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.



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Chapter 9



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The next morning, the owner of the Bed & Breakfast found Marik curled up before the dying embers. She smiled and stoked up the fire and draped the lost blanket over him before heading to the kitchen to start breakfast. And that was how Marik was found by the first one to wake.



Rem sighed, scooping Marik up and sitting on the couch, snuggling him. "Wake up sweet heart...” She cooed softly. "C'mon... wakey wakey...” she mumbled scratching his ears and giving his tummy a well-deserved rub.



Marik squirmed and mewled, before yawning and blinking his eyes open. "Murr? Murrrrrrrr...” He blinked and looked around, then frowned and squirmed out of her lap and slunk over to the fire again, curling up and staring into the flames.



Rem sighed. "Marik... come on... why're you so upset? You get to stay...” she said looking upset. "What's wrong?" she asked, getting up from the couch and sitting next to him. "What's on your mind?"



Marik frowned and curled up, wrapping his tail up between his legs and pressed tightly against his chest. He sighed, then uncurled and got up. "That I have to pee like a race horse...” He muttered, and headed for the nearest bathroom, head hanging.



Yugi burst into the bed and breakfast at that moment, dripping wet and looking tired. In his hands, he clutched a VERY large fish. He yawned and tottered over to Marik handing it to him and smiling. "Good morning... I caught that for you...” he mumbled heading upstairs to get cleaned up and go to bed.



Rem laughed once he was gone. "He's a little sweetheart isn't he?" She asked, looking at Marik, who was now clutching a huge fish, and looking puzzled.



Marik blinked, then his eyes widened.



"EYAAAH!!!" He shouted, and dropped the fish, leaping away. "Oh! OH!!! EW! EW EW EW EW EWWWWIGOTTAPEEEEE!!!" And he turned and bolted for the bathroom.



Rem laughed harder and shook her head. She giggled once Marik returned. "I thought you liked fish. " She teased, offering him the oversized fish once more. "It's a good fish Marik...” she added, tickled Yugi'd given him such an odd gift.



Marik eyed the fish and kept a wide gap between it and himself, padding back over to the fire and flopping down again, staring into the flames. "Not hungry...” He sighed. The owner walked by and blinked at the fish Rem had. She said something with a bewildered smile and took the fish from Rem and headed back the kitchen, eyeing it, wondering where it had come from.



Rem frowned and sat next to Marik again. "What's wrong Marik? Please tell me? I'm mama for a reason...” she cooed, petting him. "What's wrong?"



Marik sighed. "Three days...” He muttered. "I'm out of there for three days and they already wanna stick me back in... I hate myself...” He spat, trying with all his might to keep his claws sheathed and out of the wood panneled floor.



Rem sighed and hugged him strongly. "It's ok Marik... no one is mad... we're just all worried about you...” she cooed hugging him more. "Besides, Dr. Hinaru isn't mean... she's just concerned. You know she has good intentions...” she said softly, offering Marik his favorite squeaker. "Besides, you wont go back unless you lose your temper again... so just work hard not to." She cooed. "You're alright."



Marik frowned and shocked Rem. For the first time ever, he turned away from his favorite toy. "No I'm not...” He whispered. "I never was... I never will be...”



Rem frowned and put the toy down. "What do you want Marik? What can I do to make you happy?" She asked looking upset. "I don’t know how to make you feel better...” she said hugging him again.



Marik sniffled and turned, clinging to her and hiding his face in her chest. "I don't think I can do this, Rem... I don't think I can handle being... human. I feel like I'm a ticking time bomb... that's it's only a matter of time before I lose any sanity I have... before I lose everything that matters to me... I try so hard but it's never good enough... I hate who I am... I hate who I was and I hate whoever it is I will eventually become... no matter what that may be...”



Rem sighed. "Do you want to go home honey? You can come live with Zaine and I... and just be a pet... if that's what it will take to make you happy." She said scratching his ears. "You can come be my kitten and we'll live together... would that be better?"



Marik sobbed softly. "Rem... what am I fighting for? Why... why do I try? Does Ryou... appreciate my efforts, or does he just see me as... falling short?"



Rem sighed. "I don’t know sweetie... I'm not Ryou... I couldn't tell you." She cooed. "Do you want to just go home and be our pet?" She asked once more, scratching his ears. "It's your right as a hybrid... to choose that... they stated it clearly in the law." she added sighing.



Marik purred and nuzzled her. "Parts of me... want to. REALLY want to... but Rem. I love Ryou. And I've come too far to just give up now." He gave her a very wet smile. "But... you offering that really means alot to me... thanks...”



Rem nodded and nuzzled him. "it's ok Marik... the option is always there for you..and if you don’t think Ryou loves you, mama always will." she said softly. "Understand?"



Marik nodded, and flung his arms around her. "I love you too...” He sobbed. "Thank you for... not sending me back... I think I'd die if I had to go back."



Rem hugged him. "Do you think Ryou hates you sweetie?" she asked softly. "I don’t think so.."



Marik sniffled. "I don't know...” He said softly, getting up. "I... I think I'm going to go for a bit of a walk before breakfast...” And he nuzzled her and licked her cheek before heading over to the front door.



Rem sighed. "Marik...” She said softly. "Why don’t... you talk to Ryou?" She asked hopefully. "Maybe that might be better...”



