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 7

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Rex lifted his head when he heard the bang of the doors that signaled the start of every meal. He ran to the front of his cage and watched Rem go to Marik's enclosure first.

Marik looked up as she approached.

"Here you go Marik." She said calmly, placing some juicy steaks, with an extra treat of a few small shrimp. "I thought you'd like a bit of a treat for dinner." She said, as she worked her way around the cages, stopping finally at Rex's cage. She let three live rabbits loose, before picking up Ryou, who was looking like a ragged stray, and smiled. "You're a good boy Rex. You did a good job." She said, tossing him a leg of lamb as a special treat.

Rem pushed her cart back to the back, Ryou over her shoulder being perfectly still.

"Who's a good little bunny?" She asked softly, beginning to bathe him once more, gently this time. Ryou looked up halfheartedly and smiled dully.

"I'm a good bunny...” he mumbled as she scrubbed him clean.

"While you were in Rex's cage, I had the time to get that glass replaced." She said calmly. "I expect you to behave from now on. No more aggravating my lion." Ryou's fur bristled at the mention of Marik. The flashing memory of his poor companions.

Rem carried him back out, clean as a whistle, dried and once again looking like a rabbit that could be entered in a show, save the bandages he still adorned from the scrapes.
Rex watched, and as they passed, he seized a rabbit up in his teeth and shook it violently, bringing a gut wrenching shriek from the poor animal. He grinned at Ryou, the tortured rabbit hanging from his jaws.

Bakura watched Rem pass with Ryou and he sighed, feeling sorry for the bunny. Marik was eating his shrimp daintily, enjoying them too much to pay attention to anything else.
Rem placed Ryou back in his enclosure and watched him crawl under his log and flop into the shavings, laying still. She placed a few fresh vegetables into his dish and closed the door, locking it and leaving the animals to their dinners.

"I'll see you in the morning." She said as she began locking up and flicking the lights off, until the only light that filtered in was the light of the moon. Rem quietly exited out the back and locked up, leaving the shop for another day.

Ryou stared dully at the wall of his log, not rising for food, not speaking... just laying.

"Ryou?" Came a gentle call. "Ryou... I.... I'm sorry...." It was Bakura. "I tried to get her to put you in with me instead of Rex. I'm SO sorry....." Bakura bit his lip when Ryou didn't answer, and he looked up at Yami for help. "Don't listen to what they're telling you, Ryou. You were right. We ARE human... Never forget it.....” he continued.

Yami nodded. "Bakura's right, we're all human, come on... its ok..." Yami breathed softly, perched on the edge of his branch, looking through Bakura's enclosure at the log, unable to see in. "Ryou please... don’t let it get to you..." Yami added, for once being completely at a loss for words.

Ryou didn't even lift an ear in acknowledgement, seeming to just ignore the world, staring intently at some speck of nothing in his log.

"Ryou." Marik said, suddenly. "Ryou, listen to them. We are human."

Ryou's gaze instantly was on Marik, an angry hate-filled glare intensified by the crimson of his eyes. "Don’t speak to me.” he breathed, laying his head back on the soft wood shavings of his enclosure. "Just... eat your dinners and... leave me alone.” he whispered softly, in a much kinder voice this time.

"Ryou..." Marik said, softly. "Ryou, don't be mad at me. It's okay! Really! The rabbits, they're in my den!"

Ryou glared at the wall of his log. "Of course they are, that's where lions KEEP the bones of things they tear limb from limb.” he said sourly.

"No! I didn't rip them up, I didn't!! I would never have done that, you love them! Tuc and Nod are fine!!" Bakura was staring at Marik like he had lost his mind.

"Don’t lie to me Marik, we all saw you get those rabbits... just leave me alone." Ryou said tiredly, curling up a bit. "I'm going to sleep...” he mumbled after a moment.

"But Ryou!!!" Marik ran off into his den and returned with one of the rabbits in his teeth. "Shee?” he said, but Ryou didn't look. Marik sighed and drooped, dropping Nod who ran back into his den. Then, he brightened up. "Hey Bakura! Want some steak?" Bakura perked up.

