The Jungle

The Jungle

Mally-chan and Hato Chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing within this fic.

YAOI WARNING

Pegasus/Ryou, Marik/Ryou, Bakura/Malik, Seto/Yami

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Chapter 29

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Ryou gently tugged Malik's ear. "Do you feel any better today?” he asked, hopping to his small dish and picking up a piece of banana, and offering it to Malik. "Here... it's not really... 'solid' food.” he said smiling. "But you should eat it, you are so thin...”

Malik flicked the tugged ear and opened his eyes. "Huh?” he asked, then opened his mouth wide in a yawn, giving Ryou a good view of his sharp little teeth. He closed his mouth and sniffed. "Oh... no thanks, Ryou...” he said, softly. "But I am thirsty...”

Ryou nodded slightly and began tugging Malik, by the blankets he was sitting on, towards the water dispenser. He sighed in relief once he'd finished, slumping down tiredly. "Even for someone so thin you weigh a ton!” he said grinning.
Malik smiled at Ryou and giggled. "Sorry...” he said, then began to lick at the metal bead in the tube to get water. Slowly, Malik sat up to get a bit closer and drank for quite a long time. When he was done, he dropped and cuddled back into his blankets. "Thanks, Ryou...” he said with a smile.

Ryou nuzzled him. "Do you feel better?” he asked carefully. "I can ask someone to bring up something like chicken soup for you...” he added worriedly. "Bakura will kill me if he sees you so... thin and unhealthy...” he whispered, grooming Malik's ears once again, as the fur never stayed just right.

Malik smiled and purred slightly. "That would be nice, Ryou... Thank you...” And he smiled and licked Ryou's chin, his tail wagging.

Ryou nodded and hopped over to the pull cord, pulling it a few times, the chiming of soft bells heard not far away. Within moments a maid had come in, gotten Ryou's request, and the scent of delicious soup could be smelt as it was cooked.

Ryou laid down and yawned. "I'm very pampered...” he said after a moment.

Malik giggled. "No shit! You get your own little maid bell!” he flicked an ear. Then, he frowned and grunted, slowly getting up and slipping out of his blankets. He stood there on his four paws, limbs shaking. "I... I have to pee...” he whispered, a bit embarrassed. "Can you help me?” he asked, seeing that the litter box was all the way across the room.

Ryou grinned and crawled beneath Malik, standing to all fours and literally carrying his friend across the cage to the litter box, where he gently slipped Malik off his back, and turned away, giving him privacy to do his business.

Malik did his business, then politely buried it. He stumbled over to Ryou and licked his cheek. "Thanks...” he said, perking when the maid walked in with his soup.

She giggled and unlatched Ryou's cage, placing the soup near Malik. "You're such a little cutie... you get better ok?" She said politely, scratching his ears before hurrying off to finish her daily chores.

Ryou grinned. "She makes good cheesecake...” he whispered grinning. "If you want, I can carry you outside to sit in the sun for a while...” he added smiling.

Malik blinked. "Outside?” he asked, laying down before the bowl. "I dunno... will we get into trouble?"

Ryou shook his head. "No, Pegasus said I could go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted.” he said calmly. "The backyard was made just for us.” he added grinning.

Malik blinked and his ears drooped a bit. "But he never said that I could...” he said, softly.

"Who cares?" Ryou said grinning. "I haven't been disobedient in a while, so even if you can’t, it won’t matter.” he explained. "Do you want to?"

Malik sighed. "I dunno... I don't think it would be a good idea. I can hardly stand on my own...” And he lapped at his soup a bit.

"The fresh air will do you good, and you don’t have to stand. We can just lay in the sun and rest." Ryou said yawning slightly. "If you're worried, I'm sure I can ask one of the maids to come outside with us, or perhaps my gardener will watch you."

Malik blinked. "YOUR gardener?” he asked, pausing in his eating. "You have a gardener?"

Ryou nodded. "He's my gardener. He works in my garden, grows the things I want.” he explained. "Pegasus hired him for me."

Malik stared. "Wow... you have your own gardener... that's pretty cool.” he said, then went back to lapping up his soup with a content sigh.

Ryou nodded. "Yeah... Pegasus really pampers me... I just hope he doesn't figure out about Marik...” he whispered worriedly.

Malik nodded. "Yeah... who knows what would happen if he found out about that...” he mumbled, slurping up a noodle. "Mmmm... chicken noodle!" And his tail thumped the floor slightly.

Ryou nodded. "Exactly... if he found out, I'd never be able to go back to who I was... he'd take me away to some far off place, and I'd be trapped. You too!"

Malik gulped and looked up, ears tilting back. "He must NEVER find out...” he gasped, shaking his head slightly. "Never...”

Moments later, the door opened and Pegasus walked in. "Good morning, boys!” he sang.

"Gods... he sounds like a pedophile saying that...” Malik muttered to Ryou.

Ryou gasped softly and had to force himself not to giggle, although he did make an amused face. "Good morning master Pegasus!” he managed to force out, without giggling.

Pegasus blinked, then knelt. "Good morning, angel. Malik... I'm very happy to see you eating." And he opened the door, reached in and pet the fennec. Malik inwardly winced, but forced himself to smile and wag his tail.

"Thank you sir... It's very good...” And he went back to his soup.

"Did you take good care of Malik last night, Ryou?" Pegasus asked, ruffling Ryou's hair.

Ryou nodded eagerly, ears flopping in the motion. "Yes master. I took good care of him. He feels much better!"

Pegasus smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. Are you happy to be home, Malik?"

"Yes sir...” Malik mumbled. "I'm happy to be with Ryou and out of my cage... it was very lonely...”

"You were very disobedient...” Pegasus said, sternly.

"I'm sorry, sir... I won't chew your sofa again... or mark it...” The fennec mumbled. "I did it, sir. Not Ryou...”

Ryou gently nipped Malik and glared slightly, telling him to not bring it up at all. "Don’t be silly."

Malik's ears tilted back. Pegasus chuckled. "Ryou... don't nip your friend. I won't have you arguing over who did it. I don't care. Malik, finish your soup, I want you to get strong again, okay?"

"Yes sir...”

"Master." Pegasus corrected. Malik's eyes narrowed and his ears tilted back. But he lowered his gaze.

"Yes Master...” he managed to get out, and winced at the pat on his head.

"Good boy." Pegasus praised.

Ryou smiled relieved. "Master, what will we be doing today?" He asked, beginning to groom his ears.

"I really don't think that Malik can do much, Ryou." The man said. "I was going to go to the office and leave you two here in your cage for today."

Ryou nodded, but his eyes clearly showed disappointment. He'd wanted to do something today, anything to avoid being stuck in his cage all day doing nothing.

Pegasus smiled and pet Ryou on the head.

"I'm sorry, baby... I know you want to go outside, but Malik needs to stay inside until he gets stronger. You don't want to leave him alone, do you?” he asked.

"It's okay." Malik said with a small smile. "You can go, Ryou. I'll just stay here and nap."

Ryou nodded eagerly. "He'll just sleep!” he said eagerly "Please? The maids will take good care of him!"

Pegasus frowned slightly. "I don't know, Ryou.” he said. "You're also hurt. You really should stay here and rest...”

Ryou whined. "I want to do things! I'm bored! I'm not hurt badly please lets do things!” he whimpered pawing at Pegasus lightly.

Pegasus shook his head. "But Ryou, I'm going to the office. If you go outside, you'll be all alone."

Ryou's ears perked. "Take me with you!"

Pegasus blinked. "Ryou, I think you should stay with your friend. He just got home, and he's very sick. And he was lonely in his other cage, remember? If you come with me, he'll be lonely again." Malik blinked, his soup finished. Slowly be began to drag himself to his feet.

Ryou sighed flopping down miserably. "I'm so bored...” he mumbled glaring at a wall. "You are no fun."

Pegasus chuckled. "You have Malik to keep you company. And lots of toys, Ryou.” he pet Ryou on the head. "I think I have spoiled you, my little bunny...” Malik winced and began to try and get back to the nesting box; he was cold and wanted his blankets.

Ryou huffed slightly and pulled away, pouting. "You're mean." he mumbled pouting all the more. "You haven't played with me in days... always one cage or another."

Pegasus frowned. "Ryou...” he said, sternly. "I need you to be a good bunny. Your friend needs you. You wanted him, you need to stay with him. If I take you with me, don't you think he might get bored?"

Ryou glared at the wall again. "He wants to sleep all day!"

Pegasus blinked and turned at a thump and whimper, and saw Malik had fallen halfway through the tunnel to the nesting box. "Ryou, he needs you...” he said, looking back at his bunny. "I'm very disappointed in you, you're being very selfish...”

Ryou huffed. "No, I'm being lonely.” he grumbled, hopping over to help Malik through the tube.

Pegasus sighed and shook his head, watching Ryou. Malik lifted his head and gave Ryou a very sad, forced smile.

"Thanks...” he whispered. "I'm sorry...”

Ryou nuzzled him. "It's alright...” he mumbled tucking him in and glaring at Pegasus. He curled up and glared at the wall next, his back to the millionaire.

Pegasus rolled his eyes. Ryou was acting like a spoiled child, but he'd get over it.

"Goodbye, Malik." Pegasus said, reaching in and petting Malik on the head. "Goodbye, Ryou. I'll see you tonight." And then he closed up the cage and locked if, before leaving the room. Malik sighed and cuddled into his blankets.

"Sorry...” he mumbled.

Ryou sighed. "It's alright Malik... I'm just tired of being cooped up...” Ryou sighed once more and looked around his cage. "I want out of this cage... and doing something. I'm dying of boredom!"

Malik blinked. "Um... wasn't it just the night before last night that you were attacked by a dog?” he asked, weakly. "And ran all over the city?"

Ryou nodded smiling slightly. "But it was exciting!” he said proudly. "Plus... up until then I did this... all day...”

Malik sighed. "Sorry...” he mumbled again, staring up at the window. He sighed. "Does... Does Marik still have that bunny plushy I gave him?"

Ryou nodded. "Carries it around like it's a part of him."

Malik blinked, then smiled. "He was so happy when I gave it to him... Did you get to see Tuc and Nod?"

Ryou nodded and sighed. "Yeah...”

Malik blinked. "Ryou? Are you okay?” he asked.

Ryou nodded and closed his eyes. "I'm fine."

Malik frowned, then got out of his blankets and dragged them over to Ryou, curling up in them again and beginning to groom Ryou's ears. "You look sad.” he said.

Ryou grumbled. "I'm fine.” he said laying his head down. Even though he desired Marik, he was still greatly jealous that the last few days had been Malik Malik Malik. Sure he was sick, but unsick animals need love too. His mate hadn't played with him, asked anything of him... nothing in such a long time.

Malik whimpered slightly, feeling Ryou's unhappiness. He whined and licked Ryou's cheek, cuddling closer.

Ryou sighed. "It's not your fault...” he mumbled closing his eyes. "Lets just sleep... there's nothing else to really do anyway."

Malik sighed and laid his head down. He could tell Ryou was upset about something, but he was so very tired... sleeping sounded nice...”Sleep well, Ryou...” he whispered.

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

Marik sighed as he padded down an alley down town. The place was dark; storm clouds had rolled in, and a few minutes later, it began to rain. Marik lowered his head and plodded on, his bunny plushy in his mouth. The rain dripped down his face, hiding the tears that had started to flow from his eyes. He felt completely lost. Only yesterday, he had been romping with Ryou, with the one he loved more than life itself. Now, he was wet and cold, lost in unfamiliar territory. When he had found Ryou missing, the pain was as if his bunny had left him forever… died even.

