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 37

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Malik nuzzled Ryou, licking his cheek and tugging his ears gently. "Ryou! Ryou, wake up!! Come on... wake up!!!"

Ryou groaned softly and shook his head, ears flopping from side to side, as he slowly blinked his eyes open and began stretching. "Malik...” he mumbled nuzzling into him and yawning. "I'm sorry... you... could have slept with me last night...” he said softly.

Malik smiled. "It's okay... come see the sunrise, Ryou!!! It's beautiful!!" And he tugged Ryou towards the balcony. "And then, WE will order breakfast for Master as a surprise!!!"

Ryou nodded slowly and hopped after. "I-If you promise not to laugh... I... I can wear the clothes...” he mumbled nuzzling him. "a-and surprise him too...” he said softly, looking around as they got to the balcony.

Malik giggled. "That's a great idea!! You wear your maid outfit and I'll wear my slutty harem clothes and we'll bring him breakfast!!!” he turned and looked at the sunrise.

Ryou blushed softly. "You shouldn't...” he mumbled, watching the sunrise as well. "What if he takes a liking to you? What if he decides...” he started, but sighed heavily.

Malik looked at Ryou. "He tries to touch me and I'll bite him.” he said, totally serious.

Ryou's ears perked slightly. "Please don’t bite him...” he said softly. "Just... don’t do things that might make him desire you...” he added. "Don’t do something that might trap you with him.” he added lying down slightly, stretching again.

Malik sighed and nuzzled Ryou. "I won't. Why trap myself when I'm trying to free us both?"

Ryou shook his head suddenly. "Malik... I...” he started. "I can’t go.” he said finally. "I... I can’t leave him. He's my mate...” he said sitting up once more, ears twitching as he listened to birds beginning to sing. "I can’t leave him, I'm... no good for Marik, and you saw those other lions... I'm better for a meal than a mate.” he began explaining, knowing Malik would want an explanation for such words. "Besides... he could do better... I'm such an unfaithful slut...” he sighed hanging his head. "I can’t resist Pegasus... I love him so deeply...”

Malik's eyes widened. "Ryou!!! No! Come on... those lions... they don't matter! Marik is different! He loves you! Don't do this, Ryou... Remember. Remember the last time you saw him! Remember how much he loves you?! Ryou, you KNOW he won't ever want anyone else!"

Ryou closed his eyes. "Malik... look at Pegasus... look how happy I make him... he loves me, a-and I love him... he's my mate.” he said in a ghost of a whisper. "Those lions... they knew what they were talking about. I'm a humiliation to Marik... he deserves a mate who... won’t drag him through the mud in the world. A sleek and beautiful predator, just like him. Someone who... is better than me. I'm a good lay and a good meal... that's all I'm good for...”

Malik shook his head, eyes wide. "Ryou! That... that's not true!!! It's not!!!" But he knew Ryou wouldn't listen. He looked around, thinking. And his eyes rested on the phone. He would get in so much trouble for this, but... Malik picked up the phone.

~*~

Seto stopped typing at his computer and turned, grabbing the ringing phone. It was 5:30 in the afternoon, so it had better not be a business call.

"Kaiba here.” he answered.

"Hello. This is a collect call from ‘S-Seto? It's Malik... ’ Would you like to accept the charges?" Seto's eyes widened.

~*~

Ryou hopped in after Malik, blinking. "Malik?” he called, softly, looking for his friend. He gasped softly, finding him on the phone. "Malik!"

~*~

Yami blinked and stopped his preening, looking up at Seto and cocking his head to the side, trying to catch bits of the conversation. "Who is it?” he asked calmly, looking over the phone, hoping to catch something on the Caller I.D., but failing as collect calls never registered the caller.

"Malik?!" Seto gasped. "Yes, I'll accept the charges!" The connection was made. "Malik?!"

"Seto!"

"Malik what the... where are you?!"

"Some island in the Caribbean...”

"On vacation?"

"Yeah... look... I think that Ryou and Marik need to talk. NOW."

Yami's eyes widened and he gave Seto an alarmed look. "Is something wrong? Are they ok?!” he asked, feathers puffing from worry. He reached up for a moment, before growling and putting his hand down on the arms of the chair he'd been sitting in. He'd made a promise to try and stop plucking, and he wasn't about to give in to temptation yet.

Seto looked at Yami. "Go get Marik. Malik says it’s urgent that he speak with Ryou...” he said.

~*~

"Ryou... They're going to get Marik on the line... you need to talk to him. Hear the truth from his own lips...” Malik said, looking at the bunny.

~*~

Yami hurried from the room, to get Marik. If Malik said it was urgent, then it more then likely was.

~*~

Ryou frowned and shook his head. "Malik... y-you're going to get us into trouble! If he catches us...” he said beginning to tug his ears. "Why did you do it?!"

"Because I won't have you believing something that isn't true!!” he hissed. Then, he blinked as Marik's voice came over the line.

"Malik?! Ryou?!" Malik held the phone out to Ryou. "Ryou?! Baby?!"

Ryou glared at Malik harshly and backed up slightly. "No...” he said shaking his head. "You’ll get us in trouble...” he mumbled, shaking his head. "You know this is against the rules...”

"So what? You'll just leave him there, calling to you?" Malik asked, looking at the phone, Marik's voice easily heard by both hybrids, desperately calling Ryou and beginning to sound frantic.

Ryou sighed softly, and hung his head. "Fine...” he mumbled softly. "But why don’t you go get dressed?” he asked softly. "I'll get the breakfast once we're finished talking."

Malik frowned and nodded, handing Ryou the phone and leaving the room.

"Ryou?! Are you there?! Please Ryou! Answer me!" Marik was shouting.

Ryou winced. "Marik... shhhh.” he said softly. "You don’t need to shout... you're hurting my ears...” he said smiling slightly, closing his eyes and imagining his lover was there. It wasn't that he didn't love Marik; no he loved him with every piece of his soul... but those lions...

Marik's ears perked and a shining smile erupted across his face. Seto smiled at Marik's face and wrapped an arm around Yami, and Bakura crooned from his spot on the sofa.

"Ryou... Ryou, Ryou... oh gods... I miss you so much! Where are you?! How are you?! Gods, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice...” The lion gushed.

Ryou blushed softly, sighing contently. Oh how he loved Marik, even the sound of his voice was enough to make his heart flutter. He frowned though and shook his head. He loved him...

"Marik... I... met some lions here.” he said softly, his ears beginning to droop. "We're at this island... with lots of things to do, lots of hybrids. Hybrids everywhere... and well... I met these lions...”

Marik blinked. "You met... lions?” he asked. Somehow... he had a very bad feeling. Seto's smile faded at the look on Marik's face and the hesitant tone in his voice.

Ryou nodded, though he wrinkled his nose, knowing Marik couldn't see it. "Yes... it wasn't... pretty."

Marik frowned. "What do you mean?” he asked. "What happened? Did they hurt you?!"

"No... I got a few scratches... but I'm alright.” he said softly, biting back tears. "Bu-but Marik... they told me some things... a-and... w-well... I couldn't do that to you...” he said sniffling. "I couldn't ruin your life like that...” Ryou looked at the floor, wiping away tears, which only his soft sniffles gave away. "You... deserve better than me. I... I'm just a good lay, and a midnight snack... I'm unfaithful... I'm useless for anything but eating or screwing... I'm a disgrace to have as a mate... you're so wonderful, I love you so much... b-but... I...” he winced, knowing that he was tearing Marik's heart apart.

Marik's eyes widened. "Ryou?! What are you talking about?! Did they tell you that?! They're nothing but lying bastards, Ryou! It's not true! You're the best thing to have ever happened to me! You're my life, Ryou! Please, don't talk like that! I love you... You are not a disgrace! You are PERFECT!!” he clung to the phone desperately, praying that Ryou would embrace his words.

Ryou shook his head sniffling. "Marik... if I'm so wonderful... so perfect... then why am I with some other man like a cheating whore?” he said, fresh tears rolling down his face. "I'm no good, I'm not good for you...” he said softly. "You... you need someone as... as wonderful and loving as you are... someone who's loyal and beautiful... a wonderful predator... someone who won’t ruin your life, who... isn't a disgraceful useless wretch...”

"Ryou... You didn't want to be with Pegasus... we both know that you don’t have a choice in the matter. And... If you're not good for me, then NO ONE is! You are all I want, Ryou! You are loyal and beautiful! You would not ruin my life, and you are NOT a disgraceful useless wretch! You are the most wonderful being I have ever known, and all I want is to be with you, forever!" The lion's ears were tilting back in his distress, and Bakura had stopped his crooning.

Ryou sniffled again. "I love him...” he said softly. "I... can’t leave him Marik... I bring... so much joy into his life... I see it in his every move, he loves me... a-and I love him...”

Marik's eyes grew wide and frantic. "W-What are you talking about Ryou?! He... he's bad... he doesn't love you, he just... loves the FACT of you! And... You don't REALLY love him! You just think you do!" Seto looked at Yami, a worried expression on his face.

Yami bit his lip, returning the look, not knowing what to do. Hell with that! He plucked a feather, then another. THIS was more temptation than he knew how to deal with.

Ryou sighed softly, wiping his eyes and sniffling. "Marik... I love him. He... He's given me clothes... he lets me walk... I'm not just some animal to him anymore... he loves me. He'd do anything for me, and... I can’t leave him.” he sniffed. "He's not a bad person... he's wonderful and loving... b-besides... I have to stay... Malik can’t get away with what I can. Pegasus would just hunt me down until he found me. I... I want to stay; I don’t want to be constantly running... I love him."

"But Ryou!!!" Marik cried in a high pitched tone. "I... I love you! I...” he stopped. He was in a half panic and didn't know what to say. "Ryou... I live every day for the moment when I get you back! That's my only reason for living! It's YOU!!! Please, Ryou!" Bakura slid off of the sofa and slowly approached Marik, who was shaking.

Ryou shook his head, beginning to tug his free ear. "Marik... I love you... I love you enough to let you go... do you think he'd ever let me go? No... He’ll fight to his last breath for me... a-and... I just can’t put us through that...” he said so softly it was barely heard. "I love him too much to leave him... to hurt him. He does so much... just for me... he's changed."

