The Wild

The Wild

Hatochiisai & Mally-chan

YAOI WARNING

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

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

Chapter 7

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

Two days later, and Marik and Ryou were cuddled up, fast alseep in their bed, surrounded by the bunnies. A sudden loud banging woke them, and Marik groaned.

"What now...?" He grumbled, and a moment later Malik burst in.

"Come on guys!!! Pegasus is here to pick us up! We're going on vacation!!!" He cried, excited. Marik yawned, but the bunnies were quickly running about excitedly. Bakura walked in with two pet carriers

"Ahhh... time to herd bunnies into carriers. Okay kids!" He called, setting the carriers down. "Males in this one, females in here! Spunky, you're gonna share a carrier with Dust and Precious, okay?"

"Okay!" The bunny announced, hopping over to Angel and nuzzling her. 'This is so exciting!'

Ryou chuckled rubbing his eyes. "Kura, put Tuc and Nod in with Precious. I think Spunky and Angel can go in our carrier." He said sneaking his friend a wink. "Tuc and Nod would love to chat with their two children they never see I'm sure." He added.

He stretched and began herding bunnies into carriers. "Ahh...four cages between fourteen bunnies isn't too bad." He said shoving Spunky and Angel into their own 'private' carrier. "No getting naughty in there..." he warned before blinking. "Well actually...isn't Spunky fixed? I suppose you can then." He said snickering at the mortified look on the bunnies faces.

Marik yawned and stretched, sliding out of the bed and shuffling off to the bathroom in the nude.

"I'll take these out to the car..." Bakura said, picking up the carriers. "Ryou, where are their harnesses and leashes, so they don't have to stay in the carriers at all times?"

"I've got them in my bag. Once we get off the plane, I can get them out." He said smiling and peering in at the 'children'. "I want you to all behave! You'll each get a chance to go to the restroom before we board the plane. Even if you don’t have to, go, there isn't any stops after we get on the plane. Understand?" He cooed.

Ryou stretched once more and once Malik and Bakura had carried out the carriers, he began dressing. "Come on Marik, hurry up! We can’t miss the airplane!" he said flicking his ears and brushing his hair. "Wear those khakis and that tanktop, you'll want comfortable clothes, nothing leather on the plane, you'll sweat like a pig!" he mewled doing some last minute packing.

Marik yawned and nodded, coming out of the bathroom, but was sent scurrying back in by a flying shoe and shout of 'WASH YOUR HANDS!' from Ryou. Finally, they left their home and locked it up, heading to the limo. When they got in, they found that almost everyone was there; Seto, Yami, Mokuba, Syrus, Pegasus, Malik and Bakura of course, Yugi, Otogi and Drs. Inogawa and Hinaru.

"Hello, angel." Pegasus said hugging Ryou and scratching Marik's ears. "Well, let's go pick up Miss Rem, then." And everyone started chattering excitedly as the can pulled away. Soon enough they were at Rem's house, and Marik went flying out of the car and started ringing the doorbell... over and over and over and over and over and over and over...

Rem opened the door, and swatted his hand. "Marik, what have we talked about, regarding my doorbell?" She scolded softly, despite her broad smile.

Marik giggled. "It makes pretty noises?" He offered. "And drives you nuts?" He grinned, then pounced. "Murrrrrumph!!" And he covered her with licks, kisses and nuzzles. "Vacation!"

"HEY!!!" Shouted a voice, and Marik looked up at Zaine. "Quit lovin' on my fiancee!!" Marik glared and growled.

"MY MAMA!!!" He roared, clutching Rem. Zaine chuckled and walked over, scratching Marik's ears.

"How ya doin, tough guy?" He asked, and Marik purred and licked his hand.

"I'm hungry!"

Rem chuckled and swatted at both of them. "Get the bags you two." She said crossing her arms. "I have a little snack for you and your friends Marik...but you don’t get ANY until the bags are taken care of." She said disappearing back into the house.

Marik turned and pounced on the bags, picking them up easily and trotting out to the car. When Rem re-appeared, Zaine was standing on the front porch.

"Uhhh... He got them." He snickered, pointing at Marik who was cramming bags into the trunk with a look of intense concentration on his face. "You brought his squeaky, right?"

Rem nodded chuckling. "Of course dear." She said carrying a small basket. She locked the door and pocketed her keys. "Ahmose and Mikado said they'd mind our house, and help with the petshop." She added. "They were more than eager to do it, as much as I offered to pay them." She walked to the limo and got in. "Who's hungry?"

All hybrid hands shot up, and Rem quickly found Marik in her lap, and Zaine was being crooned at by Bakura, who was hoping for a good ear scratching.

Zaine chuckled and obliged. "Alright alright!" Rem giggled and uncovered her basket. Inside were what appeared to be little pancake poppers. "Sausage and pancake poppers. Help yourself." She said holding it out for any and all to help themselves to the treats.

"MAO!" Marik gasped, stuffing one into his face right away, and Bakura ended up in Zaine's lap to get at the treat. Malik sighed and shook his head, and Yugi giggled while Otogi and Yami stared at Marik and Bakura in dismay. Seto rolled his eyes and glanced at Pegasus, who was fawning over Ryou. Inogawa was trying not to laugh as he held Dust in his lap, petting the bunnybird.