Marik let out a harsh sob. How could this happen? He had thought his life was over when he was laying in that gutter those few years ago. But he had been saved, and given a new life. But even that slowly faded away. It was only when he met Ryou that life seemed to have a meaning. And when Ryou was taken from him, everything came crashing down. What had he done that had earned him this series of punishments? How many times had he held Ryou in his arms, only to have him taken away again? Each time it got more and more painful. If it happened again, Marik didn’t think he could live through it.

He sniffled, and caught Ryou’s scent again, from the plushy in his mouth. He stopped and just stood there, letting the rain soak him. Then, slowly, he dropped to the ground and moaned, letting the plushy fall from his mouth. He held it close to his chest in his arms and lowered his head, uttering a heart broken moan. Life was nothing without Ryou. If he was fated to never see his bunny again, then he prayed that he might die here in this alley in the rain. It was a kinder fate… a fate that had nearly taken hold of him years ago, in this very city.

Then lion lifted his head, took hold of his plushy, and forced himself to keep moving. This time, he wasn’t wandering aimlessly. His paws automatically moved with a purpose. He didn’t know what it was, he just trusted his legs. After an hour of walking in the rain, he realized that the territory began to look familiar. Then, his paws stopped. Marik blinked. He looked down, and stared. He knew this place. This very spot. Here, three years ago, he had lay down. He had lay down to die. His mind and heart numb, Marik slowly moved over to the curb and stepped off into the street. And he lay down. He cuddled the bunny plushy to his chest and sighed, closing his eyes. The lion shivered in the rain as he lay there… waiting to die.

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The rain lashed against the window of the Bunny Room. It was cold and wet outside. But in Ryou's cage it was warm and dry. Malik quirked an eyebrow, and his ears drooped as he stared at Ryou. He had been trying to verbally re-teach Ryou to walk, but it wasn't going so well.

"Ummm... No Ryou. You have to stand up right. Right now you look like you're shaking your ass for some perv in a strip club... I feel like I should be cramming cash into a G-string on you...”

Ryou pouted slightly and wrinkled his nose. "I'm trying my best!” he whined loudly, dropping back to all fours, taking a break before once again rising to his feet shakily, and trying to stand upright.

Malik smiled. "I know, but... seriously, if you don't get better soon, I won't be able to resist grabbing that cute little tail that you're waving in my face!” he giggled.

"You grab it and I'll bite you!” he said turning and pouting, struggling to stay on his own two feet. "You know I don’t like that!"

Malik grinned and wagged his tail. "Just a little extra encouragement, Ry.” he said. "Jeeze... is no one allowed to touch your tail? What about Marik?"

"Not even Marik." Ryou said calmly, standing a little straighter. "I don’t like people touching it... it's embarrassing...” he said softly, smiling slightly. "It's a sensitive area."

Malik blinked and twitched an ear. "Sensitive? Really? So it hurts when people touch it?” he asked, lifting his hind foot and scratching his ear.

Ryou shook his head slightly. "Not always... I just don’t like it... it bothers me.” he replied flicking his ears a bit. "It's just very close to my butt, I don’t much care for being groped at."

Malik smiled. "I can understand that.” he said. "But it's a really cute tail. You're as bad as Bakura. On the other end of the scale. You hate your tail, and Bakura thinks his can't be beat.” he giggled and wagged his own tail again.

Ryou's tail flicked slightly. "He looks like a perpetually frightened cat.” he mumbled, trying to take a step, and nearly falling over in the process.

Malik blinked, then laughed. "Maybe a bit.” he said. "You're doing much better. Soon, you'll put Marik to shame, the poor guy."

Ryou laughed slightly. "If I out walk Marik, then I won’t be very warm to him until he gets better.” he said shaking his head amusedly.

"Oh, come on, Ryou." Malik was saying. "Marik hasn't walked upright for years. It's only been a month or two for you, re-learning will be a lot easier and faster for you. Poor Marik will have to work hard. You know... when I first got Bakura walking upright, the moron tried to run and fell over into some bushes. It was pretty funny." The fennec giggled at the memory.

Ryou laughed hard, falling over suddenly, before bursting into louder giggles. "Bakura? Falling into a bush?!” he rolled over and shook his head, unable to stop the giggles.

Malik laughed harder, watching Ryou. "Oh yeah. And you should have seen him try to walk on all fours wearing flip flops! Waddled like a duck! And once, he answered the door in his underwear, with his hand down his boxers, scratching his crotch. And guess who it was? SETO KAIBA!!!" Malik blurted. "And then Marik knocked Seto into a bush trying to keep your bunnies from running away!"

Ryou's laughter became even louder. "Oh no! How awful!” he wailed, trying to catch his breath and breathe.

Malik smiled at Ryou. "Boy I miss them... they're a handful, but... Gods... they made life so much more... full, you know? But I don't know if I could stand a life more full that that... I can't imagine Seto having to deal with Marik, Bakura AND Yami...” he giggled. "and just think... soon he'll have to put up with me and you, as well!!! Oh, he's going to lose his mind and go to the labs and ask if HE can be a hybrid!!!" Malik burst out laughing. "Can you imagine?! Seto the Beaver!!!"

Ryou shook his head. "Beaver? I'd imagine he'd pick something more compatible with Yami... like another bird. Yami was drooling over a cockatoo girl! He looked like he was starving for her!"

Malik's eyes widened. "Are you serious?! Oh man, I'll bet Seto didn't take that well...” And Malik sighed. "Your legs are shaking. Take a bit of a rest. Marik will be so happy to see you walking up right...” And he licked Ryou's cheek.

Ryou nodded, dropping back down and nuzzling the bedding. "mmm... much more comfortable.” he mumbled stretching slightly, before curling up.

Malik smiled and relaxed, glancing up at the rain, lashing the window. "Ryou?” he asked. "What happened your... first time with Marik?"

Ryou blushed slightly. "The... usual.” he said blushing darker. "What do you think happened?” he asked giving Malik a strange look. Outside the room, Pegasus stood frowning at the wall, listening.

Malik laughed. "No, that's not what I meant. I mean, how did you end up together? You were in separate cages... how did he get to you?" Pegasus frowned, listening carefully.

Ryou sighed dreamily. "Well... we didn't plan on doing anything at all... in all honesty. He climbed up the tree in his cage, and jumped towards mine, pulling himself over the edge of the divider. He was trying to give Bakura a piece of meat from his meal." Ryou explained calmly.

Malik laughed. "Gods, that's Marik for you... never thinks. I'll bet Bakura was just WAITING to make him look dumb. After he got his meat of course. So what happened then?"

"Well... He was stuck of course... and we ended up spending the night under my log...” he said sighing once more and nuzzling into the bedding. "He was so gentle and loving... he was my first.." Ryou blushed darker. "I'd never been in love before...”

Malik smiled and sighed. "Yeah... I kinda wish that Bakura was my first but... He was a little over eager... and kept mumbling something about a 'Mr. Fluffles.' Who the hell is Mr. Fluffles?!" And Malik sighed and shook his head.

Ryou chuckled. "His humping toy.” he replied after stopping his giggles, only to burst out laughing at the look on Malik's face.

"Oh. Sweet. ISIS!!! Are you SERIOUS?!" Malik gasped, then shrieked with laughter. "Humping toy!!! That's great!!! Did Marik have one?! Aside from you, I mean?"

Ryou laughed softly. "No... he shredded his, and the one they gave me. As if I'd EVER use it."

Malik laughed. "But you're a bunny! You're supposed to hump things! I've seen pictures of a bunny humping a sneaker, and heard stories of bunnies humping dust busters...” he shut up at the look Ryou was giving him. But then he grinned. "I'll bet you like humping the lion...” he teased.

Ryou huffed. "I'll have you know I have not 'humped' anything! I'm not the dominant type."

"So Ryou... Pegasus has fucked you, right? Who was better? Marik, or Pegasus?" Malik asked. Pegasus' eye widened at THAT question.

Ryou's eyes widened too. "Um... w-well... um...” he stammered. "What kind of question is that?!"

Malik giggled. "Well... is Marik an... animal in the sack?” he asked.

Ryou blushed darkly. "Well yes... he's a lion.” he mumbled tugging his own ears.

Malik rolled his eyes. "Oh, c'mon Ryou... gimme details, huh? What's he like? Is he good?"

Ryou tugged his ears me. "Well he was my first, so of course he was good! I had nothing to compare it to!"

Malik sighed. "You're the kinda guy who won't kiss and tell, are you?” he asked, then nuzzled Ryou.

Ryou blushed. "W-well... they both have their... good qualities...” he said so softly it was hardly heard. "As... bad as it is to say.” he added blushing darkly

Malik smiled. "Everyone has good qualities.” he said. "But Bakura is the best I've ever had... how about you?"

Ryou blushed. "I... can’t really compare the two of them...” he said thoughtfully. "I... I suppose Marik would be better... for well... angry passion." He said thoughtfully. "Though... Pegasus hasn't really... ever given me slow loving sex...”

"Hmm...” Malik mused, nodding. "I'll be that makes Marik a lot more appealing then.” he sighed. "You can't wait to get back to him, can you?"

Ryou bit his lip slightly. "I'm... still a bit torn...” he mumbled ashamed. "Something in me still desires Pegasus, and to be with him... while another something wishes the same, for Marik...”

Malik sighed. "Well... Pegasus has brainwashed you... you have a loyalty to him now, but Marik loves you... And you love Marik, right?"

Ryou sighed softly. "Yes... but I also love Pegasus...” he mumbled tugging his ears again. "When I'm alone with one... I forget completely about the other... but when I'm with neither, I want them both...”

Malik opened his mouth to ask something else, but it came out as a startled bark when the door slammed open. His ears swiveled towards the door before his eyes did, but when he saw Pegasus standing there, his ears shot back against his skull and he whimpered, ducking down into his blankets.

"Ryou...” The man hissed, his eye narrowed on the bunny. "You love the lion?"

Ryou gasped and he backed up in his cage, whimpering, ears flattened against his skull, shaking like a leaf. "M-master Pegasus!” he breathed hunching down. "I... I...” he stammered, too frightened to even speak.

"I heard the entire thing...” he hissed, slowly stalking over to the nesting box. He pointed at Malik. "That lion is NEVER to be spoken of. This is your ONLY warning. Ryou... you already knew this; you are in a LOT of trouble... Come here... NOW!!!"

Ryou's eyes widened and he whimpered, hunching down and giving Pegasus a pathetic look. He inched forward slowly, knowing his punishment would only be worse if he disobeyed. He could only hope Malik would be spared watching... especially since it would only serve to upset him... which might cause him to stop eating again.

"M-Master... please! I... I--"

"BE SILENT!!!" Pegasus roared, and Malik yelped and clapped his hands over his hyper-sensitive ears. Pegasus reached into the Nesting Box and seized Ryou by the ears, dragging him out and flinging him to the floor.

Ryou whimpered loudly looking up at Pegasus fearfully. "Y-you will frighten Malik... h-he might get sick again!” he said softly, inching away slightly. "P-please d-don’t make him s-sick master...” he mumbled looking down.