Marik smiled slightly. "That's why I'm going for a walk... so I can try to figure out what to say." And with that, he slipped out the door and into the cold rain. He was immediately back inside, putting on a rain slicker before going back out again.



Rem sighed and shook her head. "Poor kitten...” she cooed.



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



Within an hour, everyone was in thee sitting room waiting for breakfast to be served. And everything was silent. Bakura was the last to come down, and he simply looked around at everyone before sitting down by Malik. A few minutes later, the owner walked in and announced breakfast, and everyone silently made their way into the dining room. Marik still had not returned.



Ryou sighed from his place at the table... although others had began to eat... he had yet to touch any food. "Excuse me...” he mumbled bowing his head and getting up from the table. His apetite just... wasn't there.



Pegasus glanced up at Ryou and smiled softly at him, nodding his head. The others watched him go. But not many ate much.



Ryou sighed, heading up to his room and beginning to pack. He just... was beginning to just want to go back home...



'What are you doing?' Tuc asked, hopping onto the bed and hopping over to Ryou.



Ryou sighed. "Everything is going wrong...” he mumbled sadly. "We'll be going to London soon... a-and... I want to go home...” he mumbled ears drooping. "Marik hurt Seto... Hinaru's upset... he's upset... this vacation is slowly turning into a disaster...”



Tuc blinked. 'You haven't even given it a chance.' He said. 'And The Tall One is fine. Come on. It will all be okay. This is a once in a lifetime experience Ryou. Don't give up so easily.'



'Yeah.' Nod chirped from the windowseat, looking out into the rain. 'The Lunkhead will be heartbroken if you give up on him only three days after he comes back. This therapy stuff isn't an instant fix. There will be setbacks. But if you give up now, it will only hurt him. It will only let him beleive that setbacks are not normal and that he is a failure. Have faith in him. Go talk to him. And get him inside before he gets sick out there.' And she turned back to watching Marik sit on the dock, staring off into the rain.



Ryou sighed. "Alright...” he mumbled giving Tuc a long lick up his face. "You're the best friends a bunny could have...” he mumbled offering them a weak smile. He put on a sweater and a raincoat, pair of golashes, and a rain hat, grabbing his umbrella.



He sighed and walked to the front, opening the umbrella he began his walk to the dock.



Marik's ear flicked when he heard the galoshes on the dock, and he turned. He slowly let his face be taken over by a sad smile. "Ryou." He said softly, watching his mate come.



Ryou sighed and sat next to Marik, holding the umbrella over Marik. "Why... are you sitting out in the rain?" he asked softly. "You're... supposed to be... eating breakfast...”



"Not hungry...” Marik said softly, looking back out at the rain. "but... I could use the company." He offered with a hopeful smile, wrapping an arm around Ryou.



Ryou sighed. "Sitting out in the rain will make you sick...” he mumbled looking at the rain drip off of the umbrella. "and it's cold... that'll make you sick too... come inside...”



Marik sighed. "I... I can't Ryou... I just can't. I can't face everyone... Hell... the reason I'm out here is because I couldnt' get up the courage to... face you...” He looked down at his lap, ashamed.



"... why not?" Ryou asked softly, giving Marik a hurt look. "There's no reason not to...”



"Ryou... when you love someone, you want for them to see you always with a smile on their face. With a look of pride and joy... and when you looked at me yesterday... it was with such... disappointment and sadness... It breaks my heart when you look at me like that...” Marik sniffed, rubbing his eyes.



Ryou sighed and nuzzled Marik softly. "Marik... I'm sorry... come inside... please?"



Marik looked at Ryou. "You know... Rem offered to take me home... as her... pet." He said softly. "I could easily say yes. Go with her and Zaine and... never have another worry in the world. I'd have the easy life. But... I love you. And I want to be your world, Ryou... as you are mine. And because of that, I will keep trying. And I will keep fighting. Until the day you can look at me with love and pride." and he smiled and kissed Ryou's hand before stroking his cheek.



Ryou sighed and kissed Marik's cheek. "If you want an easy life Marik... I shouldn't be the reason you choose not to...” he mumbled. "I'm hardly worth that... Rem's a lovely mother, and you'd get back a family life that... you never had. If you want to be her pet... I wouldn't be upset at you for choosing that path." He said softly, looking out over the loch. "We all... lead our own lives... and the choices we make are ours to make...”



"Ryou. You are the only thing that makes me WANT a life other than the one that Rem is offering me. A life with you is worth everything." He said, stroking Ryou's face. "You are my life. And I want you to be mine, Ryou. Forever. But...” He looked down. "I know I'm not the best mate. And this has been seen time and again... like... like yesterday. And I don;t know how many times I've told you that I'm sorry, or how many times I will have to tell you that in the future... Ryou, can you possibly find it in yourself to love me despite it all... and be with me, for as long as I fight to be the mate that you deserve?"



Ryou sighed and shook his head slowly. "Marik...” he looked down. "Why... why is it that Malik and Bakura can have such a... perfect relationship? Why is it that... Bakura or Malik... neither are... constantly saying 'I'm sorry'... why cant I have a relationship like that with you?" he mumbled sniffling. "Is... there something wrong with me?"