Ryou giggled and nuzzled Pegasus, taking one of Rem's treats and nibbling it. "Mmm...these are good." he cooed thankfully, nuzzling his way to sitting in Pegasus' lap.

Yami snickered. "Aww look at that, he's such a bunny." he said smirking at Seto. "Dont you wish you could just take him home?" he added snickering as Dust crowed cutely, flapping his little wings.

Seto rolled his eyes. "I have enough with you, Syrus and Dust." He said, watching Syrus nibble one of the treats. His eyes widened, and he crammed it into his mouth before diving for another. Dr. Inogawa was chuckling and playing with Dust, petting him and tickling him. Precious was hopping over to Rem, sniffing curiously for a treat.

Rem smiled and offered the sniffing bunny a treat. "Here you go little guy." she cooed.

Malik grinned, munching calmly on a treat as well. "So...plane to where?" he asked around the food.

Pegasus smiled. "Moscow. We refuel there, then we go to Endinburough, Scotland. We’re staying at a bed and breakfast on Loch Ness.”

"Ooooohhh..." Otogi gasped, eyes widening and ears perking.

Yami cooed slightly. "Mmm...sounds nice. I've never flown in fog before." he added chuckling. "Isn't fog what Scotland is famous for? That and booze?"

Malik grinned. "Bars baby...bars."

Ryou giggled and shook his head. "Honestly! I'm going to visit a castle, you should try to take in some culture, heaven knows you could use it." he added flicking his ears.

Syrus flicked his ears. "Scotland..." he said thoughtfully. "Those people are violent when they're angry...."

Dust crowed again. 'bring it on! Flying in fog! I'm going to catch a fish jumping out of the water! I bet Yami will like that! He likes fish!' he said proudly, flapping his little wings once more. 'And I bet the clover there is top notch, clover always tastes better when it's moist with dew!'

Marik was too busy stuffing his face, and Bakura was curled up in Zaine's lap, crooning loudly as the man scratched his ears and pet his tail. Otogi snickered, watching this, then purred when Yugi giggled and started to scratch his ears.

"Big kitties." He teased scratching. "You're all spoiled rotten." He added flicking his ears and yawning. "It's too early for me to be up..." he grumbled flicking his large tail. "Once I'm on that plane, if I'm woken up before I need to switch planes, I'm going to attack." he added chittering loudly.

Ryou laughed. "Poor Yugi...nocturnal...you'll adjust soon...don’t worry too much on it." he cooed licking Pegasus' cheek. "I'm looking forward to the seating! First class!" he said grinning. "I've NEVER flown first class...always coach..." he mumbled, flicking his ears.

Pegasus laughed. "You goofs! We're taking my private jet!" He informed them. "It'll be like a club! I had the place redecorated just for this trip."

Yugi wrinkled his nose. "Fine, don’t wake me up there either!" he huffed, though he was smiling. "A raccoon needs his sleep."

Ryou giggled and nuzzled into Pegasus once more. "I remember that...sounds fun!" he added joyfully. "And Yugi will be glad to know there's a bed." He chuckled, much to Yugi's delight.

Pegasus smiled and kissed Ryou's cheek. Marik was watching them and his ears lay back a bit, but then he shook his head and relaxed, curling up in Rem's lap, purring contently.

Rem chuckled. "Oh Marik..." She said in the 'I'm about to use the excited voice' voice. "Guess what I got?! huh? Guess!" she said, immediatly in the excited voice. "Oh you'll never guess, you're gonna love it!" she said egging him on watching as he, Bakura and Syrus suddenly perked up, all three having been hybrids and trained to react to that voice in that way.

Marik perked and twisted his head around to look at Rem. "Murr?!" He asked, starting to shake in excitement, his tail lashing. Bakura howled as Marik's tail started whapping him in the face, and he backed out of Zaine's lap.

Rem grinned at Bakura. "Hey Bakura! Guess what?! oh GUESS!" she said making the excited voice even MORE excited, if possible.

Syrus squirmed and tugged his hair, his tail bristling and unbristling. "Ahh....e-excited voice..." he whimpered though he was twitching with excitement as well.

Bakura looked up and his ears and tail perked.

"Huh?! What?! What what what?!" He gasped, leaping up onto all fours and trembling with excitement. Seto had to hide his smile of amusement behind his hand and Malik snickered.

Rem produced Bakura's FAVORITE chewtoy, which was made of rawhide, and inside was a treat of his favorite berries dried out and coated in sugar. "You want it? Huh? Oh oh want it!? who's my favorite little skunky friend?" she said excitedly. "Who wants this chewie?!"

Syrus twitched more, before burying his head into Mokuba's hair, hoping to escape the 'excited voice'. Yami chuckled and covered the poor boy's ears with his hands, laughing softly behind a wing. "Poor guy..."

"MEH!!" Bakura blurted, leaping for the toy, and Malik burst out laughing, as did Pegasus and Otogi.

Rem tossed it to Bakura, who jumped up and caught it, holding in his hands and gnawing on it, quite pleased. "Oh Marik...Oh I got you something too! You want it? Oh you REALLY want it?!" She squeaked at him, pulling out his favorite squeaker. "Who wants his squeaker?!"

"MAAOO!!!" Marik totally wigged out, tacking the thing from Rem's hand and tumbling to the floor. Seto and the bunnies winced as the car was filed with the shrill squeaks of the poor toy as it was mauled by the eager mewling lion.

