowly getting out of the tub and plucking the little otter out. "I'll run you some fresh water ok? You don’t want dirty water." he said laughing and draining the tub.

He dried himself off and filled the tub once it was empty. He stopped the water once it was halfway full. "there you go." He said proudly, picking up a pair of jeans and looping one leg around the towel ring, and the other into the tub. "There. When you're done just climb out and find me. Then I'll clean up." He cooed, putting the eager girl back into the water to swim more.

As soon as Ryou walked out of the bathroom, the little tiger pounced his foot and nibbled his toe, and the fennec was hopping down the hall with a kleenex in his mouth. There was a loud mewling, and when Ryou went to investigate, he found little Hunter pawing at the front door and crying for Marik.

Ryou sighed and picked up Hunter. "Shhh he'll come back he just went shopping." He cooed picking up the tiger and fennec as well. "Now all of you need to behave. Would you like to watch tv? Tuc and Nod enjoy tv." he said softly, putting the babies down and turning on the television to a cartoon channel.

He couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips as the girl bunny, the sugar glider and the fruit bat all scuttled over to watch it with big eyes.

Ryou also couldn't help but giggle at how the bat moved. After all, her fore legs were large wings. She scuttled in little half hops, half flaps, and just looked comical. The little sugar glider darted around with great efficiency, and before Ryou even knew it, she had scampered up his leg and body and up to his shoulder, chittering in approval of this fine vantage point of the television.

Ryou laughed and shook his head, gently removing his squirrely little friend. "Come now, you sit with your brothers and sisters." He said calmly, putting her back down next to his family. He went back to check on the otter bunny, glad to find her swimming happily. He sighed calmly and walked to the dresser, putting on his oversized pajama shirt.

After a few moments, he flopped down onto the bed and sighed. Babies were a lot of work! He smiled however, because he loved all of Tuc and Nod's children dearly.

Ryou had dozed off and was woken and later by a herd of the baby bunnies running into his room, all squeaking and chittering eagerly. To Ryou's surprise, the bat fluttered in and plopped ungracefully onto the bed next to him. The babies ran around the room, then out again. Teahe bat cried and fluttered after them, not wanting to be left behind. Ryou checked the clock; Marik had been gone for three hours.

Ryou blinked confusedly. "Alright alright everyone calm down!" he said firmly. He went to the kitchen and pulled some frozen peas that were still good out and poured them into a bowl. He put it down in the den next to the pet bed. "Tuc, Nod would you two mind watching the babies?" He cooed, as the little bunnies began curiously sniffing at the frozen pea-sicles. "They're a little chilly, but they're peas..." he said softly. "I'll go out and look for Marik..." he said softly.

Tuc and Nod both nodded, and Ryou went outside. The first thing he noticed was the barking of the neighbors horrid ol' rottweilers. Then, he saw many shopping bags along the sidewalk in front of the house. And then, he heard a very familiar yowling. Moving into the front yard, Ryou sighed. The dogs had his poor mate treed. Again. And what do you know? There were NEW dogs among the pack!!! Apparently Nod wasn't the only one who had given birth over the last month. The owner was sitting on the front porch, laughing at the scene while watering her plants.

Ryou sighed and picked up the groceries and carried them inside. Once he'd put them away, which he took his time doing, he walked back outside and glared at the woman. "Would you mind?!" he growled clicking. "We're considered people by law, so if you don’t call your damn dogs off I'm going to call the fucking police and have those damn mutts put down!" he hissed, NOT in the mood for this pompous woman and her stupid dogs.

The woman blinked, then glared. "You?! Human?! You are NOT human! Who in their right mind would see YOU as human?" She sniffed. "You are abominations! Demons on earth! You are not of the Lord's creations! Now get off my property before I sic my dogs on you!"