"Steak?” he asked, eagerly. "YEAH!!" Marik turned and ran to his dinner, steaks wrapped in their paper packages. He grabbed one in his mouth, then ran off into his den and brought out Tuc and Nod. He tucked them into his left arm, and looked up at the wall, then at his tree. He began to climb. Bakura looked up at Yami with a quirked eyebrow. Marik got to the top and made a leap across his cage to the wall, catching it with his right hand. He heaved himself over and rolled across the wood shavings of Ryou's cage. He dropped the steak.

"Ryou!” he cried excitedly, running over to the log with Tuc and Nod in his arms. "Look! See? Tuc and Nod! They're fine! I faked it to keep them safe! See?!"

Ryou looked up at them for a moment and his eyes lit up at the sight of the rabbits, offering Marik a half smile. "Thank you...” he mumbled, taking the rabbits away from him and nuzzling into them, still mourning a much deeper loss...

Yami frowned. "Ryou...” he said softly, watching Bakura eye the forgotten steak. "Pig..."

Marik sighed, but grabbed the steak and flung it over the wall to Bakura. Bakura pounced and opened the package, ripping into it.

"Ohhh.... Thank you!” he groaned. "I love you! Now... how are you planning on getting back into your own cage?” he asked. Marik froze and his eyes widened. Yami blinked and stared, and Ryou poked his head out of his log, also staring.

"Oh shit..... I didn't think of that." Marik said softly. Bakura blinked, then toppled over, laughing hysterically.

"YOU MORON!!!"

Yami snickered too. "Bakura, simply perfect timing.” he complimented, clapping. "Bravo!"

Ryou flicked an ear, looking moderately amused. "Stupid lion...” he said softly, not implying insult... just amusement.

Yami however was very amused. "Why don’t you just move that log and climb up it like you did the tree?"

Ryou's eyes instantly narrowed on Marik. "I'll kill you if you touch my log....” he said in a defending tone, which only caused Yami to laugh harder.

Marik quirked an eyebrow at Ryou, then slowly approached. Tuc and Nod began to thump their feet, and this time, even Ryou gave a tiny thump. Marik lay on his belly and rested his chin on his folded arms.

"Ryou? Are you... mad at me?” he asked.

Ryou glared, baring his teeth. "You touch my log and I will be."

Marik chuckled and reached out, poking Ryou's log with his finger tip.

Ryou launched forward with speed unimaginable, his teeth sinking sharply into Marik's hand, not once, not twice, but three times, all happening so fast no one even had time to think.

"DON’T... touch the log."

Marik yelped and jumped back, looking at his hand with wide eyes. Then, he grinned and crept closer. He reached out with a finger and Ryou's ears shot up, then went back again. He glared, warningly.

"POKE!!" Marik squeaked poking the log, and leapt back, dancing out of Ryou's way as the bunny lunged at his finger. Ryou zipped back under the log as quickly as he shot out of it. Marik ran back over. "POKE!!!” he giggled, romping out of the way as Ryou attacked again.

Ryou paused, before lunging and biting the thin of Marik's tail. "DO NOT touch my log!” he hissed, biting down harder, not letting go.

Yami howled with laughter at Marik's innocent prank and tried not to fall off his branch.

"YEEOW!!" Marik roared, and whirled to get Ryou off, but Ryou held on. They ran in circles, Marik trying to catch Ryou, Ryou trying to stay away from Marik. Bakura was rolling around in hysterical laughter. In the circling Marik got closer and closer to the log, when suddenly Nod flew out and chomped down on his arm.

"ROOOOOOWR!!!" Marik roared in pain. "NO FAIR!!"

Yami at this point toppled off his branch and rolled in the soft leaves at the bottom of his enclosure laughing. "Attack of the killer rabbits, lions beware!” he howled, trying to keep breath in his lungs, but failing miserably.

"LEAVE THE LOG ALONE!" Ryou howled, as Tuc suddenly flew out and bit Marik on the rump. At this, Ryou detached to giggle, crawling snickering back into his log.
Marik was flopping all over the place trying to get the killer rabbits off. They finally retreated back to the log with Ryou, watching Marik and thumping their feet in warning. Marik pouted.

"That hurt, Ryou......" He whined.

Ryou lifted his nose indignantly. "I told you not to touch it.” he said calmly, gently flicking at one of the ears which had flopped into his face. "If you promise not to again, I won’t bite you anymore."