Pegasus frowned and eyed Ryou, then looked at Malik who was huddled in a ball, his hands over his ears and his eyes closed, shaking. Ryou was right... Malik was in a very fragile state. He looked back to Ryou, then pointed to the door. "HOP!” he ordered, closing and locking the cage.

Ryou quickly scampered from the room and down the hall, hiding under Pegasus' bed. He knew he was in trouble, and didn't want to be found.

Pegasus left the bunny room, closing the door behind him. He knew exactly where Ryou would run, even without reading his mind. He walked into his room. "Ryou. Get over here. NOW!” he ordered.

Ryou whimpered softly, crawling from under the bed and giving Pegasus the most pathetic look. "P-please! I-I'm sorry!” he whimpered, knowing Pegasus was furious.

Pegasus snatched Ryou's ears, lifting the bunny up into the air. "Are you?” he hissed, then turned and slammed Ryou into the wall, still holding him by his ears.

Ryou winced slightly and nodded. "Y-yes! I-I'm very sorry!” he said, frightened. "I-It was just t-talking... I-I didn't know you were listening!” he whimpered tensely.

"So, just because I'm not listening makes it okay?!" Pegasus asked, slamming Ryou against the wall again.

Ryou yelped and shook his head. "M-Malik wanted to know w-what I thought!” he whined softly. "I... I was just telling him!” he whined once more. "I'm sorry!"

"I don't care! You love that lion!!!" Pegasus roared. "You are not to speak of him, you are not to THINK of him, and you are most certainly NOT to LOVE HIM!!!" And he slammed Ryou into the wall a third time, backhanding him, then dropping him.

Ryou huddled into a small ball and whimpered softly. "P-please don’t hurt me!"

Pegasus glared. "You should have considered the consequences when you allowed yourself to speak of that lion...” And he kicked Ryou into the wall. "You have been a very... VERY... BAD bunny!!!"

Ryou yelped painfully and tried his best to curl up around the wound and protect the areas that would retain the worst injury. "P-please! I'm sorry!” he pleaded whimpering. "I'm a good bunny! Not a bad bunny!"

Pegasus frowned, then looked around the room. He snorted, then pointed at his bedroom door. "To your training room, Ryou. NOW!!!" And he kicked his backside to send him on his way.

Ryou yelped once more, hurrying to the horrible vet-like room and sniffling, backing up into a corner once he entered. "P-please master Pegasus! I'm n-not a bad bunny!” he wailed softly, already in a lot of pain and could only imagine the horrible things Pegasus would do, before his temper receded and he stopped.

Pegasus stalked in and slammed the door shut, locking it with an ominously loud click. "On the table.” he ordered in a low tone, shaking in his anger.

Ryou whimpered and shook his head lightly, in terror. "W-what a-are you going t-to do?” he whimpered softly, petrified and unable to move.

"You are going to be punished." Pegasus snapped. "Now get up here. I don't think you want me to have to come get you...” And he smacked his palm down onto the table top.

Ryou inched forward, shaking so badly he could hardly walk, before slowly hopping onto the table, sniffling and looking utterly terrified of Pegasus, and his wrath.

Pegasus seized Ryou and shoved him into place, quickly fitting him into the restraining harness. Then, he removed his belt.

"I will not tolerate you thinking about that lion. Whatever love you may have for him, I intend to beat it out of you!" And he brought his belt down across Ryou's back.

Ryou gasped sharply before biting down a howl of unbearable pain. His back felt like it was searing with more heat than even fire could produce. "P-Pegasus!” he wailed unable to force himself to move away. "Please! I'm sorry!"

Pegasus growled, then backhanded Ryou across the face. "What did you call me?!” he shouted.

Ryou began to tremble and lowered his head "M-master...” he whimpered pathetically. "P-please stop hurting me...” he whined softly

Pegasus snorted and raised his arm, bringing the belt down across Ryou's back again. "Not until I feel that you have learned your lesson...” he growled.

Ryou felt tears rolling down his cheeks, but couldn't focus on his crying, the intense burning in his back searing away much other feeling. "P-please! Stop!” he pleaded softly, his body unused to such harsh treatment. He gasped, letting out a howl of pain as the belt crashed against his back once more. He was already starting to feel dizzy from pain, and was sure he was probably bleeding, if not, he surely had the worst red welts on his back.

Pegasus turned, and this time gave Ryou a lash across his bottom, then returned to lashing his back. "You have been a VERY bad bunny!" Pegasus thundered, but dropped the belt. He grabbed Ryou's ears and jerked his head back. "Haven't you?!"

Ryou gasped, panting softly and looking at Pegasus, his eyes full of the pain he was feeling. "Y-yes master Pegasus... b-bad... bad bunny...” he gasped, swallowing mid-sentence, un-composed and hardly able to speak, his voice was so hoarse from pained wails and screams.

Pegasus nodded, not letting go of Ryou's ears. He raised his hand and brought it down on Ryou's backside, spanking him harshly.

"That's right. BAD bunny!” he snapped. "How DARE you even THINK of that lion?!"

Ryou felt more tears sliding down his face, shaking his head, trying to pull away from Pegasus. "P-please...” he whimpered pathetically.

"What?" Pegasus asked, spanking Ryou again. "Please what?! Forgive you?! Stop punishing you?! You were a bad bunny! And what do bad bunnies get?!"

Ryou tried once more to pull away. "Please... please stop... f-forgive me!” he wailed softly, his voice so hoarse it was pathetic. "I-I'm n-not a bad bunny... I... I'm a g-good b-bunny... please...”

"WHAT DO BAD BUNNIES GET?!?" Pegasus roared, smacking Ryou's red behind even harder.

Ryou gasped softly and shook his head. "P-please...” he mumbled softly, looking at Pegasus wearily. "I-I'm not a bad bunny...”

Pegasus frowned and gave Ryou several more harsh smacks. "ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!"

"P-Punishments...” Ryou murmured softly, his voice cracking slightly.

"That's right." Pegasus snarled. "And you are a bad bunny." And he spanked Ryou again. "Aren't you?"

Ryou shook his head. "N-no... I'm a good bunny...”

"Are you arguing with me?" The man hissed.

Ryou shook his head slowly. "N-no... I... I am a good bunny... y-you don’t... don’t want a bad bunny... I... I don’t want to be a b-bad bunny...” he whimpered, his legs shaking from strain of standing through such a beating.

"If you don't want to be a bad bunny, then you need to stop acting and thinking like a bad bunny." Pegasus said firmly, stepping away and glaring at Ryou.

Ryou panted softly, slowly falling down until the only thing holding him up was the harness. "I... I'm n-not b-bad...” he breathed, resting what he could on the cool surface of the table. "I-I'm sorry...”

"Not sorry enough...” Pegasus breathed in an angry tone. "You still love that lion... WHY?!"

Ryou winced at the tone. "H-he... he t-treats me n-nicely...” he said so softly it was hardly heard.

Pegasus frowned and cocked his head slightly. "Treats you nicely?"

Ryou nodded tiredly. "H-he gives me compliments... s-says sweet things... wants me... j-just me.” he mumbled hanging his head weary. "He... promised me a home... travel... love...”

"And have I not promised you travel? Have I not given you a home and love? Do I not compliment you?" Pegasus asked, glaring.

Ryou looked down. "Y-you promised it... but you never did... I do have a home... b-but you don’t love me... I... I'm a pet... not a lover... you don’t compliment me...”

Pegasus frowned and moved closer to Ryou. "I don't compliment you?!” he demanded. "How many times have I told you that you were my special little bunny? Told you that you were cute, and pretty? Is that not complimenting?!" The man shouted.

"It’s not the same... h-he called me beautiful... said I was smart... special to him." Ryou whispered softly. "I... I was a beautiful person to him...”

Pegasus' eyes narrowed. "So, you like him because he treats you like a human?” he asked, his tone deadly.

Ryou swallowed hard and remained silent, too afraid to confirm or deny.

Pegasus growled. "Ryou...” he hissed, warningly.

Ryou whimpered softly. "W-well... y-yes...” he mumbled softly. "h-he treated... m-me as an equal... b-because w-we are...” he mumbled hunching down fearfully

"Of course you are." Pegasus said, soothingly. "You are both animals."

Ryou sniffled softly, biting back what he really wanted to say... to say that he HAD been human at one point. "B-but...”

"But what?" Pegasus asked. "You are a bunny. To be more specific, you are MY bunny. And that lion should mean nothing to you! Why do you care so much for him?!"

Ryou's ears drooped. "he treated me like... I was important... I meant something... I was equal...” he mumbled hanging his head. "He was the first per-...” he stopped and sniffled softly, knowing that wasn't the word Pegasus would want to hear. "F-first lion... I'd ever loved...” he mumbled sadly.

"WHY?!" Pegasus shouted, slamming his hand down on the table by Ryou's head.

Ryou gasped frightened and looked at Pegasus frightened. "d-do you love me?” he asked fearfully.

Pegasus blinked, and his face softened. "Of course I do... You are my precious little bunny... I love you very much."

Ryou sniffled softly. "Why?"

Pegasus blinked. Why? How was he to answer that. "Because I wanted you the moment I saw you...” he said, petting Ryou. "Like I have never wanted anyone before...”

Ryou blushed lightly. "W-when did you ever see me?” he stammered softly. "I... I... do not remember... meeting you before...” he added shyly.

"I saw you at a tournament." Pegasus said. "You were there supporting your friend, Yugi, and his brother. I saw you, and I was amazed. I wanted you."

Ryou blinked, thinking back. "w-why... didn't you say something then?” he asked softly.

"Come now, Ryou. If a strange man had suddenly approached you and started gushing over how the very sight of you had captivated him, wouldn't you have been frightened?" Pegasus asked.

Ryou blushed. "I... would have been flattered... a little frightened yes... but flattered.” he mumbled softly.

Pegasus snorted. "You would have run and called security, Ryou.” he said.

Ryou glared slightly. "How would you know? You may read minds, but you wouldn't be able to predict that."

"Something that never happened does not matter." Pegasus said. "This conversation is over."

Ryou looked away sighing, the conversation may have been over, but he was still thinking the words he wasn't saying. 'I was human... you made me this... you know I should be treated... as an equal... '

Ryou sighed and looked down, sniffling. His ears drooped and he closed his eyes. Malik had been right in comparing being a hybrid to something. 'a lifetime of servitude... '

"Have you learned your lesson, Ryou?" Pegasus asked.

Ryou sighed. "yes master...” he mumbled half-heartedly. "I... can go back to my cage now?” he added bitterly

Pegasus frowned. "Watch your tone with me, little mister...” he growled, giving Ryou a pop on the behind.

Ryou sighed softly. "I'm a bunny remember? I'm not a little mister anything...” he mumbled sourly, looking away and choking back a sob.

Pegasus frowned. "Are you talking back to me?!"

Ryou looked at him sadly. "Of course not...”

"Good." Pegasus said, un-harnessing Ryou.

Ryou sniffled, hopping down from the table and over to the door, waiting for Pegasus to unlock it, unwilling to give him any attention. After all, he'd been ignored, and beaten... he wasn't in a cuddly bunny mood.

Pegasus sighed and knelt, stroking Ryou. "You must understand, Ryou.” he said, softly, in a gentle tone. "Master is a very jealous man. He doesn't want anyone else to catch the eye and affections of his bunny...”

Ryou looked away and huffed slightly. "I'm a sore bunny. I want to go to my cage.” he mumbled grumpily.

