"...Kovu..." she said softly, letting out another sigh along with it. Kovu really wasn't fooling her. He wouldn't have hid it from her if it hadn't been bothering him. It clearly was, more than he'd probably ever admit to.

"I'm always going to worry about you," she said, gazing at him steadily, her feelings clear and unwavering, despite some of the unpleasant feelings she'd also been feeling.

"I love you."

There was no hesitation in her voice. It was fact, after all, and it felt like something that needed to be said. For her, those three words had more meaning than anything else she could say to explain her feelings to him.