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 38

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Rem sighed softly as she went cage to cage and fed the animals. She stopped in front of Marik's cage, before shaking her head and entering. She hadn't pampered him once. He got the same food as the other carnivorous hybrids now. No special steaks, or shrimp. No, He got something almost akin to dog food, but made especially for Lions. Not appetizing at all.

Marik sighed and slowly opened his eyes, watching as Rem entered his enclosure. He said nothing, and made no move aside from a flick of the ear.

Rem frowned. "Get up.” she said forcefully. "Get over here and eat this food.” she added glaring at him.

"Not hungry...” he mumbled, and looked away.

Rem glared. "Now."

Marik sighed again and slowly got up and made his way over to the food dish, his head hanging low. Once he got there, he sat and stared at the dish.

Rem tapped her foot. "Eat Marik. If you don’t start eating what I give you, I'll have Dr. Inogawa give you a feeding tube.” she said firmly.

Marik lifted his eyes stared at her, a look of pain and devastation on his face.

"Murrrrrrrrr...” he moaned, and slowly lay down and nibbled a bit, his stomach clenching and twisting in protest.

"It's about time you stopped pouting. You wanted to be an animal, well animals don’t pout. “ she said calmly. "Lions don’t love rabbits, and they certainly don’t MISS the love they had. Get over it.” she said coldly, stepping over him. "I expect you to play with the children today, and have a GOOD attitude about it, or I know one lion who will be chained up outside of his cave for all to see."

Marik looked up and watched Rem leave. He felt betrayed. Betrayed by the last person he had ever expected it from. He looked down at his food, and grimaced, getting up and moving back towards his cave.

"Marik...” Rem said warningly. "You are forbidden to go into that cave until this pet shop is CLOSED.” she said frowning. "You're going to play with the children today."

Marik stopped and sighed, then just flopped down to the ground right outside of the cave, his back to the door.

Rem shook her head and turned. "Marik. You need to get over it.” she said crossing her arms. "I'm not going to reward you for behaving like a brat.” she said shaking her head once again. "Bakura's working so hard for Malik, and look at you. One thing goes wrong and you just give up.” she said sounding like the most disappointed parent to ever live. "I thought better of you Marik."

"Malik didn't tell Bakura that he wasn't ever coming back...” Marik said in a monotone voice.

"Malik is there to make SURE Ryou comes back to you.” she said sighing. "Marik... you're hopeless. For once in your life, someone depended on you... needed you, counted on you, and look... you're letting them down. Seto placed trust in you, and responsibility on you. He have you what you needed to take matters into your own hands. What do you do to thank him? You quit your job, DESTROY a great portion of his house, and throw any possibility of having a happy ending up in his face.” she scolded sternly. "For once, you had everything headed in the right direction for a home and loving family, a good life of your own, but instead of taking the incentive... you just give up. I'm not going to be here forever Marik, and I'm not going to baby you."

"Ryou... Doesn't... Want me." Marik growled out between clenched teeth. "Do you know how much it hurt to hear him tell me that he was going to stay with Pegasus?! Tell me to find someone ELSE?! Tell me that he isn't coming back to me?!"

"About as much as it will hurt him when he goes looking for you, and finds that you gave up on him.” she said glaring slightly. "That rabbit WILL come back for you Marik, and when he does, I hope he gets a good long look at what you became. I hope he stays with Pegasus, because the way you're acting, the way you've acted, you don’t DESERVE him either way!"

Marik curled up. "I know...” he choked out. "He... he's better off with Pegasus... He can give him... everything... And... Ryou wants to stay with him... he's happy with Pegasus. And if he's happy... what right do I have to interfere?"

Rem sighed. "He's not happy Marik.” she said taking a few steps back towards the cage. "His mental suggestions are tricking him into a state of happiness... it's not real.” she sighed softly. "Why don’t you understand? It's like he's dreaming, he's trapped that way. There's no way to undo it. He depended on you Marik... when he was with you, the original mate, he would wake up from his 'dreaming'. He begged you not to make him go back Marik... because he can’t control it. Because he knew what would happen. He's not aware of the why and how... just that he will love Pegasus.” she said pressing her forehead against the glass. "Do you understand? It's not a real world for him...”

"Maybe not for us... but for him, it is real... And he can't escape it. But that's the whole problem... he has to escape it so I can free him from it. And he has decided that he doesn't WANT to be free from it. It's real to him, Rem... That's what really matters. I can't get near him. And if I can't get near him... then I can't help him... even if he DID want my help...”

Rem sighed. "One day soon Marik, he will be back, hoping to find you so you'll save him from himself... and when that day comes, he'll be heartbroken... to discover you're less capable of saving him than he is. What happened to those dreams? What happened to getting an apartment for yourselves? Your dreams weren't THAT outrageous Marik... Don’t you want a place to live with him? Don’t you want to be his mate?” she asked softly. "You know he's sick Marik... He can’t help what he does because of how Daisuke made him... but you should know he'll ALWAYS come back to you... you were the first."

"I... I wish I could believe you...” Marik sighed softly. "I want to believe you... but I just... don't...” he traced little patterns in the sand with his claw.

Rem sighed. "Marik... you were the one he CHOSE with his heart. You were the one who mated him first... He'll always come to you over anyone else who ever mates him.” she said softly. "But what will he come back to? Are you just... going to give up your dreams because of something he can’t help? Malik will bring him back... and what then? Will he see a lion that gave up on its mate... or a man who kept on trying, even when the hope seemed lost?"

Marik let out a long sigh. "I... I just can't do it anymore Rem... I'm so... tired... I feel completely... empty... dead... I can't do it anymore... Somehow, in mere moments, he destroyed all the strength I had left. And I just can't find it again... I can't... do this anymore... I... I just want to forget...”

Rem sighed and walked back into the cage, and with a few soft tinkles, presented a small tattered bunny plushy, that was sewn together as best it could be, mended as best as she could. "Marik... you know in your heart that he didn't mean those words, you know in your head he didn't mean to... I would never lie to you.” she said gently walking the bunny across the sand.

"you have to be strong, for him... you have to keep going, even when you don’t think you can go anymore... or you may as well call him back, and tell HIM you don’t want him.” she said calmly. "I can get that number from Seto, is that what it will take Marik? Will it have to come down to you calling him to tell him 'you're not worth it anymore Ryou'?” she asked setting the bunny down.

Marik stared at the bunny, and then closed his eyes, a pained look on his face. "W-Why...? Why can't... why am I not FEELING anything?!” he gasped. "I... I'm not feeling anything... not love, or hate, or anger, or... why do I feel so empty?” he fixed a look of agonized confusion onto Rem.

"Because you're scared Marik...” She said softly, scooting the bunny closer. "You're afraid. You 'lost' the only person who ever paid you the time of day AS a person, before I knew, and you're lost...” she said hopping the small toy closer to him. "If you don’t want to feel this way Marik... you just have to remember that he's not Pegasus' bunny. He’s yours.” she said smiling slightly.

"Or is it that you want Pegasus to have Ryou?” she asked. "Is it that you think Pegasus would be better than you? A man who kidnapped that poor boy off the street? Took away everything he ever knew, turned him into an animal just to keep as a sexual pet?” she asked slowly. "Does that make him a better mate than you?"

Marik grit his teeth and closed his eyes, drawing in a shaky breath, and tears rolled down his face. "N-No... he isn't a better mate... but... I can never compete with him in ways of... He is a better provider... Rem... I'm scared... what if Ryou really DOES love him?! What if he really really REALLY meant that he wasn't coming back?! What if he decided that Pegasus was a better provider than I could ever be? What if he really feels that he would have a better life with Pegasus?!" Marik began sobbing as he laid all of his doubts out for Rem to see. "What if he doesn't believe that I can take care of him?! What if that's why he said that?!"

Rem scratched his ears softly. "Marik... I want you to think about Ryou... imagine how he looked that day... the expression on his face when he begged you not to make him go...” she said softly. "Think about it... think about the heart behind those big sad red eyes... Does that seem like something he would EVER say to you? Do you think for one moment that he would want to love, and live with someone who took away everything he ever had?” she asked softly, nudging his cheek with the small tattered bunny plushy. "The same boy, who turned to you for help, for love when you were both still here?"

"Marik, that boy loves you for REAL... you are the real mate. Pegasus has only one thing keeping Ryou bound to him... and that is the mental suggestions. You had him first, he will ALWAYS love you...” she said placing the bunny down. "Why don’t you get back up Marik... and work for him... you're a lion... you have to defend what's yours. You have to save Ryou from Pegasus, he's counting on you."

Marik sighed and stared at the plushy, then mewed and batted at it. "I... I need to... I just need to rest...” he said, and Rem could tell by his tone that he didn't mean physically; his spirit, his heart... his very soul was weary. She could hear it in his voice. "I just want to rest...” And he closed his eyes lightly, sighing again. "Even after all this time... this place still feels like... home...”

Rem scratched his ears once more. "Alright Marik... but remember... the longer you spend here... the less you'll be able to provide for him... once he comes back.” she said softly. "As it is, you have to give up almost everything you earned, to pay Seto back for what you broke.” she said frowning. "You don’t want to start your happily mated lives living in a box.” she said tickling him slightly. "If you're worried you can’t provide... work harder to prove just how well you can.” she added tickling him once more. "every day, I want you to imagine the loving look of joy he'll have, when he runs into your arms and tackles you into a hug, glad to be back in YOUR arms... just yours."

Marik winced at what she had said about paying back Seto. And that just made him feel worse. He made a face at her tickles and moved away, shuffling to the back of his cave. He suddenly found his mind assaulted by a horrible vision... a vision of Ryou and Malik, coming home. Malik running to Bakura, and Bakura presenting him with gifts; a home, clothes, and security... And then Ryou turned to him. But he had nothing to offer... no home... no clothes... not even the tea set he had planned on buying for Ryou... He just stood there, staring at his feet, empty handed... And Marik curled up tightly, shaking as he tried to choke back his sobs.

Rem sighed and peered into the cave. "Marik... if you're worried about it that much... why don’t you ask Seto for one more chance?” she asked softly. "Maybe something you could do from here... if you don’t want to leave. I'm sure he could come up with something...” she said reaching in and patting his head. "Maybe you could fold up flyers, and put them into envelopes and address them?"

Marik jerked away. "Yeah right!” he sobbed. "I can't even read my OWN handwriting!!! If I can even REMEMBER how to write...” he shook his head. "What's the point?! I'm completely useless!!!"

"Marik... are you giving up? What about Ryou?” she said softly, placing the small toy before him once more. "If you're having trouble, I will help you.” she said calmly. "Or maybe we could get you a computer to print the address on the envelope for you.” she added. "Even with no education at all, I'm sure you remember how to fold things."