Marik winced and wrapped his arms around Ryou. "No, baby...” He said softly, his voice choked with tears. "It's me. It's all me. And I'm sorry, Ryou. I'm so sorry. I would do anything to be that perfect for you... I would. But I can't. I'm... I'm nothing but a... a flawed beast. Neither man nor animal... unable to find a balance between the two...”



Ryou sniffled and nuzzled into him. "Marik... I... I want a relationship like... Malik and Bakura’s... stable... safe... full of love and happiness...” he said sniffling and biting back tears. "I... dreamed of a happy relationship with you... back in the petshop... and... you're so... angry and sad at the world...” his ears drooped. "I want you to be happy... a-and... if Rem would make you happy... th-then... it's ok to be her pet...”



"But we still wouldn't have that relationship you want... I'm sorry Ryou. I don't know if I can give it to you. But I'll try." He turned to face Ryou on his knees. "I will try with all my heart and soul. But... Ryou, I need you." He took Ryou's hands in his own and bowed his head. "I need you more than anything. You are my... my soul. Please...”



Ryou sighed and nodded. "Alright Marik...” he mumbled sniffling and hugging him. "If... this is what you really want...” he added whimpering. "I'm sorry I'm not a very good mate.."



Marik smiled. "You are a good mate...” He said, standing. "Let's go in and get a warm bath, hmm?"



Ryou sighed softly and nodded standing as well. "Alright...” he mumbled nuzzling into Marik. "I love you...” he mumbled sniffling and looking down. "Yugi said to tell you he was sorry... for yelling at you like that...”



Marik sighed and nodded, walking to the lodge with Ryou. They slipped in and hung their rain coats up on the rack, but Marik was soaked to the bone despite the coat. He quickly began to shiver. "Come on... let's get in the tub before Inogawa sees me and completely spazzes...”



Ryou lead Marik upstairs and into their bathroom, thankfully unseen. He sighed and began running Marik a bath, the steam a welcome warmth to them both. "Please don’t sit out in the rain anymore...” he mumbled sitting next to the tub, waiting on it to fill.



Marik sighed. "I just needed to think...” He said, undressing. "I feel so lost, sometimes...”



Ryou nodded shutting off the water. "Your bath's ready." he cooed softly, smiling at Marik weakly.



Marik smiled. "Join me?" He asked, stepping into the tub and relaxing with a smile. "Mmm... it's warm...”



"I dunno... I already had a bath today... I'm not feeling so hot." Ryou mumbled laying his head on the edge of the tub. "I'm... kinda wanting to go home...” he mumbled nuzzling Marik slightly. "Go... go back to just normal things... where I know you're safe and happy...”



Marik frowned. "But... Ryou... This trip... it's Pegasus' birthday gift to you." He said, petting Ryou's hair. "You... this is your dream! We're traveling, Ryou! You and me! Together!!! We're traveling!"



Ryou bit his lip and sighed. "But... it's not worth it if I have to lose you to therapy a second time… I'd rather never travel an inch... and be sure you're happy and near... than continue and possibly lose you again.."



Marik frowned and slowly looked down, drawing his knees up to his chest. "Ryou... please... I don't want to ruin this for you. I... I will go home if it means you can enjoy this trip without having to worry about me... please...”



Ryou shook his head. “I couldn't have fun if you left anyway.., besides... my dream... was to travel..with just you...” he mumbled curling up next to the tub. "I don’t want to lose you...”



Marik smiled. "Then you won't. I will make it to the end of this trip with you, Ryou. I promise." He said, taking Ryou's hands in his and staring him in the eyes.



Ryou sighed and nodded slowly. "Marik... are you sure you don’t want to go home?" he asked softly, ears back in worry. "I... I wont be upset. I'd... rather go home than take a chance at losing you. please...”



Marik shook his head. "I would never forgive myself if I ruined this for you, Ryou. If I ruined your dream. I don't want to go home. I want to take this trip with you... and make love to you ALL over Europe!" He giggled, licking Ryou's cheek. Little did Marik know, a spying Spunky tried that line on Angel only an hour later...



Angel flicked her ears. 'Make love to ME... All over Europe?' She blurted giving him the oddest of looks. 'Listen Peter wants-some-tail, I'm not letting you make love to me! You're not my mate!'



Spunky blinked. 'Well... I... ' He looked down, embarrassed. 'I heard the Lunkhead tell Ryou that and it... it sounded romantic... and Ryou... kissed him after he said it, so... I'm sorry... ' He whimpered.



Angel chittered out a laugh. 'you didn't even THINK before blurting that out to me! Lunkhead and Ryou are mates! Of COURSE they make love! They do it quite often usually!' she added shaking her head. 'how's the 'Angel is beautiful' coming? She asked curiously, beginning to groom her ears.



Spunky gulped. "Angel... is... Bee... you... tea... fool." He sounded out slowly.



Angel chittered out a laugh. 'That's not a word! That's four DIFFERENT words!' she said flicking her ears. 'you're CHEATING!' she added thumping her foot. 'Beautiful is one BIG word, not four little words that sound similar!'



Spunky took a deep breath. "Angel... is...” He closed his eyes in concentration. "Beeeyootfool?"



'Still not beautiful... ' She said licking her paws. 'While I was at the castle, I met a scottish bunny. He said he was the strongest bunny in all the hills!' she said grinning at Spunky. 'he had a cute accent too.' she added rubbing up against Spunky, once again in a VERY friendly manner.



