Twilight Menagerie

Twilight Menagerie

Mally-chan and hato chiisai

Disclaimer: We own nothing. Nothing at all

YAOI WARNING!!!

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Chapter 29

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Zaine stood there, stunned, as the elevator closed and Marik disappeared from their view.

"... Rem...”

Rem bit back a sob. "Oh god Zaine...” she said wiping her eyes and sniffling slightly, one of her very few times to cry. "He's making the mistake of his life... and he doesn't even care...” she said covering her face and beginning to cry for Marik.

Zaine quickly moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "We... we'll call animal control... see if they can pick him up... We'll talk to Pegasus... have him talk to Ryou. And Malik. Malik and Bakura... we can try to get them to talk to Marik... Or something." He began to list off, trying to find SOME solution to the disaster that had unfurled.

"He's not an animal Zaine... animal control wont do anything... Malik, Bakura and Pegasus dont know where Ryou's staying... even I dont know where he's staying...” she said burying her face into his shoulder. "They... just... fell apart...” she sobbed softly. "We... we have to take those babies to someone who can care for them... before they all starve to death... parents included...”

Zaine nodded. "Let's go get them. We'll talk to Malik and Bakura, and... oh, screw it. Let's call everyone and have them meet us there. We have to stop this NOW. Before it's too late." And he hit the button for the elevator. And an hour later, they were sitting in Malik and Bakura's living room with Seto, Pegasus, Yami, Yugi, Otogi and all the rabbits. Everyone looked at Rem.

Rem sighed softly. "Marik and Ryou... well they had a fight...” She said softly. "They broke up and went their separate ways this morning...” She said after a moment, then went on to explain all that had been said in detail since Marik had shown up at her house the previous night.

Yami and Yugi both blinked shocked. "Ryou and Marik? But those two...” Yugi stammered shaking his head. "I just saw them at the trial!"

Nod and Tuc looked at each other and Nod whimpered softly. 'Tuc... '

Zaine sighed. "That's not the worst of it." He said. "We don't know where either one is. All we know is that they both said that they were... returning to the lives they had before... everything happened. Ryou has gone... who knows where and Marik has... gone back to the streets. And both refuse to come back to this house. They both abandoned the rabbits." He looked down at Tuc and Nod and their nine babies. "Ryou told Marik to take them. And Marik told Rem to deal with them that they're 'not his problem'. And... Marik has also said that if he sees Mr. Pegasus he'll... kill him." Everyone was stunned. "We have to find Ryou and Marik both. Quickly."

Tuc turned as Nod buried her face into his side, devastated, and Tuc nuzzled her, just as shocked.

Nod squeaked mournfully. 'They... abandoned us? I... I thought we were family... ' she mumbled, ears drooping.

Yami looked at Yugi. "Well... I think Ryou would have gone home... if that was the case...” he said after a moment. "Yugi, do you remember his old address? I only visited him once or twice... he usually came over to visit us...” he said looking down.

Rem frowned. "We have to find them before they both do something they regret." she said shaking her head.

Yugi sighed. "I don't remember his address, but I know where his house is." He said, watching Malik cuddling the fennec bunny and looking near tears. Bakura didn't look much better, and for once, Dust and Spunky were quiet.

"Ryou...” Pegasus breathed. "My precious baby bunny...”

"Rem." Seto said. "If it is needed, as Marik's caretaker, you may have to have him... put away. In a hospital. He's obviously unstable. And I'm starting to think that it's worse than any of us imagined. Pegasus, I think you and Yugi should go find Ryou. Bakura and Malik, try to sniff out Marik. Yami, can you fly?"

Yami unfolded a wing and examined it. "For a while... I'm going to need a serious back rub afterward though... I'm still missing a few feathers. I'll manage though." he said calmly offering Seto a smile.

Rem frowned. "Pegasus be careful... we don’t know where Marik's wandering... if you see him...” She said looking worried. "I'll... call Dr. Inogawa and have him speak with his wife at the hospital and arrange for… Marik to see a therapist." She said softly.

Pegasus nodded, and stood. "Yugi. Please guide me to my baby bunny." He said, walking over and picking up the pet bed with the ten rabbits in it. He turned to Malik, and the boy replaced the eleventh. Then, Yugi and Pegasus left. Zaine sighed.

"I'm going to call Inogawa and have him call his wife." He said softly, and stood, going to the phone. Seto stood and left with Yami and Otogi. Bakura turned, and looked at Rem while Malik hugged Kheti.

"Rem... Do you think there's any... hope?" He asked softly. "Or is my best friend... gone?"

Rem sighed and hugged Bakura. "I don’t know Bakura... I don’t know if there's any hope at all... we can only pray that his mind wasn't tattered beyond repair...” she said softly. "We just have to do our best to find him and get him the help he needs... before he gets any worse."

Bakura whimpered and moved close, wrapping his tail around her and dropping his guard, crying.

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Pegasus looked at the quaint house that Yugi was pointing it. He sighed and got out of the car, and carried the eleven bunnies up to the front door, and rang the doorbell.

Ryou answered it yawning softly, having had his mid-day nap interrupted. "Oh... hello master Pegasus...” He mumbled ears drooping miserably. He stepped aside. "Come in?” He asked offering a half-hearted smile.