Marik shook his head, beginning to rock himself. He whimpered and shook his head. "I can't do anything! I try and try and try... but I always FUCK IT UP!!!" Several people in the shop turned towards Marik's cage, looking scandalized.

Rem growled softly and slapped him harshly across the face. "MARIK!” she said sternly. "You listen here mister, it's time to decide who's most important in your life, it's time to prioritize.” she scolded. "Either you love him, and you'll do anything for him or not. It doesn't matter if you mess up, your friends will ALWAYS help you back to your feet. It's now or never Marik... decide what Ryou's going to see when he comes back to you. Are you going to have nothing to show for yourself? Are you going to have nothing that even says 'hey, I tried my best'?"

Marik held his cheek and stared at Rem. "I... I can't screw up Rem! And that's all I keep doing!!! If Ryou does come back... and I screw up again... I... It could be... it could cost me more than I'm willing to give!! If I can't do things right, then what good am I?! For Ryou, or ANYONE?!"

"Then don’t mess up again Marik.” she said calmly. "If you're starting to, ask for help before it becomes bad!” she said shaking her head. "What good will you be to him, if you don’t even try? He's coming back to you, and right now you can’t care for him... you have not even enough to feed and tend to yourself. Do you want him to feel what it was like for you, when you were homeless? Is that what is going to happen? Are you going to lead that boy who loves you to a life in the streets?"

Marik shook his head, his sobbing becoming more violent and hysterical. "No!!!” he screamed. "NO!!! I... I don't want that for him!!!"

"Then what do you intend to do to stop that from happening Marik?” she said moving the bunny along the floor. "What are you going to do to stop him from dying in the streets, starving and shivering from the cold?!” she added sternly. "It's time to decide Marik. It's time to decide who you are, what you are to him! Are you going to TRY? Or is this it? Is this where you intend to stay?"

"I... I don't... No, I... but... NO!!!" Marik screamed, flinging his arms around Rem. "WHY DID HE SAY THAT?! WHY WOULD HE THINK THAT HE WOULD RUIN MY LIFE IF HE CAME BACK!? WHY WON'T HE BELEIVE THAT HE'S RUINING MY LIFE BY TELLING ME THAT HE WON'T COME BACK TO ME?!?"

Rem gently rubbed his back. "Prove him wrong Marik... Prove him wrong... prove to him that coming back to you will only bring you even more joy... Ask Seto for a second chance... get back on track.” she whispered in his ear. "Make sure that he doesn't end up the way you were, before Daisuke found you... make sure he has a home, make SURE he has food, and a warm place to sleep. Don’t be the one who causes him to die in the street... alone... cold... passed out from hunger and thirst."

Marik sobbed at the mere thought of it. "I won't... I won’t let that happen... I can't...” he moaned, and he scooped up the bunny plushy and cuddled it, crying. "Ryou... Ryou... Ryou...” And slowly, his whimpers softened, and his body grew limp.

Rem rubbed Marik's back more. "Marik sweetie... do you want me to ask Seto to give you something to do while you stay here?” she asked, glad he'd calmed down, and was once again cherishing the plushy. "Do you want to call Ryou?” she added scratching his ears gently. "Would that make you happy?"

But the only answer she got from Marik was soft breathing and a slight purr; Marik had fallen into an emotionally exhausted sleep...

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Ryou nuzzled Pegasus' leg as he followed his master down the hall. "That massage was so wonderful Master...” he said softly. "I've never felt this good in all my life! I bet I could move mountains!” he said proudly. "I love massages!"

Pegasus laughed. "I know how you feel!” he said, stretching. The spa had been so... rejuvenating! "Ryou... I think I'm going to go out tonight and have a cocktail in the bar... would you be okay with staying in the room with Malik? We really shouldn't leave him unattended...” Pegasus frowned. He was not looking forward to picking Malik up from the detention kennels.

Ryou nodded. "I'll be ok...” he said softly. "We'll order dinner when we're hungry... maybe we'll make up with a little alone time.” he added hopefully, smiling softly despite his still drooping ears.

Pegasus smiled. "Malik needs you, Ryou. You care about him. I know you do. You need to show him that. And show him how sad it makes you that he tried to...” Pegasus decided it would be best not to say it. "And... Try to make sure he eats, baby...”

Ryou nodded quickly. "Of course!" he said quickly.

Pegasus smiled. "That's my boy.” he said. "My perfect precious baby bunny.” he opened the door and walked into the detention kennels, and over to the counter. "I'm looking for my fennec. I was informed that he was here.” he said to the woman behind the desk.

The woman nodded and walked into a back room, before dragging Malik out, harnessed and muzzled. "Here you go sir.” she said handing him the leash. Ryou gasped softly at Malik and inched forward. "M-Malik?” he asked softly, licking his ear gently. "A-are you ok?"

Malik growled slightly and jerked away. He huddled low to the ground; his ears were tilted back and his tail was tucked tightly between his legs.

"What happened exactly?" Pegasus asked the woman.

The woman sighed. "He attempted to drown himself, and after being brought in he caused a ruckus, so we muzzled him sir.” she said calmly. "He was upsetting the other hybrids in the detention kennels."

Ryou looked at Malik sadly. "Please Malik?” he asked softly. "I... I still want to be friends...”

"I see...” Pegasus said. "I heard it was another hybrid that saved him?"

"Yes, a Female Fennec saved him, but we were unable to determine who she belonged to, or which fennec female she was.” she explained.

Pegasus blinked. "Kheti, I'd wager...” he said. "Well, thank you, and I'm sorry for the trouble he's caused. It won't happen again. Will it Malik?” he glared at the fennec.

"No." Malik mumbled, and after Pegasus started talking to the woman again, he muttered, "Next time I won’t be stopped...”

Ryou glared and bit down on his ear harshly. "There won’t be a next time." He hissed glaring. "Stop being this way!"

Malik winced and pulled away from Ryou, huddling down on the floor.

Ryou pouted. "Malik... please don’t hate me...” he pleaded softly, while Pegasus and the woman talked. "Please? I... I'll make it up I promise."

Malik glared at Ryou, then turned away from him, glaring at Pegasus' ankle, finding an overwhelming desire to bite it rise up in him.

Ryou gently tugged his ear. "Please Malik? I... I'm sorry...” he said softly sniffling. "Please... c-can’t we try to be friends?"

Malik let out a soft growl, trying to pull away.

"They get along so well for a while, but then one does something to make the other mad, and... Well... THIS happens...” Pegasus was saying, waving a hand at Ryou and Malik. "I'm worried that the predator in Malik will lash out at Ryou and hurt him badly one of these days...”

Ryou sniffled. "Malik... p-please... why do you hate me so much?” he asked, gently letting go. "I've n-never done anything to hurt you...”

Malik glared even harder at Pegasus' ankle and his lip curled.

"Malik! You had better be glaring at my ankle out of convenience!" Pegasus snapped warningly. Malik winced and turned to glare at the side of the counter that the woman was leaning over.

"Well sir, there is a predator and prey session. It teaches the predators and prey to coexist happily without becoming ferocious and dangerous to each other.” she said calmly, handing him a brochure. "It starts soon actually, you could take them there."

Pegasus blinked and looked at the brochure. On the front was a picture of a wolf and a deer hybrid, playing happily.

"Hmmm... I think I will." Pegasus said. "Yes... thank you. And I'm sorry again for the disturbance Malik caused. It won't happen again."

The woman nodded and smiled. "Thank you."

Ryou sniffled softly and tugged Malik's ear again. "Malik?"

Malik growled again, but yelped when Pegasus jerked his leash.

"None of that.” he said. "Do you want that muzzle to stay on?"

Ryou sniffled and tugged his ear. "Malik... please let’s not fight... I... I said I was sorry...” he said, gently pawing at him. "D-do you... wanna play tag?"

Malik growled and yelped again when Pegasus gave another tug on the leash; the fennec turned his growl onto Pegasus.

Ryou growled and bit him harshly. "NO.” he said crossly. "You do NOT growl at him!"

Malik yelped and whirled with an angry bark and snapped at Ryou; only the muzzle kept him from biting him.

"MALIK!" Pegasus jerked Malik so hard that the fennec flipped, slamming down onto his back. "NO!!!” he slowly rolled over and crouched on the ground, shaking, growling, and glaring at an innocent shrub nearby.

Ryou backed away slowly. "M-master...” he mumbled, looking once more downtrodden. "He... he hates me."

"No, Ryou. He's just upset and overly aggressive. I'm taking you to this... 'Predator and Prey' workshop.” he waved the brochure. "This will help you to get along better." Malik's head jerked up and he gave Pegasus a look of disgust and disbelief.

"What?! No! Oh, HELL no!!! We don’t need that!!!" And he started fighting against his leash. But Pegasus grit his teeth and dragged Malik along.

Ryou sniffled softly, hopping along beside Pegasus. "C'mon Malik... please? Maybe they'll have something that... can make you stop hating me...” he said softly, giving his friend's cheek a gentle lick. "Please forgive me...”

Malik glared. "I'm not the one you should be asking that...” he said in a very choked up tone.

Ryou frowned and nuzzled him. "Malik... please?” he asked once more. "I... I'm sorry.” he mumbled licking his cheek once more. "I... I don’t want you to hate me...”

Malik said nothing, but he stopped fighting against Pegasus' pull and plodded along after him.

"Ah. Here we are." Pegasus said, walking into one of the smaller, cheaper hotels on the island. He was directed to the ballroom, and there, Ryou and Malik were taken from him, while he was sent to the conference hall.

"You two be good!” he called as he disappeared. And as soon as he was out of sight, Ryou found himself being taken to the left side of the ball room, while Malik was taken to the right.

Ryou blinked and looked around curiously. He squeaked when he caught sight of the two lions from before. Not only from fear, but also from the memories they carried unknowingly with them. He looked away quickly, to the prey side of the room. There were sheep, other bunnies, deer, even a few field mice and a small ferret.

A hamster and a guinea pig sat huddled together, and a pair of red squirrels were chattering and driving the staff crazy. Ryou noticed that all the other bunnies were female. There were five; three of them were the females from before. The three smiled and waved happily, and the other two perked up and flicked their tails, eyeing Ryou in the same manner that the three he had met the day before had when they had first set eyes on the little white male.

Ryou blushed softly and hopped over to them, nuzzling his three friends. "H-hello.” he said smiling sweetly.

The redheaded bunny giggled and began to groom his ears. "Well hello Ryou. Who'd have thought we'd see you here?” she said smiling. "We're here because we don’t... like the predators.” she said grinning sheepishly. "They are rude and smelly and unclean and they have horrible attitudes. Always thinking they're better than us.” she added glaring across the room at them slightly.