"BOOTY-FULL!" Spunky blurted as Malik walked by.



Angel chittered another laugh. 'sorry loverboy... I'm going to go raise my tail for some scottish bunnies... ' she cooed raising it just barely for him, in a very tempting motion.



"MEEEEEEHH!!" Spunky wailed, and hopped after Malik.



Malik blinked and chuckled picking Spunky up, as Angel hopped from the room, chittering. "What's up Spunky?" he asked calmly.



"Booty-full?" He whimpered, pawing at Malik's chest, ears back, showing he was upset.



"Beautiful." Malik corrected. "Are you STILL trying? Wow Spunk-meister... I'd have given up ages ago. She must be REALLY important to you...” he said scratching Spunky's back slightly. "Why so upset?"



"ANGEL FUCK!!!" Spunky blurted, hopping in anxiety in Malik's arms.



"Well... she is a rabbit Spunky." he said blinking. "Isn't that... like... what rabbits DO?" he added chuckling.



"NOOOOOO!!!! ANGEL NO FUCK!!!" Spunky whined, and Bakura dashed in.



"Shut up him before Rem hears!!!" He gasped, smacking a hand over Spunky's face.



Malik laughed. "He's upset because Angel's going... out... side?" he mumbled watching the little white rabbit with a ribbon hop across the yard. "Woah...”



Spunky's head popped up from behind Bakura's hand and stared.



"Wow, she's seriously going!" Malik blurted watching her skitter through the yard and out of sight of the window. "She's fast... must be horny...”



"NOOOOOO!!!" Spunky squealed, and leapt out of Malik's arms and took off. "BOOTY-FULL!!! BEEYUTFUL!! BOOYEEFUL!!!" And he was out the door and after Angel. Bakura blinked.



"Wow...”



Malik grinned at Bakura. "she's industrious... she's got him tied around her little claw." He chuckled kissing Bakura's cheek, watching Spunky skitter out across the yard in a blur of black and white. "It makes me remember that night I was going out on my little 'blind date'... You were badmouthing yourself the whole time...” he chuckled. "My loverskunk...” he added wiggling his eyebrows amusedly.



Angel hopped through the yard cooing and chittering looking for a big strong scottish bunny. 'come out come out where ever you arrrreeee' she sang out.



"NO!!!! NO NO NO NO!!!!" Spunky screeched, on her heels. "BEETOOFUL!!! BOOYEFUL!! BEATUFIL!!! BOOTAFOOL!! BOOTIFUL!! BEEYOOFUL!!! BEEYOOTIFUL!!!"



Angel flicked her ears and shook her head. 'Still not what I asked Spunky.' She said before spotting a BIG male. 'oooh now HE's promising..' She said hunching down and flicking her ears, like a cat on the hunt.



Spunky was desperate. He pounced! He and Angel toppled down the hill, both squealing, and they landed with a splash in the loch.



Angel shrieked and nipped Spunky harshly, climbing out of the water and looking like a little drowned bunny. 'You horrid thing! Look what you did! I'm a mess! I'm sopping wet! I'm getting MUDDY PAWS!' she squealed furiously.



"Beautiful!" Spunky coughed.



Angel growled and thumped her foot. 'I'm not beautiful like this! I look like a scraggly ugly muttbunny!' she said in her de-throned fury. 'I'm a mess! My paws will be stained for days! I look ugly!' she broke down into little bunny sobs.



"Angel... is beautiful." Spunky shivered, hopping over to her and beginning to groom her.



Angel sniffled. 'why is it you want ME so bad?!' she sniffled shoving him with a paw. 'I'm MEAN to you!'



"Love you." Spunky crooned, nuzzling her. "Angel is... love?"



Angel sighed. 'I said I would..' she mumbled. 'I thought I picked a really HARD word.' she pouted slightly. 'I don’t understand why you kept trying so hard!'



"Love Angel." Spunky said. "Angel... love Spunky?" He asked, cocking his head.



Angel sighed and nodded. 'yes, I love Spunky, but right now I could KILL him.' she said shoving him back in the loch. 'Mess up MY fur will you?!' she said and hopped in after him splashing him.



'I'm sorry... ' Spunky coughed, paddling to shore. 'I didn't mean to... '



She splashed him again and chittered furiously. 'You did too you TACKLED me!' she huffed, crawling out again and shaking off. 'How can you not MEAN to tackle someone!?'



'I didn't mean for us to fall into the water!' Spunky clarified. 'Let's go find Ryou and get a bath... '



Angel huffed slightly and began hopping back inside, making squishy sounds when she hopped across tile. 'ew ew ew I'm sopping wet with yucky water!' she whined softly. 'grooooss'



Spunky followed Angel into the dining room, and both looked around. Breakfast was over. So they turned an began looking for someone to give them a bath. They went up to Ryou and Marik's room, and there they found Marik in the tub, purring and nuzzling Ryou who was kneeling outside the tub.



"BANSAIIIII!!!!" Spunky screamed out of nowhere, and went flying into the tub.



"GAAAH!!" Marik yelped, jumping.