Marik frowned and nodded. "I promise.” he said, walking over and flopping down outside of the log to stare at Ryou. ".... are you okay?"

Ryou nodded slightly. "I'm ok...” he said softly, eyes filling with mild sadness. "I'm... glad you didn't eat my friends.” he said, calming them down and nuzzling into them.

Marik smiled and reached in, flicking a lock of hair out of Ryou's face. "It would have broken your heart. You would have hated me. I could never stand that."

Ryou looked at Marik somberly. "It doesn't matter... it was broken anyway...” he said sighing. "I'll never get back to myself..."

Marik sighed and thought a moment, then began to crawl under the log. He nuzzled Ryou's cheek, purring.

Ryou blushed slightly at the closeness. "Do you enter other's homes without asking often?” he said softly, nuzzling back a moment later. "Or am I the only one?"

Marik blinked, then blushed and backed out. "Sorry...” he said. "OW!!” he leapt back as Nod attacked again, biting his knee. "DAMN!! DEMON RABBIT!!!"

Ryou chuckled softly. "You touched the log.” he said softly, amused.

Marik growled at Nod. "Maybe I SHOULD have eaten you....” he snarled.

Ryou kicked him softly. "Be nice.” he said smiling and peering out. "Come back in here you big baby, or I'll let Nod eat you." Ryou said flicking his ears a bit. "It's cold."
Marik blinked, then grinned. He looked at Bakura and gave him a smug look, then crawled under the log with Ryou. He purred and nuzzled Ryou again, not even noticing when Tuc and Nod ran away, ending up at the food dish.

Ryou nuzzled back and sighed a bit. "Marik... I'm sorry I got you into so much trouble... I should have just listened...” he said softly, closing his eyes. "I should have just accepted that I'm just... not human anymore.” he whispered and nuzzled into Marik's chest. "I'm so sorry..."

Marik held him, purring gently. "No... you were right. We are human. Thanks for reminding us. We had forgotten.” he bent down and kissed Ryou's cheek.

Ryou blushed softly, looking into Marik's eyes, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Marik...” he breathed softly nuzzling into him. "One day, we'll be able to get back to that... right?” he asked softly. "Go back... to just living for ourselves... and..." Ryou blushed and looked away.

He could only imagine life with Marik. Nothing fancy at all. Simple situations, sharing breakfast, traveling together... the idea of spending even the most mediocre moments with Marik excited him. Rolling in the leaves at fall, living together, sharing their lives, their souls...

Ryou blushed darkly, looking back up at Marik hopefully. "A-and each other...” he said almost so softly he couldn't hear it himself.

Marik smiled and purred louder than Ryou had ever heard. "Yes.” he said, licking Ryou's cheek. "We can travel the world over... Go anywhere and do anything you want. I would love that, Ryou.... I would love to spend my life with you.... I would. Is that what you want?"

Ryou nodded slowly, soft tears trickling down his cheeks. "Yes... to... to live life with you...” he sniffled softly smiling the warmest most loving smile he'd ever smiled, looking at Marik with a kind of vision he'd never had before... the vision where Marik no longer had flaws. "I'm... glad this happened. That I became this... to meet you." Ryou said blushing as the diamond tears slowly rolled down his cheeks.

Marik purred in response, cuddling closer to Ryou and nuzzling him. "I love you....” he whispered.

Ryou sniffled, nuzzling into Marik and nodding. "I love you too..." he said softly, his cheeks still stained with his blush.

Marik smiled and leaned closer, rubbing noses with him… Then, he took a deep breath and took the plunge. He kissed him.


Ryou closed his eyes, feeling Marik's lips against his own. He sighed contently, returning the kiss shyly. He peeked open an eye and blushed at Marik's serene expression. He could feel himself falling so deeply in love with him, he'd never be able to climb out again. Not that he was planning on trying.

Marik sighed and pulled back, resting his head on his fist, smiling serenely with his eyes closed. "I could stay here forever....” he said, softly. "And never wish for anything else."

