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 28

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"Enjoying the ride, honey?" Zaine asked, walking over to his fiance who was sitting on the back deck of the boat with Sachiko Hinaru. The pair were talking over coffee and had Tuc and Nod in their laps.

"Not particularly." Rem said softly, shaking her head. "I won’t be content until I can find Ryou, Tachi and Marik." She added looking down at Tuc.

Zaine smiled. "Well... we're getting close to the island... come see it." He said, taking her hand and pulling her out of her chair, Tuc leaping to the ground. Inogawa walked over.

"You too, Sachiko." He said with a wink.

Sachiko rolled her eyes amusedly. "Stop taking hints from Zaine, we aren't young lovers." She giggled softly, standing to see the island with the others.

The two men eagerly pulled their female companions up to the bow of the boat. There, before them, was the island. It was big and green and lush, and the perfect paradise for animals and hybrids alike. But Rem wasn't looking at the island; she was looking at the dock. There, on the very end of the dock sat Marik, watching the boat drawing closer, Ryou on one side, Tachi on the other. And covering the dock behind the trio, was the hybrid pride, lounging and relaxing in the sun.

Rem gave a sigh of relief. "Thank God..."

Ryou and Tachi were ecstatic. "They're coming!" Ryou squeaked. "There's the food shipment and look they're coming!" Ryou cheered tackling Marik into a kiss. "Soon we can go home and let everyone know you're okay!"

Marik grinned. "Looks like everyone came here to see for themselves." He said calmly, though his lashing tail betrayed his excitement. There on the bow of the boat was Pegasus, Seto, Yami, Bakura, Malik, Ivy, Kumani and Emiko, overjoyed to see her beloved Tachi.

"Miss Emiko!!!" Tachi was calling happily, hopping along the edge of the dock.

Ryou grinned and sat down, glad to be wearing the clothes he'd been wearing when he left. "I can’t wait to go home..." he cooed nuzzling Marik, who currently smelt of floral soap. "I'm sure all our bunnies are going to lecture us." he added grinning. "Especially Angel and Spunky."

Marik chuckled. Suddenly, Samba popped up.

"Is... is that her?!" He gasped. "That lioness?!" Abazu and Nadira laughed at that; the red headed male lion was shaking in excitement over a female he had never even MET before!

Ryou grinned. "She's single and looking too." he said nudging Samba. "I bet she'd jump at the chance for a nice mate like you." he giggled, winking. "Right Tachi?"

Tachi laughed. "She's been looking for a mate for a long time!!!" He said. As the boat pulled into the dock, the lions all leapt up, making noises of interest and welcome, and the mothers tried to keep their cubs from falling into the water.

"Oh wow..." Zaine breathed. "Look at them all..."

"Where did they all come from?!" Pegasus yelped, amazed. There were around thirty adult lions that were once human, and a good dozen or so cubs that were probably among the first hybrids in the world to be born hybrids.

"Master Pegasus!" Ryou shouted up. "I WANT A BATH!" Ryou giggled waving to all his friends. He didn't need a bath, but he thought the greeting appropriate for his mate and master. "I missed you guys!" he added.

Abazu smiled up at the boat before looking at Marik. "So these are your fabled friends?" he asked flicking his tail. "A fine looking group."

Marik grinned, and finally couldn't take it any more. "MAMA!!!" He howled, and ran to the edge of the dock and leapt over the expanse of water, landing half on the deck of the ship. He dugs his claws in, pulled himself up over the edge, and tackled Rem to the floor, covering her with excited licks and nuzzles, his tail wagging so hard he was wiggling his naked ass in Yami's face.

Yami grumbled and sighed, taking off his jacket and draping it over Marik's ass. "Watch it mooney." Yami grumbled. "No one wants to see your fat naked ass."

Ryou laughed and hopped onto the boat as well, climbing into Pegasus' arms. "Master!"

"Ryou!!! Oh Ryou!!! You're okay! My precious baby bunny!" And the man began to smother Ryou in kisses. Zaine laughed and scratched Marik's ears as the lion continued to love on his future wife, and Tachi finally managed to get onto the boat and was pounced by Ivy and Kumani. He wriggled loose, and dive bombed Emiko.