Angel hopped into the room and whimpered pathetically. 'I'm cold and wet... ' she whimpered softly, looking at Marik with big sad eyes. 'daddy... '



"Oh no! Princess, what happened!" Marik cried, leaning out of the tub and scooping her up. "Oh, you're all wet... and muddy... aww, she's shivering, Ryou!" Marik exclaimed, and took the bow of of her neck before lowering her into the warm water. "Angel... what were you doing out in the rain, princess... is... is that algae on you?"



Angel whined louder. 'Stupid Spunky made me dirty!' she wailed, falling into little squeaky sobs. 'I'm gross and dirty and icky and yucky and UGLY!!!' she chittered sniffling and covering her eyes with her muddy paws in shame. 'Hideous ugly gross ugly!'



Marik chuckled. "It's okay, sweetie." He said, rubbing her fur. "You're not ugly. But we'll have you all pretty and fluffy and looking like a show bunny in no time, princess. And while we're on this trip I'm gonna get you something special. Pegasus gave us all a big fat chunk of cash to spend on whatever we want!" The lion said, leaning back and holding Angel up, danging her over his face. "And I'm gonna get something for my Princess!" And he lowered her down and kissed her nose. Spunky in the meantime was pawing at Ryou.



'Help me wash my tail?' He asked the bunny.



Ryou chuckled and shook his head, pulling out the sweet smelling shampoo and lathering Spunky up. "Do you mind telling me how Angel got so dirty?" he asked, flicking an ear. "What were you two doing outside?"



'She went to raise her tail for some scottish mutt bunny!' Spunky whined. 'I went to stop her and we fell into the lake!'



"That doesn't sound very much like Angel.." Ryou said blinking. "She detests muttbunnies...”



Marik blinked, then frowned. "Princess? Did you tease Spunky be telling him that you were gonna go flirt with the scottish bunnies?" He asked her as he rubbed shampoo into her fur.



Angel huiffed. 'Flirt nothing, I was gonna mate with that handsome brown bunny! Stupid Spunky ruined it! I REALLY liked that brown one, he was cute... ' she pouted.



'YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM!!!' Spunky squeaked angrily. 'I thought you were gonna mate with Secret unless I said you were beautiful!'



Angel squeaked angrily back. 'This one was cuter! He said some of the finest show bunnies in scotland came from his bloodline! I'd have beautiful babies!'



'If that were true, then why is he out in the wilderness in the middle of nowhere.' Spunky snorted. 'He's lying to get under your tail.'



Angel gave him a snide look. 'As if you'd not lie! You want under my tail worst of all!'



Spunky tried to thump his foot, but since he was in Ryou's hands he really couldn't. 'You seem a bit eager to let anyone BUT me under your tail!' He growled.



Angel clicked furiously. 'maybe I was just in a hurry to be taken before you stupid figured out how to say beautiful!' she squealed furiously as Ryou began drying Spunky.



Spunky stared at her, and then his ears drooped. 'If you don't want to be with me... then just say it.' He said softly. 'And don't make a deal that will make you mine. Do you want to be with me or not?!'



Ryou tapped Spunky's nose. "She made a deal Spunky. A deal is a deal. If she said she'd be yours if you could say she was beautiful, then she's yours. It's a matter of honor." he added calmly. "Besides, you worked SO hard!"



'Well, the deal's off!' Spunky spat. 'I don't want her to be my mate unless she wants to b my mate. I won't force her... ' And he squirmed out of Ryou's hands and plopped onto the floor, shaking the water out of his coat. 'And it's obvious that she doesn't want to be my mate... ' Marik frowned and looked down at Angel.



Angel sneezed softly and her ears drooped. 'ouch... ' she mumbled shaking softly.



"Spunky calm down, I'm sure she's just grouchy she got all dirty...” he cooed stooping to look at Spunky. "You know how she gets when she's dirty. She's just grouchy at you for knocking her in a lake... just give her some time to cool down...”



'... she's always grouchy at me... ' Spunky sighed, and waddled from the room. Marik frowned and looked down at Angel.



"alright, missy... let's hear it all." He said, rinsing her of the soap suds.



Angel flicked her ears and looked away. 'I went outside to meet with that brown bunny I liked, he tackled me into the water.' She said calmly. 'thats all.'



"He loves you. And you seem to go out of your way to upset him at every turn, Angel." Marik said, lifting her out of the water and looking to see if she was clean enough.



Angel wrinkled her nose. 'He's ugly! He's not strong! And he's always treating me like a little kid!' she huffed. 'I don’t like him... '



Marik sighed and looked at Ryou sadly, then back to Angel. "How is he ugly? Just because he's a hybrid?"



Angel wrinkled her nose more. 'HE'S UGLY UGLY! None of the other hybrid bunnies are ugly like him! Not even Bushou as fat and lazy as he is!'



Marik frowned. "What makes him ugly, Angel?" He asked.



'That ugly big bushly scraggly scratchy not soft at all TAIL! And his ugly colors! He's stinky!'



Marik frowned. "Angel... his tail is really quite soft. And how are his colors ugly? He's just black and white. Like Bushou. And he isn't THAT stinky. Hunter stinks more than Spunky."



Angel clicked. 'I just don’t like him!' she squeaked. 'he's pushy and whiney and NOT a good mate! He cant do anything on his own! Even Secret whalloped him! He's a big baby!'