Ryou snickered softly, nuzzling Pegasus and watching. "That's Marik for you." He cooed his ears twitching at each shrill squeak.

Rem smiled and handed Syrus a few gingersnaps. "Here you go darling, you got all hyper too… it's only fair."

Syrus squeaked and sniffed them, before taking them and beginning to nibble, loud snapping heard as he took bites.

Pegasus chuckled, and soon enough they arrived at the airport. "Okay, everyone onto the plane!" He called, opening the door. Precious and Dust were stuffed into the carrier with Tuc and Nod and Pegasus carried them out and towards the plane. Ryou carried Spunky and Angel, Malik carried the boy bunnies and Dr. Inogawa the girls. Marik and Bakura trotted along on all fours, Marik by Rem and Bakura by Zaine, the fiancees holding hands. Seto sighed and got out of the car, his brother and the other hybrids tumbling after him.

Yami looked at the airplane and puffed slightly. "I hate planes..." he mumbled coughing slightly.

Ryou blinked slightly. "You're a bird..."

"That has nothing to do with it! ...I just hate planes..." he mumbled looking down ashamed. "Natural inborn FEAR of...well..."

Malik snickered. "A bird afraid of a plane? You're the safest one!" He teased as they boarded.

Marik in the meantime had begun bouncing around Rem excitedly. "I've never been on a plane before, Mama! Is it fun!? Murrrrrrrumph!!! Ryou!!! Have you been on a plane?! Bakura?! Have you?! I've NEVER been on one!!!" He dropped his squeaky and it bounced away. "MAO!!!" He was after it in a flash, tackling it like a good hunter.

It wasn't long before the stewardess of Pegasus' private jet helped them all to their seats. "Please remain seated and buckled in until the red light on the wall here, turns green. After that you may move about to your heart's content." She cooed buckling Marik in, while he squirmed chewing his toy.

Ryou nuzzled his mate and cooed. "Marik..." he mumbled yawning and cuddling into him more.

Marik turned and looked out the window for a moment, then turned back to nuzzle Ryou. "I love you..." He murred into Ryou's ear, smiling at Rem and Zaine who had their heads together, Dr. Inogawa and Hinaru were holding hands and talking, too. Marik sighed. Everyone was happy.

"RADAMMIT!!! NO GROPING ME ON THE PLANE!!!" Malik screamed. Marik snickered. Well, ALMOST everyone was happy.

Moments later, the plane began moving. Ryou grinned and turned to look out the window. "I just adore airplanes..." he cooed nuzzling into Marik while watching the landscape move slowly.

"Murrr?" Marik said, looking out the window. Hinaru smirked and nudged her husband, and Inogawa looked at Marik. Rem and Zaine soon followed their example. Marik looked like a housecat who was watching something interesting out the window. His tail was lashing and his ears were perked up and swiveling around non-stop.

"We're moving!!" He was gasping excitedly. "We're going fast!" Seto snickered behind his hand. "Wow... How fast are we gonna go?!" The plane's nose lifted off of the ground. "Is... Is the ground sinking? What's goin' on, why's the... why is the ground moving away?! What are.... is that the highway?! Is that... MAAOOOOOO!!!!" Marik FREAKED.

"MAAOOOO!!!! NYAAAAOOOOOO!!!" He poofed up and began thrashing in his seat, and the stewardess came running. "MAOOOO!!!" He broke free of the seatbelt, scrambled over Ryou, Pegasus, Seto, Yami, Zaine and Rem and took off running towards the back of the plane, yowling hysterically, leaving those behind with numerous scratches from his claws.

Ryou of course followed his mate, scampering across the laps of his friends and to the back of the plane, the stewardess scuttling to tend to the needs of the others.

"Marik!" he mewled tackling him and clinging tightly. "You're not supposed to move!" he whimpered clinging to him. "You'll make the plane crash!"

"WHAT?!?!" Marik screamed. "MROOOOOOOWL!!!" He howled, completely terrified now! He shot through a door and began running around the plane's recreation room, looking for an escape route as the plane continued to gain altitude. "MAAAOOOOO!!!!"

Ryou squeaked and tackled him once more. "Marik stop MOVING!" he said pinning him down and giving him a worried look. "Just hold still! We'll be ok if you just hold still! I promise!" he said sniffling. "Now DONT move!"

"NO!!! NO!!! I WANNA GO HOME!! I WANNA GO HOME!!! MAMAAAAA!!!" Marik howled, shaking violently and looked more terrified than Ryou had ever seen him. And then, he turned and darted away and shot under the bed, where he continued to yowl. Pegasus ran back then and scooped Ryou up, sitting down on the sofa with him. The man was shaking, and it took Ryou a moment to figure out that he was laughing.

Ryou pouted and bopped him glaring. "Master, Marik's SCARED! Don’t laugh at him!" he pouted grumbling. "My poor mate..."

"I'm sorry Ryou!" The man laughed, tears flowing from his eye. "Oh God... I never even thought he might be scared! Oh, that was TOO funny!! Oh God! I can't breathe!!!"

Ryou bopped him again. "Absolutely horrid! Stop laughing at him! Absolutely cruel! Master stop it stop it stop it!!" he whined loudly. "Poor Marik..."

