[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Umeme chuckled, making sure not to shake too much beneath Kato. "Yeah, well, we already got you this far, so it'll be a shame to just dump you."

Despite wanting to help Kato, she really wanted to get back to Muroki's side, and was quite delighted when shortly afterwards, a group of lions were spotted rushing towards them. While not having seen the king in person herself yet, Muroki had already told her what he looked like, and it was nice to spot the king in the middle of the group.

"Alright Kato, looks like your dad's here. This is where we depart ways for now," she gently set him down on the ground. "You take care of yourself, alright?" The poor prince still looked quite out of it, but Umeme was glad to see that he was already looking much better than before. Whatever Hatari had done, it apparently worked.

[TheWhistlerify]

Kato, being on Umeme's back, was unable to get a good look at the group of lions and lionesses which was making its way in their direction at first. Only when she set him down he managed to recognize his father in the middle. Considering how he'd been scared for his life just before passing out earlier, seeing his father was like a confirmation that he was safe now.

The king looked more than just relieved when he saw his son (while he didn't recognize Lina and Umeme, he could tell that the two lionesses were a part of the pride and not rogues). The sound of the dam crashing had sent almost the entire pride into a frenzy, with parties being sent to look for the prince behind almost every rock (in the hopes that maybe, today, he decided to hang out in a different location). "Kato!" he exclaimed as he embraced the younger lion. "Thank the Great Kings that you're alright!"

Kato simply sat still for a few moments before losing it completely, breaking into tears and weeping into his father's mane. After what he's been through, considering his age, it was pretty understandable. "I was scared!" he said, not caring about who was looking and what they might think. "I... I felt so helpless!" His father was about to say something but Kato cut him short. "Dad, the dam... It wasn't an accident..."

The king, despite having been taken by surprise when the dam crashed, looked confused at what his son had just told him. "What do you mean?" seeing how Kato couldn't get himself to answer properly, he looked at the two lionesses who had brought his son there for an explanation, trying to calm Kato down at the same time.

[DGFone]

Umeme looked back at the king nervously. She had somewhat of an idea what was going on, but Muroki and Hatari knew a lot more, and neither of them were here with them. "Someone wants to kill Kato," she said eventually, "the dam was broken on purpose, because they knew that Kato was down there."

Rather shakily, she told the king everything she and Muroki had learned from Hatari. Out of fear for Hatari, she had left out who he was, and why he knew so much and was able to pass on the information to Muroki and her. Umeme hoped that the king would be grateful enough to have his son back in order not to prod her too much for additional information.

After all, if Hatari was found out, who is to say that he won't become a target as well, or worse, be killed for who he was before? When Umeme finished explaining everything, she fell silent, looking at the ground in front of her.

[TheWhistlerify]

Several gasps of shock where heard from everyone around them as Umeme went ahead and explained everything she knew to the king, especially when she mentioned Sanders. The only one who didn't seem to have been taken by surprise at the fact that the former leader of the underworld was involved was Kato's father. It was almost like he knew it was only a matter of time until Sanders would return.

Luckily for Umeme and Lina, the king was too glad that his son was safe in order to question the source of Umeme's knowledge regarding the whole matter. He whispered something to one of the lions beside him, who gave a quick nod and then ran off somewhere, before looking back at the two sisters. "I am very greatful for what you and your mates have done." he said, "I owe the two of them my son's life. If there's anything I could do to somewhat repay you..."

It seemed like Umeme and Lina were about to kindly turn down the king's offer but then Kato spoke before either one of them could say anything. "Muroki's hurt, dad... He almost died just because he was trying to protect me..." The feelings of guilt that Kato was experiencing were quite evident in his body language and the way he spoke.

"Where is he?" asked the king, looking at the mate of the lion they were talking about. "We can help him get better." From the way his son had described the situation, it sounded like Muroki needed to get some help as soon as possble.

Spoiler: show

We'll be going out of the base for a few days sometime in the next 24 hours. I probably won't be able to reply to the post you'll write after you wake up (your morning, that is). We should get back on either Thursday or Wednesday, but I don't know for sure. For the time being, though, I'm still here. :3

[DGFone]

Umeme didn't really want to spend time here talking. Instead, what she really wanted was to get back to Muroki, however, it was right as she was about to very politely find a way to tell the king to bugger off that Kato had to open his mouth...

...Well, it could be worse. At least she can return to Muroki, so Umeme didn't mind too much basically being forced into accepting the help. "Delano took him home," she replied, "probably the one I moved in with him recently. It's closer."

The king had some of the other lions take Kato away while he and the rest followed Umeme and Lina. While Umeme felt that Muroki would be alright, she couldn't help but feel worried for her mate, and so she didn't really notice herself hurry back.

---

Despite his exhaustion, Delano was finding it very hard to sleep. Of all the times that it could have happened, his nightmares returned, which meant that whenever he tried to fall sleep again, he would soon wake up, shaking in fear. This also meant that he heard footsteps outside, and immediately presumed the worst. "Who's there?" he demanded, moving himself protectively in front of Muroki, who was still asleep on the floor behind him.