Pegasus smiled and picked Ryou up. "Do you miss your friend?” he asked.

Ryou squirmed slightly. "I want my cage.” he grumbled, clearly displeased with being cuddled after just being punished.

Pegasus frowned and dropped Ryou, opening the door. "Go.” he said, and walked down the hall.

Ryou hopped down the hall quickly and sat in front of his locked cage, still snubbing Pegasus any attention, still bitter about being punished, and being reminded of the humanity he once had...

Pegasus went to his office, his mind set on one thing; convincing Ryou that NO one was better than him...

Malik lifted his head when Ryou appeared, and his ears perked.

"Ryou! Are... are you okay?!” he gasped.

Ryou nodded, laying down outside the locked cage and closing his eyes. "Just a little sore... and my pride as well... what little I had left...” he mumbled softly. "He reminded me of what I used to be...” he added sadly. "The days when I was human... I miss them...”

Malik sighed. "I... I'm so sorry... it's all my fault.” he whispered.

"It's alright... I don’t blame you. You didn't know...” Ryou mumbled softly. "I'm so sore...”

Malik shook his head. "No... You warned me. I didn't listen. I'm so sorry... what did he do to you?"

"Nothing... I'm fine." Ryou replied offering a smile to console his friend. "I'm fine... just a little tired and sore.” he added. "I'll just lay out here, until he comes to let me in with you."

Malik sighed and rested his head on his paws. He was silent for a while, but jerked his head up and perked his ears, growling a few minutes later. And then, Pegasus entered.

Ryou's ears perked but he didn't turn. "You... left it locked.” he said softly, giving soft looks to Malik, trying to calm him.

Pegasus nodded and knelt, stroking Ryou before picking him up again.

"I know. I've been thinking, Ryou...” he said. "I'm sorry... I promised you love, a home, and... travel. I have given you two of those. But I have not yet given you the third. Well...” he unlocked the cage, opened it, and set Ryou down in the wood shavings. "I am now."

Ryou blinked and turned to face Pegasus, shocked. "W-what?” he stammered shaking his head slightly.

Pegasus smiled. "Ryou... in a few days, when Malik is doing better, we are going on a trip."

Ryou stared, unable to think for a moment. "W-what?” he stammered again, staring dumbly.

Pegasus smiled. "I'm taking you two on a vacation.” he said.

Ryou blinked and laid down in the bedding. "Where? Why?"

Pegasus smiled. "Well... not to Paris. We'll be going some place warmer.” he said, petting Ryou. "A place where we can relax... where you can lounge in the sun...” Both hybrids perked up at that. "And where you can dig in soft sand all you like...” They perked even more at that, and Malik's tail began to thump the blankets softly. Pegasus grinned as he teased them, not telling them where. "Oh, it will be a marvelous trip!"

Ryou blinked smiling eagerly before remembering his soreness at Pegasus and looking away. "Sounds fun...” he mumbled beginning to burrow under the bedding. "But I don’t want to be in a pet carrier so long as all that...”

Pegasus blinked, then laughed. "A pet carrier?” he asked. "What on earth made you think that?"

"Because I'm a bunny." Ryou replied, burying himself under the shavings of wood, the only bit of him visible being his long floppy ears. "Pets can’t ride in planes with people, or stay in nice hotels...”

Pegasus smiled. "They can when they get to fly there in their master's private plane... and stay in a special hotel that has given permission to their master.” he said in a teasing tone that always got Ryou excited.

Ryou gasped softly, under the bedding, unable to stop himself from getting excited. Blast that tone! One of his ears raised to listen closer, and there was a slight twitching of bedding, that rested over his tail, which was twitching madly.

Pegasus chuckled and tweaked the ear. "We're going to the Bahamas.” he said, finally confessing. "We are going to the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort." (We do not own the Bahamas, or the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort… we just wanna go there)

Ryou squeaked softly, tugging his ear under the bedding, only to have the other raise up to hear more. Bahamas? He'd... always wandered what it would feel like to feel the rush of the ocean... rest under a palm tree... drink tropical drinks and just relax under the sun.

"Why?"

"Because I promised you that we would travel when Malik was ready. And I think that all of us need a bit of a vacation.” he said, and looked at Malik. "Would you like to go?” he asked. Malik gulped, and smiled.

"Y-Yes Master.” he said, wagging his tail, nervously. "You are not angry with me?" Pegasus smiled.

"No.” he said, patting his head. "I lost my temper, and I'm sorry. Ryou... I'm sorry... I will not do that again. Forgive Master?” he asked.

Ryou peered out from under the bedding, but made no motion to agree to the deal. "You're just trying to trick me...” he mumbled looking away once more. "Then I'll get in trouble again."

Pegasus smiled and shook his head, then pulled something out of his pockets. He tossed it down before Ryou. "That is the confirmation letter I just printed out.” he said. "We leave in six days."

Ryou sat up slowly and unfolded the letter to read it. Blinking, he looked up at Pegasus puzzled. "Why are you doing this? For me? I thought bad bunnies get no rewards...” he said handing the letter back, looking bewildered.

Pegasus sighed. "Well, it isn't fair of me to tell you that you're not to think of the lion.” he said. "After all... you spent several days living near him. I cannot tell you to forget someone, that's not possible. You can't help but to think of him. Just remember... you are my bunny. And you have been a very good bunny."

"Then... I'm allowed to love him?” he asked, trying to keep any hint of hopefulness out of his voice.

Pegasus sighed. "You are allowed to love his memory.” he said. "He did take care of you. He protected you from children who pulled your ears and tail... he was your friend.” he said. Malik stared, hardly believing what he was hearing.

Ryou looked as shocked as Malik. "Then... I can love him.” he said once again. "Oh Malik isn't this nice!? Now we can talk about Marik and Bakura whenever we want!"

Pegasus frowned. "Talk of them if you must... but please try to keep it between the two of you, and avoid this... sensitive subject when I am around. And there will be no encouraging one another to pursue a... relationship with either lion or skunk.” he sighed, and walked across the room, then returned and knelt. "These are yours. This is the only skunk and lion I ever want to see you with." And he placed the lion plushy down before Ryou, and the skunk before Malik. "To remember your friends by.” he said, then pet them both.

Ryou immediately snatched the lion and hugged it lovingly. "Marik.” he cooed contently, beginning to groom the doll as though it were Marik himself.

Pegasus blinked, and watched as Malik slowly took the skunk and cuddled it. "Malik? Are you ready for lunch?” he asked, and Malik slowly nodded. Pegasus smiled and pet him. "I'll be back soon, then.” he said. "With food for both of you."

Ryou looked at Malik eagerly, grinning after Pegasus left. "C-can you believe that?” he asked nuzzling the lion plushy. "Maybe soon he'll let them come to visit... or let us go to them...”

Malik blinked, baffled by all of this. "I don't trust him...” he said, softly, and nuzzled his skunk.

Ryou blinked slightly. "Why not?" he asked blinking. "Maybe he will let us go... why not?"

"Well...” Malik said, slowly. "He said that these are the only lion and skunk he wants to see us with. I doubt he'd let us near the real things...”

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

“Fuckers…” Marik grumbled as he ran down an alley, people shouting after him and throwing things as his retreating back. “Can’t even let a lion die in peace…” They had chased him from his place on the side of the road. He had barely had enough time to snatch his plushy before fleeing. Once he was sure that they had abandoned the chase, he slowed to a trot, and then a plodding walk. He sighed, glancing down at the wet bunny plushy that was hanging from his teeth. He went on his way, shivering in the rain until he finally came to a park in the city. He smiled slightly and hurried across the road and through the gates if the park. Once inside, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He felt safe here. He wasn’t sure why…

He made his way to a fountain and laid his bunny on the edge while he bent over to drink. Then, leaving the bunny where it was for the time being, he turned and trotted into the trees to find a place to relieve himself. A squirrel chattered angrily at him, and Marik snarled. The squirrel scolded him, and Marik glared. He roared at the squirrel, which ran in a panic. Satisfied, Marik did his business and returned to the fountain. He hopped up onto the edge of the basin and began to give himself a grooming, eventually wading into the fountain. The lion was blissfully unaware of the small army that was currently surrounding the small park, intent on his capture…

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

Rem smiled as she examined the cockatoo’s extended wing. She nodded in satisfaction and stroked it, then gave the bird her dinner.

“Very good.” She told the bird, who gave a happy trill at the praise.

“Miss Rem!” Called one of the men who worked under the woman. He ran over. “There’s something on the news I think you should see!” Rem pet the cockatoo and left the cage, locking it up. She moved back to the break room where she found all the men crowded around the television. She moved to where she could see the screen, and she gasped. The reporter began to lay out what was happening.

“We’re here at Kinogawa Park in down town Domino, where Police, Animal Control Officers, and experts at dealing with the capture and removal of pests are getting ready to storm the park and attempt to capture a stray lion hybrid. Only hours ago, the first calls of residents reporting the beast began to come in, and only now have authorities managed to pinpoint the exact location of the animal.” The cameras changed, and a view over the wall of the park was shown. The camera zoomed in on Marik, wading in the fountain, soaking wet from the rain. He submerged himself completely, then emerged again, shaking his mane and lapping at the water. “Now, the lion is a dangerous and aggressive animal, and there are so many ways that the capture could go wrong, but they will be attempting to take the lion into captivity alive, but with near human intelligence and the strength, speed, agility, and natural weapons of a lion, if the hybrid puts up too much of a fight, they may have to put him down. This means humanely euthanizing the beast once captured, but if they are unable to capture him, police marksman are standing by to—“

“I have to go! Close for me!” Rem gasped, and ran from the room. Marik was nervous around strangers, and she highly doubted that he would let a bunch of Animal Control officers just take him away…

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

Marik yawned and pulled himself from the water, shaking himself off. Not that it would help, it was still raining. He sat down and lifted his foot, scratching an itch behind his ear. Then, still holding up his foot, he sniffed it over and nibbled at his claws, making sure they were clean and sharp. His ear flicked and he stopped. He put his foot down and his eyes scanned the park. He frowned and flicked his ear again, swiveling them both around in every direction. He sniffed the wet air and narrowed his eyes, growling. He had a bad feeling… he was being watched… hunted… and he didn’t like it; no one hunts the hunter. Slowly, he stood and bared his claws, his eyes, ears and nose searching for the source of the threat. He growled and his tail lashed. Then, there was a bang.

Marik yelped and jumped, then slipped and fell into the fountain. He thrashed in a panic, then surfaced, seeing a tranquilizer dart stuck into the cement basin. Marik leapt from the fountain and broke into a run, charging at the man wielding a rifle. He growled and crouched, then pounced before the man could reload. The man screamed as Marik brought him down, but he didn’t hurt the man. Instead, he seized the rifle in his teeth and ran away with it, snarling. There were shouts, and he slipped across the mud, trying to stop as several more men ran out of the trees he was heading to. They raised their own rifles and Marik dropped the gun he was carrying, turned and ran to the left, digging his claws into the mud for traction.

The guns fired, and Marik dodged the darts, glad that tranquilizer cartridges didn’t fly straight; a marksman would have trouble hitting his mark where he had wanted to. The lion changed direction again when more men emerged. And before he knew it, he was surrounded by men with rifles, nets, and control sticks. Marik growled and slowly backed up against a thick hedge that was growing along the walls of the bathroom building.