Pegasus nodded sadly, walking in. "I brought you your... family.” He said softly. "Or your pets... whatever they are.” He sighed and looked at Ryou, a look off complete sadness on his face.

Ryou took them and nuzzled them. "I thought it'd be good to leave them with Marik... so he'd have something to control his temper... when he said he wasn't going back for them... I was going to wait until tonight... a-and get them myself... I couldn't ever leave my family...” He mumbled offering Tuc and Nod apologetic looks. "I'm sorry Master... please don’t be sad."

Pegasus sighed and nodded. "Marik has run away.” He said softly. "Everyone is looking for him. And Rem is going to admit him to a hospital's psychiatric ward, Ryou. He threw away his I.D. card and... Threatened to kill me should he ever see me again. And apparently he tried to run away last night. He believes that you wanted to leave him and return to me. He thinks that you are afraid of him. And that you had no faith in him as a mate. He thought you wanted to leave him but feared his temper too much to do so...”

Ryou sighed. "I never said any of that... I just wanted him to see the therapist... I even said I'd go too... he just refused... so I put my foot down and we ended up fighting... He'd rather live in the streets than see a therapist even when I begged...” He said sniffling and nuzzling Nod.

Nod licked his cheek softly. 'We forgive you... ’ She cooed nuzzling her babies. 'I understand.'

Pegasus wrapped his arms around Ryou. "He is frightened Ryou...” He said softly. "His mind has been twisted and warped and influenced in so many ways... He does not know truth from lies any longer. He now feels betrayed, and worthless. He has gone back to the streets claiming that he will take them over. You must go to him, Ryou. No one said it, but... you are the only one who can save him. You. And you must make the choice Ryou. Will you love him, or leave him? Make him or break him. Save him... or destroy him."

Ryou whimpered softly. "I need stability master... every time we try to be happy... something awful happens... he gets fired, he has temper troubles... I get kidnapped or held prisoner...” He mumbled. "For once in my life... I want someone in it who won’t be so unstable...” He sniffled. "Or at least someone who would stop doubting my love for them every chance they get... it's like the relationship is built on suspicion and lust alone...”

"Ryou... he doubts your love because he doubts his own worth. He needs you, Ryou. And your turning him away like that only convinced him even more that he is worthless. It's only done more damage to him. He thought that when you asked him to seek therapy, you were telling him that he wasn't good enough. And that hurt him.” He stroked Ryou's hair. "He will die without you. Maybe not physically, but... his heart and his spirit will die. Don't you understand, Ryou? He threw away his I.D card... he threw away his humanity! He only sees himself as human when he's with you, Ryou. YOU are his humanity. Without you... he's just an animal."

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "I'll have you know... if he weren't mentally unstable I'd leave him out there until he realized what an ass he's being about this whole therapy thing!” He grumbled, ears drooping. "But... he is mentally unstable... so I'll go fetch him.” He added looking down wearily.

He nuzzled Pegasus. "But before I go, I'm changing... it's getting ready to rain, and I'm not about to dirty my school uniform.” He said calmly, leaving the room. Ten minutes later Ryou returned... but he hardly looked anything like the Ryou who had left. He was wearing brown pants, brown loafer shoes, a gray shirt and a brown jacket that fell just past his cute little bum. On his head (with his ears safely hidden away inside) he wore a newsie cap and around his neck was a gray and white scarf. The entire ensemble smelled strongly of a human, as he'd worn it quite often before he'd been kidnapped, and it'd been packed away so well that the scent had stayed (not that Pegasus would have noticed that) . But most surprising of all, was his eyes. Instead of his brilliant crimson eyes, shining up at Pegasus was a pair of sparkling blue eyes.

Pegasus made a double take. "What in... Ryou?! Your eyes! Are you wearing contacts or something?!” He asked as the baby bunnies began to cautiously explore Ryou's home; their father had already explored the room and had made his way into the study.

Ryou smiled warmly. "Actually, yes. I bought them before I'd been kidnapped. I intended to be the change of heart card for Halloween.” He admitted sheepishly. "One brown eye and one blue would have gone quite nicely.” He said turning in a slow circle, looking completely and utterly human. "What do you think?"

Pegasus frowned. "I miss my bunny already.” He pouted, teasingly. "But I guess I can put up with not being able to stare at your tail for one day.” He kissed Ryou's cheek. "You look just a gorgeous as always, Ryou."

Ryou nodded. "I'm only doing it so people stop staring at me. It's a pain having a hoard of children chasing me around. This way I'm a lot less conspicuous." He said, calmly reaching into the pockets and pulling on the brown gloves. "Besides, like I said, it's going to rain and I'm going to want to be warm.” He said picking up an umbrella. "Please watch my home and bunnies?” He asked softly.

Pegasus frowned. "But Ryou... I want to go with you...” He said, laying his hands on Ryou's shoulder. "I'll help you find Marik."

Ryou shook his head. "Master, as much as that comforts me, I don’t trust Marik near you.” He said softly. "Besides, someone needs to feed the babies.” He cooed. "Stay and help the bunnies.” He walked to the door and opened it, looking out. "And perhaps call Bakura if he's out... the scent's likely been washed away...” He said looking at the rain falling and sighing. "I'll be back.” He said offering his master a reassuring smile and walking onto the porch, opening his umbrella and starting off.

