Kovu couldn't help but smile at her. She was embarrassed, and he found it kind of endearing. He nuzzled her.

"It could be worse," he said softly. "One of us could have never met the other at all..." The thought was sobering. They needed each other. If either of them were here, and had to meet the other one all over again....it would be a nightmare. He couldn't even think of how hard it would be here without Kiara there beside him. Even though...even though he'd tried to leave her.