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 33

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Seto smiled and looked down at Yami's head in his lap, the bird curled up under his coat. He gently pet his hair, and looked up when shadows fell over Yami to see Marik and Bakura.

"Done." Marik said softly, not wanting to wake the bird. Seto looked past the lion and skunk and around the club.

"Well done." Seto said. "Just move that box over there into the corner and we'll head home." Marik nodded and walked over to box. But as he moved it past a table, there was a sudden loud rip.

"Oh. My. GODS!!!!" Bakura blurted, then burst into hysterical laughter, jerking Yami from his sleep.

Yami growled softly, looking around blearily. "Shut up dammit!" he howled, looking... well in all terms of the word, 'ruffled'. His feathers were puffed up as much as they probably could be, and he looked damn near ready to kill. "Ugh... my head...” he mumbled suddenly, his head dropping back to Seto's leg. "I need aspirin... . aspirin and alcohol...”

"Yami... Marik just ripped his pants!!!" Bakura howled, and when Seto looked, he smacked a hand over his mouth to keep from bursting into laughter like Bakura. Marik was bright red and standing there in horror, a huge rip in his pants, his ass hanging out.

Yami groaned. "Nice...” he grumbled. "Ra, can’t you keep your half moon to yourself." he grumbled.

Seto gave up trying not to laugh at that comment.

Yami sighed, sitting up slowly. "Shut up...” he mumbled walking unsteadily over to Marik and untied his own shirt. "You're such a laugh riot... really." he mumbled wrapping the halter top-esque shirt around Marik's waist and tying it, covering his 'moon' quite completely. "There...” He mumbled quietly, smiling slightly. "Now keep your damn ass in your pants."

Marik gave Yami a sheepish smile. "Uhh... thanks...” He said. "Seto! I need more pants!!!"

"I noticed." Seto laughed, standing. "Well, so much for home... boys, we're going to the mall."

"SCORE!!!" Bakura shouted, punching the air.

Yami whined softly. "I want my bed...” he mumbled grumpily.

Seto sighed. "I'll buy you almost anything you want...” he bribed.

"Will you buy me--"

"No." Seto cut Bakura off. "You two get clothes. That's it."

"Awww...” The pair pouted.

Yami chuckled. "I want the taj mahal." He said teasingly. "Let’s see you get that."

"Note that I VERY CAREFULLY said ALMOST anything." Seto said, smirking, and shook a finger at Yami. "I know you too well to have said 'Anything' Yami."

Yami smirked halfheartedly. "So your pocket comes with a limit... even for a lover?"

"Yami. Even MY credit cards have a limit." He said. "They may be outrageously high, but they DO have a limit."

Yami laughed. "outrageous my ass...” he chuckled slightly. "I should ask for my own birdhouse, out in Egypt."

"True. And that is outrageous." Seto said with a smile, guiding the three hybrids out to the car.

"No it's not. I'm a tropical bird, I like the hot weather." Yami corrected. "less likely to catch... COLDS."

Seto rolled his eyes. "Oh, like it's my fault."

"Don’t you two start again...” Bakura groaned, rolling his eyes.

Yami yawned and closed his eyes, shaking his head, having to face another dizzy spell. "Ugh...” he mumbled stumbling forward slightly. "I doubt this is a cold...”

Seto sighed. "Maybe you have the flu." He said, helping Yami into the car. "Wanna stay in the car while I take these two morons shopping?"

Yami shook his head. "No... No I'll go in...” he mumbled. "I need a new magazine... that last one didn't last me long enough." he said leaning into Seto's arms, once in the car and sighing. "And... I want to see who ended up taking my title.."

Seto's eyes widened and he gulped. "Uhhh... why would you want to see that?" He asked Yami.

Yami blinked. "Well… why wouldn't I? It's a title I held very close to me." he said calmly, sneezing. "And... I want to know who I need to rip limb from limb."

Seto's eyes widened even more, and Marik and Bakura glanced at each other, then looked back at Seto.

"Ummm... well... why does it matter?" Seto asked. "I mean... I'm the one who prevented you from competing in the first place, right? So it's my fault. I'm the only one you should rip limb from limb, so whoever won doesn't really matter."

Yami gave Seto a suspicious look. "You seem awfully apprehensive...”

"Ummm... I do?" Seto asked, trying to play it cool.

Yami nodded. "You know it's an important thing to me. Besides, I'm curious." he said sneezing once more. "Since when did you think Duel Monsters wasn't important?"

"Since you're sick?" Seto offered. "I really think you should stay in the car Yami. I'll... bring you an ice cream."

Yami shook his head. "No, I'll be fine. I want to get my magazine remember?" he said calmly. "It's not far."

Seto thought frantically. "I'll bring it to you!" He said.

"See? You're doing it again." Yami said suspiciously.

"Doing what again?" Seto asked quickly.

Yami raised an eyebrow. "I'm going in to get my magazine, and that's final." he said firmly.

Seto nearly cursed. "Okay, if you feel well enough...” He said, trying to sound concerned. Marik and Bakura glanced at each other again. "Wait! You can't! You're not wearing a shirt!!!" Marik quirked an eyebrow.

"Let me wear your coat Seto." He suggested. "It will hide my oh so lovely and exposed ass and Yami can have his shirt back." Seto glared at Marik and Bakura grinned.

Yami shook his head. "Uh... no thanks. I'll wear the coat. I don’t want that shirt back until it's been washed." He said calmly. "Besides if I'm going to buy a magazine, something tells me my wings need to be out of sight."

Seto sighed and got out of the car. "Well... let's get this... over with...” He muttered, heading for the entrance of the mall. Marik and Bakura scrambled after him.

Yami trotted after Seto, shaking his head a bit, still VERY dizzy. "The coat." He said firmly, grabbing Seto's arm suddenly, for balance. "Give me the coat."

Seto gave him the coat without a word. But he also laid an arm across Yami's shoulders to steady him.

Yami sighed softly, folding his wings and putting the coat on. He fumbled with the buttons for a few moments, smiling when he'd finished. For a few moments, in this mall, he'd be human again. "I want a credit card." he added. "I've decided I also want those warm pretzels with cheese."

Seto blinked and looked at Yami. "Uh, the pretzel and cheese, sure... but a credit card? What do you need that for?"

"I don’t have any cash." Yami said simply.

"And?" Seto prompted.

"And you said you'd buy me almost anything. So hand it over."

"I am NOT handing over my credit card. You are sick, and a valuable hybrid that someone might try to steal, I am NOT letting you out of my sight." Seto said, kissing Yami's cheek.

Yami huffed. "You'd be wiser to watch those two clowns." He said motioning to Bakura and Marik, who were coincidentally trying to pickpocket Seto.

Seto whirled and grabbed their tails, jerking roughly. Both hybrids yowled at that.

"STOP THAT!!!" Seto snapped. "You two behave, God dammit!!! Marik, wrap that tail around your waist, and... Bakura... well, there's nothing we can do about that hairy monster sprouting out of your ass..." Marik laughed and Bakura glared.

Yami frowned and sighed, removing the coat. "Here." He said giving it to Bakura. "Since Seto's following me around like I'm a lost child, you use it." he said calmly. "I doubt they'd let you two in on your own without it."

"Now, NO one is running off." Seto said firmly. "We stay together. Yami, I'll buy you your own coat, any you want, okay?"

Yami grumbled. "I'm not a child." He said agitated. "I can get my own magazine, and my own pretzel."

Seto snorted. "You're sick. You are NOT running off alone. And Bakura and Marik... if you even ATTEMPT to sneak off, you will find me holding your permanent leashes, also known as your tails. Is that clear?"

Yami grumbled. "I'm Fine!" he huffed. "Ra just let me get my magazine alone! I'd like some privacy!"

"Yami, no. Maybe some other time, but not now." Seto said, leading the way into the mall.

Yami sighed softly and crossed his arms stubbornly. He could get his own magazine, and Seto wouldn't stop him.

Seto guided Yami, Marik, and Bakura into a store to get clothes for them. "Marik, Bakura, find your size, find some outfits and bring them to me, I'll pay." Seto said, and watched the pair excitedly run off. Then he looked at Yami. "You're being very disagreeable today."

Yami snorted softly, but began looking at coats. "I just hate being babied."

"You're sick, and I love you, and I worry." Seto said with a shrug. "Now... black leather, right?"

Yami nodded slowly. "I suppose... I wish it didn't have to be a trench coat... they're not really my style...” he said softly.

"I can so see you in that coat that Neo wears in The Matrix." Seto snickered.

Yami grumbled softly, but saw this as a prime opportunity to make his 'escape'. Seto was busy picking coats out, possibly his favorite thing to do, since he had so many different ones, and was not paying attention at all.

Yami slunk away, grinning to himself when he'd made it far enough away from the store. He looked around calmly, before smiling like a kid in a candy store, and hurrying to the store of his desires. The Card and Game store.