He walked for hours, not sure exactly where Marik would go. There were at least a thousand streets to pick from! It was pouring rain at this point, and the sky was darkening. Just when Ryou decided to turn around and go home, much to his dismay and horror... he'd forgotten how to get home. He was lost.

"Hey guys!" Came a voice from behind Ryou. "Lookit this! Perfect!" Ryou turned and his eyes widened when he was grabbed by two young men and shoved up against the wall, his hat falling off.

"Find something!" One of the other three yelped, and Ryou squirmed as they began to search him for anything of value.

Ryou squeaked and squirmed in fright. "Hey! I don’t have anything!” He yelped glaring at them. "Let me go!” He said fearfully, his ears falling back in his fright. Somehow he had just known this would happen... he'd have to see someone about the sign on his back that said 'TARGET!'. That thing needed removing.

"Shit!!! He doesn't! That monster's gonna tear us to shreds! We only have thirty minutes before we have to pay him off!!!" Squeaked one guy holding Ryou.

Ryou squirmed more. "Put me down now?” He asked hopefully, he was absolutely sopping wet now, and the fur on his ears was going to make him go nuts! He hated wet fur... He squirmed loose and put on the hat quickly, hiding his ears once more. "What monster?” He asked after a moment.

They released him. "A hybrid! A big fuckin MEAN one!!! He only popped up today and he's already got everyone scared shitless! If we don't pay up, he'll hunt us down!!!"

Ryou sighed. "Do you know where I could find him?” He asked picking up his umbrella, shaking it out and once more holding it above his head. "I'm a little lost... I'm sure he knows the way home.” He added calmly.

"Dude... stay away from him... he won't help you... He won't help NO one!!!" The leader said as the others ran off. "We gotta come up with a hundred bucks in the next half hour or we're lion food, man!"

Ryou squeaked. "Wait! If you can tell me where to find him, I can take care of that money for you.” He said quickly. "Please tell me where to find him.” He said grabbing the leader. "I'm looking for him."

The man blinked. "But you got nuthin!” He said, but then sighed under Ryou's gaze. "Okay. C'mon.” He grabbed Ryou’s hand and pulled him down the alley.

Ryou smiled as he walked, holding his umbrella over them both kindly. "I'm sorry to trouble you... but I am quite lost...” He said softly as they walked. "And I am sure this hybrid can help me.” He added smiling angelically.

The man blinked and sighed. "I doubt it kid. I'm warning you... he'll only hurt you... one guy has already gone to the hospital today for pissin' him off... was a smart ass when this hybrid asked us about some guy called Constantine. He's ordered a hit on this guy. Wants him dead. I wonder if he's got the money to PAY for the hit...”

Ryou nodded slowly. "I see.” He said softly. "Well I'm still lost, and I'll still be asking for his help.” He added calmly. "Besides, it's pouring and I'm quite wet now... I'll catch a cold if I don’t find a place to stay for the night.” He said shivering slightly. "I'm just not meant for this cold water and wind mix."

The guy eyed Ryou. "What's a kid like you doing out here anyway?” He asked. "It's almost dark."

Ryou laughed softly. "I was looking for a friend... and well I got lost.” He admitted sheepishly. "So here I am!” He added semi-proudly. "I get into little positions like this all the time... annoyingly so. I've gotten quite used to being in sticky predicaments...”

The man smiled. This boy was extremely, well... kind. He liked the kid. "You really shouldn't do this. This guy is dangerous...” He said, stopping at a door to an old warehouse. "I mean... he's a monster!!" And then from inside came an all too familiar sound; a furious roar, followed by panicked cries and yelps of pain.

Ryou sighed. "Don’t worry.” He said giving the man a warm smile. "I'm not worried about it.” He said nodding calmly. "I've been in stickier situations...” He added folding his umbrella and shaking it relatively dry. "You should probably go though, if you're worried about yourself. I doubt I'll get hurt, but I cannot promise you wont.” He said smiling once again and opening the door, stepping inside.

The man shook his head. "If I don't face him, he'll just hunt me down.” He muttered, and walked in with Ryou. They moved among boxes and a moment later walked into an open area. And there was Marik. The sight of the lion had never frightened Ryou more than it did in that moment; his clothes were dirty and torn, his hair was a mess, and his eyes looked devoid of emotion, or sanity. He was glaring up at a man whose throat he held in his paw, digging his claws into the flesh, blood running down his arm. His jaws were smeared with blood and his claws were caked it the stuff. Several men were nursing horrible slash wounds, and blood spattered Marik's chest where the torn shirt had fallen away.

"I gave you five hours...” Marik hissed to the man in his claws. "And you can't come up with that SMALL amount in five HOURS?!” He roared, and then slammed the man down on the ground, certainly injuring him. "You have twenty four hours to get five times the original amount...” Marik hissed. "Fail again, and I'll take it out of your flesh... GET OUT!!!" The man stumbled away as fast as he could.

Ryou squeaked. "Wow...” He whispered to the man. "He's a bit... vicious isn't he?” He added his ears bristling under his hat. He sighed and gathered his courage, clutching his umbrella tightly and stepping forward slowly. "E-excuse me...” He said softly. Giving Marik a worried glance from across the room, unsure of his actions, after having witnessed that little... performance.