Ryou nodded and giggled softly. "I... could do without the wood shavings in my hair though.” he said, nuzzling into Marik smiling before giving him another shy kiss. "I've never... felt this way before." Ryou whispered blushing. "Marik... I... never want to be away from you... I'd... die for you." Ryou whispered, gazing longingly into Marik's beautiful golden cats-eyes.

Marik smiled. "I've never loved anyone like this either.... And I would do anything for you.... anything..... I just want you to be happy...."

"ENOUGH WITH THE MUSHY STUFF!!" Bakura suddenly howled, and Marik winced.

Ryou huffed and crossed his arms, pouting. "Do you think you can shut him up? He's ruining the moment." Ryou said wrinkling his nose cutely.

Marik smiled. "Bakura? Shut up? Heh... not likely.... “ he said, nuzzling Ryou again and pulling him closer. "If we ignore him, he should get bored of us though....." And he kissed Ryou again.

Ryou giggled into the kiss and cuddled into Marik's arms delighted.

Yami rolled his eyes. "Hey Pinky. Give them some privacy and shut it. If you do, I'll let you knock the shit out of me later, if you can that is." Yami bargained. "Just no touching the wings, I have to get back in here somehow without anyone knowing."

Bakura snorted and circled his stump before curling up. Marik and Ryou in the mean time had progressed to playfully rolling around, when Marik suddenly broke off the kiss with a yelp.

"Ow. OW!!” he jerked and shoved Ryou off, and reached under himself. "What is poking.... peanut brittle? What's this?!” he asked, looking at Ryou.

Ryou blushed and yanked it away. "I believe it's mine.” he said softly, taking a nibble. "want some?"

Marik smiled and shook his head. "Where'd you get it?” he asked.

"The hands." Ryou answered calmly, beginning to gnaw on the treat, satisfying his urges to chew.

Marik blinked. "They guy who ordered you?! He was HERE?!” he gasped, his heart suddenly stopping in fear.

Ryou nodded a bit. "Last night. Why?” he asked confusedly.

Marik looked distressed. "He... he's gonna come back, Ryou... He's gonna come back and take you away from me!!"

Ryou shook his head blinking. "No... I don’t think that he'd... do that..." Ryou said softly, looking down. "I'd be miserable without you..."

"You think that matters to him?! He took you from your life, remember?! What makes you think he wouldn't take you away from me?"

Ryou bit his lip. "I... I don’t know... I... I just don’t think he would....” he whispered, putting the peanut brittle down. "... I don’t think the hands would ever do something bad...” he added softly, studying the pattern on the soft bedding.

Marik sighed and hugged him. "I won’t let you be taken from me.... I won't.... I'll fight whoever tries to...."

Ryou returned the hug, nuzzling Marik's neck. "I... I'll fight too. I don’t want to leave without you.” he whispered kissing Marik's cheek. "I'd rather be stuck here forever with you, than get away without you... I'd be miserable... I'd die without you."

Marik smiled and hugged Ryou tightly. "You make my life worth living, Ryou.....” he whispered, cuddling Ryou gently.

Ryou nodded softly. "I'm glad... because you make mine worth staying alive for.” he said giggling softly, tackling him softly and nuzzling him, laying lightly over him and looking at him with cute sexy eyes. "Let's always feel this way for each other...” he whispered, nuzzling Marik.

Marik smiled and pet Ryou's hair. "Deal." And they sealed it with a kiss that was destined to progress to much much more over the course of the night…

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In the morning, Rem frowned when she noticed Marik wasn't in his cage. "Marik? Marik?" She called panicking slightly, looking for signs of escape. "Marik!" she called loudly. She gasped when she finally caught sight of his caramel colored body. Rushing to Ryou's enclosure she knelt over him.

"Marik!" she growled, swatting him, startling Ryou from his slumber. "Shame on you!" She said, grabbing Ryou by his ears and pulling him up, causing the pale youth to gasp in the slight pain of being suspended by his ears. "Marik, WHY are you in Ryou's enclosure?! And you!" she hissed, giving Ryou the evil eye. "Didn't you learn ANYTHING yesterday?" Ryou's eyes widened and he whimpered.

Marik leapt up, slamming his head on the top of Ryou's log.