Ryou growled. "Fine, you want to play dirty? I'll call the cops. A law was passed at 10 this morning saying all hybrids are considered human, but by all means if your little fucking dogs aren't worth enough to you to consider it, that's your own fault." He said crossing his arms, glaring. "Are you sure enough that I'm not human that you'll risk the lives of your ugly mutts?"

The woman's eyes widened. "WHAT?!" She cried. "They did WHAT!?!" And she turned and ran into the house, leaving the dogs and their pups barking at Marik.

Ryou growled and pulled the hose over and turned it on, spraying the dogs until they retreated into the woman's house. Once they were gone, he turned off the hose and put it away, heading back into the house. Marik was a cat, he could see his own way down.

Marik whined and mewled, climbing down and chasing after Ryou. Just before Ryou got to the door, Marik tackled him, wrapping his arms around him tightly and purring loudly, sniffing him over and beginning to furiously groom him.

Ryou sighed. "Will you see the psychiatrist now?" he said softly, ears drooping. "Please?"

Marik frowned. "Murrrrr..." He whined. "I don't want to... I don't need a shrink, Ryou..." He tightened his hold on Ryou, nuzzling him.

Ryou sighed. "If you don’t need one, then you've got nothing to lose going to one." He said calmly. "Please?"

Marik shook his head. "Ryou... these quacks are expensive! We can't afford to just GO!" He said. "I mean... I don't have a job, and..."

"Pegasus said he'd pay for us to go!" Ryou said turning around. "Please, it's free, master said he'd pay... please just give it a try..."

Marik frowned. "No." He grumbled, looking away. "I'm not doing it."

Ryou pulled away and huffed. "Fine." he grumbled going inside alone.

Marik frowned and followed. "Ryou, come on!" He cried, frustrated. "Why are you acting like this?!"

"Because you DO need one! Marik if not for your horrid temper, then for what Constantine and Dartz did to you!" he said loudly. "You won’t even TRY!"

Marik frowned. "No!!" He shouted at Ryou, gripping his upper arms. "I don't need a fuckin shrink!!!" He roared, giving Ryou a little shake. He stared into Ryou's eyes. "There's only one thing I need." He pulled Ryou into his chest and nuzzled the top of his head. "And I'm holding him in my arms..."

Ryou sniffled. "If you're not willing to try Marik... th-then I'm not going to be very happy with you." He said looking away.

Marik frowned. "Ryou... I will try! You know that! I will try so hard! I'll go out tomorrow and look for a job somewhere... wait... no, I can't. We have to go get our Hybrid ID Cards. THEN I'll go find a job!"

"Marik you need to get your anger in control! You lost your job at the Jungle because of it, and if it had been anyone but Seto you would have lost more than your job!" Ryou argued pulling away once more. "You NEED to see a psychiatrist. Please Marik… for me?"

Marik frowned and looked away. "I will find a job, Ryou. I will control my temper. And I will support you. But I will NOT go to a stupid doctor that I don't need!!!"

Ryou sighed. "Marik PLEASE! I'm begging you... just try it! One time!" he said sniffling. "Why won’t you listen to me?!"

Marik was scowling. "I don't fuckin beleive in those Ra forsaken shrinks! They're full of shit! And I won't waste time or money on them!!"

Ryou clicked softly. "I can’t believe you! You won’t even do it when I BEG you to! You're so bull-headed!"

"I AM NOT!!!" Marik roared back. "Do you really have so little faith in me?! Do you really have such lack of trust in me?! That you can't even trust me to handle myself?! Do you think I can't take care of myself?! That I can't take care of you?! Is that what you're saying?! That you DOUBT ME?!?!"

Ryou's ears bristled. "I'm SAYING that as much as I trust you, I'm not the one who needs to! Any employer you want to try and work for needs to! I won’t always be here to calm you down when you turn into a rampaging MONSTER!" he said glaring at Marik. "You can’t go around trying to kill people! You can’t lose your temper because someone calls you a runt or because you don’t get your way!"

