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The time for the Mwezi traveling caravan was nearing and Gaki was on a mission to see Arkaidia before she left with the group. It was an important mission she'd be on and Gaki had to see Arkaidia before she left. It would be a very long time before the two lions were reunited and that worked Gaki. One of his major fears was what if she changed her mind while she was away. There was no real reason for Gaki to fear this but it was something he worried about any ways. He'd just found a lion who could look past his past and he wasn't about to let that go with out a fight.

So he lurked out side the dens of a class much higher than his own. He was a bit like a wounded dog who had been shown a little bit of kindness. The pale lions loyalty was won over and he felt an almost need for Arkaidia's attention.

Beside where the pale lion sat was a very rough looking rock he'd brought. One front paw rested on top of the rough rock like it was something special and Gaki looked a little worried. There was something on his mind and even for lions that might not know him that much would be clear.

Gaki waited patiently and quietly.

Gaki smiled at the fact she wanted him to come along. Part of him wanted to go with the caravan but he knew it would not be right.

"I need to stay here to make amends. I'm not ready to leave the pride," He had gladly accepted his fate as a slave and he wasn't quite there with forgiving him self. Also to be in the presence of the queen again gave him a butterflies in his stomach. He didn't feel worthy of being around her yet despite her forgiveness. Heck, Gaki was still having some trouble with the fact Arkaidia wanted him around. However, slowly, he was getting better because of her.

"Oh.. well... " Tense was not something he thought he was but now that he thought about it he could feel it. The white lion lifted his paw to show the stone. To anyone who glanced at the stone, it would appear quite normal. "It's a special rock. I really wanted you to have half of it." It wasn't much of an explanation. Very quickly Gaki swiped on to the ground very hard. The stone snapped in to two revealing hundreds of purple crystals in both sides. The rock was a geode and it was now gleaming in the light.

"This way you'll have something to remember me by. And I can remember you... not that I'd forget but.."

Her eyes were looking upon his own and he had a hard time breaking his gaze like he might normally. Her eyes were a beautiful gray and it was hard to not admire them right now. He opened his maw to say something but words did not form.

It all happened in a flash but when it was all over Gaki realized he had Arkaidia's head under his chin and a front paw wrapped around her holding her close to him. His heart was beating very fast and he wasn't sure what he was doing but it felt right.

"I hope you don't mind," He spoke up. "But ..." Words were stuck in his throat. Was it okay for him to say that?

"I love you."

Gaki closed his eyes and held her tighter at her words of love. He felt in the wrong for doing this but the white lion couldn't deny his feelings and he needed to step on the road to forgive himself. Allowing him self to love again was the first step and it was because of Arkaidia he had even began to take these steps.

"I really wish I could go with you but I promise to be here for you when you get back. I'll want to hear stories of the outside." He was still holding her. Something in him made it very hard to want to let go.

"I hope that this small token helps you think of me." He finally allowed his front paw a break and released Arkaidia.

There was a guilt in Gaki's heart now that he was happy to be missed. It almost erased the on coming sadness that missing Arkaidia but he knew she needed to go. He would be dutiful in his daily tasks and keep his mind busy while she was off on important matters.

"I know you will be back as soon as you're able. And I'll wait for you until then." He gave her a brave smile. "I am going to work on my self while you're away to be worthy of your faith and love. I want you to come back to a Gaki who has forgiven him self and has no more shadows." He lifted his head. "I want to be better for you. "