The blonde giggled and nuzzled Ryou. "We're sorry for scaring you yesterday.” she said. "We didn't even offer polite greetings, we just kind of... pounced you like a bunch of sex starved maniacs. We're sorry...” And all three nuzzled and licked him. "We never even introduced ourselves... I'm Beth, this is Erin,” she pointed to the red head. "And this is Jessica."

Ryou smiled and bowed his head to each in turn. "Pleased to meet you.” he said politely.

Just then a woman entered the room. "Hello everyone, today we're going to learn to get along.” she said enthusiastically. "Doesn't that sound fun?"

Over on the other side of the room, the predators groaned, rolling their eyes. But Malik was too busy trying to get his muzzle off. But he stopped when he picked up a familiar scent. A scent that he wasn't sure if he was happy or worried to smell. He lifted his head and looked around for Kheti.

Kheti was curled up in the farthest corner of the room, watching boredly as the lecture began. She seemed disinterested. She sighed softly and stretched, rolling onto her side and continuing to pay slight attention to the goings-on.

Malik sighed. He really should thank her. He really did like her and felt bad for upsetting her so... but he was afraid of what she might say to him... especially with the muzzle on... she might want nothing more to do with him. But then again, she might take pity and help him get it off. He took a deep breath, and slowly moved towards her.

Kheti looked up and glared at him slightly, and looked away, propping her chin on her arms as she went back to listening to the lecture. "Hello Malik.” she said coldly.

Malik winced and sighed. "Hi.” he mumbled. "I... I'm sorry.” he said softly. "And... thanks.” he offered her a tentative smile.

She sighed. "It's not me you should be apologizing to.” She said calmly. "That poor bunny over there really cares for you... look how he's staring...” she said motioning to Ryou. "It's your friends, your family you should apologize to... apologize for taking the most ASS action of your life.” she growled softly.

Malik sighed and nodded, slowly sitting down. "I... I know... but...” he shook his head. "You know how I told you that Ryou was in love with that lion, Marik? And that Marik loves him? Well... Ryou... he told Marik that he... wasn't coming back to him." Malik sniffled and rubbed at his eyes as tears threatened to fall. "I know that lion. I know how much he cares about Ryou. And... Kheti, I'm so scared about what's happening to Marik... I'm worried that he'll hurt himself... or even try something... stupid like I did...” he nuzzled Kheti with a small whimper, conveying that he was in need to comfort.

Kheti sighed. "Malik... it may hurt to know what is happening, and... It may sound heartless of me... but who he loves is his choice.” she said, sitting up and slowly beginning to tug the muzzle off. "It's his life, and he gets that choice."

Malik sniffled. "He... he's destroyed so much, Kheti! Months and months of work! Marik has been working for so long to get Ryou back... And Bakura... and me... LOOK AT ME!!! I was turned into a fucking hybrid because I was trying to help them get back together! I feel like... everything was for nothing now!!!" And the tears fell.

Kheti sighed pulling the muzzle off. "Shh... Malik it'll be ok...” she said, beginning to groom him. "just keep trying; be patient with him... if its love, there'll be no escaping it for him... he'll go back.” she cooed.

Malik sniffled and nodded. "Y-Yeah... he'll go back to Marik... I just hope that it isn't too late...” he cuddled up to Kheti. "I miss Marik. And Bakura. And my sister...”

Kheti smiled. "Why don’t you go over there and make up?" She asked softly. "It's pretty obvious he wants to... and that you've been snubbing him. Look at those eyes.” she said motioning to Ryou.

Malik slowly and guiltily turned to look at Ryou.

Ryou sniffled, looking at Malik pathetically. He looked down upon catching eyes with him. He looked utterly miserable.

Malik sighed and looked away, frowning slightly. "He isn't as sad and innocent as he looks...” he mumbled.

"Oh really? So he's a devious plotting little devil then. I'm sure he planned this whole thing out. The little bastard.” she said sarcastically, flicking her ears. "Malik don’t be cruel to him."

Malik narrowed his eyes and flattened his ears. "Me be cruel to him?! You remember how I told you that I was recovering from nearly starving to death? Well... Ryou was the one who starved me! He refused to let me eat until I "behaved". So when he decided that it wasn't working, I just decided to finish what he had started and refused what he tried to feed me when he started to get worried. But... you'd be surprised at just how cruel HE can be...”

"Alright!" Called one of the attendants. "Let's go meet everyone!" And the predators and prey were herded, unwillingly for the most part, towards each other.

Ryou inched forwards, trembling slightly and gazing at Malik woefully. "Malik...” he mumbled softly, looking down and sniffling as he was herded closer and closer to unfamiliar hybrids.

"Well well well... who do we have here?"

Ryou turned around and froze. The other little "prey" creatures squealed and ran, but Ryou found himself trapped.

"This the bunny, Constantine?" Asked a sneering hyena.

"Yeah...” Constantine growled, and the other predators closed in... a cougar, two wolves, two leopards, a jaguar, a panther, three tigers, a grizzly, a dingo, and a third lion, in addition to the hyena.

"Here, bunny bunny bunny... .."

Ryou gasped softly whimpering. "Y-you...” he breathed fearfully.

The three tigers grinned ferally. "Oh what a delicious looking little bunny...” They hissed, sniffing over him. "I bet he'd be a nice fuck...” One said amusedly, shoving Ryou face first into the floor, leaving his little rump in the air, tail twitching fearfully.

Another Tiger chuckled amusedly. "Look at that little ass of his...” he said, running a clawed hand over it amusedly.

Ryou whimpered and squirmed to get away beginning to cry. "Let me go!” he wailed clawing at the floor, trying to squeeze out from under the first Tiger's paw.

Constantine snickered and lowered his face. "I'll bet he WOULD be a good fuck... and then a snack...” And he slowly licked Ryou's face. The hyena giggled excitedly and all of the predators closed in sniffing Ryou all over and growling lewd comments, licking him here and there.

Ryou squirmed more, sobbing now. "MALIK! “ he wailed, scrambling to get loose, clawing at everything he could to try and get enough leverage to escape. "MALIK HELP! PLEASE!” he sobbed.

Malik stared at Ryou from where he sat off of the side, having lost Kheti somewhere in the crowd. He briefly wondered where the workers were, but soon found them dealing with a few stubborn hybrids who were trying to leave the room to find their masters. He looked back at Ryou, meeting his panicked eyes. Malik frowned, and turned away from Ryou.

Ryou wailed mournfully. Sobbing he turned away as well, realizing that he wasn't going to get any help.

The first tiger smirked. "Who wants the honors?” he said dragging a claw over the bunny's only clothing to speak of, shredding it quite professionally. "It's a rare treat to fuck a rabbit, they're supposed to be too fast to be fulfilling on their end... but I heard you can fuck a hybrid bunny's brains out, and he'll just come crawling back for more."

"Oh, I've been waiting for this one...” Constantine hissed. "He's mine...” The panther covered Ryou's mouth and the others moved in, holding him down and forcing him to spread his legs, all licking his body, and nipping and clawing here and there. Constantine grinned and pulled himself out of his swim trunks, mounting Ryou and taking up the position to penetrate him.

Ryou whined loudly biting the Panther's hand harshly. "LET ME GO!” he wailed shaking his head. "STOP IT!” he sobbed. "MALIK PLEASE! PLEASE THEY'RE HURTING ME!” he sobbed loudly trying to get away from the threat of rape. "PLEASE!" he wailed shaking with fear.

The Tiger growled and slapped Ryou harshly, biting down on one of his ears and tugging harshly, jamming his paw into the rabbit's mouth, gagging him quite effectively. "Shut up and take your fucking like a rabbit.” he hissed in his ear, smirking around the flesh in his mouth. "Be glad I haven't started eating you yet."

Malik winced at Ryou's cries. Part of him was screaming for him to go help Ryou, but the other half was saying that he deserved it. But Malik's eyes couldn't help but to turn towards Ryou. And when he saw Constantine mounting him, the other predators holding him down, Malik snapped.

"NO!!!” he screamed, leaping towards them. "RYOU!!!” he slammed into the group of predators, sending them all falling to the floor. Malik didn't hesitate, he pounced on Constantine, slamming his head into the floor, then seized Ryou's ears in his teeth and pulled him away.

Ryou sobbed, scampering to keep up with Malik and mumbling his thanks incoherently. "Malik... Malik thank you... thank you... h-he was gonna... h-he was...” he sobbed louder as he was tugged along. "Malik...” he wailed glad they'd managed to find a good place to hide from the predators, he sobbed and licked his friend over and over. "Malik...” he mumbled, clinging to him shaking like a leaf.

Malik hugged Ryou tightly and rocked him, licking and grooming his ears while crooning to him.

"Shhhh... I'm sorry, Ryou... I'm sorry... I don’t hate you. I don't... I don't... I promise... You... You're my best friend, and I'm sorry!"

"Awww... aren't they sweet...” Both little hybrids gasped and looked up; the wolves had tracked them down, and the predators had cornered them. Malik shoved Ryou into the corner and stood between him and the other predators and growled.

"This time...” Alexander hissed. "I really WILL kill you, you scrawny pitiful excuse for a carnivore...” And the predators closed in.

Ryou gasped softly, gently pulling Malik back and looking at the lions fearfully. "P-please just leave us alone!” he said, a quiver even in his voice he was shaking so badly. "P-please! What did I ever do to you!? You started this whole mess!” he said frantically, wanting to protect Malik just as much as Malik wanted to protect him.

Malik growled even louder, the fur on his ears and tail bristling, and even his hair seemed to bristle. "You bastard... it... it's your fault... it's YOUR FAULT!!! You told him that it was disgraceful! You told him it wasn't right! RA DAMMIT!!! MARIK LOVES HIM!!! HE LOVES HIM!!! Ryou may be nothing but a slut and meal to you, but he is EVERYTHING to Marik!!! IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT HE'S LOST FAITH IN HIS LOVE FOR MARIK!!!"

The predators all blinked. "Uhhh... what's he talkin about?" The grizzly asked Constantine.

"That Rabbit claims a LION is in love with him, and that Fox seems to stand by it too. No self respecting lion would love a rabbit. It's against EVERYTHING in nature." Alexander said calmly.

The tigers looked at each other puzzled. "A lion and a bunny?" They said confusedly. "But... that's not how things are supposed to be!"

Ryou sobbed softly. "Leave me alone! Leave me alone! H-he doesn't love me anymore! Please!"

Malik turned and glared at Ryou. "Stop that! He does too love you, and you know it!” he turned back onto the lions. "Marik loves Ryou! I know! I've seen it! I watched him pine away when Ryou was taken from him, and I saw him begin to work to try to get him back! Every waking moment all he thought about was Ryou! And who says that it isn't natural?! So Ryou's a rabbit, and Marik’s a lion! So what?! They're BOTH hybrids! We're ALL hybrids! What kind of hybrid we are doesn't matter!"