"Oh God..." Pegasus laughed, stretching out. "My ribs hurt... It was so FUNNY!!!" And as the plane leveled out, the others drifted back, many of them laughing.

"Where'd he go?" Seto snickered.

Ryou clicked at Seto and the others warningly. "Stop laughing! You're all horrible for laughing! GO AWAY!" he growled loudly, bristling.

"Holy shit! That was the funniest thing I've ever seen!" Otogi howled.

Ryou charged forward suddenly, and nipped Seto and Otogi harshly. "OUT!" he howled, furiously. "OUT OUT OUT!”

"Ow! Whoa! Hey! What did I do?!" Seto whined. "I just asked where he went!!!"

"OUT!!!!" Ryou howled baring his teeth warningly.

Seto glared. "Don't kick me out of here!!!" He snapped, walking over to Pegasus and dropping onto the sofa beside him. A moment later, there was a thundering noise and fourteen bunnies ran into the room, squeaking and playing. Otogi's eyes widened and he ran over to check out the big screen TV and video game system, Malik, Yugi, Yami and Bakura following him.

Ryou clicked more, feeling the urges to chew holes through every breathing soul in the room. He growled and stormed out, ears bristled. Poor Marik! He grumbled and went to the bathroom, locking the door and sitting on the edge of the large tub within. He glared at the door... poor Marik was scared witless and they were all in there laughing and being totally insensitive to his cuddling needs!

A moment later, Pegasus knocked on the door. He poked his head in. "Ryou?" He called softly. "Baby? You okay?" He crept in.

Ryou grumbled and looked away, grumbling. "I'm fine."

"Sweetie... I know you're upset, but... it was so FUNNY!!" The man laughed.

Ryou clicked, refusing to look at Pegasus. "It's funny at Marik's expense!"

"He'll be okay. Why don't you go check on him. Try to calm him down. If he spends the entire flight under the bed, he'll never live it down." Pegasus said, gently rubbing Ryou's hair. "Then, perhaps I can give you a nice relaxing grooming."

Ryou bristled more. "I'm going to leave him alone until everyone gets bored of being in there..."

Pegasus blinked. "Ryou." He said calmly. "They won't. That room was made for everyone to stay in the entire flight. Yugi is already in the bed sleeping. And I could hear Marik still crying when I came in. He was calling for you and Rem." And sure enough, Marik was still under the bed, crying.

"Ryou.... Maooo... maooo... mamaaaaa.... mewl..." He whimpered.

Ryou grumbled and stood, glaring at Pegasus. "You shouldn't have laughed where he could hear you...." he mumbled looking away and sniffling slightly, before darting back and crawling under the bed to nuzzle his needy mate. "Marik..." he mewled and licked his cheek. "shh...it's ok..."

Marik whimpered and licked Ryou's cheek, still shaking violently. "I... I think... I want mama..." He whispered, nuzzling Ryou.

Ryou nuzzled him. "Marik...it's ok...I've been on airplanes before..." he cooed softly, hugging him close. "It's scary when they go up...but after that it's really fun! You get to see the tops of the clouds, and watch the land waaay below!" He said hoping to soothe his lover. "It's perfectly safe..."

"N-No..." Marik whimpered. "Ryou... I need mama..." He gulped, sniffling.

Ryou looked hurt. "Oh..." he mumbled ears drooping. "I'll...go get her..." he mumbled.

"Thank you..." the lion squeaked, nuzzling Ryou.

Ryou crawled out from under the bed and sought out Rem. Once he'd found her, She quickly went to Marik's aid...and he sat in the seating area, looking down. It hurt his feelings a little, that he hadn't been able to soothe his lover, and that he'd called for Rem. He sighed softly and looked out the window, pressing his forehead against the cool surface.

Marik sniffled and looked at Rem. "M-Mama...?" He gulped, fixing wide eyes on her. "I... I think I had an accident..." He whispered.

Rem sighed and shook her head, which was peering under the bed. "Alright sweetie..." she cooed, standing. "Everyone, would you mind leaving for a moment? Marik wants a little privacy to talk to his mama." She said calmly, and everyone but Yugi (who was dead-asleep) left chuckling slightly.

She closed the small door behind them. "C'mon then Marik...out from under there..." She cooed smiling. "Before you start to smell bad."

Marik sniffled and slunk out, belly to the floor. "No more airplanes... N-No more... no more..." He whimpered, following her to the bathroom. "I want Ryou..." He snifffled, huddling on the floor while Rem ran a bath.

Rem chuckled. "Marik sweety, airplanes are very safe, and very fun." She said testing the water with her hand. "The scariest part is taking off and landing...but after that, it's just like you're flying. Airplanes are the safest way to travel in the whole world." She added. "You've got more chances at being hit by cars, busses and a military class tank, than you have of being in an airplane accident."

Marik blinked and gave her a look. "what do you mean JUST LIKE flying?! WE ARE FLYING!!! and I want back on the ground!!!" He howled. "I want the ground, I want my squeaky, I want my plushy and I WANT MY MATE!!!" He howled.

Rem sighed. "Marik, you have to ride in the plane. You really hurt Ryou's feelings you know...he wanted to cheer you up, and protect your pride..." she said softly and plucked up the now naked lion and plopped him in the tub. "He just wants you to be happy..."

