The Wild

Bunny Love

Hatochiisai & Mally-chan

YAOI WARNING

Disclaimer: We do not own Yugioh. If we did, it would not be for public television.

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Chapter 4

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Ryou peeked out the trap door after the janitor had dragged Marik off and sighed in relief, darting out and throwing on his school uniform, slipping out the back. He hurried to the front of the school, entering and going to fetch his lover, who was likely getting an earfull.

Marik yowled and dug his claws into the floor, trying to ground himself so that the janitor couldn't move him. "I am NOT going to see any principal!" He roared at the man. "I am NOT of high school age, I am NOT a student and I have not BEEN a student for fifteen years!!! Now LET ME GO!!!"

The Janitor bent Marik's tail painfully. "Oh this isn't about being a student. This is about whether or not to call the police and press charges." he said firmly.

Marik's eyes widened. "MAOOOOO!!!" He howled, and whirled, lunging at the janitor with claws bared.

"MARIK!" Ryou squeaked running towards him. Ryou squeaked and bowed to the Janitor. "I'm so sorry!" he mewled softly. "I lost him after science class... h-he got scared off by the lesson on how to make potato cannons... the loud booms." he said softly bowing again. "Please dont call the police… h-he's been in therapy about becoming human again...th-they trained him as a hybrid really well!" Ryou lied quickly tugging his ears. "Please!"

The janitor glared and looked at the lion behind him. "This true?"

Marik whimpered and nodded. "My doctor said I was brainwashed for three years... it's only in the last few months that I've been seeing her to be able to start to... be human again, but... the training just... I... Murrr..." He padded over to Ryou and sat at his feet, mewling and hiding his face in his legs. "Master... I wanna go home... this place is scary..."

Ryou offered the janitor an uneasy smile. "S-see?" he said softly.

The janitor gave them both a suspicious look. "Fine... get out of here, if I catch him runnin' around here naked again I'm locking him in the showers for an hour." he grumbled stalking back to the theatre to finish his cleaning.

Ryou sighed in relief, his ears drooping into his face. "Gosh darnit Marik! You coulda gotten us both in BIG trouble!" he whined shaking his head and taking off his jacket and handing it to Marik to tie around his waist as makeshift clothes. "What posessed you to DO that?!"

Marik growled. "YOU were the one who got me horny in there!!! I could have waited until we were home, but noooOOOOoooo.... The bunny had to get fucked right then and there!"

Ryou huffed. "Like you were arguing!" he said crossing his arms. "You're the one who was horny during PRACTICE!"

Marik glared at Ryou as they walked out of the school. "Gee... I wonder WHY?! Now if you will excuse me... I'm going home!" And he moved away from Ryou.

Ryou huffed and looked away. "Fine! I have to go work for master anyway!" he clicked hurtly and started walking towards Pegasus' street.

Marik turned and spread his arms. "Well what do you EXPECT me to do?! Walk all the way over there with you and show up on the doorstep NAKED?!?!" Several heads turned. "WHAT ARE YOU LOOKIN' AT?!?!"

"It's not like you're not naked ANYWAY!" he huffed back glaring over his shoulder. "Either place you go you're nude as sin!"

Marik sighed. "Yeah, but home is closer, and the bunnies are probably hungry and... I really don't wanna show up at Pegasus' house naked... in fact..." He looked down and fidgeted. "I really don't wanna show up at his house... at all... so umm... I'll see you at home?" He asked, giving Ryou a hopeful smile.

Ryou sighed, ears falling into a droop. "Marik even if you dont like it...he's my mate too...even if we don’t do ANYTHING for eachother...he's still a part of my life I cant abandon..." he said looking down. "I wish you'd just TRY to get along with him..."

"Don't do ANYTHING for each other, Ryou?! That's not what Hunter said!" Marik cried, throwing his hands up into the air. "I KNOW you can't abandon that part of your life, Ryou, I'm not asking you to! But did you ever think about how much it would hurt me to know that while I was locked up and miserable and lonely for five months, you were off screwing Pegasus?!" He glared at Ryou, deep hurt in his eyes. "What is this, Ryou?! Claiming two mates... do you just fuck who ever is the most convenient?!"

Ryou gave him a shocked look. "I did NO such thing!" he said shaking his head looking hurt as well. He didn't...remember doing anything like that...he'd certainly remember THAT… wouldn't he? He turned away and shook his head. "I cant believe you'd say something awful like that!" he said biting back tears. What if he had...? Was that what Marik thought of him? How was he supposed to just CHOOSE between the two, despite the loyalty triggers being taken away...he still couldn't just choose between the two who had originally triggered it...

He bit back a sob and took off down the street, just narrowly missing becoming roadkill for the second time in two days, as two cars screeched to a halt as he ran across the street.

Marik frowned and watched for a moment, then groaned and chased Ryou. "Ryou!!" He called. "RYOU!!! Wait!!" He charged after the boy and quickly caught up, grabbing his wrist. "Ryou..."

Ryou nipped him harshly, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Leave me alone..." he whimpered looking away and sniffling, hiccupping softly. "I...I cant believe you'd say something like that to me..."

Marik scowled. "And I can't beleive you'd deny it! I can't beleive you would LIE to me like that!!" He shouted. "I KNOW you were screwing Pegasus while I was in the Hell Hole of a Hospital! Hunter told me so! He said you and he were fucking for over THREE HOURS!!!"

Ryou glared at him. "Well if I did I certainly dont remember it!" he shouted sniffling more and yanking his arm away. "Leave me alone!"

Marik glared. "Fine! I will! Go fuck your Master!!! Just don't expect a warm welcome IF you come home tonight!!!" He roared, and stormed away.

Ryou glared at his back. "I'm not going to fuck him! I'm going to CLEAN his house!" he shouted back hurtly. "I hope you trip and fall on that wrist of yours!" he added sniffling and turning walking away, hurt.

Marik growled and whirled. "I'll remember that the next time I get the crazy idea that I should SAVE YOUR LIFE when you run out into traffic like a MORON!!!"

Ryou clicked, ears bristling. "Fine! I'd rather be roadkill than be saved by YOU anyway!" he said, not bothering to turn around. "And for the RECORD you NEVER gave me a warm welcome when I got home! Even when I was the ONLY one of the two of us working!"