Marik glared at Ryou and growled. "I don't lose my temper when I'm called a runt or when I don't get my way!" He shouted. "I lose my temper when someone is threatening me, or some one I love!!!"

Ryou growled back. "Funny, because you seem to be losing it right now!" he said turning his back on Marik.

"I have NOT lost my temper!!!" He shouted. "I have NEVER lost my temper with you, Ryou! NEVER!!!"

"Then why are you SHOUTING?!" Ryou shouted back, ears bristling.

"YOU'RE shouting!!!" Marik countered. "Shouting is NOT losing your temper!!!"

Ryou pulled his own ears and huffed. "Oh just leave me alone!" he growled. "I'm sleeping on the couch!"

"DON'T BOTHER!!!" Marik shouted back, and stormed into the living room. "I'll sleep on the floor in here." And he began to load the fireplace with wood. "I'd ask you to join me, but sleeping on the floor like an animal is just BENEATH you, isn’t it?!" He snapped.

Ryou gave a shout of frustration. "I wouldn't sleep with you if you were the last person on EARTH!" he howled in frustration. He growled and went to their room and grabbed some clothes for tomorrow. If Marik was going to act like an ass then he'd just go back to Pegasus to cool down until he could handle dealing with his stubborn mate. He growled and put his clothes in a small bag. After slipping on some shoes he stormed out.

Marik blinked. "Where the hell are YOU going?!" He bellowed after Ryou.

Ryou turned glaring. "Somewhere where I don’t have to deal with this!" he said opening the front door and stepping out. "When you're done being such a big baby and start acting like a grown up, I'll be glad to come back!"

Marik growled loudly. "Oh, I see... You're going back to that beloved MASTER of yours... You know, I'm starting to think that you never wanted to come back to me in the first place!!! You only agreed to stay with me because he told you to! Because you ALWAYS do whatever MASTER says!!!"

Ryou growled. "Fine! I won’t go to Pegasus! Whatever YOU want! I don’t care, I'm NOT staying here a moment longer!" he shouted back, and he began walking in the opposite direction of Pegasus' mansion. He growled softly, knowing he still had one safe haven to return to, one where Marik wouldn't find him unless he wanted to be found.

Home.

Marik growled. "FINE!!" He roared, and slammed the door of the house. He went into the kitchen and quickly prepared a small salad for Tuc and Nod. Then he made himself a large roast beef sandwich. He ate it in about four bites, guzzled a soda, belched loudly, then built a fire and curled up before it.

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Ryou seethed as he walked, hurrying to his long forgotten home. A place he hadn't visited in ages. He sniffled softly, gritting his teeth. "Stop that. Don’t be a big baby! It's his fault he's such a bloody ass." he grumbled as he walked. After nearly 30 minutes of walking, he came across the lovely blue and white two story house. He sighed as he approached the porch and looked at his old home.

"I've missed you..." he said smiling slightly as he pulled loose the brick in the wall and took the key from behind it, placing the brick back in the wall. "A year ago I would have given anything to come back to here..." he said opening the door and unlocking it. He closed the door behind him and flicked on the light. "Thank goodness father has the utilities on direct deposits..." he mumbled looking around his home. "I need to clean..."

The white-haired bunny did just that. Once he'd grown hungry enough, he called the grocer and had them deliver fresh groceries to the address using his father's credit card, which had been left in it's usual place, the telephone desk drawer. He made himself a pot of fresh vegetable soup and looked around the newly gleamingly-clean house and smiled slightly. Despite being away from Marik, it felt almost sinfully good to come back to his home, even if it was on bad terms

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Tuc and Nod watched their babies nap, and watched Marik in his fitful sleep before the fireplace. He was mewling in his sleep, twitching and thrashing from time to time, frequently calling out for Rem to help him.

Nod sighed softly. 'Tuc, this is getting ridiculous. These two simply can’t get along...' she grumbled curling up and yawning. 'Sooner or later they're going to break up at this rate.'