"OWW!! Rem! It wasn't his fault! REALLY!! It was my fault!!!” he said, rushing over. "I... I was trying to share my steak with Bakura, and I jumped the wall and threw Bakura the steak and then couldn't get back into my own home! Ryou had nothing to do with it, we just stayed together to keep warm!!"

"Yeah! It's true!" Bakura said, and held up the bone from steak. "See?!” he looked up at Yami to back him up.

Yami nodded. "It's true, the moron forgot to figure out how he was going to get back."

Ryou whined softly, as she held him.

Rem sighed slightly, glaring at Marik. "Back to your enclosure." She said, putting Ryou down and grabbing Marik by his furry ear, dragging him back to his enclosure, slamming the door to Ryou's enclosure and locking it, before ushering Marik into his and locking it closed as well.

Ryou however, scampered close to the glass and peered in lovingly at Marik, though he was still rubbing his own ears lightly. That just never was comfortable.

Marik smiled gently at Ryou, then moved over to his bowl to get a drink. He, Ryou and Bakura all jumped at a horrible scream from across the pet shop; Rex had killed another rabbit.

"Hey Marik... miss that sound?” he called. Marik whirled and roared.

Ryou pouted softly, hunching down startled and upset. "Marik..." He said sniffling softly, feeling as though Rex were somehow killing off family.

Rem shook her head "Rex don’t provoke Marik. Marik, hush up. You all have to be on your best behavior today. I'm calling Dai to ask if Ryou's owner is coming to pick him up today." She said soothingly. "Which means you all must behave and give good impressions, he may suggest one of you to a friend." She added looking at Ryou thoughtfully. "Hmm..."

Marik's ears twitched and perked. Ryou's owner.... Taking him... TODAY?! He ran to the front of his cage, anxiously.

Ryou blinked. "But... but I..." He stammered shaking his head. "What about Marik?!"

Rem shook her head. "You are reserved, Marik is not. I'll be right back to get you cleaned up." She said turning on her heel walking to the back. She picked up the phone calling Dai earlier than usual. "Dai? He finally broke, and I believe he's finally finally ready for his owner to come pick him up....though his affection towards Marik is really bothering me." She said calmly, arranging the appropriate papers for Pegasus to sign once he arrived.

"affections?" Dai asked. "The rabbit and the lion?! How on earth did THAT happen?"

Rem blinked. "I'm not sure, but they seem inseparable. Yesterday, as I told you he crawled through broken glass to get to Marik, and then today I found Marik in his enclosure. They seem quite taken with each other." She said, scratching a few notes across the papers. "I've had to separate them numerous times...it's quite cute really...Who'd have thought a lion and a rabbit could be so close?" She added, writing out the final total for Ryou's purchase at the bottom of the papers.

There was a long pause. "You found.... the lion sleeping with the rabbit this morning?!" Dai gasped. "REM!!! HOW COULD YOU LET THAT HAPPEN! THIS COULD SCREW UP EVERYTHING!!!"

Rem bit her lip. "I didn't let them in Dai, Marik got in himself. What could screw up everything? How can we fix it?" She asked hurriedly. "There's still time before he comes to purchase the rabbit, is there time to fix things?" Rem said, starting to panic.
"Dai what did I do wrong?"

"Rem, Ryou has been.... programmed to be loyal to the first thing he... mates. If he and the lion did anything, he will NEVER be loyal to Mr. Pegasus! And that drops his value into the basement!!"

Rem bit her lip. "Dai, I don’t know if they did anything or not. Is there a way to fix it if they have? Some sort of precaution?" She said now very upset. "Surely you have something up your sleeve! I can’t sell Ryou if he's not what the man agreed on getting! Oh Dai please tell me there's a way to fix this mess!" She pleaded, fisting her hands into her hair.

There was another pause. "Shit... he's here." Dai said. "Look, we'll just have to explain to him and make a decision with his input..... Let’s hope this smoothes out easily.... I'll be there soon." And he hung up.

Rem ran a hand through her hair and crumpled the papers she'd been working on, tossing them into the garbage. She'd have to fill new ones out, based on the outcome. She stood and hurried back to the front. "Alright you, it's time you got cleaned up." She said opening Ryou's enclosure and yanking him roughly by his ears up, carrying him to the back, not bothering to close the door.