"IN CASE YOU FORGOT, I'VE ONLY BEEN UNEMPLOYED AND HOME FOR A TOTAL OF TWO FUCKIN' NIGHTS!!!" Marik shot back.

"If you exclude all those years BEFORE you met me!" Ryou shouted back.

Marik winced. "EXCUSE ME FOR NOT BEING A PAMPERED BRAT WHO FUCKIN GOT EVERYTHING A KID NEEDED!!!" He roared across the street.

"Excuse me for being in a functional SANE FAMILY!" Ryou shot back ears back. "Excuse me for being SANE myself and not needing to go to a psycho ward!"

Marik's eyes welled with tears. Ryou was hitting all those tender nerves. "Maybe you've forgotten, but YOU were one of the reasons I ended UP there!!!"

"Then DUMP ME!" Ryou howled back turning furiously, tears streaming down his face. "If I'm SO DAMNED AWFUL DUMP ME AND STOP SCREWING WITH MY EMOTIONS!"

"Who's screwing with who, Ryou?! How many times have you broken my heart?! I have NEVER left you!! YOU leave ME!!! You left me that night you ran away! You dumped me over the phone from the fuckin Carribean! You fucked Dartz, DON'T DENY IT, I know you did! I heard Amelda talking about seeing him screw you in the courtyard! And then you leave me when we finally get home after I SAVED YOUR ASS from Dartz when he went psycho and kidnapped you!!! And then you fuck Pegasus while I'm in fuckin THERAPY!!! AND YOU LIE ABOUT IT?! Who is screwing with whose emotions, Ryou?! HUH?!? WHO?!?" He glared at Ryou, then shook his head. "FUCK YOU!!" And he turned and dropped to all fours, running down the street, vision blurred with tears.

Ryou sobbed softly and shook his head, darting off in the opposite direction, though he didn't head to Pegasus' house.

He ran back to the only home that was ever...just home. No masters...no mates...just the safe walls of home. He slammed the door shut and broke down sobbing. There was so much wrong with him...

He sniffled and threw his bookbag down into the den, glaring at it. Everything he did was wrong! He couldn't love both mates, he couldn't love one! He couldn't make mistakes, he couldn't be perfect! Wrong wrong wrong!

He sniffled and slid down against the door. "Why bother...?" he mumbled broken-heartedly. "No matter how much I love them both, all I do is hurt one or the other, or both...I'm so TIRED of it! It's NOT my fault I was made a hybrid...it's NOT my fault it had to be a damn rabbit! It's CERTAINLY not my fault that I met EITHER of them!" he sobbed. "I give UP!"

Back at the duplex, Marik wasn't much better. He stormed in and roared at the bunnies when they all came to greet him, sending them all scampering for hiding places. He threw Ryou's jacket across the room and stormed into his kitty house, curling up with his bunny plushies. But after a moment, he glared and them and chucked them across the room, too. He turned his back on the computer screen showing Ryou and curled up, hiding his face and crying. Why was it that every time things seemed to be going okay, they ended up fighting!? All he had said was that he was going home! And Ryou got mad! Ryou got mad because Marik didn't eel comfortable around Pegasus. Marik snorted. Seriously... could anyone blame him?! The guy was sleeping with his mate!!!

Hours passed slowly for both hybrids...but eventually the ice broke. Ryou didn't show up back at the duplex until well after midnight. His ears were hanging heavily in his face, and his expression was one of either extreme boredom, or of complete lack of...any significant emotion.

He sighed, shutting the door behind him, he flopped down onto the couch and curled up. He sighed once more and pulled a nearby blanket over himself calmly and closing his eyes.

Marik was snoring slightly from in his kitty house, whimpering every now and then with nightmares that still plagued his sleeping mind. But at least he was sleeping. For Ryou, sleep was not yet to come. He heard little paws running his way, and then, there were several bunnies squeaking softly for him to wake up. They were hungry.

Ryou sighed once more, getting up and with no consideration for anyone ELSE in their half of the duplex, flipped on lights, and began cooking, not avoiding making noise, or whatever other measures he normally would have taken in consideration.

After 15 minutes of cooking, he put down a large bowl of salad for all the squeaking bunnies. He flopped back onto the couch, not bothering to turn off the lights, and curled right back up.

Marik slowly stuck his head out and blinked blearily at his mate.

"R-Ryou?" He called softly. "Ryou... please... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." He slowly krept over to the sofa and hopped up onto it, laying his head on his mate's lap and giving him tearful eyes full of remorse. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. Especially calling you a liar, I... I remembered when I got home... Hunter had told me that you had accidentally gotten drunk when you... slept with Pegasus. And that's why you slept with him and that's why you didn't remember... I'm sorry, Ryou... Please... forgive me?" The lion asked, large tears falling down his face. "I love you... And I would never... NEVER leave you..."

Ryou sighed and curled up, ears hanging blearily in his face. "whatever you want..." he mumbled closing his eyes. "I've given up. I'm tired of this fighting. just...whatever you want."

Marik shook his head and sat up, pulling Ryou into his lap. "No. No, Ryou. It's whatever YOU want... I... I feel so awful... I'm sorry." He sniffled and nuzzled his mate, beginning to gently groom him. "Please don't be sad... please... You must understand Ryou... I just... don't feel comfortable around Pegasus... I don't. But... I will try. I will. For you. I want you happy, Ryou. And I've done nothing but make things difficult for you. And I'm sorry. I am SO sorry... I love you..."

Ryou gave him a dull look. "Whatever you want. I just dont care anymore Marik. I'm not going to be the one who messes up everything. Not anymore. if something screws up it's going to be on you. Whatever YOU want." he said sitting perfectly still in Marik's lap.

Marik frowned. "No... Ryou..." He whimpered softly. "Please Ryou... don't talk like that... please... If you don't care then we have nothing. Nothing at all..."

"You have a whore who apparently fucks anything with two legs, that's what you have." Ryou said calmly, looking away. "Or at least that's how I sounded to me."

Marik winced. "I'm sorry, Ryou... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean it. I didn't."

