[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Delano was able to tell that Lina wasn't joking around this time. "I- Lina, I'm sorry," he muttered, averting his gaze from hers. He sat down though, to show that he wasn't going anywhere. "I didn't want to upset you."

Umeme also saw her parents' looks when Muroki said where he went, so she changed the direction of the conversation. "Yeah, he asked me out, and here we are," she said, finished the story for Muroki. "So what made you two come back here earlier than usual?" She asked her parents. "I must say, that as pleasant it is for you to come early, it's also rather unexpected... If not a little unsettling."

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina said, "Then stop saying things like that." he might deny it, but even though he said he wasn't going anywhere, it did sound like he again wanted to just get up and leave because he was confused. The problem was that by doing this Lina also became upset, and while she could let it slip by the first time, she didn't want to experience it again.

Muroki couldn't help but smile warmly in Umeme's direction when she in one way or another repeated what he said. He turned his gaze to her parents with a curious look when Umeme then asked them a question of her own. It would be interesting to listen, since from what he understood they came to visit during the winters, yet here they were now. Fadhili was the one to answer, "We came across rumors of everything that was happening around here, we wanted to see if you and your sister were alright."

[DGFone]

Delano looked at Lina, startled and confused. "Wha- what am I saying?" He asked her. Her tone was so unexpected, that he felt slightly afraid of her. Afraid that something would pull them apart. "I need to know what's making you upset so that I can change it," he whispered. "Please, tell me."

Umeme expected a longer answer from her parents. "What? That's it?" She asked. Moto just smiled and nodded. "Oh, well, as you can see, we're fine," Umeme said, smiling in turn, "but I think that it will be a good idea for you not to leave as soon as you usually do." She nudged Muroki slightly. "For this reason."

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina wondered whether Delano really didn't get it or whether he was just having a hard time admitting what he did was wrong. "What you said about running off again, if I wanted you to? It wasn't funny." she could barely stay calm when Delano left yesterday, especially after what happened between them a moment before.

Fadhili nodded with a chuckle and a smile, "What, not enough for you?" she asked in a joking manner. Muroki couldn't help his cheeks from becoming redder as Umeme nudged him and chose him as the reason to why her parents should stay longer, causing Fadhili to chuckle once more. "I think we just might." she said, looking at Moto, "We haven't had a chance to speak with Lina and Delano properly yet." also, the winter was drawing closer, so they'll be safer if they stayed there where there was a warm den.

[DGFone]

Delano winced at Lina's answer. "I wouldn't have run off, if that's what you're wondering," he shot back in an angry tone, "does that make you happy?" It only took him a few moments to realize his mistake when Lina edged away from him. "No! Lina! I- I din't mean it!" He pleaded.

"They are spending the day together," Umeme told her parents, "They should be back before the sunset, if that's what you're wondering." She turned to Muroki. "Speaking of which, do you want to go somewhere?" She asked, "We don't really have that much time left."

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina still had her frown on while she waited for Delano to answer, only for that frown to be replaced with the exact same look of horror she carried the last time Delano raised his voice on her like this. But after him promising it would never happen again she just couldn't take it, not after the way he promised.

Muroki smiled at Umeme's offer, "Sure, I'd love to go somewhere." he looked confused however, "Huh? Why, what's going to happen?" he couldn't see any reason to why they didn't have much time left and, since spending some time with Umeme right now sounded like a good idea, he ended up looking rather lost.

[DGFone]

Upon seeing Lina's look of horror, Delano's heart fell. "Lina," he whispered, slowly coming closer to her. "Please... I'm sorry." He looked at her with pleading eyes. "I didn't mean to shout at you.." He sighed, feeling defeated as he waited for Lina to answer him.

Umeme couldn't help but laugh at Muroki's confusion. "Nothing's going to happen," she replied, "just take a look at the sun. Day's already more than half over." She quickly got up. "Come on Muroki, are you coming? You're burning daylight like this!"

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina still made no answer, and was in too much of a shock to back away again as he took a step or two closer to her. This was just what he said to her last time he shouted at her like that, so him saying the same things again certainly did not have the effect it did last time. In fact, his words seemed meaningless to her. She continued saying nothing and when Delano again walked closer she squeaked and cowered like a cub. She would have already ran off if her legs would allow it.

Muroki was still confused for a few moments, only to soon realize how stupid he was for failing to simply notice the sun's location. "Oh... Yeah, I'm coming." he said sheepishly, following Umeme and leaving her parents chuckling to each other. He didn't really have any idea on where they were going, but he didn't really mind either. Just being together with Umeme was enough for him, regardless of the location.

[DGFone]

Upon seeing Lina cower away from him, Delano froze. "Lina..." he whispered, only to have her shrink back a bit more when he spoke, and it was almost enough to stop him. "if you want me to go... I can. And I will." It hurt him a lot to say those words, but he said them anyways, and meant every one. "I want you to be happy... not afraid, and... and if I can only make you afraid, then maybe I should leave you." He turned away from her, ready to leave upon her word.

Umeme let Muroki catch up to her before running off into the grasslands. "I would like to come back in time to see mom and dad talk to Delano and Lina," she said though, "I want to hear what they have to say."

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina continued being unable to move and unable to say anything. She felt even more confused when Delano said that he could leave if she wanted him to, and this time he wasn't saying it in any joking of a manner. Her immediate reaction would have been to immediately decline that "offer", but there was a part of her which didn't allow her to, and another part which told her to say yes. Still lost, the lioness continued saying nothing and staring at the ground.

Muroki smiled as he ran into the grass with Umeme by his side. He didn't feel like playing around so he simply ran like she did, not trying to annoy her by running faster or anything. "Alright." it usually wasn't that easy to simply guess the time of somebody's return, but knowing how much Delano and Lina couldn't leave each other's side, they'll probably spend the day together until it was over.