Marik smiled weakly, but was still shaking. "I want him here with me now... I just... I was embarassed..." He mumbled, lowering his head and turning red. "Can... Can you get him? Please?" Marik asked.

Rem nodded and put his dirty clothes in a sack and tucked them away in her bag. (tied off of course.) "I'll be right back sweetie...you stay here. Dont mention anything...I'll tell the stewardess, and they'll clean it up after we land in moscow." She said calmly, leaving.

Moments later she returned, pushing Ryou into the room. "Here you go Marik...now you two behave..."

Marik smiled at Ryou, resting his chin on the edge of the tub with a purr. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings..." Marik said softly. "I asked you to get Rem... but that didn't mean I wanted you to leave."

Ryou sighed and curled up on the other side of the tub, resting his head on the edge. "Marik..." he pouted softly. "I'm sorry...I couldn't calm you down..."

Marik smiled and moved closer, nuzzling his mate. "I'm sorry. I was embarassed Ryou... I kind of umm... wet myself..." He mumbled, looking down and looking more embarassed than Ryou had ever seen him.

Ryou nuzzled him. "You were scared..." he said softly. "It's ok..." he added nuzzling him more. "...room for one more?"

Marik blinked and looked down at the tub he was in, and smiled. "Sure." He said, then laughed. "Looks like it will be a tub for three!" And Ryou tuned in time to see Sparkle squeeze inside and take a flying leap into the tub. Marik laughed down at her. "She's a little fish!" He scooted over to let Ryou in.

Ryou nuzzled him once more. "Ahh...maybe not..." he said chuckling softly. "She wont have room to swim..."

Marik smiled. "Awww... c'mon." He encouraged, and turned to coo at the bunny. Ryou watched him, noticing that Marik was still shaking.

Ryou sighed softly and nuzzled Marik. "Poor Sparkle wouldn't have room to swim sweetie..." he said flicking his ears. "Let her have her fun."

Marik sighed and smiled, leaning back in the tub and trying to relax, but his clenched fists and laid back ears betrayed him.

"Marik...please don’t be scared...father and I used to ride in airplanes quite often...if it were dangerous I would have died long ago.." Ryou cooed softly. "It's very safe.."

Marik whimpered and looked at Ryou. "How... how high are we?" He squeaked.

Ryou smiled. "Not too high..." he cooed. "We'll be ok Marik... I promise you."

Marik whimpered and slowly curled up in the tub, resting his head on the edge, letting Sparkle climb all over him. "In case we die... I just want you to know that I love you very much."

Ryou chuckled. "Well I don’t think we're going to die Marik...I've been in numerous planes all my life..." he cooed kissing his mate's cheek. "If they were that dangerous, I would have died long before we met.."

Marik frowned and pouted. "Murrrrrr..." He whined, licking at Ryou's elbow that was propped up in the edge of the tub.

Ryou giggled and yanked it away. "That tickles!" he squeaked ears tilting back as he laughed.

Marik smiled and purred slightly, beginning to relax. He sighed, then plucked up Sparkle. "Here, hold her while I bathe, then I'll refill the tub for her." And he began to bathe.

Ryou smiled and put Sparkle down. "Let him clean up, and you can have some clean water to swim in ok sweetie?" he said scratching her ears.

Marik hummed softly to himself as he bathed, then hopped out of the tub and shook off before draining it, and refilling it for Sparkle. Then he and Ryou trotted out into the main room again, where everyone had regathered. Marik, not giving a damn that he was naked, trotted over to the sofa and hopped up onto it, flopping down across Dr. Inogawa, Dr. Hinaru and Zaine, resting his head in Rem's lap with a loud purr. Pegasus raised and eyebrow and Seto stopped mid sentence to eye Marik, then sighed and shook his head, smiling.

Nearly twenty four hours later, the plane had landed in Scotland, and after a few hours in customs with hybrids being inspected, they were all on their way to the hotel that Pegasus had arranged for them on Loch Ness. They arrived at the Bed & Breakfast, checked in, and everyone went to check out their rooms, turning the bunnies loose.

Angel hopped though Ryou's room and out onto the small balcony, looking up at the slowly setting sun. It was late in Japan, and she did have jetlag, though not nearly as bad. Spunky and her had spent most of their cramped trip, snoozing. She sniffed the air and flicked her ears curiously. 'it's damp here...'

Spunky followed. 'That's alot of water...' He commented, looking at the Loch. 'The air smells... fresh. Very fresh. I smell strange rabbits.'

Angel sniffed again. 'I'm not sure I like it.' she said looking at the water and wrinkling her nose. 'all this moisture in the air will ruin my fur...'

'Ryou will fix your fur.' Spunky comforted her, licking her cheek. 'I can't wait to find the plants that smell so good here tomorrow!'

Angel wrinkled her nose. 'I'll stick to cucumbers...I don’t trust the plants here...with all this water I bet they're gooey and gross!'

Spunky snickered. 'Well, if I find something yummy, I'll let you know, hmm?' He tacked her playfully and tugged her ear.

Angel squeaked and pawed at him. 'you'll mess up my fur more!' she squealed squirming to get out from under Spunky, and his ear-tugging.

'Ryou will fix it.' Spunky said. 'Play with me!'

Angel squealed and shoved him off. 'I don’t play rough games!' she huffed wrinkling her nose. 'I like playing pretend princess!'

