[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Delano grinned rather sheepishly at Muroki. He should have expected Umeme to do something to make sure that Muroki wouldn't cause any harm to himself. After all, Lina did the same thing with him as well. His mind began to wander again as they walked, and he almost didn't notice as Muroki slowed down.

Umeme most likely noticed that Muroki was beginning to tire probably even before he himself realized it. So when he finally slowed down, she was at his side right away, supporting him to allow him to continue walking. She giggled as he licked her in thanks, finding it funny how he always seemed to have the energy for such acts. "Come on you big clown, let's get you home," she told him, "it's not that far from here." Well, perhaps not far if they could walk at a normal pace, but at the rate they were going, it would take some time. Not that she minded helping Muroki along.

[TheWhistlerify]

Despite having worn himself out by walking on his own, with Umeme there to supoort him and ease the stress on his shoulder it was much easier for Muroki to move around, even if he has already begun to get tired. "Sounds good to me." he said, chuckling at the way she called him a big clown. He never minded her teasing him from time to time. In fact he liked it, beacuse it also gave him an excuse to tease her back if he found an opportunity.

With Umeme busy helping Muroki, Lina made her way back to Delano's side. He seemed to be alright with walking on his own for the time being, so she didn't suggest lending him a paw. Besides, he knew she was there in case he needed help. "Hello again." she said with a smile, giving him a brief nuzzle. "Anything special you plan on doing once we get home?" She knew that he would most likely want to sleep some more, but who knew? Nothing bad could happen if she asked.

[DGFone]

Umeme was glad to see Muroki in such a good mood. She knew that he had gotten quite spooked by his breathing incident, but it didn't look like that had any lasting effects on her mate. If anything, it made him appreciate life just that little bit more that made a large difference in the way he treated Umeme. However, there was no denying that he was very tired, and that the sooner they get to the den, the better. "I'll let you rest the moment we get home," she told him, "and then I want to go and run with Lina. Unless you want me to stay with you?"

Delano gratefully returned Lina's nuzzle. "Well, I would like to get some rest when we get there," he said, noting how Lina smiled just that bit when he said that. He couldn't blame her, for the past couple of days, he really did do nothing much else other than sleep. "But there was also something I would like to tell you," he admitted with some hesitation, "I think... it will be a good of a time as any."

Walking some more, he began to feel his own muscles start to protest the walking. With what he told Muroki about pushing himself to the limit in mind, Delano slowed down before his chest would start to give him issues, and Lina very quickly was at his side and supporting him just as Umeme was with Muroki.

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki smiled as Umeme mentioned the word rest. Resting aounded like a very comforting thing to do at the moment. Since he absolutely enjoyed his mate's company and attention, he would have obviously loved it if she stayed with him. However, when she told him that she wanted to hang about with her sister, he immediately dismissed the idea. "Go with Lina." he said. She'd spent the majority of the past few days by his side, and it would be wrong to ask her not to do something else for a change if she wanted to.

Lina smiled and purred for a brief moment when her mate returned her nuzzle. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself when he confirmed her suspicion that, once they got home, he'd go back to sleep. However, she was naturally intrigued when he told her he had something to tell her. "Okay, I'll be all ears once we get there." she said, walking closer to him in order to support him as he walked. He seemed to hesitate a little about whatever it was he had to tell her, so she decided to wait until he was ready to spill it out and to not question him about it.

[DGFone]

Umeme caught a hint of disappointment in Muroki's voice when she told him of her plans, but she also knew that she would never change his mind about it. "I won't be gone for long," she promised, "I'll be back by your side before you know it."

Delano walked with Lina helping him in silence. While he was very grateful for her assistance, he couldn't wait until he would be able to walk and run on his own. In many ways, he was very much tired of feeling so... helpless. However, as soon as the den came into view, his mood lifted considerably at the thought of finally getting some more rest. Walking inside, they were greeted by Lina's and Umeme's parents, who must have waited for them to arrive by the looks of it. With Lina helping him to the ground, Delano lay flat on the den floor, groaning at the chance to rest his muscles. "Thanks, Lina," he wheezed, surprising even himself at how much effort the walk took out of him. He nuzzled her again, giving her a quick lick as they separated.

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki smiled at his mate as the den came into view. "It's okay, I'll be fine." he assured her. "Besides you deserve to go outside and do something else for a change." he continued, "I know Lina does, too." Because of the strain the walk was putting on him, it felt wonderful to enter the cool, chilly den and escape the rays of the sun. After greeting his parents in law, he looked at Umeme again. "Thanks." he said as she helped him lie down next to his brother. "I'll see you later, then?"

Lina helped Delano lie down inside the den, giggling as he licked her cheek to show her his appreciation for her support. He seemed rather tired, so she figured it would be best if he rested for a while before telling her what he wanted to. "I'm gonna go with Umeme now, I'll see you later." Knowing that her parents were there, she knew that Delano and Muroki would be looked after during her and her sister's absence. Smiling, she walked over to Umeme, who was just saying her goodbye to her mate.

[DGFone]

Umeme and Lina bid their parents as well as Delano and Muroki goodbye and walked outside the den. Stepping back into the warm savanna air, Umeme grinned at Lina. "So, want to check up on Kato and Desta?" She was quite excited to move her muscles around after several days of lazying about while Muroki recovered.

Delano lay his head on his paws, looking forwards to the rest. His chest ached where his wounds were healing, along with his sore muscles, so a nice long nap was something he could really use. But a he was stating to doze off, he quickly glanced at Muroki. "You alright? The walk was fine?" Really, today was the first day the queen deemed it safe to move such a distance to the new den. She did allow them to stay longer at the royal den before moving, but they insisted on getting out as soon as possible.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina walked outside with Umeme after wishing her parents a good day, smiling as they both stepped back into the warm sun outside. The lioness couldn't help but grin at her sister's suggestion. "I would love that, actually." both of them were more like their mother than either one of them was willing to admit. Teasing aside, though, she liked the company of the young lion and liones. So as long as she and her sister wouldn't be interrupting too much, why not hang out with them?

Muroki lay his head down on his paws once Umeme had left. His parents in law stayed on the other side of the den, giving him and Delano some time to rest. He actually did not expect Delano to talk to him, having thought that his brother would immediately go back to sleep on the first opportunity. "It became difficult at some point," he admitted, "but yes, it was alright. I can see that my shoulder's slowly recovering." He obviously wanted it to heal faster, but it couldn't be helped.

[DGFone]

Umeme grinned, stretching her legs. "Okay then. let's go!" She took off running, Lina close behind her. It really felt nice to be able to get out and stretch her legs like this again. "Although to be frank, I would love to be able to do this with Muroki," Umeme said as they ran, "rather than have to leave him behind."

Delano grunted as he placed his head in a more comfortable position. "I feel the same way," he said after a while, "but I guess it's good to actually start getting better..." He closed his eyes and very quickly started to drift off to sleep. Even with all the rest he was getting lately, he was still feeling very tired.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina smiled as her sister took off, laughing and running after her. It felt great to move around a little after all this time of barely doing anything. "Don't worry!" she said as she caught up to her sister, running alongside her. "You and Muroki will be perfectly back to normal before you know it!" As they kept running it suddenly occurred to her that she had no idea where Kato and Desta were. "Do you know where they are?" she asked.