[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Delano was also rather surprised at how well Kato was able to explain everything. But then again, as the prince, most likely he was taught how to do exactly that. He figured that the king didn't expect his own son to use use his lessons against him that way though, either. However, as soon as the king finally agreed to the idea, Delano knew that it was his final chance to possibly get what he wanted as well.

"What about us?" he asked, hoping that he wasn't sounding too rude, but hopefully firmly enough that he won't simply be dismissed again, "I mean, Muroki and I? We can help be the bait too." If anything, having the three of them together, which wasn't something that would seem so unreasonable as to be suspicious, would only increase the chances of the bait actually working.

However, even if the king had already agreed to go along with the idea, he was still able to forbid Delano and Muroki from going, no matter how much they wanted to. So he watched the lion intently, waiting for him to make the final call. He remembered how he had promised Lina to do what the king told him to, and it was a promise he intended to keep, but it didn't mean that Delano wasn't going to just accept being called down right away.

[TheWhistlerify]

It was true that having Kato appear along with Muroki and Delano wouldn't be suspicious, but all three of them being together just might deter their target from approaching on the chance that he was alone and didn't have anyone helping him. Then again, there was still the part where being the bait was far more dangerous than just taking part in the ambush. "There's really no need for that." said the king. "Just one lion taking the risk is more than enough."

"You know what?" asked Kato all of a sudden. "Let Delano be with me. This will be just fine." His father gave him a confused look. If he does fall for this bait, the prince thought, he'll almost certainly attack me first since I'm not hurt and because I'm normally a harder to reach target. "Delano will be safe as long as there's someone more valuable to target. Seeing two lions he wants to kill if one of them can't fight will be like killing two birds with one stone."

"Besides," the young male continued, scratching the back of his head, "with the police helping, you just might realize it if he's there before we do. There really shouldn't be any delays in moving in and restraining him."

[DGFone]

Once again, Delano was surprised to find that it was Kato who decided the outcome. While he wasn't too pleased with not having Muroki come along, this was something he can discuss later with the prince. As things were now, he simply nodded his head, but didn't say anything, deep in thought as to how they were going to carry this thing out.

Perhaps now that he knew that they were actually going to do it, but all of the sudden, he was really starting to feel nervous about it all, as though he was only beginning to realize the danger he had just asked to be placed in. But still, if it meant that Akili and the others can finally be safe, it was worth it...

If there was anything else to discuss now, Delano wasn't too sure, but he also wanted to get back and at least tell Muroki and Lina about the plan. No doubt they would both be disappointed: Lina that he was still going, and Muroki for not coming with him. Perhaps if Muroki were to be placed as part of the ambush team, then he might not protest too much...

[TheWhistlerify]

Noticing that his father seemed very unsure as to whether to agree with him on this matter or not, Kato went ahead and quickly added "I can protect him if it comes down to it, dad." It's not like the former Chief would get a lot of time to attack them. That was part of the plan, at least. Chances were he'd taunt them first anyway rather than immediately move in for the kill. It sure was something he'd do.

Sighing, the king gave a slight nod of his head. "We'll talk about this all more elaborately tomorrow." he said. "I'll ask Lin to come over as well."

"He is the Chief now." his son pointed out. "I should hope he'll be here." Kato's father didn't say anything else, silently getting up and walking back into the cave. The prince slightly tilted his head. "Well, this should be ineteresting." he muttered to himself.

[DGFone]

While Delano wasn't exactly sure if he needed protecting or not, he still found it somewhat irritating that he was being talked about like a helpless cub. While he was able to understand that he very much was indeed just about that useless, it was still a blow to his pride that he didn't feel like dealing with right now. So when the king left rather suddenly, he took it as a sign that now was a good time to leave.

He was about to just do that when he remembered about how he wanted to ask the prince about Muroki also coming along. "Listen, Kato, when I talked to Muroki earlier today, he told me that he also wants to be there." Delano glanced out to where the king had disappeared off to, "so I guess... what if he were to be a part of the ambush team? That way he can still be there, but won't interfere with the two of us. I think... I think he also wants to look out after me, so I don't know if he will accept being completely left out of this."