"Ryou...” Marik breathed. "Enough dancing around the issue. What ever you are trying to say... SAY IT!!!” he slammed his fist down on Seto's desk with a loud bang, that even Ryou heard.

Ryou sighed softly. "I'm sorry Marik... I'm not coming back...” he said sniffling. "That's... what I was trying to say...”

Marik felt a stabbing pain in his chest, and his entire body grew heavy and cold. Bakura, Seto and Yami stared his knuckles holding the phone turned white, and the tendons in his hand grew taught and defined, and with a sudden crack and crunch, he crushed the phone in his fist. And Ryou found the line between Marik and himself dead.

Ryou sniffled, hanging up the dead connection and wiping his eyes. He'd done the right thing... Marik had his whole life ahead of him... a life that deserved a lover worthy of him... and he didn't even come close to deserving of the lion's love. He closed his eyes and shook his head, picking up the phone once more and ordering the breakfast, just like he'd promised.

He however, wasn't that hungry. He hopped from the room, and began gathering the pieces of the maid outfit.

Malik looked up when Ryou came in. "Hey... feel better?” he asked, completely oblivious to what Ryou had just done.

Ryou looked away. "No.” he said softly, his ears drooping further. "I ordered breakfast... have you seen the apron?” he said, holding out the little black skirt. "It... was kinda tossed everywhere."

Malik looked around and picked up the apron, holding it out to Ryou. "You and Marik talked?” he asked.

Ryou nodded, taking the apron. “Yes.” he said, beginning to dress. "We talked." He tied the apron on, finishing the ensemble. He slowly stood, shakily. "S-so?” he asked, turning in an uneasy circle.

Malik grinned. "You look SO sexy... almost makes me want to jump you...” he giggled and winked. "But I'll leave that to Marik when you wear it for him, right?"

Ryou shook his head. "No.” he said sinking back to all fours, being more comfortable that way. "I... won’t be wearing this for anyone but Pegasus.” he said hopping back towards the bed and resting his head against it.

Malik blinked. "Oh... gonna get some new outfits for Marik?” he asked, with such naivety that was unlike Malik.

Ryou shook his head. "No.” he said calmly. "I'm not."

Malik blinked, and he began to finally get a bad feeling. "Ryou... what did you and Marik say... to each other?” he asked.

Ryou sighed. "It doesn't matter.” he said softly. "Please let it go."

Malik frowned and his ears tilted back. "What do you mean it doesn't matter?!” he snapped. "Of course it does!!!” he narrowed his eyes and his formerly wagging tail lowered, as did his ears. "Ryou. What did you do?!"

Ryou looked away. "I didn't do anything.” he said softly. Malik didn't need to know what he did; it wasn't any of his business. "We talked, that's all, and can’t I keep anything to myself? You're so nosey."

Malik snarled and pounced Ryou, slamming him down onto the floor and pinning him. "What did you say to him?!” he shouted, startling Pegasus awake two rooms away. "What did you do?!"

Ryou growled and snapped at Malik, biting his arm fiercely. "GET OFF!” he howled, kicking him off, his sharp little teeth tearing some of Malik's flesh as he threw him off. "I didn't DO anything! We TALKED. That's ALL, and you know what?! I didn't even want to do that! You KNEW it was against the rules to call them!" He howled, fur bristling. "It's against the rules! I'll be in trouble! You'll be in trouble and for WHAT?!"

"EXACTLY!!" Malik shouted back. "FOR WHAT?! I don't GIVE a damn about getting in trouble. What I care about is what happened between you and Marik! SO TELL ME!!! Because I won't leave you alone until you do!!!" Pegasus stood just outside the room listening, and then probed into the minds of the hybrids to find out what happened. And he was shocked.

Ryou growled. "None of your business! I don’t have to tell you ANYTHING.” he hissed, ears quivering. "Mind your own business and just leave me alone!” he growled, hopping towards Pegasus' door. "You knew better than to call them! You knew better than to make ME talk to them! Master said NOT to. He said under NO uncertain terms that we weren't going to see them again! Are you trying to get us killed?!” he howled, furiously.

The door opened and both hybrids froze as Pegasus stared down at them. He walked over to Ryou and knelt. He pet him on the head and took his hands in his, then slowly stood, helping Ryou to stand.

"Easy... slowly... there you go. Good job.” he smiled and kissed Ryou in the head when he had made it to fully standing. "I'm very proud of your for what you did. You were very brave, and you did the right thing.” he hugged Ryou, and then looked at Malik. "He told that lion that he would not be coming back and to find another to love. It would be best if you called them back and did the same for that poor skunk who is waiting for you.” he said.

Ryou nuzzled Pegasus gently, ears drooping slightly. "Th-thank you...” he said softly burying his face into his master's chest. He sniffed softly and nuzzled into him, trying to recover his composure. Pegasus would always be there for him... he'd take care of him, love him. Ryou smiled into Pegasus' shirt and hugged him. 'My mate... ' he cooed in his mind, nuzzling him more, his ears still drooping at his loss, but his heart fluttering slightly at the idea that Marik's life would be better without him.

Malik's eyes widened and his face became consumed with shock and sadness.

"Ryou... you... you didn't...”

"He most certainly did." Pegasus said. "He told that lion that he wasn't coming back. My precious baby bunny...” he hugged Ryou lovingly. "Malik, you have my permission to call to tell the skunk the same. It is cruel to make him wait for someone who will never come back.” he blinked at a knock on the door. "I believe that's the breakfast you two kindly ordered... I'll go get it.” he turned and walked out of the room.

Ryou sank back to all fours, and he looked away from Malik. He wanted to say something... anything, but he couldn't think of any words... anything that could... do anything at all. All he could do was hop towards the bed, feeling Malik's gaze on him.

"You don’t know what you've done, Ryou...” Malik finally said, sounding like he was fighting back tears. "I can't believe you." And he ran from the room and ended up on the balcony curled up in the hammock again.

"Ryou! Breakfast!" Pegasus called from the breakfast nook in the living room.

Ryou whimpered softly giving Pegasus big saddened eyes. "M-master...” he said softly sniffling. "M-Malik hates me...” he mumbled completely upset by his friend's reaction. "I... I thought i-it would be... be better...” he said large tears beginning to roll down his cheeks.

"Awww... don't cry sweetheart. Stand up and sit at the table with me. MALIK! BREAKFAST!! He'll think about if for a while, and he will realize that you made the right decision. Your doing this will help HIM make the right decision. I'm very VERY proud of you, baby." Pegasus said. "MALIK! BREAKFAST!!!"

Ryou sniffled again and hopped onto the bed, sniffling. "I... I didn't order breakfast for myself master... I... I'm not very hungry...” he said softly, ears still drooping. "... I hope that doesn't upset you...”

Pegasus frowned. "Well, you need to eat before you go to the spa, Ryou.” he said. "Why don't you go get Malik for breakfast? And walk upright, okay?"

Ryou nodded softly, and got off the bed, walking unsteadily towards the balcony. He peered out the door meekly. "M-Malik... master wants you t-to come in for breakfast...” he said softly, fearing his friend's response.

Malik curled up tighter, hiding his face. "I'm not hungry.” he said in a low tone.

Ryou whimpered. "Please? H-he said you should come in...” he mumbled gently tugging his ears. "E-even if you don’t eat...”

Malik's ears and tail bristled and he growled threateningly. "I said I'm NOT hungry! Leave me alone...”

Ryou whimpered. "Malik... please d-don’t... I...” he stammered softly. "Please?"

"No. Go away." Malik snarled.

Ryou whimpered again. "Malik...” he sniffled. "Please... don’t... don’t be angry with me...”

Malik's growl grew louder and more threatening. "Go. Away."

Ryou gasped softly and backed away, shutting Malik outside. He sniffled and gave Pegasus a heartbroken look. "H-he hates me...”

Pegasus frowned and stood, walking out to the balcony and taking Ryou with him. "Malik.” he said, walking over. "Come in for breakfast."

"I'm NOT hungry!" Malik snapped.

"I didn't ask you if you were hungry, I told you to come in for breakfast."

"No. Leave me alone." Malik growled. Pegasus frowned.

"You have Ryou very upset. He thinks you hate him."

"GOOD!" Malik shouted. "He deserves it!"

Ryou sniffled and looked away. "M-Malik... p-please...” he whimpered pathetically. "Please... c-come inside...” he mumbled, looking at the floor of the balcony miserably. "M-Master wants you t-to come in...”

"I don't give a FUCK what he wants!!!" Malik shouted.

"Malik! I will NOT tolerate this behavior!" Pegasus hissed, and grabbed Malik's collar, jerking him from the hammock. But the fennec let out a roar and whirled, sinking his teeth into Pegasus' arm. "AAH!" Pegasus yelped, and let go. Malik released his arm and backed into the corner of the balcony, baring his teeth and claws and growling, bristling tail between his legs and his ears flat against his skull.

Ryou however, was beginning to bristle as well. "Y-you d-don’t have to care...” he mumbled. "B-but you leave him alone Malik...” he warned dangerously, sniffling and looking at Pegasus' arm. He nuzzled his neck and gently took his arm, cleaning the wound. He sniffled softly as he worked. "I'm sorry master...” he said softly. "I'm so sorry...” he mumbled, continuing to lovingly tend to his mate's arm.

Pegasus glared down at Malik. "It's okay, Ryou. It's not your fault. But Malik, I will NOT tolerate this. You belong to me, and you will show the proper respect."

"Respect is not given, it is EARNED!!!" Malik hissed.

"Keep up this attitude, and you will find yourself in a world of trouble...” Pegasus said in a low dangerous tone. "Come along, Ryou... There's some fresh fruit for you to eat, and I'll let you have a bit of my sausage, too."

Ryou nodded softly sniffling and backing away from Malik, watching as Pegasus shut him out once more. "I... I'm so sorry master...” he said, biting back sobs, though the large tears once again began rolling down his cheeks. "I... I'm so sorry... s-sorry...” he mumbled, dropping to all fours and quivering, fighting to keep the sobs at bay.