Tuc sighed and nodded. 'They're both stubborn. The lunkhead refuses to give in and Ryou refuses to back down.' He said, watching Marik whine and bat at his dream.

Nod sighed in agreement. 'It's not like Ryou doesn't have the right... he's always the one to back down. I don’t think he's ever put his foot down before, when it involved Marik.' She said thoughtfully. 'Except that he put his foot down to love him.'

Tuc agreed. 'The lunkhead does need help. But Ryou did make him feel... well... like he didn't feel safe with the lunkhead... made him feel inadequate. And we both know that he has problems with seeing himself in that way.'

Nod flicked her ears. 'It's not as though it started that way. We were both there in the car when he first brought it up. Only after that lunkhead repeatedly refused did it escalate to that.' she said scratching an ear. 'he's forcing himself to see things like that.'

Tuc sighed, then jumped when Marik leapt up with a roaring "NOOOO!!!" the lion looked around, finally facing Tuc, Nod, and all their startled awake babies.

Nod clicked at him furiously. 'They ALL just got to sleep! It's going to take a whole hour to get them back asleep you lunkhead!' she chittered at him thumping her foot before beginning to try and comfort the frightened babies, lulling them to try and sleep once more.

Marik whimpered, then turned off the gas fireplace, then ran from the house. As soon as he closed and locked the door, he dropped to all fours and began to run down the dark street, mewling. After twenty minutes, he reached his destination and began pounding on the door. "MAMA!! MAMAAAAAA!!!"

Rem yawned answering the door in her nightgown. "Marik...?" She asked tiredly. "What are you doing here?" She said, stepping aside so he could enter.

"Marik?" Marik froze as Zaine appeared in his flannel pants. His eyes widened.

"MURRUMPH!!!" He exclaimed, looking back and forth between Rem and Zaine, momentarily forgetting why he'd come.

Rem turned red and sighed. "Marik honey what are you doing here?" She cooed stooping and petting him slowly to calm him down. "Tell me what's wrong?"

Marik looked at Rem. "R-Ryou left! We had a fight cuz he thinks something's wrong with me and wants me to see a therapist but I don't need a therapist and he says I do and we yelled and he said I was losing my temper and I said I wasn’t and he said he was sleeping on the sofa and I said not to bother cuz I was sleeping on the floor because it was below him and he said he was leaving and I said oh fine do whatever master tells you and he said he wouldn't go to Pegasus and I went to sleep and had nightmares and Constantine was hurting me and I woke up and I was all alone and, and... MAMAAAAAAA!!!" He burst into uncontrollable sobs.

Rem sighed and hugged him. "Marik sweetie...if Ryou didn't go to Pegasus...where did he go? Do you know?" She asked scratching his ears.

Zaine frowned. "Marik, man you NEVER argue with someone if they say 'I'm sleeping on the couch' That's like posting a sign on your head that says 'shoot me!'." He said shaking his head.

Marik glared at Zaine and growled, then turned and hid his face in Rem's chest, shaking and mewling pitifully.

Rem sighed. "Marik answer me. Where did Ryou go?" she said hugging him and giving Zaine a look.

Zaine raised his hands defensively. "Fine fine!" he said turning and leaving before he really found his way into the doghouse.

"Where'd Ryou go Marik...if he's not at Pegasus' house where could he have gone?"

Marik frowned and snarled. "I don't know! Why would he tell me?! I'm the one who needs THERAPY!!!"

Rem sighed and scratched his ears. "Marik...maybe he suggested you get therapy so you could feel better about yourself...did you think of that?" She cooed softly. "Therapy is meant to make you feel better...to overcome things that frighten you. I know you had a tough past...therapy might make you feel better about yourself." She said calmly. "Wouldn't you like to not worry about whether or not you're a runt, or a good mate? Therapy helps self-confidence...I think Ryou was just trying to help you." She said hugging him.