It was always calm and empty inside, as his grandpa sold all the best cards, but the Store here had all the newest information and latest magazines and strategies!

He walked in slowly, feeling a bit shy, since he knew he was currently classified as animal... but if he remembered, the owner of the shop loved animals, particularly birds.

The woman at the cash register looked up at the chime the motion detector in the doorway made. "Oh, Yami, hel-- oh!" She gasped, seeing Yami's tail and wings. "Oh... umm... well hello there little guy." She cooed, blinking at the hybrid. "Why, you look just like a boy I know! Where did you come from?"

Yami blinked and laughed slightly. "2614 west main." He said, listing off his old address, amusedly, stepping closer to the counter. "I wanted the new Duelists monthly...” He said softly. "I brought the um...” He said reaching into his pocket and relinquishing his pilfered money from Seto. He'd have to thank Bakura for teaching him that trick later. "Money for it." He said, feeling suddenly sheepish.

"Oh, okay then." She said with a smile, and grabbed the magazine he wanted. "Such a pretty birdy. You have such nice wings." And she laid the magazine on the counter.

Yami grinned and snatched the magazine, overjoyed she'd sold it to him so easily. "Thank you." He said once again grinning like a kid who'd gotten a hold of the cookie jar. He closed his eyes and sneezed suddenly. "Ugh... pardon me." He added after a moment.

"Bless you." She said. "Are you okay? You look a bit flushed? Where's your master?" She reached out for the little golden tag dangling from Yami's collar.

Yami backed up a bit, flapping his wings. "Don’t!" he squawked.

The woman jumped and jerked her hand back. "Oh! I wasn't going to hurt you!" She cried. "I promise!"

Yami growled slightly. "I don’t BELONG to anyone." He grumbled.

The woman blinked. "But of course you do! You have a collar, and tag... you're not a stray."

Yami glared. "I'm not a stray, but I'm not OWNED" he corrected, grumpily.

The woman blinked. "Well, you either belong to someone or you're a stray." She said. "What's your name? Where's your master?"

"Yami." He grumbled, keeping his distance and eying her closely. "And I told you, I don’t HAVE a master."

"Yami?!" She gasped, eyeing him. "Impossible! I... I know a boy who looks just like you and... . and his name is... it's impossible!"

"Is not!" he said. Blinking at how much he sounded like Yugi with that childish come-back.

The woman blinked. "Where... do you come from again?" She asked, weakly.

"2614 west main!" Yami huffed. "Turtle Game shop!"

She froze and her eyes widened. "Y-Yami?" She gasped, going pale. "Yami... . Mouto?"

"Yes!" He said indignantly. "I told you! Yami!" He said, seeming irritated, though relieved.

She stared at him and went ghostly pale. She opened and closed here mouth a few times, then suddenly dropped to the floor in a dead faint.

Yami yelped and rushed forward, picking her up and immediately plucking a few feathers from his wing, using them as a fan. "Wake up!" he said frantically. "Please?" He said shaking his head. "Oh come ON! I'm not even ferocious!"

"Hey... check this out!!!" A voice gasped, and a moment later several men walked into the shop and stared at Yami. "It's a hybrid!"

"It's a BIRD!!!" Another man gasped. "Holy shit... forget the stuff we lifted from Spencer's... do you know how much one of these things are worth?!"

Yami blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Lovely." He growled, hunching protectively over the woman, determined to protect her precious store, Ra's gift to him!

"DUDE!!!! IT TALKS!!!" Yelped a third. "How cool izzat?!"

"Hey there birdy...” Cooed the first man, slowly approaching Yami. "C'mere... I wouldn't hurt you... c'mere...”

Yami rolled his eyes. "My ass you third grade dropout." He growled. "Scat!"

"Holy shit!!!" The guy yelped, leaping back. "These things are intelligent!!!"

"He's got a collar...” Said the third walking over and seizing the thing before Yami could react. "Hmmm... name's 'Yami'. Feh... that's a dumb name... Holy shit!! He belongs to Seto Kaiba!!!"

Yami growled and smacked the man holding him by the collar with his wing, and struggling loose. "Back off, I have better things to do with my time than associate with the likes of you!" he growled, backing up and watching the woman closely, having forgotten his beloved magazine next to her. "Get out!"

"OW!!! YOU STUPID PIGEON!!!" The man snarled and stood, he and his friends advancing on Yami.

"Dude... . don't hurt him! We can take him out the back... sell him for thousands!" The first gasped.

"Thousands? HAH!!! Ransom him to Kaiba, and we could get millions! Even BILLIONS!!!" The second man squeaked in utter glee.

Yami backed up, wings quivering, warning them to back off. "I'm warning you, if you try anything you'll regret it!" he growled, suddenly launching himself forward and lashing out at them, scaring them back from surprise, before he backed off once more.

Yami growled, loudly, but shook his head, closing his eyes and staggering slightly. Perfect! What a dandy time for a dizzy spell! He opened his eyes, steadying himself, daring them to try anything. He didn't need Seto to baby him or protect him. He was perfectly capable! He always HAD been, and he always would be!

"GRAB HIM!!!" the three men pounced Yami. And before he knew it, they had him; one man had an arm wrapped around his waist, pinning his arms and wings against his body. Another had his legs, and the last had one arm around Yami's shoulders, further pinning his arms and wings, and a hand over his mouth.

"C'mon, out the back!!!" The one holding his legs hissed.

Yami bit down harshly on the man's hand and struggled fiercely. "You ass! Let me down this instant!" he howled, kicking and struggling, flapping his wings as best he could and making a terrible fuss.

He managed to get his feet loose and kicked the two men before bending and biting the third's arms. "Back off!" He howled as the man reeled in pain.

"Fuckin' bird!" One of the men snapped, and they all threw Yami down and pounced. Working quickly, one took off his own belt, binding Yami's ankles. Yami's wrists were bound behind his back with his own belt, and the other two linked their own belts together to tie down his wings. Then, they grabbed the fainted cashier's scarf and gagged him, before lifting him up between them and trying again.

Yami growled once more and struggled, head butting the third man harshly. He growled as they somehow managed to sneak him from the store and out the back. This was a very sick joke! For the love of Ra! Twice in a three month period?! 'The gods are out to get me... ' He thought, struggles slowing, as he was once again hit with a fierce wave of dizziness.

He coughed a few times, followed by a sneeze through the gag, which... was less than pleasant. He groaned softly, wings drooping. 'Dammit. I'm going to have a serious talk with Ra once I die, I think someone's fucked with my karma. Either that or it's become international 'kidnap Yami' year.'

Yami coughed once more, wincing at the harshness of it. 'ouch.'

"Stupid fuckin' bird... Do we have to keep him in... mint condition?" One of the men growled. "Cuz this bird needs a good ass fucking to loosen him up!!"

"You're going to loose your dick for even suggesting it you filthy scum!" Growled a familiar voice, and a moment later, Yami was dropped on the floor, one of the men falling and landing on top of him, so he couldn't see what was going on. There was the sound of fighting, and a moment later the unconcious man was dragged off of Yami.

"What did I say about staying together?" Seto growled, glaring at Yami and removing the gag. "Didn't I say not to leave me?! That someone might try to steal you?! WELL?!?"

Yami chuckled softly. "Then who would rescue me?" He said shaking his head. He sighed and coughed slightly, wincing as the coughs were surely maiming his vocal chords.

He sat up as Seto slowly removed the belts. "I'm sorry." He said softly, so only Seto could hear. He waited a moment before adding quickly. "Were I healthy I would have been fine." he grumbled softly. "And I forgot my magazine...” he added, coughing once more, his feathers puffing at each cough. "Ouch...”

Seto rolled his eyes. "Idiot." He growled, but one Yami stood up, he crushed him in a hug. "God, don’t you do that to me ever again... When I saw you missing I was so mad... but when I went to the store and saw the clerk and your feathers and the back door open, I... I was so scared...” He stroked Yami's wings, gently.

Yami groaned softly and leaned into Seto's arms for support. "I said I was sorry." he mumbled weakly. "She recognized me... she wasn't hurt... she fainted." he mumbled closing his eyes and starting to lose his balance.

"easy, Yami...” Seto crooned. "Come on. Let's go find those psychos and go home, hmm?" And he led Yami back inside.

Yami grumbled. "I just want my magazine... and to make sure she's ok... I was so busy trying to keep her safe, and so sick...” he groaned and stumbled slightly. "And For Ra's sake this dumb collar of yours is the reason they got me so quickly." He grumbled. "Jerked me around like I was a rag doll!"

Seto snorted. "Hey... that's YOUR collar. I just made you put the tag on it." He said, kneeling and checking the woman. "She'll be fine, but I'll hit the alarm to get mall security to come find her. Here's the fuckin magazine." Seto said, giving it to Yami and setting off the alarm, quickly pulling him out of the store.