The lion whirled with a snarl. He eyed Ryou, and then stalked closer. "Who the hell are YOU!?” He snapped, seizing Ryou's collar and lifting him up off of the ground. His nostrils flared as he took in the boy's scent; he smelled stale and musty... but human. And that made Marik sneer; in his mental state and with the smell of the clothes covering up Ryou's scent, he didn't recognize his own mate.

Ryou squeaked slightly. "I was... I was wondering if you might be able to help me...” He whimpered softly, eyes wide. "I... I'm a bit lost you see...” He added quickly. He was acting a bit braver than he felt, by all terms and was quite glad he'd not brought Pegasus along... he'd have been mauled so fast there'd have been nothing left!

Marik growled, and then jerked Ryou down so that their noses were almost touching. "And why the fuck should I help YOU, filthy human?!” He snapped, then flung Ryou into a wooden crate and watched him slump to the floor. Then he glared at the man who had brought Ryou with him. "Well? Where’s the money?!” He snapped.

"He said he'd get it for you!" The man yelped, pointing at Ryou, Marik snarled and advanced on him.

"You have to get a human boy to pay YOUR DEBTS?!?" Marik thundered, raising a paw with claws bared.

Ryou sat up slowly shaking his head a bit. "As long as it's paid why should you care?!” He blurted quickly. "Money is money isn't it?” He added quickly. "So let the poor man go, I said I'd take care of his debts and as long as it's paid you shouldn't have a problem!"

Marik whirled and snatched Ryou up, slamming him into the crate and holding him by the neck. "I said he was to come up with it. Not bully some kid into paying up for him.” He glared at the man. "You have another ONE hour to get me the money...” He snapped, and then glared at Ryou. "And you had better hand over the cash you told him you'd pay me, or I've found my dinner...” And he gave Ryou a sinister grin.

"You'd really eat me?" Ryou asked softly, watching the man scamper from the room. "I don’t think you would...”

Marik snorted. "What would you know, you RUNT!?! You know nothing about me!!!"

Ryou rolled his eyes slightly. "I know more than you think I do.” He said softly. "I'm a bit disappointed in fact."

Marik's eyes widened slightly, and then he jerked Ryou closer. "Alright you little bitch...” He hissed. "What the fuck do you mean by that?!"

Ryou squirmed slightly. "I came out here looking for someone... but I don’t think I'll be finding him... so if you could just tell me how to get to Main Street... I'll be on my way."

"Why should I?!" Marik hissed. "I don't owe you a thing. But you owe me an explanation, and you ain't goin' ANY where until I get it!!!” He backhanded Ryou across the face.

Ryou yelped slightly, wincing. "I don’t owe you a thing!” He hissed back furiously. "Except perhaps a verbal lashing and a swift kick in the tail!"

Marik opened his mouth and sent a deafening roar straight at Ryou's face. "TRY IT, YOU WORTHLESS RUNT!!!"

Ryou twitched. That... had hurt his ears. "You're the runt!” He growled softly. "I'm just the right size for someone MY age!"

"ME?!" Marik yowled, and slapped Ryou several times. "DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT!!!"

Ryou yelped wincing with each slap. "RUNT! You're just a little RUNT! A squeaky little scrawny skinny runt!” He howled in defense... though it wasn't much of a defense at all.

Marik's eyes were wild and the people began to slowly back away, not wanting to stick around, but too afraid to be chased if they ran. Marik drew back his fist, and slammed it into Ryou's jaw. "YOU SHUT YOUR FUCKIN MOUTH!!!"

Ryou yelped once more, panting softly in pain. He glared at Marik, his ears bristling. "You're just a bully, picking on people, you've got not one honorable bone in your body you stupid rat-tailed runt.” He hissed painfully. "What gives you the right to pick on people who don’t have anything!? Most of these guys are probably homeless!"

"What business is it of yours?!" Marik hissed. "Look at you... a spoiled brat who's had everything all his life. You know nothing of these men, OR me!” He flung Ryou to the ground.

Ryou winced, sitting up slowly. "More than you do, if you're treating them like this! You're acting like a spoiled selfish child here, I came asking for a simple bit of help and you treat me like I'm less than you. We're EQUALS.” He said standing shakily. "You're no better than anyone here! You should stop acting like the bully just because you have claws and they don’t!"

Marik snarled. "What the hell would YOU know about this stuff?!” He snapped. "NOTHING!!! That's obvious in what you're saying. Equals?! There's no such thing. Such equality only exists in the minds of stupid naive children like YOU!!!"

Ryou glared. "Funny... I'm not the one having a temper tantrum for not getting what I want.” He growled softly. "I'm not resorting to violence just to take care of a minor little problem."

Marik snarled and slammed Ryou up against the wall, digging his claws into the boy's shoulder. "You shut your fuckin mouth before I rip out your tongue and break your jaw you little shit! Don't you fucking DARE talk to me about things you know NOTHING about!!!"

Ryou bit his arm harshly, squirming loose. "I know plenty! I can easily enough tell what you are and how you act! Look at these people! They're terrified of you! You're hurting them! You're the one making mistakes you're going to deeply regret later!"