Pegasus knelt and picked Ryou up. "Shhhh... Hush, angel. You have nothing to be sorry about. You are a good good bunny. This is Malik's problem, and he will have to deal with it. Just be there to forgive him when he asks you to, okay?” he sat Ryou down in his lap and offered him a strawberry.

Ryou sniffled and nuzzled into his master's shirt. "I... I'm not hungry master... I just want you to love me...” he mumbled pathetically. "I'm so miserable... please make it better...” he sniffled, clinging to Pegasus, beginning to lose the battle against his sobs. "I... I thought everything would... would be better... h-he hates me!” he began to bawl. "H-he hates me! Everyone hates me now! I... I don’t ha-have a friend in the world anymore!” he sobbed, clutching Pegasus as though he were the last thing left and quite possibly that was true.

"Hush now, Ryou...” Pegasus said with a smile. "You are being ridiculous. Malik will get over it. How about this... when we get home, I will find one of those hybrid play groups and you can make some friends, okay?” he smiled and pet Ryou.

Ryou sniffled softly. "Master... When we get home... c-can you give Malik back?” he asked sniffling. "H-he won’t get over it... I know it... a-and all he wants is... is the one he loves...” he mumbled wiping his tears futilely. "Please?” he added sniffling and taking one of his own ears, mussing the fur to use it as a means of wiping his eyes. "It... it would... make me most happy... if you did this... for me...” he sniffled.

"No Ryou. Malik is mine, and I will not give him back... He has to get over this. You did. And he will, too... I may take him in to Dai and have something... worked out... Now please eat, baby...” And he poked the strawberry into Ryou's mouth.

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

Seto, Yami and Bakura stared at Marik, and the crushed phone in his paw. The lion's tail had drooped to the floor, and his eyes closed. He drew in a shaky breath, and slowly forced his hand to release the demolished phone. And slowly, he stood and turned towards the door.

"Marik?" Seto asked, standing. Halfway across the room, Marik stumbled and fell, and this time he rose to all fours and slunk out of the room. Bakura turned and looked at Seto and Yami as Marik disappeared.

"What... what happened?!” he gasped, his eyes wide and worried.

"I... I don't know...” Seto said, absently grabbing Yami's hand to stop him from plucking. He opened his mouth to speak again, but was cut off by a shrill half scream, half roar that rattled the very foundation of the house. And this was followed by more roars, and a slamming door, and massive crashes. Seto's eyes widened.

Yami twitched. "I think there are bigger things to deal with, than a few lost feathers.” he mumbled, struggling to pluck more, his wings puffed up and quivering. "Ra... I need to dammit!” he howled using his free hand to being plucking again.

After a few dozen more feathers fell to the floor, he calmed down. "I... I'm ok now...” he mumbled, twitching slightly. "I'll go talk to him...” he added twitching and plucking another feather.

Bakura winced at an especially loud crash and a heart wrenching scream. He gave Yami and Seto a distressed look, then whirled and charged from the room, running down the hall. Seto glanced at Yami, and then followed.

"MARIK!!! MARIK? OPEN UP!!" Bakura was banging on Marik's bedroom door. "MARIK!!!"

Yami twitched a bit more. "Ra I hate loud sudden noises.” he mumbled walking to the window and flapping his wings. He fluttered slightly, before flying around the house and perching outside Marik's room, opening the window. "Marik?” he called softly. "Marik... we need to talk.” he said softly, a deep caring in his voice, signaling he was worried.

But to his shock, a lamp suddenly came crashing through the window, narrowly missing his head. The door opened after Bakura had picked the lock, and the skunk turned on the lights.

"Jesus...” Seto gasped. The room was completely demolished. The wardrobe was in shambles and all of Marik's clothes, old and new, had been shredded, including what he had been wearing. The mattress had been gutted and the bed, tables and all the other furniture had been ripped apart. The walls and carpet were covered in claw marks, and Marik was crouching naked in the corner, growling and baring teeth and claws, tears flowing from his amber eyes.

Yami gave Seto an alarmed look. "Call Rem.” he said immediately, knowing that they were all in danger; both he and Bakura were hybrids as well and better equipped to handle themselves against Marik, then Seto was.

He fluttered in and hunched down on the floor. "Marik... calm down...”

But with a roar, the lion leapt at Yami, bringing him to the floor, and closed his jaws on Yami's forearm.

"YAMI!!!" Seto shouted.

"MARIK!!!" Bakura screamed, and charged, tackling the lion and biting his neck. Marik roared and released Yami, turning and slamming Bakura down, slashing his chest with his claws. Seto ran to Yami and knelt, grabbing him and dragging him away.

"RUN!!!" Bakura shouted, wriggling away from Marik and charging for the door on all fours. Seto and Bakura dragged Yami from the room and closed the door. But with a massive crash, Marik slammed into it, and a loud crack was heard. "Shit... RUN RUN RUN!!!" Bakura howled, and Seto pulled Yami down the hall, the skunk on their heels.

Yami hissed and shook his head. "I'm fine...” he mumbled, cradling his arm. "Seto get a phone... call Rem. She's the only one who can handle this!” he said shaking his head more, wincing. "Bakura... Get Mokuba and hide in the aviary...” he added quickly, squirming loose of Seto's grip.

Bakura yelped when the door of Marik's room was ripped off of the hinges and the lion burst out. But he didn't give chase. Tears still falling down his cheeks, he stared at the fleeing people, and then slowly turned, growling. Bakura looked back and skidded to a stop when Marik turned and slunk into the skunk's room.

"Oh gods...” he gasped, eyes wide. There was a massive roar from in the room, and a commotion. "TUC AND NOD!!!" The bunnies came flying out of the room as fast as they could, terrified, the lion on their heels. They fled towards Bakura.

Yami growled. "Dammit! Ryou's rabbits!” he picked up the nearest thing, which happened to be a nice potted plant, and hurled it at Marik, nailing the lion square in the head, buying the bunnies just enough time to hop into Bakura's hands. "Quick!” he said firmly. "Get them out of here!” he said, picking up, the next nearest thing and hurling it at the stunned and now dirty plant covered lion.

Marik roared and smacked the object aside, leaping and landing on Bakura. The rabbits squirmed away.

"What's going on?" Mokuba called, walking around the corner.

"MOKUBA!!! GRAB TUC AND NOD AND LOCK YOURSELF INTO THE AVIARY!!! NOW!! MARIK'S LOST IT!!!" Seto screamed. The boy’s eyes widened and he scooped up the rabbits and ran. Seto whirled as Bakura screamed, and found Marik with his teeth in the skunk's shoulder, viciously shaking his head back and forth.

Yami growled and did the first thing that came to his mind, he launched himself at Marik and, flapping above his head, grabbed the lion's hair and pulled harshly, sinking his teeth into one of Marik's ears. "GO DAMMIT!” he growled around the ear. "GET OUT!” he howled biting down harder, determined to save them. "Seto! Take the cell phone and GO! I've got wings, I can get away, but Bakura's injured and you're just a human! GET OUT!"

Marik roared and turned, snapping at Yami, but still had his claws sunk an inch deep into Bakura's sides. Bakura threw his head back and howled when Marik ripped his claws down, then whirled, trying to attack Yami.

Yami growled ferally and flew up, just avoiding Marik's claws, only to dive-bomb him again, pulling his hair once again, biting the other ear. This time however he flew up, and managed to pull Marik to his FEET, with the force of his pulling. "GO!” he howled once more.

Bakura whimpered and slowly got to all fours. Seto helped him to his feet and got him moving, the skunk whimpering. Seto scrolled through his phone book and hit send on the first number he wanted.

"Hybrid Specialist animal Clinic."

"Put Dr. Inogawa on. NOW!!" Seto roared, helping the badly injured skunk down the stairs, hearing Marik chase Yami all over the place upstairs.

"Hello? Dr. Inogawa speaking." The vet said calmly. "How can I help you?” he asked.

"It's Seto Kaiba! I have an emergency; I need you to come to my home IMMEDIATELY! Something has happened to Marik and he's going insane! Bakura is badly injured and Yami has been hurt, too!"

Dr. Inogawa's eyes widened. "Yes of course! I'll be there as soon as I can!” he said hanging up quickly, to gather his things and rush over.

Yami howled in pain when Marik caught his injured arm in a slash. He hissed and slapped him across the face, stunning him enough to let go. He flew up once more and quickly got behind him, grabbing his tail and bending it painfully, almost to the point of breaking it.

"Like that?! Huh?!” he hissed ferally. "Bite ME will you, you little bastard?!” he howled, launching himself at Marik's hair once more, pulling the tail with him, literally KNOCKING the lion back to the floor as quickly as he'd picked him up.

With a roar, Marik whirled and swung a powerful paw, clubbing Yami in the side of the head and cracking his skull against the wall.

Yami groaned softly, shaking his head and glaring at Marik, grabbing the leg of a nearby table and slinging the thing at him, using his own 'club' against Marik's skull. "Ra be damned if I'll be beaten by the likes of YOU.” he hissed, quickly getting up and flying out of Marik's reach. "Thank Ra Seto loves to put things in his halls...” he said silently, thanking his lover for his convenient use of furniture.

Marik growled and shook his head, trying to get his senses back, then took off after Yami again.

Yami growled and turned, flying headlong into Marik and dragging his slightly claw-like nails down Marik's face, before shooting up over his head, narrowly avoiding claws. "Ha!" he called from behind him, grabbing his tail and bending it once more, biting over the bend to increase the pain.

Marik roared in pain and anger, whirling and swiping his claws down Yami's back between his wings.

Seto in the meantime had just dialed the Pet Shop and was waiting for Rem to pick up.

Rem picked up the phone smiling as usual. "Good afternoon, Hybrid pet shop, Rem speaking.” she said politely. "How can I help you?"

"Rem! It's Seto! Get over here, quick! I got a call from Malik and he had me put Ryou on the phone with Marik. Something has gone wrong, and now Marik's going mad! He tried to kill Bakura, and Tuc and Nod, and now he's going after Yami, we're barricading ourselves in the aviary! You HAVE to come before Marik kills someone!!!"