"Very good!" Said a cheerful voice, and everyone in the confrontation turned and stared at a trio women working the 'Predator and Prey' workshop.

"That's the attitude you all need to have!" Said another girl, walking over and kneeling, hugging Malik and petting him. Malik's face took on a look of surprise and annoyance.

"What a good little fox!" Squealed another girl.

Ryou smiled in relief and nudged Malik forward. "Good Malik...” he mumbled softly. "Thank you...” he added softly nuzzling him.

The three Tigers looked at each other and raised eyebrows. But it only took them a moment, before they noticed something that caught their fancy. Those three bunny girls. The first Tiger blushed slightly and tilted his head to the side. How was it they'd been food not ten seconds ago... but now were so cute?

Jessica's ears shot up when she noticed the tiger looking at her. She turned pink, and ducked behind Erin and Beth.

"Poor Ryou...” Malik crooned, nuzzling and licking Ryou, while the girl continued to pet him.

"Come on boys! Let's go meet some other hybrids!" The first girl was calling, and pulling Alexander and Constantine away.

The other tigers inched closer to the rabbits slowly, grinning like idiots and blushing slightly. It was something about those ears...

Ryou giggled slightly and pointed to the tigers, playfully sniffing at the bunnies and occasionally giving a little lick of affection. "Malik... the girl bunnies...” he said softly, watching with a seemingly satisfied smile. "Look what you did."

Malik turned. "Oh boy...” he groaned, rolling his eyes. But he smiled and nuzzled Ryou. "I'm not sure how their owner will feel about this... He wanted YOU to mate them!" And he gave Ryou's ear a little tug.

Ryou giggled. "They might like them more. Besides... they could have Tinies.” he said, combining Tiger with bunny in a creative way. "Tigerbunnies." he clarified, giggling. "I bet those would be cute!"

Malik snickered. "Great... little striped killer rabbits with sharp pointy teeth!!!” he laughed, mimicking Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail.

Ryou nuzzled Malik and gently tugged his ear. "Do you forgive me?” he asked softly. "I... I'm sorry...” he added quickly

Malik sighed and looked at Ryou, giving him a small, sad smile. "I stick with what I said before. I'm not the one you should be asking forgiveness from...” And he nuzzled Ryou's cheek.

"You were the one angry." Ryou countered glaring slightly. "Pegasus said he'd be happier if I let him go... it's not like I'd ever see him again... plus those lions said it was wrong."

"Those lions are full of shit and hot air, Ryou.” he said. "You honestly don't believe them, do you?"

Ryou sighed softly. "Malik... I do...” he said looking down. "And... You said I was a whore... a-and I never forgot... how could I go back to Marik like that? I really love Pegasus... I don’t even understand why...” he mumbled wiping his eyes. "Besides... if Marik is working like you said, he'll finally be able to support himself... live a life worthy of himself... he could be happy... I'd just be one more bill... a burden."

Malik looked at Ryou. "Ryou... look at me. Right in the eyes. Marik is not doing that for himself. He's doing it for YOU. Don't you remember what you told me? How happy you were when you were with him? When he helped you stand and walk. How proud of him you were when you saw him walking tall in his clothes? You wanted to stay with him, didn't you?"

Ryou looked away. "Malik... Pegasus... I... I love him. Don’t you understand? I... I can’t just... leave one for the other... Not after being with him for so long...” he said lowering his gaze to the floor. "You can’t ask me to do that...”

Malik sighed. "Ryou... you don't love Pegasus. You think you do, but you don't. You know it's whatever Daisuke did to you that makes you think you love him... you're being FORCED to be loyal to him." Malik nuzzled Ryou. "Please don't get angry for me saying this... I know it makes you get upset because of your forced loyalty, but please...”

Ryou glared. "It's a lie! It's just a lie to make me leave him!” he said angrily. "I love him for myself, not because I was FORCED to! It's not forced love! I love him with all of me!” he hissed, turning and curling up with his back to Malik. "How dare you try to tempt me away from my loving mate?!"

"See Ryou?" Malik said softly. "Listen to yourself. Listen to how... nasty you become. This isn't you. You are caring and loving and gentle... THIS is the Ryou that... tried to starve me into submission. Not the Ryou who... who took such wonderful care of me while I got better.” he crooned and nuzzled Ryou.

Ryou's fur bristled slightly and he snarled, an odd sound from a bunny. "I am NOT nasty!” he growled, curling up. "You're just trying to trick me! You tried to make me leave him when you got mad; you snubbed me because I didn't go to Marik. My mate is my master!” he growled, ears flattening against his head, as he continued to look away from Malik.

Malik sighed, his ears and tail drooping. "Marik loves you, Ryou... What do you think he's doing now? Now that you've told him you're not coming back? Are you wondering if he's okay? Or do you even care at all?” he slowly moved closer to Ryou.

Ryou's ears relaxed slightly. "I... I shouldn't know... that way if it's something bad... I won’t worry...” he said softly, letting his ears fall back into that new 'perpetual droop' look he'd had going since the last time he spoke to Marik.

Malik frowned. "Well... I worry... I saw him and how he reacted after Pegasus took you and left, that day in the park... when he wouldn't let you take Tuc and Nod... Marik went home, hid under the bed, and cried."

"Shut up Malik." Ryou huffed. "I said I shouldn't know.” he said softly, sniffling. "He'll be happy without me...”

"No he won't...” Malik said. "Ryou... I'm really worried... I'm really scared... I don't know what he might do now...”

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

Rem gently nudged Marik. "Sweetie, wake up... it's time to wake up.” She said nudging him again. "C'mon Marik... its dinnertime."

Marik moaned and made a face, hugging his bunny plush closer. "Noooooooo...” he whined.

"I have a surprise for you.” she taunted softly. "Do you want to talk to Ryou?” she asked, dangling a cordless phone before him. "Would that make you happy?"

Marik's eyes shot open and his head jerked up. He stared at Rem, eyes wide and... frightened.

"R-Ryou?"

Rem nodded. "I got the number from Seto. Do you want to talk to him? Would you be happy if you heard his voice?” she asked smiling. "I can call him...” she said in a singsong voice. "Does that sound nice?"

Marik gulped nervously and shook his head. "I... I don't know if I can... Rem... If he... I just don't know if I can take it if he...” he backed away slightly.

"Well if you don’t want to...” she said beginning to leave the cave. "I won’t make you."

Marik whined slightly. "I... I want to talk to him!” he called, making Rem stop. "But... I'm scared...”

Rem smiled. "Stand up for yourself Marik... when you talk to him... TELL him how you'll be better than Pegasus, tell him how much you love him, and tell him YOU are his mate. You're a lion Marik, king of ALL beasts; you're his mate, and his alpha. Act like the dominant mate you are. TAKE him back.” she said calmly. "It's in his very nature to be dominated, it attracts him. If you can just spark his interest, his mental suggestions will lead him right back into your arms. YOU were the original mate."

Marik nodded, trying to look determined, but there was still a spark of fear in his eyes. "I... I wanna talk to him.” he said.

Rem smiled. "Remember Marik... stick up for yourself. Don’t take 'no' for an answer... understand?” she said softly. "If you sound sure enough, dominating enough, it will trigger the mental suggestions enough to snap him out of it."

Marik nodded, staring nervously at the phone. "You'll call, right?” he squeaked. "If Pegasus were to answer...

Rem nodded and began dialing. She had a plan if Pegasus DID answer, but she hoped beyond hope he would be unavailable at the time.

Malik blinked and flicked an ear when the phone rang. He and Ryou had been left in the hotel room alone with money for pizza which had yet to be delivered. Pegasus had gone out for a drink, and Ryou and Malik were watching Animal Planet. Malik sighed and reached over, grabbing the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Malik?" Rem said softly. "Is Pegasus around?” she asked warily.

Malik blinked. "Umm... he's... out of the room right now...” His heart pounded. "R-Rem?!"

"Will he be away long?” she asked quickly.

"Yeah, he said not to wait up...” Malik said, glancing at Ryou.

Rem nodded smiling brightly. "Excellent. I need you to do two things Malik. I need you to give the phone to Ryou, and I need you to leave him alone... hide somewhere. Ok? Can you do that? You can listen in, but hide somewhere so he won’t see you or know you're around."

Malik blinked. "What? Why? Have you seen Marik? Is he okay?!" Malik was silent as Rem told him in detail everything that had happened. Malik gave a long sigh as he listened. It brought him to tears, hearing how badly Marik had taken Ryou's rejection.

Rem sighed softly. "But you need to leave Ryou alone... we're going to try and use those same genetic enhancements, to trigger his mental suggestions to Marik's favor. So you can’t be seen. Understand? Don’t come out until after he's hung up."

Malik's eyes widened and he nodded. "Y-Yeah... sure.” he said, and slowly turned to Ryou. "Ummm... here. It's for you.” he said.

Ryou blinked softly and tilted his head to the side, before hopping forward. "H-hello?” he asked softly.

Malik quickly left the room.

"Ryou?" Came a deep purr.

Ryou blushed almost immediately. "M-Marik...” he stammered, surprised that the lion had thought to call back, and that he'd had the information TO call back.

"I miss you, baby...” Marik whispered, clutching the phone to his face as he crouched in the back of his cave. "I miss you so much... my heart hurts with you gone, Ryou... It hurts so bad... I love you."

Ryou blushed even more. "Marik... but... you shouldn't.” he said softly. "Please don’t...”

"I can't help it." Marik groaned. "I can't help loving you Ryou! You're all I think about... I dream about you at night, and when I wake up, sometimes I can almost... smell you near me... But you're not. And it makes me cry... I want you back, Ryou. You're all that matters to me. My life is worth SHIT without you! And I will do everything within my power to get you back... or I will die trying."

Rem coughed slightly. "Marik, you're begging. That's not dominating.” she whispered coaxingly. "Take him by the ears and be a lion!"

Ryou whimpered. "Marik... b-but... I can’t...” he mumbled biting his lip. "P-Pegasus...”

Marik growled. "I will not let him stand between us...” he rumbled his tail lashing. "I will not let him stop me, Ryou. I WILL get you back. "

Ryou squeaked softly, taken aback by Marik's sudden change in tone. "W-what?” he said ears perking slightly. "H-how could you possibly--?"

"ANY way I can, Ryou. NOTHING will stop me. I love you. You are MY mate! And I WON'T let him keep you from me!" Marik growled aggressively.

Ryou gasped softly closing his eyes and nuzzling the phone. "Marik...” he cooed softly, blushing. "B-but...”

"I love you." Marik said firmly. "And come Hell or High Water, I am getting you back!"

Ryou cooed once again, feeling his heart flutter at the thought. "Marik... b-but how will... we live?” he asked softly, nuzzling the phone enough that Marik could hear the scratching of his fur against the mouth piece.