Spunky giggled. 'Who has to pretend that?' He teased, giving her a playful nip.

Angel pouted. 'I like to! I pretend I'm a pretty princess bunny! Prettiest in the world with lots of carrots and friends!' she said shoving him off again. 'I don’t like playing rough games...it messes up my fur and makes me dirty.'

'You'll get chubby without exercise.' Spunky pointed out. 'Maybe tomorrow... we can run in the sun for a bit?'

Angel gave him a nip. 'I exercize!' She flicked her ears annoyed. 'I just do MY exercizing in the house! Where there's no mud.' she added calmly. 'How else do you think I keep myself looking so pretty?'

Spunky sighed and drooped. 'So... you won't come outside with me tomorrow?' He asked softly.

Angel wrinkled her nose. 'you just admitted it smelled damp! if I get mud in my fur it'll be stained for days!' she said holding up a pristine white paw. 'Show bunnies don’t get dirty!'

Spunky sighed. 'Well... I'll find a dry place for you.' He said with a bunny smile.

Angel flicked her ears irritably before smirking. 'If I go outside, the other bunnies will see me, and they'll hit on me.' she said smugly.

'And I'll fight them off! No foreign feral mutt is gonna lay a paw on you!' He announced.

'oh right. Like you fought off Secret?' Angel chittered out a laugh. 'Don’t make me laugh.'

Spunky frowned and drooped. 'I'll still fight them. Like I'd still fight him.'

'and you'd still get your tail kicked. You're just not a tough bunny at all! Hunter can take you down and he's YOUNGER than you!' she said chittering out more laughter. 'maybe I SHOULD go out tomorrow...'

Spunky drooped. 'Hey now... Hunter is a LION!!! He has an unfair advantage. I'm a skunk.'

'Bushou kicked your ass too.' she said snickering. 'Remember? You took a bite of his sugar cane when he was 'asleep' and he snapped up and beat you bloody!' she teased

'..... he's a BEAR!!!' Spunky explained. 'Why do you have to point out my flaws? I'm not perfect and we both know it! Why do you have to make me seems worse than I am?!'

Angel flicked her ears calmly. 'Because if you think you want me, you're going to have to convince me to want you.' she said looking him over. 'and you need to face it like a grown up...you're NOT strong. What will mating with you produce?'

'Nothing. I've been neutered.' Spunky drawled.

Angel chittered a laugh. 'I MEAN, what would I gain from it? You'd get sex. What do I get out of it? A girl wants protection, or a good strong home, or a hot cassanova...' she said beginning to groom her ears. 'I doubt you've ever dug a home in your entire life. You're your daddy's little pet-baby. You depend on him for everything. Tuc doesn't depend on Ryou, in fact, sometimes Ryou depends on Tuc.'

Spunky frowned. 'And what would you get from Secret? Other than fleas and ticks, I mean...' He grumbled.

'protection obviously, and he must be a magnificent home builder, to build a home big enough for HIMSELF to live in.' she said calmly.

'He's a giant over eating freak...' Spunky muttered. 'And he's got to have all kinds of bugs and stuff in his fur... he may LOOK good, but... what does Ryou say? Don't judge a book by its cover?'

Angel flicked her ears. 'Alright, why should I choose the pauper over the prince?' she asked yawning cutely.

Spunky's ears shot up. 'W-Whah?!' He squeaked. 'Are you calling ME a pauper?! Wait... what's a pauper...?'

Angel burst into laughter. 'A poor man.'

'ME?!' Spunky screeched.

Angel nodded. 'Yes you.' She hopped closer to him. 'You like me, and you aren't nearly as handsome or strong as Secret..' she cooed, giving him a very 'cute' bunny look. 'so....what makes you think....that you can have me?' she asked, rubbing up against him in a VERY friendly manner.

Spunky squeaked and his ears and tail shot straight up and poofed. 'W-W-W-Whah?!' He gulped and shook his head, gathering himself. 'What do you want of me? Name it and I will do whatever I can to be that for you.'

Angel chittered a laugh, hopping away as she rubbed against him, flicking her tail invitingly. 'You like what you see?'

'You know I do.' He said, watching her.

Angel stretched languidly and flicked her ears. 'Really? How much?'

'To much to tell with words...' Spunky said, hopping over in a very... debonair fashion.

Angel flicked her tail once more. 'Oh really? Well what if I wanted to be told in words?' she said giving him a seductive look.

'My vocabulary won't cover it well enough.' Spunky giggled, turned to feverishly groom his tail.

'Try it.' She said smirking, beginning to bathe herself in a very showy manner.

'You are... perfection.' He began, hopping towards Angel. 'And your name describes you perfectly. You are an angel fallen from the sky, so divine in your beauty that any male would fall in love upon first laying eyes on you.'

Angel would have been blushing if it weren't for her fur. 'When you can tell me I'm beautiful like Ryou does, I'll mate with you.' she said calmly, flicking her ears. 'I want to HEAR it.'

'You ARE beautiful.' Spunky said. 'I have always said so. I think you can be a show bunny. Even if you don't know who your parents are. You are the most beautiful bunny I have ever seen and WILL ever see.'

Angel flicked an ear. 'I cant HEAR you.' she said seeming to smirk. 'Funny, you're not very vocal about how 'beautiful' I am.'

Spunky blinked. He slowly hopped towards her.