Marik growled. "I warned you...” He hissed, then gripped Ryou's jaw and forced his mouth open, reaching in and pinching the base of Ryou's tongue with his claws, the taste of blood quickly filling Ryou's mouth.

Ryou kicked Marik's shin quickly and bit down on Marik's hand, not once, not twice but three times with exceptional speed. He backed away, looking at him with wide eyes. "You're nothing but a big brute...” He growled softly. "A big childish brute having a temper tantrum and taking it out on every one near you, because YOU can’t control yourself."

Marik growled at Ryou, but he was slightly unnerved... the words that were coming from this boy were... so familiar... He snarled and advanced on the boy again. "Bitch...” He hissed. "I'll snap your neck...”

Ryou backed away slowly, turning so he and Marik were walking in a bit of a circle. "You'll regret acting this way... now just tell me how to get to Main Street so I can go home! It's apparent the person I'm looking for is NOT here."

"No, he's not." Marik hissed, but then grinned. "But tell me who his is and I'll find him for you... hopefully he's bigger than you. You'd hardly make an appetizer."

"You'll never eat me." Ryou snapped glaring with harsh blue eyes. "You're just talking out of uncontrollable anger."

Marik's eyes narrowed and he growled. "I'll just have to use you to make a point then...” He hissed, and with a roar, pounced on Ryou. "I don't just TALK. I'm going to fuckin eat you alive!!!" And he ripped Ryou's shirt open and sunk his teeth into the boy's shoulder.

Ryou yowled painfully kicking Marik in the gut harshly. "Get off!” He whimpered pulling his arm back and slugging his lover harshly across the face. This wasn't the Marik he loved... this was just a horrible beast... in the middle of a tantrum.

Marik snarled and shook his head viciously, jerking Ryou around. He seized Ryou's wrists in his paws, digging his claws into them, and pinned them to the floor.

The motion had knocked the hat from Ryou's head and he whimpered, panting harshly in pain, his ears brushing against Marik's arms when they folded back against Ryou's head in fear. He sat perfectly still, ears quivering in his fear, his hat lying forgotten on the floor.

Marik released Ryou's shoulder. "Still want to mouth off, boy?!” He hissed, releasing Ryou's wrists and dragging his claws down Ryou's chest, tickling him in a threatening manner. "Or should I rip you open right now?!"

Ryou's ears relaxed slightly, falling back against the floor, though they still quivered in pain. "Go ahead...” He mumbled painfully. "If that's what it takes... to make you see...”

"Gladly...” Marik hissed. "I haven’t eaten all day." And he laid a claw on Ryou's belly, puncturing the skin. But then, as he prepared to cut open the boy's belly, he stopped, and his ears twitched. He sniffed. A scent was rising off of the boy... an all too familiar scent that had been hidden by the clothing. Slowly, he looked up, and saw the long white ears lying on the floor, and his eyes widened.

"... Oh Gods...” He breathed. "R-Ryou... ?!"

Ryou whimpered softly, ears quivering. "Is this how far it has to go... before you listen to me Marik?” He asked softly. "Or do you have to actually have to take a bite out of me completely, not just tear me to ribbons...”

Marik threw himself away from Ryou, landing on his ass and scooting away as quickly as he could until he was up against a large crate, wide eyes and panting in shock. "Ryou...” He gasped again, shaking his head in disbelief. Many of the men fled.

Ryou winced, sitting up slowly whimpering and yelping in pain when he put weight on his wrist. He stood slowly, gripping his tattered shoulder. "H-how... do I get to Main Street...” He asked softly. "I... I came here... t-to get my lover to come home... but... he's not here... so please... tell me how to get home.” He whimpered, wincing visibly in pain. "I'm lost...”

Marik winced and looked away from Ryou, slowly curling up and hugging himself. “Go… out the left exit… go right to the street, turn left and walk three blocks…” He said, softly. “Go home… where you’re safe…”

Ryou limped towards the door, sniffling softly, half in pain of body, the other in pain of heart. "Will you please come to therapy with me...?” He asked softly, looking over his wounded shoulder. His back looked no better than his front, half his jacket soaked in blood from his shoulder, and from the stitches on his back which had been torn open once more and were bleeding.

Marik slowly raised his eyes, but did not look at Ryou. He looked at the few men who remained, watching, then slowly got up onto his four paws and turned, slinking out the side door without a word, or even a glance to Ryou...

Ryou's ears drooped and he looked at the men. "Go home... he'll leave you alone but you should... go now...” He mumbled turning away from the door Marik had told him to exit from, and limping after his lover. He peered out and whimpered softly. "Marik...” He mewled, yelping loudly when he slipped and fell harshly against the cold wet pavement. He sneezed and shivered, forcing himself up. Muddied, bloodied and sore he tried to stand once more. "Marik...”

The lion had broken into a run as soon as he had left the warehouse, and Ryou only caught a fleeting glimpse of the tuft of his tail zipping around the corner to the left.

Ryou forced himself painfully, to stand once more and used the warehouse for support. "Marik!” He mewled loudly. "Please!” He staggered forward slowly, unable to hardly walk, his stitches torn painfully, his shoulder bleeding profusely. "Marik!” He turned the corner and let out a harsh sob, too slow to keep up with his lion. "MARIK!"