Marik smiled and curled up around the phone, purring. "I'll work.” he said softly. "I've been working for Seto. And making money. And it's all for you, baby... Everything. I'll take care of you. Whatever you want, I'll do everything I can to get for you. I will love you and protect you and feed you and clothe you till the day you die...” And his purring got louder.

Ryou nuzzled the phone more, blushing. "But... Pegasus...” he mumbled cooing and closing his eyes, ears perking and quivering delightedly at every noise Marik made. "Marik... but... just pets...” he mumbled nuzzling the phone again, beginning to long for the sandy lion to come bounding into the room and scoop him up in his arms...

Marik smiled slightly. "No Ryou. We'll live as humans. In our own apartment, with our own furniture, working our own jobs, making our own food...” he purred loudly.

Ryou whimpered softly. "I can’t...” he said suddenly, seeming frightened. "M-Marik please... I... I can’t... Pegasus...”

"I won't let him stop me...” Marik said, his purr changing into a growl. "If it comes down to it, I will fight him... but he will NOT keep you from me. You are MY mate... Do you hear me? You. Are. MINE!!!"

Ryou's eyes widened and he moaned softly, shaking his head. "Marik.” he murmured looking around dazed. "Marik... m-my mate...” he cooed and smiled softly, nuzzling the phone once more, laying down with the phone beneath him and beginning to groom it as though it were Marik. The soft brushing of his tongue easily picked up on the other end.

"Marik... the lions... they told me... that I was bad for you...” he cooed sighing softly and nuzzling the phone. "They tried... t-to...” he sniffled softly and nuzzled the phone once more. "W-why aren't you here? I... I want to come home...”

"I know, Ryou. I want you to come home, too... And those lions... Ryou, if I were there, I would have killed them for speaking to you like that." The lion nuzzled the phone. "I would protect you, angel...”

Ryou sighed contently. "Marik... I... I'm sorry...” he whispered sniffling. "I... I'm so confused... Please...” he said, his voice shaking slightly. "Marik I want out... I d-don’t want to be confused. Please help...” he pleaded softly, soft tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I love you Ryou." Marik purred softly. "I love you. You are the most precious thing in the world to me... I feel like I'm dead without you... that I won't live until you're with me... You saved my humanity, Ryou. Now I'm going to save yours. Because I love you."

Ryou sniffled once more. "Marik... I want to go home... I want my father... m-my friends... I'm scared... I'm lost...” he whimpered, licking the phone softly. "I... I forget you... I-if you're gone long. I-it's Pegasus... I love him... please Marik I'm confused! I don’t understand!” he began to sob. "Why aren't you here?! Why aren't you with me?!"

Marik frowned sadly. "Because... Pegasus keeps you away from me. He took you from your life, and then he took you from me. And I won’t let him get away with it for much longer. I love you Ryou. And I will take you back. You and I will live together as mates, and we will be happy...”

Ryou sniffled softly, wiping his tears with one of his ears, which he was worriedly tugging. "Marik... b-but... you can’t... h-he owns me...” he mumbled looking down. "You can’t just come in and steal me away...”

Ryou sighed softly. "I... want to live with you... a nice warm home. it doesn't have to be more than just a one room place... just warm and a bed... and a TV, and a place to cook...” he mumbled sniffling. "I... I would be happy. I would be happy to live like that...”

Marik chuckled. "A bed, a place to cook and a TV? You would take a TV over a bathroom?” he teased.

Ryou giggled. "There'd be a bush somewhere outside if it came down to that.” he said sniffling around his giggles.

Marik laughed. "Well... I will try to do much better for you than just a room with a bed, TV, and propane stove...” he said, smiling and nuzzling the phone. "You'll have a bed in a bedroom, with a bathroom nearby... And a kitchen and living area... we'll get an apartment or a small house... and Bakura and Malik will be near by...”

Ryou cooed softly. "Y-you mean it? A... a place just for us... I wish for that...” he mumbled sniffing, his crying slowly subsiding. "Y-you've made enough for THAT much?” he asked, slightly awed by Marik's hard work. "M-Malik said you were working hard b-but I never could have imagined...”

"I'm not there yet, Ryou... But I will work SO hard to get that for you... I'll do anything... I love you... Ryou. Please... say you love me?” he pleaded softly.

Ryou whimpered softly. "Marik...” he murmured. "I love you... b-but if something doesn't happen soon... I... I don’t know how much longer... I... I'll be able to say it... something's wrong with me...” he said shaking his head. "I'm so confused."

"I know you are...” Marik purred softly. "I know... and I'll help you. You are the love of my life Ryou. You ARE my life. You are everything...”

Ryou mewled softly. "Marik... please don’t say that... I... I'm not everything... I'm so used.” he mumbled sadly. "I'm such a whore...”

"Not to me." Marik said with a small smile. "Ryou... when I look at you... I see perfection...”

"Then I'm glad you can’t see me now.” he said hurtly. "I'm glad you haven't seen me... I'd hate for... for that to change."

Marik sighed. "Ryou. You are beautiful. No matter what. And no matter what, I will always love you. Remember that for me?"

Ryou nodded slowly. "Y-yes Marik...” he mumbled unsurely. "I'm sorry I hurt your feelings... work hard Marik... Work hard... so I'll have a home to come home to...”

"I promise, Ryou. I love you.” he said, hoping to hear Ryou respond with the same sentiment.

Ryou cooed once more. "I love you Marik...” he mumbled closing his eyes. "Please... do your best... I want to come home... home to your home...”

Marik smiled and purred loudly when he heard that. "I'll be waiting, Ryou...” he murmured.

Ryou sniffled. "Marik...” he mumbled sniffling. "N-no matter what I say... I love you...” he mumbled beginning to break into tears once more. "Promise... promise that you won’t listen to me... promise you'll remember I love you... th-that you'll save me...”

"I will never forget that you love me, Ryou. And you will be mine again. And we'll be happy.” he nuzzled the phone, tears beginning to well up in his eyes.

Ryou sniffled and licked the phone. "I like bathtubs... not showers.” he mumbled softly, smiling slightly despite his tears.

Marik blinked, and then chuckled. "Okay. I'll remember that, baby. Anything else?"

Ryou sighed longingly. "Someplace... with a yard... front or back, maybe both. Somewhere where I can... can grow things.” he mumbled dreamily. "Somewhere with shade trees... but not so many the plants won’t grow... a-and... A big window... I-in the bedroom... so we'll always see what the day is like... when we wake up...”

Marik smiled. "Okay, baby... I'll do my best...” he whispered.

Ryou smiled and nodded contently. "Do your best Marik... I... I need you to do your best...” he said softly. "Please... work your hardest. Be ready t-to take care of me... I'll need you." Ryou said fearfully. "I-if I get away... I'll need you Marik. I... I'll have nowhere else to go b-but to you. Please don’t let me down... I, I trust you."

Marik smiled and nodded, tears running down his face. "You can count on me, baby... I'll take care of you. I swear it." Malik sniffled and wiped away his own tears from where he was listening over the phone in the other room.

Ryou sniffled softly. "Marik... I'm so sorry.” he mumbled. "Please forgive me... I... I'm so confused. I don’t know what's going on anymore. I... I want to go home. I want to stop... being so confused.” he whispered sniffling. "Save me...”

"I will, Ryou...” Marik purred. "All you have to do is love me. And I would walk the world over on my own four... on my own TWO feet to save you. Remember that Ryou. That's all you have to do. Just love me, and believe in me."

Ryou sniffled. "W-were you ok...? I... I didn't harm you... did I?” he asked sniffling. "Malik said...”

"I... I won’t lie to you Ryou...” Marik said, heaving a reluctant sigh. "You broke my heart when you said you weren't coming back... I thought my life was over, I... nearly went off the deep end, Ryou. I nearly lost my sanity. But... I'm okay. As long as you love me, I'll be as strong as I can be. Say you love me, Ryou...”

Ryou sniffled and cried, his soft sobs heard over the connection. "Marik... I... I thought... y-you'd have a better life without me...” he said sobbing. "I... I thought the lions...”

"Those lions are low down lying bastards!" Marik nearly roared in anger. "Ryou, if I had been there, they would have left on their way to a fuckin autopsy table! They are lying. I love you Ryou. And there is no disgrace in love. I would not have a better life without you, Ryou. I would have NO life. Because there would be nothing to live for. You give me passion and purpose, Ryou. And... If proper lions don't mate bunnies, then I don't want to be a proper lion. I want to be your mate, Ryou. And nothing will change my mind. Do you understand me? I love you. I. LOVE. YOU."

Ryou sobbed aloud, licking and nuzzling the phone. "I want to go home... I want to go home Marik...” He bawled. "Please... save me I want to go home now...” he broke down, sobbing.

"Do you love me, Ryou?" Marik asked in a soothing purr.

"Of course!" Ryou wailed tugging his ears. "Please save me... I want to come home... I love you... a-and I want t-to go home."

Marik smiled. "I will get you back, Ryou. I promise." Marik said. "Don't cry, Ryou. It will all be okay. You and Malik need to stick together, baby. Can you do that for me? Whenever you miss me, go to Malik. Just talk. That will help, okay?"

Ryou sniffled. "I wish you were here... I'm afraid... things keep happening... I'm confused and I don’t know why I do things anymore. Please! Please Marik! Please save us! I'll die!” he wailed sobbing. "I'll die and there won’t be any of me left!"

Marik sniffled, rubbing at his own tears. "Ryou... you need to be strong, baby. I'll get you back soon. Malik is there to help you, but only if you let him. I know you, Ryou. And you're not letting him help you, are you?"

Ryou sniffled. "Marik... please come save us! C-come now! Get Seto! Please! Don’t go away!” he wailed, once again begging his love to not abandon him into Pegasus' clutches.

"Hush now, Ryou... It's all gonna be okay. You enjoy your vacation, and when you come home... I'll be waiting to bring you back to where you belong... with me. Okay?"

"Marik please... don’t go...” Ryou pleaded softly. "Please...” he sniffled. "Don’t go, i-if you do I might... I might forget...”

Marik smiled. "Malik is there. And he won't let you." A movement caught Ryou's eye, and when he turned, there was Malik, walking upright, clutching something to his chest. He smiled and sniffled, a tear falling own his face, and then held out his hands, offering Ryou the lion plushy... the plushy he had forgotten about since they had arrived.

"I won't let you forget Ryou." Malik said softly with a wet smile.

Ryou sniffled and reached out, clutching the lion plushy. He sniffled and his ears drooped, as he began to groom the small toy. "I... I'm counting on you Marik... don’t let us down... w-we want to come home...” he mumbled crying.

Malik smiled and sat down with Ryou, curling up with him.