"Angel." He said, and nuzzled her. "Angel... pretty."

'I said say I was beautiful' she said giving him a firm look. 'You have to say 'Angel is beautiful!' or...am I not worth the work?' she asked, smirking at him. 'the day you say that, I'll give in and be your mate.'

Spunky's eyes widened. 'What? I... I can't!! I can't say 'beautiful'... it's too long... too hard...' He whimpered.

Angel flicked her ears. 'I see...well then I suppose I should pretty up...tomorrow I'm going out to meet FORIEGN bunnies...' she said, beginning to groom herself once more.

“Angel pretty!” Spunky cried, ears laying back.

Angel didn't even look up. 'I'm beautiful, or I'm not. Pretty is an average word...' she said calmly, yawning as she groomed. 'I'm beautiful, or I'm not your mate.'

"Angel... B.... B-B... Boot..." Spunky forced out, grimacing in concentration.

'Oh nice, I'm a boot.' She said continuing to groom.

"B-Boot... full.... Angel boot-full..." Spunky squeaked.

Angel shook her head. 'I'm boot full? Nice.' She said smugly. 'I think I should go to bed...I've got a big day ahead of me...' she said chuckling.

Spunky drooped with a little whimper. 'It's too hard...' He leveled a sad gaze upon her.

Angel flicked an ear. 'You cant even do that for me? Well...'tis a shame...' she cooed. 'I guess when we get home, I'll be Secret's mate.'

'It's not like HE could say it!!!' Spunky cried, thumping his foot in frustration.

'It's not like he got his ass kicked in a fight for dominance.' She replied over her shoulder. 'If I mate with you, I'm not going with my first choice. Dont you know nature's law? Only the strong survive. Well natural order would be that I end up with Secret. I'm willing to break the rule if you could do one SIMPLE little thing. But you can’t.'

Spunky watched Angel, and his ears and tail slowly drooped. He turned and slowly slunk across to the far edge of the balcony and stared out at the loch.

Angel flicked her ears, pawing the balcony door open once again. 'You've got until I see Secret again, to say it Spunky. I'll give you that long...it's not like Secret's here now.' She said slowly. 'It would be unfair of me to expect you to say it on a moments notice.'

Spunky sighed and dipped his head in a slight nod, and Angel went inside. Spunky sighed and stared at the water, then closed his eyes and concentrated.

"B... ewwww... tee... foooool..." He began to say, and continued to try and peice together the large word for the next hour, soon falling alseep. And that was where Ryou found him the next morning, curling up tightly and damp with dew.

Ryou squeaked and picked the poor dampened bunny up and nuzzled him.

"Spunky...wake up..." he cooed, carrying him inside and running him a hot bath. He needed one as well, so they'd share it. He closed the bathroom door cradled the poor skunk. "Spunky, are you alright?"

The bunny slowly opened his eyes and yawned with a loud squeak. His tail twitched and he slowly looked around.

"Daddy?"

Ryou chuckled and began undressing. "It's bath time...how do you feel?" he cooed, lifting Spunky into the tub, before joining him. "I made it a hot bath, since you slept out in the night air...poor thing..." he added, beginning to wash Spunky.

Spunky yawned and sighed, still droopy. 'Angel... says she'll be my mate if I can tell her she'd beautiful... out loud. But... I can't say it...'

"I dont see why not, you've said all the syllables in OTHER words." Ryou said calmly. "Say 'Bee', like when you were stung by the bee."

Spunky's ears shot up. "NO!!!" He squealed, thrashing and looking around, as if expecting a bee attack.

Ryou laughed. "No no! There's no bees! Just SAY the word 'bee'." He soothed, hugging Spunky tightly. "Understand? Just say the word..."

Spunky blinked. "Bee!"

Ryou grinned. "Now say 'you' like when you say 'fuck you!'..." he said scratching Spunky's ears.

"You?" Spunky asked, cocking his head. "B-ew... Bee-you?"

Ryou nodded. "Beeyou" he said grinning. "That's how you say the first half of beautiful." he chuckled, tickling Spunky. "just add 'tea' and 'full' and you have it."

"Tee.... fool....?"

Ryou chuckled. "No no ...Full...like when you eat too much food. you're 'full'." he said correcting Spunky.

"Bee. You. Tee. Foowuhl?"

Ryou laughed. "Um...how about saying 'fu' from 'fuck' and adding 'lllll' to it?" Ryou said soaping Spunky up and rinsing him. "Try that."

"Fuh... uhllllllll...." Spunky garbled out.

Ryou grinned. "close Spunky...try saying it all together."

"Fuhlllllll...." Spunky squealed, looking quite comical as he did so.

Ryou laughed. "Good! Now try saying the WHOLE word, say it as fast as you can, so it sounds like you're saying the whole word, and not the little words I taught you."

"Beeeeeyuuuuuuteeeeeefooooool!" Spunky strung out.

Ryou chuckled. "Close...try again, a LITTLE slower."

"Beetoofil." Spunky said.

"you forgot to say you." Ryou said softly. "C'mon Spunky, you can do it. 'Beeyouteafull' it's easy."

"Beeyoutooffil!" Spunky blurted. The door opened and Marik walked in.

"Wha's goin on in heeer..." Marik yawned, walking over to the toilet and begining to releive himself.

"Beeyoufil!"