"Secret is a REALLY big rabbit, Angel. Spunky didn't stand a chance and he knew it. But he still tried to fight. Because he loves you." Marik said, petting Angel and handing her to Ryou who had a towel waiting.



'Male bunnies are supposed to take care of their mates and protect them! Spunky cant take care of me! He depends on his precious 'daddy' for everything!' she chittered as Ryou dried her. 'I'm trying to find a DEPENDABLE mate! Someone who I can move out with and not worry about whether or not a 'daddy' feeds us!'



"Angel... do you really intend to move out?" Marik chuckled. "To where? The scottish moors? Where you'll never be clean again? To our backyard? That's not really moving out...”



'Anywhere but with a big baby!' she clicked. 'if I wanted a daddy's boy I would ask Spunky or Precious!' she declaired. 'but I don’t! I want someone who has a life of their own and knows how to live it! Not someone who'll cry to daddy every time something goes wrong! That's not a mate! That's babysitting!' she unknowingly hit a... sensitive topic with that little outburst.



Marik frowned and got out of the tub, wrapping a towel around himself and leaving the bathroom without another word or glance at Angel... or even Ryou.



Ryou sighed, dried Angel and set her on the floor, where she hopped off to finish her grooming alone.



"Marik?" Ryou mewled, looking for his lover. "Are you ok?"



Marik sighed as he sat on the window seat, looking out at the rain. "Is that how you feel about me?" He asked softly. "That I'm a weak coward who always goes crying to Rem whenever things don't go my way?"



Ryou curled up on the window seat next to Marik and nuzzled him. "I'll... admit you do that a lot... but you never really had a mother... you're just getting a refreshing look at family life." He cooed smiling. "Making up for lost time, if you will... besides... I know you're not weak... life is just confusing, and you have a guiding mother now, to look up to and ask for help when you're lost."



Marik looked at Ryou and sighed, smiling sadly and stroking Ryou's cheek. "Thanks Ryou...” He murmured. "You're the best mate a lion could have...” And he leaned forwards and kissed Ryou softly.



Ryou smiled and nuzzled Marik, kissing him back. "I know there's a brave strong man inside you Marik... and someday, when you're ready... I'll see you in all your glory...” he cooed sighing dreamily. "And we'll... we'll have that life I dreamed of... together, happy...”



Marik smiled and pulled Ryou closer, but the door swung open.



"Hey! Who upset Spunky and why is he all-- GODS MARIK!!! PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!!!" Bakura howled, staring at Marik in a towel, which was falling off of him. Malik, behind Bakura, laughed.



Angel chittered at them angrily. 'They're TRYING to be in LOVE!' she squealed furiously.



"Angel hates him." Ryou said softly. "She said she'd be his mate if he said she was beautiful, but when he did, she got mad... she doesn't want to be his mate...” Ryou said looking down.



Bakura blinked and clutched Spunky closer to his chest. "She WHAT?! Why that little...” He glared down at Angel. "You... You little... TEMPTRESS!!!"



"Bakura, she's a little bunny rabbit!!" Marik laughed, but Bakura only growled and went for Angel.



"He tries to hard to be what you want in a mate! He tries to make you happy! To give you what you want!! And you just SHOOT HIM DOWN!?! You little BITCH!!"



"HEY!!!" Marik roared, leaping to his feet and losing his towel. "Don't you DARE speak to my princess like that!" And before anyone knew it, he had punched Bakura in the nose!



Ryou stared shocked, as did Malik, though he was more vocal. "HOLY SHIT!"



Angel stared wide-eyed as well. 'Whoa... GO DADDY!' she squeaked hopping up and down in good spirits. 'GET HIM DADDY GET HIM!'



Marik growled down at Bakura before scooping up Angel and cuddling her. "Look Bakura...” He snapped at the stunned skunk on the floor, Spunky on his chest. Both stared up at Marik. "I'm not too happy with Angel either. Spunky loves her and she gives him the cold shoulder and that's not right. But you do NOT talk to my princess like that. GOT IT?!" The skunk blinked again.



Angel nuzzled Marik and licked his wrist lovingly. 'That's MY daddy talking! You'd better listen you scraggly skunk! Stinky butt!' she squeaked proudly. 'MY daddy can kick YOUR ass! STINKYFACE!' she puffed her chest proudly and gave Marik the proudest look of all. 'My big strong daddy... He's the kind of mate to die for! Ryou's so lucky!'



Marik fixed a glare on her. "Angel. That's not nice. Do NOT call them Stinkyface or stinkybutt. And they are NOT scraggly. You be nice." He told her. "I am not proud of little arrogant bunnies who insult their family and friends."



Angel gave him a skeptical look. 'They ARE stinky. And Bakura and Spunky BOTH look scraggly. I'm just telling the truth.' She said calmly, grooming a paw. 'I didn't insult them, if I was insulting them I'd say they were ugly as sin, dumb as dogs, smellier than two week old rotten tomatoes, and worth about as much as a smushed gumball!' she added



"ANGEL!!" Marik gasped, ears lying back. "I'm surprised at you! They are NOT stinky and they are NOT scraggly! Now you apologize!"



Angel wrinkled her nose. 'they're SKUNKS! Of COURSE they're stinky! You just said so in the bathroom!' she chittered back angrily.