"Yeah Marik...” he said to the phone. "We wanna come home. I got you out of a life as an animal... now I need you to return the favor, huh?" Marik grinned.

"I will, Malik. Ryou... it’s only a matter of time now...” he purred and nuzzled his plushy. "I will bring you home." Malik sniffled and licked Ryou's ears.

Ryou nodded sniffling. "D-don’t forget...” he mumbled, curling up into Malik's arms, beginning to sob into his shoulder.

Rem smiled as Marik hung up the phone, having said his final goodbyes. "Marik... do you feel better?” she asked, reaching forward and scratching his ears.

Marik slowly looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "I... yes and no...” he managed to say, and sniffled, rubbing his eyes. "I miss him... and he misses me...” he moved over to Rem, purring and rubbing against her. "Murrrrrrrr...” he sniffled again, and found himself coiled around Rem and staring at the tuft at the tip of his own tail. "Murrow!” he swat at it, pinning it to the sand and purred, proudly, then smiled up at Rem. "But... I'm glad we talked. Thanks...” And he nuzzled her cheek lovingly.

Rem smiled. "Marik... I think you have some things you need to do... it sounded like you were promising him a very wonderful home...” she said calmly. "And if I'm not forgetting, that means you need money...”

"Murrrrow!!" Marik exclaimed, pouncing the tuft of his tail again. "Yeah...” he sighed and looked up at Rem.”I'll call Seto first thing in the morning, okay?” he said.

Rem shook her head. "Marik, do you know how much you're going to need to make, by the end of next week?” she asked calmly. "Ryou will be back next week... if you expect to have a home for him, you need to make at LEAST fifteen hundred dollars. At least five hundred for a deposit, your first and last month's rent, money for food and money for even the least amount of furniture. Such as a Bed, and maybe a table and some chairs.” She said calmly. "Do you understand?"

Marik sighed. "I don't know if that's possible...” he mumbled. "But I'll do my best." And he turned and pounced on the phone, carrying it back into his cave. Rem heard him pushing the buttons, and then there was a silence.

"Seto? I've changed my mind. I want my job back." Marik said.

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

Ryou nuzzled Malik and sniffled. "Malik... I'm scared...” he mumbled softly. "What's happening to me?” he asked, giving Malik an utterly unsure and fearful look. "A-am I a bad person?"

Malik smiled and pulled Ryou into his lap, stroking his hair. "No.” he said softly. "You're not a bad person. You're just confused. Being forced to feel something akin to love for the wrong person."

Ryou sniffled softly. "I'm not being forced...” he mumbled softly looking down.

"Yes you are." Malik said. "You have a forced loyalty towards Pegasus."

Ryou shook his head. "Don’t be silly.” he said softly. "That's impossible."

Malik sighed. "No Ryou... it's not impossible. When you were made into a hybrid, they did something to you...” he hugged Ryou and pet his hair. "They implanted something in you... a loyalty. And the trigger for that loyalty was the act of mating. So every time Pegasus... does it with you, it only makes your loyalty to him stronger."

Ryou's eyes widened slightly. "B-but that... that's crazy!” he said shaking his head, horrified. "H-how c-could that be?!"

Malik sighed. "It's the truth, Ryou. Dai gave you an injection that changed the chemical balance in your brain."

Ryou shook his head. "N-no... please Malik... d-don’t say things like that!” he said, trembling slightly. "Y-you're scaring me... please...”

Malik shook his head. "I'm telling you the truth, Ryou. Because you deserve to know what they did to you.” he hugged him.

Ryou shook his head. "Y-you're lying...” he gasped softly, squirming away and backing up, trembling. "Y-you have to be... Please Malik... p-please tell me you're l-lying...”

Malik sighed. "Ryou... I'm not lying. Please don't run from me. And please don't hate me. I'm your friend, and I care about you...” he reached out to Ryou. "But now you know why you're so confused all the time... why you forget about... Marik when you're with Pegasus. And why you get so... vicious when someone threatens him."

Ryou shook his head. "Stay back!” he whimpered, looking cornered. "P-please it... it has to be a lie! I... I don’t... I won’t believe it!” he wailed, fresh tears threatening to spill over his cheeks. "I-It... It can’t be false! It... It can’t be... forced!"

Malik sighed. "Ryou. You have to trust me.” he looked down at the abandoned lion plushy and picked it up. "You know all I want is to help you and Marik get back together.” he smiled and held out the plushy. "Please trust me... for Marik?"

Ryou shook his head fearfully. "B-but... i-if it's triggered...” he shook his head and looked away. What if it was all forced? What if... nothing was real emotion, but just forced loyalty...?

Malik smiled. "I know what you're thinking.” he said. "You're questioning your love for Marik, aren't you?"

Ryou whimpered softly, and looked down ashamed.

Malik smiled. "This loyalty is triggered by sex Ryou. But you loved Marik even before you slept with him, didn't you?” he inched closer.

Ryou sniffled softly, whimpering. "How... can you be sure it's only triggered by that?” he asked softly. "I... I loved him before... b-but what if it's not just triggered b-by... that."

Malik sighed. "It is Ryou. It's okay...” he smiled and moved closer, nuzzling and licking Ryou. "What you feel for Marik, is real. You loved him enough to let him mate you, Ryou. You loved him before any of that loyalty shit was activated. You love him. For REAL."

Ryou nodded softly, sniffles subsiding. "Malik... those lions almost...” he breathed frightened. "W-what if something else like that happens? W-what if one day...?" he said sniffling and yawning softly, his emotions draining him.

Malik smiled and stood, cradling Ryou in his arms. He took him out to the hammock and curled up around him. "I'm here...” he said softly, licking and grooming Ryou with tender care. "I promised Marik I would protect you, remember?” he crooned softly, and the breeze swung the hammock slowly. "And I will, Ryou. I'll protect you. No matter what... I won't leave you alone like that again. I'm so sorry...”

Ryou sniffled softly and nuzzled into Malik's arms, starting to doze. "Home...” he whispered softly, clutching the lion tightly to his heart.

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

Rem hummed happily to herself as she moved among the cages, distributing lunch, giggling to herself at the crowd outside of Marik's cage. Marik had called Seto and asked for his job back, but after talking with Rem, Seto had decided that Marik had been under too much pressure lately. He had told Marik that he would not have him pay to replace all that he had broken, as Yami had broken a few things himself. He had also decided to let Marik stay at the shop for a while. He offered to pay Marik for helping Rem around the shop, and in his spare time, he would be putting together ideas for menus for the club's dinning area. So Marik had paper and drawing tools scattered all over his cage as he played with ideas. And while he worked, he was lecturing the people in the shop about treating hybrids with a proper respect, as companions and family, not as pets, and telling them the truth about the creation of hybrids. Of course, whether the people's attention was being held by his lecture or the sight of a lion wandering around in 'South Park' boxers was still unknown... (We don’t own ‘south park’)

Rem laughed slightly and shook her head. "Marik what did I tell you about getting dressed?” she scolded playfully. "You'll blind the poor children.” she added amusedly. "What do you want for lunch sweetie?"

Marik looked up at Rem and grinned, wagging his tail.

"I didn't want to make the others feel naked." Marik said, meaning the other hybrids. Rem had been allowing them the most basic clothing to cover up the necessities, such as boxers, Speedos, bras, bikinis... of course, some had gotten used to nudity, like the cockatoo that had developed the annoying habit of going topless whenever men between ages 15 to 30 walked in. Marik's jeans and shirt were neatly folded on his log.

"Rem, how about this one?” he trotted over and stuck a new menu design through the treat hole so she could see. Several people winced. The shades of orange and maroon clashed horribly...

She laughed softly. "Marik sweetie... Remember the markers I gave you?” she said motioning to the massive pile of markers, of every hue imaginable. "I want you to take the colors you used on this, OUT of that pile."

Marik blinked. "Not good, huh?” he asked, and several people nodded. He sighed. "Okay. Back to the drawing board...” And he dropped the thing and trotted back to his little butt print in the sand and plopped back down, once again considering all of his options.

Rem smiled. "What colors do you think of when you think of Ryou?” she asked thinking that may help him design the menu. It couldn't HURT...

Marik looked up and blinked, and flicked his tail. Several children giggled at the look on the lion's face.

"Ummm... white.” he said. "And blue. That horrible blue bow you stuck him in... And... Red. Cuz of his eyes."

Rem laughed. "Ok...” Shot down. Crap. She thought once again. "Why not take those greens and blues... and try combining them instead of oranges and maroons?” she said calmly. "That might work."

Marik sighed and a look of deep thought came over him. One preteen girl turned to her friend, giggling.

"That looks painful...” she hissed, and they giggled.

"I heard that." Marik said simply, and they both squeaked, and then burst out laughing. Marik smirked and started scribbling on a piece of paper with a couple of markers.

Rem smiled, watching intently. "You never answered sweetie. Lunch?” she asked again, smiling when the girls giggled more. "You have to eat. You won’t do Ryou any good starved to death."

Marik looked up and frowned. "Hmmm... how about a meat lover’s pizza?” he asked, giving Rem a goofy grin.

"Now Marik, I can’t go giving you that... it's not fair to the other hybrids.” she said tapping her foot. "I can’t afford to get pizzas for everyone." She motioned to her cart. "I can give you a small barbequed chicken, a few slices of a roast or two hamburgers or hotdogs.” she said calmly. "What do you want?"

Marik looked up and grinned. "All of the above?” he asked, thumping his tail on the floor.

Rem laughed. "One choice Marik. You eat too much and you'll get fat... I'm sure Ryou'd think you were quite the stud with a fat ass and beer belly.” she teased.

The teenage girls laughed again, and Marik chuckled.

"I'd like some roast, please.” he said politely with a smile.

Rem chuckled and fixed him up a PLATE of food and handed it to one of the giggling girls. "Why don’t you give it to him. He won’t bite... well no one but his bunny.” she said laughing amusedly at the blush that spread across Marik's face as he tried to bury his face in his work.

The girl looked nervous, but at her friends' pressuring cheers, she slowly entered the cage and made her way over to the working lion. Marik looked up and smiled.

"Thank you.” he said with a smile and a purr, and took the plate from the girl, who squealed and ran back to the door while Marik chuckled and gave Rem an amused look.

"Don’t tease them you little ham.” she said laughing softly. "If you do a good job, I'll see about calling Ryou again ok?” she said smiling. "How's that sound?"

Marik had been there with her a number of days now, and the end of Ryou's trip was drawing nearer and nearer... It was obvious because Marik's smile only grew broader each day. "You can tell him how hard you worked, and after the shop closes, I can take you and Bakura out looking at apartments again ok?” she said smiling.

They'd made a number of attempts at getting apartments, but each time Marik snubbed the potential house. It always was missing one of Ryou's requests. Particularly the window in the bedroom. It was never the 'perfect window'. Or, the backyard was too small for Ryou to grow anything, or too many trees, or too few...