Ryou yelped as she forced him into a tub for possibly the 5th time in 3 days. She scrubbed and washed, sudsed and rinsed him until he could swear he was tasting the soap from every pore in his body. He groaned softly, as she plucked him from the tub, drying him off making him look like a prize hare in a show. She dressed him in the small bunny suit he'd once adorned not long before, jingly bells and all, and straightened his bow, carefully looping a rope under it, and tugging it for strength, sending Ryou toppling forward, with the jingle of bells.

Smiling in satisfaction of his appearance, she carried him back out, setting him in his enclosure, but looping the rope around a small hook near the door, just out of his reach. "Now you just wait here until it's time to leave, he'll be here any minute." She looked at Marik and clicked her tongue. "And you stay in your own enclosure you feisty little kitten." She said smiling at him.

Marik blinked and looked at Ryou, then Rem. He had a bad feeling...

"What's going on?! Why's he all dressed up?! Why's he tied up?! Rem! What's happening?!” he began to rapid fire questions and pace, frantically.

Rem smiled and gave the rope a testing tug to ensure it wouldn't come untied. “Marik, it's time for Ryou to go home. You knew before he got here he was only coming for a little while." She said calmly, shutting the door to Ryou's enclosure.

Marik's eyes widened. "w-what?! NO!! Rem!! No!!!" And he promptly began trying to get out of his cage.

Rem sighed and shook her head. "Marik calm down. It's his time to go."

Ryou bit his lip, looking at Marik worriedly. He didn't want to stay in the pet shop, but he certainly didn't fancy leaving it as a pet either. He could feel a chill slowly working its way up his spine. Something just didn't bode well with the idea of leaving Marik.

Pegasus walked down the hall to meet with Dai and Rem, and hopefully to take Ryou home with him that day. He reached the end of the hall and knocked.

Rem quickly hurried away from the pets and closing the door behind her, opened the next, to meet with the buyer. "Hello Mr. Pegasus." She said calmly, fearing the idea of having to tell him what happened to his beloved ordered pet. "How are you today?"

"I'm doing quite well, and I hope to be doing better. Is Ryou ready for pickup?” he asked.

Rem nodded. "Yes. He’s ready.... but we did run across something I... will need to discuss with you." She said, bowing her head respectfully.

Pegasus blinked. "Oh? What is it? Is something wrong?"

"There is a possibility something has." Rem slowly began. "I've been told you wished Ryou to have an enhanced feeling of loyalty to whoever mates him first..." She sighed. "Well there is a possibility he was mated by our lion. I'm not perfectly sure, but I found him in Ryou's cage not long ago... so the possibility exists."

Pegasus froze and slowly turned to look at her. "What?” he hissed, his single eye burning in rising fury. "What?!"

Rem winced at the tone. "I'm sure that Dai has come up with a way to remedy that. But I'm not even sure something happened, sir." She said in a soothing tone. "Let’s remain calm about this. There were no visible signs of mated behavior... and the species pairing is simply ridiculous. Our lion wouldn't have done that." She said. "Lions and bunnies don’t mate, I was merely stating that they could have... but sensibly they wouldn’t."

"And... Is this lion... sensible?" Pegasus asked in a low, dangerous tone.

Rem nodded. "He's always been sensible as far as I've seen. He’s been here a great while. He's always been the most obedient pet in the entire store." She said calmly. "He's 'protected' your bunny a number of times, from little children pulling his ears." She said smiling. "I'm almost sure the most that happened was sleeping."

Pegasus frowned. "If he is sensible, then why is he still here? Why has he not been bought if he is so obedient? I think you're leaving something out......” he snarled, facing her and probing her mind with the Millennium Eye.

Rem sighed, thinking back on the times Marik was returned for snapping at small children, or shredding curtains. He, much like Bakura, had a mean streak if he wasn't satisfied. "I assure you, most people just don’t want a lion running around their house. Most fear him more than enjoy him."

Pegasus frowned at the thoughts, then probed a bit deeper.

"Why would the lion be in Ryou's cage in the first place?” he asked.

Remembering how close the two had become almost instantly, Rem rubbed her chin lightly. "As far as I can tell, he was probably goofing around on his tree, and fell in and could not return to his own cage. He and Ryou are fond friends, but I've certainly seen no actions stating otherwise."

