[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Umeme grinned and nodded. "I know. I feel the same way like that too." Granted, they always had to watch out and make sure that the cubs' games didn't get out of hand, but Umeme couldn't remember the last time she really had to intervene. Sure, it happened a few times, but only very rarely, and luckily, never with Akili. The last thing Umeme would want to do is to ask Delano and Lina not to bring their son anymore for his own safety.

Sure enough, at this moment, Marini was using her bigger size over Akili to toss him off her, but Umeme was always delighted to see that her daughter knew to be more restrained with her cousin than how she would behave with her own brother. Unlike Delano and Muroki, who were similar in size, even if Muroki was just bigger enough that it made a difference, Marini was so far still quite bigger than Akili and still would be for quite some time.

To see the three cubs get along so well with each other always made Umeme glad whenever her sister and brother-in-law decided to bring their son over. Speaking of being happy so see cubs... "Hey, guys, I'm thinking... what if we take the cubs tomorrow over to Hatari's. I'm sure he would love it."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Delano's ears flatten on his head in protest, but he didn't say anything, which she took it as a sign that he at least didn't want to vocally object to the idea.

[TheWhistlerify]

Watching Marini toss Akili off of her, gently, of course, Lina couldn't help but giggle as her son immediately stood back up and rushed over to Ubawa's rescue. She too was glad that her niece and nephew knew not to go too roughly on their cousin, as if by instinct, because of the size differences between them. The lioness did always keep an eye on her son whenever the three cubs played together, of course, even if she did trust Ubawa and his sister not to hurt Akili by accident. It was quite amusing how the two young males united against Marini whenever they played. Immature, still-grossed-out-by-love little balls of fluff, that's what they and the tiny lioness were. She already couldn't wait to tease them about their first crush, especially Akili's.

Looking at her sister, it was clear from Lina's expression that she hadn't expected Umeme to suggest they took the cubs to see Hatari again. "Well..." The lioness looked at Akili, who was laughing in joy as he and Ubawa chased Marini about. She definitely wasn't as reserved about the idea as she'd been about it the first time around, not to mention that her son had really enjoyed himself when they'd first introduced the cubs to the former member of the underworld. "I think the cubs would love to see him again." she said eventually, smiling. "Sure, why not?" Delano seemed a little hesitant, but she wasn't surprised. He'd pull through like he had last time.

[DGFone]

Delano really didn't know why Umeme had to suggest that of all things right now. He knew better than to think that she was purposely trying to anger him, but he still couldn't help but at least partially feel like it. She had just seen how he had snapped at his own brother, and she also knew that he still had a lot of reservations about Hatari, so why did she just suggest going to see that lion again?

Realizing that he was allowing himself to get angry again, Delano took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. Most likely sensing his displeasure, Lina leaned over and nuzzled him, a gesture that he gratefully returned. "I think I'll be all right," he reassured her, "I won't like it... but we can go."

[TheWhistlerify]

As badly as Muroki wanted his brother to stop being so agitated when there was clearly nothing to be worried about, he knew better than to forget that this was obviously going to take Delano some time. Hopefully, at one point or another, Delano would realize that he was getting himself worked up over nothing. While the purpose of their visits to see Hatari was for the cubs to get to know him as the good he had changed into, Muroki also believed that they would eventually help Delano fully put the past behind him.

For a moment the lion was about to go ahead and ask the cubs what tbey thought of his mate's idea but he decided against it, feeling that it might as well be a surprise. Given how much of a liking the three of them seemed to have taken to Hatari already, he was sure that they would be more than delighted to see him again. "Great." he said with a smile. speaking cheerfully for Delano's sake. "The cubs will be thrilled." And, seeing how lonely he was, Hatari would obviously be happy too.

[DGFone]

Hearing just how cheerful Muroki made himself sound like caused Delano to wince internally. It wasn't hard to guess that this was aimed towards him, to show him that there was nothing to worry about. The strange thing was that as far as Delano knew, there really wasn't anything to worry about - he always made sure to keep a close eye on Hatari so that if that lion so much as even looked at one of the cubs funny, Delano would be ready. They had already visited the lion, and nothing bad happened. So why did he always feel like couldn't forget who Hatari used to be, rather than the lion he was now? He hoped that at least with more time, he would be able to at least learn how to ignore the feelings.

Umeme meanwhile was not concerned about Hatari. She was already looking forward to taking the young trio over to him and was starting to imagine what sort of games they would get into. Sure, last time Hatari was still just learning how to interact with someone so young and small, but this time will no longer be his first. "It will be funny watching the three of them try to tackle him," she commented, causing the others to chuckle, "I wonder if he will allow them to push him around like they will want to or not."