"Don't worry. I think I may have found just the place." Said a voice, and they turned to see Seto walking over, Bakura behind him, and Yami by his side.

"Marik!" Bakura called, shoving past. "This place is great!!! You've GOTTA see it! It's perfect! Rem, open the damn door!!!"

"No." Rem said giving him a firm look. "You know better than to talk to me like that. Now you ask nicely or you can just forget it little mister.” she said waving a finger and clicking her tongue.

Yami snickered. "Better be nice Bakura, she's your adopted mom.” he teased chuckling.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. PLEASE open the door, Rem!?" Bakura asked, bouncing up and down while Marik crammed his face.

Rem groaned. "MARIK! CHEW!” she ordered, opening the door for Bakura. "Now don’t rush him, he hasn't eaten all day, and don’t forget your MANNERS Bakura.” she said shaking her head amused, turning to Seto. "I see Yami and Bakura are looking much better. Dr. Inogawa has always been the best in the business.” she said patting Yami's head, which once again was averted to the showy cockatoo.

"Damn...” he blurted with a shocked look. "I thought you said... clothes...” He mumbled, starting to fall into his deemed 'birdie trance' by Bakura and Mokuba. It was the numbed 'stupid' state he went into when he saw too much ultraviolet color at once.

Bakura ran to Marik and dropped to his knees, hugging him. Marik purred loudly and groomed Bakura's ears.

"So, you found a place?” he asked, and Bakura nodded, pulling some Polaroid’s out of his trench coat pocket and handing them to Marik. Marik put down his lunch and began to look over them.

"It’s a duplex! So you and Ryou can live on one side, and me and Malik on the other! We can stay close together! And it’s got everything you wanted! See? A backyard with some trees and plenty of room for a little garden... and here... a fireplace in the living room... and look! A window in the bedroom! Just like you had wanted!" Marik's eyes widened and he smiled.

"Bakura... it... it's perfect!” he exclaimed. "REM! Rem, look!!” he leapt to his feet and ran to Rem, waving the pictures in excitement.

Rem laughed and patted Marik's head. "Good Marik... Well since you have an apartment it seems, how about we go shopping for some furniture for it instead?” she said ruffling his hair. "Ryou and Malik will be home any day now after all... it's time we get you two all set up to WOW your lovers with how hard you've worked once they get home.” she cooed, scratching Bakura's ears once he stepped out as well.

"Ishizu gave me Malik's clothes sizes, so we can buy him some clothes as well, and I'm relatively sure I know Ryou's sizes as well, from the size of his bunny suit.” she said smiling sweetly, trying not to laugh as Yami wandered in a dazed stupor to coo at the cockatoo, while Seto tried to get his attention away from her so he'd snap out of it.

"Poor thing...” she said laughing softly. "She's so intent on winning him over...”

Marik grinned. Seto finally walked over and tossed his coat over Yami's head. "Yami, come.” he said firmly, then to the cockatoo, "excuse us, miss...” he said in as polite a tone as he could manage.

Yami squawked slightly and blinked in the darkness of the coat. After a few moments a muffled 'thank you' came from under the garment.

Rem laughed slightly. "Poor Yami... he's still indulging in that new color spectrum... he'll get used to it sooner or later...” she said as Yami pulled the coat off his head, his hair now messy and sticking in several NEW directions, and a dazed look on his face.

Seto shook his head and walked over to Marik and Bakura. "Marik, Bakura...” he said with a smile. "You two have come such a long way... you went from being animals, naked and eating insects and raw meat, to being men, walking tall, wearing clothes, and working. Marik, your... relapse was understandable. If Yami had rejected me...” he sighed and shook his head. "I don't know what I'd do. Have you been helping Rem?"

"Yes, Seto." Marik said with a nod, smiling and purring at Rem.

"You'd throw a coat over my head." Yami chuckled being careful to keep the coat still draped enough over his head to block his peripheral vision, keeping the other birds out of sight.

Rem smiled. "Yes, we're both very proud of you. Marik has been a great help, and it's time he left my shop. He keeps flashing my customers.” she teased. Yami twitched.

"Please... lets not give me MORE reason to look back. It's hard enough not to look as it IS!” he said already struggling to fight the urge to stupidly look back at the other bird.

Rem laughed. "Marik why don’t you get dressed and go with Seto to get yourself some furniture for the apartment?” she suggested smiling.

Marik frowned. "I am NOT flashing the customers! It's not my fault if they come to take a gander at my ass when I'm pissing in the litter box!” he protested, folding his arms over his chest and pouting. Bakura snickered.

Rem laughed softly. "Marik put on some clothes and go with Seto and Bakura to see the house and get some furniture. When you get back, we'll call Ryou again." She said smiling and ruffling his hair. "Just hurry."

Marik grinned and crammed more meat into his mouth, then pulled on his jeans.

"Marik, Bakura..." Seto said. "If you like the duplex... it's yours." Both froze and stared at Seto, who smiled and shrugged. "I think it's the least I can do to repay you for what was taken from you when you were made into hybrids."

"But... Seto... Houses aren't cheap!" Bakura gasped, and Seto snickered.

"They are to me." He said with a grin and a wink.

Yami chuckled. "Anything to get you two out of HIS house I'm sure as well..." He folded his wings closer to himself and put on the jacket Seto had put over his head. "We could use the privacy."

Rem laughed. "Men..." she said shaking her head. "Hurry along Marik, you're just making Ryou wait for a phone call..." She sang at him smiling

Marik grinned and pulled on his shirt, then his socks and shoes. He started to tie his shoes, tongue poking out in concentration.

"If you have a menu idea ready and I like it, you get a bonus." Seto said suddenly, and Marik froze, then looked up.

"I do!" He said excitedly, forgetting his shoes. He grabbed a pair of scissors and started cutting out something on the paper he had been scribbling on. Bakura quirked an eyebrow.

Yami grinned. "C'mon Marik!" he cheered slightly. "I'm a little curious myself, to see what you've come up with." He added beginning to preen his wings, leaning his head against Seto's arm.

Rem watched eagerly, also curious to see Marik's new idea. "Well Marik? What did you think of?" she asked eagerly.

Marik then grabbed a peice of black construction paper and several little letters he had cut out, then grabbed a glue stick. He started gluing...

"There!" He said, then handed the thing to Seto, before going back to tying his shoes. Seto blinked. 'The Jungle' was written in electric blue letters, and was surrounded by neon green palm leaves and hot pink hibiscus flowers.

".... wow. Marik, this is nice." He said, looking up and smiling.

Rem nodded. "Wonderful Marik!" She said clapping her hands.

Yami grinned. "Nice, I like the leaves, it's a nice touch." He said, nodding in approval. "Looks like Seto owes you a bonus." He said nudging Seto slightly and smiling. "Make it a nice one..." he whispered happily. "They deserve it."

Seto chuckled and reached out, scratching Marik's ears. The lion blinked in surprised, then let out a loud purr of delight, making Seto and Bakura grin.

"I like this Marik. I'm going to have the sign for the club designed after this... and the menus, too. Well done."

"Wow. I never knew you had an inner artist." Bakura said.

"Heh... neither did I." Marik snickered with a grin.

Yami laughed. "It must be Ryou rubbing off on you." He said smiling. "He was one of the best artists in school. He painted so many beautiful paintings. I think he sold a few..." Yami rubbed his chin in thought. "But he stopped after his father left for expeditions. He's always been very scrutinous with his money, since he had no other income than what his father sent. So painting was 'frivolous' and he could 'live without'

Marik blinked, then smiled slightly. "Really now...?" He mumbled.

"Someone has an idea..." Bakura snickered.

"Are we going shopping or what?" Seto asked.

"I wanna see the house, first." Marik said, flicking his tail.

Yami grinned placed his hands over his eyes. "Ok. Lead me out of here Seto, unless you want to end up prying me off the side of certain cages...." he said grinning.

Seto rolled his eyes and steered Yami towards the door.

"You're a dork." He said, guiding Yami out of the store while Marik and Bakura said goodbye to Rem and followed.

Yami laughed slightly. "Say it now, because next time I might just like staring at her, she's got no shame in strutting around nude...I could build her a nest." He teased, pecking Seto on the cheek and laughing.

Seto rolled his eyes. "I do not find you amusing Yami. Stop taunting me and get in the car." He ordered, getting into the car himself.

Yami cooed softly in apology, getting in after Seto. "You know I'd never do that..." he whispered, while the Marik and Bakura walked out slowly. "She just doesn't have the same power over me you do..." he cooed softly looking divinely pleased with Seto.

Rem laughed and hugged them both. "Now you two be good!" she called smiling. "I'll wanna see the house when it's decorated!"

"Oh, are you kidding?!" Bakura scoffed. "Lady, we'll be calling you to HELP us decorate!!!" Marik roared with laughter, nodding his agreement.

Yami laughed softly. "I think Ryou could tell if you decorated or not Marik." He said leaning into Seto's arm and resting slightly, putting off his afternoon nap for the shopping trip.

"So... What are your plans? For surprising them?" He asked curiously.

Marik sighed. "Well, I would call a house a big surprise." He said, and Bakura nodded.

"And of course they won't expect a fully furnished one, too... Malik made a room for me at his house, so I think I'll call Ishizu and ask if I could move the furniture from their to our new house. Then I can use the money I saved to get him a nice gift." The skunk said.

Yami grinned. "What about you Marik? Do you want help picking things Ryou would like?" He asked sounding proud of the two. "I'll give you a hint, he likes the darker shades of wooden furniture. Like rosewood."

Marik blinked, then thought a bit. "How about... cherry?" He asked. "That has a nice deep red color..." Bakura snickered.

"I think Marik's about to discover his inner interior decorator..." He joked, and Seto smirked.

Yami laughed once more. "Sounds good to me." He said smiling. "I think the house you picked is great... Ryou will adore it. Malik too. He seems like the type who'd love big bedrooms, and that bathroom isn't too small either." He said proudly.

"I can’t wait until they're back... Yugi will be so glad to see Ryou again. He hasn't seen him since he disappeared." Yami added. "He's been worried sick."

Marik and Bakura sighed and nodded.

"I'll be happy anywhere as long as Ryou's happy." Marik sighed.

"You got it bad, Simba." Bakura snickered, tugging Marik's tail.

"That I do. Knock it off." Marik replied.

Yami chuckled. "Lovebird. You're giving my breeds a bad reputatoin." he said shaking his head. "Ryou will adore you, does the duplex have a fireplace?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Yeah." Bakura said with a nod, and Marik grinned.

"Excellent. A perfect place for us to cozy up together on a cold stormy night." He said with a dreamy expression on his face.

"Hmmm..." Seto mused. "Not a bad idea."