"Whatever you want Marik. I'm done fighting. You win. I'm a whore. I'm just YOUR whore, nevermind that I absolutely adore my master. Nevermind that I was under the influence apparently, and had sex I dont even remember while you were gone, nevermind that I was under the assumption that when you tried to drown me you hated me and wanted me dead..." he mumbled calmly. "You win. I just do not care anymore. I dont have the strength, the heart, or the WILL to fight anymore. You win by default. I wont talk to Pegasus anymore, I wont work anymore, I wont go to school...whatever YOU want." he said yawning. "You wanted master and mate, and now you got it."

Marik's eyes widened and he quickly shoved Ryou out of his lap and stood, backing away. The turned and disappeared into the bedroom, but reappeared soon in jeans, T-shirt and his brown leather jacket. He walked towards the front door and opened it, then paused and looked back at Ryou. "I want you to be happy." He said softly, and left the house.

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Ryou sighed softly. Three days had passed since Marik had walked out. He hadn't bothered to leave, beyond getting groceries. He skipped school, drama...work. He didn't really have the heart or will to deal with those things. Despite what he'd said to Marik, it hurt him to try and ignore one mate in favor of the other.

In the end, he'd cut them both off. Cold turkey. He didn't go looking for Marik, and he didn't go to Pegasus' home to clean. He was running out of funding, but he could get a job elsewhere if he got desperate. Anything but try and deal with one more moment of his topsy-turvey life.

The rabbits were all getting depressed as well. Ryou had to be whined to before he would get up and feed them.

When Pegasus got a call from the school saying that Ryou hadn't been there in three days, he grew concerned. He called Malik. And as soon as Malik hung up, the fennec left Bakura playing with Spunky and Scamp in the living room and went over to Marik and Ryou's side of the duplex. After knocking for a while with no answer, he let himself in with the key that he kept for them.

"Ryou?" He called, walking into the living room and looking for the boy. Several little rabbit heads poked out from under the sofa and looked at Malik.

Ryou sighed softly, peeping over the back of the sofa as well, his ears still drooping into his face. "Hello Malik..." he murmured softly, giving him a long look, before turning away. "Do you need something?"

"Pegasus called me and asked me to check on you." He said softly, walking over to Ryou. "He said that you hadn't been to school or work in three days... that's not like you. What's wrong, Ryou?" He asked, crawling behind the sofa with Ryou and nuzzling him.

Ryou sighed. "I'm not going to do anything..." he said looking down. "Not until both of my mates can...co-exist." he mumbled. "I'm tired of ignoring one in favor of the other...I'm TIRED of being blamed for things I cant help...for feeling like I'm somehow a whore for loving both of them..." he mumbled. "I cant help what happened in the past...I cant help what certain emotions are implanted in me. I'm tired of Marik hating me for it...Either they're going to work out something, or I'll just ignore both of them until...they can..." he said, looking at the floor.

Malik frowned. "Ryou... you have NEVER ignored one in favor of the other. You give them both attention. Where is Marik? Why isn't he here? Did you kick him out?!"

Ryou shook his head. "No...he left." he said softly. "Three days ago, I haven't seen him since..."

Malik's eyes widened. "He left?!" He gasped. "Why?!"

"Because I told him I was tired of fighting...." Ryou said looking down. "That he'd just always be right, that way he'd always be happy."

Malik sighed and sat next to Ryou, draping an arm around him. "Why did you tell him that? Did you two have a fight?" He asked his friend.

Ryou nodded. "Yeah...he...accused me of things I don’t remember doing...apparently I was drunk..." he mumbled miserably. "He just...pointed out what a whore I am..."

"What was it, Ryou? What did you do?" Malik asked in a soothing tone.

"He just...listed off all the times I'd been with someone other than him...but...it's not..." Ryou sighed. "Most of them I didn't have control over...I was either out of my right mind...or convinced he hated me...or both..." he mumbled. " Not to mention any genetic envolvement....or hormones, or..." Ryou looked away. "I had about as much control in some situations as he had when Constantine raped him..."

Malik winced and hugged Ryou. "I'm sure Marik feels bad about that. He never wants to hurt you, Ryou, but... you know him... it's very easy for him to, well... feel betrayed. And feel that he's not good enough. He always thinks that things are his fault, and... Ryou... come on now. He hasn't even been out of the hospital for 48 hours... and he's probably already on the path back in... Look, he’s probably with Rem. Why don't I give her a call and ask her to bring him home, okay? Then we can all sit down and help you and Marik... talk things out, okay?" The fennec suggested.

"No." Ryou said shaking his head. "Until he can...realize that Pegasus is just as much a mate as he is, I'm not going to see either of them." He said firmly. "I love them both, I'm tired of ignoring Pegasus because Marik is jealous...I cant even go CLEAN my master's house without Marik getting defensive...I'm tired of it..."

Malik frowned. "He got upset just because you were going to your job?" He asked.

Ryou sighed. "It's more complicated than that... but I'm not backing down this time." he said softly. "Pegasus misses me, and he has JUST as much right to be with me as Marik does."

"Ryou... he renounced that right when he gave you to Marik... Pegasus knew he wouldn't get to see you much... And Marik is... intimidated by Pegasus. He sees him as competition. And the fact that you still love Pegasus doesn't help. And now you're around him more, and... maybe Marik is afraid that you might got to work one day and decide not to come home..."

Ryou sighed. "It wont ever happen Malik...I would never just...not come home." He said softly. "I love BOTH of them. Equally." he fidgeted with an ear. "I want them to...both see that. But every time I try to...put them together...someone always has an excuse...or an escape route..."

Malik snickered. "You mean MARIK has an excuse?" He asked, poking Ryou. "He's intimidated by the man. He knows that when it comes down to it, Pegasus can give you anything whereas he struggles to simply provide the basics. He feels completely outclassed. And, well... he IS."

"He has no reason to feel that way Malik...Sure Pegasus could give me ANYTHING...but...I dont really want anything...." he mumbled softly. "Before I was a hybrid...I had three wishes..." He looked up to Malik and tugged his own ear softly. "To finish school...to travel....and to fall in love with an average joe...live in a small home and have an average life. I never wanted extravagance..." he said simply. "I wanted at most, a small house out in the country...where I could have a rice patty, grow vegetables...and maybe tend to a cow or chicken...being poor never mattered to me."