Ryou licked Pegasus' cheek. "Master!!! I missed you sooo much!" He said eagerly. "I need a bath, and grooming and sooo much attention!" he squeaked kissing him happily.

Pegasus laughed.

"Mama!!!" Marik was yelping, happily. "Mama Mama Mama!!! The pride is here and I want you to meet my mom and my brother and my sister and Abazu taught me to hunt and I'm not scared any more and I can fish and help provide for them and I saved Ryou and Tachi from wolves and then we took Tachi to the bunny fields and he's been chasing rabbit ass ever since and--"

"HEY!!" Tachi howled.

"--and me and Ryou got into the house and have been living there over the past week and we've been mating and mating and he still loves me and--"

"For God's sake Marik, BREATHE!!!" Inogawa scolded.

Ryou was bright red, Zaine was laughing and Rem was hugging Marik. "Marik you're such a big boy! Why don’t we get you settled up in the mansion and you can tell me all about it while the movers arrive and get some things for us." She said ruffling his mane. "How would you like... a special mama grooming session?!" she said eagerly, knowing even lions like Marik couldn't refuse a grooming of the mama-variety.

Marik's eyes widened. "YEAH!!" He gasped, prancing in place. "Wait... movers? Things for... US?!"

"Marik..." Pegasus said. "Rem has a job with the government now, and is in charge of this island."

"How would you like to be employed here as her personal assistant?" Zaine asked, and Marik's eyes widened.

"R-Really?!" He gasped. "A job?!"

Rem glared at Zaine. "I was gonna tell him!" she scolded wrinkling her nose and picking Marik up, cuddling him. "Yes sweetie... let’s get you and your friends all cleaned up?" She said ruffling his mane and looking to the other lions. "The admission for a good hot meal is a bath." She said calmly.

Abazu chuckled and looked at the pride, who were looking displeased with the idea. "I think this once we can allow a nice hot bath. It is a good day for Marik, and for a good meal, a little water is a small price to pay."

Ryou nuzzled Pegasus. "I hope you brought my brushes and grooming kit, I NEED grooming." He said calmly. "I don’t want, I NEED."

Pegasus laughed. "Of course, dear." He said. "And all the bunnies are below in carriers. With two exceptions..." And he put Ryou down in time for Tuc and Nod to tackle him.

Ryou squeaked in delight as his first two signs of affection from Marik bombarded him with licks and nuzzles. "Tuc! Nod! Oh I missed you!" he said picking them both up and hugging them tightly. "Oh... mmm." He cooed, appreciating a hug to his 'family'. "I promise I won’t sneak off anymore."

Rem had gotten off the boat and walked with Marik's guidance back to the mansion, as the others slowly followed. "So sweetie... about the job... I assume you're gonna take it?"

Marik nodded. "Yeah!!" He gasped, nodding, his ears wiggling. He looked down at a certain cub pouncing his feet and scooped him up. "Mama, this is my little brother, Akello!" He turned and smiled back behind him. "And this is my Mom, Nadira, and Abazu, the pride leader!!!"

Rem smiled. "Well it's good to see you've been taken care of." She said smiling to Nadira and Abazu. "I'll get your pride bathed as quickly as I can, but I don’t think you'll mind me pampering Marik for a bit while you wait." She said.

Abazu chuckled. "We've been waiting for a good meal a long time, a few more minutes will not hurt us at all."

Rem chuckled at the broken window and shook her head. "Honestly Marik." She said thumping his head lightly.

"Mao!" He whined, ducking.

"You did that?!" Little Shanti gasped. Marik blushed and nodded.

"Well... Ryou locked me out!!!" He whined.

Rem laughed opening the door and going inside. She found the upstairs master bathroom (complete with jacuzzi tub) and began running hot water, the other lions waiting patiently in the room, enjoying soft cushions and provided with chewy toys and scratching posts.

"So, you were telling me about your time here." She said smiling and checking the water, then motioning for Marik to get in.