Yami grumbled slightly. "I think I'm going to need something for my throat...” he said, his voice beginning to sound hushed and quite hoarse. "And... something to... catch me...” he mumbled losing his balance and stumbling forward, too dizzy and out of it to react.

Seto caught him and swung him up into his arms. "I've gotcha." He said with a smile. "Come on you bird brain... I think you should have stayed in the car after all."

Yami groaned and did something completely unlike him, nuzzled into Seto's arms.

Seto blinked, surprised, but then allowed a tender smile to fall over his lips as he cuddled Yami. "I love you...” He said softly.

"SETO!!!" Seto blinked and turned to see a frantic Marik running over, arms laden with bags.

"There you are. Where's my credit card?" Seto said.

"Bakura has it!"

"Where's he?"

"HE'S BEEN ARRESTED!!!" Marik cried.

".... WHAT?!" Seto roared.

Yami lifted his head weakly. "See? And you thought I was in trouble!" he groaned, falling into a coughing fit. He gasped softly and shook his head, a hand rushing to his throat and rubbing it, giving Seto a pathetic look.

In the meantime, Bakura, having been transported to the police station quite efficiently, was being fingerprinted. "You're a sick individual." One officer scolded. "Think of all the children you've scarred, and influenced to do the wrong thing."

Bakura growled, wanting to bite the guy printing him. "Get off me, pal, I KNOW how to put my fingers on the fuckin paper! And for YOUR information, SIR... there were no children around! And I had to pee, dammit!!!" He ears were plastered against his skull in anger, so far down that they couldn't even be seen. It amazed him how dumb these people were... thanks to Seto's coat, they hadn't even noticed his tail... EVEN IN SEARCHING HIM!!! They hadn't noticed his teeth, his little ears... and they didn't seem to think his claws were that out of the ordinary. "Besides...” He continued. "That plant was drying out anyway...”

"Public urination is a serious crime!" Another policeman scolded. "I don’t care if you were about to piss your fucking pants, there are facilities in places like that for people to use!" He said shoving Bakura down the hall and into a cell, while they registered his files and prints.

Bakura snorted. "What, no mug shots?" He snarled, wishing he weren't a deodorized skunk at that moment.

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Yami groaned softly, leaning on Seto during the ride to the police station. He tugged his sleeve slightly, coughing. He didn't want to say it... well really he couldn't his throat was so hoarse and sore, he couldn't speak.

Seto blinked and looked down at Yami. "Yes?" He asked.

Yami frowned and gave Seto an utterly upset look, shaking his head. he pointed at his throat slightly, his collar jingling at the motion.

Seto frowned. "I know your throat hurts...” He said, rubbing Yami's back. "Gods... I can't believe Bakura got arrested. Marik, what did he do?"

"He pissed in a planter." Marik grumbled.

"Oh, Christ... ." Seto groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Yami blinked and shook his head, shoving Seto slightly and pointing to his throat again, looking irritated. 'dammit I can’t even comment snidely!' he thought flapping his wings slightly, stirring up a lot of wind inside the car. 'I'm trying to tell you I can’t talk! Pay attention! What if something happens?!'

Seto blinked. "Calm down, Yami... Don't stress yourself... I know it hurts too much to talk...” He said, kissing Yami's cheek.

Yami whacked Seto lightly with a wing. 'I CAN’T talk. it's not that it hurts too much!... although it does hurt like hell... '

His wings drooped and he shook his head. 'I want something to drink… something cold, and possibly soothing... ' he pouted slightly. 'Ra this sucks... This is worse than the time Yugi hid all my buckles and leather from me and I had to wear... cotton... .'
Seto sighed and shook his head, hugging Yami. "I'm sorry, angel...”

Back in the Precinct, Bakura was pacing and ignoring the lewd comments from his cellmate, waiting for the cops to come back. But when his cellmate got a little TOO friendly, Bakura lost it and whirled.

"DO NOT TOUCH ME!!" He roared, and sunk his teeth into the man's forearm.

"ARRRGH!!! FUCKER!!! GET OFF!!! GUARDS!!!" The man howled.

The guard rushed forward, throwing the cell door open and wrestling Bakura off, as two others hurried in and kept the other man off of Bakura. The officer holding Bakura gasped slightly, shaking his head in shock. "Holy shit!" he said pulling Bakura's hair harshly out of the way. Sure enough there was what he'd thought he'd seen. A furry black ear. "He's a hybrid!"

"Oh, no fuckin' shit!!!" Bakura howled, growling and bearing his sharp teeth. "I'm surprised you guys ain't blind!!! Didn't you even BOTHER to notice my HUGE FUCKING TAIL?!?!" And he raised it up, causing the coat to slip to the side the let the appendage be seen by all.

By this point a fourth officer had entered, carrying a file he was reading. "Hey guys we got the rap sheet on this pisser, his name's Bak---" He stopped and stared. "Holy SHIT!” he gasped, dropping the file all over the floor. "He's a HYBRID!"

Bakura glared, still struggling with the men. "YES! LET THE ENTIRE JOINT KNOW, I AM A HYBRID!!!" Bakura howled. "GET OFF OF ME BEFORE I FUCKIN BITE YOU!!!"

The officers scrambled to get the other man out of the cell and into a different one, wrestling the jacket off of Bakura and slamming him into the wall harshly, three of the four men holding him in place. "Quick! Call the pound!" they called frantically. "Get this little bastard out of here!"

"Calm down before I taze you!" An officer ordered, holding up a tazer.

Bakura's eyes widened. "What? Pound?! NO!!! NO!!!" He screamed. "PLEASE!!! GODS!!! I'VE BEEN THERE TWICE I AIN'T GOIN' AGAIN!!! LET ME GO!!! I'M NOT A FUCKIN ANIMAL, I'M HUMAN DAMMIT!!! I'M FUCKIN' HUMAN!!!"

"Calm down before I taze you!" The cop repeated. "I don't wanna hurt you!"

"GET OFF!!! I'M HUMAN, DAMMIT!!! YOU GOT MY PRINTS!! YOU KNOW I'M HUMAN!!! YOU HAVE MY FUCKIN' RAP SHEET RIGHT THERE ON THE FLOOR!!! THAT'S MY NAME!!! MY BIRTHDAY!!! MY FUCKIN SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, MY--AAAARRRGH!!!" Bakura screamed and jerked when the cop pulled the trigger. Two little prongs flew out and struck Bakura in the back, sending shocks through him, and he dropped to the floor, twitching. The cops retreated from the cell and locked it, staring in at the moaning skunk.

"I... I'm human...” He groaned, writhing slightly.

Yami flew through the doors, tackling the three officers angrily, wings flared. He shook his head, pissed and trying to shout at them, managing to make mere rasping sound. Seto and Marik were still out front, thought he could hear the shouting. He'd probably managed to piss Seto off a second time, but that was fine. He lunged forward and bit one of the men, wrestling with him to get the keys.

"Shit! Another one!" one if the men howled, trying to wrestle the obviously angry bird off of his friend. "Fuck! Damn it! Get this crazy bird out of here!" he said fumbling to find the tazer and get it ready for a second round. "Someone hold him!" he shouted as two others rushed Yami, only causing for more fuss.

The police pinned Yami against the wall while the one took aim with the tazer, but he never fired. With a roar worthy of MGM studios, Marik pounced on the officer and brought him down. Seto was out in the station trying to explain to what officers that would listen what the hybrids were freaking about. But then, three gun shots rang out.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!!!" The man wielding the smoking gun thundered, and everyone grew silent and still. Marik snatched the keys, opened Bakura's cell and rushed over to his fallen friend, whimpering and purring and licking his face and ears all over.

Yami groaned slightly, looking relieved, before slipping down the wall, glad that the officers had pretty much released him at the sound of the gunshot. He coughed, and leaned against the wall silently, deciding now was a great time to rest.

"What's going on Chief?" One of the other men asked, keeping a close watch on Yami, while the other three went to watch the lion and skunk.

Seto shoved the chief aside and barged in. "That's what I want to know!!! Get away from the hybrids!!! Now!! Jesus, what did you do to Bakura?!"

Yami picked up the tazer, which had been dropped and forgotten and banged it lightly against the wall. 'Shot him with this. Make sure he's ok... ' He shook his head and tossed the thing to Kaiba, yawning suddenly and grinning dopily.

"The skunk got out of control and would not calm down, we gave him fair warning, and when he refused to cooperate, we had no other choice." One officer explained. "We aren't trained to handle wild animals."

Seto looked at the tazer, then glared at the police. "They are NOT wild animals!!!" He screamed, enraged. He entered Bakura's cell and helped the skunk to his feet. "And Bakura does NOT just randomly fly off the handle, what did you do to him to make him freak?!"

"... call... the pound...” Bakura moaned. Marik growled.