Malik smiled and hugged Ryou. "You know... Marik's first out of hospital therapy session with Hinaru is soon... I think you and Pegasus should both go with him. Rem, too. And you can work it all out. But Ryou. You'll never finish school if you don't GO to school... Promise me that you'll go?" The fennec asked.

Ryou shook his head. "I'm not going to promise something I wont keep...I'm not going to do ANYTHING until those two work something out..." he mumbled looking away once more, curling up. "I hate being the rope for this horrid game of tug-o-war. It's tearing me apart..."

Malik frowned. "Ryou. You can't just sit here and not leave."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Watch me."

Malik frowned. "You can't just wait for this problem to solve itself, Ryou. No matter how much you think you can." He slowly stood. "I'm going to call Rem." He walked over to the phone and dialed the Pet Store.

"Hybrid Pet Shop, this is Varon." Came the answer.

"Varon, it's Malik. Can I talk to Rem?" He asked.

"Uh...sure let me go get her for you." He said putting the phone down and hurrying away. Moments later Rem's voice gave the friendly greeting.

"Hybrid Pet Shop, Rem speaking." she said smiling.

"Rem, it's Malik." the fennec said. "Hey... after you close, could you bring Marik home? He and Ryou need to talk... again."

Rem frowned slightly. "I... don’t have Marik." She said calmly. "I haven't seen him since I took him to the duplex from the hospital." She said shaking her head. "What happened?"

Malik eyes widened. "What do you mean you don't have Marik?!" He gasped. "Rem, he walked out on Ryou three days ago after they had a fight! If he's not with you and not with me and Bakura... where IS he?!"

Rem blinked. "Check Seto and Pegasus... as unlikely as they seem. You never know. I'll tell Zaine to ask a few of Marik's hybrid friends if they've seen him." She said calmly. "Just stay calm ok? He cant have gone far... worst case is he's out in the streets again, and I'm sure he's probably not out there."

Malik frowned. "Marik wouldn't go to Pegasus... he's probably out sleeping in the park or something... stupid lion... I guess we'll see if he shows up for our appointment with Inogawa tomorrow. Thanks Rem. I'll call Seto." And he hung up and looked at Ryou. "Do you want me to go, Ryou?" He asked.

Ryou sighed. "You can stay if you want... I don’t mind..." he said offering a weak smile. "I'm just not..feeling very happy."

"Obviously." Malik said with a sigh. "Look... I'm gonna try to locate Marik. I'll be here tomorrow at eight thirty to pick you up for our appointment with the vet, okay? And no protests, you have no choice on this."

Ryou grumbled softly and nodded. "alright...I'll see you tomorrow then." he mumbled covering up and nuzzling the nearest bunny, which was Bushou. "I'm sorry you got dragged into this..."

Malik smiled. "Ryou... I BOUGHT my way into this when I purchased Marik from the Pet Shop." He laughed. "And I don't regret it. You're my friend. And I'm here for you. Whenever you need me, I'm just next door, okay?"

Ryou nodded and smiled, ears perking slightly, though remaining drooped. "Thank you..." he said softly. "I appreciate it..."

Malik smiled. "Anytime... and if I'm not here... There's always Bakura. But you may have to feed him before HE gets friendly." Malik giggled, winking and wagging his tail. "Is there anything I can get or you, Ryou? Can I make you dinner?"

Ryou shook his head. "I'm not really that hungry...I'll have a nibble of something when I feed the bunnies again." he said yawning. "I'm just going to take a nap..."

Malik sighed and nodded. "Okay Ryou... g'night..." He said softly, and left.

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Ryou was woken by a knocking on the door, and a moment later, he ehard it open.

"Thumper! this is your oficial wake up call!" He heard Bakura yell as the skunk entered the room. "Wakey wakey!"

Ryou groaned and threw a pillow at Bakura, smacking him square in the face. "Shhh!"

"Whoa! Hey!" He laughed. "C'mon, Thumper. Malik sent me over to get you so we could head to the vet." He said, peering over the sofa at Ryou. He smiled slightly. "Come on..."

Ryou grumbled and buried his head under the blanket. "EARLY!" he clicked ears bunching up in irritation. "Too EARLY!"

Bakura smiled. "It's eight fifteen. Our appointment is in forty five minutes. Come on now..."

Ryou grumbled and threw the next pillow like object, Sugar. The poor bunny squeaked and glided into Bakura's face, before latching on like a garfield window-cling and panting harshly in fright, though now VERY firmly attached to Bakura.

"AAACK!!!" Bakura howled, tumbling backwards and falling onto his back. "Get off! Get off get off get off!!!"

"Bakura?!" Malik asked, walking in. "Stop playing with Sugar and get up! Geeze... Ryou? Ready to go?"

Ryou grumbled and tossed another pillow-like object, Skitter, having a similar effect as the poor batbunny clung to Malik's face and chittered furiously at him.

"It's too early..." Ryou mumbled dozing off.

"Skitter!! Off!" Malik yelped, plucking her off and tossing her over his shoulder. The bat bunny glided up to the ceiling fan and hung from it, folding her wings and scolding Malik. "Ryou, come on. Time to go."

Ryou grumbled. "I dont wanna..." he mumbled. He'd gotten accustomed to not having to wake up early, as he'd stopped going to school. He'd learned the ultimate beauty of sleep.

"Tough, kiddo." Bakura snorted. "We'll carry you if we have to." And they both heaved Ryou to his feet and dragged him towards the door.

Ryou whined and shoved them. "Fine fine...let me get out of my pajamas..." he grumbled glaring. He grumbled and wandered into the bedroom and shut the door. After ten minutes or so, he emerged in jeans and a blue t-shirt. His hair had been combed as well. "ok..."

Malik and Bakura smiled, and the three of them walked outside and towards Inogawa's office. They arrived a thirty minute walk later, and arrived to a surprise. There, sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine, was Pegasus.