Marik meowed and hopped into the tub, lapping at the water a bit before lying down in it, purring. "Oh, it was great..." He murred, and Hinaru slipped into the room to listen. "I got here and they were all happy to see me... but they were hungry... so I would go fishing for them, since game on land was getting hard to come by... I helped take care of them... and Abazu and the other lions helped me, too..." He sighed. "I'm not afraid anymore... I... I finally like who I am..." And he turned and licked Rem's wrist when she moved to scratch his ears. "I know I'm not a runt... and I'm not weak."

Rem grinned and got some sweet smelling soap and began lathering up Marik's hair. "That's wonderful sweetheart! And you and Ryou are happy?" She said dumping some water over his hair, careful not to get any in his eyes.

"Meew!" Marik squeaked at the water, but shook his mane out once Rem was done rinsing the shampoo out. "We're GREAT!! Never been happier! I think he's finally proud of me and who I am... He's so happy now that I have my confidence back!"

Rem grinned and gave Marik his favorite squeaky, while she continued to bathe him. "That's wonderful! And the pride likes you too? You've gotten so popular!"

"MAO!!!" Marik gasped, and attacked his squeaky with a large splash, and Hinaru broke into amused giggles.

"He certainly loves that thing..." She gasped between laughs, coming over to help Rem with the frisky excited lion.

Meanwhile, Tachi was sitting happily in Emiko's lap in the living room, with Ivy and Kumani cooing over him and licking his face and ears. Then, a head poked into the room. Samba stared wide eyed at Kumani. Abazu and Nadira, who were lying calmly at the top of the stairs, snickered and watched the young male shyly watching this new female.

Ivy grinned. "Oh Kumani... I think you've got a fan." She cooed, flicking her tail. Kumani blinked and looked, catching a glimpse at the red-haired lion. She blinked and flicked her ears, turning around to face him.

"Um... hello?"

Samba jerked and hid behind the door a bit, with one large golden eye still staring at her. Then, he gulped and slowly emerged again.

"Umm... hi..." He gasped. Tachi giggled.

"Hi Samba!" He called. "Kumani, this is Samba! Samba, this is my friend, Kumani!" Samba blinked, then slowly walked into the room on all fours, nose twitching eagerly. He lashed his tail a bit, and gave her a shy smile.

"Hi..."

Kumani trotted over to him and looked him over, flicking her tail calmly. "Hi..." She said softly, giving him a sniff. "You need a bath..." She giggled. "Want to... take yours with me?" she offered softly winking. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship... hopefully.

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"Have you been having fun in the jungle, baby?" Pegasus asked as he bathed Ryou.

Ryou nuzzled into Pegasus' chest. "It's not so bad… I still prefer beds though." He said smiling. "But once Marik got us in the house, I was happy. I'm not the out doorsy type." Ryou yawned and licked at Pegasus' chin. "Did you miss me?"

"Oh, immensely... I was so WORRIED about you!!! Everyone was! I mean... Marik is one thing... he can survive on the streets and in the jungle... but you and Tachi... I was so scared..."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "I could survive!" he said, offended. "I'm not HELPLESS!" he pouted.

Pegasus chuckled. "Calm down, dear." He said, beginning to shampoo Ryou's hair.

Ryou grinned and relaxed. "I missed you... I like being pampered from time to time with you..." Ryou said nuzzling Pegasus once more. "It's something special that just you and I share..." he added hoping Pegasus would be pleased that he and Ryou shared something that Ryou and Marik didn't. That he was still loved, special and wanted.

Pegasus smiled. "My sweet, precious baby bunny..." He cooed. "I love you so much... how is your mate doing? He came here to get better... is he better?"

Ryou nodded. "He's back to his old self... the one I fell in love with." Ryou said in a dreamy sigh. "I'm so happy..."

Pegasus gave Ryou a delighted smile. "Oh, I'm so glad to hear it!"

Meanwhile, the lions lounging in the halls all perked up and stared in amazement at the soft thundering of a small stampede of hybrid rabbits, led by Tuc and Nod, all their children in tow, Dust and Skitter gliding over their siblings.