“Easy, big guy…” One man said in a low tone. Marik growled loudly, showing his teeth. The lion crouched, shaking. “We ain’t gonna hurt ya…” But Marik didn’t find that to be reassuring; they had already tried to shoot him. One Animal Control Officer reached out with the control stick, trying to get the cable loop around Marik’s neck when the lion was looking away. But Marik whirled and roared, leaping forwards and seizing the end of the pole in his teeth, shaking it viciously. The men yelped, and the one dropped the pole.

Marik, feeling that the thing was no longer a threat, dropped it and ran, knocking a pair of men over as he sought to escape. Nets were thrown, snaring the lion, but he wriggled free and fled. His eyes narrow in concentration, the hybrid charged as fast as he could towards a gate out of the park. But suddenly, his eyes widened and he planted his paws into the mud, slipping and sliding to a stop.

“MY BUNNY!!” he cried, whirling. The little bunny plushy was still sitting on the edge of the basin of the fountain. Marik stared at the bunny in distress, then turned and looked at the gate to escape, only yards away. He turned back and looked at the bunny… his only comfort in Ryou’s absence. But it was just a plushy!! He turned and looked the gate. Escape! But the lion shook his head.

“Murrrr….” he cried and turned, charging back across the park towards the fountain.

Rem’s car pulled to a stop and she leapt out, shoving past reporters and police, flashing her ID as a hybrid specialist. She got to the gate of the park, but was seized by a pair of policemen.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t go in!” One called, and she waved her ID.

“I’m a specialist! I run the local store!” She cried.

“Ma’am, you can’t enter the park until the animal is contained.” The other officer said, and they pulled her away from the park.

“Rem. Rem!” Someone called, and she turned.

“Hideo!” She gasped, and Dr. Inogawa ran over, taking shelter under an umbrella. He held it over Rem.

“It’s Marik, isn’t it?” he asked. “Mr. Kaiba’s lion?”

"Yes it is...” She said softly, stepping forward to one of the officers. "Sir, please! I know this lion, he belongs to a friend of mine!" She said desperately. "I know I could calm him down if you'd let me in, he wouldn't hurt a fly! He's the finest example of a well behaved hybrid I've ever had the pleasure of selling!" She explained quickly. "I'm sure there's a logical reason that he seems frustrated. Let me in!"

Dr. Inogawa moved up behind Rem. "Gentlemen, please... she's telling the truth. She trained this hybrid herself and cared for him for three years before he was purchased. And I have seen him in my office, as well. This hybrid is one of the most intelligent, gentle and obedient hybrids I've ever seen, I don't even have to restrain him when I work with him."

"I'm sorry." The officer said, shaking his head. "I cannot let you in until the animal is contained.” he repeated.

Back in the park, a net was thrown over Marik and the lion tumbled to the ground, tripping on it. He let out a furious roar and began snapping the ropes of the net in his teeth as the men surrounded him.

"Shoot him!!" Someone yelled, and several men lifted tranquilizer rifles. Marik went berserk, ripping the net away and tackling two men to the ground at once, and one shrieked as his arm snapped. Marik leapt off and charged towards the fountain again, eyes on his plushy.

Rem gasped, catching sight of the fountain, and more importantly, the bunny. "Stop! He just wants his bunny!" She shouted, shoving past the officer immediately. "He just wants the bunny toy! LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

Dr. Inogawa smiled at the officer. "Excuse us.” he said, dropping the umbrella and running after Rem. Marik let out a roar that was cut off when a man managed to get the noose of the control stick around Marik's neck, and several men grabbed the stick and held on. Marik thrashed like a true wild lion, roaring and biting at the end of the stick. When pulling didn't work, he pounced, bringing the half a dozen men to the ground. Another net was thrown and Marik roared and thrashed, his claws shredding through the skin of three men who were tangled up with him. Several men ran forward, pulling their comrades away from the frantic lion, and shots rang out. Marik howled as he was struck with several of the darts.

"SHOOT HIM!! HE'S TOO AGGRESSIVE!!! SHOOT TO KILL!!!" Came the order, shouted over a bull horn. Marik roared again, shaking the net off and the darts out, and ran for the fountain, the control stick behind dragged along, and the cord still around his neck. Marik stumbled and finally fell by the fountain, the tranquilizers quickly taking affect. He lifted his head, eyes searching for his bunny, but he couldn't get up. Several men approached, and one officer pulled his gun, taking aim at Marik's head.

"Permission to fire?” he asked into his radio.

"Put him down." Came the answer.

Rem ran forward and punched the officer with the gun, grabbing him by the arm and literally THROWING him down. "DO NOT touch him!" She yelled furiously, glaring at the group of men, looking more ferocious than even Marik looked. "He just wants his toy!" She howled furiously. "Let him out of those nets this instant and someone get the rabbit doll from that fountain!" She spouted orders, daring anyone to disobey her will.

One thing that made Rem an excellent Hybrid trainer was her natural inborn leadership, and ability to intimidate the hell out of anything when she was mad.

Dr. Inogawa chuckled at Rem.

"Ma'am, our orders were to-"

"I don't think she gives a damn what your orders were...” The vet said, walking over to the fountain and scooping up the little plushy. He walked over and handed it to Rem. "The lion wants his bunny toy?” he asked, slightly confused and amused.

Marik moaned and squirmed, trying to get closer to the fountain. Dr. Inogawa knelt and removed the cord from Marik's neck.

Rem stooped and removed the netting that he was still tangled in. "Marik, sweetie, calm down... We have your bunny...” she said softly, carefully beginning to pet him. "You need to calm down; you've been hurting people... just shhhh." She cooed softly.

Marik blinked, slowly. His ears twitched; he knew that voice... his nose quivered; he knew that scent...

"R... Rem?” he managed to get out, shakily lifting his head. Dr. Inogawa spoke with the officers present, explaining Rem's relationship with Marik to the man in charge of the operation, who seemed relieved that they didn't have to put Marik down after all.

"Marik sweetie...” She said scratching his ears. "Here... Here's Ryou." She said dangling the toy near him. "Calm down, ok sweetie? You hurt a lot of people today... I want you to calm down, and apologize. You scared everyone badly."

Marik's ears perked. "Murrrrrr... .” he said, and batted at the bunny weakly, his tail thumping the ground once or twice. He batted the bunny from her hand, and weakly pulled it close. Then, with a purr, he curled up around the bunny plushy, relaxing.

"A bunny... ?" The commanding officer asked, slowly approaching. "He just wanted his bunny?" Dr. Inogawa smiled and knelt, looking Marik over.

Rem nodded. "I told you, he's harmless, he just wanted his bunny plushy." She said standing and glaring at the officer. "I'm a certified Hybrid trainer, I KNOW what I'm talking about. Next time, LISTEN." She said firmly. "He's a harmless lion, so harmless in fact that his chosen mate happens to BE a bunny. You attacked him and frightened him into defending himself!" She said sternly, scolding the officers.

The man blinked. "The lion's mate is a bunny?” he asked, confused.

"His mate is a bunny?!" Dr. Inogawa blurted eyes wide. Marik was still purring, and had begun to weakly groom his bunny plushy, the little bell ringing slightly.

Rem nodded. "He's mated to that bunny that belongs to Pegasus." She explained. “But he won’t let Marik anywhere near Ryou... so all Marik has is that small toy, to remind him of his lost love."

Dr. Inogawa stared. "Pegasus?! That little bunny, Ryou... and MARIK?! Wow... I never would have expected that... he's so adamant about no one but Pegasus touching him... I get NEAR that rabbit and he tries to bite me...” The officer blinked and listened to the conversation, but then knelt and looked at Marik grooming his bunny.

"Wow...” he said, glancing at Rem for an okay before reaching out and patting Marik's mane. "I've... never been this close to a hybrid before... they... seem so human...” he said.

Rem sighed softly. "They are." She said stooping to hug Marik. "They are human."

The man blinked, and Dr. Inogawa looked at Rem with an unreadable look on his face.

"What?" The officer asked, stopping his petting of Marik's mane. Marik let out a disappointed whine and lifted his head slightly, finding Rem's hand near him and licking at it with a purr.

"Sir... they are so human, because they are human...” She said softly. "Marik sweetie... do you think you can walk? Are you hurt?" She asked softly.

Marik blinked slowly and tried to focus on her. After he was unable to, he tried to get up, but fell almost immediately.

"We have to get him inside, warm and dry...” Dr. Inogawa said, looking at Rem. "This climate and weather isn't good for him." Marik groaned and tried again, this time managing to get up to all fours, his bunny in his mouth.

"... Are you gonna take him?" The officer asked Rem.

"Murrrr...” Marik said, limping close to Rem until he was pressing into her legs.

Rem nodded. "I'll take him. I'll keep an eye on him and get him cleaned and dry." She said hefting him up and smiling. "C'mon Marik... let’s get you to my house." She cooed, carrying him towards her car. "We'll get you fed and dried off."

Marik purred loudly, and blinked at Dr. Inogawa.

"Rem... Hang on a moment...” he said, and ran to his car. He returned a moment later with a powder in a small bottle. "Add some of this to his food, it will keep him from getting sick.” he said, reaching up and scratching Marik's ears, earning another purr.

Rem nodded taking the powder and placing Marik in the back seat of her car. Within moments she was on the road home. "Marik sweetie... why were you out in the rain like that?" She asked, as she drove. "You could have gotten sick, or lost...”

"Murrrrrr... ." Marik replied in a weak tone, his tail once again flicking to show that he knew he was with Rem, and was happy for it. There was a little jingle as he repositioned his head, the bunny still in his mouth.

She sighed, pulling into her driveway, as the garage door raised. Pulling into the garage and closing the door, she stepped out and picked up Marik. "Come on sweetie... let’s get you a nice hot bath." She said, carrying him inside and into the bathroom, beginning to fill the tub with warm water.

"Marik... I want you to stay with me ok? No going to sleep." She said softly. "Not until I've checked you over."

Marik blinked at her, then closed his eyes and gave an enormous sneeze that sent his plushy flying across the room and splashing into the tub. And three sneezes later, Marik came limping over to find his run-away toy.

Rem laughed softly. "C'mon Marik sweetie. I want you to take off those soaking clothes. See? Ryou has the right idea” She said picking up the plushy in the tub, and making it splash around a little. “Don’t you want to take a bath with Ryou?"

Marik blinked, then smirked and chuckled slightly, before sniffling and rubbing his runny nose. He squirmed out of his jean shorts and crawled into the tub, purring even louder at the warm water. In fact, he curled up and lay down, submerging himself completely from the nose down.

Rem laughed and poured a bowl of warm water over his hair. "Feel better?" She asked beginning to soap him up. "I'll make you something yummy once we're done."

Marik smiled, his eyes closed in contentment as he purred and enjoyed the bath. His tail wagged a bit under the water, then lifted up, letting the end of it drape over the edge of the tub. The tip flicked, the tuft sending little water drops spattering over Rem.

Rem laughed softly. "Come on you big lug. Out of the water." She said rinsing him one last time. "Let’s get you dried off and bundled up." She said, gently plucking the toy away and making it hop out of the tub, so she could dry it off.

Marik smiled and slowly stood, climbing out of the tub before shaking off, showering the room with water from his mane.

"Murroomph!" Marik grunted as he lost his balance and fell over, too out of it due to the tranquilizers to have been able to keep his balance through the shaking. He snorted and shook his head.