"Hello." He said with a smile, then looked down. When Malik, Bakura and Ryou looked down, they saw that there, curled up beneathe Pegasus' chair, was Marik, cuddling with Precious Baby.

Ryou however, held a perfect pokerface, paying neither more than a friendly greeting and sitting down in his own chair, picking up a magazine and beginning to read as well. He was overjoyed to see them, but he had to be strong...he HAD to be cold to them...just until they worked out their differences...

Pegasus blinked. "Ryou?" He asked, then laughed when Marik poked his head out from under the chair to see Ryou; his head ended up popping up between the man's legs. Pegasus scratched Marik's ears and the lion purred loudly. "Ryou, why don't you come over here and talk to us?"

Ryou flipped the page in his magazine. "Because I'm already seated, and am currently reading." he answered simply, his drooping ears flicking slightly. "Anything you have to say, you can say from where you are just fine."

Both Marik and Pegasus seemed to droop and took on sad looks, and the lion's ears drooped. "Murrrr..." He whined.

"Ryou, why are you mad at us?" Pegasus asked.

Ryou continued reading, not bothering to look up. "I'm not mad." he said calmly. "But I'm not going to amuse either of you until you both can be civil and co-exist. I'm NOT a tug-o-war rope, I'm not going to pingpong between the two of you anymore. You're both going to either realize I love you equally, or you're both going to be very lonely until you decide to realize it." he said flipping to the next page. "I'm tired of ignoring Pegasus' needs because you're jealous and defensive Marik, and I'm tired of getting accused of things I either dont remember doing, or not doing just because I set a foot into Pegasus' house." He said still not looking at the two. "I'm tired of feeling badly for tending to one mate when I go to the other. I'm tired of feeling guilty, of being guilted and I'm done with it. Unless you two work something out between the two of you, I'm going to be a single bunny."

Pegasus slowly looked down and gave Marik a look, and the lion gave him a guilty smile and mew and ducked back under the chair.

"Ryou... I know you love us both." Pegasus said. "Marik does, too... he just doesnt' like it. But we can get along and be civil. He has been staying at my house the last few days."

Ryou flicked a drooping ear. "So?" he said calmly. "Living together isn't a problem. Anyone can stay at a person's house."

Pegasus sighed. "Ryou. Marik. We are going to get through this. There is a reason you are getting a checkup."

"We're due for it?" Marik asked.

"Hush you." Pegasus laughed. "There's ANOTHER reason. You are required to be current on your shots before leaving the country..." Marik's ears shot up and he poked his head out and stared at Pegasus again.

Ryou peered over the top of his magazine. "Why would we leave the country?" he said calmly.

Pegasus smiled. "I'm taking you all on a cruise of the Mediterranean and a tour of the countries surrounding it." He said. "Everyone." Malik and Bakura's ears shot up.

"REALLY!?" they gasped.

"Really." Pegasus said with a smile, and laughed as an excited Marik began to meow and lick his face. "Down! Down boy! No!"

Ryou grumbled. "I won’t go unless you both promise to stop making me feel bad for loving both of you." he mumbled looking back at the magazine.

"Ryou... I'm sorry..." Marik whined. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad about that... You should never feel bad for loving someone... I'm so sorry..." He made his way over to Ryou and nuzzled his knee.

Ryou glared at him slightly. "You said some horrible things about me..." he said looking away and sighing. "As mean as I may have been, you were a lot meaner..."

Marik winced and slowly sat before his lover, staring at his paws. "I'm sorry..." He said softly. "I didn't mean it... I was angry... upset. Please don't be mad at me... please?"

Ryou sighed. "Marik... I'm not mad... just hurt..." he mumbled sighing.

"Murrrrrrr..." Marik moaned, lowering his head sadly.

"Ryou... please forgive him." Pegasus said, walking over and sitting next to Ryou, wrapping an arm around him. "He loves you."

Dr. Inogawa appeared and smiled. "Good to see everyone here." he said calmly looking at his list. "Alright Bakura, you're up first." he said smiling. "follow me please." he added.

Bakura's eyes widened and he gulped, ears flattening. "Why meeeee?" He whined.

"Alphabetical. Now go." Malik snickered, and shoved Bakura towards the doctor. Pegasus snickered and watched a bitching Bakura stomp off to an exam room.

Dr. Inogawa chuckled as he patted the examination table. "Alright you, strip and up on the table." he said calmly.

Bakura glared at the man, but did as he was told. He finally perched himself on the table, naked and glaring at the man.

Dr. Inogawa chuckled and looked over his records. "So...you're behind a few shots." he said calmly. "You looking forward to travel?" he asked going to the cabinet and filling five syringes.

Bakura winced. "I guess..." He grumbled, gritting his teeth and behaving for the shots.

Dr. Inogawa however, jabbed the last needle into Bakura's rump, much to his surprise and dismay. "two are boosters, and these last three are for travel." He said calmly injecting the contents of the shot into Bakura's...posterior.

"GAAH!! DAMN YOU YOU MOTHER FUCKIN' BASTARD!!!" The skunk howled, and out in the waiting room Malik rolled his eyes and crossed his legs.

Dr. Inogawa laughed and jabbed another needle HARSHLY into Bakura's rump. "Watch your language."

"YEEEOW!!! YOU COCK SUCKING FUCK-TARD!!!" the skunk howled. "STOP THAT!!!"

Dr. Inogawa filled another needle. "Well you would have been done, but I think you need one last shot..." he said jabbing this needle into Bakura's rump as well, pumping the contents into him. "Vitamin enriched antibody enhancer." He said smirking. "Another foul comment and I'll get you another."

"RRRRRRGGH!!" Bakura growled, baring his teeth at the man. "I hate you!"

Dr. Inogawa smirked. "Ahh much better." he said reaching into his mini fridge and tossing Bakura a VERY delicious cut of bloodied fresh steak. "Dont be such a big baby and curse when you get a little prick." He said smirking. "Eat that before Marik sees it." he added walking around back and jamming a thermometer up you-know-where.

"WAAAAAH!!!" Bakura howled, nearly choking on the meat. "ARRRGGH!!! Do you HAVE to do that?!"