Rem gasped. "I'll be there in just a minute!” she said frantically. "Get to the aviary. I'll be there as soon as I can!” she said hanging up and getting one of her co-workers to watch the shop. She rushed from the pet shop and to her car.

Yami howled in pain scrambling to get away before more damage was dealt. He could still hear Seto downstairs; it wasn't safe to leave through the tube to the aviary yet. He winced and turned on Marik and dove at him once more, landing on his shoulders, dragging his talons and nails down his back, making ten beautiful blood red lines, as fresh blood began to dribble out of the wounds. "Bastard!” he howled, flying up once more. He was struggling though, he was losing more blood through his arm and back than he cared to think about, and it hurt to flap his wings thanks to the scratches... it would only be a matter of time, if Seto didn't hurry.

Seto ran outside, dragging the stumbling skunk. But as they got outside, Bakura finally collapsed, and passed out. Seto scooped him up and ran to the aviary, where Mokuba let him in. They closed the door, and locked it.

"Yami?! Where's Yami?!" Seto shouted, laying Bakura down on a patch of moss.

"He hasn't come in!" Mokuba yelped.

Yami flew towards the stairs, having not heard anything in a while. He'd take a quick look around downstairs before he'd leave through the tunnel, to make sure everyone was safely out of Marik's grasp. "C'mon you hairy bastard...” he said groaning slightly, landing a few feet away. "You know you want to kick my ass. I have everything you don’t...” he taunted, backing up, looking through each room as he passed, and checking for Seto and Bakura. "I have my humanity, I have a nice home, a family, friends.” he listed slowly. He looked relieved as he passed the next to last room. "A lover who I will cherish every day that Ra travels the sky."

"SHUT UP!!! DAMN YOU!!!" Marik screamed, charging. And this time, there was a different look in his eyes. Yami's blood ran cold when he realized that this time, Marik actually WAS trying to kill him... and if he got his claws into him... he WOULD.

Yami gasped and flew straight up into the air, leaving only a closet before Marik, which he slammed into. Yami groaned, having not yet checked the last room, since Marik had distracted him. "I'll always have Seto, I'll always have a home, a family, and friends.” he said dangerously, trying to lure Marik away from the room so he could check it. "You're just some half-assed homeless nobody... you'll never have a home... a family, friends...” he breathed, hating to insult Marik, but in the state he was in, it wouldn't matter.

Marik slowly got up, shaking. "I... I hate you...” he groaned, with-holding sobs. Then he turned, and ran up the stairs again.

Yami quickly checked the last room, and flew up the stairs to Seto's bedroom. He flew through the tube carefully, and once he reached the aviary, groaned and slowly began losing control of his flight. He finally thudded to the floor, just barely low enough to not injure himself, landing in bed of moss.

He groaned and pushed himself up with his uninjured arm, the other bathed red in blood. He didn't even bother to fold his wings. "Good... to see you're all ok.” he mumbled wincing.

"Christ Yami!!!" Seto shouted, running over. "What the hell happened?! Do you have a death wish?! Where's Marik?!"

Yami grinned. "Nah... I thought the scars would make me more exotic.” he said chuckling slightly. "He's upstairs... and what the hell do you think happened? I got in a fight with a weed whacker and lost?"

Seto glared. "I am not finding this amusing, Yami.” he said sternly. "I called Rem and Inogawa. They're on their way."

Yami laughed again. "I think it's so funny, because I'm going into delusions.” he said flopping back down chuckling. "I am so funny...” he mumbled passing out.

Rem hurried to the aviary, having arrived at the same time as Dr. Inogawa. "Seto? Seto are you all ok?” she called, knocking on the door loudly.

Seto flung the door open. "Mokuba and myself are fine. Yami and Bakura are a different story.” he looked back at the passed out hybrids. "Marik nearly killed Bakura... I didn't see him attack Yami aside from the bite on his arm... Yami covered for us so I could get Bakura down here...” Mokuba sat on a stone nearby, shaking and cuddling the rabbits.

Rem nodded. "Where's Marik?” she asked calmly, as Dr. Inogawa nearly went into convulsions at the sight of Yami and Bakura.

The doctor put down his emergency bag and started with Bakura, as his wounds were far more serious. "Seto I need you to take this.” he said handing him a rubber-like rope. "And wrap it TIGHTLY around Yami's arm while I take care of Bakura. We need to stop his bleeding."

Seto nodded and applied the tourniquet. "I don't know, Rem... I think he's still in the house... Yami didn't tell me before he passed out, he decided to be a moron and crack jokes instead."

"He tried to kill Tuc and Nod!" Mokuba squeaked.

Rem nodded and got up. "I'm going to take care of Marik. You stay here, and don’t let him in unless I'm with him.” she said firmly.

She walked back to the house, and looked at the mess. Frowning, she hurried up the stairs and to Marik's room. "Marik.” she said calmly. "Come here."

The room was dark, but a deep low growl came from the corner. But what captured Rem’s attention was what sat on the floor in the light from the door; Marik's bunny plushy... ripped apart and scattered around, the little bell crushed.

Rem frowned. "Marik... what did you do to little Ryou?” she asked, picking up the shredded remains of the small bunny toy. "Come here and tell me what's the matter sweetie... it's not nice to growl at someone you asked to call mother.” she added softly.

Marik's growl only deepened. "... G-Get out...” he finally hissed, and with a crash, what was left of the wardrobe fell to the floor.

Rem frowned. "Marik, don’t MAKE me come in there to GET you.” she said firmly, with just as much ferocity as he growled. "If I have to come in there and subdue you, there WILL be a punishment for acting like an ass."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" Marik screamed, and a shoe came flying out of the darkness and narrowly missed Rem, tumbling out into the hall. "GET OUT BEFORE I KILL YOU!!!"

Rem stepped in defiantly. "Really Marik? After all the years we spent together, you'd just kill me in a fit of rage?” she said almost hurt. "Is that it?"

Marik was heard sobbing a few times. "I... I don't want to hurt you...” He whimpered. "LEAVE BEFORE I DO!!!" And a shadow slunk under the bed.

Rem got close to the bed and peered under. "Marik sweetie, if you don’t want to hurt me... then don’t. Let’s talk... Why are you so upset?” she asked, slowly reaching under and beginning to scratch his favorite spot behind his ears. "Let me make things better for you sweetie...”

Marik sobbed and darted out from under the bed, laying his head on her shoulder. "Then take me to the vet and have me put down!!!” he wailed.

Rem hugged him tightly. "What's wrong Marik?” she repeated, gently rubbing his back gasping when she came in contact with blood. "Marik... you're bleeding...” she said softly, taking a piece of shredded clothing and beginning to wipe away the blood. "Come on sweetie... let’s clean you up, while you tell me everything.” she said, picking him up and cuddling him as she carried him to the nearest bathroom to clean him up.

Marik shook his head and huddled down on the carpet in the middle of the bathroom floor. "W-Why?!” he asked, suddenly. "Why did you have to sell me to Malik!? Why couldn't you have just done what you were told and killed me?!"

Rem blinked and soaked the ragged piece of clothing in some hot water before kneeling and beginning to clean his back. "This will sting...” she said softly, placing the hot rag against the cuts. "I didn't kill you, because you're too sweet and kind to ever kill Marik... you're a very loving and trusting person.” she said tapping his nose. "Now... why are you so upset?"

Marik shook his head. "If... if you had only let me die that day... we all would be better off... Malik would still be human, and living with his sister... Bakura would have a good home by now... Yami and Seto wouldn't have such complicated lives, they'd be able to just live worrying about each other... and I wouldn't have spent the last few months living for... for nothing...”

Rem frowned. "Marik, you don’t know how much you mean to everyone. If you hadn't lived, Bakura would still be in the pet shop, Ryou would have never found anyone to truly love, Malik would be human, but he would have never fallen in love with Bakura... and chances are...” she said softly hugging him. "You never would have had the chance to 'live' at all."

Marik sobbed and shook his head, digging his claws into the carpet. "DO NOT EVER MENTION THAT NAME TO ME AGAIN!!!” he screamed. "I wish Dai had never picked me up! I wish I had died!!! I wish I had never met R... I wish I had died in the street years ago...”

Rem frowned and gently tugged Marik's ear. "Why don’t you wish you had ever met Ryou?” she asked softly, before scratching said ear. "Tell me what's going on Marik."

Marik slowly lay down, his body shaking with his sobs. "He... He doesn't love me... he... he's never coming back! He's left me!"

Rem frowned. "Why would you think that Marik? Tell me what happened...” she said gently washing his back with one hand, and scratching his ears with the other. "Tell me everything sweetheart."

"He... he called... Malik called on the phone... said that Ryou had to talk to me... And... And I talked to Ryou... and he said that... that he loved Pegasus. And was happy with him... and that he was... he was never coming back!! And that I should... I should find someone else! He’s not coming back!!!" And Marik curled up and hugged himself, digging his claws into his arms.

Rem pulled his arms slightly. "Marik... calm down and listen to me sweetie... can you do that for me?"

Marik shook his head, sobbing hysterically and slowly dragging his claws across his arms, tearing his flesh open.

Rem frowned and gave him a swat on the back with the rag. "MARIK!” she said firmly. "You stop that this instant and pay attention!"

Marik sobbed again and gave a hiccup, slowly turning his eyes onto Rem, but only dug his claws deeper.

"Now stop that. Get your claws out of your arms and listen.” she said tapping his back impatiently. "Don’t make me repeat myself Marik."

Slowly, Marik forced himself to obey.

Rem smiled softly. "Good... now Marik... he loves you.” she said firmly. "There is no doubt he does. You were the one who had him first.” she said. "He loves you deeply.” she added, beginning to scratch his ears. "The only thing that makes him love Pegasus, is the suggestions implanted in him.”

Marik shook his head and pulled away. "He... he rejected me...” he hiccupped, turning and limping towards and door, stumbling a bit. "He doesn't want me... he wants Pegasus... he's not ever coming back...” The lion's head drooped and he leaned against the doorway a moment. "Gods... I'm thirsty...” he mumbled, then left the bathroom and headed for the stairs.