Marik frowned and shook his head. "No! He said it was because I was dangerous! Because of my temper! Like he didn't... my own mate doesn't feel safe with me..." Marik whimpered, tears forming again. "He's... afraid of me..." And he slowly backed away from Rem.

Rem hugged him tightly. "Now Marik...do you really think that?" She asked softly.

"He's afraid of me... He wants to go back to Pegasus but he's scared..." Marik whimpered.

Rem rubbed his back slowly. "Marik...do you honestly think he's afraid of you...? He loves you. He's afraid FOR you..." She said soothing him. "If he really wanted his master, to go back to him, he would whether he was afraid of you or not." She cooed lovingly. "Calm down...if you think he's scared...how can you fix it?"

Marik shook his head. "I... Ryou..." He whimpered, and shuffled to the pet bed in the corner, curling up in it, facing the wall. "Murrrrrr..."

Rem sighed. "Marik sweetie, if you think Ryou's afraid of you, don’t you think maybe trying the therapist might help?" She said following him and sitting near him. "It couldn't hurt..."

"What could those quacks do?!" Marik snapped.

Rem scratched his ears. "The most they could do, is help you..." She said softly. "The least they could do, is give you the chance to go to Ryou and say that you tried." she said calmly. "Either way, I'm sure he'd be happy."

Marik whined. "but... but Rem... They couldn't help her."

Rem blinked. "Her? Who her?" she said scratching his ears.

"Mommy..." Marik whimpered, shaking. "That's why I... had to go into foster care..."

Rem hugged him tightly. "Marik sweetie...some people can’t be helped by therapy...but I know you can. Promise me you'll give it a try?" She said smiling. "If it doesn't work, at least you can tell Ryou you tried...then he'd go home again." She cooed. "I'm sure he's just scared for you."

Marik shook his head. "Maybe... Maybe I should... Oh, I don't KNOW!!!" Marik cried. "I just don't know anymore!!!"

Rem smiled. "Just go to the therapy Marik sweetie...I'll talk to Pegasus and see if I can find Ryou. ok?"

Marik turned away from Rem for a moment, then sighed and slowly plodded towards the door, head down. He opened the front door and walked out, closing it behind him.

Rem hurried to the door. "Marik sweetie...do you want to spend the night with us?" She said softly after her kitten. "I'm worried about you..."

"I'm worried about me too..." Marik mumbled, but continued down the street in the opposite direction of home.

Rem hurried out and picked him up. "Marik sweetie...stay with me." She said carrying him back to her house. "Just until morning. Ok? For mama?" she said kissing his cheek, giving him a genuinely worried mother look. "I won’t be able to sleep knowing my little Marik is upset and alone in the streets..."

"Murrrrow!!!" Marik whined, squirming. "Put me down! MAOOO!! MAOOO!!!!"

Rem put him down once inside and tapped her foot. "If you love mama, you'll stay here til morning. Understand?" She said locking the door closed. "You can go out tomorrow and pout during the day. Not when it's night." She said calmly. "I worry enough about you as it is, you don’t want mama to die of a heart attack do you?”

Marik frowned. "Mama's too stubborn to die of a heart attack." He muttered, and Zaine, who had just come out to check on them, snorted and turned away, trying to cover up laughter.

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

The next day, Ryou dug through the clothes remaining in his home. He smiled slightly finding his school uniform. "Oh wonderous!" he cheered putting it on. He grumbled slightly, cutting a small hole in the back for his tail, but more than glad his jacket easily covered his little furry apendage. "It's been forever since I've worn this! Oh I know just what I'm going to do today!" he cheered softly.

He picked though his papers and found his birth certificate and smiled. "I'll go get my new ID card, then re-enroll in school!" he said proudly. "I can finish my studies!" He said ears quivering with joy. "Once I'm done, I'll...sort the mail." He said as he looked at the massive pile of letters on the floor by the door, compliments of the mail slot.