"Well no shit!" He said. "Bakura's scared to death of that place!" Seto and Marik glared at the police.

"Come on, Bakura...” Seto said. "Let's take you home."

"I'm afraid you can’t take him." One of the men said, slowly gathering the papers from the floor. "He's been placed under arrest, and we'll need proof of ownership, before we can release him." The man added calmly. "Plus... we have the matter of this."

He looked over the rap sheet for a moment. "I think there's a few questions that need answers."

Seto blinked at the man. "What kind of questions? Just get a damn scanner, all three hybrids are microchipped. I AM the owner. And what's that there?"

"Heh... my police records...” Bakura snickered, and Marik chuckled.

"This should be interesting."

"Police records?" Seto asked, baffled.

Yami laughed suddenly, though it was silenced laughter, it was obvious he thought that was hysterical.

"Yes. His prints are identical to a human by the name of Bakura." The officer said calmly. "With several breaking and entering charges, possession of drugs, substance abuse, assault, battery, vandalism... the list goes on."

Bakura grinned and looked at the man. "Yep. That's me." He said. "Bakura Itemri, age... ummm... I think I'm 22 now...” He wiggled his ears slightly. "Sex, male, as you already figured out when you arrested me," Marik snickered. "Birthday is January 5, blood type O+... And that's my rap sheet. And my prints. Thank you very much." Seto stared, stunned into silence.

Yami slowly stood and walked across the room, stumbling into the cell and looking at Seto. He pointed to his fingers. 'It's so obvious... we should have thought of it. DNA will change a lot of things... but... not finger prints... ' he thought smiling slightly. He turned to the police and pointed to Marik.

'Get him too. It's about time people figure things out.' He flapped his wings a bit. 'and for Ra's sake someone give me a cup of ice water!'

The man with the rap sheet looked at Yami awkwardly. "... Is he a mute bird?" he blurted, unable to stop himself. "I haven't heard a peep out of him yet."

Bakura wiggled his ears. "Hah!! PEEP!!!" And he burst out into hysterical laughter, pointing at Yami, and Marik joined in. Seto rolled his eyes.

"He has a sore throat. Yami? Would you like something to drink?" He asked.

Yami nodded, turning and slapping Bakura suddenly, looking QUITE angry. 'Just you wait until I can speak again! I'll squawk in your ear for the next three years! You'll go fucking insane by the time I'm done with you if you make one more comment about this!'

Seto glared at the cops. "I want some water for my bird, and chair for all of us in a proper office, NOT a cell, in THIRTY SECONDS or I'll SUE!!!" He ordered.

Yami glared at Seto slightly 'your BIRD?' the look on his face clearly stated exactly what he was thinking. 'try again.'

Seto rolled his eyes. "Yami, we'll discuss it later when I'm in a better mood and your throat is in better condition."

Yami rolled his back, but was glad when they were all lead to an office, and he was presented with a nice cold cup of water. He drank eagerly while Seto and the others talked, grateful that the cool water soothed his throat some.

"We're going to need to get some information from the skunk. Prints are something exclusive and genuine to each living human... and this is a strange occurrence. We want things to be straightened out as quickly as possible." The chief said shaking his head. "We're going to print your other hybrids, and check for matches as well. If any are found, we will have to question them as well."

Marik snorted. "Ask away. You have my prints. You picked me up a couple of times before...” He said.

"Why question them?" Seto said. "It's been a stressful day, I just want to get them home and rested."

"Maybe you don’t understand the depth of this Mr. Kaiba, we've found animals that have prints similar to humans. If this is truly the case, then many people could have been tried guilty of crimes they didn't commit." the police chief said calmly. "And if they're NOT animals, then we need to find out what exactly they are, and how they came to be."

"I can explain that easily." Seto said. "All hybrids... were once human. They were kidnapped by an underground ring, and infused with the genetics of animals. This turned them into hybrids. The human named Bakura Itemri in this file...” He tapped the folder. "Is the skunk hybrid sitting right next to me."

"What up, dog?" Bakura snickered, and Marik giggled. Seto rolled his eyes.

"We'll need proof of this, further proof. Especially if this accusation is true." The chief said calmly. "What about you lion? What's your story?"

"Born human. Now a hybrid." Marik said with a shrug. "I'm Marik Sasobek Ishtar, age 24, birthday July 18, Blood type AB, and you should have records for me including charges of assault, trespassing, breaking and entering, indecent exposure--"

"You too?" Bakura interrupted.

"Where else is a street kid gonna piss but the street?" Marik asked. "Vandalizing, drunk in public, and resisting arrest. I think that's it...”

The chief had one of the other officers print Marik and nodded. "What about the bird?" he said, as Yami was printed, though he was struggling to balance the cup, still drinking greedily, as they tried to print him.

Seto quirked an eyebrow. "Yami Mouto, Duelist Champion. Until he was kidnapped and made a bird." He pet Yami's wings. "He has no police records. But they did this Child Safety thing at our school where they printed us. So you should have his prints on record."

"Heh...” Marik grunted, and Bakura began grooming his tail.

Yami groaned. "Child safety... Ra...” he rasped. "Pa... thetic...” he added, coughing harshly, going back to the water, looking relieved for a brief moment, before pouting, having emptied the glass.

Seto glared at an officer. "I don’t want him to see the bottom of that cup... ." He growled, sending the officer scurrying to refill Yami's water. Then, they all waited. And a few minutes later, a man returned with the results of Marik and Yami's fingerprints.

Yami gave Seto a grateful look, before once again greedily drinking the water. 'I'm going to have to make SO many bathroom runs tonight... ' he thought bitterly.

"The prints turned up with matching results, according to the stories we've heard. This Yami-bird has a brother too, who's been in just recently for trespassing and vandalism."

Yami choked suddenly and put the water down quickly, trying to not choke to death on the ice cube he'd just inhaled at THAT little surprise.

"FUCK!!" Seto yelped, leaping up and giving Yami the heimlich. Marik and Bakura stared, ears perked in interest and amusement.

Yami shoved Seto off coughing and shaking his head. 'I'm fine JEEZE!' he coughed more. 'Find out what was happening with THAT!' he thought, the demand quite clear on his frustrated and worried face. He turned to the officers and waved his hands.

"What... happen...” he coughed and his wings drooped, at his limited ability to speak, due to his throat.

"Yugi?" Seto asked, looking at the officers. "YUGI?! Trespassing and vandalism?!"

"COOL!!!" Bakura howled.

"What did the squirt do?!" Marik asked, eagerly.

Yami turned possibly the most hellish glare on both Marik and Bakura, warning them they had crossed the 'line' into dangerous territory.

"He was caught trespassing on the property of a ... ." The man looked at the paper. "Pegasus J. Crawford."

Yami choked a second time, though this time it was thankfully on nothing. 'What?!"

"PEGASUS?!" Seto and the other hybrids all chorused, leaping up and placing their hands on the officer's desk. The officer sat back, blinking at the four... men.

"What was he doing there?!" Seto gasped, eyes wide.

"According to the paperwork, he had left a few cards in his house on a previous visit, and was going back for them." The man said calmly.

Yami was in hysterics. He looked at Seto desperately, shaking his head, begging him with his eyes to give Yugi the lecture he seriously needed.

"He VANDALIZED Pegasus' property?" Seto asked. "How?!"

"According to the report, he had broken in a window, and pulled up several vegetables and fruit plants from a garden in the back yard." the chief replied.

Seto blinked. "He... pulled vegetable and fruit plants." He said in a monotone voice. He looked at Yami. "He's YOUR brother. Mind taking a guess at why he'd do that?"

Yami narrowed his eyes 'the same reason yours raids the kitchen every hour for pure granulated sugar, and chases us all around in expedition clothes and filming 'cockadoodle dundee'. ' he thought in annoyance.

Seto shook his head. "Are we free to leave?" He asked the officer. "I think I need to... have a talk with Yugi."

Yami nodded firmly. 'a LONG talk.' he corrected mentally.

Seto looked at the cop, waiting for permission to go. "You arrested the skunk for public urination. Well, unless you'd like to let us go, it looks like the lion will be committing the same...”crime" on the plant in the corner." Marik jerked his gaze away from the plant in the corner and gave a guilty grin, shifting about in his seat. He had to pee.

The chief nodded quickly. "Take them home. We'll be contacting you again soon."

Seto nodded his thanks to the chief of police and stood, guiding Yami out with an arm around him, and dragging Marik and Bakura by the tails. The pair whined the whole way to the car. Then, Seto shoved them in, before delicately making Yami comfortable. Then he whirled.

"Bakura what the fuck is the matter with you?!" The CEO shouted.

"I had to pee!!!" Bakura whined.

Yami laughed quietly and gently tugged Seto's sleeve shaking his head. "Didn't... know better.." He coughed slightly. It was rare that he'd defend Bakura, but then again he HAD just been tazed. "Yu... gi...” he mumbled hoarsely suddenly falling into another coughing fit, wings drooping.