Rem stood, picking him up and heaving him back to the bathroom. "Oh no you don’t.” she said turning on the tub and plopping him in. "If you want to act like a lion, then you'll get treated like a lion.” she added, locking the bathroom door. "Ryou didn't reject you sweetheart. He's been with Pegasus a long time... Pegasus has probably triggered his suggestions a number of times. You're being hurt because of something he can’t help.” she said, beginning to soap him up.

"He was created for the soul purpose of pleasing Pegasus. Pleasing whoever mated with him.” she said. "Every time his chosen 'mate' mates with him it only strengthens the bond.” she said softly. "By now he's probably so head-over-heels for him... you just have to fight for him Marik."

"..... I... I can't... I can't compete with that... I can't even get near him. I can't even TRY to fight for him unless he comes back! And he's not! He... he would have been better off if... I never should have tried to be nice... I should have eaten those fuckin' rabbits like I was supposed to... I should have let him hate me. I should have let him believe what he wanted... I never should have... loved him...” the lion stared down at his reflection in the water, then turned away and splashed a paw down, demolishing the image.

Rem sighed. "Marik... it's a part of human and animal life you have to adjust to... the best things in life never come free, and they never come easily... if you're willing to give up this easily... then maybe he is better off.” she said softly. "Is that what you want? To have Ryou trapped with Pegasus until the day he dies? Trapped and longing for you silently, while that man mates with him?"

"He has made it quite clear that THAT is what HE wants... he has made it clear that he is NOT trapped. He said that he and I can't ever be together... because he's a rabbit and I'm a lion... he said us being together was disgraceful! DISGRACEFUL!! That is the word he used!!! He said he loves Pegasus! That Pegasus gives him all he could ever want or need! More than I could ever give him, and he knows it! He said he loves Pegasus too much to leave him! And that he was not coming back to me... EVER. He told me to find someone else, because... he wasn't coming... he's not coming back...”

Rem sighed softly. "Marik... when you're hungry... what do you do?” she asked, petting him on the head.

Marik blinked. "Huh? I... I wait to be fed...” he said, confused.

"Really? In these last few weeks you've just stood around hungry?” she said shaking her head. "When you have to go to the bathroom, what do you do?"

"... I go...” he said, watching tendrils of blood seep from his wounds and into the water, dissipating into the slowly clouding water.

"How about when you're tired?” she asked again, beginning to soap up his hair.

"I sleep." Marik said softly.

Rem nodded. "Do you just decide on a whim, when you have to go to the restroom, or when you are hungry? How about when you're tired, do you just decide to be tired?"

"N-No...” Marik said. "I... FEEL it...” he said, not sure where this was going.

Rem nodded. "And that is how Ryou’s love is for Pegasus. He has no choice, he FEELS it...” she said softly. "He CHOSE to love you Marik, and he still does, but he FEELS obligated to Pegasus... do you understand?"

"No." Marik said. "You can't CHOOSE who you love. You cannot CHOOSE to love someone or not. Or I would CHOOSE to not love him anymore...” he hopped out of the tub. "But I can't."

Rem frowned. "So, he just had sex with you under his log, because he thought you'd be a good time then? He didn't choose to invite you into his life, as a lover?"

"He's changed his mind...” Marik mumbled, lying down on the tile in the corner, wet and shivering. "Love can... die."

Rem sighed. "Then Marik, if that's how you believe it is... there is no way to save your love.” she said shaking her head. "In the animal kingdom, if one male steals another's mate... they fight for the right to that mate... if you're giving up on Ryou, then he must not have meant as much to you as everyone thought he did."

Marik looked at Rem with a hollow, dead look in his eyes. "Animals don't fall in love.” he said. "They're lucky."

Rem frowned. "Really? Birds fall in love.” she said crossing her arms. "All animals love Marik... maybe you just don’t understand it yet.” she said shaking her head. "Maybe Ryou is better off in the false love of his master, if you're just abandoning him there."

"... I want to go home...” Marik whimpered, slowly lowering his head to the floor. "I wanna to back to the Store... I... I don't want to do this anymore... I don't want to pretend to be human anymore...”

"Do you think going back to the store will make things all better Marik? Do you think it will take away the look Ryou gave you when he begged you not to MAKE him go back to Pegasus?” she asked sighing. "Do you think those memories will just go away?"

Marik snorted and turned away. "He begged me not to MAKE him go back... but then, he went back anyway... on his own... And no, those memories will never go away... no matter how much I want them to."

"I'm very disappointed in you Marik." Rem said softly, getting up. "I'm not taking you back to the pet shop. You've been a bad lion, a bad person.” she said opening the door. "And for that, you get no rewards."

"......... I don't care." Marik said, so softly that Rem almost missed it.

"The only one you’re hurting Marik... is yourself, and the poor rabbit, who believed in you for just a moment of your life.” she said softly shaking her head.

"I believed in him...” Marik replied. "For months. And he... let me down."

"It looks the other way around to me. He depended on you... he went back to Pegasus to hide you from him... to save you from his wrath. He expected to be saved back.” she said looking over her shoulder at him. "And this is how you repay him. You give up, at a sign of trouble, at a problem he CAN’T overcome alone. You just lay down and bawl your lion eyes out, then beg to go back to the pet store.” she said glaring slightly. "You should be ashamed of yourself. He went back to Pegasus, just to keep YOU safe... even though he BEGGED you not to make him go, he went, he went to save you. You think about that Marik...” she said walking out of the room, making disappointed noises.

Marik stared after her, then slowly picked himself up. He plodded out of the bathroom and sighed, looking around. He decided that he was still thirsty. He moved out into the hall and went downstairs. He entered the kitchen and opened the fridge. He looked over the contents... water, milk, juice... sodas, beer... he grabbed a bottle of tequila (god only knows what Seto was doing with it) and opened it, tipping his head back and guzzling the stuff... he briefly thought that it had been over three years since he'd had alcohol... and even then, all he'd ever had was cheap beer and a bit of Jack Daniels from time to time. By the time he stopped thinking, the bottle was empty. Marik let it fall to the floor and shatter. He opened the fridge again and looked for something else. And slowly, his eyes were drawn away from the fridge, and towards the cupboard under the sink. Slowly, as if in a trance, he made his way over, and opened it. He looked over the contents, then slowly, mechanically, pulled out the bottle of bleach.

"Marik." Rem said warningly. "Is that how it is?” she said, watching him. "I won’t stop you Marik. I won’t stop you from ruining so many lives with just one little drink.” she said looking depressed. "Go ahead. Drink it; you'll only devastate everyone who ever cared about you. You'll let everyone down. You'll prove once and for all that you're just some piece of street trash, you'll prove once and for all that you're unfit to take care of Ryou, you'll prove that Pegasus is the biggest winner."

Marik stared down at the bottle in his hands, a bit confused as to how it got there. But while part of him was horrified at the idea, the other part of him was begging and pleading, screaming for him to drink it... all of it... "I'm not even a piece of street trash...” he said softly. "I'm nothing at all...” he said, reading the warning label numbly.

"You don’t deserve Ryou." Rem said, trying a new approach, hoping to get enough of a rise out of Marik to get him to forget the bottle. "You're just a worthless good for nothing piece of garbage that they found on the street, a lab rat. They chose wrong when they made you a lion. You're not the king of beasts. You practically killed your only friends. You don’t deserve someone as kind and loving as Ryou. Go ahead Marik. Drink it. Wipe yourself off this planet. Let everyone know that you're the biggest piece of scum, and you completely accept it. No, you don’t just accept it, you REVEL in it." She hissed.

Marik's eyes flashed and he flung the bottle aside, right though the window, bringing the count of broken windows to two. "Lions don't HAVE friends, last time I checked.” he growled. "And you're right. I DON'T deserve Ryou. I never did. But I thought that maybe, just maybe... HE thought different. But that's what I get for hoping, isn't it? Reality decides to bring me back from dreamland with a smack in the face."

Rem nodded. "But that doesn't bother you does it? He wasn't worth trying for. If it's not handed to you, you don’t want to bother. Lazy lion."

Marik glared. "I tried my best for him! I gave it everything I have! But I don't have anything else to give!! Anything I had he's already destroyed! I feel like that poor kid in high school who was led on by the prom queen, given a false hope that she might actually like him, only to find her laughing at him as she turns and goes to the captain of the fuckin' football team!!!” he screamed, grabbing a blender and chucking it across the room.

"No, you're that poor kid in high school who had the most beautiful girl, but let the other boys fuck around with her like she was community bitch while she was helpless. You're that kid who did nothing to stop it.” she said coldly. "Well congratulations Marik. She finally got tired of being fucked around. You should be very proud of yourself. You tried SO hard she gave up on waiting on you."

Marik froze, then whirled with a roar and charged, leaping at Rem. "YOU BITCH!!!” he screamed, and brought her down digging his claws into her shoulders.

Rem smirked at him. "What Marik? Don’t like hearing the truth? Don’t like the fact that’s how it happened? Don’t like that SOMEONE ELSE is fucking him? Fucking him so hard and fast that he's starting to enjoy it? Does it piss you off?"

Marik's eyes were breached by tears, and he dug his claws in deeper as he tightened his grip. His entire body shook with rage and sadness, too overwhelming for him to handle. He opened his mouth and screamed, then lunged forwards and seized her throat in his jaws.

Rem began to laugh at him. "It must not bother you at all, that EVERY night Pegasus probably fucks your bunny, YOUR bunny raw. Why would it? It's not like he EVER cried himself to sleep after a session, wishing you were there to lick his wounded flesh, heal his wounded soul. Hell, why would you? You're too busy whining about how HARD things are. How hard it is to walk, how hard it is to work, how pointless it is to TRY to be human. That's right. Too pointless to TRY."

Marik closed his eyes and dragged his claws down Rem's arms and tightened his jaws, cutting off her breath... and her stinging words...

Rem hugged him close suddenly and held him tight, her eyes saying the things her mouth couldn't.