Rem laughed and draped a towel over him. "You know I don’t like that." She scolded softly, drying him off completely and picking him up. She carried him into the den, and laid him down near the fireplace, wrapping him up in a quilt and placing an oversized pillow underneath him to lay on, and a second for his head. "There you go."

She smiled and began building a warm fire for him to bask beside. It was drawing ever closer to cold weather, and the weather had been hard enough on Marik. She stoked the flames, and once she'd built them high enough she closed the cover and let the heat drift over him.

"There you go...” She said softly, before heading into the kitchen. Not long after, the delicious scent of chicken broth wafted through the house.

Marik lifted his head and sniffed the air, then let his head drop back to the pillow with a smile and a purr. This was what he had always pictured when he thought about being someone's pet; curling up in front of the fire with his favorite toy, waiting for a loving owner to feed him. But then he met Ryou. Marik purred and nuzzled his damp plushy, licking it a bit. He inhaled deeply and smiled; it still smelled like Ryou...

Rem smiled and set a large bowl of chicken broth before him. "There... drink it up. It'll make you feel better." She said smiling. The powder Dr. Inogawa would be unnoticed in chicken broth.

Marik smiled and purred.

"Thanks...” he said before beginning to lap at the broth, finally speaking. "I owe you...”

"What were you doing out there Marik? You could have gotten yourself killed?" She said, beginning to comb through his mane gently. "You know you can’t just wander around like that... and especially go berserk on all those people." She said softly.

Marik sighed. "Ryou... he... he ran away...” he said softly, pausing in his eating. "He was... right there with me, but then... I woke up and he was gone... he could be anywhere, Rem! Hurt, or lost, or... worse... I had to find him...”
Rem sighed. "Marik... Pegasus called me this morning. Ryou was found and taken to the Emergency vet clinic after being attacked by a dog… Pegasus has him, and Ryou is okay. So is Malik… in fact… Pegasus is taking them on a vacation. They’re leaving the country in… a few days…”

Marik stared at Rem. "Leaving?!” he gasped, his eyes widening. "No! Rem, please! We can't let them go!!!” he cried. "Can't you stop them?!"

"I'm sorry Marik, I can’t stop them...” She said softly. "It's out of my power; Ryou’s a pet... and Pegasus is his owner, he dictates anything he wants... Ryou is his property."

Marik sighed, turning and staring into the fire. "Muuurrrrrrrrrr...” he moaned, ears drooping. After a moment, he turned and wriggled closer to Rem, laying his head in her lap, silently asking to be petted.

Rem gently patted his head. "Come now Marik... you have to stop acting like a pet... we both know now, that you're not. You're a person... and if you ever intend to get Ryou back... you're probably going to have to confront Pegasus... as a person."

Marik sighed. "I... I know...” he said, softly. "But... please, Rem? Just this once? Just tonight? Please... can't I be your lion again... just for one more night?" And he looked up at her, dusky gold eyes pleading.

Rem sighed softly. "Just for tonight... but then you have to try your best... no one can help you get Ryou, Marik... When he was made... he was made specifically to mate to ONE person... the first person to initiate mating... but... when he thought you died...” She sighed softly. "It's my fault for not telling him."

Marik blinked. "What? What do you mean, he was 'MADE SPECIFICALLY to mate ONE person'?!" Marik demanded, his claws starting to slide out of their sheathes.

Rem sighed. "When he was made his genetics were altered to make him completely loyal... to whoever mated him first...” She explained sadly. "I didn't know you were human then, so I thought nothing of it... I feel so awful...” She said, soft tears welling in her eyes. "If I had known...”

Marik stared. "You mean... he was made to be loyal to the one who... took his virginity?” he gasped. "That was... me. But he though I was dead... and then Pegasus had him?! And then he found out I was alive, and... Rem... What if... he does love me, right?! It's not just this fucked up conditioning, right?! He loves me! He has to! Please, Rem... He does, doesn't he!"

Rem frowned. "I... I couldn't tell you Marik... his sole purpose for being, was to love whoever had him first. To be loyal faultlessly until death...” She said softly. "When he thought you were dead... it reset the genetics, and Pegasus had him... but when you came back... the poor boy must be so confused...”

Marik shook his head. "He was!!! He... he told me... he... he was so confused. He felt like he didn't have control over himself... Rem, he's going nuts!" Marik cried, looking at her with frantic worry over his bunny.

Rem sighed. "I'm sure he is... I don’t know what to tell you Marik... he was only meant to be Pegasus' bunny... when you got in his cage that day...” She wiped her eyes. "He'll never be able to tear himself away from either of you...”

Marik shook his head. "This... this isn't right!!!” he wailed. "This will destroy him, Rem! Isn't... isn't there someway to undo this?!"

Rem sighed. "Marik... I'm not sure how to tell you this... but... technically you don’t qualify as his mate anymore" She said slowly. "He still loves you, due to loyalty, but in his eyes, Pegasus is his mate. His mate and his provider." Rem shook her head sadly. "There's nothing you can do about it."

Marik stared at her, a look of heartbreak in his eyes.

"There... there must be something.” he whimpered. "When Ryou was with me... he told me he loved me. He said he never wanted to go back to Pegasus... He BEGGED ME not to make him go back!"

"Because you were his first." She said, scratching his ears. "But he went back just the same... didn't he?"

"I... I told him he had to." Marik said. "I told him that if he didn't go back, that we might never be able to get Malik back. That Malik would be miserable, and... If he didn't go back, Bakura and Malik would never be able to be together again...”

Rem shook her head. "Marik he would have went back, even if you had agreed to let him stay. He's drawn to Pegasus. He loves him."

"But he loves ME!!!" Marik cried, beginning to look frantic again.

Rem sighed. "He loves you, because he was designed to love whomever had him first."

Marik shook his head, his eyes wild. "N-No!!! Then why would he be loyal to Pegasus?! Are you saying that he is drawn to me because he was made to, and that Pegasus is the one he really loves?!" Marik started shaking.

Rem shook her head. "Marik... Marik honey listen." She said patting his head. "MY job... what I do in life, is take care of hybrids." She said calmly. "His job, what he was meant to do, was to love whoever mated him. He loves you, because you mated him. " She explained. "When you 'died' you were no longer his mate. You were 'dead'. So when Pegasus mated him, he became Pegasus' mate." She said slowly. "He's bonded to both of you."

"But... but he loves me... right?" Marik whimpered, looking terrified of the answer. "He loves me... not him... right?"

Rem sighed. "Marik, he LOVES both of you." she said softly. "That was what he was made to do. That's why he's so confused. He wants to love just one, but because of how he was made, he loves you both."

"BUT WHO DOES HE LOVE?!" Marik screamed. "Without the damn... programming or whatever the fuck it is... does he love me?! REALLY love me?! Or is it the fucking program that MAKES him love me?!" Marik demanded, slamming his fist into the floor. "If he's being MADE to love me... then... I cannot accept his love...”

Rem sighed. "I couldn't tell you Marik, whether he's being MADE to love you or not, it's real to HIM." she said shaking her head. "In his mind it's real... even if it is genetic alteration that MAKES him love you, to him it's very real."

Marik shook his head. He had a wild, almost feral look in his eyes. He slowly lay his head down on the pillow and stared into the fire. His heart felt dead, but at the same time was pounding in his chest. He felt an emotionless cold take over his mind, while a raging fire burned within it... His faith had been shaken, and he was doing something that he never thought he would; he was doubting Ryou's love. And it hurt like he was being burned alive.

Rem frowned. "Marik sweetheart...” She said softly, having an idea of what he was thinking. "He loves you. Even if the genetics MAKE him, he loves you heart and soul... for you to question whether or not it's real is cruel. To him it IS real...” She said sighing softly. "In his mind, in HIS heart, he loves you."

Marik frowned and curled up, slowly turning to stare at his bunny plushy. "Rem... I can't stand the thought that... if it weren't for the programming, he might not love me...”

"Marik if it weren't for the programming, he wouldn't have met you at all. You should love him, be grateful for him. You'll never meet another boy like him."

"BUT HE MAY NOT EVEN LOVE ME!!!" Marik sobbed, jerking the blanket over his head and hiding under it.

"It doesn't matter what MAY have been Marik." Rem said sternly. "He DOES love you, and if you don’t want that love then you need to let him go!"

"I DO WANT THAT!!!" Marik cried. "But... but if it's just the effect of the program, then it's NOT REAL!!!"

"What do you want from him Marik? He can’t HELP it! " She said frowning. "It's what he was made to do, to him it's as real as you are. Can’t you accept that?"

Marik didn't answer. A paw poked out from under and blanket and snatched the bunny plushy before darting back underneath. The lion sniffled.

Rem sighed softly and rubbed the blanket. "Marik... it doesn't seem like it's real... because of how I explained it... but it is. Ryou REALLY loves you. It's Induced love, but it's still love... to him, in his mind, his heart... his eyes, you're a mate to him, his lover."

Marik sighed. "Induced... that means fake...” he sniffed bitterly. "But...” he slowly poked his head out and stared at Rem. "It's triggered by... sex, right?" And he seemed to have a tinge of hope in his voice when he asked that.

Rem nodded. "It's triggered by the act of mating."

Marik's ears perked. "But... we only mated that last night...” he gasped. "Before that... he still liked me... he came to me for protection when he was scared... he said he wanted... he wanted to be with me... I mean... he let me in his log!!! He said he loved me! BEFORE I mated him... he... he LET me mate him!!!" Marik exclaimed excitedly. "And... that WAS real!!!"

Rem smiled. "It still is real Marik." She said softly. "Now come out of there and drink your broth before it gets cold!" she scolded playfully.

Marik smiled at her, looking relieved. He sat up and nuzzled her cheek, purring, before settling down and obeying, lapping his broth while his tail swung back and forth, happily.

"Thank you Marik." Rem said laughing slightly. "I want you to take it easy... tonight's the only night I'll let you get away with this."

Marik smiled and sighed. "I should have asked for a week instead of a night." He chuckled, cuddling into his quilt. “Soup in front of the fire? THIS is heaven... all I need is a certain bunny sharing the blankets with me and it would be perfect... and maybe a certain grumpy skunk curled up with a certain sexy fennec on the sofa...”

Rem laughed. "Wouldn't it be nicer, to sit on the sofa with a certain bunny... drink warm cocoa and cuddle under the blankets? Talk about your plans for the wintery day? Maybe have snow bunnies."

Marik laughed. "Ah, we'll drag every blanket in the house to the floor in front of the fire and I'll make the cocoa while he makes the nest.” he said. "AFTER making snow bunnies in the yard."

"Ah... but I bet the fire would be even warmer, even better, if it was in a house you provided for Ryou... don’t you want to be the mate he needs? A provider? Someone he would snuggle under the warm blankets on cold mornings... ?" Rem asked laughing softly. "He'd be a perfect mate to you, he'd do anything for you."

Marik sighed. "It would be a dream come true... but Rem... how would I get us a house? I mean... be realistic... a house costs... so much...” Marik sighed. "We could never have a house... I could never make that much... but an apartment... a small apartment with the basics... that I could do...” he smiled slightly and closed his eyes. "But even that would be... more than enough for me...”

Rem smiled. "You'll be working for Seto Kaiba, Marik... if you work your hardest, and do your best, I'm sure you'll be able to buy a nice cozy home" She said smiling. "Somewhere out in the countryside with enough room to roam around, but close enough to the city you could always see your friends and family." She said tickling his ears. "Ryou would like that...”