Pegasus frowned at the thoughts of how close they had become. "Has the lion ever shown such... affection towards any other pet?” he asked.

Rem nodded. "He and Bakura, our skunk, have always been close, though they bicker like brothers at times."

Pegasus nodded. "So Ryou is the only one.... He may now hold a loyalty to that lion." Pegasus thought a bit, and then nodded. "Well, he cannot be loyal to one who no longer lives. I want that lion destroyed." And he looked at Rem's horrified face.

"You can’t possibly be serious!" She said shocked. "He may have done nothing at all, that's no reason to kill a lion!"

"I do not want to take any risks. And besides, I'm sure that in the long run it would be better for your business. It doesn't do you well to keep these beasts for so long, I am sure that he is doing nothing but losing you money." And Pegasus smirked, knowing through Rem's thoughts that he was right; Marik was a drain on their bank accounts. "I want him destroyed. It would benefit everyone."

Rem sighed and looked at the floor. "Alright... I'll see that's taken... care of...” she mumbled, shaking her head sadly. "I don’t think your bunny will appreciate it either way."

"This will work to my benefit. I want the lion destroyed immediately. You may tell Ryou that the one who ordered him has ordered the lion's.... execution, and no longer wants him. I will come in this afternoon and pick him up as a.... walk in purchase. Does this suit you?” he asked.

Rem nodded. "Fine..."

Rem waited as Pegasus left, before returning to the pets. "Well..." She said calmly. "Bad news."

All the pets approached the front of their enclosures and stared at Rem, waiting.

Rem frowned deeply. "Well... the man who wanted Ryou, has decided he no longer wants him..." She started, not wanting to have to tell Marik his fate, but knowing she'd have to soon.

Marik perked up, and then relaxed with a loud sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank the gods....” he breathed, and grinned at Ryou.

"And that is bad news, how?" Bakura asked, also finding himself surprisingly glad to hear this news.

"Part of it..." Rem said shaking her had. "There's more."

Bakura blinked. "So? Out with it!” he said. Marik turned his gaze from Ryou and back to Rem.

"Well he's also ordered Marik to be... well... put down." She said shaking her head. "And, the company's net losses with this are far too great... so... he'll have to go..."

Marik stood stunned, eyes wide and his jaw dropped. He felt completely numb. He was going to be put down.... like a stray dog.

Ryou shook his head. "You can’t kill him! That's insane! He's done nothing wrong!

"NO!!" Bakura screamed. "YOU CAN'T!!! What's he done?! REM!!!"

Ryou felt tears welling in his eyes. "You can’t just kill him!! He's not just some stray cat! He's a person!” he said in angered shock. "It's inhuman!"

Tuc and Nod were at Ryou's side in an instant, voicing their complaint in hissing click noises, despite the fact that they didn’t know what was going on. All they knew was that Ryou was in a large amount of distress. "How can you sleep at night?!"

Rem frowned. "I will have no more discussion on the subject." She said firmly. "It's out of my hands."

Marik slowly sat down, still in shock as Rem went to fetch the men who worked there.

"MARIK!" Bakura screamed. "You have to get out of here! You have to run!!! PLEASE, MARIK!!!"

Ryou got as close to the divider between himself and Marik as he could. "Please Marik! Don’t let them do this to you!" He said, tears beginning to trail down his cheeks. "Please, you have to get away! Please try! Don’t let them kill you!"

Marik blinked and turned to look at Ryou, pale, eyes still wide.

"Get away?” he asked. "To where? I have no where to go...."

Ryou shook his head. "Anywhere Marik! Anywhere just please try! I don’t... I don’t want you to die....” he said wiping his eyes. "Please Marik... if you die... then... who w-will I travel with...” he said hopefully hiccupping slightly. "Please don’t die... get away from here!"

Marik began looking around. "I... I can't. I can get into your cage, but.... Ryou, I can't get out... and if I were to run, I might never see you again!! I... I can't!!!" And he began backing away towards his cave, his tail between his legs as he began to shake. "I can't.....” he whimpered.