[TheWhistlerify]

While Muroki had to agree that watching the three cubs try to tackle Hatari would be amusing, he'd seen them do it plenty of times with adults before, be it him or Umeme, their grandparents, their aunt and uncle, Kato... Any adult they have ever interacted with, really. Still, while the three little fuzzballs hadn't physically interacted with Hatari right away the first time, since he had been new to them, this time they were probably going to literally swarm him. His reaction was definitely going to be amusing at the very least.

"Well, I don't know if he will or not..." he said, chuckling as well. While every once in a while he would pretend to be beaten whenever Marini and Ubawa decided to ambush him - for the sake od entertaining his children - there was no telling what Hatari would do. He'd probably just lie there as they ran all over him while nibbling on his ears. Well, at first, at least. Kind of like how Delano had allowed his niece to take his paw into captivity that one time. "Not that he'll have any free will once they get to him..." he added, chuckling again.

[DGFone]

Umeme also giggled as her mate mentioned that Hatari would effectively become imprisoned by three cubs. "It would only be a matter of time before they would insist that he start running so that they can give chase though," she commented, "so he won't be held down for long." Still the idea of a lion like Hatari being just about held hostage by three cubs was rather funny.

Turning to look at Muroki, Umeme was still grinning. "Shall we tell them where we will be going when we set off, or do we remain silent and let them figure it out?" She already decided that whatever they will decide, they will leave it as a surprise for the cubs. But for how long to wait?

[TheWhistlerify]

glancing at Ubawa, Marini and Akili for a moment as they were in the middle of piling up on top of one another for whatever reason, Muroki chuckled before looking at Umeme. "I think we'll leave it at that - let hem figure it out on their own." he said, grinning at his mate. The cubs would obviously be excited to find out that they'd be going to Hatari again, but they would also enjoy the benefit of the doubt a lot more. Then, they could become excited about their destination once they would figure it out. Besides, having them beg to be told was always entertaining.

[DGFone]

Apart from the occasional odd moment from the cubs, the rest of the day went by rather smoothly. Even Delano began to look like he was enjoying himself again. However, as the sun began to settle down, it was time for Lina and Delano to take Akili home. After all, while the cubs didn't know it yet, they still needed a good night's rest for the next day.

Begrudgingly, when his parents called him back, Akili separated himself from the extra large fluff ball that were the three of them wrestling each other and returned to his parents side. He already looked rather tired, so to his great delight, Delano leaned down and allowed Lina to place him over his father's mane to ride back home.

Umeme watched them head for home. "See you all tomorrow!" she said, making sure that she wouldn't mention anything that could spoil the surprise. Because sure enough, as soon as Akili heard her, he grew very interested, and started demanding to know what was going on.

From beneath the cub, Delano couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, since the three of you had such a great time today, we figured that we'll come along and visit again tomorrow. I don't think you'll mind, would you, Akili?" Of course, the real reason was because Muroki's and Umeme's den was close to Hatari, but Akili didn't need to know that.

[TheWhistlerify]

Being a cub, despite the fact that he was tired, Akili couldn't help but groan in annoyance when his parents called him over, saying that it was time for them to head home. Still, he walked over to Delano and Lina, and was rather pleased to find himself being picked up and placed in his father's mane. It was fuzzy and comfortable as always, not mention that he wasn't going to have to walk. Upon hearing his aunt's remark, the cub seemed to catch her drift right away and, as was to be expected, immediately expressed his delight about the idea of seeing his cousin again tomorrow, much to the amusement of his parents.

~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, just like their cousin, Marini and Ubawa also became curious upon hearing what their mother had just said. "Are they coming back tomorrow, mom?" asked the little lioness cub, walking over to her parents and looking up at both of them with that hopeful expression of hers.

"Yes, Marini, they are." After all, the real surprise would be going over to Hatari's place again, so her father didn't have a problem telling his daughter that. Chuckling as both of his children squealed excitedly, he grinned down at one certain cub. "Bath time." Because of how Ubawa would always squirm restlessly when being cleaned, it meant that he often had to go with Umeme's more thorough baths. But Muroki couldn't resist the temptation of 'torturing' his son every once in a while. The cub immediately realized what was about to happen and turned to flee, but his father caught him rather easily. Ignoring his cries of protest and his sister's amused giggling, he headed into the den with his family.