‘Marik... you have to fight for the things worth having... or you have to live with the regrets... there is no dying because things got too 'hard' to handle... you have friends who will always love and care for you, you'll always have one rabbit, who depends on you...’

Marik sobbed, and slowly released her, not because of what she was telling him with her eyes, but because he couldn't bear to harm her... He backed away from her, shaking and crying. "I... I'm sorry...” he whimpered, then ran from the kitchen.

Rem sighed softly, sitting up and going to Marik's room, picking up the scattered remains of a small white bunny. "Poor Ryou... I'm sorry...” she said shaking her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I tried... to change his mind. He's just too determined to be hated...” she said sighing and picking up the ruined bell and shaking her head.

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

Seto watched Dr. Inogawa stitching up Bakura's sides where Marik had ripped him open, when Mokuba, who was sitting next to a now conscious Yami, gasped.

"It's Marik!" Seto turned and Bakura lifted his head. They watched Marik streak across the lawn, towards the gardens of Seto's backyard.

"He... He's all bloody... What's happened?" Bakura gasped. "Where's Rem?!"

Yami groaned softly. "I am NOT hounding him off again. I got enough wounds to qualify for a Ra damned purple heart.” he said firmly. "He can’t get in, just let him wander around. Rem's a professional, besides there isn't near enough blood on his lips for him to have killed her. Plus he's sopping wet. She probably gave him a bath and he started cleaning his own wounds."

"What happened, anyway?!" Mokuba demanded. "Why'd he fly off his rocker."

"I'm not sure." Seto said. "Ryou must have said something to him...” he paced, waiting for Rem to appear. Bakura winced.

"OW!!! Watch it, Doc!!!” he yelped.

"Don’t be a big baby." Dr. Inogawa said chuckling. "If you start acting up I might feel inclined to check your temperature."

Yami smirked. "Ahh... Being a bird isn't so bad, I'm excused from that little joy.” he said chuckling.

Bakura glared at Yami. "I fuckin' hate you.” he said. Seto picked up his cell and dialed Rem's cell phone.

Yami cackled amusedly. "aww Skunkywunky angwy?” he said chuckling.

Rem answered. "Hello?” she said, wiping her eyes softly. "Seto?"

"REM!!! Thank God!!! Are you okay?! Where are you?! What happened?! Marik just ran out of the house and is off in the gardens somewhere!" Seto blurted, frantically.

"He's fine Seto, he's calmed down. Ryou dumped him. Or so he thinks...” she said sadness in her voice. "It's not his fault. Ryou was MADE specifically to please and love anyone who mated him... god only knows how many times Pegasus has had his way with him... the poor boy probably doesn't even know anything BUT Pegasus anymore...”

"Ryou... dumped Marik?!" Seto gasped, and Bakura swiveled his head around, eyes wide and shocked.

"Oh no...”

"God... This isn't... good...” Seto said. "No wonder he flipped his lid... he didn't hurt you, did he?"

Rem shook her head. "Marik has calmed down... But it isn't Ryou's fault. Mental suggestions are imbedded in every part of him... he CAN’T tell the difference between real love, and false love... if he's mated with, he loves whoever it is. It's NOT his fault...” she said tears sliding down her face. "I can’t get Marik to understand it. Ryou doesn't know what to do with himself... and Marik doesn't seem to want to bother with him anymore."

Seto sighed. "This... entire thing has been hard on Marik... maybe... Ryou dumping him was the straw that finally broke his... heart...” The CEO plopped down on a rock, not noticing that he had just sat down on a rotten piece of fruit. Mokuba sighed and set the bunnies down, and they immediately ran to Bakura, who nuzzled them. Somehow, he had a feeling that Marik would no longer be caring for them...

Rem sighed shaking her head. "I don’t know what to do anymore Seto... I can take him back to the pet shop if you want... but he just doesn’t have the heart to try anymore.” she said sounding disappointed.

Seto looked at the others and sighed. "I'll try to talk to him.” he said, and left the aviary. Eventually, Rem found her way into the place, and when Seto finally returned, nearly half an hour later, Dr. Inogawa was finishing up with Yami, and Bakura had his head in Rem's lap.

"Well?" Bakura asked, and Seto shook his head.

"It's... bad." The CEO said softly. "I told him to sleep on it... to get some rest. That he had work in the morning."

"And?"

"... He quit." Seto said, and looked at Bakura. "He told me to turn his paycheck over to you. That he won't need it. I told him to act like a man. He said he couldn't. He's not a man. So I told him that I would not have animals in my house. He told me to send him back to the store. Or to have him euthanized...” Bakura closed his eyes and turned away. Seto sighed and shook his head. "My God... have... have we... lost him?"

Yami huffed slightly. "I can understand the pain of losing someone most dear... but he's being a real ass about it...” he said, though it was clear in his expression that despite his words, he was as upset as everyone else.

Rem sighed. "Well... then I guess it's settled. I'll... take him back to the shop then.” she said shaking her head. "I'll... take care of the damages.” she said bowing slightly. "I'm sorry that this had to happen. Bakura, I want you to work hard ok? You have to keep trying, give Marik a reason to try again."

Bakura stared at her. "Rem... You... you aren't REALLY gonna... take him away, are you?” he asked, his eyes starting to water. "Rem... he... Ryou dumped him! He...” he shook his head. "What... what will happen to Marik now?"

Rem sighed and scratched Bakura's ears. "If he wants to act like an animal Bakura, then he's going to be treated like one, and I'm not going to reward him for acting this badly. He ruined many of Seto's possessions. No matter how hard a breakup is, there is NO acceptable reason to ruin other people's things.” she said firmly. "Seto... do you have a kennel I can put him in, to get him back to the pet shop?” she asked calmly.

Yami gaped. "Oh Ra... you're serious?” he blurted shaking his head a little awed.

Rem nodded. "Yes. I am. I won’t let anyone buy him. But if he's going to act like this, then he needs to be punished. Animal or human, neither would get away with this."

Seto sighed. "I do have a kennel. And... Maybe this will knock some sense into him."

"NO!!!" Bakura shouted, backing away from Rem. "He's my best friend! REM!!!"

"I'll get the kennel." Seto said.

"SETO!!!"

"Bakura, hush." Seto said. "Rem, Marik is under the willow at the edge of the lily pad pond." And he left the aviary to get the kennel.

Yami frowned slightly and moved to sit next to Bakura, he hugged him slightly. "It'll be okay Bakura... Seto wouldn't do something without thinking it throu - -... ok maybe I can’t say THAT precisely... but he has a good head on his shoulders, and he'll make sure things turn out right... ok?” he said calmly, reassuring the skunk. "Have a little faith in him... I promise to make sure to hound him until things ARE right.” he added grinning slightly.

Rem sighed softly. "Hideo... do you have the emergency tranquilizers?” she said shaking her head.

The Doctor sighed and nodded, reaching into his bag and pulling out a smaller version of a tranquilizer gun. "I'm sorry Rem, I know you really favored him...” he said, loading it with a nasty looking dart.

Yami twitched. "Oh dear RA I'm SO glad I'm a BIRD... ..” he whined. Much like Yugi, he abhorred needles that were grossly oversized...

Bakura turned and hid his face in Yami's shoulder, beginning to cry as Rem and Dr. Inogawa left the aviary. Seto appeared with the kennel and led the way to where Marik was.

"Rem? What's that?” he asked, seeing a bit of what looked like a little bunny ear poking out of her pocket.

Rem sighed. "The tattered remains of a bunny.” she said shaking her head. Once they were in sight of Marik she sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry Marik...” she said taking aim with the mini tranq gun...

Marik slowly lifted his head and turned. He looked at her, and at the gun, then at Seto, and finally, the kennel.

"Murrrrrrrrrr...” he said sadly, slowly getting up and trudging towards them, eyes to the ground.

Rem however shook her head. "I'm sorry Marik... but good behavior won’t do you any good. By law I'm required to tranquilize potentially dangerous animals... and your actions earlier have proven you are.” she said, looking away and pulling the trigger.

Marik let out a roar and stumbled back, biting at the dark in his shoulder. Seto watched a moment, and then also turned away, unable to watch Marik stumble around like that. His upset noises grew softer and weaker and more depressing, and finally, with a thump, they turned back to find him on the ground, staring at them with tears in his eyes, before his head finally dropped. Seto sighed.

"I'm sorry, Marik...” he said.

Rem shook her head. "You wanted it this way Marik.” she said stepping forward and removing the dart from his shoulder and picking him up roughly, and loading him into the kennel. "And I'm not going to pamper you anymore. You're getting the whole animal package. Maybe then you'll realize what a wonderful life you had.” she said sternly, though she looked away and her eyes showed her sadness. "You don’t know what you have until it's gone, and you'll learn and learn fast."

Marik sighed as he was carried away, and stared at Bakura who was screaming at Rem, being held back by the tail by Mokuba and Yami. He was loaded into the car, and the engine started, and Marik watched the roof of the Kaiba Manor disappear from his view. His entire world had been turned upside down... again...

Rem sighed, pulling up to the pet shop and picking up the kennel and carrying it inside. She drug it across the floor to the cage, and literally dumped Marik in. "I won’t be feeding you today. I'm sure you've had enough, since you drank a bottle of tequila. " She said coldly. "Now go in your den and wallow in your self pity where I won’t have to look at you!” she added dangerously. "If I catch you out of your cave without a smile on your face I'm going to spank you for every step I take to get to you from where ever I saw you."

Marik looked at her, feeling the stares of all the hybrids who knew him. "Yes ma'am...” he said softly, then turned and lowered his head, slinking across the cage and into his den, where he curled up and sighed... strange... he suddenly felt at home... he looked over at the cage next door. Ryou's cage... a sharp pain stabbed through his heart. He turned and moved to the very back of his cave, curling up and staring out at the shop, and at the people in it, coming over to investigate him as Rem replaced the old sign. 'MARIK Lion (panthera leo), but added on was 'NOT FOR SALE'. Marik sighed again. Not like she needed to put that sign up... no one had ever wanted him... and no one ever would...