"Well, there's something you don't see every day..." Abazu mumbled. The rabbits all charged around Malik, who yelped and nearly fell over, and into the master bedroom, then bathroom. Marik perked and poked his head out of the tub.

"MY BABIES!!!" He meowed excitedly, and leapt from the tub, soaking wet, getting Rem and Hinaru wet. He ran to the flock of rabbits and stuck his face in the middle of the mass of fur, purring and meowing, trying to lick and nuzzle all of them at once.

Angel was front of the pack, well she was until a wet cat got out of the tub; She quickly dodged out of wet-cat-smell's way. 'Daddy!' she squeaked licking his cheek, her fur still perfectly dry. 'We missed you so much!'

"Angel!" Marik cheered happily. "Oh, Princess!!!" And he gave her a big lick that bowled her over. "Spunky! Hunter! Bushou! Scamp! Ah! Xanga!" He laughed as the little tiger bunny chomped down on his ear. "Trigger, come here!" And he nuzzled Trigger to the ground, licking the bunny lizard's belly and giggling when Sugar and Skitter and Sparkle all tackled his head. "Dust!! Lookit you! Precious! Um... wow... you've certainly... grown..." He laughed, looking at the chubby bunny.

'Grown out.' Angel said licking her daddy's cheek. 'Daddy we missed you! We were so lonely! Both daddies left us!'

"Oh, I'm sorry baby... I'm sorry to all of you... but... I was suffering... I came here to get better again. And everything is going to be okay now... I promise... I won't leave you all again..." And the lion lay down and hugged and nuzzled his little furry family.

"Awww... this is just precious..." Hinaru sighed.

Rem smiled. "Ryou brings a lot of joy to Marik's life… this whole bunny family started from the two bunnies he gave to Ryou as a gift... this is his family." She said ruffling Marik's hair. "Sweety, I wasn't done grooming you, c'mon now."

Marik smiled and nodded, getting up. "Go on now, all of you... go find Ryou. He's with Pegasus, okay? And don't worry, the lions won't hurt you... I promise." And the bunnies all turned and followed their parents. Marik returned to his bath tub, purring loudly after being reunited with his little furry family.

Rem chuckled and finished scrubbing her kitten down, before pulling him from the tub and beginning to dry him off. "How about a nice blow-drying and some claw trims? I bet your claws are a bit longer than they should be... I even brought your favorite trimmers, the ones that leave the claws sharp afterward." She said temptingly.

"Yeah!" Marik gasped, turning and licking her cheek. "I'm gonna NEED my claws out here!!!"

"Hey, Marik." Inogawa said, walking in. "You wanna let me give you a quick look over?"

"Awww..." Marik whined.

"Not right now..." Inogawa said. "I want your pride to see that it's no big deal, before I got to give them a check up."

"You can show them how brave you are." Hinaru coaxed Marik. "Let them see that they don't have to be afraid of the vet." Marik frowned and thought.

"I'll throw in those special yummy kitty treats you used to love back in the pet shop." Rem said, tempting the kitty once more. "The special ones I made that looked like little lions, whiskers and all!"

"MAO!" Marik gasped. "Okay!!!"

Back in the bathroom with Ryou, the bunny's ears perked up as he heard the soft thundering of little bunny feet heading towards him.

"Uh oh... we're under attack!" Pegasus laughed.

Ryou squealed in delight as his family thundered in and all but climbed into the tub to see him. Sparkle had no problem with it. "Oh I missed you!" he squeaked, seizing as many as he could in a wet sloppy hug. Angel wasn't afraid to hop in the tub with Ryou, knowing he'd groom her to perfection. 'We missed you!' they all squeaked in unison.

Pegasus laughed, scooping up Precious and petting him, but the wiggly bunny just wanted to be with Ryou. And before anyone knew it, the bunnies all took a 'screw it' attitude, and Pegasus found himself with a tub FULL of bunnies, and Bushou trying to get in. Pegasus laughed and helped the panda bunny into the tub, and the little fellow immediately paddled over to Ryou and into his lap.