Dr. Inogawa chuckled. "Funny story. Legally you're a human...Medically, you're an animal... ain’t that a kick in the head?" he said snickering.

"I'll kick YOU in the head!!!" Bakura snapped back at the man. "Take that OUT of my ass RIGHT now!!!"

Dr. Inogawa rolled his eyes and jammed another piece of steak into Bakura's mouth. "Hush up. I cant take it out until it's done!"

Bakura grumbled, but ate his steak. Malik didn't let him have red meat very much because Rem told him to limit Bakura's meat intake... So Bakura decided that despite the circumstances, he should enjoy the steak.

Dr. Inogawa smirked and removed the thermometer. "Ahh...perfect." he said writing the temperature down and clicking off the protective cover, disposing of it. "Alright then...you're good to go." he said smiling. "All caught up on your shots, you're healthy as a horse."

Bakura blinked. "That's it?" He asked, surprised. "I'm not getting weighed or, or..." A woman walked in. A very busty blonde woman.

"Hey, hon." She winked. "I'm Mai Kujaku."

"Bakura, this is my new... partner." Dr. Inogawa said. "Dr. Kujaku. She will finish your check up." Bakura stared, eyes wide.

"Okay, hon... let's get started..." Mai purred, making her way over to the exam table as Inogawa left the room to get the next hybrid.

Dr. Inogawa walked out into the waiting room to find that Seto had arrived with Yami and Syrus, clinging to Mokuba.

"Hello Mr. Kaiba." He said. "Well, hello Syrus." He pat him on the head. "You wanna go next?"

Syrus' ears tilted back slightly but he nodded slowly. "A-alright..." he said bravely. He was nervous of the people...but the familiar surroundings of a vet...the scent of sterilization soothed him. He slowly let go of Mokuba's arm and walked over to Dr. Inogawa, giving him a curious sniff, before remembering...this was the same man who'd given him new glasses, and helped him get situated after settling down in Seto's home. He grinned broadly and followed Dr. Inogawa to an examination room.

The man smiled and lifted Syrus up onto the exam table. "How are those glasses doing for you, Syrus?" He asked the meerkat, petting him.

Syrus blinked and smiled and fidgeted slightly. "They're wonderful...I can see just fine. I'm glad you let me keep my favorite frames..." he cooed taking the small spectacles off and smiling at them. "They were a gift from my mom, when I was really little..." he said blushing slightly. "Don’t tell anyone!"

Dr. Inogawa grinned. "Our secret." He said, crossing his heart. "Can I give you a few shots? You have to have them if you're gonna go on vacation."

Syrus blinked. "Not bad shots right? Just the good kind?" he asked warily. "Nothing that's going to make me sick or hurt?" he added quickly. "I dont mind shots...but I really dont want anymore bad shots..."

Syrus replaced his glasses blinking a few times as his eyes focused again. "Mokuba's really looking forward to cruising...so..I suppose good or bad shots...I'll take them so he can go."

Dr. Inogawa smiled. "These won't make you sick. These are special shots that KEEP you from getting sick." He said, picking up a syringe and sticking Syrus in the upper arm. "Okay?"

Syrus nodded calmly, flicking an ear. "Sounds good to me. I dont think I've had many shots that DONT make me sick...I wonder if they work well...?" he added curiously. "if they do, maybe you could make one so I stop getting the sneezes when that silly bird sends dust up everywhere."

Dr. Inogawa laughed. "I'm sorry. Bird dust will make anyone sneeze. How are you getting along with Yami, by the way?" He asked, filling another syringe.

Syrus wiggled his nose a bit. "He's grumpy...but since Yugi comes to visit...he's gotten nicer to me. I think it's because Yugi and Mokuba and I play together a lot, Yugi taught me how to duel." he said grinning. "Mokuba too. I'm..well...I'm pretty good...I think." he added flicking his tail, ears perking as he sat up straight listening, as his meerkat nature tended to do sometimes.

He relaxed after a moment. "I like my home..."

Dr. Inogawa smiled. "That's good." He said, injecting Syrus with two more shots. "I'm gonna need you to um... de-pants yourself for the next two shots, Syrus. In fact, just strip. When I'm done with you my new partner will give you a look over and confirm your health, okay?"

Syrus nodded slowly. "Alright." he said calmly, stripping down and folding his clothes tenderly. He hopped back up on the table and wrinkled his nose. "cold."

Inogawa smiled. "Yeah... sorry about that kiddo." And he stuck Syrus in the behind. "Good job. That skunk threw an absolute fit." He stuck him with another, then stuck the thermometer where the sun don't shine and offered the meerkat a cookie.

Dr. Inogawa chuckled. "Yes I am. Mai is going to run the practice for me. It will be good experience for her." He said. "Ah." He removed the thermometer. "Perfect." He scribbled on Syrus' chart. "Okay... Mai should be in soon." He pet Syrus on the head and went back out to the waiting room. "Okay Yami. You're up." He said.

Yami puffed slightly. "Why me?! I just got here!" he said stubbornly. "Aren't you supposed to follow the 'first come first serve' policy?!" he blurted, obviously as displeased with the idea of the checkup as Bakura was.

Which by the way, Bakura was just now trotting out.

The skunk snorted. "Quit bitchin, Yami." He snapped, hopping up next to Malik and cuddling up to him.

"Yami. Let's go." Dr. Inogawa said firmly, and Seto gave Yami a push.

Yami growled at Seto slightly, wings droopign as he sighed and followed the 'good doctor' to an exam room. "I loathe this vet..." he grumbled, wings puffing up more in his unease, and displeasure.

"Yes, Yes, I know. Now strip." the man said, getting the injections ready.

Yami growled at him. "I'd rather not." he grumbled, but obliged. He glared at the wall, his wings at least double their normal size, from puffing.

Inogawa chuckled. "You need to learn to get used to it, Yami. You're gonna be coming to the vet for the rest of your life!" And he jabbed a needle into his backside.

Yami squawked loudly and whacked Dr. Inogawa with his wing. "RA FORSAKEN DEMON OF MEDICINE!" he howled.

"Ow! Hey now! I have to give you these injections, Yami! Don't make such a fuss!" And he jabbed him again.