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

Ryou hunched down grinning. The mighty predator-bunny had his prey right where he wanted him... Pegasus was just getting into the mud bath, and he was crouched down, hiding near the tub of mud... watching and waiting on his master to sit down in the goop before making his strike... this would be the most fun EVER!

Malik lay near by, watching. Normally, he would be waiting in anticipation, but he just didn't care... he was too worried about Marik...

Pegasus slowly lowered himself into the mud.

"RAH!" Ryou lunged forward, and dumped a large bucket of mud RIGHT on Pegasus' head before scampering off, giggling at the mess he'd made. "Dirty dirty master!" he teased, peeping up at the other end of the tub, eyes sparkling in amusement.

"RYOU!!!" Pegasus howled, wiping the mud from his face. Malik sighed and lowered his head to rest on his paws. "You little brat! Why did you do that?!"

Ryou giggled and gave Pegasus an innocent look. "Because you're all dirty.” he said pointing to the mud bath. "Filthy dirty yuck!” he said wrinkling his nose cutely. Though he'd recovered from his tears quickly enough, his ears had yet to stop drooping.

Pegasus glared, then darted forwards and grabbed Ryou's ears, lifting him up and plunking him into the tub, then dunking his head under.

"HAH!!! TAKE THAT!!! I HAVE VENGEANCE!!!"

Ryou squeaked and gasped, looking utterly shocked. "y-you made me icky!” he howled lunging into the mud and struggling to hop through it determined to get Pegasus back. He succeeded, when he grabbed a handful of mud and smeared it all over Pegasus' face and chest. "Take that!” he giggled

Pegasus snorted. "Well, that's what you get for--"

"Master?" Malik asked in a dead tone. Pegasus blinked and looked over at him. "May I go to the beach?" Pegasus blinked again.

"The beach?"

"Yes. The beach." Malik said, staring at the wall. Pegasus frowned and looked at Ryou.

Ryou blinked and frowned. "Oh...” he said softly, his mood once again ruined by Malik. "If... if he wants to go to the beach...” he said softly looking down at the mud. He sighed hunched down until he was hardly visible against the mud, since he was covered in it.

Pegasus sighed. "You may go, Malik. Ryou and I will be here at the spa. I hope your attitude has improved by lunch time." Malik slowly got up.

"Keep dreaming...” he muttered, and left. Pegasus shook his head with a sigh.

"Now... where were we?” he asked, smiling at Ryou.

Ryou sighed softly, looking miserable once more. "Master...” he mumbled sniffling. "M-maybe... maybe I shouldn’t have said those things to Marik... Malik hates me now...” he said softly. "I didn't want to make him hate me...”

Pegasus smiled and pet Ryou through the mud. "Did you really want to leave that lion clinging to false hope, Ryou?” he asked.

Ryou sniffled softly, hanging his head. "But... Malik hates me now...” he mumbled sadly. "I... I wish you hadn't bought him master... he's miserable... and... and it hurts to look at him...” he said sniffling. "He looks so much like Marik...”

Pegasus sighed. "Ryou... MUST we go through this again?” he asked.

~*~

Malik made his way down to the hybrid beach, staring at the sand beneath his paws. He walked until the surf washed over his hands and feet, and he lifted his eyes up to stare at the ocean. He sighed and slowly sat down, not even hearing Kheti calling to him from down the beach a bit. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and moved forwards, wading into the water, and finally beginning to awkwardly swim.

Kheti frowned, catching up to Malik. "Malik? Are you avoiding me?” she asked, sitting on the shore, watching him.

Malik didn't answer; he kept swimming. And it was obvious that he wasn't very good at it, either.

~*~

"Ryou...” Pegasus said, cuddling his bunny. "It took time for you to adjust. It will take Malik time, too. It will all be okay."

Ryou sighed softly and nodded nuzzling Pegasus. "You... you love me right master? You... will take care of me until the day I die? We'll travel... and love each other and always be together?” he asked fearfully, clinging to him and nuzzling, rubbing mud all over the two of them, thanks to the absorbency of his floppy drooping ears.

"Always and forever, my little angel...” Pegasus said, rocking Ryou.

~*~

Malik began to breathe hard, getting tired. But he frowned and kept swimming farther and farther from shore...

Kheti frowned and dove in swimming quickly after. "Malik stop!” she called shaking her head. "Stop! You don’t swim well enough! You'll drown!" she said frantically. "Stop!"

Malik blinked at the shouts, and turned, seeing Kheti swimming towards him. He shot her a despaired look, then turned away and began swimming harder, trying to get away. But he didn't change his direction.

Kheti swam quickly, being a much more adept swimmer, caught his tail in her mouth and tugged. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” she scolded. "You're going to get yourself killed!"

Malik yelped, and got a mouth full of water. He coughed and spat it out, and kept trying to swim away.

"T-That's... that's the fucking... POINT!!!” he shouted.

Kheti bit down hard and began swimming back to shore, easily overpowering his pathetic attempts at struggling. She tossed him onto the shore and glared. "You little prick you can’t do that!” she shouted ferally. "I refuse to have a friend of MINE killing himself!” she scolded more. "What the hell is the matter with you?!"

Malik just lay there, trying to catch his breath. It was a few minutes before he managed to speak, not noticing the people who had witnessed his brilliant suicide attempt running over.

"Why'd you have to go and pull me out, huh?!” he growled.

Kheti slapped him harshly. "That... is for being a stupid son of a bitch.” she said harshly, slapping him again. "THAT is for RUINING my fabulous fur day!” she howled and slapped him once more, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. "AND THAT is for worrying me!” she said, breaking down into sobs.

Malik stared at her, eyes wide.

"W-Why... why do you... why do you care?” he asked, baffled.

"You're my friend...” she said softly, beginning to groom his ears. "How DARE you do this to me...” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. She shook her head and sobbed, turning and running down the beach, seeking shelter from the stares of the hybrids that had gathered to watch the spectacle.

Malik stared after her, eyes wide and filling with tears. He felt even worse than before, if that was even possible. He yelped as a vet knelt and started checking him over, telling someone to scan his tag and get in touch with his owner.

"K-Kheti... KHETI!!!"

~*~

"Done with the bath?" Pegasus asked Ryou. "Shall we get cleaned off and go for a massage?"

Ryou nuzzled Pegasus and shook his head. "I like it here...” he said, starting to perk up, after reassurances and cuddles. "It's dirty." he giggled, hopping around slightly in the mud, squeaking at the delightful squish sounds it made. "And it squishes...” He sniffed at it. "But it smells... like... weird mud."

Pegasus blinked, then laughed. "It's special mud. It's good for your skin.” he said, tugging Ryou's tail under the mud.

~*~

Malik growled at the girl who was trying to grab his tag.

"NO!” he shouted. "Leave me alone! I don’t WANT my owner!” he snapped at the girl, struggling to get away. He finally managed to squirm away and ran down the beach, ducking into the burrow that the three female bunnies had dug the previous day. There, he ripped the ID card from his neck and buried it in the bottom of the burrow, then glared at growled at the vet trying to reach in to him.

"Get back! I swear to Ra, I WILL bite you!” he warned.

The woman sighed irritably and grasped him quickly by the ear, yanking him out harshly by it, before quickly switching to the scruff of his neck, the other hand rushing to his tail to prevent him from biting. "Hush up you little mongrel.” she hissed. "He buried his tag in the burrow. Someone will have to get it.” she said struggling to keep a hold on the squirming fennec.

"LET ME GO!!!" Malik screamed, thrashing and making a scene, many hybrids and their owners staring. "JUST LET GO!!!” he threw his head back and howled as the girl from before crawled into the burrow and retrieved the tag, which she scanned.

"Malik... his owner is Pegasus J. Crawford... who is currently checked into the spa with his other hybrid... Should I send him a message? I mean... that... that WAS a... a suicide attempt... right?” she looked at the vet.

"NO!! DON'T CALL HIM!!!" Malik shouted, squirming and struggling as hard as he could to get away.

"Send him a message. I'll take this hybrid to the kennels and have him held in detention until a time his owner deems it worthy to pick him up. Tell him it's perfectly fine to leave this little guy there until he feels he's either served a good punishment, or until he comes up with his own suitable punishment. " The woman said, standing and carrying Malik down the path and back to the hotel. "Maybe a few hours in a cold kennel cage will teach you not to stir up trouble around here." She hissed as she walked, thoroughly irritated.

Malik growled deep in his throat. "You keep thinking that, you bitch...”

~*~

Pegasus in the meantime was tickling his bunny, and having a grand old time in the mud bath.

Ryou giggled, and kissed him lovingly. "My master...” he cooed, pressing his muddy little forehead to his masters. "I love you...” he said smiling and nuzzling against him, pressing close and sighing contently. "Thank you...” he said after a moment. "For making me feel better."

Pegasus opened his mouth to answer, but the door opened. "Mr. Pegasus?" A young woman said, slipping in. "An urgent message just came in for you."

"Oh?” he asked, looking at her. "What is it?"

"Your fennec, Malik?” he nodded. "Just attempted to drown himself out off of the beach." Pegasus' eyes widened.

"What?!"

"Apparently, he swam out and was visibly exhausted, but kept going. A female of his species dragged him back to shore, but ran off before officials reached him. He fought them and tried to bury his ID card. They have removed him to the detention kennels after proclaiming him as physically uninjured. You may pick him up at any time."

Ryou gasped softly and shook his head backing away in the mud and hanging his head, there just was NO feeling good for him was there? He sighed softly. "M-master... I'm sorry...” he mumbled once more, looking at the mud quietly, feeling like the lowest scum on the Earth. "M-maybe if I apologize... he'll be good again...” he added pouting.

"Now Ryou, that is enough!" Pegasus said loudly and sternly, and the girl slipped from the room. "I will NOT have you blaming yourself for this! This is NOT your fault, do you understand me?!"

Ryou whimpered at the sternness in Pegasus' voice. "B-but he's only acting this way b-because of m-me telling Marik those things... if I apologize... maybe things will be better...” he said softly, giving Pegasus a pathetic look. "I... I just want everyone to be happy...” he mumbled looking down once again.

