[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Umeme laughed as she ran away from Muroki. He was much faster than her, which was why she needed the head start of pushing him into the water. "You can't catch me!" She taunted, which only resulted in Muroki gaining on her even faster.

When he was right on top of her, Umeme tried to dodge him, but he didn't fall for the trick, and Umeme tripped over Muroki's paws, sending the two of them crashing towards the ground, laughing.

Delano hugged Lina. "And it lifts me to know that I am the reason why you are in a such good mood," he whispered to her, "What would I do without you?"

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki laughed as her chased Umeme, his grin only turning into a determined one when she taunted him. He brought his speed up even more and eventually closed the gap, pouncing at her and sending them both to the ground. Muroki laughed once more and held Umeme very close, making sure to rub against her as much as possible so to get her wet too. That rather forced embrace soon turned into a gentle one as Muroki closed his eyes and nuzzled her.

Lina sighed as Delano yet again asked what he would do without her. "I guess we'll never know." she said, smiling and nuzzling him, her eyes closed. If Delano ever left again, she didn't know what she'll do with herself.

[DGFone]

Umeme tried to escape Muroki's grip, especially once he started getting her wet in turn, but his firm grip on her made sure that Umeme wasn't able to run. But when she felt Muroki's grip lessen, she did not use the opportunity to break away. Instead, she positioned herself to a more comfortable position, with Muroki still embracing her, and she also embraced him. "You're too fast for me," she whispered as she rubbed her head against his, "but I think it's better that way."

Delano smiled at Lina's answer. She made him certain now that he wouldn't find out what it would be like to be alone again. Having just come back, for Delano, being around with Lina was still an experience he wasn't used to. Which was why he kept repeating that he won't leave her, mostly to calm himself as well as her.

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki smiled a warm smile when Umeme didn't take the opportunity to run off again but instead simply moved to a position where they were both more comfortable. He was right next to the lioness he loved more than anything, on the soft grass and the sun was warming them both up even more. What else could he ask for? "You know, I think I'm going to get used to this whole thing of being mates faster than I expected." he said softly and closed his eyes as the two continued resting in the sun together.

Lina smiled upon seeing Delano smile before standing up. "You know what?" she asked, stretching a little and then looking at him with a smile. "I think I've been lying around way too much lately." she hated admitting it, but while being so depressed at him being gone she rarely hunted or even went outside unless it was to check for messages from him. "Let's do something!" she said excitedly, smiling an even wider smile, "Let's run through the meadow together!" with that, she gave him a big loving lick across his cheek before dashing off in a random direction.

[DGFone]

"That makes two of us," Umeme told Muroki, and lay her head against his warm, albeit still somewhat wet, mane. But with the warm sun above them, it would only be a matter of time before they would be dry again, but with the warm sun and Muroki next to her, Umeme didn't care if she was wet or not.

Delano opened his eyes when Lina spoke up and licked him. "Oh, uh, yeah, sure..." he replied uncertainly. Just lost in though, it took him a few moments to regain his bearings. By then, of course, Lina was already gone. Delano jumped to his feet and ran after her. "Hey! Lina, wait for me!" The last time he really ran, it was for his life, and he still felt that run slow him down now. Delano grinned. If anything, it would be better for Lina, because it will take him longer to catch her. Up ahead, he saw her running through the grass, and grinned. She won't notice him until it would be too late.

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki smiled, putting a paw around Umeme and using it to hold one of her own paws, nuzzling her and licking her every once in a few moments. He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth to speak all that came out was a happy sigh. He continued to lie there beside her, still nuzzling her with her paw still in his own. "I don't mind doing this all day." he said, taking his paw from her paw and moving it onto her shoulder while touching his nose against her nose, staring into her eyes as he did. "You're so perfect..."

---

Lina laughed when she heard Delano's voice far behind her. "Give it up Delano you'll never get me!" she said, bringing her speed up even more and entering an area of tall grass. Her running was leaving a trail of crushed leaves, a trail which Delano would follow in order to catch up to her. Grinning slyly, Lina stopped running and moved aside a little, hiding low in the grass. She hid until she could hear Delano coming closer, before pouncing out of her hiding spot. To her satisfaction, her pounce was perfectly timed and she and she tackled Delano, sending them both to the ground.