Ryou grinned broadly, a bunny's paradise. "Ohh we all get groomed!" he said snuggling them each one by one. "I missed you and you and you and--" he giggled kissing them. "I'll never EVER leave you alone again! I felt so bad!"

Pegasus laughed. "Hmmm... Looks like I've got my work cut out for me..." He said, and got to work, washing all of the bunnies, having just finished with Ryou.

Ryou nuzzled Pegasus and smiled. "You give the best bunny baths." he cooed, snitching his master a kiss. "I can tell you from experience."

Pegasus chuckled. "I love you!" He sang, kissing Ryou's little nose. "Give me a hand, huh? There are so many now!!!"

Ryou giggled and began helping Pegasus bathe bunnies.

Rem meanwhile was blow drying Marik's mane, having finished trimming his claws to perfection. She then opened her bag and pulled out a little lion treat, consisting of a piece of bacon, wrapped around cooked chicken with two little eyes, a bacon-sliver tongue and whiskers made out of small cuts of fish. "Here's your treat... now you be good for Dr. Inogawa so that your pride won’t be upset." She said handing him the treat, fashioned to look like a lion.

Marik purred and accepted the treat from Rem and nibbled it daintily, then trotted down to the main hall, where the entire pride was gathered, and waiting for Inogawa's "demonstration". Marik sighed and reluctantly padded over to Inogawa and the little table the man had set up, so all the lions would be able to see what he was doing. "Okay, let's get this over with."

Inogawa smiled and nodded. "Just hop on up." He said patting the table. Once Marik did he turned to the pride. "A check up isn't anything to fear. I'm just making sure you're healthy as you can be." He added scratching Marik's ears. "First thing's first. Marik, I know you hate it, but I need to take your temperature."

Marik immediately flattened his ears, bared his teeth, and hissed at the man. Many of the cubs giggled at that. Marik growled slightly, but settled down and held still.

Inogawa bopped Marik on the head. "Behave Marik! We're trying to show them that a checkup is nothing to fear, not that it's okay to bite me!" he said. "I know someone who isn't getting that grade A top sirloin I brought..." He said calmly.

"I'm not biting!!!" Marik protested. "I am simply expressing my displeasure at what you're about to do! It sucks!" Even the adults began to snicker...

Inogawa groaned and lifted Marik's tail, putting the thermometer in place. He went about the examination without a hitch. He checked Marik’s eyes and ears, and his teeth, his breathing and heartbeat, and then drew some blood to do blood work, explaining to the pride that he would need to check ALL of their blood for parasites. "See? That's all there is to it, and good patients get rewards." He said handing Marik the thick juicy still bleeding slightly, red steak. "Enjoy."

Marik turned and snatched it up eagerly, purring and loudly and lashing his tail as he began to lap up the bloody juices. Then he tore into the meat eagerly as Inogawa chuckled and scratched his ears. When Marik was done with his steak, he hopped off of the table.

Inogawa smiled. "So who's next?"

Rem patted Marik on the head, and hugged him. "You're such a big help..." she cooed as he left the room.

Marik smiled up at her, purring loudly. "I hope Inogawa brought his muzzle..." He snickered. "I'm sure that a certain few WILL bite..."

Rem chuckled and nodded. "I'm sure he remembered honey. Where's your mate?" she added tapping his nose.

Marik snorted, and scratched his nose. "Takin’ a bath." He said.

"You sure? Where's Tachi?" she asked giggling. "He might be spying on your mate's innocent bath!" She said in mock gasp.

Marik snorted. "I doubt it. He's probably off chasing some tail at the meadow."

Rem grinned. "You're such a sweetheart. Maybe you should go surprise him." She said handing Marik a piece of celery. "He loves those..."

"Cool!" Marik announced. He took the celery and trotted off, wagging his tail as he went. When he arrived at the site of Ryou's bath, he found Pegasus and Ryou armed with blow driers, tackling all the wet bunnies. Marik chuckled at the sight.

"Having fun?"

Ryou grinned, flicking an ear. "Yeah..." he cooed turning the blow dryer on Marik. "How about you?"

"Murrrumph!" Marik said, playfully batting at the air.