What Delano didn't mention was that he also wanted Muroki to be a part of the group, so that there was always someone who he can really trust close by. It was why he didn't argue too hard earlier when Muroki insisted on being with him rather than Delano going alone.

[TheWhistlerify]

Turning his head in order to face Delano, Kato blinked a few times before nodding his head. "Sure, he can be there." After all, just a minute ago he'd told his father that he would still go along with this plan with only Delano, Muroki and Hatari as well as a few of his friends even without the police's support. "I want him there." The prince had no doubt that his friend wanted to be there in order to keep an eye on his brother.

Besides, by having almost killed him and by helping Sanders target his family, this was far more than just ensuring Delano's safety for Muroki. It was personal on a level way beyond that. There really was no reason for the king to refuse something like this. "Now then, perhaps we should get going?" Lina was without a doubt waiting for Delano to get back and Kato perhaps just had a chance to get back to the royal den in time to see Desta off if she hasn't finished her lesson yet.

[DGFone]

Delano nodded his head again when Kato confirmed that Muroki can also be there. "All right, yeah, we can go." He thought that this current arrangement in the end might be the best one, with Lina reassured that he won't be alone, and Muroki not being forced to wait it out either. Following the prince back out, he went over to the others, who were still where he had last left them.

He first went to Lina, who looked rather anxious by now. No doubt, she wanted to know about what the decision was. Sitting down next to her, Delano made sure that the cubs were preoccupied before telling her. "So the king agreed to the plan," he said, and immediately saw Lina look disappointed by the news. It wasn't anything he didn't expect. "But there are some changes. First of all, Kato is going to be with me, also as part of the bait." Glancing over at his brother, Delano then added, "Muroki also wanted to go. The king didn't think it will be a good idea for all three of us to be bait, so he is going to be in the ambush team."

Grinning slightly at Lina, Delano hoped that these changes would help her feel better about the whole ordeal. "Soon it will all be over Lina, and we will all be able to stop worrying."

[TheWhistlerify]

Of course, Lina's initial reaction to hearing that Kato's father was agreeing with her mate's plan was one of disappointment as well as surprise. She hadn't expected the king to agree to having someone just put themselves in such danger, but perhaps Kato tagging along was what got him to give his approval. Although, she still had a very bad feeling about this whole thing. Having someone else she knew take the risk didn't make it seem any better.

Another thought that immediately came up to her mind was that, if the prince was there, Delano was far less likely to get hurt, but she immediately forced it out of her head as a somewhat sickening sensation came over her. It did cross her mind out of instinct and because she was concerned for her mate's well being, yes, but she still felt bad for even thinking about it like that. Kato was their friend, not a living shield.

There were just so many things that could go wrong, no matter how careful they were and how well thought out this plan was. Lina had hoped that the king would put a stop to it all before it even began, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. "I wish I shared your optimisim..." she muttered quietly as she placed her head down on her paws, watching their son as he ran around with his cousins.

[DGFone]

Delano's grin faded when he saw that Lina wasn't buying into his confidence. Lying down next to her, he decided against trying to explain to her about how important this plan was. She most certainly also knew very well about how dangerous that lion was, and that having him walk around free was posing a danger for all of them. But even despite that, she still worried for him more.

Placing a paw on top of hear head, Delano was content to stay there for as long as he needed to until Lina would feel better. Just as he knew that no matter what she would say, he won't change his mind about going, that he knew that she won't change her mind about not wanting him. Yes, there was always the chance that he might get killed or seriously hurt on this mission, but then again... Delano recalled the dream he had where the lion killed Akili right in front of him, immediately trying to brush the memory away... it was a risk he felt was worth taking.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina quietly snuggled up against Delano as she felt him place his paw on her head when the silence between them dragged on. The contact between them was something she always managed to draw comfort from so easily, but now all she could think of was the possibility of her being able to only remember moments like these and helplessly yearn for them if something ended up happening to her mate. And what would be of Akili if his father was killed?