Seto nodded and instructed the driver to go to Yugi's house. "Of course Bakura knows better." He glared at the skunk. "You know that there are bathrooms!"

"For humans!" Bakura argued.

"You ARE human!!" Seto contradicted.

"... . Not to the rest of the world." Bakura pointed out, bitterly. Seto sighed.

"I know. But obviously you were human to mall security when you urinated in plain sight."

Yami shook his head rolling his eyes, tapping Seto on the shoulder and shaking his head once more. "Fine... wear... coat." he coughed particularly hard and gasped, shaking his head, hands rushing to rub his throat, slight tears forming in his eyes.

Ok, he HAD to have ripped something that time.

Seto looked at Yami. "You be quiet. No talking." He said. "Read your magazine." And he shoved the thing into Yami's hands, before turning back to berating Bakura.

Yami sighed softly and shook his head, beginning to read the magazine. After a few moments, something interesting happened; a red-eyed glare was on Seto. A glare of 'doom'.

"-- if you EVER piss in public again, Bakura, so help me, I will make sure that you have NOTHING to "whip out" got that? Well? What are you looking at, I'm talking to you, what... . Yami? Yami, what now?" Seto groaned.

Yami glared more, obviously very pissed. He lifted the magazine to Seto's eye level. Sure enough, the article on the newest 'king of games' was highlighted in all forms of the word.

Seto froze and his eyes widened as he stared at a picture of himself... the winner of the tournament. "Ah...” He managed to get out. "Uhhh... wow... ." Bakura and Marik glanced at each other, then back at Yami and Seto.

Yami put the magazine down, giving Seto a glare twice as icy as the billionaire had ever DREAMT possible, before crossing his arms and looking away, obviously so steamed he couldn't even stand to SEE Seto.

"Yami... ." Seto said softly, reaching out and laying a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Yami's feathers puffed up immediately, and began to quiver warning the CEO to watch his step, as he was obviously treading on thin ice.

"Yami please...” Seto said. "I'm... sorry."

Yami turned back, glaring harshly, his expression clearly saying what he could not. 'I worked hard for that title! I put my heart and SOUL into earning my place as king of games! How COULD you?!'

"Yami... please don't be angry... I mean... you should be. You have every right to be. That title is yours. Everyone knows that if you competed that you would have won... I... I'm sorry... I wish... Yami, I'm so ashamed of this title... I didn't earn it. I stole it. From you. Just like I stole your life... I'm so... so sorry...” Marik and Bakura stared at Seto and Yami.

Yami glared even more, shaking his head. His eyes shown a lot of things; fury, hate, hurt... but most of all disappointment. He sighed after a moment, wings drooping once more. 'I suppose it doesn't matter anyway... I won’t be playing games anymore... hybrids aren't allowed.'

Seto sighed and moved closer, wrapping his arms around Yami. "I'm sorry...” Seto whispered. "I love you. Please... forgive me?"

Yami sighed and glared slightly, but looked away. What right did he have to hold a grudge, it wasn't like he'd hold the title again anytime soon... he was bound to have lost it anyway.

Seto sighed and looked up a moment later. "If you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with Yugi alone first." He said. "I'll come get you in a minute." And he slipped out of the car and walked over to the door of the Kame Game shop. He checked the time; five minutes til closing. Seto took a deep breath, and walked in.

Grandpa Mouto looked up, and smiled slightly, though he looked much older since Yami had gone missing. With Yami constantly at Seto's house, it was harder and harder to keep the shop running, watch over Yugi and his school work and take care of the remaining child. Sure Yugi could fend for himself, but chips and chocolate milk a dinner did not make.

"Oh Hello Seto." He said, returning to putting new cards on a shelf. "What brings you here?"

Seto sighed as he looked at the old man. "I... need to speak with Yugi." He said. "And when I'm done... I need to speak with you."

The older man nodded. "He's upstairs in his room." He replied slowly. "Is Yami doing alright?" Grandpa Mutoh asked after a moment, giving Seto a hopeful look. "He's... happy with you right?"

Seto blinked. "Oh. So Yugi HAS told you. Good. I was afraid he might not have. Yami has been fine. He came down with a cold and sore throat just today, so he's... grumpy, but... well... he's kind of mad at me right now...” Seto mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at the magazine that was sitting on the counter before him.

Grandpa mutoh chuckled. "That I do know about." He said shaking his head. "He would be sore at you." He added. "Yami's always been very protective of that title... he's always enjoyed being the best at something." Grandpa explained smiling. "When he was just a boy, he was a lot like Yugi... he wasn't very good at... well ANYTHING."

Grandpa sighed in rememberance. "He used to come home from school, crying. No one wanted to be friends with him, he was always last picked in Physical Education. Bullies picked on him because he was short, and... well Yugi is his spitting image. Yami was such a sweet child too, he worked hard at whatever he did, hoping someone would appreciate his efforts... he'd do other children's homework, hoping they'd appreciate him. I can only be thankful he finally found something he was good at."

Seto sighed. "Thanks... now I feel like a sewer rat instead of just the normal fancy rat that sits in a cage on a desk...” Seto grumbled. "Well... I know you miss Yami. Alot. He misses you." Seto looked at the man and offered him a small smile. "He's in the car, if you want to see him while I speak to Yugi. I'm sure he'd be glad to see you. Oh, and... he really can't speak right now, but... I have a feeling he might want some spiced rum." And with a grin and wink, Seto went upstairs and knocked on Yugi's bedroom door.

Yugi blinked and put down his pen, hopping up from his desk and answering the door meekly. "Hello?" He asked, seeing Seto and smiling. "Seto! What brings you here?"

Seto folded his arms over his chest and glared down at Yugi. "How about your new police record, for starters...” He growled.

Yugi squeaked slightly, grinning sheepishly. "I... it was for a good reason!" he said inviting Seto in. "But somehow I think I'm getting a lecture anyway...” He added, hanging his head. "Where's Yami?"

"In the car downstairs." Seto said, closing the door. "But you can't see him until I'm done with you. What the hell were you trying to do, Yugi?! I thought you were smarter than that!!!"

Yugi sighed softly. "I miss Ryou...” He said looking down. "Yami's gone... and Ryou...” he mumbled. "I thought if I went there myself... maybe I could... well at least talk to him."

Seto sighed. "Yugi... Pegasus has taken Ryou and Malik out of the country on a trip. And... why did you pull up the garden?"

Yugi fidgeted slightly. "Well... you said Ryou was a bunny... I thought I could tempt him out... with something from the garden." he mumbled softly.

Seto blinked, then laughed. "Yugi... you aren't the brightest crayon in the box but... you're something else, you know that? Now come on... Yami wants to see you. And considering that he knows about your trouble with the police, feel lucky that he's sick and has a sore throat and can't talk right now."

Yugi smiled. "Is he ok? He's not SICK sick is he?" he hopped up and hurried out to the limo, hopeful to see his brother again.

"He's got a cold or something, and a sore throat... and he's mad at me... about the tournament... he just picked up the latest magazine, and... well...” Seto shrugged and opened the door, peering in. Bakura and Marik were curled up together, purring and grooming each other, and Grandpa was sitting next to Yami.

Yami looked up from his cup of spiced rum and smiled slightly, looking instantly like he was healed. The slight flush on his cheeks however, told the story of what made him feel so good.

Grandpa laughed slightly. "My special mix... knock even the saltiest sailors for a loop." He chuckled, taking the cup away and ruffling Yami's hair. "Better talk fast, he's going to be needing a birdie nap soon."

Seto chuckled at that. "I'll be sure to get him into his birdie bed as soon as we get home. Also known as the hammock he hung up in the corner of my room so he can give me a heart attack every morning by crowing like a rooster." Seto grinned and poked Yami. "Can't do that now!!"

Yami bit Seto's finger suddenly, looking viscerally pleased.

"Oop son, you wanna watch for that. Yami gets nippy when he's buzzed." Grandpa said laughing heartily.

Seto jerked his finger back, cursing under his breath.

"Yami!" Yugi giggled. "That's not nice!! I know you're mad at Seto right now, but...”

Yami cooed, his voice sounding almost as good as new, though it still was scratchy, and he pulled Yugi into a strong hug, wrapping his wings around him and yawning, looking content with his brother close to him again.

Grandpa chuckled. "They always were fond of each other's company...” He whispered to Seto. "Yugi's been so bored without Yami to play around with."

Seto chuckled. "I can imagine." He said, glancing over at Marik and Bakura, who were looking as mellow as could be. "Yugi, Yami's learned to fly."

"Really?!" Yugi squeaked. "You can fly now?! Like... REALLY fly, not just flap around and hide on the chandelier to get away from your mite spray?"