Ryou smiled and went back to the bunnies. "Is that you eating vegetables?" he asked grinning to himself. "Because if you're not... I'm particularly fond of celery..."

Marik chuckled. "Me? Eat veggies? Not likely. It's for you. Ah! Bushou, no!!! For RYOU!!! Stop that!!!"

Ryou giggled and snapped a piece off for each of the smaller bunnies and popped the last bit in his mouth, chewing and moaning in particular pleasure. "Thank you Marik... I loved it."

Marik smiled and shook his head. "You're so good to these little furballs..." He said, smiling down at all the bunnies.

Ryou nuzzled Marik and sighed. "They're like our children, I cant help but spoil them a little…" He cooed softly. "They're OUR family."

Marik smiled and nodded, purring loudly. Pegasus chuckled. "You two are so cute together." He commented as he brushed Nod.

Ryou giggled and smiled broadly. "I love him so much..." He cooed hugging onto Marik and sighing. "I ALWAYS will..."

Marik grinned and purred loudly, hugging Ryou back.

"Can we go have sex in a linen closet, honey?" He asked.

Ryou giggled and shoved Marik. "Not right now!" He laughed. "Someone would find us!"

"Awww..." Marik whined, pouting. "How about out in the jungle somewhere, then? Please?" He begged, lashing his tail. Pegasus chuckled and shook his head.

Ryou giggled louder. "Noooo!" He squeaked nuzzling Marik. "Later..." he cooed.

"Oh, fine..." Marik snickered, laying down and catching Hunter, growling playfully.

Ryou giggled and shook his head. "Be gentle, he's part bunny..." He cooed softly, beginning to dry his own hair, now that the bunnies were all fluffy and dry.

Pegasus smiled and picked up a brush, brushing Ryou's hair while the bunny dried it.

"He's also part lion." Pegasus pointed out, as Hunter leapt onto Marik's face with a tiny roar.

Ryou nodded. "But he can be hurt more easily than a lion." He said softly. "I don’t want my family having any accidents..."

"He's being gentle, Ryou." Pegasus said, watching Marik play with not only Hunter, but with Xanga and Scamp, too.

Ryou nuzzled Pegasus. "I know... but it's always good to remind him." He said softly.

Pegasus smiled, hugging Ryou. "He's being very careful..." He said softly. "He's being VERY gentle."

Marik meowed and turned, pinning a mischievous Scamp to the floor, purring and licking his little bunny tummy, while Xanga tugged on her daddy's ear. Tuc and Nod sat nearby, watching calmly.

Ryou smiled and sighed nuzzling Pegasus. "So... what will happen now?"

Pegasus smiled. "Well... That's up to you all..." He said softly. "You and Marik have a job offer, here. Marik as Rem's personal assistant, and we thought you might like to take a position in helping hybrids who WANT to be human, become human again. Or, since you've lived both worlds, teach them to be pets, if they want to be pets."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "I wouldn't be a good teacher for pets... I was a terrible pet and I hated it." He grumbled pouting cutely.

Pegasus laughed. "No, you were a good pet. Just a better person." He said, kissing Ryou's cheek. "But would you like to take a job here on the island?"

Ryou nodded. "Yes... but I will hate to leave my garden... and that cute black rabbit in my back yard..."

Angel's ears perked. 'Poor Secret...'

Spunky didn't seem at all sorry... for a moment.

'OUR DEN!!!' He yelped in dismay.

Angel pouted. 'Aww... now you have to dig a whole new one!' she said burying her little face in her paws.

Spunky sighed and groaned. 'Okay...' He mumbled. 'But... you can design it this time...' And he nuzzled her.

Angel squeaked delightedly. 'Just be sure you get a bath after digging!'

Spunky rolled his eyes.

'I'll help you.' Tuc chuckled, nuzzling his son. 'I'm sure your little brothers will, too.'

Angel pouted. 'That's cheating!' she said wrinkling her nose. 'Daddy isn't supposed to dig for him! He's doing it to show me he can provide better than Secret can!'

Tuc rolled his eyes. 'Angel, my dear... if you are designing it, he's going to NEED help.'