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

Things at Rem's house, however, didn't start out so cheerful. She and Zaine sat at the kitchen table with coffee bloodshot eyes as the sun rose... Marik had kept them up all night, mewling and yowling to be let out, but Rem had put the childproof locks on the doors, and Marik was unable to get out. Zaine sighed.

"Let's take him to get his hybrid ID card..." He said to Rem, taking her hand. "Then we can start working things out." And an hour later, they were on their way.

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

The woman at the desk looked up, and blinked at the young white haired boy standing before her. "Hello. May I help... oh." she spotted his ears. "If you've come for your H.I.D. you need to go to the third floor, Suite 342."

Ryou bowed respectfully. "Thank you very much." he said softly and after hopping aboard an elevator, hurried along the halls for the appropriate room. Thankfully the news had spread, but not like wildfire. No lines were unmanagable. It was still early in fact, and there was hardly a line at all.

Ryou grinned hopefully and picked the shortest line, and began his wait.

But then, Ryou picked up a familiar smell... his mate's scent. He blinked and turned, and there in another line further up, was Marik, Rem and Zaine standing with him and talking. Marik was standing upright at Rem's insistance, and was leaning against the wall with his arms folded while he glared at the floor. His ears were back, and he was scowling.

'Hmmph! And he called me scared and ALWAYS crawling to Pegasus! He's no better! He always goes crying to Rem!' he thought, looking away. Obviously they hadnt' seen him, and he wasn't about to draw attention to himself. Marik looked to be in a positively foul mood anyway.

Zaine spotted Ryou a few minutes later, and nudged Rem, gesturing towards the boy. "Well lookie there..." He muttered to her. "Should we tell Marik?"

Rem frowned slightly. "Well...I don’t know...it might be good...but...it might be bad...what do you think?" She whispered softly. "He looks pretty put out."

"they both do.” Zaine pointed out. But then they were called to the front of the line and the lady asked for proof of Marik's identity. Rem presented police records and a birth certificate and Marik was given a questionnaire to fill out. Marik sighed and began to fill out the basics, age, sex, height and weight, species, etc... Then, the woman smiled and logged it all into the computer system and had Marik stand in front of the camera.

"Smile Marik!" Zaine called, and Marik gave him a deadly glare. Zaine gulped and stepped behind Rem.

Rem frowned. "Marik smile!" she scolded. "Honestly! You only get one picture for your ID, you could at least TRY to be presentable." She said frowning.

Meanwhile Ryou had just hit the front of his line and was calmly filling out his own questionnaire while the woman tending to him got all his information into the computer. She cooed at him. "You're such a cute bunny." She said laughing softly. Ryou wrinkled his nose.

"Everyone says that..." he mumbled as she gave him a new tag for his collar.

"You can wear this with your collar if you want, it's entirely your election to wear, or not wear it." She said calmly motioning to the wall. "If you could just put your back to the wall and smile..."

Marik tried to smile, but the lady winced and Zaine rolled his eyes. "It looks like you're threatening the camera Marik."

"Maybe I am..." Marik snarled. Rem sighed and looked at the woman waiting to take the picture.

"I'm sorry, he's in a bad mood right now..." she explained, and the picture was finally taken of Marik glaring at the camera. A moment later, his ID was printed out. When he walked over to the printer station, the lady set out two ID's. Ryou and Marik reached for them, and their paws touched.

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Good morning." he mumbled snatching his ID. "Off to a good start aren't you?" he added huffing slightly, pocketing the card.

Rem frowned. "Now Ryou... Marik's going to go to a psychiatrist..." She said grabbing the pale bunny by the shoulders.

"Says who?!" Marik grumbled, turning away. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going on that walk you wouldn't let me take last night." And Marik headed for the door. Zaine's eyes widened and his mouth flapped open and closed a few times in his dismayed surprise.

Ryou flicked his ears irritably. "You've got some nerve saying I always go crying to Pegasus, then turning right around and going crying to Rem." He growled softly.