Yami nodded slightly, laying his head on Yugi's shoulder and beginning to coo a song.

"Poor Yami." Grandpa chuckled. "Seto, you'll be his undoing...” he added patting Seto's back. "Mites, bird wings... the poor boy's probably half lost his mind."

Seto chuckled. "He still has that sharp tongue he's known for." He said. "And I feel that he will be the end of me before I'm the end of him. He seems to live to piss me off and see if he can send me into cardiac arrest...” And Seto snickered as Yugi giggled and played with Yami's wings.

Grandpa laughed. "He just does it for the attention." He smiled slightly. "Yami loves attention from you. It seems to fuel him. You don’t know how happy I was, when you came into his life. He finally had a reason to get out of bed each day. To feud and rival with you."

Seto blinked. "Okay...” He said, not sure how to respond to that.

"Hey Seto!" Marik called. "I'm hungry!!!"

"Me too!" Bakura announced.

"And Tuc and Nod will be, too!" Marik added.

"Your stomachs can wait, and my staff feeds Tuc and Nod. Now hush." Seto ordered.

"I'm hungry, too." Yugi said, and Seto rolled his eyes.

"Great... okay. Everyone sit tight, we're gonna get food." The CEO said, and instructed his driver to take them somewhere for dinner.

"YAY!!! FREE FOOD, GRANDPA!!!" Yugi cheered, and Seto rolled his eyes again.

Yami yawned once more and was all too glad when they arrived at the destination that provided food and everyone eagerly hopped out of the car.

He groaned softly and gave Seto a slight smile, leaning into his arm since no one was looking. He cooed lovingly. "ugh...” he mumbled nuzzling into him more. "I don’t think I can go in there...” he added his voice still scratchy, though greatly improved from Grandpa's 'special mix'.

Seto smiled. "You rest here...” He said softly. "We'll get take out and go over to your... . your house and eat there, so you can relax on the sofa, okay?"

Yami groaned and closed his eyes, leaning into Seto. "I want your bed." he mumbled, letting a wing drape over Seto slightly.

Seto blinked. "Oh really... ? well... soon enough, that's where I'll put you. And that's where you'll stay until you're better." He said. "Want anything?"

Yami wrapped his other wing around Seto and nuzzled closer, cooing contently.

Seto blinked. "Yami. I have to go in and pay, I... BAKURA STILL HAS MY CREDIT CARD!!!!"

Yami grumbled and pulled Seto into a firm kiss, and since everyone had already gone inside, shut the limo door and locked it in the process of the kiss.

Seto grunted and blinked. He pulled away. "Yami... I think the pretty birdie needs a nap...” He said, blushing slightly. "Pretty birdie needs master...” he mumbled nuzzling into him again, the flush on his cheeks making his actions quite clear, but it was also clear he was still of enough state of mind, to know what he was doing.

"Pretty birdie needs to let go of master so master can go get his credit card and pay for everyone's dinner...” Seto said, trying to untangle himself from Yami.

Yami clutched Seto tightly and cooed all the more. "pretty birdie needs his master...” he mumbled resting his heat on Seto's shoulder, littering his neck and jaw with kisses. "needs him so much...”

"Uh, Yami? Yami, you can't... Yami!!"

"HEY SETO!!!" Bakura shouted, pounding on the window. "GET IN HERE BEFORE I GET ARRESTED FOR STEALING YOUR CREDIT CARD!!!"

"Oh, Jesus..." Seto groaned, pulling away from Yami.

Yami looked at Seto, obviously upset, and began singing an utterly heartbreaking song, plucking feathers from his wings slowly, looking down miserably.

Pretty bird wanted his master, and that damn skunk was getting ALL his attention!

"Yami! Stop that!" Seto ordered, grabbing Yami's hands. "I'll be right back, okay?" He kissed his forehead and slid out of the car, going inside with Bakura. "Yugi, go keep an eye on Yami. Don't let him pluck his feathers, he's in a... mood."

"Oh... okay." Yugi said and scuttled out to the car, hopping in. "Yami?"

Yami plucked another feather, watching it float to the bottom of the car, grumbling to himself irritably.

"No, Yami! Don't do that!" Yugi cried, sitting next to his brother. "Grandpa shouldn't have given you that stuff, you're so weird when you drink it...”

Yami laughed slightly. "Yeah... but it made me feel better...” he mumbled plucking another, having created a small pile of down and feathers. "I don’t know how to handle Seto...” he mumbled, plucking yet another feather, watching it float to the floor

"He's... different... he says he loves me...” he said softly, watching another feather fall. "but... all these things keep happening... it's hard for me to... trust him."

"Well, plucking isn't gonna help. All it will get you is Seto freaking out and taking you to the VET again...” Yugi said, stressing the word 'vet'.

Yami shrugged slightly, plucking another. "so?" he said shaking his head. "he'd just give me some pills, and send me on my way...” he sighed. Yami looked at Yugi sadly. "I don’t know why I'm even talking to you about it, you wouldn't have a clue about what I'm thinking...” he said laughing slightly. "thank Ra that you'll never have something THIS complicated come your way."

Yugi sighed. "Yami. You're sick. If you go to the vet, you'll get examined. And that will include having your temperature taken."

"So... ?" Yami grumbled, plucking once again. "I'll get used to it... it'll probably be happening the rest of my life... ."

"Yami! Stop it right now!" Yugi snapped, smacking Yami's hands. "Or I'll... I'll... I won't give you your dueling deck back!!!"

"What could I POSSIBLY use it for? They won’t let me duel like this." he said, plucking another. "Seto's the new king of games...” he mumbled wrinkling his nose. "I suppose I should be grateful it wasn't someone like Keith...” he said, his small pile of feathers growing slowly.

Yugi pouted. "Yami! You need to stop that! Right now!!!"

Yami narrowed his eyes slightly. "It's not MY fault... it's a compulsive BIRD behavior...” he growled, practically spitting the word 'bird' out. "it happens when I get upset and stressed out...” he added distastefully.

Yami sighed and plucked a rather large feather out, examining it in his fingers. "I'm so bored... I sit in his house all day... watch Mokuba raid the kitchen every hour... act as a clock." he mumbled closing his eyes. "The one time I tried to do something on my own, something so simple a trained chimp could have done it with ease... I can’t even do that." he looked down. "Not to mention...” he added, dropping the feather, and plucking another. "Seto... ."

Yugi frowned. He took Yami's hands and put them on his lap, then sat on them. "If you're upset, you need to talk to us. Not take it out on your wings." He said firmly. "You're acting like a baby."

Yami laughed. "it happens when I'm babied all the time... I start acting like it...” he mumbled, pulling his hands from under Yugi and hugging him, resting his chin on Yugi's shoulder. "I miss the familiar things... our room, playing games with you...” he sighed and nuzzled into Yugi's shoulder.

"I miss you, and I miss me." he added, sighing once again, though with slight content. "I know Seto's trying so hard... to make up to me. I'm not mad at him... but... I want to go home. He's got too many hybrids running around, and I'm missing home." he said hugging Yugi with his wings too, the smaller teen practically disappearing among the feathers.

Yugi smiled. "Yeah... and soon he'll have Ryou and Malik running around, too. I don’t know how he's gonna do it. The Kaiba Estate is slowly becoming the Kaiba Zoo." And he giggled.

Yami grumbled at the thought. "I can’t handle them all...” he groaned, hugging Yugi tighter. "I've half a mind to try my hand at surgery, hack off these stupid wings myself." he said lifting one slightly. "Then the stupid tail feathers. I'd be very much human again."

Yugi's eyes widened. "But they're so gorgeous!!!" He said. "And you'll still have your bird instincts... if you don't have feathers what will you pluck? Your eyebrows?"

"That's what's so wonderful... without wings, I won’t pluck at all. And... birds don’t have much... in the way of instinct." Yami said thoughtfully, sighing contently. "With the wings and tail feathers gone... I could go back to how I used to be...”

Yugi giggled. "Grooming Seto's hair and chasing around an ultraviolet skunk?"

"People aren't naturally ultraviolet." He said softly. "I would at MOST, like watching the birds." Yami sighed. "It's a nice thought... and I've considered it deeply, a few times."

Yugi frowned. "Yami... I would never forgive you for mutilating yourself if you did that." He said, glaring. "EVER."

Yami grumbled and shook his head. "Why would you care? I would be happier that way." he said closing his eyes. "What would the repercussion be? Other than you being upset I had no wings."

"Yami... you can't do that! The fact is, you're part bird now. And your wings are a part of you. I know it sounds cruel, but... you would just be pretending. Pretending to be normal for the rest of your life."

Yami sighed. "It's easy for you to be cruel...” he said hugging Yugi close. "You still have everything you need to live. I... I suppose I could continue 'living' but... Yugi you know I hate having things just given to me. That's a false life, and I live in that situation now. I hate it." he grumbled glaring at the floor of the limo.