Yami nodded. "Sounds exactly like Ryou always wanted. He always loved sitting infront of the fireplace in his home, curled up under a blanket with a cup of cocoa to read. Yugi and I often visited to find him asleep like that."

Though the idea of a warm fire was wonderful, Winter was NOT Yami's season. Nope. Leather was an impossibility in winter. Yup...bad season, that cold thing.

"Here we are." Seto said, and Marik plastered himself to the window. "Wrong side." Marik squashed Bakura as the car slowed to a stop before a small red brick duplex with a tree on each side of the yard and daffodils in the flower beds. Marik slowly smiled.

"It's nice!" He said, thumping his tail against the seats. "Can we go in and see it?"

"Sure." Seto said, and they all got out of the car.

Yami grinned slightly. "looks pretty homey." He said bundling up in the coat, having already sacrificed his leather for denim jeans and a cotton shirt, both black.

"The daffofils are a nice touch." he added chuckling. "I'd want to live in a place like that..." he added grinning, hoping to boost the two hybrids’ spirits. "Ryou will absolutely love it, if it's as nice inside as outside."

Marik and Bakura scuttled up the front path and to the right side.

"I want the left." Bakura announced.

"Why?" Marik asked, flicking an ear.

"I dunno. Just felt like sayin it."

"Oh. Okay."

"Here's the key, boys." Seto said, passing Bakura the key. Bakura smiled and opened the door, and they stepped into the front foyer.

"Tiny entrance hall." Marik muttered, but then stepped into the living room. "Nice! It's not big, but it's not too small... It's cozy." He said, moving over to the fireplace.

Yami looked around calmly. "I think it's great. It's got more room in some places than the game shop...Yugi and grandpa would be jealous." he said calmly, wandering into the bedroom. "Oh Ryou would just die." He said smiling. Sure enough there was the window Ryou had begged his father to put into their home.

A large bay window, with a seat and cushions glued in, for sitting and gazing out at the yard. A perfect place for springtime reading...

Marik walked in after Yami, and slowly, a glowing smile spread over his face. "It's perfect.... This is it. This is the place."

"You haven't even seen the kitchen and bathroom." Seto said.

"I don't need to." Marik said. "I know this is it."

"Then it's yours." Seto said with a nod.

"Really?" Bakura gasped, and Seto nodded.

"My gift to all four of you." Seto said, and Bakura stared. Then, he flung himself onto Seto, mumbling his thanks into the CEO's chest. Seto blinked and turned red. "Ummm... you're getting my shirt wet..." He mumbled, and Bakura moved away, sniffling and wiping his eyes.

"Thank you so much..." He whimpered, and Marik smiled and hugged Bakura, purring.

"We can never repay you for all of this..." The lion said.

Yami chuckled. "Don’t thank just him, do you think he thought of that all on his own?" He said chuckling. "He's always SO busy with 'work' I had to mention it to him a few times." He said shaking his head. "Marik, take a look at the back yard." He said motioning out the window to the outside. There was a large yard, littered with fiery leaves from four trees, that seemed almost strategically placed for a garden.

"How's THAT for growing a garden?"

Marik grinned. "Ryou will love it..." He sighed.

"And it's not far from the Game Shop, either, so he'll be near Yugi." Seto pointed out.

"It's perfect..." Marik purred, grooming Bakura's ears. "We'll be happy here..."

"It's also close to the club. You guys can walk to work." Seto said. "I'd buy you a car, but I don't trust you two driving." Marik and Bakura grinned.

"It's okay Seto. We wouldn't trust us driving either." The skunk laughed.

Yami laughed. "Once again the world is safe." he said in an ominous voice, before shaking his head, falling into velvety chuckles. "I think Yugi might have a spare key to Ryou's old house, I could have him look around. I think Ryou had a few things you could use to furnish the place with, it'd save you some money so you could buy him a gift like Bakura's getting Malik." Yami said thoughtfully. "Of course it'd just be things from his room, after all it's his FATHER'S house..."

Marik nodded and sighed. "What kinds of things?" He asked. "I... kinda want to do most of the shopping myself, but... if there are things that are special to him, like... a teddy bear or something..."

Yami shrugged. "He had a really nice bed he brought with him from....damn...what was it called...." he grumbled softly. "Damn those english speaking bastards...Oh! London." he said after a moment. "It's a nice bed, kingsize. Yugi used to sleep over with him, they both were so small against that bed. It was funny."

Marik nodded. "That's a good idea." He said. "But... what about his father?"

"He won’t mind, it's Ryou's bed, his mother left it to him." He said calmly. "It was passed to her from his grandparents on her side. It's in surprising shape for such an old bed. As much jumping on it as Ryou and Yugi did, to my shock..." He said laughing. "Its something I have to commend the English people for. They make VERY sturdy beds...something Japan has yet to master..."

Marik blinked, then snickered and shook his head. "Well then... I guess Ryou gets his old bed. Is there a dresser to go with it? That would be nice..."

Yami nodded. "A bed, a dresser, a bookshelf, and a desk." he said calmly. "That's all Ryou had."

"That's perfect." Marik mused, a dreamy look on his face. Bakura snickered.

"C'mon, Romeo. Let's go shopping for Julliete, hmm?" The skunk said, dragging Marik from the room. Seto chuckled, and pulled out his cell phone.

"Take Marik to see the kitchen while I make the deal." He said to Yami.

Yami walked past Seto nodding, cooing at him as he went. Since he'd told Seto his deepest secret, he'd felt more at ease with him than ever before...and he couldn't help but admit that he'd fallen for him. He took an ironic pleasure in being with him now, despite the hate he'd accumulated for him over the years...Seto was charming, when that handsome face of his wasn't hidden by a computer monitor.

"Guys, why don’t you look at the kitchen?" he said leading them into the kitchen, which lead to the dining room, and a sliding glass back door.

Marik was purring loudly the entire time.

"I think he likes it." Bakura muttered to Yami, amused.

Yami laughed. "Ryou will like it. He likes kitchens with plenty of room to move." He said smirking. "Ryou is a great cook...but he doesn't do it often. He usually eats something like a deli sandwich or vegetables. You should have seen him at thanksgiving though..."

Marik sighed, smiling as he wandered the quaint backyard, grinning as he noticed the rose bushes. Finally, he returned to Bakura and Yami, purring even louder than before.

"It's perfect!" He gasped, eyes filled with happy tears.

"Awww... you big softie..." Bakura chuckled, licking Marik's face.

Yami laughed. "Well come on guys. Lets make a list so you don’t spend on what you dont need." Yami said picking pulling a pen and small post-it note pad from his (seto's) pockets. "What do you NEED?"

Marik sighed. "A sofa for the living room. A table and chairs for the kitchen. Lamps? Ummm... dishes..." He began.

"End tables for the living room." Bakura added on. "Curtains..."

Yami wrote things down quickly. "You might want to invest in refrigerators... and... oh just a guess. FOOD."

Marik smiled. "We'll worry about that when we have them back." He said, and Bakura nodded.

"Washing Machine might be a good idea." The skunk said. "Have you SEEN the perverts that go to the laundromat? I do NOT want Malik around them."

"Good idea." Marik said with a nod.

"How about sheets and blankets for your beds? Ryou could use some clothes...unless you want him wandering around in his old clothes..." Yami coughed. "Get him new clothes." Was hidden in the cough. "Sweatervests and jeans..."

Marik snickered. "I will take him shopping and he can get his own clothes. Whatever he wants." He said.

"I'm getting Malik some leather pants!" Bakura announced. "He LOVES leather pants!" Marik snickered.

"Yeah. I know." He said, grinning at Bakura.

Yami laughed. "So do I...but leather in winter...." he trailed off. "You may want to consider something....that wont cause for shrinking the parts you'll enjoy..." he chuckled. "Perhaps denim of cotton?"

Bakura pouted, but then sighed and nodded. Marik laughed.

"You horny skunk."

"Bite me, Simba."

"I love you, Flower."

"Fuck you."

Yami laughed. "Hey, assface and fuzzbucket. pay attention please." He said calmly. "How about towels and soap for the bathroom?" he asked calmly. "And maybe rugs and perhaps a tv?"

"Ah, TV is taken care of." Bakura said with a grin. "There's a big screen in Mistress Ishizu's basement where me and Malik were gonna live. And a bed and a sofa and stuff..." He grinned. "I'll bring it all over for Malik, if Mistress Ishizu is okay with it. So I have to talk to her."

"Marik?" Yami asked, giving him a look. "You're starting fresh, do YOU want a tv?"

"Of course!!!" Marik exclaimed. "I LOVE Animal Planet!!!" And he wagged his tail and wiggled his ears.

Yami laughed. "Well I've got a present for you two. Yugi and I have been talking, and we thought you two might like videogames." He said after a minute. "So when you have all your electronics in, I'll hook them up for you, and you'll both get any ONE game system you want. And three games."

Marik and Bakura's eyes bugged out.

"REALLY?!" They both gasped. Then, they pounced. Seto ran in at a squawk from Yami, only to find him pinned against the wall being licked and nuzzled to death by the loudly purring and crooning lion and skunk.

"Get off! For the love of Ra my FEATERS! YOU are DROOLING on my feathers!" he yowled, struggling fiercely to get loose of the loving licks, nuzzles and other such lovings. "Knock it off! C'mon guys STOP IT!"

"Awwwww... look how happy they are!" Seto announced from the doorway, grinning in amusement.

"For the love of Ra Seto SAVE ME!" he wailed, twitching and looking near his breaking point. Watching drool slowly dripping onto his feathers from both mouths. "Oh RA it's ON ME OH RA GET IT OFF GET IT OFF! It will take DAYS to clean that up!"

Seto laughed. "Okay boys, he's had enough." And in moments, the pair was running out the front door, yelling at Seto and Yami to hurry up. Seto shook his head. "Yami, you are SUCH a spaz."

Yami twitched. "oh really? Come here..." he said before lunging at him and pinning him against the wall. "Lets see how YOU like it?!" he said before giving Seto something COMPLETLY unexpected. a BIG LONG WET lick up the face, with LOTS of drool.

Yami backed off smirking. "Fun, ain’t it?"

Seto stared at Yami with wide eyes, then grinned. "It would be more fun if you licked me somewhere else." He said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Yami straightened the coat and his posture. "I don’t do requests." he said calmly, in an almost snubbing sort of way.

Seto laughed. "Just get in the car." He said, shoving Yami towards the limo where Marik and Bakura were hanging out of the windows, howling for them to hurry up.

Yami chuckled and climbed in. "Calm down, if you pee on the seats Seto won’t forgive you as fast." Yami said, eyeing Bakura smirking.

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Steve Irwin

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

A Loving Husband and Father.

You were taken before your time.

We miss you.

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