He saw the lion three blocks away, darting across the street, narrowly missing being his by an eighteen wheeler, and leaping over the wall of a park, disappearing... But there was a pay phone only halfway down the block.

Ryou whined softly, forcing himself to the phone. He dug through his pockets before realizing he'd brought nothing... no money. He let out a harsh sob and shook his head. The only free call he could make was a 911 call... and that would put Marik in serious trouble. He swallowed hard, slowly dialing the numbers to get a reverse charge call, to Pegasus...

"Hello, Pegasus here." The man answered, snickering as he tried to catch the sugar glider who was darting around his head and shoulders, chittering.

Ryou whimpered softly. "Master Pegasus...” He mewled. "I... I found him... b-but he tried to eat me... then ran off into the park...” He said wincing audibly. "I... think I need a doctor...”

"He tried to EAT YOU?!?!" Pegasus all but shrieked, and the sugar glider leapt from his head and glided away, cheeping in fear at the sudden outburst. "WHERE ARE YOU?!"

Ryou winced at the volume of his master's yelling. "I... I'm near an old warehouse... I think the sign here says 43rd...” He mumbled starting to sound just a little delirious. "I can’t feel my arm...” He added whimpering. "My stitches... I lost my hat...”

"I'm sending help right away, Ryou!!" Pegasus gasped, phoning Dr. Inogawa on Ryou's house phone; the man's office was near there. "Okay, Ryou... help is on the way. Dr. Inogawa will pick you up... What happened with Marik?! Why did he do that?!"


Ryou whined loudly groaning. "I... I think I'm going to pass out now.” He mumbled, and did just that. Though his last waking thought was... 'I should be getting season passes to the infirmary... '

Less than ten minutes later, Inogawa pulled up in his truck and ran to Ryou, kneeling and scooping him up into his arms. He laid him in the bed of the pickup, covering him with heavy canvas tarp, and then sped away. In five minutes, he was unloading Ryou and carrying him into his office. He saw to the boy's injuries immediately, and then called Rem, Pegasus and Seto. And when Ryou awake three hours, later, wrapped up tightly in a warm blanket in a little pet bed in a kennel, the four people were peering in at him, worried.

Ryou groaned softly, wincing. "I lost my favorite hat...” He mumbled looking up at them and wincing at the bright light. "ahh... bright... hello...”

"Oh, Ryou... precious...” Pegasus moaned, petting Ryou's head.

"What happened Ryou?" Seto asked.

"And where is Marik?" Inogawa asked.

“He… he ran into the park three blocks down from where you found me…” Ryou whimpered. Inogawa looked at Rem.

”We have to go get him. Right away. Before the cops do.” He said, and walked across the room, getting a tranquilizer gun. Rem followed and the pair left, quickly. They drove to the park in silence and went in. It was empty, thanks to the rain. Rem was thankful for this but Inogawa was frowning.

“He knows better than to be out in this weather. He knows he could get sick and die…” He sighed. Rem didn’t answer. “As soon as we find him, I’ll take him straight to my wife.”

”There.” Rem gasped as they rounded a corner. They had gotten to the lake in the park, and there a few hundred yards away was Marik, lying out on the dock in the rain, staring down into the water, sadly. They slowly crept closer to the lion and Rem raised the gun.

”I’m sorry…” She whispered, and fired. Marik roared and leapt forward as he was struck in the thigh, and toppled off of the dock into the water.

”MAOOOOO!!” He howled, as soon as his head surfaced. No matter how upset or mentally unstable he was, nothing could break his hated of the water. He dug his claws into the dock and dragged himself out, dropping and panting as he watched Rem and Inogawa run over to them. He slowly stood and trudged over to meet them, stumbling a bit from the weakened tranquilizer.

”Murrrrrr…”

”Come on, Marik…” Rem said softly, reaching out and petting him. “We’re going to take you to a hospital to get help.” Marik sighed heavily and nodded, and allowed the woman to pick him up and carry him out of the park and set him into the bed of Inogawa’s truck. They got in and drove off. After a bit, the back window of the cab opened, and Marik stuck his head in, turning and nuzzling Rem, sniffling.

”Mama… I’m scared…”

”shhhh… it will help you, Marik. And you won’t be scared anymore.”

”Ryou… I…”

”He’ll be fine.” Inogawa said. “He’s worried about you. And he hopes that the therapy will help.”

”Anything would help at this point…” Marik sighed. “I don’t think I can get any worse…” And he retreated and curled up in the pickup bed, shivering in the cold rain. Soon, they got to the newly established Willow Ridge hospital for hybrids. Rem and Inogawa got out and Rem knelt.

”You try hard, Marik. My poor kitten…” She sighed, hugging him and kissing his cheek. “We love you.” She smiled and pulled out Marik’s bunny plushy from her pocket. “He’s praying for you, sweetie…”

”Mama…” Marik moaned, fighting a losing battle against his tears as he took his plushy in his mouth. Rem rubbed his ears, then got back into the car while Inogawa walked Marik into the reception room of the Willow Ridge Hospital.

”Hello.” He said to the receptionist. “Please tell Sachiko Hinaru that her husband is here with a very wet and cold lion.” The woman nodded and paged Dr. Hinaru.