Pegasus smiled. "We'll see about getting Malik some help, okay?” he said, petting Ryou. "Everything will be okay. I promise, angel."

Ryou sniffled and nuzzled his master warily. "A-alright...” he said softly. He crawled back into his master's arms and cuddled close. "A-are you going to get him?” he asked. "B-because... I... I was having fun...”

Pegasus shook his head. "I'm here to spend time with you. He can sit in the kennels and think about what he's done." Pegasus said.

Ryou blushed and smiled slightly. "Oh master...” he cooed lovingly, kissing him. Ryou straddled Pegasus' lap and clung to him, littering him with sloppy muddy little kisses. "I'll need such a big bath... I'll never be so pretty and white again.” he cooed, giggling softly.

Pegasus laughed. "Shall we head out and get cleaned off and get that massage now?” he asked. "Or does my bunny have other plans?"

Ryou giggled and grinned broadly. "Oh master, I don’t make the plans, I'm just your humble bunny...” he said seductively. "Though... I'm always open to creative new ideas from my loving master...” he said grinding against his master slowly.

Pegasus's eyes widened. "Okay, let's clean up!” he said quickly, getting out of the mud bath and heading to the shower.

Ryou cooed from the mud, and paddled around in it. "I can’t master. I'm stuck in all this muck!" he teased, wallowing gleefully in all the muck. "I need rescuing!"

Pegasus blinked at Ryou, then laughed. "You little goof..." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry! Master will save you!" And he walked over and plucked Ryou up out of the mud. "I got you!"

Ryou squealed in delight and latched onto Pegasus giggling. "Oh master! You saved me from the gooey goop!" he cheered, nuzzling him with his dripping muddy face. "But I'm such a dirty bunny...." he said softly, hands slinking down over Pegasus' back, as he pressed closer. "Poor dirty bunny..."

"The dirty bunny needs a bath." Pegasus agreed with a nod, walking to the shower and turning it on. "Will the bunny enjoy that?"

Ryou giggled softly and gave Pegasus a gooey muddy kiss on the cheek. "I like mud baths...." He cooed. "Can we do it again before we go home?" He asked, his little muddy tail seeming to wag. He gave his master a sultry look however and cooed. "And I will enjoy anything; as long as I get rewards... Master likes his dirty bunny?"

Pegasus laughed again. "Master LOVES his dirty bunny!" He said, giving Ryou an equally gooey muddy kiss. "And of course we can do this again before we leave."

Ryou grinned. "All of it?" he asked softly, tilting his head to the side. "You promise?"

Pegasus nodded. "Promise." He said.

Ryou grinned ferally. "I'll hold you to it...” he cooed, nuzzling into Pegasus and hopping down from his arms to hop into the shower and play in the sprinkling water.

Pegasus smiled and stepped into the water as well, letting the soap fall to the floor. He nudged it, and it slid across the floor before Ryou.

Ryou gasped and pounced on the thing, grinning as his white fur began to show through in speckles, as the mud was slowly being rinsed away. "Gotcha!" He said delightedly.

But the soap shot out of his paws and slid away. Pegasus laughed when Ryou's ears shot up in surprise, and the bunny crouched, flicking his tail as he stalked the poor defenseless soap...

Ryou's ears fell back into their seemingly new perpetual droop, as he stalked closer to the soap and pounced on it a second time, yelping when he slipped on the 'trapped' soap and fell face first into the floor.

Pegasus smiled and shook his head. "Having trouble, baby?" He asked.

Ryou pouted slightly and shook his head, dazedly. "It bit me." He grumbled sitting up and beginning to shake off the mud and water.

Pegasus laughed loudly. "Ryou! It did not!"

Ryou grumbled. "Did too...” he mumbled shaking out more, looking now a dusky brown color, as the water had rinsed as much of the mud away as it could.

Pegasus sighed and shook his head, kneeling. "Come here, Ryou. Let me wash you off."

Ryou squeaked and backed up grinning. "My master cannot touch the dirty bunny!" He said teasingly. "Not unless he intends to reward me with wonderful pettings and nuzzlings...” he cooed rolling onto his back and grinning lazily at Pegasus, content to tease his master.

He stretched languidly and lay on his back slowly giving Pegasus an utterly innocent look. "I am a good bunny...” he cooed, running his hands along his body slowly, as the water ran over his flesh. "Don’t you think so?"

"Yes I do." Pegasus said with a grin, and began rubbing Ryou's tummy, then grabbed the soap and started soaping him up.

Ryou cooed and nipped playfully at Pegasus' arm. "My sweet wonderful mate...” he mumbled, closing his eyes as Pegasus washed him. "I can think of so many fun things we could do...” he murmured blushing softly. "Cant you?"

Pegasus smiled. "I sure can... I can see us relaxing together on a raft in the lazy river, watching the sun set..." He leaned over and kissed the tip of Ryou's nose. "Does that sound nice, precious?"

Ryou sighed dreamily. "That would be good...” he mumbled. "Wonderful relaxing...” he added nuzzling into Pegasus' arm. "Would there be wonderful sweet fruit for us to share?" He asked giving his master's arm a soft lick.

"Maybe even frozen fruit drinks." Pegasus said, sitting Ryou up and shampooing his hair.

Ryou blushed. "Oh....sounds romantic...” he said softly, leaning into Pegasus' scrubbing hands. "Then what?"

"Hmmm... how about a nice dinner... just the two of us. A little cafe on the water... with candle light..." Pegasus mused.

Ryou smiled, his eyes closed. "Oh... sounds so nice...” he murmured thoughtfully. "Then...then we could go back to the room...and lie outside in the hammock and watch stars?" He asked softly. "Just us...would every day be so romantic Master? Will you ever grow tired of me? I hope not..."

"I could NEVER grow tired of you." Pegasus said, rinsing the soap from Ryou's hair. "But I do get tired of seeing my baby upset about things... you're always upset about something... and I want to see my baby bunny happy."

Ryou smiled. "I'm not upset." He said, shaking the water from his hair and drooping ears. "I'm content right now."

Pegasus smiled. "Good." He said. "There you go! A squeaky clean bunny!" And he stood to finish washing himself.

Ryou grinned and bolted from the shower, back in the direction of the mud bath. "GOOP!"

Pegasus' eyes widened and he took chase. "DON'T YOU DARE!!!" He shouted.

Ryou laughed loudly and took a diving leap towards the mud. "HURRAY!" He cheered, plopping down neck deep (on all fours) in the warm mud.

"RYOU!!!" Pegasus howled. "I just got you clean!!!"

Ryou grinned at him. "YOU said I could do it again! You promised!" He said grinning broadly.

Pegasus folded his arms across his chest and glared, tapping his foot.

Ryou giggled softly and gave him a cute look. "You SAID I could." He said softly, paddling around cutely in the mud. "And I like it...it's so squishy!"

Pegasus grabbed Ryou by the ears and pulled him out of the mud. "That's enough." He said, and carried Ryou back to the shower.

Ryou pouted softly. "B-but I wasn't done!" He whined squirming to get back to the 'goop'. "I was having fun!"

"Don't you want a massage?" Pegasus asked.

Ryou nuzzled Pegasus, muddying him up. "I had mine." He said nuzzling him. "Your hands on me feel like heaven." He cooed.

Pegasus sighed and carried Ryou back to the shower, washing him all over again.

Ryou yawned softly, chasing the soap boredly as Pegasus once again resumed cleaning himself. "Squeaky clean... I miss the goop." He mumbled pouncing the soap and grinning. "GOTCHA!"

Pegasus smiled at his bunny’s antics, and once he was clean, he caught Ryou up in a fluffy towel after wrapping one around his own waist.

"Silly bunny..." He teased.

Ryou grinned and shook the water from his fur. "Massages now?" He asked softly. "Can I go first?! Master you lay down....” he said grinning wickedly.

Pegasus smiled and carried Ryou to another room where two people were waiting. He sat Ryou down on one of the two massage tables, and got onto the other.

Ryou blinked confusedly and looked around before trying to hop off the table to get to his master. "Master... aren't I supposed to be with you? He asked softly, looking utterly dumbfounded.

The man chuckled. "Separate tables. Like down on your chest please." He said, patting Ryou on the head.

Ryou blinked and looked at Pegasus confusedly. "Master?" He asked a slight fear in his voice.

The woman behind Pegasus giggled softly. "What a cute little bunny." She cooed at him. "What's his name?" She asked Pegasus smiling. "He's simply darling."

Pegasus smiled. "Ryou, we can't BOTH fit on one table. Just lie down and let the nice man give you a massage." The man chuckled and reached into a basket, then offered Ryou a slice of cucumber.

Ryou pouted slightly and took the slice of cucumber and nibbled it, lying down fearfully and whimpering softly. "Don’t hurt me...” he whimpered covering his eyes slightly, half expecting something bad to happen.

The man laughed and pet Ryou on the head. "I won’t little guy..." He said, and began rubbing Ryou's shoulders, gently. "Tell me if I rub too hard."

Ryou blinked and closed his eyes slowly. He made soft content noises. "Good bunny...” he mumbled curling up contently under the man's hands.

The girl laughed, beginning to rub Pegasus' shoulders as well. "He's so well mannered. He must be your pride and joy." She said amusedly. "I've never seen such a sweet little meek hybrid."

Pegasus chuckled. "Ryou, if you curl up you will impede his work. Stretch out, baby." The man smiled and pet Ryou on the head when he obeyed, working his hands down Ryou's back.

Ryou grunted softly as the man worked on his back. His ears quivered in content as knot after worry and hurt induced knot were worked away.

"Master... thank you...” he mumbled lying down now, quite contently as the man worked on his back. "He has nice hands...” he mumbled dozing slightly.

Pegasus and both masseuses snickered slightly.

"Glad you're enjoying yourself, angel." Pegasus sighed.

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

ONLY THREE CHAPTERS TO GO, PEOPLE!!! And then the sequel, Twilight Menagerie will be posted!!!

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

Steve Irwin

The Crocodile Hunter, Wildlife Warrior, Reptile Expert, Conservationist...

A Loving Husband and Father.

You were taken before your time.

We miss you.

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