Marik giggled and bat at her hands, ears flicking at the tickles. "That would be nice...” he said.

"Nice, and within your capabilities." She said smiling. "Ask Kaiba, Ask him if you could start working now, doing anything. Save every penny you can... and when Ryou comes back to you, give him a mating present...” She said grinning. "It's customary for the dominating mate to present the submissive with a token of affections."

Marik smiled and nodded. "Okay...” he said softly, then gave a goofy grin. "I will... But right now, I want a tummy rub." And he flopped over onto his back, presenting his stomach.

Rem laughed, adjusting the blanket before rubbing Marik's tummy. "You're such a goofy guy...” She chuckled stooping to raspberry his stomach suddenly. "It's no wonder Ryou loves you."

Marik squeaked, then squirmed and giggled. "No! No! Stop!!! Stop it!!! AACK!!!” he howled. "REEEEEM!!!"

Rem laughed all the louder and rubbed his tummy more. "Who's my good lion?! Who's good!?" She said, using the excited voice. "Oh who wants a treat?! Who wants a TREAT?"

"Muuuuuuurrrrrumph!!!" Marik exclaimed, unable to resist the excited voice. "Murrrrumph!” he wiggled around, wanting to get up for a treat, but oh... she was still rubbing his belly, how could he get up?!

Rem took the excited voice to the REALLY excited voice. "Want a treat?! Want a TREAT?! Oh come on! Lets go get a treat!" she said rubbing his tummy even more. "Come on! Lets go!"

"Muuuuuuurrrrrow!!!" Marik cried in excitement. "Mreeeoowwph!!! Murrrrrph!!! Murrrumph!!!” he continued his desperate wiggling, still caught between wanting to get up for a treat, and staying down to enjoy the belly rub. Oh, Rem was NOT helping his decision either as she continued to use the excited voice and give him a belly rub at the same time. Oh, the dilemma the lion now faced!!!

Rem laughed and rasperried him again. "Who's good? Who's my good lion!?" She giggled, rubbing his tummy, and NOW scratching behind his ears as well. "Want a treat? Want a yummy treat?!"

Oh, the sensory overload!!! How could she!? Tummy rub, ear scratch, AND offering a treat?! Marik didn't know how much more he could take!!! His leg started kicking like a dog's, and he turned on his side slightly and arched his back, purring loudly and pawing at the carpet, his tail swinging about wildly.

Rem laughed and scratched that PERFECT spot only she knew about on Marik's ear. "Treat?! Want one? Want a treat Marik? Treat? Yummy piece of meat? Who's my good lion?!" She said excitedly, laughing at the lion's dilemma. "Who's my good lion?!"

"MUUUUURRRRRRRUUUMPH!!!!" Marik exclaimed, before answering with a "Mreeeeeeeeee... ." which was supposed to be 'me' but came out a half mew.

Rem laughed and immediately stopped EVERYTHING... all at once. "Marik... you're too cute." She said laughing softly.

Marik blinked. "Murr?” he asked, flicking his ears and looking around, very confused. So much had been happening!! SO MUCH!!! Where did it all go? ... The lion was baffled. Where was he again? He blinked at Rem. "Murrrrrr...”

Rem laughed more. "Marik sweetie. Do you want a nap?"

Marik blinked and flicked an ear again. "Wanna treat!” he blurted.

Rem laughed and picked up the bunny plushy. "What kind of treat?"

Marik rolled over and shook his mane, then stood, still a bit shaky from the incident in the park. "You said meat!” he stated, in a tone that said 'you say it, you'd better deliver.'

Rem laughed and made the bunny hop along the floor. "I said what kind Marik sweetie."

Marik meowed and pawed at the bunny. "Whatcha got?” he asked, tail lashing as he pounced, playfully.

Rem smiled. "Whatcha want?" She said, jerking the bunny away just in the nick of time

"Murrumph!!" Marik exclaimed, blinking and looking for the bunny when he didn't find it in his paws. "Whatcha got?” he asked again.

Rem laughed again. "Assume everything. Now what do you want?"

Marik frowned, and then smirked. "I waaaaant... Kudu!!!” he announced, deciding to be difficult.

Rem laughed. "Only if you kudu it yourself." She said smirking.

Marik grinned and flicked his tail at Rem. "You said to assume you have everything.” he argued, looking for the bunny plushy that the woman was hiding behind her back.

"Now Marik, when have you ever wanted that? You don’t even know what it tastes like." She said firmly. "Don’t play silly games. what would you like?"

Marik grinned and darted around her, trying to catch the bunny. "I want steak!!!” he exclaimed, pouncing.

Rem laughed and yanked the bunny away. "Alright. Alright. Now sit." She said scratching his ears. "I'll get you a steak." She said getting up, taking 'Ryou' with her.

Marik sat, but whimpered and whined when she took Ryou away with her.

Rem returned later, with a small plate, that held a LARGE steak. "You better be grateful, I was saving that for something special." She teased, setting it down before him and ruffling his hair.

Marik smiled and stood, purring and rubbing up against her, giving her a nuzzle before settling down to eat the steak. "Thanks.” he said, tearing into it.

Rem sat next to him and gently ran her fingers through his hair. "If you started working tomorrow, and saved... you'd have enough to get a small apartment, and a few pieces of furniture...” She said softly.

Marik grinned at her, mouth full of food, and wagged his tail. He nodded and purred, chewing the meat and swallowing. "Uh huh!” he said perkily, and ripped off another chunk of meat.

Rem scratched his ear. "Ryou would love that... You could give him that, as your mating gift." She said slowly. "It's customary for the dominant to give the submissive a gift, that proves his or her capability of taking care of things... that would make you seem like a god...” She breathed in his ear. "Ryou would fall head over heels for you... and you two would have a home, all your own."

"That's not under a big plastic log!" Marik chirped, licking the meat. "Hey... what did you do with my bunny?"

Rem laughed. "I'm going to get it cleaned up." She said calmly. "I'll give him back once he's dry, that way he won’t get moldy."

Marik blinked but then nodded. "Okay!” he said, before ripping another chunk of meat from the steak in his claws. "This is so good...” He moaned, then made a face. "Malik and Seto made us eat cooked meat...”

Rem laughed. "Ryou probably will too...” She said softly. "It will be torture for him... he must miss it."

Marik blinked and looked up. "Who will miss what?” he asked.

"Ryou sweetie... his diet doesn't permit for red meats." She said softly. "A boy his age must be deeply missing hamburgers...”

Marik blinked, then sighed and nodded. "He does miss it.” he said. "When he was staying with us last night, he kept stealing meat from my plate at dinner."

Rem frowned. "The human part of him craves it, but if he gets too much, he could get VERY sick... bunnies just were not meant to have meat. It could cause neurological disorders, or make him physically ill."

Marik stared at her. "Are... are you serious?!” he gasped, looking horrified.

Rem nodded. "Do you know about Mad Cow disease? It happened when one cow's grain was contaminated with red meat... specifically from a cow." She said softly. "A similar circumstance can take place in rabbits, from red meat."

Marik blinked. He blinked again. "Ryou will turn into a mad cow?” he asked, licking the juices from the meat from his face.

Rem laughed. "No no, Mad cow disease, is a disease where they go insane, and have to be put down." She said slowly. "They had to burn the corpses of the cows that were infected, because it was SO contagious too."

"Ryou could... go insane and die? From eating meat?!" Marik gasped, looking even more mortified than before.

Rem nodded. "It's not really insane... really but it's so much like it that it's considered 'mad'." She said frowning. "The disease eats away at the brain... causes hallucinations and mood swings...”

Marik sighed. "Man... so, Ryou can't eat much meat then... he's gonna hate that."

Rem nodded. "I feel bad for him... he can still have white meat... but no red meat." She said patting Marik's head. "You could always try soy-meats." she said laughing softly. "There's a few brands I know of, that taste exactly the same as real meat."

Marik made a face, wrinkling his nose, squeezing his eyes shut, baring his teeth and sticking out his tongue, showing Rem that he did not like that idea.

Rem laughed. "Not even for Ryou?" She said laughing more.

Marik pouted. "Murrrrrrrr...” He whined, ripping another chunk of meat away from the larger mass. He glared at nothing in particular, letting her know that he did not want to, but his silence told her that he would indeed do it for Ryou.

Rem laughed and nodded. "You're just a big pile of fluff...” She chuckled. "Something tells me that bunny gets the better of you every time."

Marik snorted and closed his eyes, taking on an aura of superiority, trying to shoot that theory down, but at the same time was also admitting that this was true. He began working on his steak again.

Rem shook her head. "You're such a pushover. If Ryou said he wanted something, you'd hop up and get it for him, no questions asked and you know it." She said laughing. “You're such a sweetheart." She cooed patting his head.

Marik purred loudly, smiling a smile that clearly was saying 'You know it!!!'

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

Rem gently patted Marik's head. "Come on sleepy head... your day as a pet is over, it's time to face the world as a person." She said shaking him. "Up and at 'em"

Marik made a noise of annoyance, and batted at her hand. "Murrrrrrr... .” he whined. "Go'way, 'Kura...”

Rem chuckled and pinched his ear. "UP!" she said amusedly, knowing he hated having his ears pinched.

"MREEEEOOOOOOWWW!!!" Marik howled loudly, immediately getting up to try and relieve the tension on his ear. "REEEEEEEMMM!!!” he whined automatically, out of habit.

Rem laughed. "Whatcha gonna do about it?!" she said, using the excited voice. "Huh? huh? Whatcha gonna do?!"

"Owwwiiiieeeee!!!" Marik whined. "Leggo my eaarrrrr!!!!"

Rem laughed and let go, kissing his forehead. "You're a lion-person Marik, you should be bold, strong and commanding, lions are natural born leaders! You shouldn't whine, you should take command!"

Marik whimpered and rubbed his ear. "That's no fair!” he pouted. "You know all my weaknesses...” And he closed his eyes and opened his mouth in a large yawn, flashing his teeth.

Rem sighed and shook her head. "Marik. You have claws and razor sharp teeth... it shouldn't matter."

"So?” he asked, looking at Rem. He purred and rubbed against her, nuzzling her. "I wouldn't attack you...” He said, licking her cheek. "Now, where's the can? I gotta pee."

Rem laughed. "Down the hall and to the left." She said shaking her head. "Be careful not to make a mess."

Marik gave Rem a look. "Oh, come on...” He whined. "Malik taught me and Bakura better than that! He even bought us those little paper targets you float in the toilet to aim for so we wouldn't make a mess!!!" And he grinned and trotted down the hall on all fours.

"Marik, TWO feet, not four!" She called after him. "You said one night, the night is over now!"

"STILL PART LION!!!" Marik argued from the bathroom. "CAN'T CHANGE THAT!!! Besides!!! I had to go really bad and can't move that fast on two legs yet!!!"

"Marik! Don’t you lie to me!" She called sternly. "I've seen you run! Now you be good or I'll come in there and spank you, that's a human punishment too!"

"Not at this age!" Marik called back as he relieved himself, being careful to keep it in the toilet as opposed to all over the walls and floor.

"It doesn't matter! I'll still give you a spanking for lying to me!" She called firmly. "I'm practically your mother, its divine right!"

