PLANNING

"Huh?", Michael was unable to process the words being said to him by Andrew. "I want to go with you on your final hunting before you go to the capital. Don't tell me that you won't even grant such a simple request of mine?", Andrew stares deeply into Michael's eyes while saying this, like someone professing romantic feelings to his/her partner.

Michael gets uncomfortable with the gaze and avoids the gaze while saying, "Kid, it's not like am not willing to take you along but I am not able to guarantee that I would be capable of surviving this hunting expedition, at such, I won't be able to protect you".

Andrew still doesn't give up as he says, "I don't care. I would take care of myself. I would be responsible for my life, so you don't have to worry about anything. If I die, then it's at my loss. But I have a feeling that brazing through this would allow me to gain something great in return".

"I don't still think taking it would be a good idea, after all, we are just completing some tasks which could result in deadly casualties and I can't take my eyes off the situation for even a second in preparation for the unexpected", Michael smiles while trying to pat Andrew's head but Andrew moves his head backwards while avoiding his hands which causes Michael's hands to pause momentarily.

He is tired of being treated as a kid after all and is serious this time in his demand and his face is stern also as he keeps on arguing with Michael over the matter.

The banter goes on and on just like the time they had first met each other, Michael couldn't help smiling while remembering those moments and the time he had to train Andrew and couldn't help but wonder how three years have just gone by in a flash while the memory still seems fresh in his mind. "Time does fly indeed", Michael couldn't help saying absentmindedly. "Huh. How is that related to what we are talking about?", Andrew retorted.

Michael smiles in reply, "It's nothing". Andrew couldn't help staring at Michael awkwardly like he was looking at a strange creature and this created an unusual silence since the start of the discussion.

"Alright then, since you have insisted to come you would be coming then. I would try to include you in the plans and having an extra hand wouldn't be too bad I guess. It would make it easier to complete the task since you are this eager to follow us", Michael pauses briefly before continuing, "Get ready then. This would be a near-death experience for you but it would also be the most entertaining. Be prepared for the greatest thrill in your life".

Andrew was surprised that Michael had agreed, he had thought of all the points he could bring forward to change his mind and if he did not agree to it in the end, it won't be too hard for him to sneak up behind them when they went into the forest, after all, he learned all he knew from Michael and it won't be that hard for him to just trail behind them and it would be easier since they would be too focused at the task at hand that they won't think that someone would be trailing behind them. Michael took into account all of those points also before acknowledging Andrew accompanying them. Of course, he could just knock out Andrew on the day of the expedition but in case of Andrew struggling and him crippling Andrew, that did be his loss then and all the blame would be placed on himself. Hence the decision he made, after all, although Andrew has dropped greatly in power, he could go toe to toe with Joshua presently and he probably won't lose as long as the battle doesn't drag for long.

So having another powerhouse who is as strong as Joshua isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Since we are done with this discussion, let me warm up the meal for you to eat. I know you must be hungry", Michael says.

Andrew's stomach grumbles at the mention of food, after all, he hasn't eaten and has spent most of his energy in his thoughts and crying.

Andrew couldn't help but nod in the direction of Michael. Michael laughs briefly before going towards the kitchen and in a short moment, the meal was warmed up. Andrew ate heartily and in a hurry like he was a thirsty man in a desert who finally saw an oasis.

Michael couldn't help smiling on seeing Andrew eating in this manner. Michael sat opposite Andrew while eating, slowly without any rush as if he was already filled and was just eating out of formality.

After being through eating, Andrew slept immediately. He was exhausted both mentally and emotionally and hence needed to turn in early. Michael had to cover him with a blanket before stepping out of the room to sleep also, it has been a long day for him also and he needed to rest.

The next day, while going out to meet George and Joshua, Michael has a new companion, Andrew. He needs to be involved in the plans and all that was involved in accomplishing the tasks hence although late, he had to be included and rushed up on all the happenings.

George and Joshua were shocked about Andrew joining in on the mission but they understood Michael, hence they quickly accepted the fact and since they have gone on missions together more than once, it was easier to assimilate him into the group.

Andrew's jar of wine never left his side during any of the meetings and he would take more than a mouthful at least twice during the entire meeting. Although it seemed somehow for a hunter to be addicted to wine, they quickly accepted it knowing that it won't hinder his prowess during the hunting and since he promised not to drink a few days before the task and on the day of the task. The meetings went on for a while and various plans were being made for different scenarios and escape routes in case it didn't go the way they planned, after all, Michael has scouted that location for a long while.

Today during the meeting, George says, "Tomorrow would be the day that the mission would be undertaken, so we would be closing earlier to get enough rest".

"Huh, Why tomorrow?", Andrew couldn't help asking. "Any problem with tomorrow?", George asked with his signature grumpy look on his face. "Huh, it's nothing re....", Andrew couldn't complete what he wanted to say before Michael cut him short by saying while in a smile, "It's his birthday tomorrow that's why he is asking. Probably has plans for his day". Andrew didn't know that Michael actually remembered his birthday and he almost cried, his eyes became all moist, just a bit away from a tear breaking through.

"Well, am sorry that it had to be on your birthday. But it can't be postponed any longer, we took longer than we were supposed to because we were trying to improve our plan while creating a space for you in it. But any further delay would be useless now and the village head is already agitated and his patience is becoming exhausted as each day goes by, he seems to be at his limit now", George said without a change in his facial expression.

Andrew understands that fact so he couldn't argue with that. "If your birthday plans are more important, we can do it by ourselves", George was not able to conclude his statement before Andrew replies, "It's alright, I would be available by then. We have made all the necessary preparations for this and I can't back out the cause of any other stuff". "Alright then", George says.

"If we are all able to come back successfully, we did make your birthday celebration grand. Bills on your elders", Joshua adds with a cheeky grin on his face. "That would be nice", smiles Andrew in reply.

While concluding the meeting, Andrew was absentminded like he was deep in thought. The reason he was in shock about the day of the mission wasn't that he had plans, his birthday wasn't any really special day to him. He took it as every other day and didn't have anything in mind to do that day. He was having a bad feeling about the mission tomorrow, after all, he faced his greatest grief in his previous life on his birthday and hence there was this feeling that came to him like intuition about tomorrow.

He wasn't settled at all and answered everyone like he was mechanically programmed until the meeting was concluded. Michael noticed this and couldn't help asking, "Are you okay? If you aren't comfortable with going tomorrow you can stay back, no one would be angry over that".

Andrew replies, "Yeah". But seems like his brain processed the information after a while and he opened his mouth to say, "Oh no, am fine about it. Don't worry about it all. Just a little rest would settle it all".

Michael frowns before asking, "What's wrong? I haven't seen you this way for a long time. What's on your mind?". Andrew after a little while finally replies with his normal mood recovered, "I was just imagining how tomorrow would be and couldn't help getting a little bit excited", he couldn't tell Michael the truth and told a white lie. Michael believes him as he says, "It's good to be excited but you need to rest for you to be at your utmost best for tomorrow's mission".