Angel huffed 'How do you know I don’t want something simple?' she countered, thumping her foot.

The rabbits all looked at Angel, then burst out laughing.

Angel sniffled and scampered from the room. Ryou sighed and shook his head. "Poor Angel." he cooed softly. "Marik... do you want to stay here and work for Rem?" He asked softly.

Marik blinked, then nodded. "Yes..." He said in an equally soft tone. "Do... do you want to stay and work here?"

Ryou flicked his ears and looked thoughtful. "I'd hate to leave our home... b-but... Rem makes you happy Marik, and I want you to be happy. So we'll stay." He cooed smiling.

Marik frowned and shook his head. "Only if it's really what YOU want." He said sternly.

Ryou giggled. "Marik, I want you to be happy. So there." He cooed flicking his ears and grinning

Marik blinked. "But... really?" He asked, smiling and getting up to all fours, lashing his tail.

Ryou nodded. "You're my mate." He cooed once more. "I want you to be happy."

Marik smiled, and leapt forwards, tackling Ryou to the floor with a "MAO!" and kissing him passionately. Pegasus chuckled and scratched Marik's ears.

Ryou grinned and nuzzled Marik. "I love you." He cooed smiling. "Let’s tell Rem the good news."

Marik nodded and jumped up, running from the room. Pegasus sighed. "Are you going to make him get dressed any time soon?" He asked, looking at Ryou.

Ryou smiled. "He's a big boy... he'll get to it eventually." He said wrapping a towel around himself. "You didn't happen to bring me any clothes did you?"

"I brought your playboy bunny outfit..." He laughed with an evil grin.

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "You're such a naughty master! Anything to get me near naked!" He giggled and nuzzled him. "As if it'd take more than just you asking me."

Pegasus laughed. "Next time I'll bring you a thong." He teased.

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "No thank you, I don’t need perpetual wedgies." He grumbled.

Pegasus laughed. "Go find your mate, dear. I'll groom the bunnies."

Ryou giggled and hurried out, wearing only the towel. "Marik?" he called scampering into Rem's office and smiling. "Marik!"

Marik was on Rem's desk, purring loudly as he got a belly rub from the woman.

Ryou giggled softly. "I... I think that's Marik's way of saying we'll stay." He said softly.

Rem smiled. "Good... I'll need all the help I can get." She cooed scratching his tummy and offering Marik a jerky treat.

Marik mewed and bat at the thing a bit before taking it in his teeth. He flopped onto his side and ate his treat, purring loudly.

"You're staying?" Bakura said, coming up beside Ryou. "Cool. So are me and Malik." He chuckled. "Marik's happy to see Rem, eh?" He asked, watching Marik turn around and cover Rem's face with licks.

Ryou nodded and grinned. "Yes... it'll be good to see him happy... he's finally back to normal... and Rem's his mama. I couldn’t separate them if I wanted to." He said shaking his head. "They're family."

Bakura smiled and draped an arm around Ryou. "You uh... you wearin’ anything under that towel, Thumper?" He asked, and Ryou blushed. The skunk chuckled. "Come on. Let Marik get spoiled. Me an' Malik brought some of your clothes with us." And he jerked his head in an indication for Ryou to follow him.

Ryou nodded and hurried after Bakura, clutching his towel. "Thank you..." He said softly. "What did you bring?"

Bakura smiled. "Well... the stuff you look hot in." He said, winking at Ryou. "Nuthing like your little French maid outfit or anything... but some jeans... some of your tight t-shirts... But nothing ODD... Speaking of odd... what's with the harem outfit, Ryou?"

Ryou blushed. "Master Pegasus bought it for me..." he mumbled looking away embarrassedly. "Why were you looking?"

Bakura laughed. "Because I was getting clothes for you because Malik asked me to while he packed OUR clothes." He explained. "And I found it."

Ryou blushed. "I see.." He blushed more. "W-well it's nothing special... just something Pegasus liked to see me wearing.."

Bakura snickered, leading Ryou up stairs and into the bedroom that he and Malik had claimed, a couple doors down from Ryou and Marik's room. "Here..." Bakura said, opening one of the suitcases. "This is your stuff on the right."