"Mommy, what did you do with my clothes?" Marik called in a whiney tone as he finished. "And where's my bunny?” he asked as he walked out of the bathroom, but a shriek of 'WASH YOUR HANDS' from Rem sent him skittering right back in again.

Rem grumbled. "Honestly Marik, if you don’t shape up, I'll have to tell Ryou how to take care of you just like a baby. I don’t think he'd be happy cleaning up after you forever." She scolded.

"Hey, c'mon Rem... Cut me some slack, here!" Marik called as he washed his hands.

Rem laughed and picked up the bunny plushy. "Marik... I know you're giving up a life that would be easy for this little bunny. I just want you to do what you've always done for me. I want you to make me proud... ok?" She said softly, through the door. "I want you to make everyone proud of you."

The door opened and Marik grinned at Rem. "I will.” he said, then grabbed her and swung her up into his arms. And this time, he didn't lick her cheek; he kissed it. "I promise.” he said, tail wagging happily. He grinned at Rem. "Now... pants?"

Rem laughed and scratched his ears. "If you ever want another night like last night Marik... if things get too hard on you, I'll always be around for you to take a break with ok?" She said softly, smiling broadly. "My fluffy lion… you've made me so proud."

Marik grinned and purred loudly, then stopped and blinked. "Did you just call me fluffy?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow and flicking an ear.

Rem laughed. "Yes I did, you're in love with a bunny, that's as FLUFFY as a lion can get." She said tickling him slightly.

Marik grumbled, then giggled. "Unless you want me to drop you, knock it off!” he squeaked, twitching.

Rem burst into laughter. "You couldn't DROP me, even if you wanted to." She said hoisting him up like he was nothing. "Don’t you forget who's in charge, little man." She said before plopping him down and tickling him all the more.

Marik yelped and squirmed, laughing. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! No! No! Reeeeemmmm!!!! Noooo!!!! No fair!!! Oh! Noooooo!!!” he howled, wriggling around.

Rem smiled and stopped. "After you went to sleep I washed your clothes for you." She said going into her room and coming out with the folded clothes. "I just took them out of the dryer, they're still nice and warm." She added amusedly.

"Oooooooh!" Marik exclaimed, and snatched his shorts. "Ohhhh... Mountain Fresh!” he announced after sampling the scent, then wriggled into his shorts. "Now where's my bunny?"

Rem smiled and produced the clean bunny, which was also still warm from drying. "I didn't use soap on him, since I know you want it to smell like Ryou." she said dangling the bunny by it's ears, making the bell jingle. "Who wants a bunny?"

Marik almost dropped to all fours, but he stopped himself. "Muuuurrrrrumph!” he said, then winced. "Umm... I mean... me... ?” he looked at her, then added on a hopeful "Please?"

Rem grinned. "You know Marik... I bet Ryou wouldn't mind if you were a little bit lion for him... bunnies love to be chased and played with... and lions LOVE to chase things...” She said hopping the bunny along the wall.

Marik's eyes widened and his ears perked. "Muuruph!!” he exclaimed, tail lashing. He began to follow, his eyes glued on the bunny.

Rem smiled. "Though you will have to keep from growling at him... he can’t understand grunts and growls." She said pausing the bunny's hopping, near a painting of a garden. "You know... I bet you love chasing Ryou don’t you?"

Marik smiled. "He's fun to chase. He's fast... he's smart... and he loves to be chased...” He said, eyes still glued to the bunny. "And we understand each other fine."

Rem laughed. "How smart is he Marik?"

Marik blinked. "Smart...” He said. "He went to school!! A lot longer than I did!!!"

"Is he smarter than you?" She asked tapping him on the nose with the bunny.

Marik sighed. "Well... yeah...” He mumbled, blushing slightly. He wrinkled his nose and batted at the bunny plush.

Rem smiled. "Then you need to make up for it, by being smarter about life than he is. Take care of him right?"

Marik nodded. "That's all I want...” He said softly, staring at the bunny, then smiling at Rem.

Rem smiled. "Are you going to take care of him? If you take him away from Pegasus, you'll be taking him away from quite a bit... a life of luxury and security. Are you willing to do that? Are you able to replace that?"

Marik nodded. "I'll do anything.” he said. "And... Ryou doesn't need all that. He said so himself. All he wants is... a small house... and me. And we will work together, and travel together, and... And we'll be happy together...”

Rem nodded. "But Marik, I need you to understand. You'll be taking away a home, hot meals and warm beds." She said patting his head. "You have to be prepared to take care of him. YOU take care of him." She said. "Just like a child, or a pet, or a lover. He'll be yours, but he'll depend on you... you'll need to come through for him...”

Marik nodded. "I will.” he insisted. "I will make sure he has a home, and good food and a warm bed. No matter what it takes.” he said with an affirming nod.

Rem smiled. "When I take you back to Seto's, I want you to ask him for a job, the minute we get there... ok? Anything will do. You have to start preparing for Ryou... you don’t want him to come back to you and have nothing to show him for your efforts do you?"

Marik nodded. "I'll ask him.” he said. "I... I'm gonna get Ryou back, so I have to get ready for him." And he looked at his bunny plushy again, still waiting for Rem to give it to him.

Rem nodded and set the bunny in Marik's hands. "Take care of him Marik... he'll need you to."

Marik stared down at the bunny in his claws and sighed, then nodded. "I will, Mom--Ah!" His eyes widened. "I mean... Rem...” He blushed and stared at her, embarrassed.

Rem laughed and hugged him. "If it makes you feel more human, then you can call me mom." She said laughing softly.

Marik blushed even darker, but smiled. "R-Really?" He asked, sounding a bit hopeful.

Rem nodded. "Why not? I've babied you all these years...”she said ruffling his hair. "It suits us."

Marik blinked, then grinned and leapt onto Rem, purring loudly and crushing her in a giant hug, licking her face.

Rem laughed. "Now Marik... sweetie... kisses, not licks." She said tapping his nose. "You remember."

So Marik began to give a few kisses between his licks.

Rem laughed. "Enough! Into the car with you!"

"But I'm hungry!"

"Go!" Rem ordered, and Marik turned and trotted out to the car. He curled up in the front seat, but at Rem's scolding, he sat up properly and fastened his seatbelt. He looked around as she backed out of the garage, his ear wiggling as he examined this new vantage point.

"Can I roll down the window?” he asked Rem.

"Only if you don’t stick your head out the window." She said smirking. "deal?"

Marik turned and looked at Rem, with a pout. "But that's the whole point!!!” he whined. Rem gave him a look. But by the time they were pulling through the gate and up the drive to Seto's house, Marik was sporting the wind swept look, and was quite happy.

"Brat." Rem chuckled shaking her head. "Fix up so you'll look like you mean it when you ask Seto for a job." She said firmly. "You want to look dependable."

Marik blinked. "I'm in nothing but a pair of jean shorts.” he said. "How dependable is that?” he asked, getting out of the car.

Rem scolded him. "The hair. Fix it." She said firmly.

Meanwhile Yami scrambled into Seto's office. "SETO!” he squawked loudly enough that surely the windows rattled... on Jupiter. "Marik's home!"

Seto jumped. "GAAH!!! DAMMIT YAMI!!!” he yelped. "Marik? He's back?!” he stood from his desk. At Yami's confirmation, he ran out of his office and headed for the front door. "I'm gonna kill that lion!!"

"Lion?" Bakura asked, poking his head out of his room. "Marik?! MARIK!!!" And the skunk dropped to all fours and streaked after Seto.

Yami scrambled to fly through the house after Seto. "Seto don’t kill him! I want to!” he grumbled. After Marik had run off, he'd gone through one of the worst plucking sessions he'd had yet. His wings still ached in places where new feathers were growing.

Rem fixed Marik's hair, having gotten tired of fighting with him. "Now remember… be respectful and responsible you want to look like someone he'd WANT to hire."

Marik sighed and nodded, then faced the door, and knocked. Only moments later, there was shouting and cursing, and then the door opened. There was Seto, Yami and Bakura, all scrambling to get to Marik first.

"MARIK!!!" Bakura cried, joyfully.

"DAMMIT, MARIK!!!" Seto roared.

Yami on the other hand flew out the door and tackled Marik. "Damn you Marik! You put me through so much hell!” he howled, and began pulling at his hair angrily. Not pulling any out, just pulling it in frustration. "You ASS!"

"OWW!!!" Marik yelped. "OW!! HEY!!! STOP IT!!! GET OFF!!! REEEEEMMMM!!!!” he cried, falling back onto the ground and struggling with Yami.

Yami snapped at him. "I could kill you!” he howled.

Rem gasped. "Seto help me please!" She said trying to separate the two of them. "Call him off!"

Seto snorted. "Why?” he asked, leaning against the doorway. "I feel like kicking the shit out of him myself...” But Bakura came to Rem's aid, followed by the cavalry; Tuc and Nod. The bunnies took flying leaps and began biting Yami furiously, protecting their caretaker.

Yami yelped and immediately let go, trying to sling the bunnies against the ground to get them off of him. "OW OW Get them off!” he yelped painfully when Tuc bit his wing. "Oh RA!” he howled flapping it furiously, trying to shake the bunny loose. "OFF!"

Marik leapt to his feet. "DON'T HURT THEM!!!” he cried, leaving his plushy on the ground to rescue the live bunnies. Soon enough, he was crouched down on all fours, the bunnies huddling underneath him as he purred and nuzzled them, licking them soothingly.

Yami whimpered slightly, nursing his sore wing, which had began to bleed from several bunny-bites. "Ra, I hate those little rat-things...” he grumbled sourly.

Marik flattened his ears, bared his teeth and growled at Yami, hunching over the bunnies protectively. And to Seto and Yami and Rem's surprise, Bakura moved between Marik and Yami, also baring his teeth and growling, crouching on all fours and raising his tail in a threatening manner. The pair was more than ready to defend the little bunnies from Yami.

Yami rolled his eyes. "You both know I won’t do anything about it. They're Ryou's bunnies.” he said matter-of-factly. "But it doesn't stop me from hating those wicked little teeth of theirs." He grumbled glaring.

Rem sighed. "Now you two, behave. No more fighting." She said picking Bakura up and grinning. "Well hello Bakura."

"Wooof!" Bakura grunted as he was picked up, not expecting that. He twisted around, his ears swiveling in his confusion, and he finally managed to look Rem in the face.

"Rem!!” he exclaimed, just now noticing the woman. He latched onto her and purred, nuzzling her cheek and wrapping his tail around her. Seto quirked an eyebrow, then glanced back at Marik who was devotedly tending to the bunnies.

Rem laughed and scratched his ears. "How are you Bakura? You been working hard for Malik?" She asked cooing softly at him, glad to see he was ok. "Marik, don’t you have something to say?" She added, giving him a stern look.

Marik blinked and looked up. "Oh yeah!” he gasped, gathering the bunnies in his arms and standing, walking over to Seto, who looked at him. "Ummm... first off... sorry for running away...” He mumbled. Seto nodded. Marik gulped and glanced back at Rem and Bakura, who was watching him curiously while enjoying getting his ears scratched.

"Go on Marik." She coaxed smiling. "I'm sure he'd love to hear what you have to say." She said, beginning to tickle Bakura. "You been a good boy?"

Bakura grinned and squirmed, kicking and laughing. Marik looked back at Seto, and down at the bunnies in his arms. He sighed, and looked back to Seto.

"Seto... I'm ready to prepare for getting Ryou back.” he said, and took a deep breath. "I want a job."