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It had happened. He had hoped she wouldn't be forever tied to that heartless, unloving male, but for it to end like this? How his heart ached for the devestation she must be feeling! He had tried to convince himself to give her time alone, to grieve, to deal. He told himself that he might be just as bad as her last mate, taking advantage of her vulnerability if he went to her now. But her anguish was a beacon he could not ignore.

He went hunting for her, quietly, merely nodding politely and hurrying on if he met anyone. Noone needed to know, it could be kept as secret as the last time he'd comforted her. Even if that's all he could do, he'd treasure it deep in his heart. But right now, she needed him. A soft melding of grey and purple was ahead, and he moved towards it. "Satomi?" he called softly. Silently he promised himself he'd leave if she told him to go, but oh, how he wished she would not!

Oh yes, he'd seen the threat in the bird's eyes. He had a great deal of wary respect for the power avians carried in both beak and talon. He did not approach any further, once he caught that glare. In fact, he gulped, not being a particularly brave or strong lion. Instead, though, he let his eyes slip past the feathered guardian to the one he loved, but dared not love. He cleared his throat, but otherwise showed no discomfort in speaking with her.

"I... I came to check on you," he offered meekly, looking just faintly sheepish. "I was worried," he added softer. "It can't be easy, dealing with all this." He didn't bother with a vague gesture of his paw, rather gazing earnestly into her eyes with concern. "The pride might be betrayed, but you he betrayed much more deeply, where it hurts the most." Oh, how he wished he could wrap a paw about her and let her cry! She hid it well, not even any tears glittered in her eyes, but he could feel the pain welling from her, like a steamcloud from a hot spring. But he stayed resolutely where he'd been stopped by her protector.

He subdued the urge to rush to her side once the bird was gone. Instead, he padded forward slowly, lowering his head to peer at her as she hunched miserably. He sat nearby, close enough to touch, and listened to her as she opened her heart to him. He let her shared anguish wash over him, inwardly trying to absorb some of the bitterness and guilt that seemed to overwhelm her. He did not interrupt or comment, but let her have her say, for this was as important as allowing herself to forgive herself. She needed to let it out, so that she could see it, hear it, not just feel and fear it.

He let silence reign a moment before leaning forward, very slowly, and touching his forehead to hers deliberately. With an aching heart, he inhaled her scent, then spoke, leaving his head touching hers. "It may sound weak to you, as you struggle now," he began quietly, his low voice gentle, "but the very fact that you tried to heal him of his demons, that you are grieved by the plight of the pride... this is what shows that it is alright to forgive yourself your failings." Even if his words had no impact right now, in this moment, that was okay. His tone and presence gave her support, and his words would eventually trickle through her mind. All he could do was be there for her, and pray with all his might that it would be enough to ease some of her pain. "You are not to blame for the kind of mate he was, nor your lack of love for him and his dark nature."

How he loved gazing into her eyes, so close, so openly! But then those eyes clouded over with tears that began to fall. Unheeded, tears of his own joined hers in watering the earth beneath their paws. Gently, slowly, without letting himself stop to think about it, he leaned forward further, sliding his damp cheek against her wet one, closing his eyes in sharing her grief. "Oh Satomi, do you not understand? Your heart would have had to be as dark as his in order for you to have loved him!" He leaned back, breaking the contact so he could again gaze into her eyes earnestly. "But your heart is pure, marred only by the hateful unlove of the one who claimed you as his mate." The last part nearly came out as a growl, his eyes turning fiercely protective and smouldering with anger at the now-gone male. He wasn't aware of the change in himself, though, and soon his expression smoothed again, his focus returning to her lovely face.

"Please do not blame yourself," he murmured. "The pride knows you, and knows you live to serve Eywa and the People. Only the newest and most dense could possibly think you were like him at all." His words were empassioned and intensely sincere, and he would not let her gaze drop from his. She had to see in him that what he said was true, that the pride would not, could not, blame or accuse her.

So intent was he on helping her to feel better, to overcome the guilt and self-recrimination, that he did not perceive the change in her expression, in her eyes, in her voice. He saw only a loosening, a release of tension that had lain shallowly beneath her skin. She spoke with less despair and near-loathing, and it eased his heart to hear. He swallowed a lump in his throat, taking hold of himself and stemming the surging wave of emotions that so wanted to break loose. The urge to speak his mind, to expose his feelings, to share his heart. In the end, he was glad he hadn't, for she still spoke highly of him, even here and now. Perhaps he lacked her gentle and forgiving spirit, but he could personally say no positive thing about the lion. Betrayal was not something to take lightly, but it was his crimes against Satomi that Kaneon could not willingly forgive him for.

He swallowed again, setting aside his own feelings, both of anger and of love, and paid heed to hers instead. It was astonishing how kindly and long-sighted she was. He gave her a small smile, reflecting only his genuine admiration and respect for her. "You are good for the pride, Satomi. Your heart is made up of more light than his was of darkness." His smile grew gently, like the warming of the sun's light upon the earth. "The people are lucky to have you." His voice trailed off with a faint note of wistfulness, though his eyes dropped to keep his heart's desire from her.