"I'm not some bird, I can’t live in a cage, even if it's gilded with all manner of precious treasures." he grumbled. "I want my simple life back, with you and grandpa... I want the things I worked hard for, not things that are just handed to me to silence me."

Yugi giggled. "Okay. I'll tell Seto that you have to cook your own meals and clean your own clothes and make your own bed again."

Yami laughed. "I don’t have a bed to make, I don’t eat enough to matter whether I cook it myself or not... and really I haven't had much 'cooked' food anyway and I DO wash my own clothes." he said shaking his head. "I meant, that I want him to stop babying me... sure today I was grateful for it, Up until today however, there's been no need."

Yugi giggled. "Seto's head over heels for you Yami... I don’t think he realizes he's babying you! But he's used to Mokuba. He's the only one he's really cared about and he's just a kid. Seto doesn't realize that Mokuba's growing up and that he's treating him, and YOU, like little kids who need to be cared for!" He glanced out the window to see everyone coming out of the restaurant with bags of to-go boxes.

Yami's wings drooped. "love...” he sighed and shook his head. "We're hardly in a loving relationship... we're always fighting over something. I'm starting to wish we'd just knock it off, and I could go home." He grumbled. "We can’t seem to get along on anything... and I don’t think he's attracted to me... not as much as he used to be. These wings deter EVERYTHING."

Yugi frowned, but said nothing as everyone got into the car.

"Feeling better Yami?" Seto asked, sitting next to him.

"Fine Seto." He replied, resting his head on Yugi's shoulder and closing his eyes, dozing slightly. Everyone would be so busy eating he doubted he'd be noticed anyway.

Grandpa shook his head slightly. "Looks like he's takin a nap." He said after he was sure Yami was well beyond ability to hear and comprehend. "And looks like he did some plucking." He said, noting the large pile of feathers on the floor.

Seto sighed and shook his head. "I don’t know what to do with him sometimes...” He said, looking down at Yami with a tender smile. He bent over and gently kissed his forehead.

Grandpa chuckled. "Take care of him Seto, I'm counting on you to keep my boy happy." He said amusedly, feeling like a father consenting at a wedding. "I'm sure he'll be a fine influence on your company, you'll not find a better advisor on gaming." He added laughing heartily.

He handed Seto a napkin with writing on it. "Give him a cup of this, once you get home. three times a day and he'll be right as rain in no time, but drunk as a skunk til then."

"HEY!!" Bakura howled, looking up. Seto blinked, then laughed.

"Calm down, Bakura. Thank you, I will... I'll have to keep him locked up... I don’t think I want him flying drunk...” Seto said.

"I don’t think you'd want him flying anyway, with all the feathers he plucked out." Grandpa said, pointing to the mass of feathers on the floor.

Seto nodded, eyeing Yami's wings and the piles of feathers. "I'm gonna start putting him in oven mitts and handcuffs if he won't knock it off." Seto grumbled. "He knows it's not good for him. He needs to stop." And he smacked one of Yami's hands that he wandered to pluck again. "NO!"

Marik and Bakura snickered from where they sat curled up together, munching on rolls that they had swiped from a bag when no one was looking.

Yami glared at Seto and slapped him back. "Back off!" he growled, wings quivering slightly. "Mind your own business!"

"My business is to take care of you, Yami. Especially in areas where you can't take care of yourself. And wing plucking seems to be that area, so no, I will NOT back off!!" Seto snapped, glaring. Yugi giggled.

"You two are so funny! Like oil and water!" He laughed. "Yami, Seto's only trying to help. Don't bite the hand that feeds you... and pets you... and--"

"Fucks you." Bakura blurted. Seto turned bright red and glared at Bakura. How could he have said that with Yami's grandfather two seats down?!

Yami growled more, but remained silent, glaring at Seto and Bakura. He couldn't even have his PRIDE. Why was it they felt that they NEEDED to decimate everything he held close! He clutched Yugi tightly, telling the younger brother Yami was getting genuinely pissed with the actions of their company.

Grandpa laughed slightly. "Cool it, I know what goes on behind closed doors, you don’t need to tell me." He said giving Bakura a slight whack. "It's not any of your business what they do anyway, unless you want them to start prying into what you do at night behind closed doors."

Bakura snorted and glared at the floor. "Since Malik was taken from me? I sleep...” He grumbled. Marik purred and licked Bakura's cheek, comfortingly. Bakura heaved a large sigh. "I... I miss him so much...” He whimpered, and Seto blinked as Bakura's eyes filled with tears. The skunk turned and hid his face in his tail. Marik let out a distressed whine and began purring louder, nuzzling his friend and grooming his ears. Yugi blinked, then also sighed, laying his head back onto Yami's shoulder, and Seto scooted closer, wrapping an arm around Yami.

Yami growled slightly, but remained still, showing his displeasure. "I want to go home now." he grumbled. "Today's nothing but hell."

Seto sighed and looked helplessly and Yugi and grandpa. Yugi gave Yami sad eyes.

Yami glared and averted his eyes. "Knock it off...”

Grandpa laughed and shook his head. "Stop being a stubborn old mule Yami. Let Yugi think you're happy or he'll complain at me for months."

"I think I should take him home." Seto said. "He's had a VERY rough day... and... I think Bakura should go home too." He glanced at the depressed skunk who was trying to hide the fact that he was still crying. Yugi sighed.

"Yeah, I guess...” He said. "Yami... you'll come visit when you get better, right?" Seto blinked and looked at Yami, then smiled slightly.

"Yami." He said. "You know you can visit them whenever." He chuckled. "You have wings... maybe, when you get better... you can start... helping at the game shop again? I mean, I go to work, Bakura and Marik are working now, and you're stuck in the house all alone... why don't you start flying to the Game shop every morning and start working again. And think of all the people you can reach that way in revealing the truth behind the creation of hybrids... They'll have to believe you, because your customers and fans will recognize you."

"YEAH!!!" Yugi exclaimed, excitedly. "And Grandpa and me would love it! We really need help, and we've REALLY missed you!!!"

Yami smiled slightly and nuzzled into Yugi. "maybe." he said yawning and nodding

Seto sighed as the car stopped out side of the game shop. "Well... here we are." He said. "Yugi, Mr. Mouto... I'll be in touch. Oh!! And before I forget... Mr. Mouto... Yugi... we were wondering if you would care to take in a hybrid I'm going to be purchasing... I can't handle another one right now...” Seto said, deciding now was as good a time as any to tell them about Otogi.

Yugi nodded immediately. "Of course!" he said eagerly.

Grandpa rolled his eyes and laughed heartily. "Alright Seto... I'm sure Yami doesn't mind something sleeping in his bed, since he doesn't anymore."

Yami grumbled slightly but nodded. "Of course."

Grandpa nodded and looked to Seto. "I'll take good care of him, but I'll put him to work you know. These old bones aren't meant to be working so hard at my age." He said before laughing once more. "Who's our lucky guest?"

Seto nodded. Then, took a deep breath. "Ryuuji Otogi."

Yugi gaped for a moment. "Oh no, not poor Otogi!" he said shaking his head, looking heart broken. "Poor poor Otogi... .what did they do to him?" He asked, giving Seto a pathetic look.

Yami sighed and looked away, unable to bear looking at his brother when he was that upset.

Grandpa hugged Yugi slightly. "It's ok... he's not dead Yugi, he's just different."

Seto sighed. "C'mon, Yugi... you know Otogi. Only his physical being will have changed... and from what Rem reported to me, he's a panther. So he should be able to hide his changes well enough. I don’t think they're any more extreme than Marik... But he's scared. And not happy at being naked 24-7. I'll pick him up and bring him to you whenever you're ready to take him." He looked at Grandpa. "I'm sure that Otogi will be a big help in your shop, considering his experience." And he smirked at the look the old man put on. "And I know he'll appreciate this. When would you be able to take him?"

"bring him out first thing in the morning." Grandpa said smiling. "I'm sure he'd want a nice hot breakfast and some clothes to dress in, before work.

Yugi grinned ear to ear. "Otogi's going to be staying in my room!" He cheered, but gasped suddenly. "Oh! I should clean it up!" he rushed inside to begin said task.

Seto blinked, then laughed. "Thank you." He said to Grandpa. "You're doing everyone a big favor. I'll pick Otogi up first thing in the morning and bring him by. I'll... have to take him to a vet, eventually... it's the law. But I'll let him get settled and calm down before I spring that... surprise on him...” Marik smirked.

Grandpa nodded. "I'm sure he'll love that." he said, beginning to chuckle.

Yami groaned and glared. The vet was a touchy subject. "Shush grandpa...” he grumbled.

Grandpa only laughed harder. "Yes Yami, I'll shush. poor boy." He said laughing all the more. "I'll be opened up around 8 am, so if you can get him here around then, that'll be fine." He said smiling.

