[PRIVATE: DGFone & Thewhistlerify]

[DGFone]

Delano had no idea what had happened. He had trouble staying awake during the questions, and before he knew what was happening, he was already being lifted up to his feet by Lina. They then walked through the tunnels, where hi still didn't really have any idea as to what was going on.

When they reached the entrance, and Delano finally saw the sky again, his legs almost stopped working, and Lina stopped him from falling over. His eyes watered, both from the pain at seeing bright light again, but also as he slowly started to realize that he was free. He sat down, enjoying the warmth the sun was covering him with.

Blinking, he looked around, seeing everyone around him as they watched him in turn. He smiled slightly, feeling some happiness return to him for the first time since he could remember.

Without a word, he began to limp back in the direction of the den, with the rest next to him. He felt Lina next to him, and Delano slightly nuzzled her as they walked. He didn't want to admit it, but getting back to the den was very hard to him, no to mention painful.

After a very long time, Delano was about to give up trying to get back when he saw the den. Then, his strength finally gave away, and not even Lina was able to stop him from collapsing to the ground. Here, he didn't try to move anywhere else. He was home, the sun was high up in the sky, and now he wanted to rest.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina walked alongside Delano the entire time, allowing him to use her for support in case he was having a hard time keeping his balance. She was so happy that Delano was finally free, more she was happy when he nuzzled her because it showed that he wasn't trying to hide from her anymore. It was probably the fact that he was finally free which stopped him from believing what he was seeing in his nightmares. At first she became concerned when he collapsed, but she soon calmed down after noticing the peaceful expression on his face.

[DGFone]

Delano reached out and brought Lina closer to him. He smiled and rubbed his head against hers. "I... It's good to be back," he whispered. His throat hurt after he spoke, but the relief he felt after talking to her was well worth it.

Closing his eyes, Delano lay down, pressing himself against Lina. Her gentle breathing was calming, and he was able to relax, enjoying the warmth from her and from the sun above him. Almost right away, he fell asleep, this time not dreading the prospect of unconsciousness.

[TheWhistlerify]

Lina giggled when Delano pulled her close to him. She settled herself more comfortable next to him rested her head in his mane and closed her eyes as well. Had anybody asked her to explain what it was like to have Delano back at her side she wouldn't have been able to answer. Muroki smiled at the sight and looked at Umeme. "I think we should just leave them alone..." he said quietly so to not disturb her as he made a gesture in the direction of the den. "Unless there's anyplace else you want to go to?"

[DGFone]

Umeme grinned as she looked at Lina and Delano. "They'll be fine," she said, "so yeah, I know where the two of us can go together." She motioned for Muroki to follow her as she got up and walked back out to the savanna.

"It's great to have this thing over with," she told Muroki after a while, "and I can also finally have you back." She rubbed her head against his. "It was so lonely to spend that night alone without you, and all that time when you had to leave," she said softly, "I know you had to go, so I am simply glad that you won't have to leave again."

She then smiled broadly. "But you did really well," she told Muroki, "I think that without you, Delano would not have been able to get through, and then neither would Lina. You should be proud of yourself." Her smiled turned into a devilish grin. "But now, try and catch me!" she taunted, and gently prodded him before breaking away and running off, laughing and looking back.

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki smiled and returned Umeme's head rub. It was also not too pleasant to have to leave Umeme's side all those times, but he knew that his brother needed him. "Think that Lina had to spend a much longer time without Delano and without getting to see him even once in the middle." surely Lina had had a much harder time, but he knew that Umeme understood. He chuckled when Umeme suddenly broke into a run and began to chase her. This time if she'll try maneuvering around his head he'll have an easier time catching her.

[DGFone]

Umeme laughed as Muroki chased her. He was quickly able to catch up to her, but she was prepared for him. Right before he was able to get her, she turned sharply and let him run past her. As soon as Muroki tried to turn around, she again turned and ran off. "You gotta do better than that!" she teased.

---

Back at the den, Kasi slowly approached Lina and Delano. "Uh, Lina?" He asked quietly, unsure if she was awake or not. Not wanting to disturb her too much, he simply said what he wanted and hoped that she was able to hear him. "Listen... I'm glad that you got Delano back... and I err... well, I sometimes felt like I was somewhat responsible for this, and I'm sorry..." he didn't really know how to express that he thought that if he hadn't shown Delano and Muroki his dead friend, Delano might not have gone off to the police afterwards.

Kasi cleared his throat, "I'm going to find a way to get some water for Delano, he sounded like he needs it... Yeah, I'll do that." Feeling somewhat foolish, he walked away to find the water.

[TheWhistlerify]

Despite missing Umeme, Muroki chuckled. He didn't fall behind as much as he had last time since she taught him how to dance. "Believe me I will!" he said, running after her. The next time she'll take a sharp turn like that he'll be more prepared for it, and eventually he will catch her. He knew that in order to gain as big of a distance on him as possible Umeme will take a sharp turn just when he will be about to catch her, because otherwise he'll be able to simply react and turn after her without letting her get away.

---

Lina opened her eyes when she heard Kasi talk to her. She couldn't stop a slight frown from appearing on her face when Kasi suddenly said that he felt guilty for the whole thing. "What? Don't be silly Kasi, that's ridiculous. How does that make any sense?" she smiled slightly when Kasi suggested bringing Delano some water, "That would be really nice of you Kasi, thanks." she would have asked Delano to go get some water hadn't he fallen asleep so quickly.

[DGFone]

Umeme laughed as Muroki ran right past her, and she quickly sprinted off, trying to get as large of a lead as she can before he would catch up to her again. Sure enough, Muroki turned around faster than she liked, and was on her in just a few moments, Just as before, Umeme swiveled to the side to avoid him, but this time, he was ready for her.

When she felt Muroki grab onto her, Umeme let out a surprised but playful shriek, falling over to the ground before quickly rolling over with Muroki. They stopped moving, and she lay on top of him, trying to catch her breath as she smiled at him. "You got me there," she said in between pants, "I didn't expect that." Her breathing slowed down a little bringing her head down and giving Muroki a long lick.

---

After a long time of searching, Kasi ran as quickly as he could back to the den with a gourd shell full of water. He spotted Lina and Delano right away and made his way towards them, dropping the shell off nearby.

"Hey, Lina, I've been thinking," he said, sitting next to her, "well, about what you said. About what I told you... guess you heard, huh?" He grinned slightly before getting back to what he wanted to say. "Well, I thought about how you said that it didn't make any sense... and well, you're right."

[TheWhistlerify]

Muroki grinned when he finally got a hold of Umeme, even if it did end up with both of hem rolling over. He couldn't stop a playful frown from appearing across his face when Umeme ended up on top of him rather than the other way around. But he didn't say anything about that, since her admitting her defeat was satisfying enough. When she licked him he smiled, putting a foreleg around her shoulder and holding her close. "So what do you think? Those lessons paid off or what?"

---

Lina heard some noise and opened her eyes, smiling as she saw Kasi making his way towards them with a gourd shell filled with water. That was one way to carry water alright. "Thanks Kasi, I'll let him drink it when he wakes up." She listened to what he said and chuckled, "How could you even think that this whole thing was your fault anyway?" maybe he was feeling a little guilty for not being there while Delano was taken away, but his mother did need that check up after all so there was no blaming him.