"Huh?" Marik asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Ryou wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "he's trying to say beautiful." Ryou said calmly. "Angel wont be his mate unless he can tell her she's beautiful."

"Aww... poor thing..." Marik chuckled. "Spunky, you're getting off easy... You know all I went through for Ryou! If all it took was to tell him he was beautiful..." He sighed and shook his head, finishing and flushing the toilet.

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "I'm not beautiful. I'm handsome."

Marik smiled and walked out of the room. "You're beautiful." He called over his shoulder. "Whoah! Hey! C'mon kids, no runnin' under my feet this early in the morning, I'll squash you and Ryou will cry!"

Ryou grumbled, before grinning. "Oh Marik!" he called in a sweet voice.

"Hmm?" the lion asked, poking his head into the room.

Ryou finished drying Spunky, and got out of the tub, wringing his ears out slightly. "Did you just say I was beautiful after I said I was handsome?" He asked in a sexy tone, wrapping a towel around his waist.

Marik chuckled and wrapped an arm around Ryou's waist. "You ARE beautiful...." He purred.

"Bootiful!!!" Spunky squeaked, bouncing around Marik and Ryou's feet.

Ryou chuckled softly and pulled Marik down by the collar of his shirt. "You know...I was thinking..."

Marik grinned and leaned closer, drawing in for a kiss. "Yes?"

"Just about how long it's been since you've had any...stimulation." He cooed, grinding against him slightly before smirking and stepping past him, avoiding the kiss. "It's been over six months if you think about it...infact nearly a year....we never did it while we were kidnapped, or when we got back, or before you went to therapy...I'm beautiful, and you've been abstaining for nearly a year." He cooed, snickering and walking back into their bedroom.

Marik's ears perked. "Murr?!" He squeaked, and quickly trotted after Ryou and into the bedroom.

"Lunkhead fuck Ryou!" Came the enthusiastic announcement from the bathroom.

Ryou laughed harder. "Oh Lunkhead isn't fucking Ryou any time soon." He snickered flicking his tail. "I'm going with Pegasus, Syrus and Yami for the early morning tour of the castles." He said beginning to dress. "But, I did pack your big bunny..." Ryou teased.

Marik's eyes widened and his ears and tail drooped. "Whah?! But... Ryouuuuuu...." He whined.

"Ryou! C'mon, baby!" Pegasus' voice came in through the door. "Time to go!"

"Murrroowww..." Marik sniffled.

Ryou pulled his shirt on and brushed his hair quickly. "If you're coming, hurry and dress." He cooed, kissing Marik's cheek. "you've got a few minutes before we leave...if you want to come that is..." he said nuzzling him. "I want to have fun Marik...and I want you to have fun as well..."

Marik nodded and quickly got dressed, hopping around the room as he struggled with his shoes. "Are we taking the bunnies? Should I leash them?" He asked, and they were all automatically hopping around squeaking in excitement.

Ryou giggled. "We're taking half." He grinned at the bunnies. "Those of you who want to see castles, come to me, those of you who want to go sailing on a boat, go to Marik." He cooed, getting out harnesses for the bunnies who came to him, one of the first of which, had been Angel.

'Oh Castles! Princesses!' she squeaked delightedly. 'It'll be just like I dreamed!'

Marik blinked. "Boat? I thought I was coming with you?"

Ryou laughed. "You've got to take the OTHER bunnies to Bakura and Malik." he explained. "You're coming with me, but someone has to take the other bunnies to Malik and Bakura." he explained, harnessing up the bunnies near him. "hurry please."

"Oh." Marik said, harnessing Sparkle first. He blinked at Bushou. "Are you going on the boat or to the castle, Bushou?" He asked, harnessing Xanga.

Bushou yawned. 'boat...less walking...' he mumbled taking a heaping bite of his sugarcane.

Marik chuckled and harnessed him, then the others. "Well... that's all of them." He said as he finished harnessing Spunky.

Angel waved at Spunky slightly, with her paw. 'See you later boat-boy.' she squeaked. 'I'm going to go see where princes and princesses used to live!'

Ryou laughed and tugged his group from the room. "Meet me in the lobby Marik, hurry."

Marik hurried and fixed up the last bunnies into leashes and harnesses, cursing as he tried to get Scamp to hold still long enough, then tied his shoes before getting up and walking out. He met Bakura and Malik in the hall.

"Here boys. These are the kids goin with you today." He said.

"Ah. Okay, hey kids!" Bakura called, taking the leases and walking to the lobby with Marik and Malik.

Malik chuckled. "You're missing your ride Marik..." he said pointing to the bus that the others had boarded. It was just starting up.

"MAO!!!" Marik exclaimed, and charged out the door. Scamp went NUTS. He started jumping and tugging on his leash after Marik, yapping up a storm.

Malik tugged Scamp back. "Calm down you hyper thing!" He scolded shaking his head. "Come on, if you keep acting up you wont get to come on the boat!" he added warningly.

Ryou squeaked delightedly and nuzzled Marik as he plopped down next to him. "Just in time..." he cooed, kissing his cheek.

Scamp looked at Malik. 'I wanna go with the lunkhead, daddy!'

Malik laughed and picked up Scamp and put him on the bus, just before it pulled away. "Sorry, Scamp changed his mind and wanted to go with you guys afterall." He panted, backing away as the bus finally departed.

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

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!