Seto nodded. "I will. Thank you. Goodnight." And the limo pulled away. Seto looked at Yami. "... ... ... ... ... ... .." He looked away.

Yami looked away as well, remaining silent the entire ride back to the mansion. Once they arrived, he picked up his magazine and walked into the building and into his room. HIS room. He would rest there for a while. He closed the door behind him and looked at the hay and straw, the bed and various perches set up, the nest that was made just for him.

He sighed and walked out onto the balcony and laid back in one of the chairs, watching the stars for the moment, thinking about many things. Mostly involving Seto and whether or not they COULD love each other. Whether or not it'd even work out. Whether or not he was even attractive to Seto, or if Seto had just convinced himself he was attractive, since he'd done something so horrible to him.

"Yami?" A soft voice called. And to Yami's surprise, he turned to find Bakura. The skunk blinked and stared at Yami, then flicked an ear. "Can I sit down?"

Yami nodded slightly. "Sure...” he said looking back to the stars. "What's on your mind?" he asked after a moment, seemingly intently watching the stars.

"I've been watching you and Seto." The skunk said, settling down in a chair and laying his tail across his lap for a good grooming. "And quite honestly, I think you have some demons to face. You're driving Seto mad. He really cares about you, but you're confusing him. He's trying really hard, Yami. And you're just being an ass to him."

Yami sighed. "I know...” he closed his eyes for a moment. "But I've always thought of him as... well not anything near a friend, certainly no companion. It all bothers me. The circumstances in which things happened... why it happened...” He took a deep breath. "You don’t have someone who 'ordered' you this way. Even though Seto didn't specifically order all THIS...” Yami motioned to his wings. "He still was the one who started the whole nasty chain. I've always had problems trusting him...” he added. "I can’t help but wonder... if he's just convinced himself he cares about me, because he feels bad for what he's done, and doesn't know any other way to make up for it...”

Bakura nodded. "Okay. I can understand that, but Yami... look at him... I mean, REALLY look... Seto Kaiba does not exactly remind people of flowers and daisies... no, when you hear the name 'Seto Kaiba' people think... 'ruthless', 'cold' and 'money'. Now... we're going to play a game. I'm going to say a word, and you say the first word that pops into your head, okay?"

Yami nodded slightly. "Alright...”

Bakura smirked. "Bird."

Yami glared slightly. " Back off."

Bakura laughed. "Family."

"Yugi." Yami said calmly. "And Grandpa."

Bakura nodded. "School."

"Domino high." Yami said, looking back up at the stars.

"Friend."

"I think about dueling with them." He said laughing slightly. "so Duel."

Bakura snickered. "You're a moron." He said. "So how about the word Duel?"

Yami smacked Bakura with the rolled up magazine. "Watch it stinky." He said warningly, though he looked amused. "Fun."

Bakura laughed. "Back off or I'll fart." He threatened with a grin. "Death."

Yami blinked. "Death?" he said puzzled. "I don’t really think about that too much."

Yami rubbed his chin slightly. "Hmm... End."

"Religion?" Bakura asked.

Yami laughed. "Ra."

Bakura snorted and rolled his eyes. "Geek. Okay... Mother."

Yami frowned slightly. "sad." he said shaking his head.

Bakura blinked, but decided to wait before asking. "Father?

"Equally sad." He said shaking his head even more. "Where is this supposed to go?"

Bakura didn't answer. "Blue." He said, narrowing his eyes on Yami.

"favorite color" Yami replied calmly.

Bakura inwardly cursed. "Money."

"work" Yami said amused once more. "and fun."

Bakura smirked. "Mokuba."

Yami groaned. "Hell."

Bakura blinked, then burst out laughing. "I like that that one." He said. "Love."

Yami shrugged. "family."

Bakura sighed. "Seto."

"Rival." he said simply.

"well, there's your problem right there." Bakura said with a nod. "You still see him as your rival."

"You said only one word. I'd have gone on to say 'cheater' too." he said crossing his arms. "he tried that once... I still beat him." Yami laughed and shook his head.

Bakura snorted. "You see Seto in a negative light, Yami." He said. "that's why you're such an ass to him. You need to get over it before you break his heart."

Yami sighed. "I don’t see how. It's not like I haven't tried...” he closed his eyes, laying his head back against the chair. "I... just can’t seem to trust him."

"Why?" Bakura asked, grooming his tail. "He trusts you."

"Does he? Or does he just think he does, because of sympathy? He may... but who's to tell if it's genuine, and not just fabricated because of his own guilt?"

"I don't think a man like Seto Kaiba could fake all that I've seen from him. Do you know how stupid he looks when he's worried about you?" Bakura smirked. "If he knew how much he has destroyed any respect I had for him...”

Yami sighed. "Bakura... I know you mean well... but I don’t think you're going to get anything accomplished that way."

Bakura snorted. "I can't get anything accomplished, Yami." He said looking at him. "It's all up to you. But hell... you helped me back in the pet shop... you got me to get other my own problems and escape. I figure it's time to return the favor. Yami, you have your head up your ass if you think that Seto doesn't love you. You're stupid and ignorant to think he's doing this through guilt. I think your bird genes have affected your bird brain!"

Yami swatted Bakura again. "It doesn't matter WHAT I think!" he said growling. "Why don’t you go hibernate or something?!" He added swatting him once more. "Next time you have an opinion on something, wait til someone ASKS you for it."

Bakura rolled out of the chair and stood, glaring down at the bird. "You're a fuckin coward, Yami!" He snapped. "You're trying to convince yourself that Seto doesn't love you, because you're too scared to admit that you love him!"

Yami snarled slightly. "I'm not afraid to admit any such thing! I don’t want to hurt him, because I can’t decide if I even DO love him!" he howled glaring. "And your ratty little opinions do NOT help matters. Go cling to a fox doll!"

"Do you even WANT to decide if you love him or not? I think you want to love him, but you're scared! I think you do love him, but you're in denial! He loves you and you act like you don’t care! All you care about is yourself you self centered cock! All you do is whine and cry about how hard it is to be a hybrid, and how awful it is to be a hybrid, why me, why me, why me... . well guess what, Yami?! You're not the only fuckin hybrid in this house! But you're the only one who's fucking WHINING about it! You think Marik and me like being hybrids?! You think we weren't upset when it happened to us?! Well guess what? WE WERE!!! There are three options when you become a hybrid, Yami... you either become the hybrid, as Ryou has been forced to do... as Marik and myself were forced to do, or you deny the hybrid, as you are TRYING to do, or let the hybrid BECOME YOU!!! And THAT is what Marik and I are trying to do!" Bakura stalked right up to Yami, raised a hand, and slapped him across the face.

"You're a fuckin hybrid Yami. And you had better learn to accept it, and let the hybrid become you. I know you sure as hell won't let yourself become the hybrid. But by denying the hybrid, you're denying yourself, and everyone around you. Including Seto. So shut up, stop whining, and come to terms with yourself before you ruin everything you could have with Seto. He loves you, Yami. For YOU. The YOU that is Yami, AND a hybrid. He doesn't love the human, or the bird. He loves the hybrid... the soul. What you really are. And you need to accept that's what you are. And you need to learn that there's nothing wrong with it. As a human, you are rivals. As a bird, you are a pet. But as a hybrid... you are lovers. So you need to figure this out for yourself; is being a hybrid really that bad? You're loved, Yami. It's time you looked around at what you HAVE. And forget what you COULD have had...” And Bakura snorted, then turned and stalked away.

Yami growled after Bakura, but said nothing. What did HE know about any of this? He growled and suddenly just took off, flying blindly in the night.

It must have been an hour before he stopped flying, his wings having become tired from his angry flapping. He landed in a tree, no buildings in sight. No people, no buildings, no hybrids. Just peaceful quiet.

He sat quietly in the almost cradle like crevice of the tree, where all branches started. Bakura had been right in some instances... but wrong in many others. He could only assume what was going through his mind. Yami sighed, yawning slightly and draping a wing over himself as a blanket while he thought.

He sighed, closing his eyes. He hated the fact that whenever he was near Seto, he suddenly felt so helpless. Hated it with every fiber of his being, he hated the fact that it was so obvious, even to Bakura. He hated playing 'leader' for the two who depended on him to be the level headed one. He wasn't THAT upset about being a hybrid... he did feel pain, and slight scorn from losing the title he'd worked so hard for.

Yami shook his head. It wasn't Seto's fault... he hadn't meant for things to happen the way they did, and Yami hardly blamed him anymore for it. But love? Was it even possible? Yami frowned. "I can’t...” he said sighing. "At least not... with Bakura and Marik there." he mumbled shaking his head. He felt awkward and insecure enough as it was, and the two snickering little devils of hybrids only made things worse. "Maybe... if it were just us… I could try...”

Yami yawned and began snoozing in his natural place of slumber. A tree.