Before Delano had enough time to get his bearings, she got up and pinned him onto his back, giggling as she did. "My oh my, what do we have here..." she said, looking down at him and into his eyes with as if she was a huntress and he was her helpless prey. She leaned closer and looked directly into his eyes with a playful grin "What use can I possibly have for a strong, handsome lion like you?" she giggled, her voice a purr. She was definitely enjoying this pretending game.

[DGFone]

Umeme smiled at Muroki. "I'm not that perfect," she told him, "but thanks nevertheless." She stared into his eyes, and watched them twinkle in the light. Just as Muroki had a paw resting on her, Umeme reached out and placed a paw on his shoulder, mirroring him.

"You know, that run was really unfair in the end," she told him. "You got out of the water too fast." As Umeme talked, she made sure that Muroki was distracted from the fact that she was entangling his limbs.

"Bye!" With the one word, Umeme took off running again. Even if it would take the entire day, she was determined to escape from Muroki at least once.

---

Delano slowed down when he lost sight of Lina. He was certain that he would be able to catch her, but now that he managed to lose her, Delano had to slow down and follow her scent trail. He knew he was close, her scent was strong, but he still wasn't able to see her. He walked forwards, and stopped when the scent ended. "Lina?.." He called out, "Where are you?"

As if in answer, Lina exploded out of the grass near him and tackled him to the ground. Delano looked up at her in shock and surprise, but managed to smile when he saw her playful face. "Oh, there you are," he teased, "Told you I'll catch up to you."

He reached out and brought her closer to him, hugging her. "You might have pounced me, but now I have you," he whispered into her ear. "Your move."

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki found himself getting lost in Umeme's eyes, and by the time he realized she was gone she already gained some distance. Trying to jump to his feet, he then realized that Umeme was rather busy before taking off because he found himself tripping as soon as he got up. Chuckling, he got back up and darted off after her, only that this time Umeme had created a much bigger gap. "You better run!" he yelled, laughing. He didn't even know whether she could hear him from such a distance, but he didn't care. It might take a long time, but he will catch up to her eventually.

---

Lina chuckled at what Delano was saying, only for that grin to disappear when Delano suddenly got hold of her and brought her downwards, causing her to end up flat on her stomach against his stomach. Blushing furiously, she smiled, "Oh boy, am I in trouble now..." she said with a giggle, staring into Delano's eyes. "I hope you're not mad at me..." she said in a soft voice, bringing her muzzle over and touching it to Delano's muzzle. "Because I'm afraid that I didn't plan any moves for something like this..."

[DGFone]

Umeme heard Muroki shout something at her, but she was far enough away not to make it out. She grinned, knowing that it meant that she was farther away from him than before. As good as a runner that Muroki was, he didn't hunt, and it would take all his strength to catch up to her this time.

Daring a quick look behind her, Umeme saw that despite her efforts, Muroki was already very close to her. Looking back forwards, she spotted a tree and sprinted towards it, jumping up a branch just in time to feel the air move as Muroki ran past her. "Looks like you weren't quick enough this time!" she called down to him.

---

Delano grinned slightly. "No," he whispered, "I'm not mad at you. I can never be mad at you..." Not really knowing what he was doing, Delano closed his eyes and leaned forward. It was something he wanted t do for a long time, but never found the courage to do until now. Bringing his head to hers, Delano gave Lina a long kiss.

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki kept running after Umeme, grinning as he noticed that he was about to catch her any moment. He pounced, and to his surprise Umeme moved upwards just a moment before he could get her. After landing and turning around, he chuckled when he saw that Umeme had already climbed onto and comfortably settled on a branch above him. "Alright, you got me." he said, admitting his defeat and chuckling once more, before climbing onto the branch and lying down in front of Umeme. "That was a really nice move." if he had attempted that, he would have probably lost his grip in the middle or something else which might result in pain. "You have to teach me that." he said, smiling at her.

---

Lina giggled once more, "Good." she continued staring into his eyes, becoming slightly confused when he suddenly closed his eyes. Her eyes widened in surprise when he suddenly leaned over and kissed her on her muzzle. This was the first time something like this happened, and Lina didn't see it coming one bit. After a few moments, she closed her eyes calmly and also leaned forward, returning the gesture by continuing to lie still and slightly pressing her muzzle against Delano's. She never thought she will be able to purr so loudly.