”Hinaru?” Marik asked, looking at Inogawa. “But I thought she was your wife.”

”She is.” Inogawa said. “But we’re both doctors. Two Dr. Inogawa’s would be confusing so she kept her maiden name.”

“Oh…” Marik mumbled, and slowly lay down, sneezing and dripping wet, shivering.

Dr. Inogawa scratched Marik's ears. "I want you to drink lots of chicken broth and eat some oranges for a few days Marik.” He said calmly. "You sound like you're coming down with a cold."

It wasn't long before a woman came and greeted them. She had short reddish brown hair that was in a wispy cut that was just below her ears, she adjusted her glasses and smiled. "Well hello Marik!" She said warmly, offering him the blanket she'd been carrying. "It's good to see you here." She nodded to her husband.

"He's here to take care of his anger and hurt, Sachiko." Dr. Inogawa said smiling. "I trust he's in the most capable hands available?" She nodded.

"I'm the best there is and you know it, Hideo." She said proudly, giving Marik a warm welcoming smile. "What do you say you and I get you dried off, and we go to the cafeteria for a snack and some chatting...?” She said reaching forward and scratching his ears slowly.

Marik sighed and slowly looked down at his paws, wincing at the blood that still coated his claws. "I... think I need to... clean my paws...” He said softly. "I... really don't feel too hungry, but thank you...” He murmured, trying to be polite. Then he scooped up his plushy which he had dropped so he could speak, and cuddled it sadly. Inogawa looked at Hinaru.

"His mate is a rabbit.” He said softly. "That toy is his security blanket.” He told her.

She smiled and nodded. "I can see that... Marik sweetie, come on then. Lets get you all cleaned up." She added gently taking his hand. "I'll give you a call once he's situated, Hideo."

Dr. Inogawa nodded and smiled. "Take care of him... there's a white rabbit eagerly waiting for his mate to come home.” He said softly, turning and exiting. “See you at home.”

"Well Marik... let’s get you taken care of then." She said gently leading him down a corridor. She opened up a door and led him inside. "This will be your room.” She said calmly, opening another door that lead to a bathroom, with Jacuzzi tub. "This is your bathroom. Since sometimes we have mothers expecting in our facility, the state funded these nice tubs." She said grinning and filling it for him. "You don’t mind if I stick around for a bit do you? I'd like to hear about your mate."

Marik shook his head. "I don't mind...” He said softly, eyeing the tub and slowly backing away, laying his ears back; no one had informed Hinaru of Marik's intense hatred of baths...

Dr. Hinaru laughed softly. "Tell me Marik sweetie, why do you hate baths?" She said watching him calmly.

Marik blinked and looked at her. Then he glared at the water and hissed, making a face that was quite comical; he looked like he had just smelled something extremely nasty.

Dr. Hinaru laughed even harder. "Come here...” She said gently taking his hand and pulling him close to the water. "Tell me... is there something wrong with taking a bath?" She said sitting, pulling him down to sit next to her. "Does it intimidate you? Or are you afraid of feeling clean?"

"No...” He muttered, still glaring at the water. He growled a bit, tail lashing. "I don't like water.” He said simply.

She laughed more and shook her head. "It's understandable...” She said calmly. "But you're confusing your cats sweetheart. Did you know that lions in the wild, especially males will sometimes wade into lakes, then lay out in the sun to bask dry?" She said smiling. "Lions don’t hate water as much as other kitties, besides, you're only about 25-35% lion. You're far more human than cat."

"I still don't like water." Marik snorted, looking away from the tub and trying a most ridiculous tactic; if I can't see it, it can't see me.

Dr. Hinaru laughed harder. "You realize the only way you'll get clean is to get into the water. Besides, I bet your bunny friend takes two or three baths a day." She said calmly. "Rabbits are extremely clean and picky creatures... what would your mate say if he saw you looking like this, and refusing a bath?"

"He'd say 'so what else is new' that's what." Marik said, then sighed and began to paw at the water in his attempt to clean his bloody paws.

"Oh just get in you big baby." She said laughing softly. "I won’t be giving psychiatric care to a stinky lion." She said crossing her arms and smiling. "So into the tub with you."

Marik whined. "I don' wanna!!!” He wailed. "I don't like the waterrrrrr...” He frowned and sniffled.

"Into the tub, or it'll be a long while before we get started. The longer before we start, the longer before we finish and you go home." Dr. Hinaru reasoned calmly. "Which is more important, going home, or not taking this bath?"

Marik whined and pranced about in anxiety, but then slowly got into the tub... still dressed. And almost immediately he began to yowl. "Maaaooooo!!!” He cried, prancing anxiously in the tub now.

Dr. Hinaru laughed shaking her head. "Marik you're still dressed. Take off your clothes and sit down in the water." She instructed crossing her arms once more. "I'd like to get started with you."

After about ten minutes of fussing and yowling, Marik finally was out of his clothes and was sitting in the water, mewling miserably.

Dr. Hinaru shook her head amusedly, and handed him a washrag and some soap. "Now, start washing." She said smiling. "If you face this like the grownup you are, I'll let you call Ryou tomorrow. How does that sound?" She compromised. "Deal?"