Marik frowned. "They don't have their stink glands, Angel." He said. "Apologize."



Angel shook her head. 'Just because they had them removed doesn't mean they don’t stink.' She said scratching her ears. 'It just means they can’t make YOU stink.'



"ANGEL!" Marik roared. "I won't tell you again! You owe them an apology!"



"Marik, hold your temper." Ryou warned. "If she doesn't want to apologize she doesn't have to. She's allowed to have her opinions, just like we're allowed to have ours. Just because we don’t LIKE her opinion doesn't give us the right to forcefully change it." He added calmly. "She's a grown bunny, and she can... regretably say what she wants."



Marik gave Ryou a look. "Great job with the discipline, honey...” He said sarcastically, then set Angel down on the bed and glared at Bakura. "YOU get out!"



Malik however frowned. "C'mon Marik... Bakura was just upset. Spunky's his baby, just like Angel's yours...” he said frowning. "He's your best friend you know... you can’t stay mad at him...”



Marik waved his hand. "Of course I can't! But I'll be mad at him for now! So get out, Flower! I was having a tender moment with my mate!!"



'Stinkybug!' Angel chirped up from the bed. 'Get out stinkbugs! Go on! OUT!' she chittered angrily at them.



Malik sighed and helped Bakura up. "C'mon Bakura... lets get on out of here...” he mumbled licking his cheek.



Marik turned. "ANGEL!!!" He roared, flinging his hands up into the air. "You are NOT being very lady like!"



Angel turned away. 'I don’t have to be to THEM.' she said hopping over to a pillow and curling up on it. 'They're mean.'



"YOU are mean." Marik scolded, going for his suitcase and underwear.



Ryou sighed. "Marik... c'mon why don’t we go out for a little while?" He asked softly, watching Angel begin to snooze on the pillow. "I... I don’t want you to lose your temper...”



Marik sighed. "It's raining, Ryou." He said softly. "I can't go out. Inogawa would kill me."



Ryou bit his lip. "We... we could explore the bed and breakfast?" he asked tugging an ear as Bakura and Malik finally left, Bakura grumbling the whole way. "I... I just hate to think you might lose your temper...”



Marik smiled at Ryou. "Why don't we get something to eat." He offered. "and then cuddle in front of the fire?"



Ryou nodded slowly. "Anything to avoid a temper tantrum." he cooed lovingly.



Marik frowned and gave Ryou a pained look. "Do you really have so little faith in me?" He asked softly, holding his shirt in his claws.



"You just punched your best friend in the face." Ryou countered, flicking an ear. "What else am I supposed to think?"



Marik sighed and pulled on his shirt and a pair of sweatpants before shuffling out of the room, his paws jammed into his pockets.



Ryou hurried after him. "Marik wait up!" he squeaked



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



Later that afternoon, after the rain had stopped, everyone was up and packed and ready to go on a picnic. Marik and Ryou walked outside with the bunnies and towards the bus that was to take them to their picnic.



"Okay, everyone on!" Pegasus called.



'I don't wanna!!!' Sparkle squeaked, and before anyone knew it, she had gotten loose of her harness and dashed down towards the loch.



"Shit...” Marik muttered, and passed the leashes to Ryou. "I got her...” and he dropped to all fours and chased her. But the otter bunny leapt into the lake. "Oh, fuck...” Marik spat, and began to undress, then wade into the lake. "Oh FUCK it's COLD!!!!" He yelped with a shiver. He whimpered and began to paddle after the frolicking bunny as Rem, Zaine, Hinaru and Inogawa walked out of the Bed & Breakfast.



"Is... that Marik in the lake?" Zaine asked with a sigh.



Syrus yelped and chased Marik, pacing back and forth on top of the dock. "Marik you gotta get out of there!" he whimpered, bristling. "It's DANGEROUS!" he added shaking his head and waving his touring book. "You'll DIE!"



Marik blinked and frowned, trying to catch Sparkle. "what?" He called back. "What the hell are you talking about?"



"There's a MONSTER IN THERE!" Syrus yelled in a frightened voice. "It EATS people! It's huge! The book says at LEAST fifty feet! Bigger! You're gonna get EATEN!" he wailed shaking his head. "GET OUT OF THE WATER!"



Marik whirled. "WHAT?! MONSTER?!"



"Oh no...” Zaine groaned, but covered his mouth to hide his grin. "I think he just told Marik about the Loch Ness Monster...”



Syrus whimpered, pacing along the dock more. "C'mon Marik! Get out of the water!" he whined clutching the book tightly. "I don’t WANT you to get eaten!"



Ryou sighed shaking his head. "Poor Marik...” he mumbled, giggling softly.



Marik stared back at Syrus, paddling in circles. "What are you talking about?! What Monsters?!?!"



"The Lochness Monster! Nessie!" he wailed whimpering. "She lives in the lake and upturns boats and EATS people! She'll eat you!" he was trembling harshly as he spoke. "She's a big MONSTER!"



"MAOOO!!!" Marik howled and went after Sparkle as fast as he could eyes wide in panic.



"Oh boy...” Zaine sighed.



"Should he be in the lake?" Hinaru mumbled. "It's FREEZING in there...”



"MAOOOO!!!"