Rem bit her lip and looked at Zaine worriedly. This... wouldn’t end well.

Marik growled and his mane bristled, but then, he slowly relaxed. "So go back to him. It's what you obviously want. So go on. I just... don't care anymore..." He grumbled. "I'll stay away from the house today so you can pick up... the rabbits and your things, without me in your way... since that's all I seem to be."

Ryou crossed his arms. "I'm not going back, and I'm not going to Pegasus either. I told you I wouldn't and I'm not going back on my word. I've got my own life to live and it neither revolves around you OR him." He said calmly. "I'm quitting my job at The Jungle as well." he added walking past Marik. "You can keep the rabbits, the stuff...I don’t care." he added calmly. "There has to be something in that house to keep you from tearing into the innocent populace and since I'm not doing it anymore, you'll NEED Tuc and Nod and their babies more than I will."

Marik glared at Ryou. "I don't need them!" He snapped. "I don't need them, I don't need that house, I don't need your things, and I DON'T NEED YOU!!!" He roared, and everyone stopped and stared at Marik. "You and I must REALLY think alike... you're going back to your old life... well, so am I. And in that life, all I need is myself! And this time, I'm strong enough to survive! And you know what?! I WILL!"

Ryou turned, glaring at Marik. "You're pathetic." he hissed softly. "You'd choose to go live in the streets alone rather than do ONE simple thing I ask you. Some mate you turned out to be." He said turning away and pressing the elevator button. "I'll not stop you. Go on back to the streets. If you're honestly so selfish then you're not worth loving." he said calmly. "To think I hurt myself so badly and cried and prayed so hard for you during that whole Dartz thing." He stepped into the elevator. "Pegasus was the only hero of that... you were too busy being a psychotic murder machine." he said looking away as the doors closed.

Rem bit her lip and looked away. "Oh god Zaine..."

Marik growled loudly, then suddenly whirled on Zaine and Rem. "You can tell that no good ass kissing son of a bitch Pegasus, that he can take his money and SHOVE IT!!!" He hissed, shaking in rage. "And if I ever see him again, I WILL kill him!"

"Marik it's not Pegasus' fault... he was just trying to help..." Rem said softly. "He knew you two couldn't afford the therapist, so he offered to pay for it. It's not his fault."

Marik growled loudly. "It's his fault for making Ryou a hybrid in the first place. And for FORCING him to love him. The reasons are endless. All I know is that the bastard will die by my claws if he ever shows his face to me again! And you can tell Kaiba he can sell the house... or our half of it. It's obvious that neither of us will be using it." And he turned and jabbed the elevator button.

"Marik aren't you being a little rash? You were homeless!" She said hurrying over to him. "Come now...surely you've got more sense than to just toss out everything of value in your life just because you had a fight with Ryou!" she said worriedly. "What will you do out in the streets? You'll starve!"

Marik sneered. "Not this time. I'm not going to die on the streets... this time, I'm going to OWN them!" and he leered down at his claws, admiring them.

"What about the baby bunnies? What about Bakura and Malik?!" Rem said pushing his hands down. "Please Marik reconsider this! You don’t want to do this...you're better than that!" she said shaking her head. "You're making a horrible choice and I know you'll regret it! Please Marik..."

Marik glared at Rem. "The rabbits are NOT my problem." He said coldly. "If Pegasus likes rabbits so much, HE can take them. You can give them to the pound for all I care." He turned as the elevator opened and stepped in. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his Hybrid I.D. He glared at it, then tossed it at Rem's feet. "Society can take their little 'I'm sorry, I'll make it right' and choke on it."

Rem gave him a hurt look. "Marik... what about the little lion bunny?" She said softly. "Wasn't he your favorite? Are you going to let him go to the pound? Is that it?" she said stooping to pick up his card.

Marik winced, but then turned away. "The streets is no place for him. And no matter what you say... the streets are where I belong. Do with them as you will. They're not my problem." And the doors slid shut.