Yami squawked all the louder and flapped harshly, landing on top of the cabinets and glaring down at the doctor. "For Ra's sake stop DOING that!" he growled, puffing up more than before, rubbing his sore behind. "That smarts!"

Dr. Inogawa sighed. "Just one more there, Yami. The other two can go into your arm, okay? Please come down."

Yami growled at him. "I dislike you with great intensity..."

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Dr. Inogawa said. "Please come down. I also need to check on your wings."

"If you jab me with that needle as hard as you did so help me I'll claw your eyes out..." he hissed, feathers quivering threateningly, though he flew down and once again perched on the table, growling. "....Ra forsaken medical arts...I get stuck with the one doctor who keeps getting 'inspirations'...."

The man chuckled. "Inspirations? What do you mean by that? Pinch." He said, warning Yami before sticking him with the needle in the backside. "Another pinch." He injected him in the arm, and then again. "Open your wing, please."

Yami grumbled and unfolded his left wing. "What are you looking for this time? We're using that horrible spray you gave us..." he mumbled bitterly. "Make me stink..."

Dr. Inogawa sighed and felt Yami's wing. "I'm taking your temperature." He said. "and looking for anything that may be wrong. But your wings look beautiful. In perfect condition. Consider yourself lucky that I can just feel your wing to check your temperature, too." He smiled as Mai walked in. "She'll finish taking care of you, Yami." Mai smiled.

"Hey hon. Let's get started." And the room was filled with a loud snap as she pulled on latex gloves.

"Okay, Malik. Your turn!" Dr. Inogawa called, walking into the waiting room where Syrus had just settled. Dr. Inogawa grinned as Malik got up and followed him to the examination room without complaint. "Showing Bakura how it's done are we?" he asked, filling five new syringes for the fennec. "It's good to see you still teach him a thing or two about being human." he added being quite kind about Malik's shots.

"He's a good man, when he acts like a man as opposed to an animal." the young man shrugged. "Ow."

Dr. Inogawa chuckled. "Keep working with him. You've got a winner there. Skunks are bright things...unless there's a car barreling at them." he added chuckling more. "He's a good lover to have, very devoted...it's amazing the progress he's made for you. Marik as well...you were an amazing owner, and are an even more amazing man." he added finishing the shots and lifting Malik's tail, slipping the thermometer in unpleasant places. "Sorry."

"YIPE!!! Calling me an 'amazing man' right before shoving something up my ass is really... kinky." He snarled, ears back as he glared at the man. "Don't do it again..."

Dr. Inogawa laughed harshly at this. "A thermometer kinky? I think someone needs therapy."

Malik glared. "No you moron. It was the combination of the words followed by the action."

Dr. Inogawa chuckled more. "Right...watch yourself. I can compliment your actions any time I want. As for the thermometer, I can assure you, I'm happily married, and if I were going to get 'kinky' with you, a thermometer wouldn't be the tool of choice." he said shaking his head. "But my wife would kill me."

Malik snorted. "So get it out of my ass and let me go home and get fucked by my mate."

Dr. Inogawa looked at the clock. "It'll just be a few more moments..." he said before finally pulling the thermometer away. "ahh...you're good. Mai?" he called. "Mai will finish your examination." he explained. "She'll take good care of you." he added leaving to get another victim.

Malik's eyes widened when Mai walked in, swinging her hips.

"Hey..." She purred. Malik gulped.

"Okay Ryou." Inogawa said, walking out. "You're up. Do I need to restrain you, or will you be good?" Everyone looked at Ryou, snickering.

Ryou glared. "Oh shut it." he grumbled irritably. He put his magazine down and shoved away from Marik and Pegasus, walking after Inogawa. "Lets get this over with..." he mumbled, ears still in their new perma-droop.

the man chuckled and followed Ryou into the room. "Strip, please." He said, preparing the shots. "Now, three of these need to go in your hind end, I'm afraid..."

Ryou sighed and stripped, hopping up on the table, baring his behind. "Fine.." he mumbled looking down. "Dr. Inogawa...do you know any ways...to make Marik and Pegasus...be friends?" he asked softly, giving him a hopeful look.

The man blinked. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Pinch!" He stuck Ryou with the needle. "They seem to be getting along. Pegasus likes Marik very much."

Ryou sighed. "They're both my mates you know...I love them...but whenever I try to...love both one or the other gets upset...I know I dont have th-the triggers anymore..." he mumbled referring to his loyalty. "But...the loyalty to both of them...it never went away..."

Inogawa smiled. "Now... is it really both of them? Or just... Marik?" He asked, giving Ryou another shot and sticking the thermometer up his rear as long as he was at it.

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Honestly...I think it's just Marik..." he mumbled softly. "I love master Pegasus...but he refuses to go near him...and it hurts me." he mumbled sighing. "I hate being forced to choose between the two most important people in my life..."

"Well... I'm about to look over Marik... You want me to ask him why he avoids Pegasus?" He asked Ryou, removing the thermometer and checking it.

Ryou nodded softly, ears drooping. "I'm sorry to trouble you..." he said softly, picking up his clothes and covering himself with them though not dressing, incase Inogawa wasn't done. "Thank you..."

Inogawa smiled and pat Ryou on the head, giving him the shots in his arms. "I brought this just for you." He said, and gave Ryou a peice of celery. "I'll talk to Marik. Mai will be in shortly to finish the examination."

Ryou grinned slightly, beginning to nibble the celery. "Thank you...." he cooed nuzzling Dr. Inogawa. "It...means a lot to me.."

"No problem, little guy." He said, and walked out. "Okay, Marik. Let's go, big guy."

"Murrrr..." Marik grumbled, but trotted after the man.

Inogawa chuckled, leading Marik into an examination room. "Strip for me buddy, and we'll get these shots over with." he said filling yet another set of syringes. "Ryou's been telling me you're a bit tense with Pegasus...why?" he asked as Marik stripped.

Marik frowned and hopped up onto the table. He shrugged. "He's a bastard." He said. "He made Ryou and Malik hybrids and... He took Ryou from me... I don't trust him..."