[TheWhistlerify]

At first Kato wanted to come with his father to make sure that Muroki was okay but the king, seeing how emotional his son still was about the whole thing, decided it would be better for Kato to go home. At first the prince tried to change his father's mind, but he gave up once he realized that the king's decision was final. With his son safe and on the way back home to his mother, the king went ahead and followed to the two lionesses.

"It's alright, Delano, it's just us." said Lina as she entered the den with her sister. Muroki was on the floor behind his brother, but it was easy to notice that he waz simply asleep by the way his chest kept going up and down slowly, indicating that he was breathing. Like she'd expected, Delano wasn't too thrilled when the king entered the den (mostly because he hadn't expected anybody else to show up). "He's just here to see whether Muroki might need som help or not..." she added in a quiet voice, not wanting to have Delano suddenly lose his cool over nothing.

The king had his party remain outside the den, not wanting to simply burst into somebody's home with a group of lions and lionesses. He examined Muroki briefly, causing the sleeping lion to stir a little in his slumber, before looking at the three of them. "There's no bleeding, and since his breathing is normal there's no reason to worry." he explained. Wanting to give the four of them some space after the day's events, he began to take his leave. "If you see anything that makes you thik he's getting worse, then you know where to find me. Thank you, again, for your help. I'm in your debt." With that he left.

Spoiler: show

Think I can manage another post after yours before you go? :3

[DGFone]

Delano sat pressed against a wall in the den as the king examined Muroki. Even though he knew fully well that the king meant no harm, Delano was still nervous the entire time that the king was inside, and only relaxed someone when he left, leaving the four of them alone.

He watched as Umeme walked over to Muroki and snuggled up next to him, taking care not to move his wounded shoulder. He felt something brush up against him, and noticed that it was Lina. "Oh, it's just you..." He was in a strange place between sleeping and being awake, and so had completely forgotten about Lina until now. However, now that she was with him, he hoped that his nightmares will go away again, and give him some actual sleep.

A part of him wanted to tell her that while he was in hear alone with Muroki, he was woken up after dreaming of Hatari helping them go after Sanders, only to turn on them and attack her. At the same time, he didn't want to worry her with his own fears, so he simply lay down next to Lina and closed his eyes, hoping for both a respite from his dreams and desperate for some rest.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina managed a weak smile at Delano, not sure exactly what to say to him. He was obviously relieved that his brother was okay, but he still seemed quite shaken up by everything that had happened earlier. "How are you holding up?" she asked softly, lying down next to him and placing her head under his chin, hoping that he would calm down soon.

Muroki stirred again when he felt Umeme snuggle up against him, eventually opening his eyes. He smiled when he saw her. "Hey..." he said in a somewhat weak voice, gently pressing his head against hers. He still felt very weak, but he was able to see and hear more clearly and was more focused in general. "Did you take Kato home?" he asked, still not knowing how everything had turned out.

[DGFone]

"I'm fine..." Delano said hesitantly, taking great relief in that he was actually able to relax with Lina with him. "It's just that..." He was worried that he might startle her if he would wake up in the middle of the night again due to a dream, so he might as well tell her. "I think it's that seeing Gakuru again, and the fight... and..."

As he tried to tell her, he felt his eyes water up as he fought back tears. "...Seeing the water where Muroki was before... I really thought I lost him today..." He felt Lina wrap her paws around him, and he was glad to have her. Even right now, her presence was a great comfort. "I am having nightmares again," he finally admitted, "they're keeping me up... I can't sleep."

He let himself lie down, and Lina took a spot next to him. Delano smiled, and whispered to her, "Thanks Lina, I'd be lost without you."

Next to them, Umeme was glad to finally be with Muroki again. "Yeah, we took Kato home," she answered, "his dad offered to help you if you need it." She gave him a quick lick across his muzzle. "But you're already sounding a lot better. Go back to sleep, you need it." Letting out a yawn of her own, she added, "I'll be right here. I promise I won't go anywhere in the morning." This time, she would even keep that promise.

[TheWhistlerify]

While Delano said that he was fine Lina could tell by his tone that, while he wasn't too distressed, he wasn't feeling all that well either. Not yet, at least. It was pretty understandable, though, when bringing everything into consideration. She too became quite worried for the life of her brother in law upon arriving at the gorge and seeing that it's been completely overrun by the river. Not to mention that Hatari also entered the picture shortly afterwards, which had made her worry about the possibility of him eventually attacking Delano out of self defence.

But, seeing how Hatari had helped them and how Kato and possibly Muroki would have died if it weren't for him, Lina was able to calm herself down in that regard. Hearing Delano tell her that he was having nightmares again made her think of that unpleasant period when he'd been imprisoned and away from her, and she hoped that things would return back to normal soon. "I'll always be here for you if you need me." she said, placing her head under his chin. "The important thing is that everybody's okay now..."

Muroki was glad to hear that Kato was alive and that all was well. While he still didn't know what the future held, what with Sanders still being out there, he felt that, for now, he could relax and rest. "Good." he said, slightly shuffling closer to her. "Because this time I don't think I'll be able to go after you..." he chuckled, sounding more like his old self again. "I was scared today, you know..." he added with a sigh. "I thought I'd never see you again for a moment back there..."