Ryou shook his head. "Marik, ‘might’ never see me again is better than definitely never see me again! Please!” he sobbed, tugging his own ears in frantic worry. "Marik if you die you will never see me again! If you live at least we have a chance of meeting again!” he said practically choking himself in effort to get closer. "Please!"

A group of large, very intimidating men began entering the room, one by one, some holding tranquilizer guns, others holding nets and ropes. Ryou felt like ice water had just been poured over him. "Marik please!"

Marik saw them coming and with a frightened whimper he retreated into his den, huddling against the back wall, shaking. Bakura was raising hell in his own enclosure, chucking everything he could get his paws on at the wall, and screaming at Yami to help him and to do something. His litter box went flying over the wall, the filthy litter showering Rem and the men as Bakura screamed and cursed, picking up a rock and slamming it against the glass, over and over again.

Ryou screeched and tugged against the rope, choking himself and rubbing his neck raw as he tried desperately to get to Marik. "MARIK PLEASE!” he sobbed.

Rem looked at Bakura angrily. "Stop it! I didn't want this to be something that happened, but there's nothing I can do about it!" She hissed as the men unlocked Marik's door and some began taking aim with their guns.

"NO!!! YOU CAN'T!!!" Bakura screamed, and slammed the rock into the glass as hard as he could, breaking a hole in it that was too small for him to get through, but he began to pound it wider. Marik in the mean time pressed himself into the corner, trying to avoid the gunmen's sights.

The men crept closer to the fearful lion, and each began taking careful aim. "Lets take this thing down in 3..." one man said, beginning to count down.

Ryou sobbed and began furiously chewing the rope, trying to get it off, unable to grip it with the gloves Rem had put on him, to untie it. "MARIK!” he wailed as he chewed.

Rem busied herself with trying to keep Bakura in his enclosure.

Marik whirled in desperation and leapt at them, roaring. He slammed into the gunmen and charged out of his enclosure knocking over several more men, as well as Rem.

"RUN, MARIK!!" Bakura was screaming, still pounding at the hole in his cage. Marik looked around frantically for an escape route.

Ryou gasped and struggled against the rope, now in the direction Marik had run. "THE DOOR!! THE DOOR MARIK!” he shouted, filled with new hope that Marik would manage to get away. "HURRY!"

But Marik didn't hurry. On the contrary, he paused and looked back at Ryou and Bakura, in obvious distress at leaving them behind.

"GO!" Ryou shouted looking desperate. "PLEASE!!"

One of the men was sneaking up behind Marik... slowly. He smirked as he flung a net, then tackled the lion and had him tied up in mere moments, obviously a fan of the rodeo. Ryou's heart hit the floor, and his stomach rose into his throat. "M-Marik!” he yelped, as they began dragging him to the back room.

Rem huffed, shoving a large metal plate into place, keeping Bakura firmly within his enclosure. "There..." She mumbled, annoyed.

Marik roared and struggled, sinking his teeth into the ankle of one man and holding on.

Rem came running over to help contain him, and only she noticed the tears flowing from his eyes and his fearful shaking. But he put on a brave face and growled around the flesh in his mouth and bit down. The man screamed as his ankle was crushed in Marik's jaws, and he fell to the floor.

One of the men hit Marik on the back of the head with the butt of his gun, managing to free his co-worker's foot from Marik's jaws, and successfully stunning him. He quickly hurried to his friend as Rem administered a sedative to Marik.

"Marik..." She whispered softly, soothingly. "I'm so sorry..." She said, carefully petting him as the injured man was helped out, and they began lifting him, to carry him away. They turned a corner, moving out of Bakura, Yami and Ryou’s line of sight.

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

MUWAHAHAHAAAA!!! Evil cliffhanger!!! and ya know what? it wasn't originally a cliffhanger!! I just switched things around to GIVE you a cliffhanger! Why?! Because people have started to get lazy and stopped reviewing my other fics, like My Forever, Ahmose Inarus and stuff... and guess what people? IT'S CHRISTMAS BREAK!!! I'VE GONE HOME!!! WHERE I HAVE NO INTERNET!!! AND I'M GONE NOW FOR A MONTH!!! That's right... A MONTH!!! Of course, Bishojo_shadow might let me use her computer to update somewhere around New Years, but I won't do it unless I think you people deserve it!!! I HAVE THE POWER!!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!