"Probably not." Dr. Inogawa said calmly. "But I doubt with Syrus' little tales of horror, he'll be in there long." he added chuckling. "Besides, Rem's already gone back into the bed and breakfast to get him a cocoa and blanket."



Syrus whimpered loudly, mewling at Marik. "C'mon Marik get out of the water!"



"S-Sparkle!! Come here!" Marik wailed, chasing the otter further out into the water. Syrus whimpered fearfully, but then, he froze at a ripple out a few dozen yards off to Marik's left, getting closer to the lion.



Syrus shrieked in terror. "Marik it sees you!" he wailed in a frightened voice. "It's coming! It's going to EAT you!" he began sobbing in sheer panic-stricken terror.



"MAOOO!!" Marik cried, swimming faster. But he was clearly getting very tired and very cold. "SPARKLE!!" There was a slight splash closer to Marik...



At this point, poor Syrus just couldn't take it, and fainted dead-away.



Ryou coughed to hide a laugh. "Poor Syrus! Seto... you really need to get him some... pills or something for that...” he said, chuckling.



Yami shook his head. "Naah, it'd take away that... sense of... home." he said preening. "A day without Syrus having a panic attack is like peanutbutter and jelly without bread. Formless."



"Hey... what IS that in the water?" Bakura asked, narrowing his eyes. "Guys... there IS something headed for Marik!!"



Ryou's ears perked up. "Bakura stop that!" he whimpered tugging his ears. "It'll upset me!" he whined giving Pegasus a distressed look.



"Bakura stop it!" Malik said crossing his arms. "He'll be out soon, don’t upset Ryou! Their relationship is hardly stable as it is! It doesn't need your help!"



"But there IS something!!!! I see it!!" Bakura cried, and pointing.



"Hey... I see it too!" Mokuba cried.



"Yeah... a ripple wake thing...” Seto gasped, nodding.



"WATCH OUT, MARIK!!!" Mokuba screamed jumping up and down.



"MAOOOO!!" Marik howled, finally snatching Sparkle in his teeth and turning back towards shore, his eyes wide and panicked.



Ryou whimpered and hurried to the dock, the bunnies squealing in fright. Up at the Bed& Breakfast, another group from Japan vacationing with their hybrids walked out onto the front porch to see what the fuss was about. They had just arrived that morning. A black bunny lifted his ears when he spotted Ryou and flicked his tail, and four birds fluttered up to the roof to get a good view of the lion in the lake. A pair of females, coincidentally a skunk and lioness, sat down on either side of the black rabbit and watched the chaos.



Angel whimpered. 'Daddy get out of the water! It's right behind you!' she cried thumping her foot at the ripple in the water. 'HURRY!'



Ryou sniffled tugging his ear with his free hand. "Marik HURRY!"



Marik whimpered and kept paddling, but the ripple began to multiply and get closer and closer, splashing a bit every now and then. And finally , it overtook the lion.



"MAAAOOO!!!" Marik screamed, dropping Sparkle who immediately disappeared beneath the water.



Ryou whimpered loudly and shook his head. "MARIK!" he whined, beginning to cry. His mate was going to get eaten by a previously thought-to-be-fake monster!



Hunter was mewling and whimpering. 'DAD! GET OUT OF THE WATER! DAAAAD!'



Marik reached the dock and dug his claws into the wood, heaving himself out. "MAOOO!!!" He cried, shaking violently. He turned and stared at the water. "SPARKLE?!?" And to his and Ryou's shock, she popped her head up, a small fish in her mouth.



'Fish! There were LOTS of fish! Look what I caught!!!'



Ryou of course, though relieved, shared Syrus' knack for fainting.



This caused his herd of bunnies to begin WIGGING out. Angel was frantic. 'Oh god DADDY!' she wailed licking Ryou's cheek. 'Sparkle you stupid little rat! You killed DAD!' she shouted chittering and thumping her foot. 'YOU KILLED DAD YOU BRAT!'



Sparkle dropped her fish and shot out of the water and scampered up Ryou's chest. 'Daddy!' She gasped, licking Ryou's face, and soon a dozen bunnies were licking Ryou while Marik lay on the dock, tense and shaking, trying to get himself moving again. Inogawa sighed and shook his head, heading down to the dock with Rem and his wife.



"Never a dull moment around these hybrids...” He sighed.



Rem sighed, toweling Marik dry and wrapping the blanket around him, handing him the hot cocoa. "Here sweetie... go get on the bus. It'll warm you right up." She added calmly. "I'll bring Ryou in." She said as she and Hinaru began gathering bunny leashes.



Dr. Inogawa sighed picking up Syrus. "This poor guy's gonna have a heart attack at such a young age, if he keeps this up." he mumbled shaking his head as Rem picked up Ryou.



"Boys will be boys...”



Marik whimpered and looked out at the lake. A fish splashed.



"MAO!!" He yelped, dropping his blanket and coccoa and fleeing to the bus in his birthday suit. Zaine chuckled and picked up the mug and blanket and Marik's clothes and followed the freaked out lion. Soon enough, everyone was on the bus, and on their way to their picnic.



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



Come one, come all!!!



A-kon 2008 is coming to Dallas May 30th to June 1st!!!



Hatochiisai, Mally-chan and Bishojo Shadow, aka Junshin Tenshi, will all be there!



The question is...



will you?