Khaleesi stood stock still for a moment. This wasn't something she had forced on him. This was totally his choice. He didn't dislike her for what she had done, and he hadn't chosen Shani. She hadn't realized how relieved that would make her feel. She rumbled happily and nuzzled Aslan back. "Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. It was the right decision. I don't think Karaz would have been happy, but we might have had a chance in Ajihad's pride. We haven't really had time in this pride yet." She didn't realize her eyes were beginning to shine with happiness. "Not saying that you aren't special, but that's not what I needed. I just needed a friend that I can trust and love." She felt sadness at all the things she had done and experienced. While the blame for the cubs had been placed unfairly square on only her shoulders, she should have some of the blame. She wasn't sure how she would have felt about this before now. Was her jealousy really what had brought them together? It made her prickle that this might have been the reason they were coming together.

Aslan smiled as he nuzzled her once again. "D-do you want to see where this leads us" he asked as he looked a bit nervous. His cheeks felt warm as he watched her, curious as to what she was thinking. His paws felt like they were on fire as he waited for her to reply.

Khaleesi nodded, and couldn't help smirking, "It's been years in the coming. I want to try if you're game. I..." She hesitated a moment not sure if she wanted to say it out loud. "I love you Aslan." Her face softened as she looked into his face. She was tempted to press herself into his fur, but didn't feel that this was an appropriate time. She just wanted to be with him. "Whatever happens, we're friends, and I want to be able to depend on each other."

Aslan smiled. "I love you too Khaleesi" he said as he nuzzled her again. "We should probably get back. I don't know if Ajihad heard Amara's roar. He might be on his way back" he said as he shook out his mane. "Do you think I got enough bedding for the cubs" he asked motioning to the moss he gathered.

Khaleesi nodded, "I suppose you are right." She observed his moss, "Hmm..They are good at scattering it. We could always use more for the cubs," she pointed out. She leaned her side against his. She would separate a little from him when they went back in the cave, but she wanted to enjoy a few private moments with him. She looked at him, "I find it hard to believe that Shani could be too attached, but how do we break it to her?" she asked. She wondered if she would finally get the chance at her own cubs. Was she too old?

Aslan shrugged. "She said she was backing off. If that's true, she will figure it out on her own" he said. "I'm still rather upset she told me when it wasn't her place to do so and I don't feel she had a right to say anything."

Khaleesi decided to take Aslan's approach to it. Shani had said she would back off. "I was upset too. I hadn't really admitted to myself that I had feelings, so I certainly wouldn't want her going around and telling everyone. I was scared. Even if I had said that to myself that I had feelings, I wouldn't have wanted to risk messing up our friendship. That's the most important to me." Her fur heated up, as she told him the next part. "Her "backing off" annoyed me. It made it sound like she was giving you to me even though it wasn't her choice. I guess I didn't like the thought that she was trying to do me any favors." She licked her shoulder self-consciously. "Was I wrong in thinking that way?"

Aslan sighed. "I don't blame you for being upset about this. She should have done as she said, and after being that clingy to just stop and act like that, I don't know. Seems cubbish to me. But then again, I've never had anyone cling to me that way."

Khaleesi gave a half smile. "Eh...I was silly enough to try to act similarly. I was too cubbish to actually talk and communicate." Of course she hadn't been willing to think that they were anything but platonic friends also. She saw the entrance to the cave. She noticed Ajihad was returning with his patrol. "What happened? I heard Amara roar," his face was creased with concern.

Aslan looked at Ajihad. "There were a few things that happened while you were out. She and Aria are calling a meeting" he said as he flicked his tail. He looked at Khaleesi, his eyes saying that he didn't thing she acted too cubbish. He saw Aria and Amara talking, possibly discussing what needed to be brought up first, and it seemed Aria was up first.