Dr. Inogawa nodded, giving Marik the first shot in his arm. "He's also the reason you met Ryou you know...and the reason you ended up getting Ryou back. Have you ever thought of that?" he asked, giving Marik the other shot in his arm.

Marik frowned. "that doesn't mean I have to trust him." He said. "He's just... He's..." Marik sighed. "I don't know... everything I'm not. Rich, intelligent... human..."

Dr. Inogawa chuckled. "This is going to sound sadistic Marik..but that rich intelligent human, is the entire reason Ryou exists in your life today. You have a LOT to thank him for. If he hadn't have had Ryou turned into a hybrid...you'd still be sitting in the petshop, even as we speak...." he gave Marik his first shot in the rump.

"You wouldn't be human, you'd be an animal, you'd likely never have known love, or family...never had the baby bunnies...or Ryou in your life..." he explained slowly. "If if weren't for that man's actions...you'd just be a lion...Marik, the lion."

Marik sighed. "I know... but that doesn't mean I have to like him!!" He whined. "Ryou still has a loyalty to him, and that..." He sighed and drooped. "That makes me nervous... I have nightmares where... where Ryou says I'm not good enough... that I'm nothing but a blood thirsty monster... and that he's leaving and never coming back... And he HAS said that...he's called me... a killing machine..." He sighed and sniffled, rubbing his eyes.

Dr. Inogawa stuck him once more. "He does hold loyalty to Pegasus...but Marik, he holds that same loyalty to you. Neither of your loyalties are greater than the other...he'd never abandon one completly...do you understand? He loves you more than life itself...it hurts him inside and out to ignore Pegasus on a romantic level...because you're frightened..." he said scratching Marik's ears.

"It was something put into him that he had no power over...something that you have to accept about him. But you know Marik...maybe if you worked WITH Pegasus...you could both give Ryou anything he ever wanted. I highly doubt Pegasus would object to sharing little Ryou with you...He's gone far beyond out of his way, to let you know he respects your position as Ryou's top mate..."

Marik lowered his head and fidgeted. "I... I want to make it work." He said softly. "I want Ryou to be happy. I know he can't ignore one of us, and I don't expect him to, it... It's my own insecurities and I know that... I never got to tell Ryou this, but... I'm willing to do couples therapy with him and... and Pegasus, both." He said. "Any more shots?"

Dr. Inogawa chuckled and stuck him the final time. "Instead of that therapy...maybe this vacation is the perfect oppertunity to surprise Ryou. You know the whole cruise is Pegasus' present to Ryou...his birthday is coming soon." he said smirking. "Maybe it'd be the perfect time to talk to Pegasus...work out an agreement where everybody wins. Where Ryou can love both of you and neither of you have to worry about insecurities. Ryou's bound to you for life Marik...I know he's said he'd leave you...but have you noticed? He always goes back to you...infact...I dont think he's left you for MORE than a day...before coming back to you."

Marik sighed and slowly nodded. "Yeah... I guess..." He said softly, and gave the man a shakey smile. "I'll try. Ryou, he... he's worth it." He said. "Am I done?

Dr. Inogawa smirked. "Well Mai's going to give you a once over." He said pulling a large steak from the fridge and giving it to Marik. "and yes, Ryou's worth it...he's a lifetime responsibility Marik...and sometimes one mate cant do it alone...work with Pegasus...the two of you working together...and there's nothing you cant provide for Ryou. Working with Pegasus, you become his equal. you'll have the resources Pegasus has, and on any given night...Ryou can be with you, him...or perhaps even both..." he said chuckling.

"Behind every great man, is an even greater man...or perhaps a hybrid..." he added amused. "Try it Marik...you'd be surprised how quickly you become his equal...how quickly He might get nervous." With that, Mai came in smirking. "Well hello sugar, lets get this rolling."

Marik squeaked and his eyes widened and ears perked as he stared at Mai. "Murrr?"

Inogawa smirked and went looking for Ryou. He caught him getting dressed.

"Well, Ryou... Your mate made alot of progress in therapy. He can see his problem and admit it." He smiled at the boy and sat down. "He said he avoids Pegasus because of his own insecurities and he hates it becasue it hurts you. And he wants to get along with Pegasus to make you happy. He's willing to do what it takes. He's very devoted to you, Ryou."


Ryou's droopy ears perked and he smiled. "thank you..." he cooed, putting on his last bits of clothing. "It means a lot to me." he added nuzzling Dr. Inogawa before hurrying back out to his friends and sitting back in his seat, his drooping ear perked ever-so-slightly in hope. Maybe Marik would make a change...would finally let him near his master...wouldn't be so sensitive about what few flaws he had...

In Ryou's eyes, Marik was perfect.

Inogawa smiled. "Pegasus is having me come long with you all considering your constant needs for me..." He said with a laugh. "Maybe he can get Marik's therapist to come along and help you all out. Ask your master about it."

Ryou nodded and nuzzled Pegasus, waiting on Marik to reappear in the waiting room with the others, and the good doctor. Yami was glaring and rubbing his back end. "stupid..." he murmured wrinkling his nose and deciding to better occupy himself preening Seto's hair.

Syrus giggled slightly at that sight. "He's so picky..."

Seto sighed and rolled his eyes, but continued his magazine, doing his best to ignore Yami. Malik smiled at Ryou.

"You gonna come home with me and Bakura, Ryou? We can have lunch." The fennec offered.

Ryou shook his head. "No thank you..." he declined politely. "I've got to feed the bunnies...and maybe talk to my mates..." he said softly, offering an uneasy smile.

Pegasus chuckled. "Actually Ryou... I have to go to office and finalize things for our big trip. And I think that Marik has something he had to do today. Go to lunch with your friends, Ryou. Here. My treat." And he handed Ryou a large sum of cash.

Ryou wrinkled his nose and handed it back. "You know I hate taking monetary gifts." he mumbled shaking his head. "I'll just go home and have salad with the bunnies." he said firmly. "I'll...just be going then..." he said standing and exiting quickly, before Pegasus had the chance to argue with him.

Pegasus sighed and watched Ryou leave, shaking his head.

"I'll keep an eye on him." Malik said quickly, and followed.

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

I'M HOME!!! And here's TWO chapters for all the patient readers out there!!! Yay!!!