Marik whined, but began to wash himself, awkwardly. The poor lion really didn't know much about what he was doing... He rarely bathed and when he did it was always someone else washing him. He finished washing his body, and at the doctor's insistence, he washed his hair too. Then, he got out and shook his mane out, showering the room with water. Then he looked at Hinaru, waiting for clothes to be provided.

She shook her head. "There you go... Nice and clean." She handed him a towel. "Now dry off. Tell me Marik... is this the first time you've ever bathed yourself?" She asked curiously.

"... No...” Marik answered quietly, getting himself tangled in the towel somehow. But eventually his body was dry and he gave his mane another good shaking before sitting and looking up at the woman.

"Oh? How many times have you bathed yourself?" She said standing and draining the tub, picking up his old dirty clothes and putting them into the trash. She walked out of the bathroom and into his room and began looking through a small set of drawers.

"I dunno...” Marik said, padding after her, the bunny in his mouth again. He set it down. "A few times... but not much...” He watched her.

"And how old are you?" She asked, pulling out a pair of generic blue hospital pants and boxers.

Marik frowned and thought a moment. "T-twenty... three, I think... yeah. Twenty three.” He took the boxers and wiggled into them, pulling his tail through the hole in them.

Dr. Hinaru nodded sitting on the bed. "Now... if you're so old, why haven't you bathed more than a few times alone? Are you mentally disabled?"

Marik frowned. "No!” He howled, looking insulted. "When I was little I was bathed by my foster parents and then I started to bathe myself, but I ran away when I was eleven. I lived on the streets. I didn't get many baths then. And then when I became a hybrid someone always washed and groomed me...”

Dr. Hinaru nodded. "I see... well Marik, for someone who's 23 years old, do you think it's reasonable for you to hate baths, to not bathe yourself?" She said patting the empty place next to her on the bed.

Marik frowned and snorted, eyeing the woman, but then he jumped onto the bed and curled up with his plushy, just out of her reach. "I don't like baths.” He said firmly.

Hinaru merely nodded. "Yes, I gathered that. But you didn't answer my question Marik. Is it reasonable?"

Marik frowned and looked away, almost pouting. "Cats don't like water.” He ground out between clenched teeth.

"You're not a cat Marik, you're a person. You're a person who shares some traits of a cat, but you're a person." Dr. Hinaru said calmly. "Is it reasonable for you to not want to bathe?"

"It is when you were forced to ignore the person in yourself for three years...” He muttered, tenderly grooming his plushy.

Dr. Hinaru nodded. "But now you're being forced to remember that person. It's putting a lot of strain and confusion in you... and that's why I'm here. I'm going to help you get back in touch with who you are... and help you deal with your anxieties and issues... understand?" She said smiling. "In this place, you're going to be treated as a human, an equal. No one is going to bathe you. We won’t force you to bathe, but Marik an important part of being human is to bathe. So, for every day you bathe, I'll let you call your mate. For every day you don’t, you do not get that privilege." She said smiling.

Marik frowned and whined. "That’s blackmail!” He whined. "No faaair...” He let his head drop onto the bed and he pouted at her. "But fine...” He finally muttered, looking away and nuzzling his plushy.

"It's not blackmail Marik. I'm not holding it above your head with intent to harm you. It's a deal. If you do your part, I'll go out of my way to give you something you want." She reasoned smiling. "You can eat what you want here... anything at all. But you have to have at least one vegetable with every meal... but you also get desert." She cooed smiling.

"Today I was thinking we could start off with something easy." She said picking up some papers that had been conveniently sitting on the bed-table. "We're going to take an inkblot test. Do you know what that is?"

Marik blinked at her. "A what test? OH!! That thing with the thing and I say what I see?"

Dr. Hinaru nodded and held up the first card. "Without thinking, tell me what you see."

Marik blinked and looked at the blot. "A pair of dancing monkeys.” He said quickly.

Dr. Hinaru nodded and made a note on the card, and held up the next. "And this one?"

"A scary owl." Marik gasped eyes wide. "He looks evil!!"

She nodded and took another note, chuckling softly. "Alright then. What about... this one?" She said putting down that paper, and picking up the next.

"A couple of ladies with feathers in their hair." Marik said, cocking his head and flicking an ear.

She made another note, and held up the next. "And here?"

Marik frowned and slowly tilted his head until it was sideways. "Fish...” He said. "The ones that kill each other... the bettas.” He said.

She nodded and took more notes, holding up the final card. "Alright... and this last one here?"

Marik snickered. "A frog that challenged a truck and lost.” He blurted.

Dr. Hinaru laughed at that and took the notes. Once she'd calmed down she gave Marik a calm look. "Marik sweetie... judging from how you did this test, I'm seeing a lot of pent up aggression at others. You are insecure in yourself... and when you're feeling emasculated, you become furious and use that fury on the person who's making you feel insecure. Does this sound right?"

Marik blinked and his eyes widened and ears shot up. "What?! No, I...” He grew silent and frowned, lowering his head and looking back... She was right... ”I mean... yeah... I... I guess...” He said softly, nuzzling his bunny plushy.
Dr. Hinaru smiled. "Well then... Now that I’m beginning to know the problems... I'll be able to help you realize the solution." She said smiling.

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