Ryou smiled and nodded going in and changing.

Rem patted Marik's head. "Ready for your first job in your new home?" She asked softly

Marik blinked and perked his ears up, listening intently.

"I want you tell all the hybrids on the island you can find about what's going to happen here..." She cooed scratching his ears. "Understand?"

Marik purred loudly. "Sure thing... but a lot of them won't let a lion get near them... but I'll try." He said, leaning into the scratchings.

Rem smiled. "Well get on it..." She cooed. "We've got a lot of work to do to make this island a reserve. The sooner we start the sooner the lives of these hybrids will be better."

Marik leaped forward, landing in her lap, gave her a crushing hug and a long lick up the face, then turned and darted out of the room, and out the front door.

Rem smiled and sighed. "This is going to be a lot of work... but it'll be worth it..." She said thoughtfully. "It'll be worth it."

Marik made his first stop the meadow, where all the rabbits were nibbling clover and sunning themselves. "Murrrrumph!" He called softly, announcing his arrival so they wouldn't panic when he suddenly ran in among them. He walked in, calmly.

The bunnies froze for a moment, before calming down and giving Marik their attention.

Marik smiled and sat down. "Someone's moved into the mansion." He said. "This island has been made into a government funded hybrid reserve." He said with a smile. "Those who wish to remain living wild, may stay. If you wish to become a pet, or live as humans, you need to go to the mansion and talk to Rem. But everyone needs to go to the mansion to meet with a vet and get a checkup." He announced.

And over the next week, Marik made his way over the entire island, spreading the word around.

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

A month later, and he received his first paycheck. And that night, he and Ryou sat in a corner booth at The Jungle, cuddled up with each other, watching Otogi (who had moved into Malik and Bakura’s side of the duplex) do his DJ thing and Khilek work the bar. Marik sighed and turned, draping his arm around his mate and nuzzling his cheek, before poking a fry into his mouth.

Ryou nuzzled into Marik and sighed contently. "Well... we make a bit more than we did here... but I will miss it here..." He said softly. "But not the loud music." He giggled. "My poor ears."

Marik smiled and turned, purring and licking said poor ears. "I love you..." He said softly.

Ryou blushed. "I love you too Marik." he giggled covering his red cheeks in his hands.

Marik chuckled, shaking his head. "You're bluuuushing..." He sang, leaning over and sneaking a kiss, winking at Khan, who was looking at them.

Khan chuckled. "Try not to do too much necking." He chuckled.

Ryou whined. "Mariiiikk!" he whined loudly.

Marik laughed and shook his head.

"Can I get you anything else?" Mikado asked, walking over. Marik smiled and shook his head.

"Just some boxes for our leftovers." He said, and the jackal nodded, walking off. He returned soon, and Marik packed up their food, paid for the meal, and pulled Ryou out of the club. They caught a cab to the docks, and then boarded the ferry to the island. They sat side by side on the bow of the boat, staring at the large black mass before them that was the island.

"Ryou?" Marik asked softly. "Are you really happy? Cuz... Our side of the duplex is still empty..."

Ryou sighed softly and smiled. "It wouldn't be the same without Malik and Bakura..." he said nuzzling Marik. "Besides, I'm happy for you, and for that I'd gladly live in the mansion on the island with you. I can start a new garden."

Marik smiled and nodded. "Poor Spunky... already working hard on that den for Angel in the courtyard..." He chuckled. "And yeah... Otogi's great and all, but I would miss having Malik and Bakura next door... hell, I'd even miss Scamp..."

Ryou smiled. "Well then, we're both happy." he said smiling.

Marik purred loudly, pulling Ryou tight into his side, and they cuddled the rest of the trip to the island, and once docked, walked back to the mansion, hand in hand. They slipped in quietly and made their way up to their room, showered briefly, then crawled into bed and curled up together. And one by one, they felt the rabbits hop onto the bed and surround them.

Ryou smiled and nuzzled into Marik. "Home." he cooed softly. "I love you."

Marik purred loudly. "Love you too..."

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

END

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